Chapter 96 A Three-in-One Story: In a Place No One Knows, She Became the Character He Created...
The painting depicts a thriving scene. Under a gentle breeze, the warm sunlight shines obliquely, bathing the swing under the pomegranate tree in an orange glow. It makes the woman on the swing appear even more delicate and her smile captivating.
In the painting, her legs are stretched out, swaying and floating in the breeze. She holds several large skewers of roasted meat in her hands, her cheeks are bulging from chewing, and she tilts her head back, gazing at the golden and orange pomegranate buds above her, which are covered with lush foliage, their blossoms radiating hope.
Then his eyes narrowed with satisfaction, and his fox-like eyes looked even more narrow and alluring.
It is clearly just a painting, but because of the artist's superb skill, it comes alive, it comes to life, it comes to jump.
This is the highest level of painting, an immersive experience.
Even as a mere observer, one feels as if they are inside the painting, able to sense the every movement of the people within, and to feel their delicate beauty and graceful movements.
This was the first time he cooked roasted meat for her.
How did this painting end up here?
Jiang Shuifu folded the painting and tucked it into her sleeve. She looked up and was startled again.
People on the street were all holding sheets of drawing paper, exactly the same size as the one she was holding.
She quickly walked out and headed towards the crowd.
Her pace was unhurried, yet she was forced to walk slower and slower.
Because with each step taken, another painting is added to the collection.
Jiang Shuifu was utterly astonished, and her shock only grew.
Why are they all hers?
She was pouting, holding her cheeks, and gazing into the distance, looking unhappy.
She glared at him, blowing her nose angrily.
She was engrossed in reading a storybook, sometimes smiling broadly, sometimes frowning with melancholy.
She felt wronged and tears streamed down her face.
She was holding its tail and stroking its fur to play with it.
She was overjoyed to have a table full of the meat dishes she had been craving.
There was also her who directed him, condemned him, berated him, and never gave him a second glance.
...
Until my hands had picked up one sheet after another, there was no more room left.
The paper's texture is fine, but when layered on top of each other in the palm of your hand, it actually becomes rough.
These piles of rough drawing paper were repeatedly scratched on her palms, and before she knew it, her palms were getting warm.
But her gaze remained fixed on a painting at her feet.
She thought for a while, then finally squatted down, picked up the card, and put it inside.
Night fell.
Jiang Shuifu walked forward alone.
Today is Qixi Festival, but given the current situation, it is completely devoid of the usual liveliness and prosperity, and there are hardly any people on the streets.
Those who had picked up her portrait, seeing the spectacle and the novelty, all went home.
As night fell, lights were lit in every household. Perhaps because of the special nature of the day, everyone put aside their hostility and exuded a rare warmth.
She looked at the loving faces of the couple reflected in the window, watched them lean on each other and give each other strength, and saw their long-lost smiles. She smiled too.
Unconsciously, and for some reason, Jiang Shuifu walked until she arrived at Biyue Bridge.
This bridge was a favorite spot for people during the Qixi Festival in the past. Lovers would blush and walk hand in hand across it, symbolizing that lovers would eventually become a couple and spend their lives together in love.
If a man and woman who are not yet married or have a sweetheart walk on this bridge, they will meet their lover, signifying that those destined to meet will find each other even from afar.
This bridge is very important to the people of Suzhou and Yangzhou.
Jiang Shuifu shook her head and smiled, saying it was all just for fooling children, just like the Hongshan Temple in the capital, merely a form of solace.
She was walking along when she suddenly stopped.
She knew why she had ended up here.
It was not a coincidence.
Unlike the dark night just now, here, many lanterns are hanging on the eaves, corners, streets, and alleys. The further you walk, the brighter they become, and one bright and colorful lantern after another comes into view, illuminating the road ahead.
That's why she followed the light to this place.
She looked away and gazed at the Biyue Bridge ahead.
There are so many lanterns on the bridge that it's dazzling and overwhelming.
Some lanterns are hung on the bridge, forming layers of warm glow, while others hang from the corners of the bridge or on the water's surface, swaying gently with the current and creating ripples.
The candlelight inside the lantern burns quietly, neither vying for attention nor competing for light, but growing brighter with each passing moment.
