Chapter 212 Did you ever love me?
Lu Lingfeng's case was personally tried by Su Qingci.
When she read out in court how Lu Lingfeng colluded with the Cui family to gather intelligence for them, Lu Lingfeng seemed not to hear her. He just stared at her blankly and muttered to himself, "You lied to me? Why did you lie to me?"
Su Qingci raised her eyes and cast a meaningful glance at her.
There was not a trace of affection in his eyes, only undisguised mockery, as if to say: I'm lying to you, so what can you do to me?
This glance sent a shiver down Lu Lingfeng's spine.
He then realized with a start that he might have been living in a deception all along, and that Su Qingci might never have truly loved him.
But he was still not satisfied, and asked in a hoarse voice, "Were all those days when we brewed tea in Peach Blossom Lane and boated on Qujiang Pool just an act you put on?"
“Conspiring in rebellion is a crime punishable by death.” Su Qingci completely ignored his grief and turned to the clerk who was recording the events, saying, “Is the recording finished? Have him sign and affix his seal.”
"Beheading?" Lu Lingfeng was struck dumb, his eyes widening in disbelief. "Su Qingci, you really want to sentence me to death? Have you forgotten that I saved you from the bandits' blades outside the White Horse Temple? I saved your life, just like the Princess. How can you be so heartless?"
Su Qingci looked at him, her voice suddenly rising, "What are you? How dare you compare yourself to the Princess?"
Lu Lingfeng was intimidated by her imposing manner, but still clung to the last glimmer of hope.
"But what about all those vows we made? You said you'd stay with me for life, were they all lies? No, I don't believe it..."
He stared intently into Su Qingci's eyes, trying to see even the slightest hint of emotion, to prove that Su Qingci had once been moved by him.
But those eyes held only cold indifference, without the slightest ripple of emotion.
Lu Lingfeng's heart sank to the bottom at this moment.
"Qingci, did you ever love me?"
His voice trembled, filled with a desperate plea.
"like?"
Su Qingci seemed to have heard the biggest joke in the world, and a mocking smile appeared on her lips.
Why should I love someone who came into my life with an ulterior motive from the very beginning?
Lu Lingfeng's face turned deathly pale instantly: "You...you knew everything?"
Su Qingci's tone was full of sarcasm, "When the Cui family sent you to seduce me disguised as a playboy, didn't they teach you that 'a spy should not fall in love'?"
"You think your clumsy 'hero saves the damsel in distress' acting skills can fool me? You think sending some rouge and powder is considered thoughtful, and reciting a couple of sentimental poems is considered affectionate?"
"Or do you think that I, Su Qingci, am blind enough to fall for a man like you who is all looks and nothing else?"
She looked down at him with disdain in her eyes.
"We were just using each other, and you... you were one step behind and lost to me. What are you doing here acting all sentimental? You're just disgusting people for no reason."
Lu Lingfeng trembled at her words, but he was still unwilling to give up. "But I really love you. From the first moment I saw you outside the White Horse Temple, I..."
Su Qingci interrupted him directly, "Your love is that after I told you about the Princess's plan, you turned around and told the Cui family everything? If the Cui family had really won this rebellion, I would already be a prisoner, or even beheaded! Is this the 'love' you speak of?"
"No! No!" Lu Lingfeng hurriedly retorted, "I will definitely protect you! I already told Prime Minister Cui that after the matter is accomplished, I will not harm you in the slightest. How could I possibly let your life be in danger?"
"As for telling the Cui family about the plan, I really had no choice! The Cui family has evidence of our Lu family's embezzlement, and they threatened me with the lives of the entire clan. I had no choice but to listen! But... I never intended to harm you!"
Su Qingci turned to the document and instructed, "There is also the matter of embezzlement. The crime is doubled, and the sentence is immediate execution!"
Upon hearing this, Lu Lingfeng's eyes widened in disbelief.
Only now did he see things clearly.
This woman never had the slightest affection for him.
From beginning to end, it was clearly a game they were playing with him, manipulating him, and exploiting him.
Now that he's no longer of use, they turn around and discard him like trash, even eager to take his life.
Hatred surged from the depths of his heart in an instant, and he immediately shouted, "The Princess's plan to force the Cui family to rebel is known only to me! As long as I expose this matter, all the officials will know that the Cui family was framed and that's why they are in this situation. Then let's see how the Princess will maintain her position in the court!"
Su Qingci smiled and asked in return, "I remember the Lu family, young and old, numbered about a hundred, right? Including collateral branches, there should be over a thousand people. Treason is punishable by the extermination of nine generations of the family, and conspiracy to commit treason is punishable by the extermination of three generations. Tell me... what crime should I sentence the entire Lu family to?"
Lu Lingfeng froze, as if he had fallen into an ice cave.
She actually threatened him with the lives of the entire Lu clan!
This woman was not at all the gentle, kind, sensible, and considerate Su Qingci he knew. She was clearly... clearly a beautiful snake with a heart of stone and a cold-blooded nature!
Looking into her cold eyes, he finally resigned himself to his fate, his voice filled with despair as he said, "Fine... I lost... I sign and put my fingerprint on it... I beg Lord Su to have mercy and spare my whole family's lives. I... will be eternally grateful."
"If you had cooperated earlier, wouldn't it have saved you a lot of trouble?"
Su Qingci chuckled and gestured for the clerk to hand over the confession.
After Lu Lingfeng finished signing the document with trembling hands, Su Qingci stood up and walked straight past him, who was still kneeling.
She didn't even spare him a glance the entire time.
As Lu Lingfeng watched her resolute retreating figure, his resentful anger rekindled.
He muttered indignantly, "These past few days, you've been spending every day with me. Do you really think you're such a pure woman? Now, who in the whole capital doesn't know that we've already secretly pledged our lives to each other? After I die, let's see which man would dare to marry you!!"
Su Qingci paused, slowly turning her head to look at him.
That glance, calm and undisturbed, sent a jolt through Lu Lingfeng's heart, and he instantly regretted his thoughtless words.
But soon, a wave of malice, like "what's the use of trying?" surged up again.
Did he say something wrong? No!
These days, Su Qingci is inseparable from him; how many eyes have seen this?
Even if she were a woman in a high position, with such "improper conduct," which noble young master or court official would dare to marry her?
Even if someone marries her for her power, who would truly treat such a wife sincerely?
Thinking about all this, a twisted sense of pleasure welled up in his heart, as if this imagined future had become a cruel revenge against her at this moment.
But Su Qingci showed no sign of the anger and embarrassment he had expected. Instead, he simply ordered the jailer behind him, "Before beheading him, cut off his thing first."
The jailer replied without hesitation, "Yes, sir."
After giving her instructions, Su Qingci bent down and gently patted Lu Lingfeng's face, her voice soft, "Since you like cleanliness so much, then I'll grant your wish."
"That way... you can be reincarnated cleanly."
After saying that, she slightly curled the corners of her lips, turned around and left.
Upon hearing this, Lu Lingfeng completely collapsed to the ground.
Fear and despair overwhelmed him instantly; he had lost the strength to struggle and could only let the jailers drag him away.
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