Chapter 778: The Heir Is Dead
Jing Yi’s animosity for Jing Rong resurfaced after the Emperor departed the Hall of Justice aided by Zhang Quan, “You knew all along that Father would come.”
“You think too much.” Came the response.
“I’m afraid only you will know the truth behind that statement.” Killing intent surfaced in the prince’s eyes, “But don’t forget, you might’ve won today, but the victor is the one who has the last laugh.” The only response he received from his brother was an icy glare.
“And you.” Jing Yi directed his anger towards Wen s.h.i.+san, “I’ve never expected you to have to guard against you!”
“I was merely stating the facts.”
“Splendid!” the prince waved his arm and left.
Ji Yunshu approached Wen s.h.i.+san and pursed her lips, “Thank you.”
“Oh? Why are you thanking me?” the man responded with a smile. He already had an answer for his own question.
“It’s all thanks to the report that you wrote.”
“It almost cost Zhang Daqi his life. Why are you thanking me for it?”
It might not mean anything to untrained eyes, but Ji Yunshu was not one of them, “That report was perfect, perhaps a little too perfect. And that was why it revealed a lot of mistakes. You knew that Zhang Daqi was incapable of speech, and redirected the narrative somewhere else. But once your trickery was discovered, your report was nothing but a piece of junk. You knew that Zhang Daqi would never be executed. What you said to the Emperor just now was the final nail in Prince Yi’s coffin. Of course I have to thank you for that.”
But Wen s.h.i.+san did not seem to appreciate her kind words, “I was not helping you, nor was I a p.a.w.n that you’ve planted by Prince Yi’s side. I did it because I can no longer stand his methods. I wanted to win, but not like this. I wanted to win fair and square. You woke me up from my false dream. I hope we can have another showdown in the future. And this time, without any trickery.”
“That time will come.” Ji Yunshu was still worried, “But what will you do? Prince Yi will definitely come after you…”
“I have my own ways, or I wouldn’t have done something like this otherwise.” Wen s.h.i.+san was not deterred.
“If Jing Yi is aiming for your life, you will not be able to hide for long.” reminded Jing Rong.
“I’ll deal with it when it happens.” he smiled.
“Let me know if you require my help. I can guarantee you safe pa.s.sage out of the capital.”
“Thank you, Your Highness, but I have already secured a way out of the capital.”
Jing Rong responded with a silent nod. Wen s.h.i.+san looked at Ji Yunshu, “A teacher for a day, a mentor for life. You will always be my teacher no matter what. I, who have betrayed your teachings, am a failure as a student. This is what I deserve. I hope you can forgive me for what I’ve done.” the ghost of a smile appeared on his lips as he bowed at her.
Ji Yunshu took a deep breath and placed a hand on his arm, “Depart now. It is not wise to remain in the capital any longer.”
“Farewell.” he nodded.
The man turned around to leave. The air of confidence unique only to him was still about as he walked out of the Hall of Justice. Ji Yunshu shared a look with Jing Rong, “It seems that a storm is brewing within the capital.”
“Yes.” Jing Rong pursed his lips, “It is inevitable.”
Anger remained in Jing Yi’s heart on his way home. “That traitor must not be allowed to live.” he said to Dou Quan.
“Understood, Your Highness.”
The prince was met with bad news upon his return to the mansion, “Th…this is bad, Your Highness! The young heir… is gone.”
“What did you say?”
“The young heir pa.s.sed away.”
The weight of the words struck the prince like lightning, but he quickly recovered from the shock and headed straight to Chen Xiang’s room. The servants attending his consort were all prostrating themselves before him in fear as he arrived.
He pushed past the doors of Chen Xiang’s room, and saw her laying on the bead with sweat pouring down her face. Her hair was a mess, her face was pale, and her blood dyed the bedsheets red. She lay there staring at the curtain above her with bloodshot eyes, as lifeless as a dead person.
The doctor immediately knelt in front of Jing Yi, “Mercy, Your Highness! Spare me!”
Jing Yi did not even look at him as he made his way to the bed.
The doctor was dragged out of the room with a wave of his hand, “Please have mercy, Your Highness!”
The man’s pleas continued even as he was dragged away. Jing Yi’s hands were trembling as he looked at the bloodstained bedsheets. Chen Xiang’s eyes turned toward him, and her tears began to flow when she noticed his presence, “The child…is gone. Our child… is no more!” came her soft voice through trembling lips.
“Why? Why…” She repeated the question again and again with a voice full of sorrow. Jing Yi’s eyes were red with rage, and his killing intent grew even more intense.
Meanwhile, at Ji Muqing’s yard.
Cailan had long since forgotten about her former mistress once she was a.s.signed to Chen Xiang. She paced back and forth in front of the entrance before finally mustered enough courage to walk in through the entrance. The servants in the courtyard were surprised to see her, “Cailan? Why are you not with the Side Consort?”
“Is the Princess Consort here?” asked Cailan as she scanned the room.
“Yes.”
She entered the room once she received the answer.
Ji Muqing was like a prisoner in her own room. She was constantly under scrutiny every single day. Chen Xiang had a.s.signed two more servants to her yard after her attempt to sneak out. She stood in front of a window as she plucked leaves off a twig like someone who had lost her wits, “One… Two…One…Two…” she mumbled under her breath. Her former air of arrogance was completely gone.
“There is something I need to tell the Princess Consort.” Cailan said to the servants in the room, “Please leave.”
“But the Side Consort told us to keep a close watch on her.” replied one of the servants.
“There’s nowhere for her to go. You can stand guard outside.”
But the servants refused to budge. They finally relented after Cailan handed them a few pieces of silver each. Tears welled in Cailan’s eyes as she approached Ji Muqing, “Young Miss…”
“One, two, one, two…” Ji Muqing acted as if she did not hear her voice.
“Young Miss,” Cailan grabbed hold of her hands, “Young Miss, it’s me, Cailan!”
Ji Muqing’s movements stopped. She glanced at Cailan and tilted her head at her, before pus.h.i.+ng the servant away with a sneer, “Cailan? What are you doing here?”