Chapter 176 Counterattack
Xie Sangning paused slightly as she turned the page, raising an eyebrow.
"Xie Wulu? What happened to him? Shouldn't he be enjoying a life of luxury at the Princess's residence?"
Ru Chun reported, "The steward said that Xie Wulu was dumped at the back gate of the mansion, covered in blood, severely injured, and on the verge of death. He is using his last breath to see you immediately, saying that he has something important to report."
"Oh?" Xie Sangning raised an eyebrow and put down the ledger in her hand.
Where is he?
"The steward had him temporarily moved to a side room in the outer courtyard, which is close to the back door. The family physician has been called over to keep him alive for now," Ruchun replied.
Xie Sangning pondered for a moment, then stood up and straightened his clothes: "Go to the side room."
As she stepped into the house, a strong smell of blood hit her.
The physician was sweating profusely as he treated the wound.
Xie Wulu lay on the hard bed, his exposed head swollen and his face ashen, like a dead man.
His eyes were closed and his breathing was weak.
The wounds on his body had obviously been given basic treatment, but they were still a terrible sight.
Xie Sangning stood a few steps away, not approaching.
She simply watched quietly, a smile playing on her lips, as if admiring a work of art.
Seemingly sensing Xie Sangning's gaze, Xie Wulu's eyelids twitched a few times, and he opened them with difficulty, just a crack.
He saw Xie Sangning.
She was dressed simply, yet her air of nobility and aloofness was undeniable. Standing there, she resembled a fairy in the clouds looking down upon ants in the mud.
He struggled with all his might to get up, but was held down by the physician.
Xie Sangning gently raised her hand, signaling the physician to step back.
Ru Chun and Ru Dong stayed by her side, while Ru Qiu, Ru Xia, and the other servants stood guard outside the door.
"Speak." Xie Sangning's voice was cold and devoid of any emotion.
Xie Wulu knew this was his only chance to live, and he dared not ask for anything else!
He dared not conceal anything, nor did he have the strength to fabricate any more lies.
"It's the Second Princess! She ordered me... to assassinate you. If I succeed, all the better; if I fail, they can say you've harmed your own siblings..."
Upon hearing this, Ru Dong immediately drew her sword and stood in front of Xie Sangning, her eyes warily scanning the surroundings.
Xie Sangning's face showed no surprise or anger.
She covered her mouth and laughed: "Pei Mingyue has this brain? Did you come up with the idea for her?"
Xie Wulu immediately denied it: "It was Qingdai, who's by her side, who came up with the idea! How could I not know? I'm no match for you! Assassinating you is nothing but a pipe dream..."
Xie Sangning scoffed. Sure enough, people only become self-aware when they are about to die.
However, Qingdai is quite shrewd. She uses others to do her dirty work and uses one enemy to devour another. Regardless of success or failure, she can reap the benefits. She has a good plan.
It's a pity that they didn't know much about their opponent and actually thought that Xie Wulu and a few guards could kill them.
She looked at Xie Wulu, who was in a sorry state on the bed. The cousin who used to be arrogant and domineering in the mansion because of the second branch of the family was now as humble as a dog wagging its tail and begging for mercy.
Pei Mingyue is quite skilled at training people.
"So," Xie Sangning finally spoke, his voice tinged with amusement, "you crawled back just to tell me that Pei Mingyue wanted you to kill me? And then beg me to spare your life?"
"Yes...yes! Cousin! I was wrong! I was blinded by greed! I deserve to die! But I...I don't want to die!" Xie Wulu struggled, her eyes filled with pleading. "I...I can help you! I know where the Princess's sentries are! I can help you deal with her! Just spare my life..."
Xie Sangning did not answer immediately, but just looked at him with a smile.
Xie Wulu's heart was in his throat; he was so nervous he could hardly breathe.
Time seemed to freeze, each breath feeling incredibly long. He stared intently at Xie Sangning, awaiting the judgment that would decide his life or death.
After an unknown amount of time, Xie Sangning finally spoke.
She looked at Xie Wulu, who was trembling on the bed, and parted her red lips slightly: "You're so smart, you should know that whether you tell me or not, it won't hurt me in the slightest, and it won't do me any good. Deep down, you believe that I'm inherently good, different from Pei Mingyue, and that running into me might give you a chance to survive, so you took this gamble..."
"But unfortunately, you're wrong. My kindness won't be directed at you."
Upon hearing this, Xie Wulu was dumbfounded.
Before he could react, Ru Dong strode forward, tied him up, gagged him, and waited eagerly for Xie Sangning's orders.
Xie Sangning's exquisitely beautiful eyes were now covered with a thin layer of frost, revealing her undisguised irritability and murderous intent.
"Trying to smear my family's reputation with Xie Wulu's worthless life?"
She chuckled, her voice clear yet carrying a chilling undertone, "Pei Mingyue, you've improved quite a bit..."
At this critical juncture when her father and brother were about to return to the capital, Xie Sangning only wanted to live peacefully, clear away all obstacles, and give them some peace and quiet.
But some people just don't know what's good for them and keep jumping out to cause trouble.
So annoying!
Xie Sangning abruptly flicked her sleeve, her face revealing undisguised anger and impatience.
She doesn't mind using tricks, but she despises endless entanglement and despicable tactics!
"Ru Dong, that maid named Qingdai next to Pei Mingyue is an eyesore. While you're at it, send the dog that the Second Princess has trained back to her."
Ru Dong nodded, and with a silent movement, she leaped out of the window with Xie Wulu, disappearing into the night.
Princess's Residence.
Princess Pei Mingyue had already retired for the night.
She even had a smile on her lips, perhaps dreaming of the exhilarating scene of Xie Sangning being disgraced and begging for mercy on his knees.
As Qingdai's trusted head maid, it was her turn to keep watch tonight, and she was waiting outside the door, ready to be at her beck and call.
The sound of wind and snow outside the window seemed to have grown louder. She sat on the ground, feeling somewhat drowsy, and subconsciously wrapped herself tighter in the thin blanket.
In that half-dreaming, half-awake state, a chill swept over her entire body!
Qingdai's sleepiness was instantly dispelled!
She suddenly opened her eyes, her heart pounding. In the darkness, a blurry shadow rapidly magnified in her pupils!
She suddenly felt a chill on her neck!
Then, she felt as if she were flying... her vision was spinning and swirling...
......
Inside the room, a strong stench of blood rushed into Pei Mingyue's nostrils. Pei Mingyue frowned and turned over, but her hand was awakened by a warm, wet touch.
"Hmm..."
She was still sleepy and displeased, and subconsciously reached out to touch it—
The first thing you get is a cold, slippery, and sticky feel to the fur!
What is that?!
Her mind was still foggy, and she instinctively looked down at the person in her arms by the candlelight...
One head!
A head that looked incredibly familiar, with its eyes wide open!
It's Qingdai's head!
Her eyes were fixed intently on him!
The head, now devoid of its body, lay bloodied and gruesome in her arms!
Blood was still gushing from her severed neck, instantly staining her white nightgown and the brocade quilt beneath her a shocking dark red!
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