Chapter 294: Confrontation in Yongle Palace
"Why did you do this to me? Where does your hatred for me come from?"
He Zhaojun couldn't understand why Jin Yuji had to sacrifice herself for revenge. She sheathed her sword and sat on the edge of the bed, looking at Jin Yuji and waiting for her answer.
Jin Yuji reached out and grasped the bracelet on her wrist that had some signs of wear and tear. She couldn't help but burst into tears, but she looked at He Zhaojun without blinking, as if she wanted to see a look of pain on her face.
"Everyone says that He Zhaojun is the most precious woman in the world. She has made great military achievements, especially during the conquest of Goguryeo. The Han army besieged the city for over three months. The soldiers were short of food and clothing, starving to the point of having no fighting power. The Han army easily captured the city and killed people..."
"Do you know that behind your fame lies the destruction of my family, Jin Yuji? I've lived to this day just to see you, He Zhaojun, fall into the same predicament as me!"
Jin Yuji was smiling, but it was uglier than crying. Her eyes were red. "Under my plan, no one in the He family will have a good end. This is true for both the capital and the northwest. Cherish the remaining days!"
She laughed for a long time, and finally stopped to take a few deep breaths, her voice hoarse.
"Of course I disdain to associate with Tian Shuo and others. We just happen to have the same goal. There are many people who want to get rid of the He family. No matter how talented you are, don't even think about letting your father and brother leave the northwest alive! I want you..."
“Bang!”
Before she could finish her words, He Zhaojun raised her hand and slapped her.
Obvious palm prints quickly appeared on Jin Yuji's face. She obviously did not expect that He Zhaojun would hit her.
He Zhaojun stood up. "I originally thought that for the sake of my younger brother, you, after assessing the situation, chose to marry Ziduan, even though you were a concubine. I admired your forbearance and foresight. Who knew that you were simply drowning in unwarranted sorrow, not caring about the lives of your people?"
"You must know that since you have surrendered to the Han, you are now a subject of our dynasty. If your plan succeeds, it will be an act of disloyalty and injustice. How could His Majesty tolerate you? If you do this, you will only cause more Goguryeo people to suffer the same fate as you did!"
When He Zhaojun said this, Jin Yuji had already forgotten to cry. She sat on the bed in a daze, seemingly unable to refute He Zhaojun's words.
"Moreover, you should be familiar with what my brothers did. They were all generals dedicated to the people. After attacking the city, they issued a strict order prohibiting the massacre of civilians. Your experience has nothing to do with my father and brothers."
"You, a self-proclaimed princess who understands the greater good, actually did something so indiscriminate, taking your anger out on others. How can you be considered righteous?!"
He Zhaojun's indignation and resentment poured out. "I was the one who planned to have my soldiers besiege the Xianbei, but you've seen my catapults and siege engines. Once launched, the entire Goguryeo region would be razed to the ground, not to mention the soldiers. Even the civilians would be killed or wounded. It was only my mercy that spared your people's lives..."
She no longer had any hope for Jin Yuji. She stood up and walked to the door. "Also, your plan will not succeed, and you will not marry Ziduan. No one else can covet the person I, He Zhaojun, want!"
Suddenly, He Zhaojun felt someone pulling at her sleeves. Jin Yuji was staring at her: "Why don't you kill me?!"
"Because I'm not you, Jin Yuji... Killing is a means, not an end. It's better for you to live and see what true, calculated planning is."
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