These words truly struck a chord with Ye Qingcheng.
She nodded vigorously, "Yes! While the mortal world is fun, it gets boring after a while. Especially without strength, life loses a lot of its joy."
Shangguan Hong said, "You don't need to worry. The reason I've revealed your transmigration identity now is because I've finally found a way to easily send you back to modern times."
Ye Qingcheng's eyes widened, "What? You know a way to make it easy for me to return to modern times?"
"Yes. After noticing you were different from ordinary people, I started reading books about ghosts and the supernatural. I imagine you've heard of this to some extent, Ye Qingcheng," Shangguan Hong said.
"Mmm, I know about that," Ye Qingcheng nodded, her thoughts captivated by Shangguan Hong's words.
"Heaven rewards the persistent. After reading many books, I finally found a story in an ancient text that greatly resembled your current predicament," Shangguan Hong said earnestly.
Her expression turned serious, "Really? What happened in that story?"
"In the story, the maiden eventually killed the man who was involved with her, thereby safely returning to modern times, with all her strength restored to her body. It was quite magical."
"You mean, I also need to..."
She hesitated to finish, vaguely knowing what he meant, but she still felt a pang of reluctance and conflict.
Shangguan Hong stared at her and said, "That's right. You must sever all ties with the Regent, or to put it more directly, you must kill him."
Ye Qingcheng was stunned.
"Ye Qingcheng, are you reluctant to act?" Shangguan Hong furrowed his brow.
"I... I remember they said back then that I only needed to complete the mission. I don't need to kill him, nor do I need to sever ties with him..."
She shook her head, her mind engaged in a fierce internal struggle.
Who should she trust more?
As for Shangguan Hong's modern identity, Ye Qingcheng was almost certain. After all, he knew she was Ye Qingcheng.
But was Xiao Wangye's approach towards her, his kindness, truly because she was connected to that cat demon's tail? Did Xiao Wangye really intend to harm Shangguan Hong because he wanted to take her away?
Ye Qingcheng couldn't help but recall the conversation she overheard between Xiao Wangye and Gu Paner outside the courtyard.
She couldn't forget that Xiao Wangye and Gu Paner were discussing preparations to completely eliminate Bi Xi at the time.
Ye Qingcheng finally steeled herself, her brows tightly knit, and said, "Young Master Shangguan, I have something I need to tell you. It's very important."
"Go ahead," Shangguan Hong said softly.
So, Ye Qingcheng recounted all her recent experiences and observations at the Regent's mansion to Shangguan Hong.
The most crucial part was Xiao Wangye and Gu Paner secretly conspiring to jointly eradicate Bi Xi.
With reddened eyes, she said, "Bi Xi is the maid I cherished the most. He died for me. Therefore, I cannot tolerate anyone wanting to completely eliminate him."
If Bi Xi had even the slightest chance of survival, she would cling to that opportunity and bring him back to her side.
She didn't want him to be harmed again.
After she finished speaking, Ye Qingcheng's cheeks were already damp.
Seeing her like this, Shangguan Hong felt a pang of sympathy. httpδ:/m.kuAisugg.nět
He struggled to sit up, opened his arms, and pulled the sobbing Ye Qingcheng into his embrace.
As expected, her body was soft, her scent subtly sweet, and her touch felt incredibly good. Holding her like this, he was completely unwilling to let go.
"Ye Qingcheng, have you considered that the Regent might be doing this merely to cut off future troubles?"
He whispered softly in her ear.
She blinked, "Troubles? Is that why he wants to completely disperse Bi Xi?"
"Yes. I am a strategist for the Crown Prince, and I have encountered many individuals like the Regent. Their minds are deep and complex, and they rarely invest in matters of romance. To achieve a predetermined goal, they will expend every effort," he said.
"No wonder he's always hot and cold towards me. Sometimes so kind, and other times so indifferent, as if he doesn't know me at all."
Ye Qingcheng gave a self-mocking laugh, gently pushing Shangguan Hong away slightly, creating a bit more distance.
She wiped the tears from her face, lowered her eyes to look at her fingers, and said, "However, I still find it difficult to kill him."
After a pause, she added, "Young Master Shangguan, I have indeed started to like Xiao Wangye. Even knowing his intentions towards me, and hearing that he intends to harm Bi Xi, I still like him."
"Whether you like someone or not might indeed be a reason for your hesitation."
His heart felt displeased.
She looked up at him, "I'm sorry, Young Master Shangguan."
He reached out and gently stroked her head, feigning a warm smile, "It's alright. Besides killing him, don't you have other ways to return to modern times? As long as you are well, I will be at ease."
Ye Qingcheng nodded.
However, he was not prepared to end the conversation there.
Finally, she clenched her fist and declared resolutely, "I will not let Bi Xi depart in vain."
Having sat for long enough, she prepared to rise and bid farewell, saying to Shangguan Hong, "Young Master Shangguan, please rest well. For you now, recuperation is the most important thing."
Shangguan Hong nodded, "And don't forget, you have less than seven days. Some time has passed since Bi Xi's death."
"I know, I will keep that in mind."
Ye Qingcheng had calculated that four days had passed since that day, leaving three more.
For Ye Qingcheng, who had made up her mind to accomplish something, three days was enough.
Meanwhile, at the Regent's mansion, Gu Paner and Xiao Wangye had another conversation, finally confirming the arrangements to completely eliminate Bi Xi.
From the beginning, Gu Paner had noticed that Xiao Wangye was particularly not himself today.
He kept glancing around, as if waiting for something, and his mind often wandered, unable to fully focus on the matter at hand.
Therefore, after the conversation concluded, Gu Paner asked, "Your Highness, what are you thinking about?"
"Nothing," his expression was distant.
"Is it about the Princess Consort?" Gu Paner was a perceptive person.
How could she not know Xiao Wangye's feelings for Ye Qingcheng? How could she not see that Ye Qingcheng was the one Xiao Wangye longed for?
But Ye Qingcheng was rather dull-witted and hadn't grasped his feelings at all.
"No, you're thinking too much," Xiao Wangye frowned, unwilling to continue the conversation with Gu Paner. He stood up and said, "There's nothing else. I'll be going now."