Chapter 305: Chapter 302 Change of Face

But Sang Yan still discerned her meaning.

She naturally didn’t believe it, she simply thought she was shirking responsibility–how could she have killed someone and not know?

“How is He Ying doing?”

Sang Ruoshui inquired about He Ying’s condition in a jumbled rush: he’s alright, isn’t he? He must be fine, right?

It was as if she was consoling herself, muttering: he’s the strongest. He’ll be okay.

As she muttered, she crawled to her knees, clasped her hands together, and spoke words praying for his safety.

It was like watching a play.

Sang Yan, furious, slapped her across the face.

“Smack!”

The slap was hard.

It sent a shock of pain through her own hand.

Sang Ruoshui was hit so hard that she toppled to one side, spitting out a mouthful of blood.

Her body was truly weak, once she fell to the ground, she couldn’t get up again.

“Hahaha, dead, dead–”

She seemed to have been provoked, laughing loudly almost to the point of madness.

Sang Yan walked over, grabbed her by the collar, and asked in agony, “What do I owe you? Sang Ruoshui, how have I wronged you?”

She had tolerated her time and again out of respect for the original host, so why did she end up with this fate?

Indeed, showing mercy to an enemy is cruelty to oneself, is it not?

She felt the last bit of kindness within her heart being ground away by her.

Sang Ruoshui was hoisted by her clothes, tightened around her neck, making it difficult for her to breathe.

Her face turned red, her vision began to fade.

“Sang Ruoshui, you really deserve to die!”

She heard Sang Yan’s rage-filled roar, filled with hatred.

But the next moment, she let go of her hands.

“Cough, cough, cough–”

Sang Ruoshui lay prone on the ground, gasping for air.

When she raised her head again, she saw a glaring red close at hand and almost wanted to laugh: if nothing unexpected happened tonight, it would have been her wedding night!

And He Ying had fallen on her wedding night.

A husband-killing fate!

She laughed hysterically, “Sang Yan, what I can’t have, you won’t have either.”

“Smack!”

Sang Yan slapped her again.

“I will kill you.”

She roared, filled with murderous intent.

If anything happened to He Ying, she would kill her by her own hand.

“Then… go ahead and kill.”

Sang Ruoshui lay on the ground and slowly closed her eyes.

She felt exhausted, weak all over, and very uncomfortable.

Perhaps death would bring relief.

Sang Yan looked at her, lying on the ground like a dead dog, and lost the energy to question her further.

Everything had already happened.

There was no turning back.

What was the point of continuing such brutal beatings?

She had no interest in inflicting torture.

“Should we call the Imperial Physician?”

The jailer saw Sang Yan was about to leave and asked softly.

Sang Yan heard it and paused for a while before saying, “Let her be.”

She wouldn’t kill her yet.

Whether she lived or died depended on her fate.

Perhaps dying slowly was the best punishment for her.

Sang Yan walked out with a cold expression.

Nanny Hu followed at her side, behind were the accompanying Palace Attendants.

At a corner, a strange fragrance suddenly assailed them, and the Palace Attendants fell one by one.

Sang Yan heard the commotion and was about to look back–

Nanny Hu quickly pulled out a white handkerchief and covered her mouth and nose.

The handkerchief was folded neatly, fitting perfectly over her mouth and nose.

“Mmm–”

Sang Yan hadn’t expected to be ambushed, she struggled vigorously to call for help.

But the drug in the handkerchief entered her mouth and nose, instantly numbing her senses.

Who was it?

Who wanted to harm her?

First He Ying, then her, was this all a setup?

Who was the mastermind behind the scenes?

How many wolves and tigers still lurked within this Imperial Palace?

What to do?

What should He Ying do?

This one instant was too lengthy.

She thought of too much, too much, yet powerless to change anything.

Tears fell.

She had been tricked.

From very early on, very early.

Before passing out, she saw a figure in red approaching.

Closer still.

That face came into her field of vision.

Her pupils contracted, disbelieving: How could it be!

Darkness struck.

She fell backward.

Into the arms of Nanny Hu.

Nanny Hu steadied the fainting person, looking toward the approaching Qing Wu with a grave expression, “Remember your mission. Now is the perfect opportunity to get rid of He Ying.”

