Chapter 44: Divine Thunder Descends, the Wrath of the Gods (Part 1)

That night, the streets of Weizhou were brightly illuminated.

No one slept.

More than a hundred members of the Jiang family were imprisoned in caged carts, paraded through the streets for public humiliation.

Old General Jiang was held separately at the front. His aged face was filled with despair, his tattered clothing soaked in blood, making him look frail and broken. He was a stark contrast to the steadfast general who, just half a month ago, commanded the military on the battlefield.

Turning his head with a heavy heart, he looked toward another prison cart behind him, where Jiang Yu lay, barely clinging to life.

A deep sigh of despair escaped his lips.

That foolish child…

It seems that today, the heavens have decided to bring ruin upon the Jiang family.

The crowd of onlookers grew larger and larger.

“Move aside! Move aside! The imperial court has captured traitors of the nation! They will be executed at noon tomorrow!”

Leading the charge was the Su Family Army.

The Great Liang Empire had three main military factions: the Jiang Family Army, responsible for defending the southern borders; the Su Family Army, stationed in the north; and the Emperor’s personal guards, the Jinwu Guard, who protected the central capital.

Now, the Su Family Army had aligned itself with the Prime Minister’s faction.

The commoners were forced back to either side of the street, whispering amongst themselves.

“Isn’t that General Jiang? What happened?”

“Could this be related to what Magistrate Zhang mentioned before—about the Jiang family colluding with the enemy and stealing the city defense maps?”

“I don’t believe it… Look at the things the Jiang family has done compared to what the Empress Dowager has done. Anyone with a brain can tell who’s truly righteous.”

But not everyone was convinced.

“Righteous? Ha! The Jiang family must have committed treason. Look at the state we’re in now because of them!”

“If it weren’t for them, we wouldn’t be suffering like this!”

With that, someone picked up a rock from the ground and hurled it at the prison cart.

The women and children of the Jiang family curled up in fear but did not utter a single scream.

The men, however, simply closed their eyes, remaining silent as the crowd hurled insults at them.

After enduring countless tortures over the past half-month, their spirits had long been crushed. And now that even Jiang Yu was captured, all hope for the Jiang family was lost.

But they were people of integrity.

If they were to die, they would die with dignity.

“Look! They’re not even trying to defend themselves. That means it’s true!”

Within the crowd, someone deliberately fanned the flames of resentment.

The Su Family Army’s commander at the front finally spoke.

“This recent military defeat was all due to the Jiang family’s collusion with the enemy! By imperial decree, the Su Family Army has been sent south to take control. From now on, all remaining Jiang soldiers will fall under our command!”

With just a few weightless words, and without a shred of evidence, the Jiang family’s centuries of service and glory were erased.

From the second floor of a teahouse nearby, Liu Yi watched the scene unfold with his hands behind his back.

At last, one of his greatest obstacles had been removed.

But then, his attendant’s next words made his brows furrow deeply.

“Prime Minister, the Young Master… he has entangled himself with Her Highness. Many people in the manor have seen it.”

“The rumors have already spread. They say the Young Master intends to take Her Highness as a secondary wife.”

Liu Yi’s palm slammed heavily against the tea table, his voice filled with rage.

“That unfilial son!”

“Go drag that disgrace back here! And as for Jiang Qingqing, kill her! If the Prime Minister’s household had a more suitable heir, I would have disowned him long ago!”

Among the noble families, Liu Xubai was considered one of the most outstanding young men.

But his fatal flaw was his infatuation with the wrong person.

The attendant hesitated.

“Prime Minister, the Young Master has already hidden her away in his private estate. I fear…”

The guards Liu Xubai had personally trained were loyal only to him.

Liu Yi let out a cold sneer.

“Then ask him—does he want power, or does he want a woman?”

He knew his son well enough.

—

Liu Xubai’s Private Estate

Jiang Qingqing was forcibly restrained in a wooden chair.

Liu Xubai carefully held a white jade comb, gently arranging her hair.

He had not given her the antidote, and as his long fingers brushed against her cheek and the nape of her neck, an involuntary shiver ran through her body.

