Chapter 107

Chapter 107

Now that the Jiang family had produced a crown princess, Dehuai Jiang felt rather vindicated. He might not care much for Zhiyu Jiang, but she was still his daughter. Even the irritation of being repeatedly targeted by the Empress Dowager’s faction at court eased somewhat.

On the day catastrophe arrived, the Jiang household remained bustling as it prepared for Zhiyu’s wedding.

Madam Jiang was overwhelmed by invitations from noblewomen, while her two legitimate daughters busied themselves belittling Zhiyu’s unworthiness both openly and covertly.

In the entire courtyard, only Shengsheng Zhou and her companions filled a room and discussed grave matters with solemn faces.

“Are Little Ming’s and Beauty’s belongings packed?” Shengsheng asked seriously.

Little Ming had no belongings, only a Rong Li to take with him.

Meiren Liu had prepared long ago and patted her bundle.

Xiyuan Duanmu looked blankly at everyone’s grave faces. “What’s happening?”

“Good. What about Xiaoyu’s preparations?”

Zhiyu tapped her head, indicating everything was in there.

“No… Could someone tell me what’s happening?”

“Excellent. Now is the best time. Little Ming and Beauty will leave through the back courtyard and find an inn.” Shengsheng pulled out banknotes and stuffed them into Meiren’s hands.

“What about Shengsheng?”

“Chief~ I don’t want to go with him~”

“No… Would someone please acknowledge me? What am I supposed to do?”

Shengsheng reassured Little Ming, comforted Beauty, then picked up the dog that had remained listless and snarled at her ever since waking. She handed him to Meiren. “When they come to confiscate a household, they don’t even spare the dogs. Survivor has to come too.”

“Survivor” was the puppy’s name, since he had narrowly escaped being thrown into a river by naughty children.

At first, the puppy protested the name with a hunger strike. Once he became unbearably hungry, he accepted it with hatred and declared he would exterminate the namer’s nine clans.

Meiren nodded seriously. She would certainly complete the task entrusted to her by the Chief.

“Holy crap? Confiscation? Whose household? How exciting!”

“All right, everyone. Survive this calamity, and we’ll meet again at the summit.” Shengsheng rose, raised a wine cup, and spoke heroically.

Wearing expressions of people prepared to die, everyone stood, clinked cups with her, and drained them.

“Wait… Why don’t I have a cup? Where did yours come from? They weren’t there a moment ago! What is happening?!”

——

Amid weeping, chaos, and cries of despair, Madam Jiang fainted.

“Mother!”

Her two daughters rushed to support her, only for imperial guards to wrench them away and cruelly abandon Madam Jiang on the ground.

The Jiang family had been exposed for treason and collusion with the enemy. Countless letters documenting secret contact with the barbarians were presented to the throne. The emperor, enraged, personally dispatched imperial guards to confiscate the Jiang estate and exterminate nine clans.

Fortunes reversed overnight. Everyone trembled, terrified of being implicated.

“I don’t believe Father would commit treason!”

A white-clad figure stepped forward, her face composed and posture proud as she challenged them.

While marveling at her beauty, the leader thought the Zhen Kingdom’s crown prince had a fine eye.

What a pity.

“The criminal Dehuai Jiang’s correspondence with the barbarians has been presented to His Majesty. Perhaps Miss Jiang should ask him herself–if you live long enough.” He sneered, then ordered sternly, “Why are you standing there? Seize the criminal official’s daughter!”
Zhiyu Jiang’s arms were seized, leaving her unable to move. The once-prosperous Jiang residence collapsed with a crash, leaving devastation and infamy.

“How could this…” She stared hollowly at the ground, profound grief covering her face.

People once familiar or unfamiliar to her, as well as those who had disliked or hated her, wept and protested their innocence, unable to believe their lives would end here.

Whatever their status, everyone was equal before death.

“Where is Concubine Duanmu?” Zhiyu’s lips trembled as she looked sorrowfully at the soldier restraining her.

He was a young man and likely could not bear seeing such a beautiful woman reduced to this. Gently, he said, “Miss Jiang, the criminals will be confined together. You’ll see each other again.”

“You talk too much!” A clearly more experienced soldier rebuked him, and the young man immediately fell silent.

Zhiyu closed her eyes. She refused to accept such a wretched fate.

She did not believe in destiny!

There had to be a way. There had to be!

As they dragged her through the gates, Zhiyu suddenly looked back, seemingly taking a final glance at the vast Jiang residence.

Shengsheng Zhou stood nearby and secretly gave her a thumbs-up.

The dragged-away Zhiyu answered with a silly smile. The instant a soldier looked at her, her face returned to utter despair.

The soldier could not help thinking it a pity such a fine young woman had been born into the Jiang family.

“Miss Shengsheng, Her Highness specifically ordered this subordinate to escort you back to the palace.”

Shengsheng nodded politely. “Thank you. Allow me to return and pack my things.”

Naturally, the guard did not dare stop her.

Beauty and Little Ming should have left by now. Xiaoyu and Xiyuan Duanmu would be imprisoned. Shengsheng had to hurry back to the palace and beg Fusheng Duan.

——

“This servant greets Your Highness. Your Highness, Miss Jiang…” Before Shengsheng could finish, the little blue bird in Fusheng’s hand captured her gaze, and her voice faded on its own.

The bird looked extremely weak. Something like bandages wrapped its body, making it appear especially close to death in Fusheng’s slender, well-defined palm.

He held a tiny spoon in his left hand, seemingly trying to feed it but unsure where to begin.

Glancing at the motionless Shengsheng, Fusheng summoned her over and gestured for her to continue.

Shengsheng explained that she hoped Fusheng could save Zhiyu and Xiyuan.

In the past, she might not have had much confidence. But now–

Ha. Did you think she had let Fusheng kiss her for nothing?

Fusheng said, “Oh,” without indicating his decision.

Shengsheng grew anxious, her fingers unconsciously twisting together.

*What does “oh” mean? Holy crap…*

Having read many storybooks with Weiqing Song, Shengsheng suddenly imagined a possibility.

Surely not…

Pressing her lips together, Shengsheng glanced at Fusheng’s crimson mouth. He still had his head lowered and looked somewhat troubled.

She walked slowly toward him.

“Your Highness…” she called, her voice unsteady.