Chapter 172

Chapter 172 Everyone was startled. Prince Jing's demeanor made it clear he was extremely displeased. Prince Jing said coldly, "Since we cannot sort out who is at fault, it seems both are guilty. Then we might as well punish them both together!" Suici struggled and begged for mercy, and while Yuezhi also begged for mercy with her words, Xie Run could see that she was clearly more pleased than afraid. Xie Run rose to her feet. "Prince, if both are punished, one of them is bound to be wronged. I have an idea—would the Prince care to hear it?" Prince Jing: "Speak." Xie Run smiled sweetly. "Yuezhi is so infatuated with Zhao Wu—it seems he must have been quite attentive to her since they were young." Yueyao quietly nodded. "Ever since Yuezhi came to serve at Chunsan Courtyard, she has been boasting about how well her elder brother treats her." "It was also from her words and actions that I noticed her feelings for her brother." Yuezhi glared hatefully at Yueyao. She truly had not expected that Yueyao, who usually seemed timid and withdrawn, would harbor so much in her heart. She had misjudged her! Xie Run smiled. "Both Yuezhi and Suici have close ties with Zhao Wu—surely no one knows them better than he does." "Given Zhao Wu's familiarity with these two, he must know who is lying!" "That being the case, why not give Zhao Wu a chance, Prince?" "Whichever of these two Zhao Wu trusts, I will plead with the Prince on that person's behalf, and only the other will be punished." Prince Jing thought it over briefly and immediately understood what Xie Run was scheming. He noted to himself that Xie Run understood human hearts deeply—she had come up with a method that struck right at the heart. Prince Jing agreed without hesitation. "I'll do as you say!" Xie Run added, "Since the Prince has already done a good deed, why not go all the way and bestow a marriage upon the one Zhao Wu chooses?" Prince Jing gave Xie Run a long look, feeling that the Xie Run before him was practically radiating mischief. Yet he felt not the slightest disgust—rather, he rather liked it. As long as her scheming was not used to harm others, Prince Jing would only like and appreciate it, not mind it. He waved his hand grandly. "Granted!" Zhao Wu suddenly received the chance to save one person, and perhaps even gain a marriage bestowed by the Prince—he looked completely bewildered. Yuezhi was the first to react, grabbing Zhao Wu and crying, "Brother Wu, we grew up together—you know me best." "I would never dare to harm the Fifth Young Master!" "It was Sister Suici who happened to learn of my love for you, and she slandered me again and again, using that matter to threaten me." "If this were spread abroad, how could Father and Mother show their faces? Your future would surely be ruined as well." "She's a vicious, heartless woman—Brother Wu, don't let that fox spirit cloud your eyes!" "Brother Wu, if you don't believe me, I..." With that, a hint of ruthlessness appeared in Yuezhi's eyes. "I would rather die to prove my innocence!" The moment the words left her mouth, Yuezhi lunged toward a pillar nearby. Jing Wu had served by Prince Jing's side for many years and was experienced with such matters. He reached out and grabbed Yuezhi by the collar. Seeing her plan fail, Yuezhi gave up all pretense and burst into loud wailing. "Brother Wu, you know my heart is true to you—for your sake, I would even die!" "You must believe me!" Zhao Wu had clearly grown accustomed to Yuezhi's oaths and vows—his expression barely rippled this time. The onlookers, however, recalling their sibling relationship, wore varied expressions. Though they were not blood siblings, the Zhao parents had raised them as their own children. Hearing such talk of life and death between them now was rather revolting. Suici was also stunned for a moment before she spoke. "Zhao Wu, it was your sister who threatened me!" "She deliberately called me over to humiliate me, saying that if I didn't fawn over her, she would find ways to ensure I could never marry you, and would expose what happened between us... I didn't want any trouble—I only wished to keep the peace—so I gave her a bracelet to appease her." "You know I'm timid—how could I dare to harm anyone?" "Your sister has a domineering and fierce temper—how would I dare to order her around? Let alone have her poison someone?" "This is simply her deliberately framing me!" The sound of the two women's weeping rang in Zhao Wu's ears, until his head felt like it would split apart. He stole a glance at the Prince and Princess Consort seated above—each imposing and solemn—and then thought of the scene when Jing Wu had tortured him. He could no longer hold himself up and knelt to the ground. "This servant dares not lie—Suici is timid and gentle by nature. This servant believes she could not do something like threatening others." Zhao Wu's lips trembled. "But Yuezhi—she has been domineering since childhood. From the very first time she met Suici, she disliked her and made things difficult for her on several occasions. I knew all of it." "Suici could never have ordered her around." "Yuezhi is not a greedy person either... She asked Suici for the bracelet not for wealth, but simply to make things difficult for Suici on purpose." Having said this, Zhao Wu clutched his head and knelt on the ground, weeping bitterly. This time, he was telling the truth. It wasn't that he favored one over the other—he was simply terrified! With two women around him both entangled in a matter of life and death, and being forced to choose between them—how could he not be frightened?! Suici quietly wiped her tears on the side as well. She had not expected Zhao Wu to choose her, after all, Yuezhi was the younger sister he had grown up with. Xie Run smiled gently. "What are you crying for?" "Since Zhao Wu has chosen to trust Suici, the Prince will personally bestow the marriage shortly, allowing you to wed her properly..." "No!" Yuezhi suddenly shrieked. Her eyes were bloodshot, carrying a fierce ruthlessness. "Brother Wu, you're not allowed to marry her!" "Why didn't you choose me?!" Yuezhi suddenly lunged forward, grabbing Zhao Wu's clothes and shaking him wildly. "We grew up together since childhood—why didn't you choose me?!" "You used to be so good to me, and now you want me dead because of this vixen?!" "She's the one who seduced you!" "Why can't I marry you, but she can?" Yuezhi screamed hoarsely. "Just because I'm your sister?" "But when did I ever say I wanted to be your sister?!" Having heard this entire tale of love and hatred, Xie Run saw that the moment was right and delivered the final, fatal blow with unhurried calm. "Yuezhi, although you have been disloyal, I, as your mistress, cannot be without mercy." A faint smile veiled Xie Run's brows and eyes. At first glance, she seemed to be smiling; upon closer inspection, one felt a chill run through their entire body. "Prince, why not delay Yuezhi's punishment by two days? At least let her witness Zhao Wu and Suici's wedding and their consummation before she faces her sentence?" Killing was but a nod of the head. The gazes directed at Xie Run gradually took on a shade of fear. Even Fang Yuan'er, upon hearing these words, had a deep wariness settle into her eyes. Xie Run appeared gentle and harmless, but when she did not act, all was well—yet when she did, she killed not just the body but the very soul. Sure enough, upon hearing this, Yuezhi cried out, "I won't!" "I'd rather that wretch die than watch her marry Brother Wu!" Yuezhi charged madly toward the guard nearby. The guard instinctively drew his blade to block. Yet Yuezhi's eyes showed not a trace of fear as she recklessly thrust her neck straight toward the blade. It was Jing Wu who reacted in time, reaching out to grab Yuezhi by the back of her collar. But it was already too late.