The clear water reflected the crescent-shaped arch of the bridge and the many lanterns adorning it.
In an instant, the full moon, adorned with clusters of flowers, half bright and half clear, was breathtakingly beautiful and as pure as jade.
Biyue Bridge truly lives up to its name.
She lifted her skirt and walked closer step by step, the lanterns on the bridge clearly coming into her view.
There are all sorts of lanterns: carp lanterns, lion lanterns, red and fragrant pomegranate lanterns, cunning and charming little fox lanterns, and cute little rabbit lanterns...
This little rabbit looks familiar.
The teeth are not growing well, and even look a bit strange.
Jiang Shuifu picked up the rabbit lantern, ready to examine it closely, but suddenly, her eyes widened.
The candlelight of the lantern flickered as it drew closer, the rabbit's teeth clenched tightly, its mouth stuffed with something.
The wad of paper just happened to break the rabbit's tooth, and she quickly took it out.
It's the same texture again.
Is this also a painting of her?
With a few quick movements, she laid out the drawing paper.
She was stunned almost the instant she laid out the drawing paper.
Incredulity flickered in his eyes, along with shimmering fragments of light and distant memories.
Those memories have all turned to dust, become covered in dirt, been locked away, and been erased.
But because it's so special, it can't be wiped clean.
A gentle evening breeze blows, a flickering candlelight, and memories of the past come flooding back.
She didn't need to close her eyes and concentrate; the candlelight in her eyes grew brighter and brighter.
The dragon and phoenix candles appeared effortlessly in a flash, and burned brightly in a flash.
The person in the painting is dressed in red, the red dress is wide and has a long train, the skirt is long and round, covering her pair of cramped but excited feet.
Her waist was bound by layers of solemn restraints, making her already small and plump waist appear three sizes larger. She could only try to breathe deeply, calm her breathing, and maintain her dignity and discipline. At the same time, she diligently glanced outside, and at the slightest disturbance, she would immediately sit up straight, her hands constantly fidgeting with joy.
Looking up from her waist, one sees a phoenix coronet and embroidered robe inlaid with fiery red gemstones, heavy and tiring, yet she still holds her neck straight.
The veil completely covered the face of the person in the painting, obscuring the woman's expression and gaze.
Even so, onlookers could still see the woman's joy, her shy yet upturned lips, and her expectant yet nervous eyes.
This is her at her wedding!
She is the bride!
She is the one who married Shen Jizhao!
She was young and just beginning to experience love when she happily married the man she fell in love with at first sight!
Only Shen Jizhao had ever witnessed this scene.
So, he still remembered.
Unbeknownst to anyone, she had become the protagonist of his writing.
The women he depicted were diverse and multifaceted.
The last piece of drawing paper she had just picked up was a drawing of eyebrows—crooked eyebrows, neat and tidy eyebrows, barely presentable eyebrows, and soft and lively eyebrows…
There are also various eyebrow shapes, such as willow leaf eyebrows and distant mountain eyebrows... It seems that they are trying to find the most suitable eyebrow shape.
So the eyebrows she drew for him were the result of his repeated practice.
Therefore, it's not about innate talent, but rather the result of practice.
The papers in my hands grew heavier and heavier.
Jiang Shuifu returned to the Jiang residence. She spent the Qixi Festival alone quite well and watched the lanterns.
She once said that her wish for Qixi Festival was to see all kinds of beautiful lanterns, and now, it has come true.
The next day, she was not awakened by the pressure of developing an antidote, but by a cacophony of voices denouncing her.
What's wrong now?
What new crimes has Shen Jizhao been charged with?
How did the noise get so loud that it reached outside the Jiang residence, where officials were suppressing the disturbance?
She put on her clothes and ran out.
As soon as she stepped outside, people immediately surrounded her, staring at her with disapproving looks and whispering amongst themselves.
"You all saw those portraits yesterday, right? They were all portraits of people from the Jiang family! Do you know where they were found?"
What came up in the search?
Jiang Shuifu was puzzled; she wanted to hear how the portrait he had drawn ended up in their hands.
