TSFLIP Chapter 709

Naturally, Liuli and Jian An fell in love. Once they were caught up in romance, they conveniently ignored the fact that there was already an empress. And that empress—Feng Guang—never once interfered with their relationship.

But one day, Feng Guang approached Jian An herself. She wanted to make a deal—a very simple one. She would give up her position as empress and never act as the so-called “third wheel” between him and Liuli. The only condition was that Jian An couldn’t meddle in her personal life, especially when it came to the man she wanted to be with—Zhong Ran.

From what Liuli knew, at that time Zhong Ran hadn’t fallen for Feng Guang. In fact, Liuli could sense that he seemed more interested in her. She admitted that Zhong Ran’s gentle and refined demeanor could easily stir a woman’s heart, but her own heart belonged only to Jian An. So when it came to Zhong Ran’s vague feelings, she chose to ignore them.

Still, Liuli could tell that Feng Guang cared about Zhong Ran’s feelings for her. For example, whenever the two women happened to run into each other in the imperial garden, Feng Guang’s attitude toward her was noticeably colder.

When it came to Liuli and Jian An’s relationship, Feng Guang had always acted indifferent. But when it came to Zhong Ran, she was clearly not indifferent at all.

What exactly went on between Zhong Ran and Feng Guang, Liuli never knew. Soon after, Jian An was sent to the battlefield. When something happened to him there, Liuli decided to risk her life to save him. She didn’t die—but just as she was about to tear out her own heart, Feng Guang appeared.

Feng Guang urged her to leave immediately, to get as far away as possible.

Liuli didn’t understand what she meant—until Zhong Ran appeared before them. That was when the truth came out. Jian An hadn’t been struck down by chance on the battlefield. It was Zhong Ran’s doing. As someone close to Jian An, Zhong Ran knew exactly where his weaknesses lay. And the reason he did it, he said, was because of Liuli. But it wasn’t love. It was because he needed her to willingly take out her heart—so he could steal it for himself.

Liuli could still recall that scene vividly: the battlefield thick with smoke, corpses everywhere, and Zhong Ran standing there smiling in the blood-red glow of the setting sun. He said slowly, “From the first moment I saw you, I knew you weren’t human—you were an immortal. The texts say that if an immortal willingly tears out her own heart, the one who consumes it will gain eternal life.”

So she hadn’t been wrong—Zhong Ran was indeed interested in her. But not in the way she thought. He didn’t love her. He only wanted her heart.

Liuli had been terrified. She could hardly believe that the man who usually spoke to her like a warm, protective older brother could suddenly say something so horrifying. If Feng Guang hadn’t steadied her, she would have collapsed right there.

Liuli asked him in a trembling voice, “You want immortality?”

“Immortality? No.” Zhong Ran unexpectedly shook his head. His gaze softened, but it wasn’t directed at her—it was fixed deeply on Feng Guang. “I’ve already attained eternal life. What I want… is for Feng Guang to be immortal, so she can stay by my side forever.”

Feng Guang froze. And so did Liuli. She clutched Jian An’s lifeless body, her whole being chilled to the bone.

Neither of them had ever expected that to be the answer.