"Aunt, when will the happy palanquin arrive?"

Zhao Lian'er donned a crimson robe, her figure striking against the floor. She gazed at her reflection in the bronze mirror, adorned and ready. With a playful wink, she looked up at her aunt.

Though her voice was urging, the woman shook her head repeatedly. "My child, I know you like the prince, but give it some time, be a little more reserved."

As the words fell, the six-tailed crown was placed upon Zhao Lian'er's head, making her eyes sparkle with a captivatingly clear and vibrant light.

This is a headpiece that only a princess consort would have. It was carefully presented to Zhao Mansion last night by the head steward of the Ministry of Household Affairs.

Five years ago, he made a promise.

"My dear, in this lifetime, you can only be mine."

Today, he made good on his word and is getting married.

Thinking about this, I couldn't help but laugh.

Before the smile could fade, he heard——

"Ah...!"

A sudden, sharp prick came from beneath the door. Zhao Lian'er's heart leaped; before she could speak, her aunt pressed her down.

But just then, *zing*— , the piercing sound of clashing swords rang out incessantly. One clang after another, a cacophony of footsteps rushed in together.

Zhao Lian'er froze, her eyes flickering with anxiety.

"Darling, don't go out." As soon as she finished speaking, the aunt walked out, and the entire bridal chamber was left alone.

The panicked screams, abruptly ceased. In an instant, there was a deathly silence that spread.

Zhao Lian's son died, and her heart sank.

Finally, with both hands pushing against the door, it swung open.

A red silk ribbon hanging from the wall of the courtyard swayed in the wind, bearing large red Chinese characters for "happiness".

In the courtyard, countless Zhao family servants lay sprawled on the ground, their blood painting the floor crimson.

Zhao Lian'er's eyes widened, trembling uncontrollably.

Today is the day of great joy for Your Highness...

"Yuwen Li, you promised this Palace that as long as the Zhao family pledges allegiance to you, you would marry Lian'er!"

A frigid and ethereal woman's voice echoed, causing Zhao Lian'er's eyes to instantly focus.

She is my aunt!

"If you didn't do this, how could he have become lax? My father would listen to anything you said. Without your instigation, he wouldn't have abdicated."

"Hmph, kill me, you'll never see! That little wretch, has long been sold by this palace!"

Each shout was louder than the last, yet it felt like a sharp knife, piercing Zhao Lian'er's heart over and over again.

My heart was filled with joy, but what awaited me was utter ruin.

Isn't he loved? Everyone in the whole capital knows that he is the crown prince's beloved person.

Who the hell is that little bastard, and who does he really care about?

Was everything that was said before a lie?

Tears streamed down her face, soaking her cheeks, and she ran blindly toward the source of the sound.

You need to face him and ask him directly!

"Please, spare Lian'er..."

"You should have died for killing my mother!"

No matter how fast Zhao Lian'er was, she couldn't catch up to the speed of the sword.

The sword flashed as it was drawn, plunging straight from behind into the victim. With a gasp, she fell. He stared in horror, watching his aunt's lifeless body with her agony etched on her face.

Until death, her aunt's hand was still holding onto Wenzhen.

My aunt, as the esteemed imperial concubine, reigned over the six palaces with unrivaled favor and arrogance. I, lowly and desperate, only begged for her mercy to spare my life.

"Zhao Lian'er."

A steady, frigid voice reached my ears. Raising my head, I saw Yuwen Li. He wore a black robe, exuding an air of solemnity and intimidation.

His gaze shifted, fixed intently on his sword. From the icy blade, a golden tassel swung back and forth, glinting with a piercing chill.

I've always been unremarkable, so I painstakingly spent seven days and nights crafting a sword tassel worthy of display.

And yet, he used this sword to personally kill the only loved one who was good, right before his very eyes!

"Yuwen Li."

There was no previous anger, her voice was calm, frighteningly so. With one word spoken, Zhao Lian'er's breath became unsteady, a wave of abdominal pain surging over her.

"Cough—"

Coughs racked his body, a pool of scarlet staining the ground.

Then Zhao Lian'er understood, he had already been planning this.

Yuwen Li lowered his head, his eyes cold as ice, "Kill, none spared!"

Then, countless rebukes came from afar. From the sound of it, they were all Zhao family siblings.

"Zhao Lian'er, it's all your fault! As a commoner, you dared to dream of marrying the prince? It's all your scheming!"

"If it weren't for your insistence on marrying Yuwen Li, how could your aunt have relaxed her guard, and how could the Zhao family be so unprepared!"

It's all your fault!

You are right, if it wasn't for her unwavering love for Yuwen Li, her aunt wouldn't have died and the Zhao family wouldn't have fallen.

It's all wrong!

Zhao Lian'er desperately tried to stop the blood gushing from the wound, and then she laughed, a laugh that was both unrestrained and chilling.

I pointed at him, my voice as cold as ice, "Yuwen Li, I curse you! May you never find peace in this lifetime! If there is an afterlife, I will skin you and drink your blood!"

Having said that, he started coughing uncontrollably, a crimson figure drifting down.

When Zhao Lian'er, a renowned figure throughout the land, died, the powerful Zhao family of Qi Jing fell from grace.

(Editor in charge：mystery best novels)