Chapter 117 Why Chapter 117...
Chapter 117 Why
Fang Yingkan was locked in the dungeon of the Divine Marquis's Mansion. The dungeon was heavily fortified, and unless a reclusive old monster came in person, it would be impossible to break in. Of course, even if someone did manage to break in, taking him away wouldn't be so easy.
Before, Fang Yingkan would have thought he might still have a chance to be rescued. But Zhui Ming had specifically come to tell him that almost all the forces he had connections with had been wiped out, and even those that remained were just small fry who didn't dare approach the Divine Marquis's Mansion, let alone rescue him.
He was reflecting on his failure, and even more so on how he had been exposed. There was clearly a bridge blocking his way, so why was he so certain it was him? Fang Ying couldn't understand, but what he understood even less was why Ling Hao had suddenly appeared.
He had no grudge against Ling Hao, yet she spent half a month coming to his door every day to beat him up. If she hadn't diverted all his attention, how could he have been defeated so easily? It was all because of that Ling Hao.
If given the chance, even if he couldn't escape, he would kill Ling Hao. Fang Yingkan was completely focused on Ling Hao, without considering whether he had already exposed something before Ling Hao appeared. If he hadn't already exposed something, his related forces wouldn't have been eliminated so quickly.
Perhaps because Fang Yingkan's martial arts skills were now crippled, and he was chained to a wooden frame while enduring constant pain, he didn't have much energy left. He could only think of one person, and could only hate one person.
Just then, Fang Ying heard the sound of chains being opened. Was someone opening the cell door? He didn't look up, assuming it was someone from the Divine Marquis's Mansion coming to question him again. He didn't want to answer them, nor did he want to acknowledge them, so naturally he didn't want to look up.
It wasn't until a pair of boots came into view that Fang Yingkan realized the visitor wasn't from the Divine Marquis's Mansion. They were women's boots; he had seen similar boots before. He had seen them before when he knelt and kowtowed at the morning court.
Fang Yingkan looked up and then smiled. "Your Majesty, it is truly an injustice that you have to tread on this lowly land." His tone was the same as usual, but his face was pale and he lacked his usual strength, looking extremely weak.
“Every inch of land in the Great Zhou is my territory, and none of it is cheap,” the emperor said with a smile. “It’s just that people are different.”
Fang Yingkan chuckled, "So the Emperor is scolding me?"
"Yes," the emperor nodded. "Isn't it obvious?" Everyone who disrupts the court and harms her subjects is a villain, no matter who they are.
"Since that's the case, why has Your Majesty condescended to come see me?" Fang Yingkan said with a smile. Since his life was probably going to end like this anyway, he figured he had to find some amusement. Being able to amuse the Emperor was enough; even death wouldn't matter.
Of course, it would be even better if he didn't die. Thinking this, Fang Yingkan's smile widened.
"Sigh." The emperor sighed, "Sometimes I really don't want to talk to people like you. It's exhausting."
"You've had a hard time, Your Majesty." Fang Ying's words lacked any sincerity.
The emperor's expression turned solemn as he looked coldly at Fang Yingkan. "Fang Yingkan, you left something behind."
"Yes, Your Majesty, you've discovered it? That's wonderful." Fang Ying's smile grew even brighter. "I was afraid that Your Majesty wouldn't discover it before I died, and I wouldn't know either. That would be such a pity."
The emperor said, "If you tell the truth, I will grant you a complete corpse."
"It doesn't matter," Fang Yingkan said with a smile. "Since I'm already dead, whether my body is intact or not is not important to me."
"So you won't tell me?"
“Of course.” Fang Yingkan nodded. “Just thinking about how much trouble I can cause you makes me very happy. Even if I die, I will be very happy.”
The emperor, instead of being angry, laughed.
Fang Yingkan's first thought was that the emperor was probably furious, but then he thought of her personality and knew that was impossible. So he asked, "What is Your Majesty laughing at?" Anyway, he was going to die, so face didn't matter. He just asked what he wanted to know. That was all.
The emperor said, "This year has been blessed with abundant rainfall, so the harvest should be good. In such a good year, I have decided to hold an additional imperial examination."
Fang Yingkan's face immediately changed. "You want to execute so many officials? How can a newcomer possibly take charge of state affairs so quickly? You..."
"I am never threatened by anyone," the emperor said with a smile, "no matter who it is." She dared to kill, so she naturally had the ability to stabilize the court. Besides, she didn't intend to kill everyone; some would be killed earlier, some later, so that there would always be someone to kill, preventing her from becoming too lonely.
Fang Yingkan's smile finally vanished. "If that's the case, why has Your Majesty come to see me?"
"I'm here just to tell you that I no longer need you." The Emperor's smile was radiant. "Those idiots wanted to hire someone to kill someone, but the person they hired was unreliable, and they also happened to know their identities. So you have no reason to live, because I no longer need your confession."
After saying that, she turned around and prepared to leave the cell.
"Your Majesty," Fang Yingkan called out to the emperor, "Since I am about to die, may I answer a question from a dying man? Why did you refuse to..."
