Chapter 455: Softhearted
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S T E L L A R C L O U D
[Azurixa] [Celeste S.] [Christine G.-L.]
O R A N G E S T A R
[Fazzienaz] [K.Rom] [Reece P.] [Smurfinbatik] [Tori D.] [Ziana K.-P.]
Y E L L O W S T A R
[Chlaudette P.] [Gwyneth T.] [Manon] [Passerby] [Xena]
G O L D S T A R
[Lord_Wolve] [Nanashi D. Y.] [Nevy] [Nicole]
R A I N B O W S T A R
[Allie] [Debra W] [Kiiayame] [Peggy F.]
T H E S U N
[Ava C.] [Caroline] [Christigale M.] [Haruka N.] [kuroneko_chan]
[Lily J.] [Malinkat] [Michelle K.] [onepiece] [Scorpion Princess] [Sophia W.] [Sweetlove]
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Princess Xinyang said, "The lead they mentioned, is it Xiao Heng's true identity?"
Ning Wang nodded his head, "That's right. They said Xiao Heng is the child of Marquis Xuanping and a female slave from the State of Yan. The real Little Marquis had already died, killed by the female slave. Marquis Xuanping switched the children and claimed the female slave's son as the princess's child. At that time, I wondered if Aunt would kill Xiao Heng in a fit of rage when she found out she had been raising her enemy’s son for fourteen years."
Princess Xinyang looked at him questioningly, "Why didn't you tell me?"
Ning Wang raised his gaze and looked into her eyes, "I did tell Aunt. Otherwise, who does Aunt think left that letter exposing Xiao Heng's true identity in Aunt’s carriage?"
Princess Xinyang suddenly realized, "So it was you."
Ning Wang continued, "After seeing the letter, did Aunt go to Marquis Xuanping to confirm it?"
Princess Xinyang murmured, "Yes, I did, and he admitted it."
Ning Wang smiled bitterly, "But Aunt hesitated to take action for a long time. I thought Aunt had become softhearted, so I decided to take matters into my own hands. Of course, coming up with this decision was also because I had those people whispering in my ear. Since Aunt and Xiao Heng had already severed ties, whether Aunt did it or not, Marquis Xuanping would blame it all on Aunt."
Princess Xinyang gave him a sidelong glance, "Is that what you really think, or it’s something those people told you?"
Ning Wang replied, "Both."
He had already disclosed this much, so Ning Wang didn't mind sharing a bit more.
He continued, "However, right after Xiao Heng's death, those few advisors disappeared from my prince’s residence out of thin air. That was the moment I realized they hadn't come to assist me or gain wealth and power through me. They had come for Xiao Heng. Of course, they could have been aiming at Aunt or Marquis Xuanping as well. Xiao Heng's death dealt a heavy blow to your already strained marital relationship, making it even worse. When they disappeared, I worried that if the matter came to light, Aunt and Marquis Xuanping might suspect me, so I didn't take any rash actions and didn't investigate them."
Princess Xinyang asked keenly, "Then, how come you dare to kill Xiao Heng this time? Did that group of people reappear?"
Ning Wang smiled faintly and shook his head, "I thought Aunt would ask me how I was so sure Xiao Liulang was Xiao Heng. But never mind, it's not important. Instead, I’m curious about Aunt recognizing Xiao Heng."
Princess Xinyang replied casually, "That's not important either."
Ning Wang sensed that she didn't want to discuss it further, and he didn't press the matter. He found himself unusually easygoing today, wondering if it was a case of a dying man speaking more freely. Strangely, he didn't feel burdened by it.
He said, "Well, in response to Aunt's earlier question, that group of people didn't show up. Killing Xiao Liulang this time was my own idea. I'm no longer the eldest prince from four years ago; I now have the strength to compete with Marquis Xuanping Estate... Furthermore, I was worried that Aunt might suddenly investigate what happened four years ago and trace it back to me. So, I decided to take drastic measures and eliminate Xiao Liulang first."
Princess Xinyang didn't miss any of the subtle expressions on his face. She asked, "Did you make this decision because you thought I hadn't recognized him yet?"