The old woman continued:
"It was discovered by farmers in the mountains. They went to the traitor's house to look for any evidence. During the search, they found it in a cabinet in the side room. It was said that the cabinet was locked and treasured very much. Everyone thought it was some kind of secret and was very happy. But when they opened it, good heavens! It was full of portraits of women!"
Upon hearing this, the crowd erupted in excitement, covering their mouths in astonishment:
"How could that be! That traitor's room was filled with portraits of women! I saw the paintings; they were so lifelike. You could never paint like that without liking it, understanding it, and practicing repeatedly! And they were all of the same woman!"
"Yes, yes, the paintings depict every little detail of a woman's daily life, from the nail polish she's painted to the smallest detail like a glance or a pursed lip—it's incredibly meticulous! Her observations are truly remarkable!"
"Yes! The paintings are all of this woman from the Jiang family. No wonder he kidnapped her and kept her locked up day and night, keeping the Jiang family like fools! His obsession is definitely not what he claims—that he was just playing around and had already gotten tired of her! He clearly can't let go! He's clearly deeply in love! He's clearly head over heels in love!"
People chattered amongst themselves, arguing back and forth, all examining Jiang Shuifu's portrait with scrutinizing and scrutinizing eyes, and they all came to the same conclusion:
The traitor was moved, and became uncontrollably moved. Otherwise, why would he spend all his time drawing her, and for more than a day or two? You know, anything you do consistently is extremely important and cherished.
The old woman was still staring at Jiang Shuifu, growing more and more astonished. Suddenly, she slapped her forehead, stomped her foot, and exclaimed, "Ouch!"
"Do you remember now? Wasn't the woman who was robbed the former Crown Princess? Wasn't she the former Crown Princess who broke with tradition and divorced the royal family?"
Upon hearing this, people seemed to suddenly realize that the traitor was obsessed with the former crown princess!
No wonder!
"No wonder the man agreed to the woman's request for a divorce, especially since he comes from the most strictly regulated and complex royal family in the world! If he didn't like her, if he didn't love her, how could he allow her to act so recklessly, making herself lose face and be ridiculed by the whole world!"
"What is this if not love! I'd rather be ridiculed than let her go!"
Jiang Shuifu frowned more and more. She had been wondering why they suddenly realized something, but after hearing this, she also suddenly realized what was going on!
Fabricated nonsense!
If he loves her, will she divorce him?
"That's because he was in love without realizing it. It's been three whole years. The traitor had long been used to it, had long fallen in love, but he just didn't realize it. He was just pretending until she ran away and he regretted it. Otherwise, he wouldn't have chased after her! I guess it's because she was unwilling, and that traitor was so high and mighty, so arrogant and conceited. He refused to bow his head and could only resort to force!"
"That's his style, what a disgusting person! He's even capable of abducting women, he truly deserves to be called a devil! Everyone must obey his will, otherwise he will use force and his status to coerce them into submission!"
...
The matter ultimately ended with the campaign against Shen Jizhao.
Jiang Shuifu stayed indoors for several days, her mind filled with these rumors and gossip.
It's now widely known that Su Yang is in love with Shen Jizhao, that "traitor," and is in love with her!
The Jiang family members also spoke up, rushing over to her to condemn him and urging her to calm down and not be too angry.
"He only does these sneaky things! He secretly robbed you! He secretly abandoned the city and ran away! Now he's gone even further, secretly drawing you! He must have been hiding in some corner secretly observing your face and sketching your eyebrows and eyes, otherwise how could he have drawn so many of you!"
Jiang Shuifu was a little confused. The paintings had been brought out, and she kept trying to remember when he had painted her.
He liked to doodle and sketch, and she initially thought he was handling official business, but it turned out...
Upon hearing the words "abandon the city and flee," she couldn't help but be distracted and shake her head.
"I don't think he did; he didn't run away!"
She reiterated on his behalf that he wasn't that kind of person.
Her aunts sighed and ruffled her hair.
"Silly child, you've already divorced him, how can you still be so foolish! Can't you see clearly? He just left you all alone, and now everyone knows about your relationship. Do you think you'll ever have a peaceful life again?"
People's hearts are always fickle. Before, Shen Jizhao unilaterally and forcibly took her away and treated her as a joke and plaything. He threw her away after he was done with her. This was what he said and did himself. Everyone saw it with their own eyes. Therefore, the people only condemned him and transferred all their anger to him.
