Chapter 44: Only one of you and Jiang Rou can survive
Su Tan lowered his eyes and answered truthfully, "By then, the entire capital will be a river of blood."
Emperor Qinglong threw the memorial in his hand to the ground and laughed instead of getting angry. "So there's no one in the entire capital who can deal with Jiang Nian?"
Thinking of the ministers of the Imperial Observatory who had died in the past, Emperor Qinglong felt that the imperial power was being challenged.
It would be ridiculous to spread the news that the ruler of the world was restrained by a water ghost.
He picked up the cup and smashed it on Prime Minister Jiang He's head.
"Jiang He, you've raised a good daughter and found a good marriage. Over the years, how many people have died because of that water ghost? Can you count them?"
Jiang He didn't dare to hide, allowing his forehead to be smashed. Blood dripped down his cheek and forehead, seeping into the cracks between the tiles. "I know my crime. I beg Your Majesty to calm down. My death is not a pity. Your Majesty, please take good care of yourself!"
Emperor Qinglong's temples were throbbing. How could he calm down?
If all the people in the capital died because of this, how would he have the face to face his ancestors?
Emperor Qinglong had no choice but to turn his gaze to Su Tan again, "Is there really no way?"
Su Tan lowered her eyes, "Jiang Nian is filled with deep resentment. I am powerless and cannot kill him, but—"
She suddenly changed the subject and said, "If my senior sister and I, along with the talented people in the capital and our fellow practitioners from the Imperial Observatory, work together to perform a ritual, we should be able to send Jiang Nian's soul back to the underworld."
Emperor Qinglong finally felt relieved and said, "Then do as you say."
"I will issue an order immediately."
Su Tan nodded and was about to speak when Liu Qingyin sneered and spoke before her, her face sneering, "Miss Su, you really think it's simple."
"Just now, your senior sister said that even if so many lives were sacrificed, it would only serve to add a few more dishes for Jiang Nian. How come you can all perform a ritual together and send her to the underworld now?"
"Are you so sure that Jiang Nian won't take advantage of you during the ritual and cause even greater trouble?"
Song Tingchen's eyes exuded a deep chill, "Qingyin!"
Liu Qingyin bit her lip and cried, "Brother Song, even if you are angry, I have to say this. We can't risk the lives of the people in the city!"
Su Tan's gaze fell on Liu Qingyin.
"That's why they say Miss Liu is so smart."
With this reaction ability, if he were to be used in the court, he would be able to fight back and forth with those old foxes.
Unfortunately, all Liu Qingyin's thoughts were focused on how to please men and how to kill women.
Su Tan looked at Jiang He and said, "Whether this can be accomplished depends on what Prime Minister Jiang chooses."
Jiang He's eyebrows twitched fiercely. He was just enjoying the show, why did the fire suddenly burn on his head? "Miss Su, what are you saying? I don't understand."
Emperor Qinglong looked at Su Tan with half-closed eyes, waiting for her next words.
Su Tan said calmly, "Jiang Nian's resentment is so deep because she trusted the wrong person and died unjustly, while the people who hurt her are all living a prosperous life."
"Over time, her resentment only grew, and even the Sanzhi River became a breeding ground for her Yin energy."
"If her great revenge is achieved and her wish is fulfilled, the resentment within her will naturally subside rapidly. Then, we will be able to send her to the underworld."
"It just depends on whether Prime Minister Jiang is willing to give it up."
After all, Ma and Jiang Rou, one is his beloved wife and the other is his daughter.
And the Duke's son, Ling Ran, is his rare and good son-in-law.
Emperor Qinglong pondered for a moment, his gaze already set on Jiang He. He didn't issue an order, but a look of deep emotion and sorrow suddenly appeared in his eyes. "When my father was in power, he once sent troops to fight against Beiling. That battle severely damaged both nations. Then Beiling suddenly asked to marry the legitimate princess. Everyone knew how much my father loved his daughter, but he had no choice but to let my sister marry with tears in his eyes."
"Every time I think about this, I am reminded of how innocent and carefree my sister once was. Her marriage price was only fifteen dollars, yet she now carries a burden that should not have been hers."
Jiang He burst into tears and immediately kowtowed to Emperor Chengze, his voice trembling, "Your Majesty, this matter was originally caused by my negligence in managing my family. If I continue to protect them, wouldn't I be aiding and abetting the evil and becoming a sinner for all of Dongchu?"
"Ma and Jiang Rou were cruel and ruthless. Even if they died at Jiang Nian's hands, it was their own fault."
In an instant, Prime Minister Jiang made his choice.
Previously, he was optimistic and always wanted to protect his wife and daughter while making Jiang Nian disappear into ashes.
Now he couldn't have his cake and eat it too, so he had to give up Ma and Jiang Rou.
"but--"
Jiang He frowned, "Over at the Xingguo Mansion—"
Emperor Qinglong sighed, "I will comfort him. If Duke Xingguo is unwilling, I will not force him. As a parent, you always consider your children more important than yourself."
Jiang He kowtowed to the emperor again, tears forming in his cloudy eyes. "I am also a father. I will be the one to persuade him on this matter."
"Your Majesty, rest assured. Duke Xingguo is a man of great righteousness. If he knew his eldest son had committed such a shameless act, he would be the first to kill his own son for the sake of justice."
Emperor Qinglong smiled with relief, but then turned bitter. "Then I'll leave this matter to Prime Minister Jiang. It's my incompetence that caused Prime Minister Jiang and Duke Xingguo to sacrifice their beloved daughter and son."
