Xiao Yunjing turned and left after he finished speaking.

“Wait a moment,” Gu Qingli called out to him.

Xiao Yunjing turned back. “What else do you need?”

Gu Qingli pursed her lips, her expression melancholic. “It’s just… if I’m truly gone in the future, please treat Brother Erlang kindly. No matter what he has done, please spare his life.”

“You are certainly devoted to him,” Xiao Yunjing remarked. “As long as you can fulfill your promise, this will be a trivial matter for me.”

Gu Qingli breathed a sigh of relief. “Good. Then I can rest assured.”

Watching the cold, indifferent man depart, Gu Qingli turned to go back inside. She had entreated him for this boon for Brother Erlang; it was the last thing she would do for him.

She hoped he would have a smooth life ahead and that her affection for him would not have been in vain.

Tomorrow, I’ll finally meet my birth parents! Gu Qingli grew inexplicably excited at the thought. Unable to sleep, she paced around the palace.

How wonderful it will be to really see my father and mother. Even if I die after seeing them, I’ll have no regrets.

「The next day」

As promised, Xiao Yunjing summoned Gu Xicheng and his wife to the Imperial Palace. Palace attendants led them to Fengqi Palace.

The moment Gu Qingli saw Gu Xicheng and his wife appear in Fengqi Palace, she burst into tears.

These are my real parents.

“Father! Mother!” Gu Qingli choked out between sobs, throwing herself into Ms. Su’s arms and weeping as if to release all her pent-up grievances and pain.

Ms. Su was taken aback when she saw how much thinner Gu Qingli was. My daughter really is sick.

“Li’er, how did you suddenly fall ill? Haven’t you always been in good health?” Ms. Su asked with concern, patting Gu Qingli’s back.

She helped Gu Qingli sit down, while Gu Xicheng waited to one side.

Li’er’s illness came on so strangely. Could there be unrest in the palace? Is someone stirring up trouble and harming my Li’er?

It was no wonder Ms. Su thought this way. Since ancient times, the Imperial Palace had always been a treacherous place. Although Xiao Yunjing had no other consorts, who knew what hidden evils might be lurking, waiting to harm others.

Gu Qingli stared intently at Ms. Su, her gaze unwavering, as if afraid Ms. Su might vanish before her eyes at any moment.

She shook her head. “Mother, don’t worry. Although this illness came on strangely, it’s nothing serious. I’ll be fine in a few days.”

Once I die in a few days, the other Gu Qingli will occupy my body, and everything will return to normal. Won’t that count as being healed? Healed without any medicine, even.

Several times she wanted to tell them the truth—that she was their real daughter—but the words always died in her throat. But what would be the point? Even if I told them, would it stop me from dying? Would they kill that outsider? Impossible.

Still, seeing Ms. Su so worried about her brought a measure of comfort to her heart. She knew her parents truly loved her. With that, she was content. So, what difference does it make whether I speak the truth or not? After all, this body will always be mine. My soul may not be able to enjoy our parents’ love, but this body still can.

Ms. Su felt reassured by her words. She gently caressed Gu Qingli’s gaunt cheeks, tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear. “Once Li’er has recovered,” she said with heartache, “bring the triplets home. Mother will make you some nourishing food. You’ve lost so much weight from this illness.”

She wasn’t even this thin after giving birth to the triplets. My heart aches unbearably. Now that my daughter is in Capital City, I must make up for everything I owe her from the past.

Gu Qingli nodded repeatedly, wiping away her tears. “Alright. Mother, Father, you must take care of yourselves too. I really want to see Older Brother. Why didn’t he come today?”

Ms. Su sensed something was off with Gu Qingli’s words but didn’t dwell on it. She simply assumed Gu Qingli was unwell and missed her family; sick people often craved the presence of loved ones.

“Your older brother is busy. Isn’t this the year of the grand examination? He’s preparing to sit for it, so he’s at home studying. You’ll see him in a few days when you come back.”

Gu Xicheng, listening nearby, also sensed that Gu Qingli’s tone and demeanor were different from usual, almost as if she were giving her last words. He frowned as he listened to his wife and daughter speak, but felt it wasn’t his place to interrupt.

Gu Qingli suppressed her sorrow and nodded. I won’t have a chance to see Older Brother again.

The mother and daughter spoke for a long while before Gu Qingli finally turned to Gu Xicheng. The latest_epɪ_sodes are on_the 𝕟𝕠𝕧𝕖𝕝⚑𝕗𝕚𝕣𝕖⚑𝕟𝕖𝕥

“Li’er, I’ve noticed something off about what you’re saying. Did something happen?” Gu Xicheng finally had a chance to ask.

Father has noticed. Gu Qingli shook her head. I’m very calm now; I don’t want to stir up any more trouble. If I spoke out, I’d feel better, but would Xiao Yunjing spare the Gu Family? No. He would kill everyone who knew the truth to protect that outsider. I won’t gamble with my family’s lives.

“No, Father, please don’t worry. It’s just that I haven’t seen you and Mother for a long time, and I missed you, that’s all.”

She smiled faintly. “I’ll be fine in a few days. Then I’ll bring the triplets home to stay for a few days.”

Only then did Gu Xicheng’s doubts subside.

The couple stayed for quite some time. Seeing Gu Qingli grow tired, they gave her some final words of advice before departing.

As soon as Gu Xicheng and his wife left, Gu Qingli seemed to deflate, her energy completely drained, as if she might pass away at any moment.

Wuqing was startled and quickly fed her some of the remaining Spiritual Spring Water.

Gu Qingli took a few sips and waved her hand. “There’s no need to waste these anymore. My wish has been fulfilled. It’s time.”

“Your Highness…” Wuqing felt a pang of sorrow. This truly was a pitiful person.

“Don’t be sad. It can only be said that I was not fated for it.”

At this moment, Gu Qingli truly felt a sense of release, the hatred in her heart dissipating. Her only regret was not being able to see Brother Erlang one last time.

But perhaps this is for the best. Brother Erlang has forgotten me and can live a happy life. That, too, is a kind of fulfillment for him.

Wuqing heaved a deep sigh, helped Gu Qingli lie down, and stayed by her side until she fell asleep.

「In the dark Space」

Gu Qingli watched as the other Gu Qingli, the Original Host, began to fade.

“I’m leaving now. From now on, please be filial to my parents,” the fading Original Host said weakly.

Gu Qingli nodded. “Rest assured. Try to be braver in your next life.”

It was because the Original Host was too timid that I was given this chance at rebirth.

“If I can, I will. Goodbye,” the Original Host said, and then completely vanished.

Gu Qingli watched the Original Host dissipate, a whirlwind of emotions stirring within her.

When she awoke, she saw Xiao Yunjing by her bedside, looking haggard and unshaven.

“Li’er, is it really you?” Xiao Yunjing asked, his voice filled with joyous surprise as he saw her awaken.

“Mm,” she confirmed. “She’s gone and won’t be coming back.”

“That’s wonderful!” Xiao Yunjing exclaimed, overcome with emotion. He pulled her into a tight embrace, showering her face with kisses.

“Go shave your beard, quickly.” His stubble was scratching her face, and Gu Qingli gently pushed him away, her voice laced with concern.

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