Boom—
Gu Sang's words were like a heavy blow to everyone's head, immediately snapping them back to reality.
Did Pei Changying's current actions and behavior still not make them recognize the harsh truth? Did they need to lose their entire clan and be executed before they finally believed?
No!
They could no longer trust Pei Changying!
He did not deserve their trust anymore!
Zhao's Father's lips trembled as he grabbed his eldest son's hand. His eyes were red as he looked at Gu Sang with a trembling, hopeful inquiry:
"Then could my daughter... could she be revived?"
"I know that you, Your Highness, were revived and returned to your modern later life."
"Could Rong Hua return to be by my side?"
As the words fell, everyone looked at Gu Sang with shock, anxiety, and hopeful eyes.
The closely watched Gu Sang, however, looked towards an empty space beside Zhao's Father.
Gu Sang said softly: "Uncle, life and death are destined, beyond the power of man to reclaim, but I can tell you that Rong Hua will reincarnate into the later world. In her next life, she will definitely be very happy!"
The later world is good, the later world is good!
At least there the woman would live more happily and freely!
Hearing the answer he wanted, determination flashed in Zhao's Father's eyes as he tearfully bowed deeply to Gu Sang: "That's good enough then. Thank you, Your Highness the Consort!"
"From now on, don't address me as 'Your Highness' anymore. There will be no more Pei Changying always calling me 'Consort' and forcing you all to acknowledge that I'm still his consort."
"Understood! Thank you, Miss Gu!"
-
The palace.
Gu Qingrou listened as the palace maids relayed news of Consort Zhao's act of throwing herself off the city walls in a tragically heroic manner that sent chills down one's spine.
She had never, ever imagined that Consort Zhao would take such a shocking, earth-shattering action!
In this deep palace, Consort Zhao was known as the one who feared pain the most and craved the Emperor's favor above all.
Gu Qingrou did not understand why Consort Zhao would have such firm determination to die.
Could the words Gu Sang spoke about gender equality really have such great appeal that they made one unafraid even of death?
"Consort Zhao, you... you're such a fool!"
"We were born to enjoy lives better than ordinary people. Naturally, our actions must consider our families."
"You so brazenly defied the Emperor like this. You died, but did you consider how the Emperor might retaliate against your family?"
"Was it worth it? Was it worth it......"
Thinking of Consort Zhao's act of martyrdom and her heart-wrenching words, Gu Qingrou felt stifled and inexplicably lost.
Looking at this luxurious palace and the crimson empress regalia she wore - the result of half a lifetime's struggle.
She had willingly flown into this gilded cage, becoming a caged bird.
This was her dream come true, something she should be satisfied with.
And yet....... in this moment, it felt as if invisible ropes were tightening around her, oppressing her until she could barely breathe, making her want to escape.
When Gu Qingrou came to her senses, she had already left that magnificent palace.
She had walked to the gates of Xuyang Palace, which she had once most loathed.
"Consort Zhao, rest in peace. I hope you are reborn well."
"Consort Zhao, your Zhao clan has been released. You can go in peace. Take this money to bribe the underworld clerks. May you be reborn into the modern world."
"Wah, wah, wah... Consort Li was placed under house arrest. Fortunately the Emperor did not cane her. It must be thanks to Your Highness's blessings from heaven..."
These were eunuchs and palace maids on duty at various palaces. They took advantage of the night to sneak to Xuyang Palace and pay their respects to Consort Zhao.
Holding wakes was strictly forbidden in the palace.
If any of their masters saw this, they would be doomed!
Yet they still risked punishment to come bid Consort Zhao farewell.
Perhaps, to some degree, Consort Zhao's ultimate self-sacrifice had succeeded.
"Your Highness, these servants have brazenly held a forbidden wake in the palace. A grave violation. Should we—"
Gu Qingrou raised her hand, cutting off the senior palace maid's words. She lowered her eyelids as various emotions flickered across her heart. Suddenly, she just felt so, so weary.
She had clearly taken the seat of honor and attained the most esteemed status!
She had clearly become wife to the man she loved most!
So why did she feel so oppressed?
"Let's go back."
"I'm tired. Let's just pretend we didn't see it."
Gu Qingrou took a deep look at the palace gates, as if gazing at something distant, very distant - something that seemed within arm's reach yet also horizon's away.
What was it?
She had been caged in this gilded prison for too long and could no longer recall...
