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Yongzhou.
The Dungeon.
Zheng Siyen had been handed over by Wu Rong as a token of surrender and was imprisoned here. For three days, he had neither eaten nor drunk, determined to die.
As the old wooden door creaked open, a sliver of daylight pierced the dim prison cell.
When Yun Chu stepped inside, he thought Zheng Siyen might have already reported to the King of Hell.
“You… You!”
Surprisingly, it was Zheng Siyen who spoke first, recognizing Yun Chu. He looked at him through the gaps in his disheveled white hair, straw clinging to his head.
“Minister Zheng, I trust you’ve been well.”
They had met on the battlefield, standing on opposing sides, each serving their own ruler. Yet, in Zheng Siyen’s eyes, Yun Chu was nothing more than a coward who survived by disgrace.
Zheng Siyen’s eyes burned with hatred. “You’re worse than a dog or a pig!”
“Right and wrong—there is no point in debating with you. Time has passed, but Minister Zheng, there is something I wish to ask you.”
Yun Chu raised his hand, signaling the guards to unlock the cell door. He stepped inside slowly and motioned for the jailers to leave.
Watching as the others withdrew, Zheng Siyen became suspicious.
Yun Chu spoke, “If I had listened to you and raised an army against Chu, with the nation already in ruins, what benefit would I have gained?”
Zheng Siyen gritted his teeth and spat, “The late emperor was heroic, yet he left behind a coward like you! You care about benefits instead of avenging your father and brother?”
“Is that so?” Yun Chu sneered. “Then tell me, Minister Zheng, how have you been funding your army of assassins all these years?”
His sharp gaze locked onto Zheng Siyen.
“Even if you saved up three generations’ worth of salaries from the fallen Wei dynasty, could you afford to maintain those assassins for even a year?”
He had worked with Zheng Siyen for a long time and knew him too well. “You claim to seek vengeance for your nation, yet who took a massive fortune when the country fell? You shout about restoring Wei, but my father and brother perished for that dream. If Wei were truly restored, who would you place on the throne—me? Or yourself?”
“You, a man with no shame, are not worthy!”
“Then why shouldn’t a shameless man like me ask about benefits?” Yun Chu tilted his head slightly, as if he was genuinely curious.
“My father and brother are dead, and I already bear a ruined reputation. Even if Wei was restored, I could never sit on the throne with honor. So, tell me, Minister Zheng—if I had sided with you back then, what would I have gained? The admiration of the people after peace was restored? Or wealth and power for myself?”
Could it be that he was truly considering it?
Zheng Siyen hesitated, studying Yun Chu in silence.
Yun Chu continued to coax him. “For example, if I helped you and chaos erupted in Chu, could I claim Princess Nian An as my prize?”
Zheng Siyen was no fool—Yun Chu’s words made it sound as if he were ready to betray Chu at any moment.
He probed, “Does Your Highness currently have the trust of the Emperor of Chu?”
Yun Chu didn’t answer. “I am only asking—if the tables were turned, what would you do with Princess Nian An?”
“That woman is strong-willed and cunning. If Your Highness wishes to keep her, you must break her bones and turn her into a puppet.”
Yun Chu narrowed his eyes, seemingly intrigued. “I do not like broken things.”
Zheng Siyen became more convinced—Yun Chu, despite his intelligence and martial prowess, had given everything for Chu yet still had not won his beauty. This man had always been a womanizer—he could be used.
“Your Highness and I share the same ambition. We should have had this discussion sooner. Why not untie me, and we can talk at length?”
A true old fox.
Yun Chu said nothing, but he stood and swiftly unshackled Zheng Siyen’s leg irons.
He made a polite gesture. “Please, I’m listening.”
“The Princess of Chu has a weakness—she is deeply sentimental. Your Highness holds military power and some of her trust. Though we may not have the perfect timing, these three points are enough to take a gamble.”
“And?”
“Release me from this city.”
Yun Chu’s gaze turned cold, the curiosity in his eyes vanishing completely.
Zheng Siyen was delighted—he truly was dealing with a fool blinded by desire!
Even if he did not trust Zheng Siyen fully, as long as there was desire, an opening could be pried open!
“Your Highness, listen to me! I still have forces hidden outside the city. If you let me go, we can coordinate from within and without—I will help you capture Princess Nian An!”
Yun Chu appeared to contemplate it. “But earlier, you said her bones should be broken?”
“Princess Nian An has lived a smooth life, favored by fate. Though she suffered in her youth, she has lived comfortably. I have studied her weaknesses thoroughly. If Your Highness truly has the Emperor’s trust, you can use that little emperor to control her! By then, she will submit without resistance!”
Yun Chu chuckled coldly.
“And how would you support me after you leave the city?”
“As long as I can move freely, my men will act. They are scattered throughout Chu, waiting to—ah…”
Zheng Siyen never finished his sentence.
Yun Chu had leaned forward as if to undo his handcuffs, but instead, a sharp blade plunged into his back.
Calmly, Yun Chu spoke. “I act according to Princess Nian An’s will. I do not use the sword of the past to cut down the officials of the present. I will not hold past grievances against you—but in both lives, you have been a treacherous rat.”
Zheng Siyen’s eyes widened. “You…!”
He couldn’t comprehend what Yun Chu was saying, but he no longer had the chance to understand.
A guard stood behind Yun Chu, holding a cup of wine.
Yun Chu took it, then lifted Zheng Siyen by the collar.
Zheng Siyen’s remaining strength was barely enough to roll his eyes. His murky gaze was filled with disbelief.
The cool wine spilled down his throat, soaking Yun Chu’s sleeve.
“Minister Zheng, this is a toast for the warriors who could have lived as peaceful citizens of Chu but followed you to their deaths instead.”
Zheng Siyen twitched as the wine burned through his body like fire.
“Eradicating every last one?” Yun Chu read the accusation in his eyes and shook his head. “Just letting you taste the wine.”
As Zheng Siyen’s body curled in pain, his strength faded.
“Minister Zheng, even if you refuse to admit your mistakes, the price still must be paid.” Yun Chu’s voice was quiet. “Just as you used the name of restoration to hoard wealth and power, just as I—no need for excuses. What’s done is done.”
Listening to the silence around him, he finally whispered, “You no longer need to serve as an excuse, nor do you need to live any longer.”
The Next Spring
As the capital settled, Ji Wenxun arrived in Yongzhou to witness the marriage of Li Yunli and Yun Chu.
“Li Yunli isn’t here?” she asked upon arrival.
“She went to the former land of Wei to prepare an old-fashioned dowry for the Marquis,” Yang Xu explained.
Ji Wenxun was stunned. “She’s preparing his dowry?!”
“Yes, because Yun Chu is the one marrying into her household.”
Ji Wenxun nearly choked. “He’s becoming a consort?”
“It was his idea.”
Ji Wenxun smirked. “They sure know how to enjoy life…”