Jun Jiuli used Chu Yanxin's bed curtains to tie her feet, hanging her upside down from the ceiling beam. Blood dripped drop by drop from her neck.
Chu Yanxin was so terrified that her face turned ashen. She struggled and swayed in the air. Soon, she felt dizzy, and a series of bloody scenes flashed through her mind.
She began to scream, "This is all fake, fake! I never did any of it. Please let me go, I'm still so young, there's so much I haven't done yet."
Jun Jiuli ignored her. She continued, "Nothing has happened yet, why are you so eager to convict me? I, Chu Yanxin, swear to the heavens that I will never do anything bad in this life. Please let me down."
"I didn't give the order, nor did I take action. Why are you, a coward, only seeking revenge on me! My father dedicated his life to the country and its people. Can you bear to see him mourn his child? Show some mercy and let me go!"
Although she said this, she knew very well in her heart that if things had truly reached the point she had just seen, she would have acted that way. What concern were the lives of others to her, let alone just a few insignificant foxes.
Those were her children! How could she bear to abandon them? But things hadn't reached that point yet, so why was this person trying to exterminate her?
She hated her current powerlessness. She hated the fact that despite the guards and household guards on duty, Jun Jiuli had still managed to get in. She hated why the entire General's mansion hadn't discovered the anomaly on her side.
She died in resentment, her blood drained dry. Jun Jiuli left a note.
"This poisonous woman, with her absurd lies, caused my demise. Today, I have come to take her dog's life. Now, the grievances are settled, and there is no further connection with the Chu family. — Zhao Lingheng"
Chu Yanxin's personal maid came to wake her up and saw the scene. The maid was so frightened that she collapsed to the ground. After a long pause, she rushed to call for help.
Soon, the masters of the Chu mansion rushed over. General Chu and his wife were on the verge of fainting. The three Chu brothers used a table to prop up Chu Yanxin and lower her down.
Chu Haoran was the first to see the note on the table. The little maid who came to deliver the news was warned by them not to spread anything about it. This courtyard was also heavily guarded, and everyone inside now was a master of the Chu family.
"Father, Mother, look quickly."
After everyone had read the note, it turned to ashes before their eyes. General Chu's face was tense as he scanned everyone present.
He closed his eyes and said, "This matter must not be spread. Since His Highness the Crown Prince said the grievances are settled, then our family will have no further dealings with him. Madam, prepare a funeral for Yanxin. We will say she died of illness and bury her in the ancestral grave."
"Yes."
"Madam, you personally oversee Xin'er being placed in the coffin. Do not let any outsiders perceive anything amiss."
"Yes."
General Chu looked back at his daughter's corpse, a few tears falling from his clouded eyes. His usually resolute back was also more stooped. He still had to report this to His Majesty and ask for leave.
"My child, what am I to do? You were fine yesterday, and now you lie here cold. A parent mourning their child. My child, open your eyes and look! Wuwuwu~"
Chu Haoran and his brothers were also filled with grief, comforting their mother from the side.
"Mother, it's already happened. It's best to bury Younger Sister as soon as possible."
"It's all my fault, all my fault. If you want a life, come and take mine! Xin'er is so young, how can you be so cruel? Heavens, you are unfair! Zhao Ling..."
Before she could finish her curse, Chu Haoran stopped her.
"Enough! Cry any louder. Do you want to spread this matter? Do you want the entire Chu mansion to be buried with Younger Sister before you are satisfied?"
Chu夫人 was startled by the shout and froze. She was somewhat afraid of General Chu, which was why she hadn't dared to be reckless earlier. Now that he was gone, she wasn't even allowed to cry properly?
She pointed at Chu Haoran, her hands trembling. "You are rebellious and unfilial! I am your mother, and lying here is your sister."
"If Mother wants Sister to continue lying here like this, then cry your heart out." He clenched his fist, forcing back the tears that were about to fall.
"She brought this fate upon herself. Naturally, your indulgence and pampering are also to blame. It's best to tidy her appearance quickly so she suffers less."
With that, he strode out of the room. The other brothers bowed and followed him. In an instant, only Chu夫人 and her daughter remained in the room. Chu夫人 stood in a daze for a long time before reacting.
She stood up, wiped away her tears, and finally hugged Chu Yanxin. She called for a trusted嬷嬷 to help tidy her appearance and arranged the funeral matters in an orderly fashion.
Soon, white banners were hung outside the General's mansion. The onlookers pitied Chu Yanxin for her untimely death, lamenting that she had passed away before her Crown Prince could arrive.
Chu Yanxin's death made people remember that His Highness the Crown Prince had not returned for three years. They began to speculate whether he had met with misfortune. The elite soldiers sent by the Emperor had been blocked at the foot of the mountain.
The possibility of the Crown Prince surviving was slim. The minds of several princes began to stir, and some ministers in the court were already taking sides. The most likely candidates were the Third Prince and the Fifth Prince. The Chu family remained neutral.
Shui Wa: "This Fifth Prince is alright. In his past life, Zhao Lingheng oppressed the people. He advised against it many times but in vain, and finally launched a rebellion. Unfortunately, he didn't get a good end, being tortured to death by Zhao Lingheng's two monstrous sons."
Jun Jiuli: "Being an emperor is not that simple. He has a heart for the people. If his ability is insufficient, he will easily be overthrown. Once war breaks out, the people's lives will be even harder."
"He is still very capable. When Zhao State had floods, he went there and managed them very well. The fiefdom the Emperor granted him, he managed it well too."
"He was very popular with the people in his dealings. Because of his advice, the Emperor also exempted many miscellaneous taxes. However, because of this, he was not favored by the Emperor. If it weren't for the power of his maternal clan, he would have been killed by the Emperor long ago."
"What about that Third Prince?"
"His mother is a favored consort, and he specializes in finding loopholes to amuse the Emperor. His maternal clan, because of them, has always oppressed the people, even forcibly abducting civilian girls in broad daylight. But who cares, he is the Emperor's second favorite son, and a kneeling plea for mercy would make him innocent."
"In any case, I don't think highly of him, and the host definitely won't. Let's go to that Fifth Prince's mansion to observe. If he passes the test, we'll choose him as emperor."
"That makes a lot of sense. After all, it concerns the future of Zhao State, so we must proceed with caution."