"What is the rebels' attitude?" Xue Shen asked.
The scout said, "The rebel leader isn't very bold; he just wants to extort an official position or a sum of money. But among the advisors that Prince Chen brought, there is one who is eloquent and persuasive. The leader is tempted by the high position and generous salary and is somewhat swayed. Now Prince Chen is hiding among the rebels, enjoying fine wine, delicacies, and beautiful women every day."
“He’s doing alright, but there’s no need to let him keep causing trouble.” Xue Shen scoffed upon hearing this, tapping his fingers lightly on the table, and said, “Find an opportunity to finish him off, and make it look like he’s fighting with the rebels.”
To everyone's surprise, the scout hesitated upon hearing this, glanced at Shen Youying beside him, and stammered, "I have already made arrangements according to the prince's instructions, but Madam Yu said... she wants to do it herself."
Xue Shen raised an eyebrow and looked at Shen Youying.
Shen Youying looked surprised, but ultimately said nothing.
Seeing this, Xue Shen said, "Just make sure nothing goes wrong."
Upon hearing this, the scout withdrew, and Xue Shen then looked at Shen Youying: "I thought Zhaozhao would stop her."
The Shen Muyu described by the scout was so different from the Shen Youying remembered that she was still somewhat shocked. She said slowly, "I'm just surprised because she has changed so much. I knew from the fact that she would rather stay in the Chen Prince's Mansion than return to the Shen family that she was determined to go down this dark path."
“Everyone has their own destiny. She chose her own path. If I were to stop her on my own initiative, I would only be disliked for no reason.” Shen Youying looked at Xue Shen: “If she really killed Prince Chen, would she die?”
“Madam Yu will die, but Shen Muyu will not.” Xue Shen held her hand, reassuring her: “After all, she is my sister-in-law. I have to give her some face. After it’s done, she will be escorted away by guards. However, she probably won’t return to the capital.”
Shen Youying sighed, "If she doesn't want to come back, then she doesn't have to. Knowing that she's doing well elsewhere, Father won't worry too much."
*
When the scouts returned to Jinzhou, Shen Muyu had already mentally rehearsed the plan over and over again.
In fact, she could have chosen not to come to Jinzhou with Prince Chen. Prince Qin's guards had already said they could send her away, but Shen Muyu didn't want to.
To marry Xue Zhan, she broke ties with her family, only to suffer a miscarriage and be abandoned. Unwilling to accept this, she sought revenge on Xue Zhan, even cooperating with the Prince of Qin's plan to regain his favor with potent drugs, enduring nausea while serving him. If she were to simply walk away now, how could she justify her sacrifice?
Countless resentments and regrets piled up in her heart, rotting and decaying in the dark corners of her mind, making Shen Muyu want to skin Xue Zhan alive and drink his blood every time she looked at him.
Xue Zhan has gone mad, but she's probably not much better off, Shen Muyu thought.
She gently turned over, facing the sleeping Xue Zhan.
It's ironic, really. Back then, although she had ambitions to climb the social ladder with Xue Zhan, her devotion was genuine, yet Xue Zhan treated her like trash. Now, she's feigning affection and flattery, while Xue Zhan is offering his true heart.
Just before the two rested, Xue Zhan, still drunk, hugged her and said that if their great cause succeeded, he would become emperor and she would be empress; if their great cause failed, he would let her go first.
He even gave her a team of men and made arrangements for her future.
Xue Zhan looked forlorn and pitiful as he held her and cried uncontrollably: "Yu'er, I am now abandoned by everyone and only you are left. If I die before my great cause is accomplished, you should leave with the guards. The silver notes I have prepared are enough for you to live a comfortable life for the rest of your days. In the future, remember to burn a stack of paper money for me during Qingming and Winter Solstice, so that my life will not be in vain."
Shen Muyu held him and comforted him softly, but she almost couldn't help but laugh out loud.
This man is such a scoundrel.
Unfortunately, it was too late.
She no longer needed Xue Zhan's repentance. Only by killing him with her own hands could she completely get rid of the identity of Shen Muyu and escape all the humiliation and unbearable suffering of the first half of her life.
Shen Muyu gently stroked Xue Zhan's unharmed half of his face, her long, well-grown nails digging slightly into his skin before stopping abruptly.
Xue Zhan is now completely unguarded around her and is sleeping soundly.
Shen Muyu stared at him gloomily for half the night until dawn, when she quietly got up to wash up.
A maidservant brought in a copper basin. Shen Muyu exchanged a glance with her, then slowly washed up and instructed, "The Prince will be drinking with General Zhao at noon. Tell the kitchen to prepare something. I will personally cook a few dishes later."
The maidservant received her hint, responded softly, and then withdrew with the copper basin.
Shen Muyu sat in front of the dressing table, picking and choosing, and deliberately selected the most vibrant color of rouge: "Today's makeup will be a bit more dramatic."
Dongqing vaguely sensed that she seemed to be in a good mood today, but she couldn't figure out what could be making her happy. Not daring to ask too much, she quietly styled her hair and applied makeup.
When Xue Zhan got up, he saw Shen Muyu wearing a red dress under her snow-white fox fur coat, and her heavy makeup made her look charming and alluring.
He approached and put his arm around her: "Why are you dressed up so beautifully today?"
Shen Muyu said softly, "Your Highness has important matters to discuss today, and I am not able to help much. So I will cook a few of my signature dishes and perform a dance to entertain you. I only hope that Your Highness will achieve your long-cherished wish soon."
Xue Zhan pinched the tip of her nose and said, "Thank you for your hard work."
Shen Muyu shook her head, personally tied up his hair, and finally handed him a pure gold mask.
Xue Zhan put on a mask to cover the horrific burns on his face before going to consult with his advisors on important matters. Shen Muyu, on the other hand, went to the kitchen to prepare side dishes for the banquet.
At noon, the rebel leader Zhao Cheng arrived as promised.
The banquet was held at the lakeside pavilion.
The house where Xue Zhan is currently living was arranged by Zhao Cheng. However, out of respect, Zhao Cheng did not ostensibly place his own people in the house, so the house is filled with Xue Zhan's trusted confidants.
Neither side brought guards to this meeting. Besides Xue Zhan and Zhao Cheng, only Shen Muyu was present at the Lakeside Pavilion.
The maidservants delivered the prepared dishes to the outside of the small building, where Shen Muyu personally carried them inside.
After all the dishes were served, she curtsied and quietly retreated behind the screen, where she began to play the pipa and dance gracefully.
Zhao Cheng glanced at the figure behind the screen, raised his cup and drank with Xue Zhan: "I have carefully considered Your Highness's previous suggestion these past few days."
Xue Zhan composed himself, showing no sign of urgency: "General Zhao, what are your thoughts?"
Zhao Cheng laughed heartily: "Your Highness is right. Are kings and nobles born with a special destiny? Although I was just a commoner before, I also had great ambitions. It's just that I didn't have the opportunity before..."
Xue Zhan clinked glasses with him again and said meaningfully, "Now the opportunity is right in front of General Zhao."
Zhao Chenghao drank a cup and was about to negotiate with him when he suddenly felt dizzy. He stared at Xue Zhan in horror, only to see Xue Zhan also clutching his forehead and collapsing to the ground.
His vision went black, and then he knew nothing more.
The two lay down on the table. Behind the screen, Shen Muyu played the pipa for a while longer before stopping. She then pulled a dagger from her sleeve and slowly walked towards Xue Zhan.
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