"No," Jiang Ruan retracted her hand and fiddled with the tip of her hair, "Your life has long been in my hands. I have expended so much effort, naturally, it is not just to let you die a quick and painless death." She smiled faintly, "Now, even if you want to die a quick and painless death, it will be very difficult."
Jiang Dan trembled and slowly looked at Jiang Ruan. Jiang Ruan looked at her with a smile, her movements gentle, as if she really was an elder sister who loved her younger sister dearly. But Jiang Dan could clearly feel how cold Jiang Ruan's fingertips were when they brushed across her face. What was even colder than her fingers were her words. Jiang Ruan said, "Fourth sister, you owe my mother a life, why would I save you? Slowly go to the King of Hell and repent under my mother's knees. See if hell is really like the eighteen levels in the picture book, and if you can endure those extreme punishments. Thinking about it, it should be very satisfying. "
Jiang Dan's screams sounded incomparably mournful in the ears of the crowd. The Emperor had already turned and walked out. The blow and shock he had suffered today was no less than the others. The Emperor was always proud and arrogant. Discovering that his own flesh and blood and the person next to him had betrayed him, or even killed each other, or even committed incest in the royal family, no matter what it was, it would be a fatal blow to him. Jiang Dan was still screaming when she suddenly stopped dragging her soldiers. A crimson skirt appeared in front of her.
Jiang Ruan's tone was gentle and her smile was bright, but there was a gloomy feeling that came from hell, making people feel that she was like a ghost coming to claim their lives.
But after a moment, Xuan Hua smiled again, "Eighth brother, I did not expect you to come looking for me at this time. Today, I have been defeated, the world is probably in your hands." He did not care about the Emperor's face at all and unscrupulously commented on these private matters, as if he could not wait to blow things up, "I have fought with you all my life, but I do not know whether you have feelings for me in this matter. Eighth brother is extremely intelligent, I think, I am afraid that you have already predicted the outcome of today's matter. I still cannot defeat you. Even if Imperial Consort Chen has already entered the Cold Palace, you will always have a way to come back from a hopeless situation. "
Jiang Dan looked at him with a pale face. Xuan Hua's words tacitly acknowledged their relationship. He actually... admitted his guilt so quickly. Jiang Dan did not give up and said, "Fifth Highness, what are you saying... I don't understand … "
Sweat trickled down Xuan Hua's forehead. He also gazed at the Emperor. A moment later, he suddenly smiled. In this game, he had already lost. He had teased Xuan Li for so many years and survived in the palace because of Concubine De's guidance. He thought that there would be a place for him in the world, but he did not expect to fail at the last moment. At this moment, he was truly unable to understand why he had agreed to cooperate with Jiang Dan. It was likely that he had been too impatient, and had ended up ruining his final prospects. He had lost on this point. He looked at Jiang Dan in disgust and said, "Idiot, if it weren't for you, I wouldn't have fallen to such a state."
Hearing the word "death," Jiang Dan suddenly trembled, and her whole body began to tremble. She didn't want to die. She was so young, and it wasn't easy for her to enter the palace and reach a position above others. Just because she made a small mistake, she was going to lose her life. This price was too cruel. Jiang Dan looked at Jiang Ruan and suddenly grabbed the corner of Jiang Ruan's skirt. Tears welled up in her eyes and she said, "Da Jiejie, Da Jiejie, save me. In the past, it was Younger Sister's fault. Everything is Younger Sister's fault. For the sake of us sisters, Older Sister, save me. I don't want to die. Brother-in-law has His Majesty's trust, let Brother-in-law plead with His Majesty. Da Jiejie, I really don't have an affair with the Fifth Highness. The child in my belly belongs to His Majesty. Da Jiejie, please save me. Do you still remember the days when we were young by Mother's side? Da Jiejie, the only family I have in this world is you … "As she spoke, she knelt down and kowtowed to Jiang Ruan. The guard who was holding Jiang Dan did not dare to move in front of Jiang Ruan and only stood at the side without saying a word. Jiang Dan looked at her indifferently. Jiang Dan's expression was pitiful enough. It was as if she was no longer the Jiang Zhaoyi who was flushed with success, but the lonely shu daughter whose mother had died in the Minister's fu.