But now, what if Shen Jizhao isn't just playing with her, isn't just lusting after her young and alluring body, but has truly fallen for her...?
Therefore, her situation will become increasingly precarious.
Sure enough, more than a month has passed in the blink of an eye, and Jiang Shuifu's birthday is fast approaching.
For her birthday, the Jiang family still planned to prepare a simple meal for her, given their limited resources and the uncertain situation.
These days, things are getting increasingly restless outside. The low-level zombies have gradually become extinct, and they have been replaced by mid-level zombies.
The intermediate-level zombies are several times more powerful. Su Yang's soldiers have to fight ten against one to barely subdue them with chains. They are locked in the cell without food or water, but their fighting ability remains strong. So far, there is still no way to get rid of them.
The carrier pigeons sent to the capital have also disappeared without a trace; or perhaps it's more accurate to say that they are helpless.
The emperor already knew about this matter, and his solution was to neither send troops nor doctors.
Ignore it, ignore it, and give up on Su Yang.
Shen Jizhao has also disappeared without a trace. He hasn't shown his face once in all these days, just as the people say, he has truly abandoned the city and its people.
Jiang Shuifu gazed at the clear blue sky and the layers of clouds. Everything was so beautiful, yet the land beneath her feet was so barren and desolate.
This is where she grew up, the place that nurtured her childhood, and she will do her best to protect this land.
Meanwhile, the words of her aunts began to come true more and more often.
After the portrait was circulated, the people talked about her more and more. At first, they just disliked her. After all, the beloved woman of a traitor was not worthy of anyone's respect.
Later, things gradually changed and became distorted. People said that she had been with the traitor for so long, so why hadn't she noticed his plot and stopped him in time? If she hadn't been blind and naive, Su Yang wouldn't have ended up in such a grotesque state. He became increasingly sarcastic and refused her medical treatment.
In the end, which is now, people are saying:
The traitor is so fond of her, why not use her as a bargaining chip to threaten Shen Jizhao into letting them out! They want to see who he chooses between the city and the woman.
However, Jiang Shuifu was unaware of their secret plots and their evil intentions, and therefore had no way to guard against them.
The people in the shadows had long wanted to make a move, and had been silently observing her every action and her whereabouts.
Unfortunately, she was always accompanied by guards, so they had no way to make a move.
But there will always be opportunities, and there will always be moments when you're left out.
Tomorrow is her birthday, and her grandparents, uncles, and aunts are all busy cooking for her to celebrate. There are only a few dishes with meat, but it still took a lot of effort to prepare them.
Jiang Shuifu went to the government office with only two guards and sought out a physician to see if he could come up with a solution.
The answer remains the same: no.
However, the official standing nearby gave him a sharp look.
There is a way!
"What?"
Jiang Shuifu seemed to have anticipated his plan, so she wasn't in a hurry. Only after his earnest hopes did she utter two words.
It seems she was right; his words were icy cold.
"Kill them!"
Kill all the zombies, and those who were about to become zombies!
Only in this way can Su Yang's remaining people survive!
Suppressing the zombies now is a last resort; it can't eradicate them completely. Since there's no antidote, the only option is to nip it in the bud. Otherwise, when the zombies can't be suppressed any longer and escape en masse, or when the people outside become zombies themselves, the entire Su Yang, and even the entire Da Bei, will be doomed! They will all perish together!
Jiang Shuifu kept taking steps back. The reason she could foresee this was because she knew that this was the only solution at the moment.
At that time, there will be rivers of blood!
This method is too cruel! It should only be used as a last resort!
She shook her head. This method won't work!
There will definitely be a way! There definitely will be!
Otherwise, if death is truly the only option, isn't the mastermind afraid? If he gets bitten, will he die too?
Moreover, the mastermind's goal shouldn't be to take everyone's lives. Since it's targeting Shen Jizhao, it must be his enemy.
That person probably just wanted to depose him from his position as crown prince! He wanted to make Shen Jizhao a prisoner, a demon in the hearts of the people, and force him step by step towards a dead end!
