As for herself, she assumed the title of Empress Dowager. She hadn't died, but was imprisoned in Cining Palace. The vast palace held only her. Later, she mentioned that Nan Zhiyun had gone mad, and she feigned weakness, hoping to ask Yu Jingchen to see Nan Zhiyun.
However, Yu Jingchen seemed to have changed completely, becoming even more insane than before. He agreed to let her see Nan Zhiyun, but she was forbidden to get close. And then... she watched Yu Jingchen perform those acts with Nan Zhiyun right in front of her.
Yu Jingchen said to her, "Didn't you want to take her away? Didn't you want her to leave forever? Then I'll show you what she looks like with her wings broken and held in my hand. She will forever be my possession, to be humiliated and played with at my will!"
Indeed, Yu Jingchen had developed a pathological attachment to Nan Zhiyun; he had become obsessive. What if she was mad? He would never let her go, even if she could only die by his side.
After witnessing Yu Jingchen's conquest, the Empress Dowager was locked back into Cining Palace. That night, she set a fire, and the entire Cining Palace was engulfed by dragon-like flames. She never emerged again.
She fell into the sea of fire, her consciousness hazy. She thought she saw someone rushing towards her, but before she could make out their face, it was too late.
"Yin'er..." Who was calling her?
When she woke up again, she was back at the Guoshi Mansion. Gu Yin looked at her without speaking. The Empress Dowager's tears fell involuntarily. Gu Yin did not disturb her.
After a long while, Gu Yin finally spoke, "Do you regret it?" he asked.
"Can it truly not be changed?" The Empress Dowager seemed to have lost all hope.
"Why must you try to change it?" Gu Yin smiled and looked at her.
"It shouldn't have ended like that..." The Empress Dowager looked somewhat vacant.
"Gu Yin... can you give me another chance?" the Empress Dowager asked him.
"These matters go against the will of heaven. You have already defied it once; do you want to do it again? Even if it means paying any price?" Gu Yin looked at her with a complicated expression.
"Yes," the Empress Dowager said decisively.
Gu Yin fell silent. The Empress Dowager stood up, "Can you help me again?" Gu Yin remained silent.
"I can pay any price," the Empress Dowager continued.
"...Yes, but... you only have one year. During this process, your five senses will gradually disappear, and... your soul will dissipate, with no chance of reincarnation," Gu Yin told her.
"I can accept that," the Empress Dowager said without any hesitation.
Gu Yin looked at her, unsurprised. Gu Yin turned his head, "Let's do it in three days," Gu Yin said, and then left the room directly. The Empress Dowager did not stop him.
The recollection ends here...
"Nan Yin, it's all in the past. This life is good now, isn't it? Everything you've arranged is slowly progressing, and all events are unfolding according to your wishes. There will be no more unexpected incidents. Why be so cautious? Nan Yin, I don't want you to carry this burden, or this sense of guilt and remorse, forever. If possible... can you spare a little time for me? Can you look back at me?" Gu Yin laid his feelings bare.
Hearing his words, the Empress Dowager's eyes flickered away. Gu Yin seemed to know her answer, but was unwilling to give up.
"Have you never understood what I meant? Or have you always known but deliberately avoided facing it or intentionally evaded it?" Gu Yin asked very directly.