She slowly raised her head and Jiang Ruan looked at her with a smile. Her smile was bright and moving, and the corner of her skirt did not move in the slightest. Her hands were crossed in front of her chest, forming an extremely dignified and noble posture. The more noble and otherworldly she was, the more Jiang Dan appeared to be unbearably lowly. Jiang Dan clenched her teeth and looked at her, "Jiang Ruan!"
"Put away your tears, little pitiful thing," Xuan Hua sneered, "Now that things have come to this, do you think that if you cry out about your injustice, you will still have a way out?" After all, Xuan Hua was someone who had been by the Emperor's side for a longer time than Jiang Dan. He was very clear about the Emperor's gaze, especially his murderous gaze. Today, he and Jiang Dan would not be able to escape death. Plotting to murder the Crown Prince, framing others, colluding with the favoured concubine, adding up all these crimes, wasn't the final goal all pointing towards that dragon throne? No Emperor could tolerate his own officials coveting his country, even if it was his son. There was no familial love in the Imperial Family, they were born to fight and kill for that throne.
"That's right, only Mother and I treat Fourth Meimei the best," Jiang Ruan sighed and interrupted Jiang Dan's words, "But Fourth Meimei wants to poison me and Mother to death, it really makes one feel bitterly disappointed."
The Emperor's gaze was heavy as he looked at Xuan Hua. At this moment, his gaze no longer had the heartache and concern of a father looking at his son. It was the cruelty and heartlessness of a ruler looking at his own traitorous officials. It was a kind of murderous intent. He slowly said, "Lao Wu, you killed the Crown Prince and still want to shift the blame to others, even colluding with Zhen's concubine. Are you trying to rebel against the heavens?"
Jiang Ruan lowered her smiling gaze. Xuan Hua was such a person, unable to keep his cool, impatient and rash. The reason why he had been able to deal with Xuan Li for so many years was nothing more than Concubine De's guidance and the strong influence of the officials behind him. In her previous life, in the struggle for the throne, after Concubine De died, Xuan Hua was easily killed by Xuan Li. If Jiang Dan had not taken the initiative to find Xuan Hua this time, she actually wanted to keep Xuan Hua a little longer to deal with Xuan Li. Compared to Xuan Li, Xuan Hua was nothing to be afraid of. But since the other party had schemed against him, it would be inexcusable if he did not retaliate.
Jiang Dan wiped away the tears on her face and said, "You already knew that all of this was done by you. Do you want me to die?"
"You are not reconciled, so you personally murdered your own elder brother and even shifted the blame to others?" The Emperor's anger had probably reached a boiling point. Instead, he laughed and said, "Zhen still did not know that this son of mine was so capable that he even slept with Zhen's favoured concubine. I am afraid that if Zhen does not expose you today, in the future, that knife of yours will sooner or later be placed on Zhen's head!"
This was a muddled account. At the same time that Xia Qing felt Jiang Dan's pulse of pregnancy, Jiang Dan's fate was determined. Between a prince and his favoured concubine, if there was even the slightest possibility that this child had anything to do with Xuan Hua, the Emperor would not hesitate to kill it. The Imperial Family's bloodline was the most intolerant of incest. The palace, which had done the most filthy things, also had the deepest abhorrence for such things.
At this time, Jiang Ruan felt that this Xuan Hua was worthy of admiration. Although his brain was not very useful, he was a person who could afford to lose. At the very least, his words had helped him a lot. Xuan Hua continued, "Son has never understood Imperial Father's thoughts. Sometimes, I even feel that you treat this rebel and traitor much better than Son." He glanced at the indifferent Xiao Shao and smiled bitterly, "Perhaps in your heart, Son is really insignificant. When the time comes to sacrifice, Son will not hesitate to do so."
Most of the matters of the world were like this, with hundreds and thousands of twists and turns. When people schemed against others, they did not know that they had already become pawns in other people's hands. Jiang Dan had placed all of her chips on the arrow that had been used to frame Jinying wangfu, but she did not know that Jiang Ruan had only added two more items to turn the situation around, and that the real killing move was here, the birth of a child.
Thanks to Xuan Li in her previous life, Jiang Ruan knew a thing or two about Xuan Hua's temper and temperament. On the surface, Xuan Hua appeared to be impetuous, but in his heart, he was a very vengeful person. Today, Jiang Dan must have had a very big reason for falling into such a state. Xuan Hua would place this debt entirely on Jiang Dan's head, and he would certainly not let Jiang Dan have an easy time even in death. For example, just now, Xuan Hua had deliberately angered the Emperor to muddy the waters of Jiang Dan even more. Like father, like son. On the contrary, the Emperor's breadth of mind was not necessarily that broad. For a woman who had betrayed him, if he simply ordered her to die, then that would be Jiang Dan's good fortune.