Even with this thought, she still couldn't put her mind at ease. The Bai family wouldn't die, and there was a solution, but what about him? What about Shen Jizhao?
What should he do?
Where is he?
She knew he must still be alive!
But what if he's in danger?
She didn't want him to die!
She didn't want him to die!
Thinking about this, Jiang Shuifu's heart was in turmoil, trembling repeatedly. When she walked back, she was absent-minded and her steps were unsteady.
Her head felt dizzy again.
For some reason, ever since Shen Jizhao left, she has been having relapses from time to time.
As she walked, the shadow behind her suddenly grew larger and darker, completely enveloping her.
She turned around and collapsed before she could even utter a sound.
When she woke up, the sun was high in the sky, and the sunlight stung her eyes, causing her eyelids to twitch.
My ears gradually awakened, and I heard whispers:
"Do you think that traitor will come? If he really cares about her, why didn't he take her with him when he escaped? Why leave her here alone?"
"We'll find out soon enough whether you care or not. You're going to die anyway, so what's the harm in giving it a try? Maybe you can find a way to survive!"
"That's right! We must forge a path to survival! We must break out of Suyang!"
The sound grew louder and more powerful, truly overwhelming.
Jiang Shuifu finally regained full consciousness.
The area in front of you is a desolate wilderness, with vast hillsides on the outside. It is extremely empty and secluded, making it an excellent defensive location that can be attacked or defended at will.
The center of this desolate area was now packed with people; it was practically a sea of people.
Her eyes flickered, and she smiled. So many people really thought highly of her!
She instinctively tried to move her body, only to find that her hands and feet were bound tightly, leaving her no space or chance to escape.
She could only watch silently as they and others arrived, waiting for Shen Jizhao to come.
Clearly, she was a bargaining chip, a tool to lure Shen Jizhao here.
They kept looking around, standing on tiptoe to gaze into the distance, their bodies tilting to one side and the other, as if they were desperately looking.
After waiting for a long time, the person still didn't come. They spat on the ground, and then one of the men cowered, despairing. His shoulders slumped, and he could no longer straighten up. He roared with all his might:
"Boss, he... he's not coming! We're going to die!"
There's no way to escape; we'll all die sooner or later!
Moreover, once the Jiang family discovers that someone is missing, they will definitely come after them, and then they will have no way to survive!
The leader shouted:
"Useless! What are you afraid of! The entire city has come, what can they do to us? Who lives and who dies is still uncertain! If they dare to come, let them die with her!"
The leader pointed a knife at Jiang Shuifu and said viciously.
The remaining people also became excited and echoed in agreement:
"Yes! We'll fight them to the death! It's all down to this! I refuse to believe that he, who cares so much about her, who spends every night with her and has her etched in his heart, would have the heart not to save her! If he doesn't save her, then we must be too merciful, not ruthless enough!"
These words immediately restored everyone's sense of direction; if the traitors wouldn't let them out, they couldn't escape either.
Not only because the officials inside the city were blocking them, but also because there were people outside who were trying to kill them. If they stepped out of the city even half a step, they would be shot with sieves.
He has people and informants both inside and outside the city. For such an important matter, his informants will be able to convey the message to him smoothly and quickly!
He will definitely come!
He will definitely show up!
After listening to the crowd's suggestion, the leader agreed wholeheartedly. He raised the knife in his hand and approached her step by step, his eyes fierce and full of evil. He tossed the several-pound knife in his hand lightly and then caught it steadily. This was his demonstration.
But that wasn't enough. His knife whistled, sending up a chilling gust of wind that stung her cheek.
Then, the broad-bladed, sharp-edged knife grazed her fragile arm, and soon a bloody gash appeared.
Blood dripped down, each drop traveling and spreading across the blade until it reached the hilt.
"This is the punishment of slow slicing. It's been a whole morning and afternoon, and he still hasn't come. So, you must endure this first cut. This cut will cut off flesh from your arm, the second will cut off flesh from your thigh, the third... If he still doesn't come, then don't blame me. On the road to the underworld, you'll see who he really is. He's ruthless and heartless!"
Although the cut has only slightly broken the skin, it still hurts.
