Chapter 375: Lingering Threa (1/2)

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“Should be that way.” Jun Huang pointed at where the eunuch had appeared from. Nan Xun nodded and let go of the eunuch's collars. The eunuch collapsed to the floor.

Hearing something shattering, they exchanged a glance and ran toward the source of the sound.

Nan Xun told Jun Huang to wait outside first. She nodded and let him take the lead.

Nan Xun opened the door to see the former Eastern Wu's emperor sitting atop shards of ceramic. His eyes lit up at first, mistaking Nan Xun as his ally, but then Nan Xun waved at someone outside and in came Jun Huang.

The former emperor's face paled, silently cursing at his men for failing to finish her off.

With a scoff, Jun Huang walked up to the former emperor and considered him with icy eyes. A shudder ran down his spine. He was going to run when Nan Xun seized him.

“I'm curious,” Jun Huang said with a frown. “Why did you decide to invade Western Que? Western Que and Eastern Wu started out as allies. Why did things turn out the way it did?”

The former emperor gave Jun Huang an odd look. “Don't you know? It's because of you.”

“Me?” asked Jun Huang.

“Whoever gained Jun Huang, gain the world. If not for you, the two nations would have continued to be allies. I had wanted to marry you and deepened the bond between our nations, but your father refused to oblige. I could only do things the hard way.”

He said it like it was the unequivocal truth.

Jun Huang laughed incredulously. She'd heard that explanation before, but she'd thought it was a jest. And yet the man himself confirmed the reasoning.

Noting the changes in her expression, the former emperor smiled. He knew he was going to die one way or another as soon as he saw Jun Huang. He'd like to forgo torture and get a quick death. “I thought you know. Let me tell you the truth: You were the reason Western Que was destroyed.”

Overtaken by uncontrollable fury, Jun Huang grabbed Nan Xun's swords and killed the former emperor with a wounded cry.

It wasn't until the blood stream down along the blade that she came to her senses. She dropped the sword and fell to the floor.

Her head hurt, and she couldn't stop her tears. Her anger and sorrow threatened to take over her brain. She'd put the blame on the former Eastern Wu's emperor for so long. She never once believed that she would be a contributing factor as well.

She knew Ji Bo was the instigator, but she couldn't forgive herself. She couldn't escape the spiral of guilt.

Nan Xun knelt down and took Jun Huang into his arms, but she didn't seem to notice him at all. Her body trembled from the weight of her sorrow. Her temples throbbed painfully.

She couldn't stop crying. In the end, she cried herself into unconsciousness. Nan Xun picked her up and turned to see Nan Jihan standing outside the door.

Nan Jihan had been watching them for a while, and he'd witnessed Jun Huang's fit of anger. His breath hitched when Nan Xun turned to him with Jun Huang in his arms. He wanted to keep them, but he didn't have the right. In the end, he watched the couple go further and further away from him.

Nan Xun took Jun Huang to a relay station and placed her on the bed. He retrieved some hot water and a handkerchief to wipe the tears on her face. Only when his shadowguard told him that Nan Jihan had arrived did he s.h.i.+ft his focus away from her. He turned to the door.

“Let's talk outside.” Nan Xun rose to his feet. He didn't want to wake Jun Huang. Nan Jihan agreed easily and followed him to the room next door.

An official from each of their respective countries had also come. Representing Northern Qi was Qi Yun's confidante. They sat down and talked about the split of their gains. Nan Jihan asked for only a few Eastern Wu cities bordering Southern Mu, some silver, and two horses. The rest would go to Northern Qi.

The Northern Qi's official was pleased with the results. He excused himself and left to report to the court.

Nan Jihan looked at Nan Xun, watching him rub at his forehead tiredly. After a pause, he asked, “The old Western Que is now yours. What do you plan to do with it?”