Qing Wu was wrapped in a red cloak, disguised just like Sang Yan.

Not only did the attire match, but there was also a face identical to hers.

“How strikingly similar.”

She walked over, stopping right in front of Sang Yan, raised her hand to touch her face, sighing in admiration, “Miss Hong Zhao’s Face-changing Technique is truly miraculous.”

She had not only taken on Nanny Hu’s face but also Xing Ce’s, and now, she had taken Sang Yan’s as well.

“What are you dazed for?”

Xing Ce entered with his men, lifting the unconscious Sang Yan and pushing Qing Wu, “No dawdling. Leave quickly. Remember the master’s command.”

With Emperor Da He having been assaulted and currently unconscious, it was all too easy for Qing Wu, masquerading as Sang Yan, to approach him, and all too easy to eliminate him.

“I remember.”

Qing Wu’s gaze lingered on Sang Yan’s face.

After the face change, she had enticed Qi Wuya.

At that time, his gaze upon her was tender, full of deep affection.

When she leaned in to kiss him, she could feel his stirred passion, yet he still pushed her away.

She imitated Sang Yan’s tone and expression, believing she had mastered it completely, yet with exactly the same face, he rejected her time and again.

She grew jealous–she was a widow with a husband-killing fate, what made her so worthy of the affection of Emperors from two countries?

Unaware of Qing Wu’s thoughts, Xing Ce quickly left with Sang Yan in his arms.

Qing Wu’s gaze followed them.

Nanny Hu assisted her, as usual, “Empress, watch your step.”

Qing Wu did not speak, looking back at the Palace Attendant lying on the ground.

Nanny Hu understood her meaning, whispering, “Don’t worry. You also know that they’ve been exposed to Mandala Flower Pollen. Controlled in the right dosage, those who have fainted will wake up believing they merely fell asleep. Considering their negligence, they wouldn’t dare to make a fuss.”

Qing Wu nodded but then said, “Have them lie separately. Otherwise, waking up together will be a slip-up.”

Nanny Hu agreed.

Qing Wu then stepped out.

She did not return to Qifeng Palace but went to Qingning Palace instead.

After the Emperor had been attacked and fallen into unconsciousness, most of the Imperial Palace’s guards were concentrated there, which afforded them the opportunity for a body double switch.

She was now Sang Yan.

Sang Yan was the woman He Ying loved most.

Now, the “woman” he loved most was going to kill him.

In the main hall of Qingning Palace,

Luo Shan stood guard by the bedside.

Her body was not yet recovered, she took the bowl of ginseng soup handed to her by Pei Muyang and drank it with gulps, having no choice but to rely on the ginseng soup to sustain her vitality.

But He Ying could not have the ginseng soup.

He had lost too much blood, was too weak to benefit from nourishment, and needed a slow recuperation.

Assuming he could last that long.

“Ah Yan, Ah Yan–”

He was still feverish, muttering deliriously, “Don’t be afraid… don’t be afraid… I’m here… I’m here…”

What an infatuated fool!

Luo Shan looked at his feverishly red face, sweat breaking out even on his neck, glistening under the lamplight.

She removed the damp towel from his forehead, wiped the sweat from his neck–barely two wipes and she was out of strength.

“It’s your turn.”

She looked toward Pei Muyang, her brows tightly furrowed, barely holding up even after the ginseng soup.

Seeing her weary expression, Pei Muyang gestured to a bed not far away where Sang Yan had lain unconscious before, saying, “Doctor Luo has worked hard. Go rest now.”

He didn’t expect Luo Shan, recuperating in the side hall of Qingning Palace, to step up in a critical moment and even save the Emperor’s life.

Was this an act of kindness repaid by fortune?

If so, then that act of kindness was done by Sang Yan, could it prove that she was not destined to be a widow?

Thinking of Sang Yan, “Sang Yan” arrived.

“Greetings to the Empress–”

Just as Luo Shan was about to lie down on the bed, she saw a figure in red enter and quickly paid her respects to “Sang Yan.”

Qing Wu knew her relationship with Sang Yan and nodded, forcing a smile, “Luo Shan, thank you.”

After her forced smile, she turned to look at the man lying unconscious on the bed, feigning a sorrowful demeanor.

Ah, with so many eyes watching, how could she find the chance to finish him off?