70. Exposure

◎A vicious woman with a heart of a snake and a scorpion◎

Chapter 70

The lights in the Ministry of Justice were a little dim. Tian Qu invited the monk who was giving lectures and the young novice monk from Pu'en Temple, and politely asked them to sit down and have some tea.

The two men clasped their hands together and bowed to Ji Ci, "I wonder why the benefactor invited me here?"

Ji Ci lowered his head, poured tea for the two of them and pushed it in front of them. White mist covered the corners of his eyes, making it impossible to see the expression in his eyes.

To be honest, he hadn't figured out how to ask the monks. He wanted to hear the answer he wanted from them, but he was also afraid that the answer he got might not be what he wanted.

If that was not the answer he wanted, what should he do? What could he do to her?

Could it be possible that they were putting her in jail and forcing her to confess?

He knew he couldn't do that. He couldn't treat her the way he treated other criminals, nor could he bring back the same ruthless attitude he had when they first met. She was already his woman, and they would have children in the future. He had personally requested the marriage, marrying her, wanting to give her a life of her own.

But maybe the reality is not as bad as he thought?

With her small body, even if she could sneak back from the temple, how could she enter the palace full of secret guards and escape?

unless......

He couldn't think about it unless, that was his wife, his family, and he was so suspicious of her.

After a long silence, Ji Ci gave a wry smile, suppressing the urge to explore. He smiled faintly and said, "Thank you both for coming from Pu'en Temple. It's like this: a suicide case recently occurred in the palace. The princess was terrified after seeing the body and couldn't sleep. So, she thought of inviting you to the palace to perform a ritual to exorcise the evil spirit."

The monk bowed and said, "Good benefactor, you must drive away the inner demons yourself. However, performing a ritual is a small matter, and I am willing to do it."

"Thank you for your help. I will arrange food and lodging for you two. Please stay for a few days."

"It's no problem."

Ji Ci called someone up and took the two of them to a nearby inn and checked them into the upper room.

After the others left, the firelight in front of the table flickered, and he ultimately failed to ask the question he wanted to ask. However, he didn't know how to face her now, and he was afraid to face her.

Do I need to drive away my inner demons?

…

Jiang Qiuye replayed everything she had done since she met Ji Ci in her mind. She couldn't say there were no flaws, but they weren't enough to draw his attention. Honestly, even though she couldn't find anything worthy of Ji Ci's suspicion, she was becoming increasingly unsure of herself.

This is not like her at all.

It seemed that ever since she drugged him, she had become less and less confident in herself.

And in all the months since they'd been married, there hadn't been a single sign of pregnancy. Ever since they'd reconciled, Man'erqiu had been enjoying sex almost every day, and she even began to wonder if there was something wrong with her body.

But it is useless to think too much now, and it is also useless to regret.

Jiang Qiuye dressed herself up very beautifully tonight and prepared a large table of delicious food. The moon was bright and the stars were sparse, but Ji Ci did not return home all night.

This was the first time Ji Ci hadn't spent the night at home since returning to Shengjing. She became more and more certain that he must know something.

Not afraid.

He would eventually come back. After spending so much time together, Jiang Qiuye had already thoroughly understood his personality: a very awkward man. As long as he came back, she would have a chance.

But he didn't come home on the second and third days in a row, which made her feel like she had stepped off the edge of a cliff. This extreme anxiety surrounded her, pushing her to the brink.

On the fourth day, Jiang Qiuye could no longer sit still. She recalled what she had heard Tianqu secretly say, that Ji Ci had not eaten for three consecutive days, which seemed to be a sign that he was going to starve himself to death. She also remembered that after she lied to him about rebelling, he had been ignoring her for more than ten days.

This person, after knowing her true identity, might never return home again...

She could panic and be afraid, but she would never allow herself to be clouded by emotion at such a critical moment.

So she made a bowl of astragalus and red date soup and a few side dishes, placing them in the food box. She deliberately used powder to whiten her face, and wore a white silk dress, a departure from her usual extravagant attire. She wore no gold hairpins, looking incredibly delicate. With such a delicate appearance, who would have guessed she was a vicious woman?

After asking around, she learned that Ji Ci was in the Ministry of Justice at the moment. She took a carriage to the entrance of the Ministry of Justice, but did not enter. Instead, she stood behind a stone pillar outside, motionless, staring at the gate of the Ministry of Justice, waiting for something to happen.

