Chapter 293 Xiao Yeming, I'm willing to marry you!
The torrential rain continued, splashing water as it pounded on the bluestone slabs.
Looking at Xiao Yeming kneeling before her, covered in blood but with eyes as clear as stars, and hearing his question, "Are you willing?", which was louder than the sound of rain, Lu Zhaoruo felt as if she were frozen in place.
The resolute decision to kick the door open and the heart-wrenching pain that had just been felt strangely settled down at this moment, transforming into a deathly silence.
The clamor of rain and the various gazes around me seemed to have faded into the distance.
She stepped out of the room, one step, two steps, her steps unusually steady, and walked straight to him, her skirt trailing over the wet, cold stone steps.
She slowly bent down, reached out her hand, but her fingertips stopped abruptly when they touched his tattered clothes, trembling slightly as she withdrew it...
She simply gazed at him, tears silently streaming down her face.
a long time.
She finally spoke, her voice soft yet clear like a vow, resounding between them: "Xiao Yeming... I do."
The moment the words fell, it seemed as if heaven and earth themselves were moved.
The torrential rain, which had been pouring down and blinding people, actually gradually subsided.
The chaotic rain curtain turned into a light drizzle, still dense, but no longer possessing the destructive violence of before.
The dripping sound from the eaves became clearly audible, and the air was filled with the cool scent of rain and a faint smell of blood.
In this suddenly calmer atmosphere, her words "I do" seemed to be amplified infinitely, echoing with exceptional clarity.
Xiao Yeming gazed at her, a smile of extreme tenderness, yet also extreme exhaustion, slowly forming on his blood-stained lips, as if he had finally achieved his wish and had no more worries.
His last breath of strength suddenly dissipated, his eyelids drooped, his body went limp, and he slowly fell backward.
"Ah Ming!"
Lu Zhaoruo cried out in pain and knelt down without hesitation, using all her strength to pull his limp body into her arms.
The tentacles were cold, sticky, and covered in blood!
She held him tightly, tears streaming down her face, crying out his name in despair: "Xiao Yeming! Wake up! Look at me... Look at me!"
Beside her, Yunxiu stared intently at the glaring scene before her, at the man in Lu Zhaoruo's arms who, even in his unconscious state, still wore a smile, his vow to "marry you" echoing repeatedly in her ears.
Extreme jealousy and resentment instantly consumed all her reason!
"ah!"
She screamed, suddenly raised the water-fire stick she was holding, her eyes bloodshot, and aimed it at the back of Lu Zhaoruo's head, then slammed it down with all her might!
"Go to hell!"
"stop!"
At the critical moment, the Grand Princess Linlang shouted a stern rebuke, her voice carrying an undeniable air of authority!
Aunt Ji responded immediately, instantly grabbing Yunxiu's wrist and snatching the stick away with a slight force, throwing it away with a "clang" in the distance.
Yunxiu felt a sharp pain in her wrist, her move broken, and seeing her mother blocking her way, the pent-up grievances, anger, and despair finally erupted. She collapsed to the ground, grabbed Shu Linlang's skirt, and cried out in heart-wrenching sobs: "Mother! Why are you stopping me! I'm going to kill her! I must kill this bitch!"
Shu Linglang looked down at her daughter at her feet, who was crying and acting like a madwoman, and a feeling of disappointment and disgust welled up in her heart.
That's incredibly stupid!
How could she have given birth to such a fool who doesn't understand the bigger picture and only cares about his own momentary pleasure!
Kill? How could you possibly kill him?
If it were an ordinary person, or someone of low status, she could kill them at will.
However, Xiao Yeming's official robes as a fourth-rank naval commander were no ordinary clothes. They represented the emperor's personal endorsement and the dignity of the court! If he were to be allowed to spill blood at the princess's residence, it would be tantamount to slapping the emperor's face directly in the face!
At that time, nothing can outweigh the death penalty for defying imperial authority!
Moreover, Lu Zhaoruo has Yongfu and the Duke of Di's mansion standing behind her... This blow will make her countless enemies.