As soon as he finished speaking, everyone in the hall knelt down.
Who dares to admit that the emperor is incompetent?
Unless all nine clans are not wanted.
Jiang He shed tears in the Purple Palace and said a lot of words to comfort Emperor Qinglong. The emperor and his minister looked at each other, as if they knew each other's difficulties.
The matter was settled, and there was no turning back.
Liu Qingyin gritted her teeth in hatred.
I secretly thought that this bitch Su Tan was so lucky!
But it doesn’t matter, there is still Prince Yu, and Prince Yu will not let Su Tan go!
…
Mansion of Duke Xingguo.
Duke Xingguo called his son Ling Ran to the study.
"Tomorrow at twilight hour, you and Jiang Nian will go to the Sanzhi River."
When Ling Ran heard the unlucky name of Sanzhi River, his brows instantly frowned, and a hint of vigilance appeared in his eyes.
"Aren't there water ghosts haunting the Sanzhi River? Why did you let your son set foot in such an unlucky place?"
Bang!
Duke Xingguo slapped Ling Ran in the face.
Ling Ran was stunned, covering his left cheek where he had been hit. As far as he could remember, his father had never slapped him like this before. "Father, what are you doing?"
"You still have the nerve to ask!"
Duke Xingguo's face was filled with deep anger. "That evil water ghost by the Sanzhi River was actually Jiang Nian, the eldest daughter of the Prime Minister's Mansion, who died suddenly! How did Jiang Nian die? Do you need your father to remind you?"
"You're well-read, and yet you've learned to kill and set fire?"
It would be fine if the tail could be cleaned.
Yet, such a huge disaster was left behind.
This caused the emperor to put pressure on him personally.
He really raised a good son!
Ling Ran's face suddenly turned pale. He had never thought that this matter would actually reach his father's ears. Jiang Nian, that bitch, was actually a ghost and still not at peace. "Dad, what if she became a water ghost?"
"Just find a master to turn her into ashes."
As soon as he finished speaking, Duke Xingguo slapped Ling Ran several more times. "You can think of things, can't Your Majesty think of them? Jiang Nian holds a deep grudge. If her wish is not fulfilled, the entire capital will be buried with her!"
Ling Ran frowned.
Subconsciously asked: "What is her wish?"
Duke Xingguo glanced at him and said calmly, "Kill Ma and Jiang Rou, then salvage her body and welcome her into the palace."
After a pause, Duke Xingguo added, "As the legal wife."
This means that Ling Ran will not only have to kill Jiang Rou tomorrow, but also divorce her.
Ling Ran's face twisted. He was the prince of the Xingguo Mansion, but he had to be threatened by a water ghost and welcome that bitch Jiang Nian into the mansion?
"She's dreaming!"
"The position of the Crown Prince's wife is so honorable, how can that bitch Jiang Nian be worthy of it? Dad, I will not let Ah Rou down!"
Just as he finished speaking, Duke Xingguo slapped Ling Ran several times.
"Those who want to achieve great things must never be obsessed with love. Either Jiang Rou dies, or you die with her."
"Ling Ran, remember this: you are more than one son. If you insist on becoming a desperate couple with Jiang Rou, there will be others to take your place."
Ling Ran's aura suddenly became gloomy.
Duke Xingguo stopped talking and just waited for his decision.
After a cup of tea, Ling Ran closed his eyes, his face full of guilt, "In this life, I have let Ah Rou down."
"I will remember her kindness for the rest of my life. Our entire Xingguo Mansion owes her a debt of gratitude."
Duke Xingguo smiled with satisfaction and said meaningfully, "This is my good son."
…
The next morning, Ling Ran hugged Jiang Rou's waist and rested his head on her shoulder. "Arou, today, I want to take you to the lake."
Jiang Rou looked shy. Last night, Ling Ran hugged her tenderly several times and let her go just before dawn. After being married for several years, Ling Ran still loved her deeply.
"The lake is frozen in winter. Brother Ran, how are you going to take me on a boat trip?"
Ling Ran raised the corners of his lips, but his eyes were deep, "As long as I can make Rou'er happy, what's the harm in having someone melt the lake water?"
Ling Ran has always loved Jiang Rou deeply and spent money lavishly. Even if he spent a lot of money and labor in the winter and asked someone to melt an entire lake of water just to take her boating, she didn't think it was a big deal.
Jiang Rou turned her soft body around and kissed Ling Ran's lips, "Brother Ran, you treat me so well."
Ling Ran lowered his eyes, without commenting, and suddenly took Jiang Rou's hand, hugged her waist, and pulled down the curtain again.
Jiang Rou spent almost the entire day in bed, and she couldn't even remember how many times Ling Ran had called out for water.
She was good at controlling her husband, and often made Ling Ran fall in love with her. The several concubines in his room were just decorations, and her mother-in-law complained about this.
If I continue to behave like this today, my mother-in-law will probably come to punish me again tomorrow.
But Jiang Rou just curled up the corners of her lips and hugged Ling Ran's waist tighter. She would definitely be pregnant after today. By then, with a baby in her belly, her mother-in-law would have to shut up no matter what she wanted to say!
Near the hour of You, Ling Ran took her out and did not forget to tease her even in the carriage.
Jiang Rou didn't know what was wrong with him, but she had no choice but to cooperate.
After arriving at the place, a chilly chill hit her face. She subconsciously grabbed Ling Ran's hand. Looking at this strange yet familiar scene, she had a bad premonition in her heart.
"Brother Ran, what is this place?"
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