Chapter 3103 A Good Head
A cold light flashed in Zhu Chengjin's eyes, and he said coldly: "Then let Jinling City go and let them plunder for another two days."
“…”
"Two days later, we'll cross the river and land!"
“…”
"When the time comes, if they still don't leave, don't blame me for being rude!"
Although he was already accustomed to his ruthless actions, Guo Mi couldn't help but break out in a cold sweat when he heard these words. It seemed as if a cold wind blew behind him, making him shiver.
He subconsciously looked back and saw a figure walking in from outside in the dark twilight.
It was the girl Qingting who was rescued from Jinling City by the imperial concubine Si Nanyue. She had climbed onto Zhu Chengjin's bed a few days ago and had been serving him ever since. Everyone around knew that eight out of ten girls who had served Zhu Chengjin would not survive more than two days, but she was the only one who had managed to hold on.
However, her face was pale now, and she had lost a lot of weight in the past few days. Even her youthful glow had faded, and her cheekbones were raised. In the dim light, she looked like a skeleton.
When Guo Mi saw the dragonfly like this, he couldn't help but frown.
Perhaps after hearing what Zhu Chengjin said, she walked to the door and did not come in again, only saying softly, "Young Master."
Zhu Chengjin then looked up at her, a little impatient: "Why are you here?"
Qingting saluted him. That etiquette was actually the etiquette of the palace. Obviously, someone had specially taught her these days. She said softly, "It's getting late. Why don't you go back and rest, young master?"
Guo Mi and the others looked at each other and tactfully withdrew.
After passing Qingting and leaving Lezhizhai, Lu Guangwei and Guo Mi couldn't help but look back. Lu Guangwei sneered and said, "So many people have died in the young master's bed, but only this girl can still live until now. It's rare."
Guo Mi said, "Don't worry about others, let's go and pass the message to Li Chen and Fang Zhen."
Although he told Lu Guangwei not to "care about others", he still couldn't help but look back.
He sneered and said, "In this world, there are many people who are willing to risk their lives for fame and fortune."
Actually, they are all like this.
If they lived a peaceful life, they would just be trying to have enough food and clothing, but they followed Zhu Chengjin and committed the unforgivable crime of treason which was punishable by the death of nine generations of their clan. Everyone knew what the consequences would be if the plan failed, but no one could resist the temptation of endless wealth and glory if the plan succeeded.
So, a few people left chatting and laughing.
Inside Lezhizhai, Zhu Chengjin looked at Qingting with interest: "You heard what I said just now, why don't you come in?"
Dragonfly lowered her head and said softly, "Sir, you are talking about a big thing. I, a little girl, don't understand it."
"You are also from Jinling. Don't you feel anything when you hear what I say?"
"I am from Jinling, but now, I am by your side."
"That Si Nanyan, all she cares about is protecting those untouchables. She's your savior, so can't you also think about her?"
Dragonfly buried her head even lower, and one could only see her long eyelashes trembling slightly twice.
Then he said coldly, "She is a high and mighty imperial concubine. Saving me is like saving a kitten or puppy on the street. I am nothing to her. If it weren't for you, I would still be by her side pouring water for her to wash her feet."
“…”
"It is because of you, Master, that I am able to live well now."
“…”
"So, I only have you in my heart. What you think is what I think."
Hearing this, Zhu Chengjin felt very happy and anxious.
He laughed a few times and stared at Qingting with satisfaction for a while. This girl was to his liking from head to toe, even down to her hair. Although she was not tortured to death by him - but that was what made it interesting. Watching her struggle night after night, making fragile sounds, yet humbly begging for survival, made Zhu Chengjin more satisfied than simply torturing a slender girl to death.
He said, "Very good."
Dragonfly looked up and glanced at him cautiously: "Sir, are you going back to rest?"
Zhu Chengjin thought about it, looked back at the mourning hall, and finally said, "I won't go tonight. You go back by yourself. I will stay here and watch over him all night."
There was a hint of loss on Dragonfly's face.
But she did not flatter or ask for anything. She just bowed gently to Zhu Chengjin and turned to leave.
After she left, Zhu Chengjin turned around and looked at the spirit tablet of Xu Shizong in front of the mourning hall. He was the only one left here. Even the sound of the wind seemed to have quieted down. Only the white flag above his head was swaying slightly, looking extremely creepy in the night.
Normally, on the seventh day after a person passes away in an ordinary family, family members would take the deceased's old clothes and go to the rooftop to loudly shout the deceased's name, asking him to come back. But here, Xu Shizong had no family members, and given Zhu Chengjin's background, it was impossible for them to do such a thing for him.
However, Xu Shizong did make great contributions for him.
Moreover, his death was indeed caused by Zhu Chengjin's connivance. Now facing the three strategies, he felt helpless and somewhat regretful.
So he stayed in the mourning hall, looking at this man who could almost make things happen with a wave of his hand when he was alive, but only had this little glory after his death, and he couldn't help but think of himself.
What will his future be like?
He had died once and was very familiar with the coldness in the mourning hall.
After thinking for a while, Zhu Chengjin said, as if speaking to him, or perhaps talking to himself, "Of the three strategies you proposed, I chose the middle strategy."
“…”
"I don't know which strategy you want me to choose, and I don't know if you regret it now."
“…”
"If I choose right, I will definitely give you all the glory you left behind, even your sister—I originally thought about digging her grave, but if you choose right, I will spare her and your family as well."
“…”
"If I choose wrong..."
Having said that, he paused for a moment, then suddenly laughed. He stretched out his hand and slapped his neck, saying, "It depends on who will chop off this beautiful head."
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The mourning hall for military advisor Xu Shizong lasted for a full seven days.
On the eighth day, when the people came in to clean up and bury the body, they saw Zhu Chengjin sitting alone in the mourning hall. He had not slept all night. Ge Long and others were guarding outside and did not dare to seize power. Seeing him walk out with red eyes, everyone was a little frightened.
"Young Master..."
Zhu Chengjin opened his mouth to speak, but after a night of hard work, his throat felt like it was on fire, and for a moment he couldn't make a sound. He coughed twice before saying, "What's going on outside?"
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