Mu Qingshuang’s stunned thoughts snapped back at his words, her eyes widening in disbelief as she stared at him. “Xiao Hanjin, Ronghua’s gone. Even if she were alive, this woman might not be real. You’d drive me out for a fraud?”
Her last sentence came out as a roar.
A woman doomed to die—how could she stand here unscathed?
This Empress Ronghua had to be fake. Absolutely fake!
Empress Ronghua observed his reaction, raising a brow with a chuckle. “Oh, yes, I could very well be a fraud.”
Xiao Hanjin’s pupils darkened, a storm flashing through his features.
His grip tightened around her, but she slowly, firmly broke free, tilting her head with a smile. “Maybe I just happen to be called Empress Ronghua, happen to know His Majesty, and naturally thought to cozy up to the emperor when invited to the palace.”
His gaze grew heavier, thin lips pressing into a taut line.
“Shut up!” Mu Qingshuang glared at her, voice sharp. “If you’re truly Ronghua, I’d be glad you’re back. But if you’re not, you can’t exploit her identity to toy with His Majesty’s feelings.”
“Mu Qingshuang.”
His thin lips parted, his voice icy—utterly unlike the tone he’d used with Empress Ronghua moments ago.
Mu Qingshuang flinched.
A cold, indifferent gaze settled on her, his dark eyes calm as still water. “Leave the palace. Now.”
Her breath caught, eyes widening. “You really never considered she might be fake?”
Empress Ronghua’s lips curved into a faint, ambiguous smile.
Mu Qingshuang caught the unmasked mockery in her expression, a sting piercing her gaze. She bit her lip hard, a surge of humiliation rising within her.
The way this woman looked at her… it was like she was looking down on her from above!
Xiao Hanjin’s eyes chilled, his words deliberate. “Whether she’s real or not isn’t for you to judge.”
From the moment he saw her, he’d never doubted her authenticity.
This was Empress Ronghua, beyond question.
The one he’d held in his heart, replayed in his mind countless times—how could he mistake her?
Mu Qingshuang’s face paled, her lip bitten harder. “Fine, fine! I’ll go!”
She shut her eyes briefly, then stormed forward, brushing past them toward the palace exit.
Empress Ronghua watched her retreating figure and suddenly laughed. “Oh, don’t go yet,” she said lightly. “After all, we’re blood kin. It’s been so long—how can you leave without catching up?”
Mu Qingshuang froze.
Blood kin.
How could a fraud know such a hidden truth?
Unless…
She shook her head violently, a tidal wave of fear crashing over her. “There’s nothing to catch up on,” she blurted, fleeing without looking back.
Empress Ronghua blinked. “Running off the moment I arrive? Seems I’m not very welcome, huh, Fenghua? Maybe we should just—”
“Mu Qingshuang.” Xiao Hanjin cut her off. “Stop.”
Empress Ronghua raised a brow.
Mu Qingshuang’s face whitened again, turning to him in disbelief. “What’s this supposed to mean?”
Xiao Hanjin’s expression remained blank. “She told you to stay.”
“Xiao Hanjin!” Mu Qingshuang’s fury erupted. “She didn’t say a word, and you were ready to kick me out. Now she puts on an act, and you want me to stay? What am I to you?”
Fenghua let out a derisive chuckle, his mockery plain. “Obviously, he doesn’t see you as anything at all.”
