Heartbroken and disheartened, Chen Shiyu staggered back two steps, looking at Shang Beiyu with deep affection and despair.
No one knew better than him just how terrifying Shang Beiyu was;
It was precisely because Shang Beiyu was both beautiful and terrifying that he became so infatuated with her.
Even though he knew that Shang Beiyu had abandoned him, which led to his impending death, Chen Shiyu couldn't muster any hatred, nor did he dare to.
"Your Highness... will you remember that there was once a person named Shiyu?" Chen Shiyu's tone was so soft it was almost humble, and he didn't care that Song Huiru was the third party in front of him. Light pink tears of blood slid down his face.
Shang Beiyu raised her alluring eyes slightly, her words like knives: "Do you think, when he was murdered and his soul was taken away, did he feel joy or hatred towards you, the culprit, and towards your Chen family?"
"Ha..." In an instant, Chen Shiyu deflated like a punctured balloon, his spirit and eyes glazed over, muttering absentmindedly, "So that's how it is, so... so that's how it is, but all these years, what have I been... what have I been..."
Chen Shiyu turned and left like a puppet who had lost its soul, his back view unusually lonely.
This was also the last time Chen Shiyu appeared in public.
Two days later.
Before Chen Xiaoyi's funeral was even over, Chen Shiyu's coffin was placed in the mourning hall of the Duke of Chen's mansion.
That evening, Lady Chen died of a sudden illness.
Duke Chen also fell seriously ill and was terminally ill.
The once grand Chen State Duke's mansion crumbled in an instant, leaving only Chen Ziying behind;
If the Empress hadn't left the palace in time to personally oversee the Chen family's affairs, the Chen State Duke's Mansion would likely have collapsed and vanished without a trace.
Meanwhile, news of victories in the northwestern border cities and reports of some officials' homes being looted by "bandits" kept pouring into the capital.
more than this.
The Ninth Prince even personally submitted a memorial to report the good news, saying that his injuries had healed completely; and that within two months, he would be able to end the war in Xidan and return to the capital in triumph!
This news was like a bombshell, immediately shocking and frightening everyone from Emperor Shang Xiche to the Fourth Prince Shang Xize, causing them to panic.
Shang Xiche didn't even have time to think about how to blame Shang Xiye's troops for earning the title of "bandit army," or how many memorials were submitted impeaching him.
Like everyone else who had participated in the "god-killing" operation, he was anxiously and racking his brains trying to figure out how to repair his relationship with the Ninth Prince.
At the very least, we must appease the Ninth Prince for the time being.
That way, they won't incur the Ninth Prince's furious retaliation after he returns to the capital.
More than a month later.
On the imperial city of Xidan, Ji Fengyao, dressed in a scarlet outfit, and Shang Xiye, wearing a black gold battle robe, stood side by side.
Inside the city, Ji Chenhai, Ji Fengming, and Hei Xiao, along with the four secret guards, were "inviting" the members of the Xidan royal family onto the carriage one by one.
Behind the long convoy of carriages were dozens of carts laden with gold, silver, and precious jewels—the spoils of war obtained from the great defeat of Xidan (intended to be handed over to the imperial court).
"Your Highness, I have a feeling that Xidan is practically handing themselves over this time. Is it really because our martial prowess is too strong?" Ji Fengyao was very puzzled, feeling that this battle was too easy to win.
They stormed into the capital of Xidan with overwhelming force, leaving no room for any stratagems or battles of wits; they barely even had a chance to draw their swords.
“Xidan is already hollowed out. It’s easier for us to attack from the inside and outside than to attack elsewhere.” Shang Xiye frowned slightly. “But it is indeed too easy for us to be suspicious.”
In a dark corner of the imperial city, Li Yu's eyes were filled with disdain and indifference:
Xidan was essentially handed over by His Majesty for the sake of those bandits.
With no one resisting, you will naturally win easily!
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