"Imperial Father, no matter how you view Son, Son will admit it. Since ancient times, the winner is king and the loser is in the wrong. The Crown Prince's matter was indeed Son's doing, and I indeed wanted to frame Jinying Wang fu. However, all of this was proposed by you, the favoured concubine. Isn't that right, Dan Niang?" The gentler Xuan Hua's tone was, the more Jiang Dan shrank back. She wanted to cover Xuan Hua's mouth, but under the watchful eyes of the crowd, she did not dare to do anything. She could only curl up into a ball and shake her head desperately.
The Emperor did not speak. Xuan Hua smiled and said, "Imperial Father, you sit on the entire country and control the lives and deaths of the common people. Son's life and death are also in your hands. The person who sits on this chair of yours is indeed glorious. However, so what? " Xuan Hua glanced at the dazed Jiang Dan and smiled, "You have countless beauties adoring you, but how do you know that they are loyal to you? For example, this favoured concubine of yours. Initially, she seemed to be gentle and considerate towards you, but …" He stretched out a finger and flirtatiously lifted Jiang Dan's chin. His smile was indescribably strange and mocking. "Under my body, she is just as happy."
"Why does Imperial Father have to say this?" Xuan Hua also smiled. A person who had reached the end of the road, at this moment, was breaking a jar. His personality was different from Xuan Lang's, who only begged for mercy. He had a trace of impatience and was not as patient and scheming as Xuan Li. Once he was defeated, he would not think of making a comeback. Where there is life, there is hope. He would only speak of his own failure and personally block off his last path of retreat. He said, "Of these sons, which one have you, Imperial Father, personally doted on? So what if you act as if you dote on the Crown Prince now? When the Crown Prince was forced to make a fool of himself at the Imperial Ceremony, you did not ask about it. You asked yourself if you loved eighth brother, but when you heard that Imperial Consort Chen had treated the country unfavorably, you did not care at all and banished her to the Cold Palace. When fourth brother died, you did not ask about it. Why did my imperial mother want me to seize that position? It was because she knew better than anyone that your heart was not on any of your sons! Imperial Father, we all have your blood in our veins and have inherited the same cruel personality as you. In your eyes, there is only the country, only your Imperial Throne. We can only look at him. However, I have to admit that ginger is still spicier with age. Imperial Father, this round, I have lost. "
The Emperor looked at him silently. His expression did not change in the slightest after hearing Xuan Hua's words. Xuan Hua laughed a few times and said, "When a person is about to die, his words are also kind. I'm afraid that today's matter will not end well. When I schemed to seize this position, I knew that there was a possibility of losing. I just did not think that this day would come so quickly. Imperial Father, after all, we are father and son. I have to remind you that the person by your pillow is not someone easy to think about. The more beautiful a woman is, the more vicious her heart is. Sometimes, I am not the only one plotting against your country and wanting you dead. " He glanced at Jiang Dan, who had collapsed on the ground, and a cruel smile flashed through his eyes. He said, "However, I can guarantee that the one in her stomach is indeed a descendant of the Imperial Family." Xuan Hua slowly said, "You are one hundred percent the Imperial Grandson."
"Don't say anymore!" Jiang Dan said in terror. The Emperor's expression had recovered its calm. Faced with these provocative words, he did not move at all. It was as if Xuan Hua was talking about someone else's family. On the other hand, Wang Lian 'er's expression was slightly uneasy. She was happy to see Jiang Dan lose, but this was a secret between the Emperor and his son. As a concubine, it was not necessarily a good thing for her to know too much. The Emperor would not like to see someone who knew too many of the Imperial Family's scandals. But now, she had no way to back down. She did not know how to avoid hearing the rest of the conversation.
When Jiang Dan heard this, she could no longer hold on. It was as if someone had taken away her backbone in an instant. A resolute and dispirited expression appeared on her face.
