Wang Pan told Empress Dugu about what he had been through over the years, focusing in particular on the immense price he had paid for the Ephemeral Bloom.
Empress Dugu stared unblinkingly at the Ephemeral Bloom inside the Jade Box, her eyes brimming with delight.
As for Wang Pan's words, they went in one ear and out the other for Empress Dugu.
What storms had Empress Dugu not weathered? Did he really think that, confined within the deep palace, Empress Dugu was ignorant of worldly affairs?
If she truly had been so naïve, Empress Dugu would not be sitting before Wang Pan now. She would likely have become a pile of white bones in some abandoned well within the imperial palace.
The dangers of the harem were bloodless and invisible. Truly foolish, sweet innocents could never survive there.
Thus, Empress Dugu believed only half of what Wang Pan said.
"Little Calf, who knows how many people and demons that mouth of yours has deceived. Now you're trying to deceive This Palace too?
This Palace believes that you went through a life-and-death struggle to obtain the Ephemeral Bloom.
But if you claim that you love This Palace so deeply? Hehe~"
Empress Dugu finally shifted her gaze away from the Ephemeral Bloom. Her lips curved upward as she spoke teasingly.
"Your Majesty, I have a name. My name is Wang Pan.
My love for Your Majesty is like this Ephemeral Bloom before us. Though it lasts only an instant, it is also eternal!"
Wang Pan gave an awkward laugh. Beneath the gaze of Empress Dugu's star-bright eyes, the corner of his eye twitched, and he inexplicably felt guilty.
Wang Pan searched his heart. Did he like Empress Dugu? Of course he did!
But that was only because Empress Dugu was beautiful, had