"Then who do you wish to die at the hands of? Tell me, perhaps I can help." Gu Lan said teasingly.

The person most capable of instantly angering Rong Jing in this world is someone named Gu Lan.

Upon hearing this, Rong Jing’s expression changed, his cold demeanor turning into a pulsating fury and irritation.

The pleasantries ended there, his devilishly handsome face twisted briefly, and his alluring peach blossom eyes clouded with murderous intent and rage.

Rong Jing’s slender, pale fingertips uncontrollably trembled, he clenched his teeth and suddenly formed a fist.

He was desperately restraining himself from slaying the person before him with a sword, and asked in a low voice:

"Gu Lan, you know what I want to ask you. I advise you to speak honestly... because I have lost my patience."

Gu Lan’s eyes narrowed, noticing Rong Jing’s slightly trembling fingers resting by his side.

She could almost be certain that Rong Jing was truly unwell, probably with bipolar disorder or mania.

If Rong Jing had a sword in his hand right now, she had no doubt he would stab her to death.

Usually cold and suspicious, Rong Jing was extremely cautious, every step filled with amusement and calculation, treating others as prey to manipulate. But once he snapped, he would disregard consequences and the bigger picture, killing anyone who touched his bottom line.

"You want to know why Rong Heng, who clearly detests women because of Rong Luo and Xia He, is still with a woman like me, right?"

Gu Lan met Rong Jing’s bloodshot gaze fearlessly, her voice cold as she retorted.

Nearby, the eunuch Miao Ci, one of the commanders of the Inner Supervision responsible for Rong Jing’s safety, clicked his tongue in disbelief at this scene.

He had never interacted with Gu Lan but had heard of Young Master Gu’s reputation. Upon seeing her today, she was indeed a fearless and daring character.

She was the only one who dared to face the Emperor’s anger and still lived.

Rong Jing stared at Gu Lan, a vein at his temple throbbing slightly, his voice somber and hoarse: "Not only Zichan, he even told you about Rong Luo."

Rong Jing recalled the scenes from those years. He had witnessed Xia He poison Rong Luo with his own eyes, and till now, he could still remember Rong Luo’s hysterical screams before dying and the look of despair on Wu’s tender face...

There would be no mistake.

Could it be that Rong Heng truly loved Gu Lan so much that he didn’t care if she was a man or a woman?

Rong Jing didn’t believe such feelings existed in the world, nor did he believe Rong Heng could overcome everything from his childhood experiences.

Seeing Rong Jing’s expression, Gu Lan felt a slight relief.

It seemed Rong Jing did not suspect that Rong Luo was actually not dead.

If so, she only needed to casually fabricate a reason to brush off Rong Jing, such as saying that Rong Heng was with her because he simply didn’t know she was a woman, as simple as that.

But thinking of Rong Jing’s suspicious nature, Gu Lan’s mind stirred, changing her plans.

She blinked, her expression slightly stiff, her eyes momentarily flashing with guilt, as she quickly said:

"You want to know why Rong Heng is like this, then tell me about Rong Luo in those years."

Upon hearing her words, Rong Jing instinctively recalled the events of those years, and in just an instant, he snapped back, a knowing smile curling his lips.

"So that’s how it is, I understand."

Gu Lan: "What do you understand?" She didn’t comprehend what she wanted Rong Jing to grasp with just those words.

The anger in Rong Jing’s eyes faded, replaced by a content and light smile, his peach blossom eyes slightly curved, his tone much more relaxed.

"It turns out, you tricked Wu!" he said decisively.

Though Gu Lan’s gaze remained unchanged, the corners of her thin lips lifted into an almost imperceptible, faint curve.

She masked the smile at the corners of her lips, her tone gaining a bit of hurried explanation: "How could I deceive the person I love?"

Rong Jing shook his head, showing a knowing look:

"You hid your female identity from Wu, that’s why he’s with you."

Gu Lan said nothing, but her face worsened, as if acknowledging this fact. 𝐟𝕣𝗲𝕖𝕨𝗲𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝗲𝚕.𝗰𝚘𝐦

Rong Jing continued: "And the reason you just asked me about Rong Luo is that your identity has been exposed. If you still want to be with Wu, you must make him accept a woman, but you don’t know what really happened to Rong Luo back then... so you’re trying to trick me to understand from my mouth to help Wu resolve his inner turmoil, allowing him to accept your identity."

Gu Lan: You are absolutely right.

She knew that Rong Jing did not believe her words at all. The more she confronted him, the more credible her words became, the less she said, the more Rong Jing could speculate everything on his own.