The sky gradually darkened, dark clouds gathered, and the wind was a bit strong, as if it was a sign of spring rain. She rubbed her cold arms. After waiting for two full hours, she finally saw Ji Ci, dressed in the official uniform of the imperial court, coming out of the Ministry of Justice, with Tian Qu following behind.

Jiang Qiuye took a deep breath, mustered her courage, and immediately trotted forward, calling softly, "Husband——"

Ji Ci's slow steps froze as he looked at Jiang Qiuye who was coming towards him. Her face was a little pale, and she blinked her peach blossom eyes, a change from her usual lively look.

"Why are you here?"

"Why am I here? Why hasn't my husband returned home these days? I've been waiting in vain in my room every day, but he never comes back." Her face was filled with grievance, and her lips pouted. "I guessed that my husband wouldn't come back today, and I was worried that he wasn't taking good care of himself outside, so I prepared a meal myself and came to find you."

Ji Ci looked at her with a pity in his heart, but he could not move on from that hurdle in his heart. Seeing that the wind was gradually getting stronger, and it seemed that it was going to rain, and she was still so lightly dressed, he asked, "Where is your carriage?"

Jiang Qiuye pointed to a secluded corner behind the Ministry of Justice where the driver was still sitting in the carriage waiting.

Ji Ci nodded and said, "I've been really busy with official business lately. Come on, I'll take you home."

After saying this, he walked towards the carriage, but he did not hold her hand as he did in the past. Jiang Qiuye handed the food box to Tian and trotted after him, lifting her skirt.

She became increasingly confused as to how much he actually knew.

If he knew he was the murderer, why could he speak to her so calmly?

But if you don't know, why are you so cold to me?

She truly hated the uncertainty that lingered in her heart, and she became increasingly panicked. And the more panicked she became, the more she wanted to do something to reverse the current situation.

She really couldn't stand Ji Ci's coldness towards her.

Perhaps she was too greedy, thinking that at first, she just wanted to get close to him, gain his trust, and get the information.

Later, she wanted to seek his protection, become his, hold him in her hands, and nothing else mattered.

Eventually she discovered that she wasn't completely indifferent. She couldn't stand sharing her husband with someone else, and she didn't want his kindness to her to disappear. Under his pampering, she was jealous and made jokes all day long.

Now, if he showed even the slightest indifference, she would feel something was wrong. This feeling had nothing to do with her mission, nothing to do with her long-term protection. She couldn't put it into words, but she just wanted to drive it away.

Maybe it's because... she is selfish?

Jiang Qiuye was lost in thought, and in the blink of an eye, she had followed Ji Ci to the carriage. The driver lowered the pedals. Ji Ci got on first, not waiting for her.

She pinched her fingers before stepping up and entering the carriage.

Ji Ci reached out and gently knocked on the wall of the carriage, indicating to return to the palace, and the carriage began to move.

Jiang Qiuye sat next to Ji Ci, very close to him, but always felt that he was keeping her very far away.

"Husband... aren't you coming home later?"

Ji Ci didn't look at her. He just took out a book from the small table and flipped through it. He whispered, "I still have some official business tonight. After sending you back home, I will go to the palace."

"Oh." Jiang Qiuye murmured softly, feeling genuinely aggrieved, but the people around her didn't seem to notice her emotions.

In the swaying carriage, she turned her head to look at his focused profile, feeling more and more uncomfortable.

What’s so good about the book? Is it more beautiful than hers?

Jiang Qiuye was unhappy, so she stepped forward, took his book and put it aside. Ji Ci stared at her without moving.

Seeing that he didn't seem angry, she became bolder, walked forward and sat on him, gently kissed his Adam's apple, unbuttoned two secret buttons on his clothes, put her hand into his clothes, and put it against his somewhat cold chest.

In fact, she didn't need to do so much. When she sat on him, he had already reacted, but his inner demons were hard to drive out, and he watched her light the fire indifferently.

Seeing him motionless, Jiang Qiuye was truly discouraged. After a while, he still didn't respond to her, so she leaned on his chest, sighed, and didn't move again. Ji Ci neither urged her nor touched her, but really became like a piece of wood, just staring at her expressionlessly.

