Chapter 84

Killing Xiaosan would be as easy as turning over one's hand, but what would the outcome be if he were to kill him? Zhao Yougong was ultimately indecisive. He did not know whether this was just a test or if Emperor Zhezong truly wanted him dead.

Running, the alley entrance was still far away, and Xiaosan was relentlessly pursuing him from behind, with no one blocking his path ahead. In an instant, Zhao Yougong realized that if Emperor Zhezong truly wanted him dead, why would he only send Xiaosan? He should have sent Huang Shang or more skilled warriors from the Imperial Guard. Moreover, why did those hidden people not act? The only reason could be that they were there to monitor.

Having figured this out, Zhao Yougong decided to take a risk. He bet that Xiaosan would not dare to kill him, because this was the capital, and without a valid reason, Emperor Zhezong would not want to hear any bad rumors.

Stumbling, Zhao Yougong collided with a brick wall. Xiaosan, who had caught up from behind, showed no mercy, raising his knife and slashing down at Zhao Yougong's back. Turning around, Zhao Yougong instinctively blocked with his folding fan. With a tearing sound, the fan broke in half, and the blade grazed his arm, instantly drawing a streak of blood.

"Ah, Xiaosan, you traitor, may you die a thousand deaths... stop... tell me, how much did Lei Wu pay you? I'll give you ten times that amount!"

Xiaosan licked his lips, his eyes full of disdain. Even now, Zhao Yougong was still clinging to Lei Wu. Sigh, his master was truly stupid, stupid beyond redemption. But why did the Emperor expose him to test this useless person? He couldn't understand, but he still had to do what he had to do. Hearing the curses, he sheathed his knife and then kicked Zhao Yougong hard in the chest.

"Why are you still talking so much? With your nature, if I let you go now, would you spare my life?" Xiaosan sneered, raising his long knife, and Zhao Yougong let out a惨叫.

Tears welled up in his eyes, a long cut opened on his left leg. At this moment, he was even more certain that this was a test, and he had to endure.

If Xiaosan wanted to kill him, he could have stabbed him in the chest, why bother with these useless cuts? Zhao Yougong's mind raced with thoughts, but Xiaosan was unaware.

"Xiaosan, I beg you, if you spare me, I'll give you anything you want... really... sniff... sniff..."

"Master, I'm sorry, it's too late!" Xiaosan ignored Zhao Yougong's pleas, frowning, and thrust the bloody knife forward, straight into his abdomen. Zhao Yougong felt an excruciating pain, and with a pool of blood, he convulsed. This time, he wasn't faking it; it really hurt.

"Xiaosan... you bastard... even if I die... I won't let you off..."

At this moment, Zhao Yougong seemed to know he was doomed, leaning heavily against the brick wall, his breath growing weaker, as if he could die at any moment. At this point, Xiaosan was also hesitant. Where should the next cut be?

For the final blow, Zhao Yougong tightly clenched his fists, staring intently at Xiaosan's wrist. If it was a vital spot, he would strike and take Xiaosan's life, even if others were watching.

Xiaosan said nothing, looking at Zhao Yougong's pale face from blood loss, feeling a mix of emotions. Regardless of who Zhao Yougong was, he had been decent to Xiaosan. However, they were not true master and servant, and if not for the Emperor's arrangement, they might never have crossed paths.

"Your Highness, don't blame me, blame your fate!"

A bitter laugh, his tone sincere, calling Zhao Yougong "Your Highness" expressed all of Xiaosan's guilt. Raising the knife, Xiaosan's eyes fixed on Zhao Yougong's lower body. This cut would end the lineage of Emperor Zhezong, not because Xiaosan was cruel, but because the Emperor had ordered it, and he had no choice.

Zhao Yougong noticed the look in Xiaosan's eyes; this cut was aimed at his manhood. The bastard Zhezong, truly ruthless, even thinking of such a cruel method. In fact, this was even more cruel than killing Zhao Yougong. Becoming a eunuch? No, Zhao Yougong would rather die than become a eunuch. However, he did not resist, as he caught a glimpse of a slender figure in his peripheral vision.

Xiaosan raised his knife, just about to strike, when his eyes widened in shock. He felt a sharp pain in his chest as something sharp pierced his body, tearing and shredding his heart.

A dagger silently pierced his heart. Turning his head, he saw a pair of bloodshot eyes, the eyes of a wild beast, fierce and terrifying.

Xiaosan, a skilled knife fighter, never imagined he would die at the hands of the frail Ajiu.

Xiaosan died with his eyes open, lying still, while Ajiu, like a madwoman, repeatedly stabbed him with her dagger until his neck was a mess of flesh.

"Ahh... Ahh..." Ajiu's eyes were bloodshot, like a demon from hell. She didn't know how to stop, stabbing again and again until Xiaosan's head was severed piece by piece.

What is a demon? Zhao Yougong thought Ajiu was one. This frail woman, once enraged, was more terrifying than anyone.

"Ajiu... Ajiu... save... me..."

A scream, Ajiu finally regained some clarity. Holding the dagger, she crawled madly, hugging the unconscious man, tears streaming down her face, making "Ahh... Ahh..." sounds.