Ning Wang took a deep breath and replied, "Yes, I wanted to kill him before you and your son recognize each other, so that Xiao Heng and the secret from four years ago would forever disappear from this world."
Princess Xinyang remarked, "Unfortunately, you were one step behind."
Ning Wang sighed, "What a pity I was one step behind."
Princess Xinyang got up to leave but tossed him a clean handkerchief before going. She said, "Wipe your face. You're an imperial prince. Even if you're leaving, at least leave with dignity."
Ning Wang looked at the handkerchief.
There seemed to be nothing particularly special about this handkerchief, except for the delicate vase embroidered on one corner, with its mouth sealed by a wooden cover.
As Princess Xinyang was about to cross the threshold, she suddenly turned back and spoke calmly, "I'll find the time to visit Ning Wangfei and the two little princesses."
Ning Wang's grip on the handkerchief tightened!
Princess Xinyang was threatening him!
Either he remained silent about Xiao Heng's matter, or she would take the lives of Chu Yue, Ning Xin, and Ning Yan!
After seeing Ning Wang, Princess Xinyang asked Eunuch Wei to send a message to the Emperor, then returned home directly.
Eunuch Wei thought she was reminiscing about her deceased son, feeling sorrow in her heart. He complied softly.
"What about Long Yi?" Princess Xinyang asked Yu Jin.
"It seems like he went to play with Jing Kong." Yu Jin answered.
"Never mind, let's go back." Princess Xinyang said.
Long Yi would come back on his own after he had finished playing.
Princess Xinyang had no idea that Long Yi had caused a great disturbance in the palace, and Empress Xiao had ordered him to be captured. The entire harem was in turmoil.
Princess Xinyang returned to Zhuque Street and had Yu Jin warm a jug of wine for her.
As Yu Jin brought the warmed wine over and was about to pour it into a cup, Princess Xinyang directly took the wine jug and drank several mouthfuls, tilting her head back.
Yu Jin's face showed a slight change, "Princess!"
The fiery liquor went down her throat, burning in her stomach and organs.
She sneered and said, "It wasn't Ning Wang who killed Ah Heng. It was me."
"Princess, you’re drunk." Yu Jin reached out to take the wine jug from her.
Princess Xinyang easily evaded her hand, tilted her head back again, and took several large gulps. This time, she drank hastily, and it made her eyes well up with tears.
"Ning Wang had someone pour oil at the Imperial Academy and then lit a candle on the oil. They only needed to wait for the candle to burn down, and then the oil would catch fire. I discovered it, Yu Jin. I noticed it immediately. I extinguished the candle.”
Yu Jin followed her words, "It’s a good thing that princess extinguished it."
"Let me finish." Princess Xinyang let out a self-mocking laugh, "The more I thought about it afterward, the angrier I became. His biological mother killed my son, but I raised her son for fourteen years. I feel guilty toward the child who died! I wanted to kill him! I wanted to tell him the truth and then kill him!"
"Princess..."
She interrupted Yu Jin, "In fact, I had already sensed that someone with malicious intentions had their eyes on him. I didn't need to do anything; maybe he wouldn't have lived much longer. But I couldn't stand it! I wanted to destroy him with my own hands!"
Yu Jin advised, "Princess, please don't drink anymore..."
Princess Xinyang wasn’t inclined to listen to her, and continued, "So I turned back to the Imperial Academy. I cornered him in Minghui Hall, and I told him the whole truth... Hic!" She hiccupped, her eyes showing a hint of drunkenness. "I watched him slowly break down in front of me, and it was so satisfying! I destroyed him with my own hands... I destroyed him..."
Tears flowed down her cheeks in large drops.
Yu Jin watched Princess Xinyang's distress and couldn't help but feel a pang of pain in her heart. She leaned over and gently embraced Princess Xinyang, allowing her to rest her head against her soft chest. "But, Princess, in the end, you saved him, didn't you?"
Yu Jin understood very well that if Princess Xinyang had truly wanted him dead, he wouldn't have survived until now.
Princess Xinyang shattered his will, fed him a knockout drug, and then set the fire.
That way, he wouldn't have been able to escape.
The two of them could have gone to hell together to atone for that poor dead child.
However, her heart softened in the end.
Raz P.'s Thoughts
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