Dongfang Liuli crossed her arms, her pretty face full of mockery. “Go on, keep acting.”
After a long while, she finally spoke, “I want to hear the truth.”
A legacy mark leading to the Heaven Supporting Realm was enough to ignite wars among nations and trigger a bloody era where Morning Glow Realm Great Beings would emerge to fight over it.
Yet now, Meng Qingzhou had casually given it to her. Dongfang Liuli found it hard to accept.
Meng Qingzhou was stunned.
The scene he had imagined, where Dongfang Liuli would be moved by the unexpected surprise, did not happen. Instead, she questioned him.
This left him utterly confused. The white-bearded old man who knew everything had given him a pill, which seemed perfectly fine.
Even though the white-bearded old man had appeared a bit too many times.
Meng Qingzhou sighed and said, “Actually, I found a seal in an ancient ruin, said to be a legacy mark of a great figure.”
“I know you don’t have any cultivation level, maybe because your talent isn’t enough, but I don’t want to see a future where I’m the only one left.”
Meng Qingzhou smiled gently and said, “Liuli, I want to spend my years with you.”
Every word was sincere, from the bottom of his heart. But Meng Qingzhou cleverly used the principle of avoiding the important and dwelling on the trivial, glossing over the preciousness and origin of the legacy mark.
Spend my years with you…
Dongfang Liuli was dumbfounded. These few words were like rolling thunder, echoing in her ears.
‘He is also a mortal, with only a hundred years of life, yet he thought I was just an ordinary person and gave me this invaluable legacy mark…’
‘But what about me…’
‘I always knew he was a mortal, but I never took it seriously.’
Dongfang Liuli’s eyes suddenly welled up with tears. She bit her lower lip, drawing blood, and said with great effort to control her emotions, “The preciousness of a legacy mark is known to everyone! Those with cultivation levels below the Moon Shine Realm aren’t even qualified to inherit it. Why did you give it to me without hesitation?”
Meng Qingzhou was about to explain but was interrupted by Dongfang Liuli.
Her voice carried a hint of sobbing, yet it was not gentle or despondent, but rather filled with questioning, “And you! You are just a mortal. How can you spend your years with me after giving me such a precious cultivation opportunity?”
“Meng Qingzhou, answer me!”
Meng Qingzhou was silent for a moment, forgetting all the prepared explanations, and simply said, “Because you are my wife. Is that reason enough?”
In an instant, it felt like a barrier in Dongfang Liuli’s heart was shattered. She stared fixedly at Meng Qingzhou, her eyes and heart filled with nothing but this disheveled young man.
The Empress, who had spent her life on the battlefield, suppressing nations, and pursuing her first love, suddenly felt…
Perhaps, compared to the entire world and the elusive path of cultivation, the person in front of her was the most important.
At this moment, Dongfang Liuli’s heart was filled with regret, and tears flowed uncontrollably.
…
‘Why did I go to such lengths to fabricate a lie? Why didn’t I say earlier that I am the Empress of Great Jin, and you are the Empress’ Husband!’
‘I don’t need the legacy mark to pursue the path of immortality. Even if it’s more difficult, there’s still a chance!’
…
But now, this only True Phoenix legacy mark was given to the one who needed it the least between us.
“Liuli, why are you crying?” Meng Qingzhou reached out to touch her cheek, gently wiping away her tears.
Dongfang Liuli’s shoulders shook as she sobbed, her red eyes looking at him. “Qingzhou, I regret it so much, I really regret it…”
Meng Qingzhou tilted his head in confusion. “Regret marrying me? Come on, are you serious? Putting on your pants and not recognizing me?”
‘Pfft…’
Dongfang Liuli was amused, unable to help but punch his chest lightly, pouting, “What nonsense are you talking about!”
Then, Dongfang Liuli took a deep breath and said, “I want to ask you a serious question. No joking around, understand?”
Although Meng Qingzhou was puzzled, he nodded and said, “Alright, go ahead.”
Dongfang Liuli took a deep breath, as if making a major decision, and said word by word, “What is your impression of Great Jin and the Empress? Tell me your true feelings!”
Initially, building Present Village and hiding the truth from the court officials was just to prevent Meng Qingzhou from being used by treacherous ministers. It was easier to let him be a carefree shield, blocking the officials’ mouths for the Empress.
By now, the Empress had come to understand Meng Qingzhou very well, considering him an important person in her heart, her rightful husband.
Hiding her identity no longer seemed so important.
But before revealing everything, she wanted to know Meng Qingzhou’s true feelings about the Empress. She didn’t want it to turn into a divorce scene right after the revelation, that would be a joke.
Hearing this, Meng Qingzhou was taken aback.
Goodness, it’s finally here!
In Great Jin, he had changed his name to Meng Qin and served as the Vice Minister of Rites. Dongfang Liuli had always known this and must have heard about the Empress’ lover rumor.
Meng Qingzhou had long been worried that this rumor might affect their relationship and had been thinking about how to explain it.
Since Dongfang Liuli brought it up, he had to perform well, right?
Meng Qingzhou cleared his throat, his face full of righteous indignation, and said loudly, “The Empress’ reputation doesn’t need much explanation, does it? Ruthless and brutal, a career-driven woman with almost no emotions, a killing machine, a nightmare for nations, the creator of a living hell…”
“If it weren’t for the Empress forcing me to go to the capital and become an official, I wouldn’t have bothered with her!”
“Even if this kind of woman were naked in front of me, I, Meng Qingzhou, wouldn’t bat an eye!”
As his words fell, the room fell silent.
Meng Qingzhou carefully recalled his words, feeling there was nothing wrong. Yes! Full marks for reading comprehension and essay writing!
No need to explain the Empress’ lover rumor. Just show my disgust and aversion towards the Empress, and naturally, Dongfang Liuli’s worries would be dispelled.
‘I am simply a genius.’ Meng Qingzhou rubbed his chin. Too bad he didn’t have glasses, or he could push up the frames to complete the atmosphere.
However, when Dongfang Liuli heard his fierce response, the anticipation in her eyes instantly faded, looking as if she had been struck by lightning.
She was completely stunned.
So, the Empress’ image in Meng Qingzhou’s heart was so unbearable? Even if she were naked in front of him, he wouldn’t look?
“That’s not true…” Dongfang Liuli stubbornly retorted, her pretty face turning purple-red, weakly murmuring, “She’s not ruthless and brutal, just a bit fierce to intimidate enemies and subordinates.”
“Being career-driven… doesn’t that just mean the Empress is hardworking? That’s a good trait, right?”
“A killing machine with no emotions, a nightmare for nations, the creator of a living hell, these are all baseless rumors! Ridiculous, laughable!”
Saying this, Dongfang Liuli blushed with embarrassment and awkwardly said, “Actually, the Empress is very gentle and virtuous, and she has a great figure…”
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