Chapter 37
Perhaps Xing'er's transformation was surprising enough. When Yue Mingming heard Jiang Huan's identity, he calmed down and his brain began to work slowly again.
"So you two have known each other for a long time... are you in the same group?" Yue Mingming looked at Jiang Huan uncertainly: "I thought... Sister was sincere to the prince."
Jiang Huan said calmly, "Back in the Xinghua Tower, she was my sister's maid trying out makeup. After all the misfortunes, only the two of us managed to survive. We relied on each other during the most difficult times... But we couldn't be called 'the same group'."
Xing Er snorted coldly, "People with different ideals cannot work together! You have a deep blood feud, but you let it go just because of a bastard... How can you be worthy of Sister Rao?"
Jiang Huan's face turned stern. "I've explained this to you many times, and I'll say it one last time tonight. My choice has nothing to do with anyone else."
"Bah! How dare you say you don't like Zhao Congyun?!"
Yue Mingming's heart skipped a beat. This was a question she had been wondering for a long time, but then she heard Jiang Huan say, "These are two different things."
Xing Er sneered: "His last name is Zhao! That's the same thing!"
Yue Mingming now roughly understood that one of them was in favor of war, and the other was in favor of peace. It seemed that their relationship had not been harmonious over the years.
However, Yue Mingming was relieved to learn that Jiang Huan had not participated in the murder of Zhao Congyun. The most important thing now was to find out what Xing'er and Queen Li were planning, and what other tricks they had in mind...
She recalled the story of the Xinghua Tower that Zhao Congyun had mentioned. A flash of inspiration struck her mind, and she gasped, "Are you planning to pin the blame for the Xinghua Tower's use of witchcraft to 'murder' the Emperor on the prince?"
Xing'er's expression changed. Yue Mingming knew that he had guessed correctly and said angrily, "Xing'er, let me ask you, did you really want to murder the emperor back then?"
Xing'er said bitterly, "Of course not! There were only a few foreign sisters in the building who were proficient in witchcraft. They usually used some tricks to retain their favorite patrons... Besides, we didn't even know he was the emperor at the time!"
Yue Mingming nodded: "I believe you... But since you know the truth and you are also a victim, how can you still use such excuses to frame others? If you want revenge, you should find the person who framed you. That is the real culprit!"
"Why wouldn't I look for them?" Xing'er said, "I've settled that account clearly! The Qilin Guard's henchmen, the investigating officers, the demonic monks... I was patient and lucky enough to take their lives."
She stretched out a pair of skinny hands and waved them in front of Yue Mingming: "These hands are stained with too much blood. Sometimes I feel that I can't wash them clean, but I'm not afraid... As long as I can avenge Sister Rao, I'm willing to go to hell in the future... But before that, I won't allow myself to let any executioner go!"
Yue Mingming was frightened by her paranoia and couldn't help asking: "How did you do it? Is Queen Li helping you?"
Xing Er scoffed, "She?"
She raised her eyes and glanced at Jiang Huan, who also had a rare murderous look in his eyes.
Xing'er continued, "My lady, do you know that Queen Li was the one who was behind the massacre of the Xinghua Tower?"
"What?!" Yue Mingming was shocked: "Then why are you still cooperating with her..."
Xing Er said, "Without her help, I wouldn't be able to find and approach those people. She's a jackal, but jackals can also be useful."
Yue Mingming asked seriously, "What about you? What are you going to do for her?"
Xing Er said, "Actually, I'm very good at killing people. Just because Xing Hua Lou didn't use witchcraft to harm people back then doesn't mean we can't..."
She said proudly, "There are three secret techniques in witchcraft. The first is soul-stealing, which can kill people invisibly, leaving no trace of the flaws afterwards. The second is unity of heart, also known as love, which can be used to control loved ones. The third is mother-child relationship, which means if one suffers, all will suffer together. Fortunately, God has blessed me and allowed me to learn these secret techniques to help me complete my revenge plan!"
Yue Mingming suddenly remembered something: "The sedan bearer who brought me to my wedding, and the three women who died in the palace... were they all killed by you?"
Xing'er turned her head away and didn't deny it. Yue Mingming was furious and anxious: "You became Queen Li's executioner to avenge yourself. What's the difference between you and her? You both have your own thoughts. You know she won't let you go sooner or later!"
"I know." Xing'er's face was calm. "I'm even looking forward to her taking action."
"You...you used the mother-child Gu on her?" Yue Mingming reacted immediately.
Xing'er didn't answer, but said earnestly, "Madam Yue, I really don't want to involve you in this... There may be drastic changes in the palace in the next few days. Please stay in the palace and don't worry about others!"
Yue Mingming asked hurriedly: "What are you going to do?"
Xing'er said slowly, "I've already agreed with Queen Li that she will 'reveal' my identity. Then I'll 'confess' Zhao Congyun's crimes in orchestrating the Xinghua Tower incident... After the Emperor personally kills his good brother, I'll tell him the truth. Wouldn't that be satisfying!"
Seeing Xing'er's hopeless paranoia, Yue Mingming still tried to defend himself, saying, "Every wrong has its perpetrator. This matter has nothing to do with the prince!"
Xing'er snorted, "Who gave him the surname Zhao? Who told him to be born into the royal family?"
Yue Mingming suddenly felt powerless: "Xing'er, don't be like this."
Jiang Huan, who had been silent the whole time, reminded her, "She's like this, no matter how much you try to persuade her, it's useless. Actually, there's another way..."
Yue Mingming's heart skipped a beat.
