In Song Yunsheng's heart, the woman he truly liked was still Li Qiyu.
At least, that was what Song Yunsheng believed.
Because Li Qiyu had backbone, she was proud. When he went to the Li family to propose marriage back then, he was overwhelmed with uneasiness and shame by the pride exuding from her. However, the more unattainable a woman was, the stronger a man's desire to conquer her would be.
So he wanted her. Initially, on one hand, it was indeed for the power and influence of the Li family. On the other hand, he did have some sincere feelings for Li Qiyu. Whether it was to conquer her or he was truly attracted by her character, he had really loved her.
Therefore, after he had secured his position as the emperor, the first thing he did was to turn against the Li family. On one hand, the Li family was really too powerful, which made him jealous. Since the Li family could support him to become the emperor, they could also support a second or third one.
As for the second reason.
He also hoped to break Li Qiyu's wings so that he could completely conquer her and make her dependent on him.
This was also the reason why he got angry when Li Qiyu imitated Concubine Xiangfei and danced those charming dances to please him.
Li Qiyu was a flower on the high - cold peak, the mother of the nation, and the honorable queen.
She represented the dignity and decency of the queen, his trophy, and his honor.
If she degraded herself and learned those means to charm men, how was she different from the women in the brothel?
She should be proud and continue to be so, which would be worthy of his former admiration and sincere love.
Once she lowered her status, Song Yunsheng would feel that his former admiration was like a joke.
Of course, Li Qiyu's unyielding attitude in the end did change his view of her. So in this life, he wanted to win Li Qiyu back and then make her completely submit to him.
Just like a cat that liked to play with mice.
He did like Li Qiyu, but he didn't want her to be like a dead mouse, obedient and unresponsive to him.
What he needed was a little thing that rebelled wantonly in his palm and made him feel entertained.
Yes, now the biggest obstacle between him and Li Qiyu was Song Yi'an. He still had to figure out a way to deal with Song Yi'an.
Thinking of this, Song Yunsheng showed even less kindness to Zhong Yuxiu. "Can't you see I'm busy? Don't bother me, okay?"
Zhong Yuxiu looked at Song Yunsheng, the man she had loved for two lifetimes. Suddenly, she felt like a fool, a joke.
When he needed her, he asked her to come at his call. When he didn't need her, he called her a fool?
Zhong Yuxiu closed her eyes and decided to settle for the next best thing.
She said, "Then leave me a keepsake."
"What keepsake?" Song Yunsheng was upset and was thinking about how to deal with Song Yi'an. This Zhong Yuxiu just wouldn't listen and kept interrupting him. He could only answer casually.
"Let's have a child."
At first, Song Yunsheng thought he had misheard. After listening again and making sure he heard correctly, he asked, "Are you crazy?"
"I want a child, our child. This was my longing from my past life. You don't have to marry me. Can you just make up for this regret of mine? I promise that as long as you give me a child, I will never pester you."
Hearing this, Song Yunsheng pretended to be touched. He walked over, took Zhong Yuxiu's hand, and gently wiped the tears from her face.
"What are you talking about? After we get married, don't we still be afraid of not having children? We can have as many as we want."
With tears in her eyes, Zhong Yuxiu hugged Song Yunsheng and tried to kiss him. Song Yunsheng instinctively dodged. She didn't give up and reached out to unbutton his clothes. Song Yunsheng got a bit impatient. He grabbed Zhong Yuxiu's hand and said, "A Xiu, I really have a lot of things to do now. I'm not in the mood. Next time, okay?"
Zhong Yuxiu's hand dropped limply.
She watched as Song Yunsheng tidied up his clothes and prepared to leave.
Just as Song Yunsheng opened the door, Zhong Yuxiu spoke.
"Song Yi'an has woken up. My father is already preparing to support Li Xiyu."
Hearing this, Song Yunsheng stopped in his tracks. He quickly turned back and asked, "What's going on? Didn't your mother say she could handle your father?"
"So that's why I came to ask you for a proper status today. After all, they are husband and wife, and Li Xiyu is his own daughter. I'm just a step - daughter who came with my mother after her remarriage, and we're not even officially engaged. Do you think my father will help his son - in - law or his prospective son - in - law?"
Hearing this, a different look other than coldness appeared on Song Yunsheng's face. He looked at Zhong Yuxiu tenderly, full of guilt.
"I'm sorry, baby. You should have told me these things earlier. I misunderstood."
"Misunderstood? Misunderstood what? Misunderstood that I was trying to force you to marry me? Do you think it's such a painful thing for you to marry me?"
"Of course not. It's just that the timing isn't right yet. Before I've completely sorted out my own affairs, what can I offer to marry you with? Alright, alright, don't be angry. It's my fault. I've made you suffer."
Now Song Yunsheng's attitude was completely different from before.
Zhong Yuxiu finally understood the reason for this change.
It was just because she had brought up the Li family.
After that, Song Yunsheng was always very nice. He rarely took a whole day off to accompany Zhong Yuxiu. He took her shopping in the mall. When they got home at night, he even took the initiative to show affection, seemingly responding to Zhong Yuxiu's request in the afternoon - to give her a child.
During this time of intimacy, Zhong Yuxiu just couldn't get into it. She moaned expressionlessly, making the most alluring sounds, but her expression was extremely cold. She didn't feel any pleasure at all. She only felt pain and repulsion, and all she wanted was for it to end quickly.
After it was all over, Song Yunsheng went to take a shower. Soon after, he brought a glass of warm milk for Zhong Yuxiu from the kitchen, saying it was good to drink milk before going to bed. He watched Zhong Yuxiu drink it before going to sleep with confidence.
Song Yunsheng was probably really tired. He fell asleep as soon as his head touched the pillow and didn't care about the still - awake Zhong Yuxiu.
Zhong Yuxiu got out of bed and groped her way to the kitchen.
In the kitchen trash can, she found a packaging box, obviously just opened.
It was an emergency contraceptive pill.
Moreover, there were white traces of ground medicine powder on the handle of the knife. It seemed that the glass of milk she had just drunk had already been spiked.
In fact, Zhong Yuxiu had also tasted it. There were some granules in the milk. She had thought they were sugar, but when she licked them, they were bitter.
At that moment, she had already guessed.
All her sincere love had ultimately been misplaced.