Chapter 175 Assassination

“Your Highness is wise. Although Xie Wulu is insignificant, he is still the son of the second branch of the Xie family, not a slave or a lowly commoner. If he dies mysteriously in the princess’s residence, even if it is done cleanly, it is hard to guarantee that the news will not leak out.”

"Although the second branch of the Xie family has been expelled from the General's Mansion, they are still Xie Zhenting's younger brother. Now that Xie Zhenting is about to return to the capital in glory, enjoying the Emperor's favor, if news were to spread that his nephew had died in your residence at this time..."

She paused, observing Pei Mingyue's expression. Seeing that his anger had subsided slightly, she continued, "His Majesty already had some reservations about Your Highness because of the previous incident, and that's why he issued an edict reprimanding Your Highness for your inappropriate actions."

"If this matter causes Xie Zhenting to harbor resentment, or even escalates to the point of taking it to the Emperor… how will His Majesty deal with Your Highness to appease the border generals? And how will those officials in the court, who are already eyeing Your Highness, seize this opportunity to make their point? Your Highness, a small act of impatience could ruin a great plan!"

The rage on Pei Mingyue's face was gradually replaced by a sinister look.

Qingdai's words extinguished her murderous intent, but also made her feel even more aggrieved.

She glared hatefully at Xie Wulu, who was lying in the cage like a dead dog, and paced back and forth irritably.

Qingdai is right. Her father has indeed become much colder towards her lately. Last time, Xie Sangning tricked her, causing her to lose face and be reprimanded by her father.

If this good-for-nothing gets into trouble with Xie Zhenting again…

"Are we just going to let him off so easily?"

Pei Mingyue's voice was filled with resentment.

“Of course not.” Qingdai lowered her head slightly, a glint of light flashing in her eyes. “Your Highness, killing him would dirty your hands, and keeping him alive would be useless. But… he might serve Your Highness one more time.”

"Xie Wulu has fallen to such a state today because of Xie Sangning. If Xie Sangning hadn't relentlessly pushed him, driving his second wife out of the General's Mansion and cutting off all his support and future prospects, why would he have taken such a risk, using that fictitious mineral vein to deceive His Highness in order to turn his life around?"

"In the end, the person he hates the most is probably not Your Highness, but Xie Sangning, who brought him to the dust!"

Pei Mingyue's eyes suddenly lit up. Yes!

Xie Wulu's hatred for Xie Sangning probably runs deep in his bones!

The hatred of being trampled into the mud by one's closest relatives is far more unforgettable than the beatings from others!

Qingdai continued, "Now he is in dire straits, like a stray dog. Your Highness only needs to give him a sliver of hope—a way to survive that could take Xie Sangning down with him—and he will surely grasp it like a lifeline! Whether it succeeds or not, it will be entirely beneficial to Your Highness!"

Pei Mingyue calmed down completely: "You mean... you want him to assassinate Xie Sangning?"

"Whether it's an assassination or a mutual destruction, it doesn't matter."

"Your Highness only needs to send someone to secretly escort him close to Xie Sangning, and find the best guards in the manor to provide him with some convenience. The rest is up to his hatred to accomplish."

"If he succeeds, His Highness's biggest thorn in his side will be eliminated once and for all. If he fails..."

"That means Xie Sangning is heartless and insane, even abusing and murdering his own cousin. The whip marks on his body are proof! At that time, the General's Mansion will be disgraced. Your Highness, you can just stand by and watch, or even... be shocked and heartbroken, and then impeach Xie Zhenting for failing to manage his family properly before the Emperor! No matter what the outcome, Your Highness will be the winner."

What a brilliant scheme to use someone else to do the dirty work!

Upon hearing this, Pei Mingyue's gloom vanished!

She walked to the iron cage, squatted down again, and looked at the dying Xie Wulu with a smile in her eyes.

“Xie Wulu,” her voice returned to its languid tone, yet it was even more chilling than before, “you have one last chance.”

Xie Wulu struggled to lift his head.

"I know that you hate Xie Sangning to the core."

