In Zhaoyang Palace, Xue Liulan stood on the steps, the lantern light casting long shadows. His face was iron. Ten paces away stood the woman who had tormented him. If she hadn't started speaking, his hand would already be around her throat.
"Oh? So angry just seeing me?" Die Man beamed, her triumph masking the pain in her heart. She wanted him to know how foolish his choice had been.
"He Chengjian, when did Zhaoyang Palace become a public market?" Xue Liulan ignored her, his gaze landing on his guard.
He Chengjian, just returned from Yin, froze. He saw Die Man and understood.
"This subordinate failed in his duty."
"Your Majesty, it's not his fault!" Ning Bi, returning with He Chengjian, flared up. She hated Die Man for what she had done to Murong Jin.
"Ning Bi." He Chengjian tugged her sleeve. She was spoiled, daring to contradict the Emperor.
"Let her speak." Xue Liulan waved his hand.
Ning Bi stepped forward, glaring at Die Man. "Her Majesty dislikes disturbances, but she loves animals. Cats and dogs always sneak in here. Her Majesty is kind, so naturally, the beasts like it here too."
She spoke to Xue Liulan, but her eyes never left Die Man.
He Chengjian twitched. The girl's tongue was getting sharper. But he watched Die Man closely, ready to pull Ning Bi back if she struck.
Die Man's face darkened. She sneered. Why argue with servants? Watching Xue Liulan suffer was far more satisfying.
"If I killed Murong Jin, you'd be devastated, wouldn't you?" She smiled, her red lips parting.
Xue Liulan stiffened, but his face remained calm. "You won't have the chance."
"Oh?" She knew his killing intent well. "Do you really intend to kill me?"
Though she knew the answer, her heart still skipped a beat.
"If I don't like what you say next, I won't hesitate." He stared back, every muscle coiled.
He had never prepared to kill someone like this. She was the first, but she wouldn't be the last.
Die Man froze. Her hope was laughable. She had no way back. If he died, she would follow.
"Forget it. Your heart is with that slut. Talking is useless." She stretched lazily.
"Take that back." His face darkened, murder flashing in his eyes.
"What?" She covered her mouth, laughing. "Did you lose your mind over that little slut? Words spoken are water spilled. Take it back?"
She watched him, goading him. The angrier he got, the more she wanted to say it.
But she couldn't speak. His hand was around her throat. Lightning fast. Even He Chengjian hadn't seen him move.
She clawed at his wrist, but his grip was iron. He didn't squeeze yet. He was waiting.
"Kill me, and you'll never find her," she rasped.
He didn't react. His eyes were not lazy or gentle, but sharp and cruel as a wolf's.
Time stretched. His grip didn't tighten. She relaxed slightly. He needed Murong Jin's location. He didn't dare kill her.
Her fear faded, replaced by arrogance.
"You think I don't dare?" A cold sneer curled his lips.
Just a flicker, but it chilled her to the bone. She had never seen him truly angry. Even surrounded by ten masters, he had smiled.
"Only I know where she is." She spoke carefully. He might snap her neck just to bury her with Murong Jin.
He watched her, impassive.
"You really want to kill me?" She panicked. "What about our past? You said you'd always forgive me!"
He had. But only if she didn't hurt Murong Jin.
"Last time, I let you go because I knew she wasn't dead. Maybe your plot gave her the excuse she needed to escape. I could convince myself to spare you. But now…" He laughed softly.
"You… thought I helped her?" She stared in disbelief. "So you only exiled me?"
She thought he spared her out of guilt. Guilt was easier to manipulate than kindness.
He smiled noncommittally, his grip tightening.
She choked, clawing at him. She didn't want to die by his hand. He was waiting for the message.
"Guo Shangzhong wants to meet you tomorrow at midnight. East Gate forest." She gasped out the words. "I've told you!"
"I heard." His voice was calm.
Her heart plunged into ice. He heard, but he was still squeezing. He wasn't waiting for the message. He wanted her dead.
"Xue Liulan! After all these years, do you have no feeling for me at all?" She screamed.
His smile turned brittle. "I wish I had no feelings for you. Then I wouldn't have let you live long enough to hurt her."
"Everything is for her, isn't it?" She cried, tears streaming down her face.
He nodded. "I will send you back to the Southern Borders."
Ning Bi's eyes widened. He's letting her go again?
"Your Majesty!" She started forward, but He Chengjian pulled her back.
Xue Liulan didn't turn. "I can't let her go."
On the last word, his internal energy surged. His fingers tightened, then released.
Die Man crumpled to the ground. Her eyes were wide with disbelief, filled with unasked questions.
But she would never ask them.
"He Chengjian. Send her ashes back to the South." He ordered, then turned to Ning Bi. "Summon the Fourth Prince and Gongzi Suyi."
Ning Bi stood frozen. She had never seen him kill. Especially not Die Man, whom he had always tolerated.
"Wake up. The Master is speaking to you." He Chengjian shook her.
"Ah? Yes! Yes!" She scrambled away.
Xue Liulan watched her, then chuckled softly. "He Chengjian, you really have spoiled that girl."
Then, his eyes darkened. His fist clenched, as if holding his life's fate in his palm.