"You were the legitimate daughter of your family. At that time, Pei Changying was still an unfavored prince without prospects. Even if you had taken a liking to Pei Changying, your family would never have agreed to let you marry him."
"Let's not talk about these old matters anymore. Why did you call me online?"
Gu Qingrou was momentarily stunned.
That's right.
So what if the Emperor had taken a liking to her?
She was the legitimate daughter of the Gu family.
How could she marry a disowned illegitimate son? Moreover, at that time, she didn't even approve of his background.
At this moment, Gu Qingrou suddenly felt as if she had never gained anything, as if she could never compete with Gu Sang in anything, and even that little fantasy was gone.
She said with self-mockery and melancholy, "This Empress just wanted to tell you, since you've already gone back, don't come back again."
"Sometimes what you see isn't necessarily what you think you see."
"Gu Sang, do you know what your only flaw is?"
Seeing Gu Sang frown, Gu Qingrou then said with a light laugh:
"Even This Empress can see it. Your biggest flaw is your grandmother, or you could say your grandmother is your weak point."
"Every time your emotions show, it's because of your grandmother."
"Everyone in the palace knows this, because it's very likely that someone might use this point to trick you into coming back."
Gu Sang had already guessed that that scumbag must have had a backup plan.
So this was it!
Gu Sang smiled and narrowed her dark eyes dangerously, "It's Pei Changying, isn't it?!"
"Who it is doesn't matter anymore, does it? This Empress just wants to tell you that if you encounter such a situation, observe carefully. What's fake is fake. Pay attention to the details, and you won't be deceived."
"As for the rest, This Empress doesn't want to say much to you."
"You know, to This Empress, you are nothing but a disaster."
"If possible, This Empress truly wishes that you had never existed in my world, that you would never appear again!"
Gu Qingrou's vague words allowed Gu Sang to guess Pei Changying's intentions. Combined with her previous conversation with Pei Changying, she immediately understood the whole situation.
As for those last words.
Gu Sang didn't care at all.
Who would fight you for Pei Changying?
He's all yours!
You two can be locked together forever!
So, with a softened look in her eyes towards Gu Qingrou, she said, "Alright, thank you for reminding me. I'll be locked with Pei Changying for life, haha."
"Is there anything else you want to say?"
Gu Qingrou looked at the glowing screen, hearing Gu Sang's thanks in her ears, a trace of discomfort flashed across her face.
She had always seen Gu Sang as a romantic rival, and back then, she hated her for being a stepping stone between herself and Pei Changying.
Even though Gu Sang had known Pei Changying first, wasn't the one who wasn't loved the real third wheel?
But at that time, she didn't have the courage to say to Gu Sang, "You third wheel, Pei Changying doesn't love you, you should leave quickly, Pei Changying loves me."
Deep down, she was probably both envious and jealous of Gu Sang.
Because even though Gu Sang had never gained Pei Changying's love, she had the ability to help Pei Changying seize the throne.
So, she could only compromise and watch Pei Changying deceive Gu Sang.
Watching the man she loved most be affectionate with her one moment, and then appear as a couple with Gu Sang the next, receiving everyone's blessings.
All along, her feelings towards Gu Sang had been complex. It wasn't quite resentment, but dislike and jealousy were real.
Gu Qingrou turned her head, facing Gu Sang with her profile, hiding her emotions behind the other half of her face.
"Also, This Empress doesn't want you to come back! Never!"
"This Empress is not like you who can choose. In this place, it's all about following one's husband. This Empress's best outcome is to hold tightly onto the Emperor, defending my position as Empress to the death."
"So, This Empress doesn't want you to come back. If you come back, given the Emperor's current infatuation with you, he will surely make you Empress."
"This Empress has already sacrificed all of her happiness, there's no turning back now. The position of Empress, This Empress cannot lose it!"
Seeing the stubborn heart beneath Gu Qingrou's fragile exterior.
Every word was about position.
Her eyes were full of deep emotion.
Gu Sang found it laughable. She sighed and asked, "You've given up so much, done so many evil things, even hurt yourself, always diligently guarding your position as Empress."
"As soon as there's the slightest disturbance, you're on high alert, making yourself so miserable."
"Is this what you want? Is it worth it?"
Gu Qingrou was slightly stunned, her lips trembled in the candlelight.
At this moment.
Countless images flashed through her mind.
There were scenes from the future live broadcast.
There was Pei Changying's tenderness towards her.
And there were her father's expectations for her.
A hint of bewilderment flashed in her eyes, but finally, she took a deep breath and said firmly:
"This Empress doesn't care if it's worth it or not. This Empress only knows that I like Pei Changying. No matter how incompetent he is in your eyes, in my heart, he is the person I like most. Even if he has flaws, This Empress still likes him."
"This Empress has nothing left to lose, only the Emperor."
"Gu Sang, This Empress only has him now."
"Yet you ask This Empress if it's worth it? Hah, how ironic."
Without choices, how can one choose?
It's just like how the rich can never understand why the poor are so poor, thinking that if the poor were just hardworking, they would surely become rich.
She and Gu Sang were from completely different worlds. Gu Sang could freely fall in love, she had received education from the future, she had the courage and the confidence to choose what she wanted.
But she had been cultivated to be a virtuous wife and good mother from a young age.
Her destined path was to support her husband and teach her children. She had no choice!
Gu Sang actually wanted to say a lot, but she swallowed her words as they reached her lips.
Gu Qingrou had never seen light in her married life, how could she be made to long for light? She didn't even know what it was!
Gu Sang was different. She was born in the bright future, with an unyielding spirit, never submitting.
Gu Sang remained silent for a long time, so long that Gu Qingrou thought Gu Sang had already left, until Gu Sang's sigh was heard again.
"Forget it, do as you wish."
"If there's a chance in the future, I'll let you see what married life is like in our future."
"It seems that since ancient times, parents have required us to learn cooking and housework, just so that when we marry into another family, we can take good care of our husband's entire family."
"But this itself is moral kidnapping. Why must it be women who sacrifice? Why must women be capable both in the hall and in the kitchen?"
"In our future, now many boys also do housework, cook, and do laundry. People's thoughts are gradually changing."
"From these small changes to changes in thinking, both men and women recognize that married life needs to be managed by both parties, not just one person desperately sacrificing."
"A emotionally stable partner who can understand and love you is what you deserve to have. As for a partner who doesn't take you seriously, it's best to cut your losses early."
"Take care of yourself, Gu Qingrou."
