Keyboard Immortal

eet her respectfully as Lady Tuo instead.

Even though she wouldn’t have as much authority as the queen, the difference was not terribly significant.

A sudden thought struck her.
Even if Lian really had succeeded, this would be the best fate she could have been granted.

She was never a stupid girl.
She knew that, by serving Wu Ding in the manner she did, none of the court officials would have ever agreed to her becoming the queen, even if Lian did not mind it.

Becoming one of his concubines was already the best she could have hoped for.
What would have happened if Lian truly held her actions against her?

She had grown up with Lian, and she understood his temperament perfectly.
She had just chosen not to think about this issue too deeply.
However, having listened to Zu An’s analysis the previous night, she knew that he was correct.
There was nothing good waiting for her if Lian had succeeded.

Now, Lian had absolutely no chance of success, and both her family’s lives and those of the people in her state were hanging on her decision.

She saw Zu An return to the inner chamber, and her expression grew complicated.
“My king, Xiao Tuo doesn’t deserve such honor.
I feel too ashamed to accept this.
Please rescind that order!” she said.

The king truly treated her well, but the more he did so, the more guilty she felt.

Zu An laughed heartily.
“A king cannot go back on his word so easily.
Since I have already granted it to you, all you need to do is to accept it.
Of course, if you feel that you haven’t done enough to earn it, there is something you can help me with.”

“Something that I can help with?” Xiao Tuo was bewildered.
She couldn’t think of anything that the king couldn’t do himself, but had to rely on her for.

Zu An handed her a bamboo slip.
“Pass this on to Lian.”

Xiao Tuo was shocked.
She could read his intent even without looking at the contents.
“No, I cannot harm him! My king, I will serve you with everything I have, but please do not make me personally do something so cruel!”

Even though she had given Lian some false information, she had only done so out of ignorance.
Now that she knew that this was false and harmful information, how could she bring herself to deceive Lian?

Zu An smiled and said, “What’s wrong? You still can’t forget about him?”

Xiao Tuo remained silent.
How could she let go of her childhood sweetheart so easily?

Zu An said coldly, “Xiao Tuo, there are times when we have to do things we don’t want to.
If you don’t do this, how will I ever be able to trust you completely?”

Xiao Tuo bit her lip.
She knelt in front of Zu An and begged for forgiveness.
“Xiao Tuo knows that there is no way I can gain my king’s trust, but I cannot do anything to betray big brother Lian either! My king, please grant me death.”

“You cannot do anything to betray Lian?” Zu An laughed.
“Haven’t you already done so several times last night?”

Xiao Tuo immediately blushed a bright red.
She had slept with Zu An before for the sake of her mission.
Lian had been aware of it as well, which was why she was able to keep her conscience clean.

However, with all that had happened last night, she had abandoned her mission and romped around with the king.
To a certain extent, she had already betrayed Lian.

Zu An continued, “How about this? Let’s make a bet.
Pass this information to Lian.
If he trusts you and acts according to this piece of intelligence, then I will never force you to do anything again.
I’ll even let you leave the palace and return to his side.”

“Really?” Xiao Tuo felt an initial burst of excitement when she heard this, but when she realized that this meant that she would be completely separated from Zu An, she hesitated.

“I’m not done yet.” Zu An’s tone changed.
“If he doesn’t trust you and doesn’t act according to the information, then from today onwards, you will forget your past and fully devote yourself to me.
What do you say?”

Xiao Tuo’s mouth fell open.
She had a million things she wanted to say in that moment, but only a single word came out. 

“Fine!”

She was also curious as to what choice Lian would eventually make.

Zu An smiled when he saw Xiao Tuo processing the possibilities.
He had never truly expected Xiao Tuo to have abandoned Lian completely.

If she had agreed to it without any hesitation, Zu An would not have been pleased.
After all, how could he possibly trust a girl who would betray her childhood sweetheart so easily?

However, having her past lover on her mind was not ideal either.
In fact, it would make it even harder for him to trust her.

As such, he decided upon this method of dealing with her.
Even though Xiao Tuo was full of hope, he knew that there was only one possible conclusion.

The heart is best not tested.