C1 Retribution

Sixteen years.

The rain was pouring down, and the cold wind was piercingly cold.

The bean-sized raindrops hit the roof, and the sound drowned out the silence of the cold palace. A bright bolt of lightning cut through the silent night sky, and the entire sky seemed as if it was daytime in an instant. Then, it sank into the darkness once again.

Rumble!

The sound of thunder began to ring out in a low voice, and it seemed as if the enormous dragon that had been slumbering for a long time was letting out an unwilling roar.

In the depths of the cold palace beneath the sky...

A dim candle flame swayed indeterminately within the room, as if as long as there was a little more wind, the entire room would fall into darkness.

Under the flickering candle flame, Xie Rongrong curled up in a corner of the room. Her long black hair was scattered on her shoulders and gave off an unpleasant sour smell. Her originally clear eyes were bloodshot as she stared blankly at the heavy rain outside the window.

There was still unwillingness in her eyes. Unfortunately, she knew it too late.

The people around her all died because of her. Who else could pull her out of this eternal cold palace?

She still remembered that day. She wore a dragon and phoenix pearl crown, a large red sleeve dress and a red robe. Her red long dress was like the tail of a phoenix. Not only was she beautiful, when everyone saw her, they had to bow respectfully and call her Empress.

But now, everything seemed like a dream.

It was just that this dream broke too quickly.

In the 13th year of the Heaven Awaken World, Xie Rongrong falsified evidence and slandered the Left Commander of the Fifth Army Governor-General House, Chu Ziran, to form a gang and conspire to rebel. Xiao Hongjing was furious and executed the entire Chu Family.

In the 14th year of the Heaven Awaken World, Xie Rongrong framed his own sister, Xie Laner, and wanted to murder the empress dowager. The empress dowager was furious and destroyed her appearance and died in prison a year later.

In the 15th year of Tian Qi, Xie Rongrong righteously destroyed her own family and forged false evidence. She personally reported to the emperor that the seven ministers in the cabinet, led by Xie Hua, were ambitious and had the intention of overthrowing Xiao Hongjing and taking control of the Great Zhou. Xiao Hongjing was furious. He ordered the Shuntian House to capture Xie Hua and the other seven. All seven of the Cabinet Ministers were executed. Only one person survived, Xie Hua's eldest daughter, Xie Rongrong.

Wild histories called this year the "Bloody Year.

In the 16th year of the Heaven Awaken World, Xiao Hongjing personally conferred Xie Rongrong the title of Great Zhou's Empress in the main hall. He looked at the entire court of civil and military. He knelt down and Xie Rongrong shed tears of excitement. Everything she had done in the past was worth it.

Unfortunately, the good days did not last long. Xie Rongrong had only been the Empress for two months, but Xiao Hongjing had removed her phoenix crown and thrown her into the Cold Palace. She was not allowed to come out ever again.

The reason was that he slandered the Left Commander, Chu Ziran, and framed his own sister for no reason. He even faked a false testimony and slandered the loyal Cabinet Minister. Xiao Hongjing remembered his old relationship with Xie Rongrong, so he did not execute her and sent her into the Cold Palace that could not see the light of day.

All of this was because Xiao Hongjing wanted to push all the dirty things that he had done over the years onto Xie Rongrong. And he was a good Emperor from the mouth of a common person.

Back then, he plotted against Chu Ziran, who was childhood friend, slandering his own sister, and even harming his own father, which was why he became the mother of a country. In the end, he obtained it. This was indeed the result.

The vermillion door slowly opened. Xiao Hongjing, dressed in a golden dragon robe, stood silently at the door. Beside him stood a young father-in-law, holding a red wooden tray with a cup of cold wine in his hand.

A bolt of lightning flashed past. Xiao Hongjing's handsome face, which was as sharp as a knife, flashed in the darkness. Soon after, he once again fell into the darkness.

He took small steps and walked in front of Xie Rongrong step by step.

Xie Rongrong's eyes stared intently at the man in front of her. The corner of her mouth curled into a bitter smile.

"Drink this glass of wine." Xiao Hongjing said coldly, "You should feel honored. For Zhen's country, your death is worth it."