“Quickly!” Ruan Ning shouted.
When Zhang Jing rushed in, Gu Lianzhang’s face had regained color, and his breathing was stabilizing. The pool remained a deep red, making everything that had just happened seem like a dream. In shock, Gu Lianzhang ordered, “Immediately kill Qin Zhi.”
“Host, how do you choose now?” the voice reminded. “Leave or stay?”
“Stay. Use all rewards to exchange for time.”
Ruan Ning began to understand why she had traveled through several worlds with few rewards—they were used to exchange time. Could the sick lovers in those worlds be like Gu Lianzhang, making it hard for her to extricate herself?
“Your Majesty,” Gu Lianzhang said, his hand still cold as he brought her injured wrist to his lips. “This servant has carved a character for you. Why don’t you carve one for me, to call it even?”
“Not even,” Ruan Ning replied, wiping her remaining tears. “I’ll carve the character for ‘fool’.”
When Qin Zhi was killed, Wei Shu simultaneously died, having been cursed by Qin Zhi to prevent betrayal.
Wei Ying ascended the throne, honoring Ruan Ning as Empress Dowager with utmost respect.
Gu Lianzhang remained the Chief Eunuch of the Imperial Ceremonies, simultaneously leading the Eastern Factory and Brocade Guard, wielding unparalleled power.
After Wei Ying’s marriage at thirteen, Gu Lianzhang retired, becoming the first eunuch to exit fully intact.
Empress Dowager Ruan Ning soon fell ill, beginning her quiet cultivation, which led to her never seeing outsiders again.
On a moonlit road, a driverless carriage approached, laughter emanating from within. The door opened, revealing Gu Lianzhang as he emerged. He was immediately pulled back by a delicate hand. Ruan Ning smiled radiantly: “Chief Gu, you still owe me a character. Now, with the dark night, it’s the perfect opportunity. Why not do it here?”
With a ripping sound, the gauze tore open, revealing muscular flesh. Gu Lianzhang laughed softly while dodging.
“Just carve the ‘fool’ character!” Ruan Ning said, wielding a silver needle and aiming at his waist. “Chief Gu, endure it!”
(End of “The Superintendent and the Empress Dowager”)
