Little Sorcerer, Divine Doctor-Chapter 851 - 3: Affection or Ruthlessness

Dugu Xiu’s fists did not defeat Gu Feng.

But Donghuang Lingling’s words were like a heart-piercing sword, leaving Gu Feng’s mind blank in an instant.

"Lingling, you’re deceiving me," Gu Feng murmured.

"Gu Feng, if I follow you, I can only be a commoner. But if I marry Dugu Xiu, I can become the future Empress of Hou Qin." On Donghuang Lingling’s pretty face, the disdain and contempt showed time and again, wounding Gu Feng.

She didn’t even want to look at Gu Feng; she turned away, leaving him with a heartless silhouette.

"Lingling, have you ever liked me," Gu Feng closed his eyes, fighting to not let the tears fall.

Once upon a time, he believed Lingling liked him.

The first time they met, she snatched away his water cup.

She repeatedly scorned his clumsy words and foolish demeanor.

When she lost her memory, she followed him like a child, babbling.

She called out the name "Gu Feng" for the first time.

She clumsily brewed medicine for him. All these couldn’t compare to the throne of the Empress of Hou Qin.

"Gu Feng, you’re foolish. For my sake, you abandoned your identity as a Light Mage; it wasn’t worth it. Forget me, go back to the Mainland Magic Elite Camp, and become a... great Light Mage," Donghuang Lingling’s tone was icy. With a flick of her sleeve, she left the cell.

Throughout, Dugu Xiu watched coldly from the sidelines as if observing a scene from a play.

"Now you should believe it. Considering the relationship between the Mainland Elite Camp and Hou Qin, I will let you go. When you leave, you might still catch Donghuang Lingling’s marriage procession," Dugu Xiu saw Gu Feng’s lifeless expression and knew Donghuang Lingling’s words had thoroughly harmed him.

For a Mage, mental damage is far more lethal than physical harm.

Donghuang Lingling walked out of the Heavenly Prison, unable to hold back the tears that had been suppressed for too long.

"Gu Feng, you must be well. In this life, I owe you," Donghuang Lingling had bitter words but couldn’t express them.

Days ago, while on her way to the medical hall for medicine, she encountered Madam Bi.

Donghuang Lingling was initially unwilling to speak with Madam Bi, but Madam Bi forcibly gave her a Memory Crystal Ball.

Inside the Crystal Ball was a record of Emperor Donghuang Tianqi’s daily life in the Eastern Capital.

The once-proud Eastern Capital Emperor, in mere months, had turned from a handsome youth into a drooling, vacant-eyed fool.

If Madam Bi hadn’t told Donghuang Lingling, she might not have recognized her own brother.

When Donghuang Lingling saw Donghuang Tianqi, the familial love within her was awakened.

Madam Bi chuckled: "Princess, see this? This is the fate of defying the Crown Prince. Your brother has the soul snake gradually devouring his consciousness. Soon, even walking will be a problem for him. Your Empress Dowager, seeing her son in such a state, couldn’t bear it and wanted to take her life; luckily, I saved her."

"Chi Bi, you’ll die a horrible death," hatred filled Donghuang Lingling’s eyes, with memories, past pains, and all she’d deliberately forgotten flooding back.

Since the last Emperor of the Eastern Capital was assassinated, the Royal Family’s bloodline dwindled, leaving only Donghuang Lingling and Donghuang Tianqi.

Donghuang Tianqi always cherished his two-year-younger sister, Donghuang Lingling.

Even the Demon Beast Bone used for Donghuang Lingling’s Magic Wand was captured together with Donghuang Tianqi secretly when inspecting near the Eastern Capital.

But during that discreet visit, they encountered bandits; Donghuang Tianqi was severely injured protecting Donghuang Lingling.

When guards from the Imperial Palace found them, Donghuang Tianqi was unconscious.

After being rescued back to the Eastern Capital, Donghuang Tianqi’s health never fully recovered, nor did his Magic Cultivation improve.

From that time, Donghuang Lingling swore to protect her brother.

So, she secretly left the Eastern Capital and went to the Mainland Magic Elite Camp, hoping someday to become the most powerful female Mage in the Eastern Capital, able to protect her brother and Empress Dowager.

But all those dreams now lay shattered by cruel reality.

"Princess, you have two paths now. Either marry the Crown Prince or continue your carefree days. Loyalty and filial duty can’t both be preserved; let’s see whether your Empress Dowager and brother matter more or Gu Feng does." Madam Bi’s threat was effective.

After an internal struggle, Donghuang Lingling returned to the Eastern Capital.

She did what she did today only to let Gu Feng lose hope.

Gu Feng was released; Donghuang Lingling stood on the Eastern Capital’s terrace, watching him step away, step by step. 𝓯𝓻𝓮𝙚𝙬𝓮𝙗𝒏𝙤𝒗𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝒐𝓶

Only when the sunset’s last glimmer was swallowed by darkness did she drag her steps back to the Imperial Palace.

Donghuang Lingling went to her brother Donghuang Tianqi’s sleeping quarters, where Empress Dowager Situ was sitting by the bed, wiping tears.

This once-regal woman had undergone a shocking transformation in just a few months.

She aged rapidly, now white-haired, resembling an old crone.

"Empress Dowager," Donghuang Lingling knelt before Empress Dowager Situ.

"Lingling, why did you come back? Having left, why return," Empress Dowager Situ cried bitterly, holding Donghuang Lingling.

Once, she selfishly used lies to deceive her daughter back.

But upon learning Dugu Xiu’s intentions, she didn’t want her only daughter to fall into this pit again.

Though Empress Dowager Situ was under Chi Bi’s control, she hadn’t consumed the soul snake egg, so after a period of unconsciousness, she gradually recovered.

What she hadn’t anticipated was the tragic state her children had been reduced to.

"Empress Dowager, it’s just marriage. Lingling isn’t afraid. Rest assured, I’ll find Dugu Xiu to get the best Imperial Physician for my brother," Donghuang Lingling forced a smile, drying Empress Dowager Situ’s tears.

She stood up, a beautiful smile on her face, a smile Empress Dowager Situ had never seen.

She seemed to foresee something and tried to stop Donghuang Lingling, but Donghuang Lingling shook her head and swiftly walked away.

That night, Dugu Xiu was in the Imperial Study Room in the Eastern Capital, surrounded by piles of military and government memorials sent from Hou Qin.

Lady Chi Bi stood nearby, her gaze soft, watching Dugu Xiu’s focused profile.

Now, the Eastern Imperial Palace was merely nominal but was actually under Dugu Xiu’s control.

After a gentle knock, Donghuang Lingling entered with a bowl of soup.

That night, Donghuang Lingling appeared exceptionally striking, her eyebrows gracefully touched, dignified, her large eyes full of boundless emotion.