Although Xie Chengrui wasn't very skilled in martial arts himself, he had many capable subordinates who protected him, allowing him to survive.
"Are you all okay?"
A familiar voice rang out. Gu Jiangyue looked up and saw Gu Yanwu. Behind Gu Yanwu was a troop of soldiers.
Gu Yanwu rushed towards Gu Jiangyue. The troops behind him also swarmed in and quickly subdued the remaining enemies. However, unnoticed by anyone, Xie Chengrui had quietly slipped away.
"Dad, I'm fine!"
The situation was under control. After assuring Gu Yanwu of her safety, Gu Jiangyue exchanged a glance with Xie Jiuan. Then they both started examining the corpses on the ground.
After a quick inspection, they didn't find Xie Chengrui's body. Gu Jiangyue had a hunch about where he might be. She anxiously said to Xie Jiuan,
"We should go find Gu Zhengwan. Let's go quickly!"
Just as they stepped out of the main hall and hadn't gone far, they saw Ji Yunsheng.
Ji Yunsheng staggered. All the silver ornaments on his body were gone. Without the magnificent decorations, his thin purple robe made him look a bit lonely.
"I won. Xie Yuwen definitely won't survive this time."
Ji Yunsheng managed a faint smile. Then he slumped to the ground. Just as Xie Jiuan and Gu Jiangyue were about to reach out to help him, Ji Yunsheng stopped them.
Ji Yunsheng shook his robe. There was no sound of silver ornaments clinking. He let out a soft laugh and said,
"It's okay. I just used up all my assets. I'm a bit heart - broken. You two should go quickly."
Xie Jiuan and Gu Jiangyue didn't hesitate and rushed towards the place where Gu Zhengwan was.
When Gu Jiangyue pushed open the door, all she saw was a pile of cut ropes and the cloth that had been stuffed in Gu Zhengwan's mouth.
"They should be heading out of the city. Let's chase them quickly!"
Gu Jiangyue quickly made a judgment. The two rushed out of the palace. There was a horse outside the palace. Xie Jiuan leaped onto the horse and then pulled Gu Jiangyue into his arms. Then he clamped his legs on the horse's belly, and the horse galloped towards the city gate.
Gu Jiangyue remembered that Xie Chengrui couldn't ride a horse, so she guessed they couldn't have gone far. Gu Jiangyue gave directions to Xie Jiuan. After a bumpy ride, they finally saw two figures on the road. It was Xie Chengrui and Gu Zhengwan.
"Stop!"
Gu Jiangyue shouted angrily. Xie Jiuan quickly blocked their way by pulling the horse in front of them.
Gu Jiangyue dismounted and looked at the two disheveled people.
Xie Chengrui and Gu Zhengwan had no intention of resisting. Instead, Xie Chengrui shook off Gu Zhengwan and walked towards Gu Jiangyue with a flattering look.
"Jiangyue, all those things in the past were what that crazy woman Gu Zhengwan made me do. I love you! I truly love you!"
Gu Jiangyue took a step back. Hearing Xie Chengrui's words, she only felt nauseous.
Gu Jiangyue sneered. Xie Chengrui was still the same as ever. She took out two daggers and threw them on the ground, saying,
"One of you will live if you win this fight."
Gu Jiangyue's voice was cold. Under Gu Zhengwan's stunned gaze, Xie Chengrui quickly picked up the dagger on the ground and was about to kill Gu Zhengwan.
Although Gu Zhengwan was in disbelief, Xie Chengrui's hands were trembling badly out of fear. Gu Zhengwan managed to dodge his attack.
To defend herself, she also picked up a dagger from the ground. There was no trace of affection in Xie Chengrui's eyes, only killing intent. The two soon fought each other. But Gu Jiangyue noticed that Gu Zhengwan showed mercy and didn't strike to kill.
