Ignoring Emperor Alexander, the two embraced and left, no longer intending to linger in the palace.
Emperor Alexander could not utter a word; only a guttural sound escaped his throat as tears streamed down his face. Looking back on his life, for the sake of this picturesque kingdom, he had killed the woman he loved most, even had to guard against his own son at every turn. Now one was killed, one wanted him dead, and another watched him perish with complete indifference—all consequences of his own making. The younger ones, perhaps to avoid being swept up in this war, hadn’t even come to see him once.
He never imagined that, in the end, he would be abandoned by all. There was bitterness, sorrow, and heartache in his chest, but not a trace of regret. Even if he could do it all again, he would make the same choices—power was always most important to him, and everything else could be sacrificed. Such a man was destined to be emperor, which is why Sima Yu chose him in the first place. This was the path he was meant to walk.
Morgan Shangguan...
Back then, he gave her the title 'Demon' as a warning to Damien Gray, but now, seeing how Damien dotes on her—wishing he could offer her the world—he couldn’t help but think of the phrase 'beauty brings disaster.' If the demonic child truly brings chaos, could Morgan Shangguan be the root of it all? He began to doubt whether Sima Yu’s final prophecy was mistaken, and he couldn’t tell if his decision to arrange the marriage was right or wrong.
As for Damien Gray, if it were possible, he truly didn’t want his life. After all, that was the child Wan’er risked everything to protect. So he had always guarded against Damien, but in the end, he failed—Damien turned out to be the biggest winner. The demonic child truly was different! If he hadn’t struggled so much, if he could have been ruthless with Damien, would things have turned out differently?
Wan’er... Would he ever see her again? Would she forgive him?
Ghost King's Manor.
Susie Yun, holding a white handkerchief, presented a wooden box to Morgan Shangguan and asked, "Miss, do you really want to give this away?" Her tone was full of reluctance.
Morgan Shangguan lifted the lid and glanced inside, murmuring, "It’s definitely genuine."
Susie Yun stamped her foot. "Miss!"
Morgan Shangguan chuckled and shook her head. "It's customary to bring a gift when attending a wedding banquet!"
"But... you don't have to give such an expensive gift!" Susie Yun looked at the item in her hands, her eyes full of distress.
Morgan Shangguan laughed softly. "Just put it away! If you really can't bear to part with it, after I give it away, you can ask Ryan Ouyang to steal it back for you, can't you?" Her casual tone made it sound as if she were simply commenting on the weather, not teaching someone to steal.
Susie Yun paused, pondering whether the idea was feasible as she walked into the room.
Damien Gray entered from outside, overhearing their conversation. He asked, "Princess Consort, what gift are you planning to give?" As he spoke, he wrapped her in his arms.
Morgan Shangguan countered, "And what does the Ghostmaster intend to give as a gift?"
Damien Gray raised an eyebrow arrogantly. "My personal attendance is already a tremendous honor for him!" In other words, he had no intention of giving a gift at all.
Morgan Shangguan couldn’t help but shake her head. The Ghostmaster and the Ghost King were complete opposites—the Ghost King was courteous and polite, while the Ghostmaster was utterly unreasonable. Yet, because of the Ghostmaster’s intimidating power, no one dared to object.
Damien Gray kissed her lips and laughed. "You’re already preparing your congratulatory gift, Princess Consort. You must be quite eager!"
Morgan Shangguan leaned against him, her fingers idly playing with his collar, a hint of laziness in her voice. "There was plenty of time before, but now we have to wait until Prince Ethan's coronation ceremony is over before leaving. Time is tight, so I have to prepare in advance! Fortunately, Jade Dragon Manor isn't too far away."
In the past two days, all the envoys from various nations had arrived except those from Azure Kingdom. The coronation ceremony would be held the day after tomorrow, and both of them were waiting for it to end so they could leave.
Wrapping her arms around Damien Gray's neck, Morgan Shangguan asked, "Are you ready? I don't want to be held back and unable to leave when the time comes!"
With Prince Ethan ascending the throne, he certainly wouldn't want to leave Damien Gray as a potential threat. For the coronation, he would surely arrange tight security to prevent Damien from causing trouble. Even if Damien didn't, Prince Ethan might still accuse him of rebellion in front of the envoys and eliminate him once and for all!
It was said that the envoys from Azure Kingdom would arrive tomorrow. Adrian Yarrow was still under house arrest, and the Azure envoys were likely hoping to rescue him amid the chaos. In short, this coronation ceremony would be anything but peaceful!
Damien Gray sighed, "Why won't you help me, Princess Consort?" He looked aggrieved, though there was a hint of a smile in his eyes.
Tilting her head up, Morgan Shangguan kissed his perfect jaw and laughed softly. "That's your problem, my lord. What does it have to do with me?" Besides, such a trivial matter hardly needed her help. She was only asking casually, but she knew Damien Gray would handle everything just fine.
That day, the breeze was gentle and the sun was shining—it was the grand day of Prince Ethan’s coronation.
With Emperor Alexander still bedridden, Prince Ethan insisted on keeping everything simple. The ritual of worshiping heaven went smoothly, followed by the officials’ formal salute. Prince Ethan kept his promise and named Sophie Qiu as Empress!
Though Sophie Qiu hailed from the martial world, she was famed as the greatest beauty in Silvermoon Kingdom. Many knew she belonged to Emperor Alexander, so she wasn’t truly an outsider. Such an Empress was not inappropriate, and if the Celestial Maiden Sect could be harnessed for the court, it would be a great benefit!
Although many ministers hoped their daughters would become Empress, it was impossible. Even without Sophie Qiu, there was still Lady Julia—the position would never have gone to them. The one most resentful was surely Lady Julia, who had the Empress’s seat snatched away for no reason!
Originally, Morgan Shangguan wasn’t allowed to attend the coronation, but Prince Ethan insisted she be present. Naturally, she did not refuse—she wanted to witness the struggle between him and Damien Gray!
In the grand hall, aside from the newly crowned Empress Sophie Qiu, Morgan Shangguan was the only other woman present. Yet she showed no trace of nervousness, simply standing quietly beside Damien Gray. Her calm and distant demeanor made her seem untouched by worldly affairs, and the faint smile in her eyes was refreshing but unreachable. It seemed only the man at her side could enter her world. The two stood together, perfectly matched. Only then did the crowd realize that the Ghost King was somehow different today—standing beside the ethereal Morgan Shangguan, he was not outshone in the least. Instead, a subtle aura of mystery and power emanated from him, blending perfectly with Morgan’s cool detachment. It was as if they were always meant to be together.