She didn't even turn her head, but just looked at him with a mocking expression:
"I don't know if he'll come or not, but I suddenly feel so sorry for him, and for everyone who's still trying to protect you! How could they save someone as ungrateful and wicked as you! You'll use any dirty trick to save your own life. You used me to threaten them, you might as well just end it all yourself to avoid a terrible end!"
I should have killed a few bad guys first, to prevent them from causing unrest and going mad.
The moment she is rescued will be the moment when the riots in Suyang truly erupt. At that time, the situation will definitely get out of control, and people's awareness and actions to save themselves will be unprecedentedly massive. The entire Suyang will probably be in complete chaos.
Yes, she knew she would be saved.
Although they no longer had any relationship, she never doubted that he would not stand by and watch her die, and that he would come to save her.
If he doesn't come, then something must have happened to her.
Actually, this kidnapping was an opportunity for her to test him, but that didn't stop her from being in real pain.
"Pah! He better not come, or I'll definitely slash you a few times! I'll break your arms and legs!"
The leader hadn't expected her to be such a fierce beauty; he couldn't resist lifting her face and pinching it.
"What a pity, he wouldn't even come to save a woman like you! I have no mercy for women!"
Then, he used even more force with his knife, almost as if he wanted to actually cut off a piece of her flesh. Everyone's eyes were already red, and there was no sympathy or guilt in their eyes, only fear that Shen Jizhao would not come. Their eyes were bloodshot and they looked like wild beasts.
However, this tactic was indeed effective against Shen Jizhao.
Not far away, a man wearing a full mask had bulging veins on his hands, as if blood was about to burst out of them, and he held a heavy sword in his hand.
In the blink of an eye, with a "whoosh".
The sword plunged straight into the back of the man who had gouged out Jiang Shuifu's arm, almost hitting his chest and his heart.
The man died instantly and collapsed.
As Jiang Shuifu watched the disgusting body slowly fall, her vision became clearer and clearer. With no obstruction, the familiar figure in the distance was gradually revealed to her.
He had lost a lot of weight, and his robes could no longer conceal his bones.
Although he still stood tall and straight, there was an inexplicable air of dejection and resentment about him.
An unyielding resentment.
A strong sense of hostility.
Her eyes widened. Why was he still wearing a mask?
Even without his weapon, no one dared to stop Shen Jizhao. He walked unimpeded to Jiang Shuifu's side.
At this moment, the man beside them trembled with fear, staring blankly at the person they had been waiting for for so long. But when he finally appeared, they were stunned. Perhaps they sensed the menacing aura emanating from him, and they were unable to recover for a long time.
Just as Shen Jizhao was about to take away his woman in full view of everyone, he and his companion finally woke up and each held a knife to Jiang Shuifu's neck.
Then, a few steps away from him, one of them puffed out his chest, stepped forward, and laughed loudly and arrogantly:
"You've finally arrived! We've been waiting for you for so long! It wasn't a waste of time!"
Jiang Shuifu tilted her head, and the voice sounded in her ear again: You actually came! Hahaha, looks like I really did make the right bet...
It stopped short of being mentioned, and then disappeared.
The people's eyes lit up, and they stared at Shen Jizhao as if he were a long-hunted, extremely cunning prey, roaring in unison:
"Let us out, or we'll kill her!"
"You've committed countless evils; I never imagined this day would come! You..."
The man with the knife to Jiang Shuifu's neck chuckled with amusement, his eyes darting around with a wicked glint in them. Suddenly, a wicked idea struck him, and he winked at him in a shrill voice:
"I've changed my mind. Even if you let us go, we might still die. Rather than that, I'll give you a choice: you or her, only one of you can live! Who do you choose?"
The man was even happier to see Shen Jizhao stunned. The moment he arrived, he knew that she was definitely not simple to him.
Since it's not simple, he has to make full use of this hard-won leverage.
The thought of seeing the once high and mighty Crown Prince bowing his head in submission, prostrating himself at the feet of the muddy ground he used to despise, filled him with excitement.
Will he be in unbearable pain?
How would he plead and beg for mercy?
You must kneel and bow, and keep kowtowing, just like they used to.
Choosing between two options is such a satisfying scenario.
He couldn't wait to witness this scene.
