Fresh blood trickled down the corner of Lu Qianqian's lips.
Shen Yinning let go of her hand.
Lu Qianqian clutched the dagger lodged in her abdomen, stumbling a few steps backward.
She already had a leg ailment, and now heavily injured, her steps were more unsteady and faltering.
Her face was ashen, and she stared at Shen Yinning with a deathly glare before losing her footing and tumbling down the stairs, rolling to the ground below.
Shen Yinning stood beneath the palace corridor, looking down at her from above.
Lu Qianqian lay sprawled on the ground. At first, she still struggled and twitched, but soon after, she became as motionless as a dead dog. Blood gushed from her abdominal wound, slowly spreading across the white jade floor tiles. Trembling, she stretched out a blood-soaked hand toward Shen Yinning—whether in a plea for help or to accuse her, it was unclear.