It was precisely this mercy that gave Xie Chengrui an opportunity. Without hesitation, Xie Chengrui stabbed the dagger into Gu Zhengwan's heart. He was so afraid that she wouldn't die that he twisted the dagger a few more times.
"Xie Chen... Ugh..."
Gu Zhengwan spat out a mouthful of blood. But Xie Chengrui didn't care about her at all. Instead, he looked at Gu Jiangyue excitedly.
"Jiangyue! Now I'll... live..."
Before Xie Chengrui could finish his sentence, Gu Zhengwan also picked up a dagger and stabbed it into Xie Chengrui's chest.
She was completely disappointed in Xie Chengrui. Since she couldn't live, she didn't want Xie Chengrui to live either. Then both of them fell heavily to the ground and didn't move again.
Looking at their wide - open, unclosed eyes, Gu Jiangyue sneered. In the previous life, they were deeply in love with each other. But now they had killed each other. Gu Jiangyue found it extremely ironic.
It was better for selfish people to die.
After dealing with Gu Zhengwan and Xie Chengrui, Gu Jiangyue and Xie Jiuan returned to the palace. They stood at the entrance of the main hall. There was no one inside except Ji Yunsheng, who seemed to be looking at something.
When Gu Jiangyue and Xie Jiuan walked closer, they saw that Xie Yuwen was also in the main hall. He was lying on the ground. The exposed skin on his body was greenish - blue, indicating that he had been poisoned.
Xie Yuwen was using his hands to crawl up the steps, one by one, just to reach the throne. Ji Yunsheng watched Xie Yuwen leisurely.
There was only greedy desire in Xie Yuwen's light - brown eyes. He murmured,
"The throne is mine! It's mine!"
Xie Yuwen climbed up the last step. He slowly raised his hand. He was about to touch the sacred throne. But just as he was about to reach it, Ji Yunsheng stepped forward and pierced Xie Yuwen's heart with his sword.
Xie Yuwen died without ever touching the throne.
After everyone left, Xie Jiuan went alone with his sword to the emperor's bedroom. The emperor was lying on the couch, his lips pale. When he saw Xie Jiuan coming, he quickly said,
"It was all my fault back then! It was all my fault! I'll promise you whatever you want!"
There was blood on Xie Jiuan's face. Looking at the man who had killed his mother, he said,
"Son wants Father Emperor to abdicate voluntarily."
This was the first time Xie Jiuan called him Father Emperor, and it would also be the last. Xie Jiuan raised his hand and brought it down. Blood splashed onto the nearby screen.
The emperor died, but Xie Jiuan was extremely calm. He turned around and walked to the table. He wrote an imperial edict. Just as he finished writing, Gu Jiangyue rushed over hearing the sound.
Seeing Xie Jiuan's blood - red eyes, she walked forward and hugged him.
Xie Jiuan also moved his hand and wrapped his arms around Gu Jiangyue, saying,
"Jiangyue, if this dynasty treats you badly, I'll overthrow it for you and let you rule this country."
Gu Jiangyue hugged Xie Jiuan, nodded, and whispered,
"For the rest of my life, having you by my side is enough."
That day, the palace was ablaze with fire, and the air was filled with a thick smell of blood. The two kissed in the sea of blood and watched the hardships of this journey together.
The reason why Xie Jiuan always pretended to be a cynical person was that he wanted to make the emperor relax his guard. He was like a poisonous snake lurking in the dark, waiting for the right moment to strike.
On the day Xie Jiuan ascended the throne, the whole city was in an uproar. The rumors about him were self - refuted.
Xie Jiuan sat on the throne, wearing the imperial robe. He looked at Gu Jiangyue sitting beside him with a smile on his lips.
He shed his layers of disguise. Sitting high on the throne, he was like a celestial being from the nine heavens, unforgettable at first sight.
"Jiangyue! For old times' sake, please help us!"
An old and shrill voice echoed in the hall.
Gu Jiangyue looked over and immediately recognized a familiar face.