He was afraid that Shen Jizhao hadn't heard him clearly, so he repeated himself, his voice unusually loud, as if afraid that Shen Jizhao would miss a single word:
"One of you will die, which will appease our anger, and then you can let us out of the city! That's our condition! Is it difficult? It has to be difficult, otherwise it won't be fun!"
As soon as these words were spoken, the people below fell silent, for they too were staring at Shen Jizhao with fierce and relieved expressions, waiting to see what his choice would be.
Jiang Shuifu finally frowned. Madmen, madmen, they're all madmen!
If she dies, will these people live?
He insisted on dragging her along to sit on his back!
She only now truly understood the wickedness of human nature.
She miscalculated. If Shen Jizhao really wanted to choose, she believed that no one would be selfless.
Today is her birthday. I should have eaten ten thousand longevity noodles before coming out.
What a madman! When you're out and about, you're not afraid of meeting bad people, you're afraid of meeting a madman!
Lacking rationality and intelligence!
Shen Jizhao considered it for a long time, so long that the knife at her neck trembled, almost went numb, and she could no longer hold it.
The people, however, grew increasingly excited, staring intently at Shen Jizhao, observing his every move, and trying to discern his inclinations.
However, they still believe he will choose himself.
Jiang Shuifu had been waiting for a long time, and the longer she waited, the more anxious she became. Was he really considering this idiot's suggestion?
The man had lost his patience. He realized that he had been chosen, so he didn't bother to control the force of the knife at his neck and slashed down directly.
This strike will surely kill.
Before he could make a move, Shen Jizhao swiftly kicked him, sending him flying.
They're utterly pathetic, yet they have the nerve to boast so arrogantly!
"You can't even protect yourselves. I've always been the one giving others choices. No one can threaten me! Not a single one!"
Before the people could even feel angry, they heard a series of heavy, disordered, and powerful footsteps behind them.
But rather than being forceful and powerful, it was more like brutal and ruthless.
They turned around and were so terrified they wet themselves! Their legs instantly buckled to their knees!
These are zombies in Zhongji, row upon row of zombies! An endless stream!
They were all menacing, with long, stringy saliva dripping from their mouths, small, bluish eyes, and dark reddish-black eye rims! Their entire bodies were covered in black veins!
"Run! The zombies are eating people! The traitor has led a group of zombies to massacre the city!"
The people took off running as fast as they could, afraid of being bitten by the zombies.
Jiang Shuifu on the other side was shocked by what she saw. He... was he the one who brought him?
This isn't one of the zombies in the city; this is clearly a much more powerful zombie!
She immediately turned her head and looked up at Shen Jizhao, her voice filled with anxiety:
"Shen Jizhao, what's wrong? You've been nowhere to be seen these past few days. Where have you been? Is there something you're hiding? Are you injured? You can tell us, we can talk to you..."
But all she got in response was his cold back; he was gone! He left without leaving a single piece of clothing, leaving decisively.
The zombies were about to catch up, so Jiang Shuifu had no choice but to run after them.
To be precise, it was about following his every move.
Wherever he went, she followed him.
She was determined to find out exactly what was wrong with him.
But as she ran, the scene before her made her unable to take another step.
The city was engulfed in wind and rain, and filled with clamor.
"Murder! Traitor! Murder! Run! Run! He's lost his humanity! He's the mastermind, his goal is to kill us all!"
The people fled in panic, covering their heads with their hands as they tried to avoid the masked figure. They were terrified of it.
Jiang Shuifu's eyes shifted and landed on the masked figure.
Her eyes widened in shock; at his feet lay many people!
There were so many corpses lying there!
People breathed their last, struggled, and writhed at his feet, but the moment his eyelids drooped, his sword gave them no chance.
Blood flowed like a river!
Corpses littered the ground!
He is no longer the Crown Prince he once was!
The evidence is irrefutable. His noble title as crown prince and the respect and love he was adored by others have been completely lost and crushed. And all of this was caused by his own hand!
She didn't understand why he was doing this.
The screams of the people still echoed clearly, their fleeing east and west was still vivid in our minds, and their staggering and disheveled state was more and more gruesome than the last.
Jiang Shuifu pushed through the crowd and ran desperately towards him against the flow of people.
