Chapter 109: The Worthless Dragon
Why does this emperor keep pulling one trick after another? What is this now? Su Jingluo lifted the lid of the box to reveal a dead, ashen-gray insect resembling a stink bug, thoroughly lifeless and evidently dead for some time.
“Life and Death Gu?” Su Jingluo recognized the tiny insect from the memories of the original owner.
“Exactly. This Life and Death Gu is paired with the one your junior sister carries. Since this insect is dead, it means your junior sister is also dead,” the emperor said, casting a meaningful glance at Su Jingluo.
“So cruel—using the Life and Death Gu?” Su Jingluo stared at the man before her, a chill running down her spine. What kind of despicable emperor was this, to exploit a woman so thoroughly? The original owner was formidable with a pair of Gu insects—was she just going to stand by and let this emperor toy with her like a plaything?
“This junior sister knew it too,” the emperor said slowly, fixing his gaze on the furious Su Jingluo as he revealed the truth.
Now that it was confirmed, it was no wonder the emperor acted as he did. The original owner was utterly naive—she was nothing more than a vessel for breeding Gu, agreeing to everything without question. Su Jingluo found it utterly incomprehensible.
“Heh, you can’t understand? Your junior sister was ambitious and clever, not as magnanimous or righteous as you,” the emperor said, now certain that Su Jingluo was not his junior sister.
“Heh,” Su Jingluo could only respond with a bitter laugh. Ambitious and clever? This was self-destruction.
“You don’t understand. Your junior sister wanted the Spirit Medicine Palace to permeate the entire realm. I admired her, and she admired me. She wished to help me consolidate the empire; I helped her expand the Spirit Medicine Palace. We both believed that destiny outweighs power, and power outweighs love. So she accepted the Life and Death Gu, letting me control her life and death. Then, fearing that Xiao Jingxuan would discover her insincerity, she also took the Love Gu. But our careful plans had one flaw—love seemed to transcend everything,” the emperor said regretfully, his eyes moist with unshed tears.
Su Jingluo felt no sympathy at all. What nonsense was this? If feelings weren’t enough, then use Gu insects to fill the void? Suddenly, she felt pity for Xiao Jingxuan—he only placed secret guards around her, yet she and the emperor tried to manipulate him with emotions and charms. How shameless.
Besides, wasn’t the original owner mentally ill? To expand the Spirit Medicine Palace by self-sacrifice, when the world offers countless honorable paths, why choose to ruin one’s life?
“Your junior sister was madly in love with Xiao Jingxuan. As long as the Gu insect lived, I knew she was still alive somewhere. It was as if she hid herself away, unreachable, never showing her face. In the end, she became a useless, forsaken pawn—one I could eliminate at any moment with the Gu, to prevent betrayal, yet I couldn’t bear to do so. Until a few days ago, when this Gu insect died. I was terrified and hurriedly summoned Prince Jing and you to the palace. Seeing your unfamiliar face among those I knew, I grew confused and anxious. After several encounters, it seems your junior sister is truly gone. And you… I’m curious—who are you?” The emperor’s voice was tinged with sorrow, tears welling in his eyes—the crocodile’s tears were so moving.
The car crashed, veering off course; the child died, and the milk came too late. Why the delay? If the Gu insect hadn’t died, the emperor might not even have known his junior sister was gone. Now, all this talk of deep affection and longing seemed hollow. Su Jingluo smiled faintly, choosing not to argue—he was the emperor, his self-fashioned role was his truth.
“Who are you?” The emperor saw the mocking smile in Su Jingluo’s eyes and felt both anger and helplessness.