"I don't want to answer." The emperor walked outside. She was somewhat exasperated; why did people keep asking her why lately? She was the emperor, after all. As long as she didn't harm the Great Zhou Dynasty and its people, she could do whatever she wanted. Did she need a reason?
These people are so ignorant.
Fang Ying watched helplessly as the emperor walked further and further away without looking back, and immediately wanted to chase after him. However, now that he had lost his martial arts skills and was bound by chains, his movements only caused the chains to rattle, and he could do nothing else.
Zhuge Zhengwo waited outside the prison cell and saw that the emperor's expression had improved considerably. He silently followed her out. She had always been like this; when she was furious, she would find someone else to vent her anger on. As long as someone was angrier than her, she wouldn't be so angry anymore.
Of course, even if the emperor is no longer angry, she still has things to do. Therefore, bloodshed will continue in the capital.
Thinking back to how this whole bloody storm started simply because of Ling Hao's challenge, Zhuge Zhengwo couldn't help but find it amazing. She'd been in constant turmoil since she came down the mountain; that was quite incredible. "Achoo—!" Ling Hao sneezed after finishing her sword practice. She rubbed her nose. "Damn it, someone must be cursing me. If I find out, I'll definitely teach that person a lesson." Her physique was now stronger than an ox; it was impossible for her to get sick.
If she wasn't sick, then someone was insulting her. Linghao was absolutely certain of it.
“Then I’ll help you pack.” Gongzi Mingyue suddenly appeared.
Ling smiled and nodded, "Okay, let's go together."
"Hey, there's a leaf." Gongzi Mingyue reached out and took a leaf from Linghao's shoulder. But as he took the leaf, his hand slid down and touched the back of her hand. He looked up at her, his smile carrying a hint of intimacy.
Linghao subconsciously took a step back, "Ayu?"
"Hmm?" Gongzi Mingyue looked around blankly, then looked at Linghao in confusion. "Ah Hao, who are you calling?" The intimacy between his brows was completely gone, which was a bit too much for a friend.
"No, I misspoke, I said the wrong thing." Ling's smile was somewhat forced. That intimacy just now was something only A-Yu would show her; Mingyue, though close to her, wouldn't act like that. Could it be A-Yu who appeared just now? Has he become like this now?
If things continue like this, what if…? Ling Hao quickly stopped those bad thoughts from running through her mind. What was giving her a headache was that there were no professional psychologists here, and she only knew a little bit about them, so she couldn't help at all.
"I see." Young Master Mingyue seemed unsuspecting. "Ah Hao, you must be hungry too. Shall we go get something to eat now?"
"Alright." Ling Hao nodded and sheathed his sword.
"Let's go." Gongzi Mingyue turned and walked ahead of her. The moment he turned around, the smile on his face vanished, and his eyes were filled with anger.
Could the person Ah Hao is calling out for be her brother? While he was away, did her brother take advantage of the situation and become friends with Ah Hao? That must be it; he's definitely trying to steal her away. No wonder he felt that Gongzi Yu's actions had become increasingly excessive lately, and that he was keeping a closer eye on him.
Heh, I see. Hmph, he'll definitely guard Ahao to the death and won't let Gongzi Yu get close. That bastard, if he dares to show his face in front of him, he'll cripple him. Once he's crippled, he can't get near Ahao. Gongzi Mingyue hardened his heart, even stopping calling him "brother," and even thinking about crippling Gongzi Yu.
Compared to Gongzi Yu, his emotions were even more unstable. He only appeared relatively gentle in front of a few people. In front of Ling Hao, he was even more docile and obedient, but in reality, he had a bad temper at all.
Linghao didn't know what Gongzi Mingyue was thinking, but she keenly sensed that his emotions were very unstable. She thought it was due to his two personalities, so she resolved to keep a close eye on him to prevent any accidents from happening to him.
"Second Senior Brother, is this really a good idea?" Yue Lingshan followed beside Linghu Chong, looking back with a somewhat nervous expression.
Linghu Chong said, "We've already come this far, there's no point in worrying about this anymore. Don't you want to find your senior brother? Don't you want to reunite with him?"
"Yes," Yue Lingshan nodded.
“Then come with me.” Linghu Chong comforted her. “We’ll be in the capital soon. Once we’ve reunited with our senior brother, we’ll go back to Mount Hua. There won’t be any problems.”
"Alright then." Yue Lingshan trusted Linghu Chong and followed him toward the capital.
Shortly after they left, a man jumped down from a tree by the roadside. "Are they both going to Kyoto too? They look like they're from the Huashan Sect, and their martial arts are better than mine. I'll just follow behind them." Lin Pingzhi's eyes darted around, and he came up with what he considered a brilliant idea. "That way, I won't have to get involved in any danger. Very good, I'm really clever."
Lin Pingzhi smiled confidently.
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Author's note: Another typhoon is coming. There have been so many typhoons in Fujian these past three months! [Chin resting on hand]
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