Pei Mingyue's voice was seductive, "It was her who took everything from you, who swept you and your parents out like trash! She turned you from a high and mighty young master of the General's Mansion into a homeless dog that everyone scorns! She's the one who brought you to this state!"

"Now, I'm giving you a chance, a chance for you to personally wash away all her shame and ensure her eternal damnation..."

Xie Wulu's breathing became heavy, and his bloodshot eyes stared intently at Pei Mingyue.

“…Go kill her.”

Pei Mingyue's red lips uttered the most deadly temptation, "As long as you kill Xie Sangning, I will not only spare your life, but also give you enough money to escape to the world and live a life of luxury in anonymity! Your parents... I can also help them enjoy their old age in peace. How about it?"

“I’m going to… kill her!” he growled in his throat.

"very good."

Pei Mingyue stood up and gave Qingdai a wink.

Qingdai understood and beckoned. Immediately, two silent and sturdy guards stepped forward, opened the iron cage, and dragged out Xie Wulu, who was as limp as mud.

"Take him away, find a secluded place, treat his wounds, feed him something, and don't let him die. When he's almost done, send him to the General's Mansion. Remember to help him."

"Yes, Your Highness."

Pei Mingyue looked in the direction Xie Wulu had disappeared, a cold, triumphant smile curving her red lips.

Xie Sangning, I'd like to see if you'll be so lucky this time!

Even if I can't kill you, I'll make sure you and your general's mansion are stained with an indelible stench!

The next day, Xie Wulu, whose wounds had been treated, lay paralyzed on the cold, hard ground in the back alley of the General's Mansion.

The people from the princess's residence abandoned him here like trash and hid in a tree.

A glint of light flashed in his eyes; this was his chance to survive. He wasn't a fool.

The maid Qingdai in the princess's mansion seemed to have given him a chance to take revenge, but in reality, she was sending him to his death!

Others may not know Xie Sangning's fighting prowess, but how could he not know it?

The princess's residence sent a few low-ranking guards to follow him, hoping he would assassinate Xie Sangning.

That's an absolute joke!

What revenge, what face, what returning to the general's mansion...

All of that becomes meaningless in the face of death!

All he wants now is to survive!

The only chance to survive lies in this mansion, in Xie Sangning, whom he once hated but who has now become his only lifeline!

Only Xie Sangning!

Only by confessing everything and revealing the Second Princess's wicked plot can he have a glimmer of hope!

Xie Sangning might hate him, punish him, but at least she…

At least they won't be as shameless as the second princess!

Under the astonished gaze of the guards, Xie Wulu knocked on the door of the General's Mansion.

The guards, unaware of the situation, assumed it was Xie Wulu's scheme and therefore did not stop him.

"Open the door..."

The small side door on the main gate creaked open a crack.

A doorman looked over warily, and when he saw who was at the door, he gasped!

My goodness, Xie Wulu suffered so much after being kicked out that he's injured like this. But... he really deserves it!

"Quickly... quickly notify the steward, I need to see Xie Sangning..." Xie Wulu used up his last bit of strength, then everything went black before his eyes, he completely lost his strength and collapsed to the ground.

Seeing this, the gatekeeper was afraid something might happen, so he didn't dare to be negligent. He quickly called his companions, and together they lifted the almost unconscious Xie Wulu up.

"Quickly, go and inform the steward!"

Inside the study of Ruixuelou, the finest silver frost charcoal burned quietly in a bronze animal-head incense burner.

Xie Sangning had just bathed and changed into an elegant moon-white soft satin jacket and skirt. Her long, black hair was loosely tied up and secured with a single white jade hairpin.

She was leaning against the soft couch, flipping through the account books and details sent back by Xi Han by the light of the glass lamp.

Ru Chun tiptoed in and placed a cup of honey and jujube tea on the small table beside her.

"Miss, the butler is outside requesting an audience, saying it's urgent."

Xie Sangning didn't even look up. Her pale fingertips traced a line of numbers in the ledger, and her delicate brows furrowed slightly: "What is it?"

Ru Chun hesitated for a moment, then whispered, "It's Xie Wulu."