Chapter 1208: Chapter 1208: He’s Definitely Not Dead

"That’s not right!"

"The day in the cave, Zhao Junyao’s inner garment was clearly white!"

"But the corpse I saw today had black inner sleeves!"

Xia Ruqing was somewhat agitated, her breathing unstable.

Although the room was too dark, she was absolutely sure that the person’s inner garment was black and not stained with blood.

"That’s right!"

Xia Ruqing suddenly sat up, breathing heavily.

’Zhao Junyao, you’re not dead, are you?’

’That wasn’t you, right?’

Finding the breakthrough, everything that was out of place unraveled easily.

First, why didn’t Zhao Junqi take her to see the body immediately?

Because he didn’t find the body either.

So after searching desperately for days without any result, he could only fabricate a corpse to deceive her.

Second, why didn’t that corpse have the familiar scent she knew?

Zhao Junyao is the Emperor; the unique, precious ambergris comparable to gold belongs to him alone.

Having smelled it for so many years, she had become accustomed to it, so she didn’t notice.

But today, the corpse had not a hint of ambergris scent at all.

No matter how strong the smell of blood, it couldn’t completely cover the ambergris scent.

Obviously, Zhao Junqi overlooked this point.

Third, why did this corpse’s hands have so many calluses?

Zhao Junyao had practiced martial arts for years, so his hands would indeed have calluses.

But don’t forget, he is the Emperor, not a guard; he doesn’t need to hold a knife all the time or carry a sword everywhere, so the web of his hand shouldn’t have such thick calluses.

In contrast, due to writing and handling documents for years, his right middle finger had more calluses on the first knuckle.

But the hand she held on that corpse was not like that at all.

So... Xia Ruqing could almost be certain that it wasn’t Zhao Junyao; it was the corpse of a guard!

Wait!

Her eyes brightened as she thought of another point.

If he really died from falling rocks, the body should have had many dents or the head smashed, or the arms and legs crushed.

But this body had no traces of being smashed.

Only... torn apart!

Yes, torn apart!

Xia Ruqing recalled that day in detail, her eyes lighting up.

"Perhaps this body wasn’t killed by falling rocks; the real cause of death should be... gunpowder!"

He was blown up by gunpowder!

So the body was torn apart but not smashed!

Although both being crushed by rocks and blown up would leave the body torn, there are still differences.

Xia Ruqing rubbed her head, tangled like mush, trying hard to rethink things.

’I don’t know if it’s right, but what I can be certain of now is that the corpse is not Zhao Junyao’s!’

’Zhao Junyao must be alive!’

Her body trembled with excitement.

If you’re not dead, then you must be safe right now.

You... must be worried!

Xia Ruqing’s heartbeat accelerated, joy and ecstasy flowing through every cell in her body.

If you’re safe, you must come to save me!

I won’t die; I’ll wait for you!

She reached out and hid the Bewitching Drug and Paralysis Drug in her left and right sleeves, making a silent decision in her heart.

’I won’t die; these two packs of medicine are for emergencies!’

’You see, I still cherish my life so much, I can’t bear to lose you!’

Xia Ruqing wiped away her tears, wishing she could laugh out loud to release these days of depression.

But with someone watching her from outside the door, she dared not do so. 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝔀𝓮𝒃𝙣𝓸𝒗𝒆𝒍.𝙘𝒐𝒎

So she just wrapped herself in the quilt and rolled on the bed.

Xia Ruqing got up and looked at the food on the table.

Grabbing the bowl of rice and vegetables, she ravenously ate, then washed it down with the medicine!

After finishing, she obediently lay back on the bed and wrapped herself in the quilt to sleep.

Indeed, when it comes to cherishing life, no one surpasses her in this world.

Zhao Junyao, if you’re still alive, I will certainly live well to see you!

...

The next day.

Xia Ruqing had just woken up.

As she groggily opened her eyes, she saw Zhao Junqi looking at her with a sly smile.

Xia Ruqing was so startled that she instantly sat up.

"You..."

"When did you come in!"

She was on the brink of collapse; what kind of braindead psychopath was this person?!

Peeping at others while they sleep, how disgusting, she really wanted to chop him up with a knife!

"You’re awake?"

Zhao Junqi ignored her shock, still smiling warmly.

But that smile made her skin crawl.

Xia Ruqing was on guard, alert.

"You... what are you trying to do?"

Zhao Junqi laughed, spreading his hands.

"I’m not going to harm you, why are you so wary of me?!"

Xia Ruqing sneered inwardly.

’If I don’t guard against you, who else? You traitorous, untrustworthy scoundrel!’

Zhao Junqi continued with a cheerful grin.

"I heard from the maid that you finished all your meals and medicine!"

"Well done, are you finally thinking of being with me in the future?"

Xia Ruqing: "..."

This brainless imagination was quite rich; to be with him? She’d rather die.

Zhao Junqi continued.

"Rest assured, I’ll treat you well! Qingqing..."

He leaned closer to her cheek, speaking in a volume only the two of them could hear.

"Zhao Junyao may be great, but in the end, he has thousands of harem beauties!"

"But I’m different; right now I only have you!"

"With me... you are the most special presence in my heart, no one can replace you!"

Xia Ruqing couldn’t help but sarcastically question him coldly.

"Does that mean... with me, you won’t establish a harem?"

Zhao Junqi paused, then quickly resumed his smile.

"Qingqing, what nonsense are you talking about? Which Emperor doesn’t establish a harem?"

"But rest assured, in the future... who I choose for my harem, what titles to bestow, it will all depend on your preference!"

"You’ll be in charge of my harem! How about that?"

Xia Ruqing felt a mix of wanting to laugh and being disgusted; she could hardly bear it.

In her eyes, Zhao Junqi was nothing more than a ridiculous clown.

Cannot endure further.

She suddenly stood up, coldly pointing at him.

"Get out!"

Zhao Junqi was taken aback.

"What did you say?"

Xia Ruqing quickly climbed out of bed, jumped to the ground, and coldly pointed at the door.

"Get out!"

The smile on Zhao Junqi’s face gradually froze, revealing an evil and strong sense of possession.

The sinister Zhao Junqi finally revealed his true nature.

"Don’t be ungrateful!"

He got up and slowly approached her, his expression extremely terrifying, cold air enveloping his entire body.

Any other woman would have been trembling in fear.

However, Xia Ruqing wasn’t afraid at this moment.

As he approached, she didn’t retreat, just stood tall, facing him head-on.

Xia Ruqing was convinced in her heart.

If Zhao Junyao weren’t dead, Zhao Junqi wouldn’t dare harm her.

It’s like a big gamble.

If she wins, she’ll be safe and sound.

If she loses, she has no regrets even if it costs her life.

The two stood like this, staring at each other, the atmosphere becoming extremely tense.