Right now, she can still use the excuse of "punishing the madman" to get by when Xiao Yeming broke into the mansion. But if someone dies, it will be ironclad evidence of her torturing meritorious officials and persecuting imperial merchants!
The pens of scholars and the swords of public opinion could crush her dignity in an instant!
Thinking of this, the chill in Shu Linlang's eyes almost solidified.
She absolutely could not allow this fool to drag her into an abyss of no return for his own selfish grievances!
She took a deep breath, instantly suppressing all her surging emotions, and her face regained its usual dignity and indifference.
She looked down at Yunxiu, who was slumped on the ground: "Have you made enough of a scene? Aren't you ashamed enough already?"
Her gaze swept over Aunt Ji: "Take the princess away and keep a close watch on her. Without my order, she is not allowed to step out of the room!"
After she finished speaking, her gaze slowly turned to Lu Zhaoruo, who was tightly hugging Xiao Yeming and weeping, and to Xiao Yeming, who was lying on the ground barely breathing.
An open killing is out of the question, but how could we miss the divinely granted opportunity of "dying of illness"?
She stepped forward, her tone concerned: "General Xiao is so badly injured, and Madam Lu has also been quite frightened. It is all my fault for not disciplining her properly."
She paused, then continued, "With the rain pouring down, how can General Xiao's injuries be moved and disturbed? Quickly carry General Xiao into the side room and summon the physician to treat him! Madam Lu, since you are here, you can help take care of him in the room."
Lu Zhaoruo knew perfectly well what she was doing. She seemed considerate and attentive, but in reality, she was extremely vicious! Although the poisonous incense in that room had been overturned, the poison was still there. If the doors and windows were closed and the incense was left to fumigate all night, not to mention the seriously injured and dying Xiao Yeming, even a person with a strong body would not be able to escape the calamity of rotting lungs and internal organs!
At that time, it would be only natural that the two would die suddenly from "serious injuries" and "evil wind entering their bodies," and no one could find fault with it!
She raised her head, her face still wet with tears, but her eyes held a clear and resolute look.
Meeting the Grand Princess's seemingly gentle yet unwavering gaze, she spoke clearly and firmly: "Your Highness's kindness is deeply appreciated!"
Then, she changed the subject: "However, General Xiao's injuries are too severe to be treated by ordinary physicians! I must take him back to the manor immediately and ask Princess Yongfu to invite the imperial physician to save his life!"
"Even if knives were raining down from the sky, I would never dare to let the general stay a moment longer! I beg Your Highness to allow me to leave!"
Upon hearing this, the last trace of feigned gentleness in Linglang's eyes vanished instantly, leaving only an unfathomable coldness.
She slowly took a step forward, and the oppressive aura emanating from her body almost froze the air.
“Madam Lu,” her voice was low, but each word was like a dagger striking, “I will not hold your rudeness against you because you were frightened. General Xiao was injured in my residence, and it is only right and proper that I take full responsibility for his treatment. Why are you in such a hurry to take him away? Is it because you don’t trust me, or… do you want to create some trouble and accuse me of failing to treat him properly?”
With a gentle wave of her hand, several robust old women silently surrounded her, blocking her path.
"That's settled then."
Lu Zhaoruo held Xiao Yeming, whose breath was growing weaker and weaker, tightly in her arms.
Could it be... that she and Xiao Yeming are destined to die here today, filled with resentment?
She raised her head, her gaze like a quenched knife, slashing intently at Shu Linglang.
In that instant, Linglang met Lu Zhaoruo's eyes, which were filled with extreme hatred.
It's so similar... This relentless hatred, this ruthless determination to destroy everything, is just like my younger self back then.
But this fleeting moment of clarity vanished in an instant.
So what? Her Xiu'er, the daughter she cherished in her heart, was suffering terribly because of these two! For that reason alone, they deserved to die!
She coldly flicked her sleeve, turned around and left, leaving the mess to her subordinates to clean up.
Just then...
"Imperial edict has arrived!"
"All bystanders, please stand back!"
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