“Tying your hair up like this means you will no longer be a princess of Great Liang.”

Jiang Qingqing felt nothing but overwhelming disgust.

Her gaze flickered toward the hairpins on the table, and after a brief moment of contemplation, she made her move.

Seizing a hairpin while Liu Xubai was distracted, she lunged at him—

“Qingqing.”

Jiang Qingqing’s wrist was caught, and Liu Xubai’s warning voice came from behind her.

With nothing left to lose, she decided to go all out. She got up and bolted toward the door. As she turned her gaze, she spotted the watch on the low table and snatched it up.

Liu Xubai followed her at a leisurely pace, making no effort to stop her.

After all, Jiang Qingqing had no chance of escaping this courtyard.

As for the watch, it seemed to be nothing more than a simple accessory. He had planned to return it to her anyway.

“Qingqing, I told you, that old man and those two children had to die. Otherwise, it would have been us.”

Jiang Qingqing cut off his explanation.

“You’re lying! The Jinwu Guards had already arrived in the forest. I told you that!”

Ten years ago—

Liu Xubai had been abducted by enemy assassins inside the palace.

Jiang Qingqing had witnessed it. Knowing she carried a signal flare that could summon the Jinwu Guards, she had taken the risk and followed, hiding beneath the enemy’s carriage.

At the right moment, she released a sleeping agent, rescuing Liu Xubai. The two of them fled, dodging their pursuers, following the escape route she had marked.

An old man had taken them in, giving them food and shelter.

The old man had a grandson and granddaughter of the same age as them.

As a gesture of gratitude, Liu Xubai had gifted the children his jade pendant and an ornamental charm.

The old man had been deeply moved, full of gratitude.

But in the end, Liu Xubai had set the place on fire, burning them all alive.

Moments later, the Jinwu Guards arrived before the enemy assassins could catch up.

They brought the two back to the palace.

From that day forward, Jiang Qingqing was assigned a royal shadow guard.

Liu Xubai’s gaze darkened.

“I don’t trust anyone. I only trust myself. I wasn’t about to put my life in the hands of the Jinwu Guards. What if they hadn’t arrived in time?”

“My jade pendant was with those children. Only by killing them could I erase all traces.”

Jiang Qingqing no longer wanted to argue with him.

Leaning against the wall, she panted softly.

The effects of the drug were tormenting her. Right now, she felt like a caged bird, flapping its wings in vain, unable to escape the confines of this sky.

Liu Xubai effortlessly lifted her into his arms, carrying her back into the room and placing her on the bed.

“Beg me, Qingqing.”

His voice was warm, coaxing, seductive.

Jiang Qingqing was struggling to hold on. It felt like thousands of ants were crawling over her skin. If she had a dagger nearby, she would have stabbed herself without hesitation.

She felt a sudden chill on her shoulder as her clothing was peeled away.

Liu Xubai’s eyes held a determined, unwavering desire.

“Don’t blame me, Qingqing.”

Just as his lips were about to press down, a red light flashed from the watch on Jiang Qingqing’s wrist—

In the next instant, she vanished.

——

[Haicheng]

Fu Zhengnan had just finished attending a banquet and was resting in the back seat of his car with his eyes closed.

His suit jacket was tossed aside, and his tie was loosened halfway, revealing his sharp Adam’s apple as it moved subtly with his breathing.

He didn’t particularly enjoy drinking—except for that one time at Liu Jin. Raising a hand to rub the bridge of his nose, he was just about to lower the car window when—

A sudden weight landed on his lap.

Accompanied by a few soft murmurs.

Fu Zhengnan opened his eyes slightly, his gaze falling upon the figure that had abruptly appeared on his lap—Jiang Qingqing.

His expression was unreadable.

Jiang Qingqing, her consciousness slipping away, looked dazed and unfocused. All she could register was the faint scent of cedar mixed with a trace of alcohol.

And his body—cool to the touch—was the perfect remedy for the burning heat inside her.

Instinctively, she leaned closer.