Chapter 23 The Death of Xiang Yu

  "The king ordered his servant to invite the madam back to the mansion."

  Nothing was said.

  "Fourth wife, no."

  "Alright, Qing'er sister, I'll head back first. We can talk about what we just discussed next time."

  "Alright, I'll listen to sister."

  "Let your sister rest, I'm leaving."

  "Okay, sister, slow down, Xiangyu, get a cloak for your sister to wear."

  "It's okay, I'll just head back like this."

  "But outside..."

  "Thank you for your concern, sister."

  "But..."

  "Let your sister rest, is it Zhongsheng?"

  "Yes."

  "I was led by someone in front and I forgot the way back."

  "Yes."

  As soon as I stepped out of the house, the cold air instantly drilled into my neck, and my body shuddered. I regretted not picking up my scarf earlier. What was I insisting on?! Zhongsheng carefully led the way in front, while I slowly followed behind him.

  Qing'er's life seems pretty good, with so many people serving her, whether they're sincere or not, as long as it looks okay on the surface. Alas, do I have to be like Qing'er and spend my whole life embroidering flowers and growing grass here? If I had known earlier, I should have practiced my cross-stitch too.

  Alas, what's wrong with me lately? My emotions have been fluctuating greatly, and I'm indecisive about everything. I've also become a bit sensitive. Logically speaking, since my period is over, I shouldn't be like this.

  "Your Ladyship, the Prince is in the house, I still have other matters to attend to for the Prince, so I'll take my leave first."

  I nodded at him and pushed open the door, a warm air hit my face, ah, the room was as warm as Qing's house, did I just get lucky?

  "I was just sitting at Qing'er's sister's place, and we were having a great conversation!"

  My foot had just stepped across the threshold when I heard rapid footsteps behind me, getting closer and closer. I turned around to see what was going on, but as soon as I turned halfway around, I almost got knocked over by the approaching person. Luckily, my hand grabbed onto the doorframe in time. This wasn't the person who had called out to me earlier... what was his name again? Ah yes, Zhong Sheng. He looked like he was panting heavily - what could be so urgent? Didn't he say he was going to take care of something for Wang Ye earlier?

  "Grandfather, it's all over, Xiang and Xiangyu are dead." What?

  "What did you say?"

  "Back, Dr. Hui and Madam are here. Just now Liu Cheng came over to pass on a message that the fourth wife's maid, Xiang Yu, has died."

  "What nonsense are you talking about? I just came from there and she was fine."

  "What? Madam, sir, Liu Cheng said Xiangyu fell into..."

  After Zhong Sheng finished speaking, I didn't hear what he said next. My mind was in a daze and I felt confused. Xiang Yu died? That talkative little maid from just now? How is this possible? Could it be that the Fourth Madam... No, I clearly told her we'd discuss it again next time. This Fourth Madam really is impatient, is she afraid I'll change my mind?

  But using this method to help me is too cruel, it's a living person's life after all. That's her maid, how could she? If this is really the way she said, it would put me to death!

  My palms were sweating, my back was chilled, I turned around, the demon was staring at me, his expression unclear, and I didn't know what he was thinking at that moment, but I really panicked in my heart. What to do? She obviously did this on purpose to harm me.

  "Zhōng shēng, Xiāng Yú zěn me sǐ de?"

  Translation: "Zhong Sheng, how did Xiang Yu die?"

  "Madam Hua died, she fell into the pond and drowned."

  "What pond? Nonsense! There's no pond in the courtyard of the fourth wife!"

  "Go back, madam, there's something by the tree at the south corner of the courtyard."

  Things are going badly, I'm asking what's going on now, but the demon hasn't said a word from start to finish, just standing there motionless, giving me a bad feeling.

  "Your Highness?" Loyal Heart called out cautiously, testing the waters. The demon finally made a move, putting down what he was holding and walking straight over. As he approached, I could see that his face was dark and gloomy. Loyal Heart darted to the side to make way for him, and the demon walked out of the house as if he hadn't seen me at all. Loyal Heart hastily followed after him.

  What to do? What to do? This trick is too ruthless, if she changes her mind halfway, won't I... The Thirty-Six Stratagems, retreat is the best option. Took a few small ornaments from the dresser and put them in my pocket for emergency use, wore a cloak to avoid freezing to death.

  I'd better bring Wan Rijian along, just in case something happens and he can help out somehow. I pushed open the door to his room, and he was sitting at a table, but when he saw me come in, he stood up and walked over.

  "Come with me now."

  "Yes."

  "Is there silver?"

  "There are some."

  "Take this one, don't take any others."

  "Yes." Wan Rijian quickly went to the cabinet, took out a bag and put it in his bosom, then left "Jing Ju" with me.

  I was walking in front, he was following behind. Just now when we returned to the courtyard, I found a small door that wasn't very noticeable. After asking Zhongxin, I learned that it's the exit for the household slaves. If we leave from there, even if there are obstacles, it shouldn't alarm too many people. We turned left and right and arrived at the gate, but how come there are two guards on duty? They weren't here just now.

  "Open the door."

  "Ah? Madame! This..." Luckily they know me, otherwise I would have had to think of a way to prove my identity.

  "What? No way?"

  "Go back, madam. The prince has given orders. Without the prince's permission, no one is allowed to enter."

  "Even I won't work?"

  "This..."

  "What's wrong, what can't be said?"

  "The king said, whoever breaks in without an order will be beheaded on the spot."

  "You!!!"

  "Please don't make it difficult for us servants, madam."

  "Who is it?" A male voice came from behind, I turned my head and saw a man standing beside the moon gate at the corner, his face was unclear, but judging by his figure, this was someone I had never seen before.

  "If he gets in my way, you stop him." I lowered my voice, unsure if Manaka heard me.

  The speaker gradually approached us, I couldn't just sit and wait for death, he could say this without any consideration, which means he is absolutely not a good guy.

  "Alright, let's knock out these two guys at the door and leave immediately."

  I lowered my voice, and as soon as I finished speaking, two muffled sounds came from behind me. I turned around to see the two people lying on the ground. I whispered "hurry up" and took a step forward to open the door, then grabbed Wang Ri Cheng's sleeve and ran.

  "Big lady, big lady, you..." Ignoring the voices behind her, she pulled Wang Rixing in one direction and ran. However, I overlooked a problem - originally my athletic nerves were not good, plus being slightly overweight, resulting in slower and slower running speed, heavier and heavier panting sounds, until finally exhausted and stopped.

  Panting, I looked around and found myself in a vast empty space. This wasn't like the street or market I saw earlier. In one corner stood a rack with a large drum on it, while in another corner was a row of racks, but what were those things? They shone with a silver light... I walked closer - weapons! Heaven, where was this place?

  "Madam!"

  "Who... who are you? I'm going somewhere... it has nothing to do with you."