56: Strike a Heavy Punch

“That Old Emperor actually imprisoned such a beautiful woman like you here for ten whole years without a single word! If it were me, I wouldn't do that!”

“Do you know? When I heard that news, how heartbroken I was? That fellow who doesn't know how to cherish beauty!”

Su Xuan was furious, as if he had been secretly in love with Shen Qingwan for a long time.

“Then what does that have to do with you…”

Su Xuan's words somewhat stirred Shen Qingwan. It was impossible for her not to harbor resentment after the Old Emperor had kept her imprisoned here for so long.

“How is it not related? I like you, Empress! When I see you, my heart aches!”

Su Xuan said, clutching his heart.

“Don't you want to take revenge on him? Don't you want to leave here? Leave here, be with me, and then show him what he's missing!”

“Don't you look forward to the expression on his face when he sees this scene? Don't you hope to see his expression of regret?”

Su Xuan spoke with conviction.

“I… I…”

Hearing Su Xuan's words, memories of the past flashed through Shen Qingwan's eyes.

Shen Qingwan's eyes gradually dimmed, her thoughts drifting back to the night that changed her life.

Inside the Imperial Study, candlelight flickered. The Old Emperor sat on his dragon throne, his expression cold, while Shen Qingwan knelt on the ground, tears welling up in her eyes.

“Your Majesty, I do not know what wrong I have committed. Why must you treat me this way?”

Shen Qingwan asked, choking back sobs.

Upon hearing the news that the Old Emperor intended to banish her to the Imperial Harem, Shen Qingwan was utterly stunned.

Just a month ago, she and the Old Emperor were deeply in love, but in the blink of an eye, she was to be sent to the Imperial Harem?

How could a man's heart change so suddenly?

Shen Qingwan didn't understand any of this. She only knew that she was about to be abandoned, yet she didn't know how to salvage the situation, so she could only keep asking questions.

Looking at Shen Qingwan, who only knew how to ask questions, the Old Emperor helplessly shook his head.

To him, Shen Qingwan was just a vase. If she hadn't given birth to a son, her status would likely be even lower.

However, the Third Prince was useless, more prone to failure than success. Moreover, as time passed, more and more concubines entered the imperial palace.

The Old Emperor gradually lost interest in Shen Qingwan.

In addition, there were rumors that Shen Qingwan had secretly taken many items from the palace in order to cultivate the Third Prince.

The Old Emperor knew that Shen Qingwan's nature wouldn't allow her to do such things, but this undoubtedly gave him a reason!

“Why? Is it not clear why I'm doing this? You privately took things from the palace, and now you ask me why?”

The Old Emperor said, glaring with wide eyes.

The Old Emperor's unfamiliar demeanor stunned Shen Qingwan; he had never treated her this way before.

“No… Your Majesty! I didn't! I didn't do any of those things!”

Shen Qingwan exclaimed loudly.

“Enough! Still trying to argue? If not for our past as husband and wife, I would have executed you long ago!”

“Guards! Send her to the Imperial Harem! She is forbidden to leave for life!”

The Old Emperor roared.

At the Old Emperor's command, Shen Qingwan was dragged away by a group of palace maids.

“No! Your Majesty!”

Shen Qingwan struggled free with great difficulty, but the Old Emperor merely flicked his sleeve and turned away, no longer looking at her.

Ultimately, Shen Qingwan was dragged away in despair, her cries echoing through the empty palace, yet no one paid any heed.

However, fortunately, Shen Qingwan's maid, Xiao Ran, remained loyal and followed Shen Qingwan into the Cold Palace. The two comforted each other and huddled together for warmth, which prevented them from completely losing their minds.

“Empress, don't dwell on the past. Everyone should look forward, right?”

Su Xuan gently stroked Shen Qingwan's beautiful hair.

Su Xuan's voice pulled Shen Qingwan back to reality. Recalling those past memories, Shen Qingwan felt that Su Xuan made sense!

The Old Emperor treated her unjustly, so she shouldn't be blamed for acting disloyally. Since you banished me to the Imperial Harem back then, I will exact my revenge on you!

“You're right. That heartless man treated me this way, and I must get my revenge!”

Shen Qingwan said with determined eyes.

“I'll go with you. From now on, I am yours. If, in the future, you also treat me poorly, then I will retaliate just as I am today!”

Shen Qingwan stared into Su Xuan's eyes and said.

“Don't worry! I am not a heartless or ungrateful person; you can rest assured on that point!”

Seeing Shen Qingwan agree, Su Xuan was overjoyed; he was truly getting addicted to being a father.

“Ding! Congratulations to the host for successfully changing the plot! Reward: 50,000 Villain Points! Ning Village's Luck Value decreases by 5,000!”

“So many Villain Points? It seems Shen Qingwan holds a significant position in the plot!”

Su Xuan thought to himself.

This was the first time he had gained so many Villain Points by changing the plot!

At the same time, this also told Su Xuan that Ning Village was probably the new Destined Protagonist.

Protagonists are protected by the Destined Protagonist's aura, and Su Xuan could do nothing against them until their Luck value was weakened or they became corrupted.

Since that was the case, Su Xuan had no choice but to deliver heavy blows—oh, no, heavy artillery—to their loved ones!

“Husband…”

Hearing Su Xuan's words, Shen Qingwan, though not entirely convinced, quickly got into character.

“Hehehe, my wife!”

Su Xuan instinctively moved closer to Shen Qingwan.

“Wait… are we doing this here?”

Shen Qingwan was a little surprised. Was Su Xuan really that impatient?

“What else?”

Su Xuan asked, puzzled.

“This is the Imperial Harem…”

“I know, that's why I'm here to bring you warmth, aren't I?”

“Oh! You really are something! I give up…”

…

Meanwhile, in the teahouse, Ning Village suddenly felt a stabbing pain in his heart, as if something important had been lost.

“This… what is this feeling? So painful! So painful!”

Ning Village clutched his heart.

Pain! It was truly too painful! It felt as if ten thousand knives were simultaneously piercing his heart!

That feeling was simply indescribable!

Because anyone who had experienced that feeling would surely be dead!

“Disciple? What's wrong with you? Are you alright!”

Old Wang saw Ning Village suddenly turn pale, cold sweat beading on him, as if his end was near.

This immediately scared Old Wang. He had lived for so long, and it was the first time he had seen someone suddenly in this condition!

“Is it poison? No! In this Qi Country, no one can poison someone under my nose!”

Old Wang was a powerful expert at the Saint level; there was no one stronger than him in the entire Qi Country!

Furthermore, if such an existence truly existed, to kill a Divine Power Realm Ning Village would be a matter of a single glance. Why would they use such a low-level method as poisoning?