The timing was perfect. With the lively music and laughter filling the air, no one noticed as Rui Hua discreetly led Xue Li deeper into the garden.
The flickering lanterns cast shifting shadows, hiding her true intentions. She was certain her plan would succeed.
But Rui Hua had gravely underestimated the soul inside Xue Li.
Xue Li might have seed naïve—gentle, even fragile—but the soul within her was neither blind nor weak. She had sensed sothing was amiss the mont Rui Hua approached her with that too-sweet smile. And so, without a hint of suspicion in her gaze, she had already given a quiet order to her servant.
Han Feng was on his way.
As they walked along the dimly lit garden paths, Rui Hua led Xue Li toward the treacherous bridge. With carefully chosen words, she guided their conversation toward Han Feng, subtly prodding at Xue Li’s insecurities, hoping to distract her.
Then, when the mont was right, she feigned a misstep and stumbled into Xue Li, her hands pushing ever so slightly.
It was ant to be subtle—an accident, nothing more. Xue Li would lose her balance on the loose stones, instinctively grasp for the handrail, only to have it snap beneath her weight. She would fall into the deep lotus pond below, where the cold, dark waters would claim her life.
By the ti anyone realized what had happened, it would be too late. Rui Hua would scream for help, playing the perfect role of the horrified witness, and no one would ever suspect her of foul play.
It was a perfect plan—just like in every drama Xue Li had ever read or seen on TV. She sighed. Classic. Too bad for them, she actually knew how to swim. So, if the grand sche was to push her into the water, well . . . tough luck.
Of course, noblewon in this tilines weren’t taught to swim. That was common knowledge.
In ancient China, it was rare for noblewon or palace won to know how to swim. Swimming was not considered a necessary or appropriate skill for upper-class won, as their lives were often confined to the inner quarters, and their activities were centered around household duties, embroidery, music, and literature.
But Xue Li? She wasn’t just any noblewoman—she was a modern girl, a proud certified NEET with zero social skills and even less physical activity. The only cardio in her daily routine involved questionable activities while watching hentai.
So how did she know how to swim?
Well, there was this one ti . . . Ahem.
Her favorite BL ga, Swimming Into Your Heart, had a competitive swimming event. And the prize? A limited-edition Suyo figurine. The holy grail of collectibles.
With the burning passion of a fujoshi on a mission, she spent an entire week training like an Olympic athlete. No sleep, no breaks—just her, a pool, and the desperate need to win that godly piece of rch.
And she did.
That figurine now sat inside her carefully dusted, temperature-controlled, shrine-like glass cabinet, where she admired it every single day.
So yeah. Drowning? Not happening.
Xue Li was ready to play Rui Hua’s ga and fall into the pond—but Han Feng already arrived at the scene.
As if by instinct, Han Feng had arrived just in ti to see the scene unfold before him. He saw the way Rui Hua had "accidentally" stumbled, the subtle force behind her movent, the way Xue Li’s body tilted dangerously over the edge.
Without hesitation, he moved—faster than anyone could see—catching Xue Li just as the weakened railing gave way.
The world stood still.
Han Feng held Xue Li tightly against him, his heart pounding, his breath unsteady. Then, slowly, he turned his head toward Rui Hua.
His eyes, once indifferent toward her, were now filled with sothing she had never seen before—pure, unrestrained killing intent.
Rui Hua took a step back, her heart racing. "Your Majesty, I—"
But her words never left her lips.
With a single, fluid motion, Han Feng unsheathed his sword. The cold steel glinted under the moonlight, and before Rui Hua could utter another word, before she could beg for rcy, Han Feng struck.
The blade pierced through her chest, swift and rciless.
A choked gasp left Rui Hua’s lips as she stumbled, her hands gripping the wound in shock. She had never imagined it would end this way. Never thought that Han Feng—the man she so desperately loved—would be the one to end her life.
She fell to her knees, the once-lively fire in her eyes fading into disbelief.
Han Feng’s voice was like ice. "You dared lay a hand on my Empress."
With one final stroke, it was over.
It wasn’t just Rui Hua who was shocked—Xue Li was equally stunned.
This . . . this was a miscalculation.
She had expected Han Feng to punish Rui Hua, maybe humiliate her, scare her a little. But kill her? That had never been part of the plan.
Had he finally snapped?
He had always despised Rui Hua, barely tolerating her presence. But had his patience finally worn so thin that he didn’t care anymore? Not about Rui Hua. Not about the consequences. Not even about what this would an for the Han Empire.
She had underestimated the depth of his love for her. To him, Rui Hua’s life—her status, her existence—ant nothing compared to Xue Li.
And now . . . oh, shit.
Xue Li wanted to slap herself. She had been so close. One step away from executing her plan perfectly, and this single misstep might have just destroyed everything.
She shouldn’t have fetched Han Feng.
In her defense, she had assud Rui Hua had bandits stationed nearby to kidnap her. That was why she had called for Han Feng. If she had known it was just a stupid plan to push her into the pond, she never would have involved him.
But now, as she stared at Rui Hua’s lifeless corpse, the female lead of this story, sprawled on the ground, blood pooling beneath her . . .
She had only one thought.
Now what?!
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