Chapter 6

“Mother, Yao'er was only a little too playful. She meant no harm. Must you be so heartless?”

Lady Wang stared at him in disbelief.

“What did you say?”

“Look at what has happened to me, and you still want to protect that bitch?”

Xiao Jingxing frowned.

“Mother, she was wrong, but it's already happened. What good will more anger do?”

“Why not let her stay here and nurse you? She can make amends.”

Lady Wang nearly fainted with rage.

She raised a trembling hand and pointed at him, unable to get a word out.

Mother spoke.

“Hold on! Since when was it your place to decide what happens to the culprit?”

“The person that bitch meant to hurt was my daughter. Mingzhu hasn't even spoken. What right have you to let her escape the law?”

Only then did Xiao Jingxing seem to remember me.

He turned, a trace of disgust in his eyes.

“Jiang Mingzhu, Yao'er and I grew up together. I intend to take her as an honored concubine so that she can help care for my mother.”

“If you let this matter go, you may still marry me and become the future mistress of this household. Otherwise… don't blame me for showing you no mercy.”

I could not help laughing.

“What has your choice of concubine got to do with me?”

“I was nearly murdered today. Whatever happens, this marriage cannot go ahead.”

“I shall report everything to His Majesty myself and ask him to judge.”

I turned and walked straight out.

Xiao Jingxing tried to stop me, but the duke shouted him down.

“Stay where you are! You unfilial wretch! Your mother is in this state, and you still want to take that bitch as your concubine!”

“Servants! Lock him in the ancestral hall. No one is to let him out without my order!”

Su Qingyao's legs gave way, and she crumpled to the floor.

Xiao Jingxing was her only support. Now that he had been confined, all she had left to face was the wrath of the duke and duchess.

Sure enough, Lady Wang spoke through gritted teeth.

“Commander Xie, this bitch plotted against me. Her crime cannot be forgiven. Please take her away and deal with her according to the law.”

Xie Zheng nodded and immediately ordered his men to drag Su Qingyao out.

After my parents, brother, and I left the duke's residence, we went straight to the palace.

I told His Majesty everything that had happened.

His expression darkened.

“Xiao Jingxing has behaved outrageously. He is unfit to be entrusted with any responsibility!”

“Rest assured, my loyal Jiang. I shall issue a decree dissolving the betrothal at once.”

“As for Su Qingyao…”

He considered for a moment, then addressed the eunuch beside him.

“Convey my command. For her contempt of the law and her plot to murder Jiang Mingzhu, Su Qingyao is sentenced to be beheaded after autumn.”

At those words, the mountain that had weighed on my heart for so long finally lifted.

As we left the palace, we happened to meet Xie Zheng.

His expression shifted slightly when he saw me. Trying to sound casual, he asked, “Miss Jiang, has His Majesty agreed to end the betrothal?”

Before I could answer, my brother nudged him.

“Oh? Since when did Commander Xie take such an interest in our family affairs?”

Xie Zheng cleared his throat.

“No particular reason. I was merely curious.”

His voice was calm, but his reddening ears betrayed him completely.

My parents exchanged a meaningful glance.

Then Father laughed and patted his shoulder.

“The betrothal has been dissolved. If you're interested, Commander Xie, you're welcome to visit us.”

“If Mingzhu takes a liking to you, perhaps another marriage could—”

My face burned.

“Father! What are you saying? Commander Xie doesn't mean that!”

To my surprise, Xie Zheng contradicted me at once.

“No… I would be willing.”

I froze. So did he.

My parents and brother burst out laughing.

The duke's household, meanwhile, presented a very different scene.

When Xiao Jingxing learned that Su Qingyao was to be executed, he went mad.

He made a terrible scene in the ancestral hall, even smashing several ancestral tablets as he demanded to be let out to save her.

The duke was furious and gave him a thorough beating.

Still Xiao Jingxing refused to give up. He went on hunger strike to force his parents' hand.

In the past, Lady Wang might already have yielded.

But this time, the woman her son wanted to save was the very person who had injured her.

Heartbroken, she dragged her ailing body out of the house and took a few maids to the family estate outside the city.

She had scarcely arrived when Xiao Jingxing found her there and demanded that she write a letter forgiving Su Qingyao.

Mother and son argued without end.

At last, Lady Wang became so enraged that she coughed up blood and died on the spot.

Driving one's own mother to her death was an act of monstrous unfilial conduct.

When His Majesty learned what had happened, he was incensed.