She couldn't hold it in any longer, so she raised her body, looked at him and asked, "Why does my husband treat Ye'er like this?"

Ji Ci pondered in silence, tapping the cushion lightly with his fingertips. After a while, he said, "Ye'er, what did you do in Pu'en Temple that day?"

He did not ask the two monks, but asked her. He wanted to hear her tell him in person. He really did not want to suspect her from other people's mouths. No matter what she said, he could choose to believe it.

Jiang Qiuye paused. How could she know what Ji Ci was thinking? She just had a bad feeling. Those two monks must have said something that made him even more certain that he was the murderer. Otherwise, why didn't he respond to her flirting? It was completely unlike his usual self.

Her heart was beating like thunder, and it seemed as if the weather was in agreement with her. It actually started to rain, crackling on the carriage. The carriage sped past, splashing water on the ground, which made her feel confused.

Suddenly, there was a loud thunderclap. Jiang Qiuye trembled, biting her lip. She slowly raised her head and looked at Ji Ci. Her eyes gradually turned red. She asked uncertainly, "What did those two monks from Pu'en Temple say to my husband?"

Ji Ci narrowed his eyes, his temples twitching as he scrutinized the woman before him. He said calmly, "How did you know the two monks from Pu'en Temple were with me? Did you ask Xiang Tian?"

Jiang Qiuye didn't answer directly. Blood rushed to her head at this moment. She only thought that the monk must have told Ji Ci everything, so she blurted out, "Husband, don't you believe me? Would you rather believe two strangers than the person next to you? I don't know what they told you, but how can you not believe me? As for Chen Susu, she left a suicide note, what else is there to investigate? I wanted to drive her away, but you kept making excuses. Could it be that you really have feelings for her?"

Ji Ci was stunned. Outside the carriage, the rain was getting heavier and heavier. As the carriage shook, another thunderclap roared. Looking at Jiang Qiuye, who had vomited everything, he felt as if the sky was falling and the earth was splitting apart. His heart was choking. This strange woman was actually his wife, the only love of his life.

He couldn't help but laugh out loud, and said nothing, just looked at her coldly. Jiang Qiuye felt even colder and more unbearable, and was terrified.

"Husband?"

He swallowed, took a deep breath, stared at her intently, and sneered, "I'm sorry to disappoint you. I didn't ask those two monks any questions, and I never told you that Pu'en Temple was related to the Susu case."

Jiang Qiuye's heart skipped a beat and his mind exploded.

What? He didn't ask the monk?

Why?

How is that possible?

He was such a shrewd man, and he brought the monk back just to ask her whether she had listened to the sutras in Puen Temple at that time.

In this way, her sophistry just now actually admitted her guilt and suspicion.

What should she do? What should she do?

No! Her bet isn't over yet! She still has a chance!

"Go away." Ji Ci said coldly, but did not move her.

The moment Jiang Qiuye raised her eyes, tears fell directly out. She cried a little tremblingly, her heart clenched tightly. She raised her hand and grabbed his arm tightly, looking straight at him, shook her head, and cried softly: "Husband——"

Ji Ci remained cold, unmoved by her tears. "I asked you to leave. I thought your scheming was over, but I didn't expect you to have no bottom line and be such a vicious and cruel woman."

A vicious woman with a heart of a snake and a scorpion...

When he peeled off this layer of skin with his own hands and exposed her in front of him, she felt so ashamed that she could not find any cover and could only cry.

Did she want to be this vicious woman? She didn't want to! But what could she do? Everyone was forcing her!

She didn't want to kill Sisi, but Sisi forced her to do so, and she couldn't reveal her identity.

She entered Feiyan Pavilion at the age of six and had already killed countless people, but she did all this just to survive. God would never give her the chance to be a good person.

If others don't go to hell, should I go to hell myself?

What's wrong with living for oneself?

He hated her so much just because he found out she had killed Susu. Wouldn't he hate her even more if he found out her true identity and knew she never cared about human life?

She looked back at Ji Ci with fear, crying and continuing to argue, "If my husband hadn't left Susu in the palace, how could this have happened? I begged my husband to send her away, but you refused."

Ji Ci looked at her strangely. Hearing this, he couldn't help but laugh wildly and said, "Do you know that the morning before Susu died, she stopped me while I was in court and said something to me."

