Chapter 124 Pei Shan
Pei Mingyue turned around, looked at Xie Wulu on the ground, and gave him a condescending smile.
She walked over slowly and nudged Xie Wulu's shoulder with her toe.
"Seventeen...you have done a great service."
"Someone come here!" she called out loudly, "Go and fetch the best wound medicine... and... stew a pot of the finest bird's nest soup... for my seventeenth daughter... to nourish her body properly!"
Her gaze lingered on Xie Wulu's back, which was covered with whip marks, with admiration in her eyes.
Xie Wulu lay on the ground, feeling the burning pain in his back and Pei Mingyue's nauseating concern.
Make use of it…
He has more to do than just this.
Outside the window, the sky remained overcast.
“Miss,” Ru Dong said, walking in with a gray envelope that had no signature on it, a hint of doubt on her face. “The doorman received a strange letter that specifically asked you to open it. The messenger was a boy, who dropped the letter and ran off; we couldn’t catch him.”
Xie Sangning raised an eyebrow and took the envelope.
With a slight movement of her fingertips, she easily opened the seal and pulled out a neatly folded piece of plain paper.
Expand.
[Cousin Sang Ning: Seeing this letter is like seeing you in person. Your brother is now...imprisoned, living a life worse than death! Regret! I regret my past actions! I am filled with remorse! I was blinded by greed and lost my heart to you, sister! Now I've ended up like this...hated by everyone, worse than a pig or a dog! Yet! The bond of blood cannot be severed! Today, with my crippled body, I risked my life to uncover a shocking secret!]
Princess Pei Mingyue, that madwoman! Driven by jealousy of her elder sister, she has secretly dispatched her trusted confidants to Xihan, traveling day and night! They intend to dig three feet into the ground to investigate whether Xihan harbors any mineral veins! She is determined to prove her sister's heinous crimes of embezzling state mines and deceiving the emperor! She intends to bring her to her death!
Even if it means a thousand deaths, I would never forget my roots! No matter what, we are of the same race, and to hear this news is like being struck by lightning! I risked being torn apart by that madwoman to find this only opportunity to send this message!
Sister! Act quickly! We must not let that wicked woman succeed! If you trust me, I'm willing to be your inside man! I only beg you, sister, to remember our blood ties… to give me a way out in the future.
The letter abruptly ended.
The words are filled with a sudden realization and deep regret.
If an outsider saw this, they would probably think that Xie Wulu had turned over a new leaf and was risking his life to deliver a life-saving message.
However, Xie Sangning held the letter in her hand, her expression completely unchanged.
Regret? A sudden awakening? What a joke!
Xie Wulu is probably celebrating his own intelligence right now!
She knew what Xie Wulu was thinking.
The news that Xihan had a mine must have been told to the Second Princess by Xie Wulu, otherwise the Second Princess would not have made any move to go to Xihan, even though she hated Xie Sangning so much.
How come yesterday Xie Wulu sought refuge with the Second Princess, and today the Second Princess immediately sent someone to Xihan?
Did my brain suddenly click?
He offered this plan to Pei Mingyue, but then betrayed her by leaking the information to her.
What does he want? He wants to see those two mad dogs, her and Pei Mingyue, tear each other apart! Fight to the death!
Regardless of who dies in the end, for Xie Wulu, who has already fallen into the abyss, it will be a satisfying revenge!
Especially... if Xie Sangning ultimately defeats Pei Mingyue herself, that would be perfect!
In Xie Wulu's view, her embezzlement of the mine was an indisputable fact. Only in this way could she quickly accumulate wealth. The mine wouldn't run away. Once it was confirmed, he could sue her at any time and give Xie Sangning a death sentence.
But to defeat the Second Princess, this royal princess, is something that probably only Xie Sangning can do. It will be extremely difficult for Xie Wulu to walk this path on his own.
The letter suggests that the Second Princess must have done something to offend Xie Wulu, and Xie Wulu might be trapped in the Princess's residence. The quickest way for him to get out is to watch Xie Sangning and the Second Princess fight like dogs.
As for the humble pleas in the letter, they were nothing short of a ridiculous smokescreen.
What he really wanted was to see his most hated enemies perish together with him!
Xie Sangning could even imagine Xie Wulu's expression when he wrote this letter.
It must be a wide grin that stretches from the corners of the mouth all the way to the back of the ears.
Unfortunately… Xie Sangning lightly flicked her fingertips and casually tossed the letter onto the desk.
"Miss!" Ru Chun had been observing Xie Sangning's expression. "What did the letter say? Is there really trouble in Xi Han?"
She vaguely saw the words "Xi Han".
Xie Sangning chuckled and said, "Troublesome?"
"West Cold..."
There are no mines at all.
They're just a bunch of clowns.
Of course, she did not embezzle the mine. As someone who even had to follow regulations regarding the number of maids around her, Xie Sangning always avoided anything illegal when it came to abiding by the law.
The place called Xihan has been explored countless times by several dynasties in search of its value, and it is indeed a poor, desolate place.