"Shh," Jiang Ruan gestured for her to keep quiet and said with a smile, "Fourth Younger Sister, please keep your voice low. If someone hears your voice and comes over to question you, they will find out about what happened today. At that time, even if Younger Sister dies, you will still become the laughing stock of the entire capital. Your name will go down in infamy for ten thousand years in the Great Jin Dynasty. I have always been magnanimous. On account of the fact that we were raised by the same mother, I will not be able to bear it."
This meant that the matter of adultery was to be concealed. Everyone present was considered to be part of the Imperial Family, so there was no need to worry about the possibility of the matter being leaked. Hearing this, a smile of relief appeared on Xuan Hua's face. Jiang Dan, on the other hand, shook her head desperately in disbelief. Even when the imperial bodyguards who had dragged her out forcibly lifted her up, she was still struggling with all her might. She said, "No, no, no, it wasn't me. Your Imperial Majesty, please believe me. This concubine really did not betray you. This concubine still does not want to die. No, Your Imperial Majesty — —" It was only when her life was truly in danger that Jiang Dan suddenly realized that she was not as calm as she had thought. Since ancient times, the winner was always the king while the loser was the villain. However, it was a troublesome matter to be able to afford to lose. She was already the Emperor's favourite concubine. She was even pregnant with the child. Originally, she could have been blessed with glory, splendor, wealth, and rank. If she had really given birth to a prince, her status in the future would have risen with the tide. Even Jiang Ruan would have to bow when she saw her. However, in front of these beautiful prospects, everything was gone. All the good things had turned into bubbles. The child in her belly would no longer be some glittering dragon's seed. Instead, it would become a bastard, a talisman that would hasten her death on the road to the Yellow Springs.
"No — —" Jiang Dan screamed, her face revealing a look of despair. Xuan Hua's words of admission clearly confirmed the fact that she had not abided by the virtues of a woman. Moreover, being pregnant with a child of the Imperial Family was a great crime that she could not even die in peace. Now, even if she wanted to die in peace, it would be very difficult for her. She looked at Xuan Hua in disbelief. Suddenly, she threw herself in front of Xuan Hua and reached out to grab his face, "I didn't. You clearly know that it's impossible. Why do you want to frame me? Clearly, not long ago, we just …" In the midst of the fight, she did not seem to realize the error in her words. The Emperor's face could no longer be described as angry. It was as if he was looking at two jumping clowns. Finally, he gave a heavy order, "Lao Ba, I'll leave this place to you. First, lock these two people up." He paused, then said, "Watch your mouth."
"Your favourite concubine told me that Imperial Father would one day pass away after a hundred years. Deep in the palace, it was lonely and vast. She had to find someone for herself to rely on. Thus, she came to find me. As for the matter with the Crown Prince, it was only instigated by her. Imperial Father's palace is indeed full of crouching tigers and hidden dragons. Even a small favourite concubine can know so many things. "Xuan Hua laughed self-deprecatingly," This son could not resist the temptation and agreed to her request. Who knew that it would not be a bright future. This woman fancied herself clever and wanted to frame Jin Ying Wangfei, but in the end, her skills were inferior. " Xuan Hua looked at Jiang Ruan deeply. Jiang Ruan calmly met his gaze, and Xuan Hua's heart could not help but jump. Now that he was going to die anyway, he originally wanted to drag one person to be his scapegoat. It would be best if he could drag everyone involved in this matter to be buried with him. Unexpectedly, Jiang Ruan's gaze made him a little apprehensive. The madness that he had felt just now actually dissipated a little, and his heart could not help but tighten.
She looked at him indifferently. Suddenly, she stretched out her hand and slowly wiped away the tears on Jiang Dan's face. Her movements were very gentle. Jiang Dan stared at her blankly, and her eyes could not help but flash with a trace of joy. Jiang Ruan probably still remembered a trace of affection. She spoke more energetically, "At that time in the Minister's fu, only Da Jiejie and Mother treated Dan Niang the best …"
Xuan Li did not speak. Now, if Xuan Hua could drag one more person to be his scapegoat, then he would drag one more person. Before he died, he probably still wanted to trip him up. If he argued with him, it would not be good, so he might as well listen quietly. After all, the Emperor always had a clear idea of what was right and what was wrong. As Xuan Hua spoke, he suddenly looked up to the sky and laughed heartily. He only said, "Originally, I did not believe in fate, but now, I have no choice but to believe. Most likely, in this lifetime, I really have no fate with that position, but I am not resigned!"
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