When he woke up, he felt the softness beneath him, looking up at the beautiful headboard. He was alive, but could he be happy? There were many reasons to be happy, but he couldn't bring himself to smile.

Trying to speak, only a hoarse cough came out. Soon, several figures rushed in, including the head of the Wangfu, Mao Wenyu, the Five Great Warriors of Kaifeng, and several women with tear-streaked faces.

"Prince, you're awake. If you don't wake up soon, we would really..." Muru's face was haggard, her words genuine. Yingruo stood behind, tightly biting her lip. Although he had survived, she could guess the danger he had faced. Just looking at Ajiu's injuries, she could tell how fierce Xiaosan had been. Three cuts, how did her Lingge endure them?

If it were anyone else, they would have been enraged and killed Xiaosan on the spot.

Kneeling by the bed, Yingruo held Zhao Yougong's wrist, feeling the pulse in his hand. After a moment, she said with tears in her eyes, "Thank goodness, rest for a few more days and don't move around too much!"

"Okay."

This time, Zhao Yougong was very obedient, quietly drinking some thin porridge, then calling Xie Wudi to his bedside, "Beard, destroy the Qinghong Gang, I want Lei Wu to pay with blood!"

"Okay, Your Highness, we'll raid the Qinghong Gang. Lei Wu, that bastard, won't escape even if he grows wings!"

After Xie Wudi left, Zhao Yougong lay in bed, closing his eyes, "Where's Ajiu?"

"That girl is fine, just two broken ribs, nothing serious. She was loyal, carrying you for two streets!"

Listening to Muru's words, Zhao Yougong closed his eyes, seemingly asleep. Ajiu, that girl, was truly remarkable, but it was good to have a helper around.

In the imperial study, Emperor Zhezong was intently reading a report. Cao Bing bowed and entered, glancing at Yang Jian beside him, then whispered, "Your Majesty, there's news from Danxi!"

"Oh, tell me!"

Putting down the report, Zhezong leaned back, exhausted, resting his head on the chair back.

"According to Danxi, Prince Yongning is fine!"

"Oh? What about Jiang Hepai?"

"Jiang Hepai is dead. He could have completed the final cut smoothly, but that wild girl Ajiu came from behind, and he was caught off guard."

"Dead?" Zhezong only lightly frowned, not showing much sorrow. In his mind, it was better for Jiang Hepai to be dead. If he survived, he wouldn't live long in the palace, "Yang Jian, send some money to Jiang Hepai's family!"

"Yes, Your Majesty, I understand. The compensation has already been arranged."

"Good, you may both leave. Let me be alone for a while!" Waving his hand, Cao Bing and Yang Jian bowed and left. After a few steps, Zhezong seemed to remember something, sitting up and saying, "Cao Gong, what about Lei Wu?"

"Lei Wu? He caused such a big mess, he should commit suicide!" Cao Bing said this as a guess, but in fact, he had already passed judgment on Lei Wu. The incident in Zizhu Alley was a secret, and the Emperor needed someone to take the blame. Lei Wu was the best choice, provided he was dead. A living Lei Wu running around claiming innocence would only cause more trouble.

"Suicide? Yes, that's right, he should have committed suicide."

This time, Zhezong smiled. Zhezong was always like this, lacking the heart of an emperor but maintaining a false reputation. He did cruel things but feared taking responsibility, hiding when things went wrong, and rushing forward when things went well.

Striving for fame and profit, acting cautiously, these eight words aptly described Zhezong.

Zhao Yougong lay in bed, and when he felt better, he had people help him sit in the corridor. For days, he knew nothing about what happened outside the mansion, thanks to Muru's efforts. She cut off all outside news to prevent the young prince from worrying.

On the seventh day, his wounds had scabbed over, and the pain was not as intense as before. At noon, Zhu Lian, who had not been seen for days, arrived with two servants.

At this moment, everyone had gone elsewhere, leaving only a man and a woman in the corridor. Zhao Yougong lay with his eyes closed, and Zhu Lian squatted beside the chair, carefully examining his wounds. Her hand gently traced his abdomen, and her eyes were red, "You, you don't know how to take care of yourself. Just a few days without you, and these things happen."

"You haven't told me where you've been these days?"

"I went back to Fuxiang to get some things. I didn't want you to know, so I claimed to have caught a cold. Who would have thought that as soon as I returned, I heard about your situation!"

Saying this, Zhu Lian's beautiful eyes welled up with tears. No matter what, she always cared for this man, even if others might think it foolish.

"Don't cry, I'm fine, aren't I? If you cry, aren't you cursing me to die?"

Hearing the playful words, Zhu Lian's eyes flashed with anger, and she said with a touch of emotion, "You always make jokes. You don't want to talk, and I won't force you, but please, take care of yourself in the future."

"Where are you going with that? How can I not take care of myself?"

At this moment, Muru informed him that Xie Wudi had come to visit. Zhu Lian composed herself and helped Zhao Yougong adjust to a more comfortable position.

Xie Wudi entered the mansion, bowed, and then said with a worried look, "Your Highness, we searched the entire city and finally found Lei Wu, but the boy... committed suicide..."

Committed suicide? Zhao Yougong smiled helplessly, having expected this. In the end, Lei Wu died most unjustly, probably never knowing why.

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