TFRLTOP Chapter 67 Part 2

By the time dinner rolled around, Emperor Wan Qian returned to Luoxue Pavilion only to find it empty. His beloved consort wasn’t there.

“Where is she?” His tone went ice-cold in an instant.

Had someone kidnapped her? Escaped? No, impossible—his shadow guards followed her everywhere.

A maid hurried forward. “Your Majesty, Her Ladyship is visiting Lady Fuling.”

The emperor’s face darkened further. Of course. Kidnapped! She didn’t even come back for dinner!

Since his darling refused to return home to eat, the emperor personally marched over to bring her back—only to be met with Ming Ming’s teary eyes the moment he entered.

His heart seized. He rushed forward and pulled her into his arms. “What’s wrong, my love? Who upset you?”

Ming Ming sniffled and pointed at Jiang Ruotian, looking as pitiful as a child tattling to her parent.

The emperor’s chest burned with fury. His gaze turned murderous as he glared across the room.

Oh, perfect. I spared you two because I thought you meant no harm—but you’ve been bullying my consort?!

He was just about to order their execution when Ming Ming burst into sobs.

“She—she called in backup! Fuling couldn’t beat me, so she got Ruotian to help! Then I couldn’t beat her! I just kept losing and losing—boo-hoo-hoo-hoo!”

The emperor froze. Only then did he notice the Go board between them.

Ah. Go, not Gomoku.

No wonder. He knew his beloved’s skill level.

“Don’t worry, my love. I’ll play for you.”

She sniffled, clutching his sleeve. “You sure about that? You couldn’t even beat me…”

The emperor: “…”

He grit his teeth. “Get up. Sit beside me and watch.”

The emperor and Jiang Ruotian—two people who could barely stand each other, each secretly wishing the other dead—sat across from one another, ready to play. The tension was thick enough to slice. Even the system popped out to watch.

“This,” the system said dryly, “is what we call a death match.”

Ming Ming groaned. “Why are you here?”

“I’ll explain the moves for you.”

“Fine.”

Thus began the Showdown of the Century: Emperor vs. Jiang Ruotian.

From the second move onward, Ming Ming was completely lost. The only thing she understood was the outcome:

First game: draw.
Second game: draw.

Before the third, Jiang Ruotian smiled. “Your Majesty, shall we make this one the tiebreaker?”

The emperor smirked. “Exactly what I was thinking.”

Ming Ming could tell—they weren’t just playing chess; they were exchanging veiled threats.

Basically, next time we meet, one of us won’t walk away.

They played slowly, speaking lightly about trivial things, yet every word felt like an undercurrent of rivalry and probing.

By the end, the board was nearly full—and they both stopped at the same time.

“So… who won?” Ming Ming asked.

Fuling peered closer. “Huh? It’s a deadlock.”

The system whistled. “Damn, that’s impressive.”

“How so?” Ming Ming asked.

“They look like they’re just playing, but it’s pure strategy—a test of intent. See that cluster? It mirrors the formation from the fire at the capital outskirts the other day. Ruotian’s move in response? A direct challenge—no retreat.”

The system gave a low whistle. “Yup. That’s a kill-or-be-killed outcome.”

“It seems,” the emperor said coolly, leaning back, “this game has no winner.”

Ruotian smiled faintly. “Then perhaps victory will be decided elsewhere.”

Lightning seemed to spark between them, as if something dangerous was about to explode.

Not long after returning, the emperor gave the order: “Execute Jiang Ruotian.”

—

“What?! They escaped?!”

The emperor’s roar shook the palace.

A guard dropped to his knees. “Your Majesty, forgive us! By the time we arrived, the place was empty. Both women had fled—only this letter remained.”

It was addressed to Ming Ming.

Half an hour earlier—right after Ming Ming and the emperor had left—Ruotian had grabbed Fuling’s hand. “We’re leaving. Now.”

“Wha—leaving? Where?”

“Somewhere that damn emperor can’t find us. Hurry, before the killers arrive.”

“Huh? The emperor’s sending assassins? Why?!”

“Quiet. Pack faster.” She handed Fuling a small box. “Take this.”

Fuling peeked inside—and froze.

The phoenix seal?!

“This—this is for me? Where did you even get this?”

“Oh, picked it up during a little palace raid. You said you wanted to be empress, right? Have fun.” Ruotian said it as casually as if she were gifting a trinket.

“Big sis…” Fuling’s eyes welled up. “You’re not—”

Ruotian tapped her on the forehead. “Enough. We’re going on the run now. Don’t cry. I’ll make it up to you later.”

Ming Ming opened the letter. It was, of course, written by Fuling—short, blunt, and very on-brand for a modern airhead who’d fallen into a historical drama:

“Sis, I ran away with Big Sis. The emperor’s yours now. We’re off to live our best life together. Oh, and by the way, we took the phoenix seal from your hubby’s treasury. Don’t miss us!”

She’d even doodled a little Phantom Thief Kid logo at the end.

The moment the emperor heard that the phoenix seal was stolen, he shot to his feet, fuming.

“Send the troops! No—I’ll go myself! I’ll have their heads!”

Ming Ming just stood there, twitching at the corner of her mouth, utterly dumbfounded.

“…Damn. Guess this turned into a double female lead story.”