Ex-Wife is a Big Villainess

In the Imperial Study Room, a faint scent of sandalwood gently lingered in the air, serene and tranquil.

Xiao Lingqiu sat upright at the desk, her delicate hands clutching a letter sent from Dazhou, her intricately arched eyebrows tightly furrowed, resembling two crescents locked in worry.

This letter was sent by a woman named Ye Zhuchan.

Within the letter, there was a detailed analysis of the disadvantages currently faced by Yanrong, followed by a sharp turn, openly revealing her true identity as the former Emperor.

Next, Ye Zhuchan engaged in a "heart-to-heart" conversation with Xiao Lingqiu with her unique identity. The words expressed understanding of Xiao Lingqiu's desire to become an Empress.

Finally, the letter provided various insights on how future relations between Yanrong and Dazhou should be managed if Jiang Shouzhong were to become the Emperor.

Xiao Lingqiu felt her mind in turmoil.

Although the text in the letter hadn't explicitly pointed out the hidden and subtle relationship between her and Jiang Shouzhong, being as perceptive as she was, she couldn't fail to notice that Ye Zhuchan seemed to have already known something.

"Sovereign of the world..."

Xiao Lingqiu murmured softly, her slender hands slowly tightened around the letter, her knuckles turning slightly white from exertion, "Jiang Shouzhong, do you truly plan to become one?"

Xiao Lingqiu stood up and silently walked to the door.

Staring into the gray sky, memories of the past played vividly in her mind.

From entering the palace as Empress, to later becoming Empress Dowager, each step was an attempt to climb higher in power within the court.

She didn't want to stop, nor had she clearly thought about where she might ultimately reach.

Sometimes, she didn't even know what she wanted the most.

Was it the supreme world?

Was it the position of Empress that commands the worship of all people?

Or was it to leave a shining legacy in the annals of history?

Xiao Lingqiu closed her beautiful eyes.

The cold wind brushed against the strands of hair at her temples, unable to dispel the fatigue between her brows.

Gradually, her thoughts involuntarily drifted back to the time accompanied by Jiang Shouzhong.

Those days were perhaps fallen, away from the palace's splendour and noise, yet filled with simple and pure joy.

If she were to compare her past life to a monotonous black and white painting, those years spent with Jiang Shouzhong were undoubtedly the most vivid and dazzling color.

Such a splendid, unforgettable color.

"Jiang Shouzhong, you truly are the destined bane of my life from which I cannot escape."

Xiao Lingqiu sighed deeply.

She slowly released her tightly clenched fist, carefully smoothing the crumpled letter and gently placed it back on the desk.

She changed into a simple and plain outfit, taking steps with a touch of loneliness, heading towards the bedchamber.

However, just as she crossed the threshold of the bedchamber, Xiao Lingqiu keenly detected a strange sound.

It was faintly coming from the direction of the bed.

A spy?

Xiao Lingqiu's heart suddenly tightened, but she immediately dismissed the thought.

With the palace guard so strict and impregnable, it was impossible for an assassin to sneak in silently, let alone directly into her bedchamber.

Upon seeing the familiar dress on the floor, Xiao Lingqiu breathed a sigh of relief.

So it was Miaomiao.

This girl came running without saying a word in advance.

Xiao Lingqiu walked towards the bed.

Yet as she gradually approached, the sound grew more peculiar, and upon careful distinction, it seemed to be...

Xiao Lingqiu looked up.

The candlelight was dim and flickering, casting shadows on the bed curtain in a hazy manner.

She stared at the shadow swaying in the candlelight through the bed curtain, her breath suddenly became rapid, her almond eyes widened in shock, full of incredulous expression.

Clatter—

As if unable to bear some intense movement, the bed curtain was suddenly yanked down by an erratically flailing jade hand.

In that moment, time seemed to freeze, and the entire world quieted down.

Boom!

Xiao Lingqiu only felt a "buzz" in her brain, instantly blank.

The sight before her was almost unbelievable.

On her lovely bed, Yelü Miaomiao and her beloved were actually in matrimony!

Xiao Lingqiu wasn't the only one stunned, Jiang Shouzhong was equally dumbfounded.

The instigator behind all this was actually Yelü Miaomiao.

Before coming to Shangjing, she had a flash of inspiration, coming up with such a bold and "ruthless" idea, to put on a wedding show with Jiang Shouzhong before the Empress Dowager.

Although it might provoke the Empress Dowager to fury, at least it made clear her strong stance that she would not be separated from the man she loved.

Yet Jiang Shouzhong never expected that the solemn and dignified Empress Dowager standing before him was actually the lady Jingjing he had yearned for day and night!

Thus, the two of them exchanged gazes.

Time seemed to stop.

Yelü Miaomiao suddenly realized that she might have been too rash, and instantly felt some regret.

But the matter had come to this, the arrow had to be released, and she could only muster the courage to say:

"Empress Dowager, he is the man Miaomiao has chosen, Jiang Shouzhong. What Miaomiao has done today is to plainly tell you that in this lifetime, Miaomiao will marry no one but him. Also... Miaomiao is already carrying his child."

Jiang Shouzhong's mouth twitched.

My dear aunt, how can you casually make up such things!

Oddly enough, Xiao Lingqiu, who was originally shocked beyond measure and trembling all over with anger, after a brief bewilderment, suddenly froze like a lake sealed by ice, instantly calming down.

Without saying a word, she turned and walked out of the bedchamber.