Finally, she stood before him.
He was within arm's reach.
Jiang Shuifu stared at him, gazing at him intently, unable to look away for a long time.
But Shen Jizhao was wearing a mask, so she couldn't see his eyes at all.
I can't see it clearly no matter what I do.
Suddenly, a zombie-like figure rose up from behind him, brandishing a knife and about to slash at him.
Jiang Shuifu instinctively tried to push him away, but Shen Jizhao didn't need to.
He took the blow head-on, then swung backward with a fierce slash, but the zombie couldn't be killed; instead, it became even more ferocious, its knife slicing through his mask.
He froze, letting the blade shatter his mask.
The mask gave him no chance to think; it slid to the ground and shattered into pieces.
Just as the zombie was about to harm him, Shen Jizhao's numb and trembling hand clenched tightly once more, delivering a fatal blow.
He was furious. He chewed his jaw and strode forward, his whole body radiating anger, carrying her on his back.
But Jiang Shuifu didn't give him a chance, and chased after him, circling around to his front.
She was so shocked that she trembled all over, her pupils dilated, and she gasped for breath.
He...he...
Shen Jizhao didn't want to be stared at like that, so he simply took a step forward, suddenly stood in front of her, lowered his head, and magnified his face infinitely.
She saw herself reflected in his pupils, and he reflected in her own eyes.
That was terrifying!
That was terrifying!
His once fair and healthy-looking face was now covered with black veins!
Black veins ran from his forehead across his prominent nose, down to the corners of his mouth and jaw.
There wasn't a single good spot on his face.
Jiang Shuifu noticed an abnormal purple light in his eyes, flickering slightly and hiding an evil aura on his face.
The voice echoed in her ears again; this time, she recognized its sinister quality.
"I didn't expect you to actually have a weakness, Shen Jizhao. You've really impressed me. How about we play a game? I'll back down as much as you can offer, and let me see your sincerity..."
Sound recycling.
She couldn't help but step back.
Shen Jizhao scoffed, his anger surging. His face twisted, his eyebrows stood on end, and black veins bulged and throbbed.
He could no longer control himself, grabbed her by the neck, leaned down close to her, and mocked her with a sinister look:
"Scared? You've always hated me for looking so ugly! Then get out! Don't ever show your face in front of me again! I don't want to see you!"
Jiang Shuifu was being choked and couldn't breathe. The people around her were even more frightened by this scene, convinced that he had gone mad!
They scrambled away as fast as they could, not daring to stop for even a moment!
Still standing there, with his grip on her neck tight, Jiang Shuifu continued to stare at him intently.
He hated being stared at like that. The hand on her neck gradually loosened, sliding down to her wrist. Then, he pushed her away, his lips moving, but it was impossible to tell if he was speaking or what he was saying.
But she knew that the highest-level zombie had appeared.
It is Shen Jizhao.
He was injured.
Shen Jizhao left, and just like before, he disappeared without a trace.
Back home, Jiang Shuifu sat in her boudoir, gazing at the bowl of longevity noodles before her. The noodles were steaming hot, freshly cooked, and tasted best at that moment.
She picked up a piece of food with her chopsticks and started eating.
The pearl necklace on her wrist slid down and hung right on her wrist, which was neither too thin nor too thick.
It's very suitable.
Although the craftsmanship of this beaded string is not exquisite or superb, it is clear that it has been polished countless times. Upon close inspection, there are many subtle details, all of which show that the maker has put a lot of thought, effort, and time into making it.
She recognized the pearls above; they were far inferior to those in the Treasure Pavilion, dull and lacking any of the quality or appearance of precious pearls.
Because it was fished out of the river when he was in the countryside.
She assumed that he had sold it for money because they were struggling financially at the time.
There was a drawing in front of her. Staring at the person in the drawing, she ate in a daze, and before she knew it, her eyes welled up with tears that dripped into her noodles.
The woman in the painting is just past the age of marriage; she's chubby all over and just smiles at him with a silly grin.
Holding boxes of exquisitely crafted sweet snacks, she curiously popped them into her mouth, then smiled broadly.
She thought she knew what he had said.
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Author's Note: The main story is nearing its end. [heart emoji]
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