Betrayal After Betrayal

In the depths of the Song Capital's palace, before a bright mirror and dressing table, a woman in palace attire sat quietly, like an elegant white lotus.

A cluster of palace maids attended her. When they tried to arrange her hair, she shook her head. When they tried to paint her brows, she shook her head. When they tried to adorn her with jewelry, she shook her head.

She wanted nothing—her long hair draped over her shoulders, her face bare of makeup as she quietly gazed at her reflection.

Even without makeup, her peerless grace could not be concealed. She was still breathtakingly beautiful, yet the faint vulnerability in her bright eyes stirred pity.

Her name was Aque, the most favored consort of Song Emperor Mu Zhuozhen. Rumor had it that she was the one in the Song Kingdom's imperial palace upon whom all favor had been gathered.

She wanted nothing, leaving the maids frightened and uneasy. One by one, they secretly glanced toward the man behind the hanging curtain.

Mu Zhuozhen, half-visible behind the curtain, waved a hand. The maids quietly withdrew.

Aque rose as well and departed with measured grace. As she passed Mu Zhuozhen's side, she seemed not to see him at all.

Mu Zhuozhen suddenly reached out and seized her arm, anguish written across his face. "Que'er, I am the one suffering most. The lives of over two million soldiers are at stake. If I refuse, those within and beyond the palace walls will say you have brought ruin upon the kingdom and calamity upon the people. They will drive you to your death. I had no choice!"

Faced with Shang Jianxiong's insolent demand, and after confirming that Meng Shanming's side would comply, the Song Kingdom ultimately yielded. Mu Zhuozhen agreed to hand over his most