There was another flash of lightning and thunder. Jiang Qiuye's face, which was already pale, became even paler under her makeup. She shook her head with difficulty breathing.

No wonder, that's where the loophole lies.

How could she be so foolish! Accustomed to sleeping safely beside him, she had let laziness get the better of her during this crucial period. If she had gotten up earlier and continued to cling to him, how could Susu have had the chance to see him alone?

Ji Ci continued, "She said she suspected you were having an affair with the King of Wei, so she sent her personal maid to Guihong Courtyard to monitor you. But later, her maid disappeared in Guihong Courtyard. At the time, I didn't believe her. I felt that since you two were so incompatible, I prepared to send her away in two days. But I didn't expect her to die that same day, leaving behind that forged suicide note."

Jiang Qiuye's eyes widened. The reason Susu was monitoring her was actually the King of Wei? Wasn't it because he had discovered her true identity?

At this moment, she didn't know whether she should feel relieved and be thankful that her identity hadn't been revealed, or whether she should mock the unpredictable nature of life, killing the wrong person and getting herself into trouble.

Ji Ci ignored her shocked expression, leaned closer to her face and smiled faintly, saying, "Ye'er, I have to say, your ability really impressed me. You were able to forge handwriting and sneak back to the palace without the secret guards. How many things are you hiding from me? Such tricks really make me... ashamed of myself."

Jiang Qiuye shuddered. Ji Ci's smile at this moment frightened her even more than before. She looked at him for a moment, tears streaming down her face. She sobbed, "Husband, why am I like this? It's all for you. I admit that I am jealous and don't like her, but I do all this just to stay by your side."

At this moment, she finally decided to tell what she thought was the biggest lie, "Husband, Ye'er loves you and can't live without you. I can't stand anyone looking down on you. I do all this because I love you! Brother Jian Xi!"

Ji Ci frowned. If he said he wasn't shocked, he would be lying. He wanted to believe her words. But should he really believe them?

He stared into her uneasy eyes, her face full of tear marks, but still could not see the steadfast love in them.

Seeing that he was still like this, Jiang Qiuye felt extremely disappointed. She finally got off his lap and sat back next to him.

The two of them were silent all the way, and could only hear the sound of rain and thunder outside. The road was bumpy, and Jiang Qiuye clenched his fists under his sleeves. As time passed, his heart became calmer.

As the carriage was driving along and turning the corner, the sound of swords and knives suddenly came from outside. The carriage shook rapidly for a while and then suddenly stopped. Jiang Qiuye bumped into the wall and his arm hurt slightly.

Tian Qu shouted outside: "Prince! There is an assassin!"

Ji Ci raised his eyes, frowning, and glanced at Jiang Qiuye, who was panicking and at a loss. Without any hesitation, he pulled her out of the carriage. She was caught off guard and stumbled. The carriage was split open with a "bang", and broken wood flew out, scratching her cheek.

Today's trip was a sudden one. They did not bring any guards except Tian, ​​and the groom had no martial arts skills. They did not expect that they would take this opportunity to attack.

Ji Ci pulled Jiang Qiuye to hide quickly against the wall. Together with the groom, they found a sheltered place. They pulled out a signal tube from their waist and raised it to the sky. The signal was particularly clear in the dark night.

Tianqu was a skilled martial artist, and after several attacks, he had gained the upper hand, gradually losing the battle. Tianqu struck with his sword, slashing the assassin's shoulder. The assassin staggered, turning as if to flee. As Tianqu was about to pursue him, he was caught unawares when the assassin suddenly turned and sprayed a scoop of ash into his eyes, causing him to feel so much pain that he couldn't open them.

Just as Tian Qu was about to lose himself in shock, the assassin changed direction and stabbed Ji Ci directly, killing him. However, he was wearing court attire and entering the palace today, without a sword, so he could only protect Jiang Qiuye behind him and step back.

"Brother Jian Xi!"

At the critical moment, before the cold sword pierced Ji Ci's chest, Jiang Qiuye pushed him away and turned to stand in front of him. She was so magnanimous that he could not stop her and could only watch her come in front of him.

The sharp sword didn't deviate an inch and went straight to Jiang Qiuye's heart. She seemed to hear the sound of flesh being torn apart. She felt cold all over and felt unbearable pain. Her eyes turned black in an instant.