Two days later, Su Rong set off for the border.
The elderly Duke stood outside the military camp, watching her leave. His expression was no different from the day he sent off his own grandson, appearing extremely reluctant.
A close soldier whispered, "Old Duke, will Lady Su Qi never return to the Capital City?"
"No." The old Duke shook his head, "I regret not paying enough attention to her when she was in the Capital City."
He sighed, "Even if she comes back, her stay will be fleeting. She won’t stay for a few months like she used to."
The soldier understood, thinking he loved talent and regretted not teaching more. He knew that when the fourth prince was very young, the old Duke taught him personally and wanted to keep him by his side every day. After suffering, the fourth prince had to cry to his elder sister who later influenced the duke to limit the lessons to half a day.
He comforted the old Duke, "You still have the Crown Prince and the other two princes."
The old Duke withdrew his gaze, "It’s not the same."
Teaching a clever person, one never tires. But teaching one who is less clever is exhausting.
He waved his hand and ordered, "Order the entire army to march!"
The soldier complied.
Su Rong didn’t go straight to the border. She detoured to Jibei to visit Jibei City.
The Crown Prince sent her a letter saying that Imperial Concubine Zhen had been taken to Jibei. Her unborn child miraculously survived the strenuous journey, patiently waiting in her womb.
Originally, the crown prince intended to use Imperial Concubine Zhen to disrupt Zhang Ping’s rear, but now that she had dealt with Zhang Ping through Zhang Yun, the issue had to be resolved.
She hurried her journey, which was quite peaceful. She didn’t encounter any assassins which made Fen Ling feel that although the weather was cold, it was still comfortable without any threats.
Who would want to fight and kill every day, if they could live in peace?
Ten days later, they arrived in Jibei.
The two entered Jibei City smoothly. The secret agent had already investigated the city’s situation. He informed Su Rong, "My Lady, five days ago, the third son of the Zhang Family brought a troop back to Jibei and put the entire Zhang Family under arrest."
Su Rong nodded, thinking that Zhang Yun was really reliable. He saved her the effort. She asked, "Where is Imperial Concubine Zhen?"
"Imperial Concubine Zhen arrived half a month ago. She patiently waited for ten days at the Crown Prince’s hidden post. On the day the Zhang Family was arrested, she saw an opportunity and decided to visit the Duan Family alone. She used a golden needle to kill the entire Duan Family. Now she’s living there, waiting for Duan Xiao to return home." replied the secret agent.
Su Rong wasn’t surprised. Imperial Concubine Zhen was essentially betrayed by Duan Xiao. She served in the palace for Duan Xiao and was later deceived by him into working for Zhang Ping. On the other hand, Duan Xiao married, conceived children, and continued his life as if nothing had happened. After over a decade of contraception, Imperial Concubine Zhen only conceived a royal heir this year.
Wang Su, the chief disciple under the abbot of the Buddha Temple, was the half-sibling of Imperial Concubine Zhen. Not only had she implicated herself, but she had also implicated Wang Su, a monk. The priests involved in the case were beheaded publicly. Wang Su had long returned to the underworld. How could Imperial Concubine Zhen not harbor any hatred after being ridiculed for over a decade?
Of course, she would want to tear him apart and drink his blood. Such a woman like her is naturally vengeful.
Zhang Yun told her that he had secured the two people Zhang Ping trusted the most, thus stabilizing the entire Jibei Army in his hands. However, he chose not to take action. Others could. It clear that Zhang Yun’s intelligence network was strong. He must have known in advance that Imperial Concubine Zhen would not spare Duan Xiao.
She asked, "Has Zhang Yun allowed Duan Xiao to return?"
The secret agent shook his head.
Su Rong thought about it and quickly figured it out. Zhang Yun had sent someone back to Jibei with an army. If Duan Xiao were there too, Imperial Concubine Zhen might have been obstructed by the army.
She ordered, "Go to the Duan residence."
The secret agent led the way, and Su Rong and Fen Ling headed to the Duan Residence.
In front of the Duan Residence, it was quiet. Two stone lion statues stood imposingly. The plaque reading "Duan Residence" carried a sense of grandeur and prestige. 𝘧𝓇𝑒𝑒𝑤ℯ𝑏𝓃𝘰𝑣ℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮
Fen Ling knocked on the door. The gate was opened from inside. The gatekeeper asked, "Who are you two?"
Su Rong asked, "We are looking for someone. Is there a woman named Zhen residing here?"
The gatekeeper’s face turned pale and nodded, "Yes, there is."
Su Rong didn’t announce her arrival and just walked right in. Looking at the bustling servants, she asked the gatekeeper, "Are these all old servants of the Duan Residence?"
The gatekeeper nodded with a pale face.
Su Rong thought, the servants didn’t scatter and escape after the clan’s annihilation, Imperial Concubine Zhen must have purposefully kept them. As she stepped over the threshold connecting the corridor of rooms, she walked in.
The gatekeeper quickly announced their arrival.
Su Rong found the main house and saw that Imperial Concubine Zhen had already received the news. She came out of the door and upon seeing Su Rong, raised her eyebrows, "Why are you here?"
In her imagination, Su Rong had already dealt with Zhang Ping. There’s no need for her to come to Jibei. Could it be because of her?
"I came to see if there’s any trouble in Jibei City, and to see you as well." Su Rong looked at her, and although she was heavily dressed for winter, making it impossible to tell that she was pregnant, she seemed in good health, looking much better than when she was in the dungeon.
"Are you here to deal with me on behalf of the Crown Prince?" Imperial Concubine Zhen asked.
"If you understand it that way, it’s not wrong." Su Rong didn’t plan to kill Imperial Concubine Zhen. If Yan Huisheng wanted to kill her, he would have done it long ago, and not wait till today. Moreover, he might also tolerate her unborn child. She just felt that she had to tidy things up and ensure there were no other problems. After all, this woman was not easily handled.
Imperial Concubine Zhen turned around and walked inside, "Let’s talk inside."
Su Rong followed her into the house. Seeing her composed demeanor, lacking the spirit aggression and rage, she seemed like an ordinary woman. If she didn’t know about the slaughter of the Duan family, she wouldn’t have guessed that Imperial Concubine Zhen could commit such a crime.
Entering the main room, seeing the set-up, it was evident that this courtyard was Duan Xiao’s.
Once they sat down, a maid served tea timidly. Imperial Concubine Zhen said to Su Rong, "When I first met Duan Xiao, he was a poor scholar. His family was in poverty, hardly affording food. I embraced him, not despising his impoverishment. But I did not expect that he would betray and deceive me for fame and fortune. He married and had children, while I spent over a decade being cheated. The Duan Residence, in just a decade or so, has become a prestigious manor in Jibei."
She sneered, "Rest assured, I will wait for him in his home, rip his flesh piece by piece, and we shall see how the Crown Prince reacts. After killing him, I’ll take my own life, so you won’t have to."
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