It seems that Xie Wulu's shallow understanding is no match for his schemes and tricks.
If you just look at the literature and do some research, you'll find that Xihan really has nothing.
The Second Princess's people going to Xihan had no impact on Xie Sangning.
Because she wasn't the person in the public eye, nor was she a local official, even if she were discovered, she had developed the poorest county for free, without even asking for credit or reward. This was charity, this was for the country and the people, how could it not be considered another achievement?
The only one who might get into trouble is Magistrate Qu, who has been concealing the situation in Xihan all these years.
In the West, even the rats are plump these days.
This time, the fat Magistrate Qu is probably going to be in trouble.
He's a good person, Xie Sangning approves of him and doesn't want to replace him.
As if in spring, she silently offered Xie Sangning a freshly brewed cup of Lushan Yunwu tea, the rising steam enveloping her features.
We still need to think of a way to protect Magistrate Qu.
Xie Sangning tapped her hands on the table, her mind racing.
"Miss, His Highness the Third Prince has sent an invitation, saying he is already outside the mansion gate," Ru Dong reported as she entered.
Xie Sangning's hand paused.
The Third Prince, Pei Shan?
Another uninvited guest?
They only give you the invitation when you arrive at the door. The royal rules are really terrible.
It seems that the one in Fengzao Palace has completely given up on the incompetent First Prince Pei Yi and instead placed all her resources and hopes on the Third Prince, who seems more pragmatic.
However, it seems just right.
"please."
Soon, the sound of footsteps grew louder as they approached.
The Third Prince, Pei Shan, entered alone, without any attendants or guards.
Today he was dressed in a moon-white brocade robe with cloud patterns, a jade belt around his waist, and a simple jade crown on his head, which made him look tall and elegant with a gentle demeanor.
Unlike the overt arrogance of the eldest prince Pei Yi, Pei Shan's features were more refined and gentle, with a habitually warm smile at the corners of his mouth, and his every move exuded a humble and approachable charm.
This disguise is clearly far more sophisticated than that of a fool like Pei Yi.
“Sister Sang Ning, I apologize for the intrusion and for disturbing you.” Pei Shan stood a few steps away from the desk, bowed slightly, and spoke in a clear and gentle voice, with just the right amount of apology and intimacy. “I heard that you suffered some injustice a few days ago and have been wanting to visit you, but I have been busy with matters in the palace and only now have I had the time. I hope you will not take offense.”
He started by calling her "little sister," as if Xie Sangning and he were very close.
Xie Sangning raised her eyes, her gaze calmly landing on his face.
"Your Highness is too kind. It's just a small matter, why should Your Highness worry about it? Please sit down, Your Highness."
She gestured to the chair next to her.
Pei Shan sat down as instructed. He took the teacup offered by Ru Chun and gently stroked the warm porcelain with his slender fingers, as if he were carefully considering the words.
Silence fell over the study for a moment.
“Sister Sang Ning,” Pei Shan finally broke the silence. He put down his teacup, raised his eyes, and looked at Xie Sang Ning frankly. His tone was sincere. “I have come here today not only to visit you, but also to discuss something with you openly.”
Xie Sangning raised an eyebrow, signaling him to continue.
"The affairs of the court are unpredictable and treacherous. My father is getting old, the succession is still undecided, and various forces are stirring up trouble. I... am in the middle of it all, walking on thin ice."
He paused, observing Xie Sangning's expression.
"My mother... holds my younger sister in high regard, often praising her for her exceptional intelligence and extraordinary courage. I also deeply admire her. My visit today is not to test her, but rather... to seek cooperation."
"Cooperation?" Xie Sangning's tone held a hint of amusement. "I wonder, Your Highness... how you wish to cooperate?"
"I need your help! And you, my sister... need the most prestigious position to match your talent and dedication!"
He looked directly into Xie Sangning's eyes and said, word by word:
"I promise! If my sister helps me... to ascend the throne! When I become emperor, I will offer you the empire as my dowry and the phoenix crown as my promise! I will grant you the position of empress! You will be the mother of the nation! You will share this vast land! I will let you, Xie Sangning, enjoy the ultimate honor in the world! You will be admired by all people and your name will be remembered for generations!"
The position of Empress.
She was the mother of the nation.
Share the mountains and rivers.
His fame will last for generations.
Pei Shan had clearly rehearsed this speech countless times in his mind, delivering it with sincerity, passion, and great persuasiveness.
Any woman who craves power would find it hard not to be tempted by such a straightforward and alluring promise.
This is just empty promises.
Xie Sangning understood, but her smile deepened, and upon closer inspection, one could see the mockery hidden within it.
An ordinary woman might have been fooled.
“The Empress’s position…the mother of the nation…” she repeated these words softly, “It sounds…so tempting.”
Pei Shan was overjoyed.
However, Xie Sangning's next words were like a bucket of ice water poured over his head!
She slowly raised her eyes, her unfathomable gaze calmly fixed on Pei Shan, with a condescending scrutiny.
"Then, Your Highness... besides this future phoenix crown, besides this empty honor... what else can you give me?"
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