What if I kill Xing'er now?
She has already practiced the Xingyun Palm to the intermediate level, and with the addition of Jiang Huan, she is not completely without confidence.
Although Yue Mingming had the idea in mind, he was not a ruthless person after all: "I definitely can't do it... If you want to do it, sister, do it yourself."
After saying that, she sat down on the chair and honestly thought about how to break the current deadlock. Jiang Huan was not surprised by her reaction. He smiled and continued to drink tea.
Xing'er stared at her with complicated eyes. After a long moment, she suddenly said, "My lady, if you really want to kill me, I won't fight back!"
Yue Mingming was stunned for a moment, then sighed deeply. "Xing'er, don't be so stubborn. Just because Jiang Rao and I are nice to you, you want to take your life back? Although we have different positions, you are different from Queen Li. I understand your desire for revenge... but I will also do my best to help him. Do you understand?"
Xing'er's eyes suddenly turned red, and her body trembled slightly. Jiang Huan glanced at them, stood up and said lightly: "It's getting late. The game is clear now. Let's go."
When she reached the door, she suddenly stopped and said abruptly: "I never agree with what you do, but I admire you."
Xing Er's eyes widened in surprise, as if a knot that had been in her heart for years had just been resolved. She sighed, "We can't both go crazy. Someone has to take this path... Isn't it good to have one more option?"
Yue Mingming didn't understand, but Jiang Huan obviously did. Her eyes dimmed, and a rare hint of sadness appeared on her face: "I hope... he doesn't choose this path."
Xing Er smiled and said softly, "Me too. It's rare that we agree on this."
Seeing the two people who were just on edge suddenly have a strange tacit understanding, Yue Mingming was confused, but Jiang Huan didn't give her time to think: "Let's go!"
Yue Mingming stepped forward and hugged Xing'er tightly, saying two words to himself: "Take care..."
In reality, she knew this might be their last encounter. In the ensuing game, if Xing'er revealed her true identity, she would surely die. Yet, she chose to sacrifice herself, entering the game to share hell with her enemy.
That was her long-cherished wish and also her nightmare.
Until the two figures disappeared into the night, Xing'er still stood there stiffly, her heart, which had long been tempered by hatred and immune to all poisons, suddenly felt infinite sadness.
The noisy days in the ginseng garden with Yue Mingming seemed like just yesterday. It was autumn in the capital, the sweet-scented osmanthus was still in full bloom, she was trying on light clothes for the first time, and she had just tasted green ants... Who could have imagined that it would be the best time of her life?
*
On the way back, Yue Mingming was so worried that even her steps were heavier. Jiang Huan was much more considerate than when he came, and stopped to wait for her several times.
The two returned to Yaoyue Tower. Jiang Huan changed his clothes first, and then came out to burn incense and make tea, as if nothing had happened.
Yue Mingming was scratching his head anxiously beside him: "Sister... I have to go back and find a solution with Uncle Dong!"
Jiang Huan smiled and poured her a cup of tea: "Don't worry, finish this pot of tea with me!"
It was a rare show of kindness from her, and Yue Mingming was flattered. He had no choice but to sit back down and take a perfunctory sip. Finally, he couldn't help but ask, "Sister, why aren't you worried at all... Are you really not going to care about him anymore?"
She hesitated for a moment, then continued, "I'm to blame for the will. If I hadn't been obsessed with wanting to be the princess, I wouldn't have fallen into Queen Li's trap. The prince broke his promise to save me, so you can blame me... but if you have any way, please save him!"
Jiang Huan smiled faintly: "Look how anxious you are! Who said, 'He always has a way'? Do you believe him or not?"
Yue Mingming was stunned. Could it be that Zhao Congyun already knew Xing'er's identity? And...Jiang Huan's identity?
Jiang Huan raised his eyelids, half smiling, "I've never said any of this... But given his personality, and the many years we've worked together, he must have secretly inquired about a lot of my affairs. If he knew nothing about it, why would he send you to discuss it with me?"
"Then why didn't he tell me?" Yue Mingming suddenly became unhappy.
"He won't jump to conclusions easily unless he's absolutely sure." Jiang Huan concluded, deliberately imitating Yue Mingming's previous behavior.
"...So you have a solution, right?" Yue Mingming was worried and couldn't help feeling sad.
Jiang Huan smiled and pushed the teacup in front of Yue Mingming: "This is the best Yunnan Red tea. Many people beg for it, but you really don't know the value of it!"
Yue Mingming had no choice but to finish it in one breath, and then he saw Jiang Huan said with satisfaction: "I don't know what his response is, but I can help him again for your sake."
"Me?" Yue Mingming couldn't help but touch his face.
Does she have face? How could she not know!
Jiang Huan said: "A Nian likes you very much."
"Just because of this?" Yue Mingming laughed and said, "Then it can only be said that Ah Nian has a lot of face!"
"That's right." Jiang Huan nodded seriously: "Because Ah Nian... I want to give the prince a trump card."
Yue Mingming couldn't help but wonder: "What cards? Is it a sure win?"
"There's no such thing as a guaranteed win in a card game... it just means you have a slightly better chance of winning. As for how to play it, that depends on your own ability, Your Highness... But isn't that part of the fun?"
As he spoke, Jiang Huan suddenly reached out and touched Yue Mingming's cheek. Yue Mingming felt a strange fragrance and his head suddenly sank, and his eyes suddenly spun.
Before she passed out, she heard Jiang Huan murmur in her ear: "When you wake up, you will know the result of this game... Take good care of them for me."
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