An Xiaoning continued, “Jin Qingyan and I got a divorce all because of you. If you hadn’t insisted that the child was yours when I had a miscarriage, he wouldn’t have misunderstood me. I’ve never blamed you or resented you for that, but have you ever spared a thought for me? When I was abducted by Pei Yi, you were the one who gave up the chance for a negotiation to redeem me while Jin Qingyan risked his life to rescue me. We were in love with each other right from the start, yet we were put in such a helpless predicament, all because of you. We dare not meet or contact each other at all. As the leader of the nation, is this how you should be treating your citizens!?!”

An Xiaoning burst into tears and screeched with sobs, “What did I owe you in my past life? Why do you have to do this to me? Why!?!”

After a few seconds of silence, Tuoba Gucheng said, “You lied to me when you said that you didn’t love him anymore. You were just lying to me. You love him very, very much…”

“Yes, I was lying to you. Even though he had divorced me, I still love him very much. Even if he stops loving me in the future, I’ll still love him. I’ll never stop loving him even until the day I die. Your Majesty, are you satisfied with this answer?” said An Xiaoning, who found that there was no point in hiding any further since the outcome would still be the same.

Tuoba Gucheng remained silent. An Xiaoning thought that he had already hung up and took a look at her screen, only to find that he was still on the line.

They both remained quiet. An Xiaoning had no idea what else to say to him.

“Let’s meet,” said Tuoba Gucheng.

“At this point, is there still a need for us to meet?” An Xiaoning questioned.

“Do you really want me to send my people to fetch you? I must meet you now. Come out immediately.”

“Give me an address.”

“…”

An Xiaoning proceeded to meet him at the five-star hotel he was staying at. She had once gone there before.

She headed there alone.

He was sipping and appreciating some tea in his room. An Xiaoning stepped forward and sat down opposite him with a straight face.

There was a cup of green tea in front of her, piping hot and vibrant of color.

He shot her a glance and signaled for her to drink the tea. Noticing that she was remaining still, he said with raised brows, “If you don’t want him to marry another woman, finish this and you’ll be free.”

“Did you poison it?”

“What do you think?” he answered vaguely.

An Xiaoning stared at the cup of tea and wanted to express her bravery. Yet, she said, “Do you really think he’ll treat that woman well after you force her to marry him? From what I know about him, he won’t.”

“Are you going to drink this tea, then? I doubt you’d be so stupid as to end your life just so you could stop him from getting married.”

“I don’t think I would be so foolish either.” An Xiaoning then picked up the cup and placed it near her lips.

“You… may consider carefully,” Tuoba Gucheng said with glistening eyes.

“There’s no need for that.”

She raised her head and gulped the cup of uncomfortably bitter tea.

“You…” Tuoba Gucheng did not expect her to have made a decision so soon.

“Your Majesty, I’ve already finished the tea, you won’t make him marry someone else anymore, will you? You must keep your word, Your Majesty,” said An Xiaoning.

Tuoba Gucheng was filled with an indescribable feeling and was overwhelmed with pain and misery. Staring at An Xiaoning with agony in his eyes, he said, “Is this… really worth it?”

“Didn’t you hope for this? You really won’t compel him anymore, right?” she asked again.

He nodded and stared at her, overwhelmed with a mix of emotions.

“Your Majesty, what poison did you add to this tea?”

“A lethal one.”

“How long will it take for the effects to show?” she asked.

“Twenty minutes.”

“Your Majesty… if I manage to survive, will you agree to let me and Jin Qingyan off in the future?”

“This poison… is absolutely fatal.”

“I mean if…”

“There are no ‘ifs.’”

An Xiaoning actually chuckled at this juncture. “Perhaps I’m different from others?”

At this moment, a liquid began flowing out of her eyes. It was not tears but blood.

Blood was flowing out of every crevice of her face, including her eyes, nose, and lips.

Tuoba Gucheng initially thought that he could watch her die without feeling affected. Yet, he froze in terror upon the sight of her bleeding and closed his eyes.

Trembling vigorously, An Xiaoning whipped her mobile phone out from her pocket and saved the voice recording before calling Jin Qingyan.

“The president said that he won’t compel you anymore. He’s the president and a man of his word. He won’t break his promise,” said An Xiaoning, trying to sound as normal as possible.

“What are you doing in the hotel?”

“What do you think? Qingyan.”

“Yes, I’m here.”

“Take good care of our child.” She then hung up immediately.

An Xiaoning lay against the couch and closed her eyes while murmuring a spell. Two minutes later, she vomited a huge mouthful of blood and retrieved a piece of tissue paper slowly, which she then used to wipe the corners of her mouth, ears, and nose.

The bleeding stopped immediately.

“I’m afraid I’ll have to disappoint you, Your Majesty. I can’t fulfill your wishes and die here.” An Xiaoning then dragged the dustbin toward her and poured the water from the kettle onto the piece of tissue before continuing to wipe her face.

Tuoba Gucheng finally recovered from the shock. Twenty minutes later, she remained in her seat all prim and proper, although her eyes were bloodshot.

“You…”

“Your Majesty, I’ve already given you the chance to kill me and I’ve already drunk the poisoned tea. You’ve also agreed to stop forcing Qingyan to get married. I’m going home now, my mother is still waiting for me at home.” She stood up and glared at him coldly before continuing, “Your Majesty, you may try letting me have a taste of a different kind of poison next time. I doubt such a poison can be purchased on the market. It’s a blessing that I got to try it.”

Tuoba Gucheng had never seen such a look in her eyes before. There wasn’t a single tinge of resentment or aloofness, though it was rather unsettling.

He could not figure out how she managed to survive despite having ingested the lethal poison.

He did not have the intention to kill her again, for he had been filled with immense regret at the sight of An Xiaoning bleeding all over.

“Xiaoning…”

“Your Majesty, do you have any more orders for me?” An Xiaoning asked coldly.

“Just what’s so great about him? Why do you love him so much?”

“What’s so great about me, then? You tried to ruin me when you couldn’t win my heart.”

“How did you survive despite downing the poison…”

“I don’t know. Maybe Heaven thinks I’m too young to die. Hades refused to take me in. Seems like Hades is more benevolent than you are, Your Majesty. He was so kind and merciful toward me even when he doesn’t know me. I must offer him some incense and thank him for his kindness.”

“You must detest me to the core, don’t you?”

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