66 Was He The Same As Her? (2/2)

As for her father— he wasn't going free either. There would bound to be talk and growing speculation about the first madam's death. Even if the general tried, he wouldn't be able to stop a spreading fire. With the Crown Prince as the witness, the Emperor would most likely make a move soon. Furthermore, to be free from trouble, the general would place all the blame on the second madam and step aside.

But how could Hongyue ever let him be comfortable? Her next move would be to visit the palace.

As for her own performance tonight— it was a display of her power even as a useless miss. It gave a warning to all that the eldest miss was protected by her dead mother. It was a simple tactic to stall for more time as she commences her task of gathering power as well as dragging out the rats— like the Crown Prince. They could only watch but not touch.

The eldest miss's eyes gleamed darkly.

Suddenly a raspy cough sounded from above her and cut into her thoughts. Hongyue instantly shifted her head toward the source. Standing by the bed, she watched as Qingyu coughed out a mouthful of blood onto her bed. Her blankets stained red.

Hongyue frowned.

It shouldn't be like that.

With attentive movements, she stripped away his outer layer to find his inner garments steeped with blood. Hongyue froze. Did she do that? As she peeled away the inner layer, her pupils contracted. The air quickly filled with a rancid scent of an old wound being uncovered. Hongyue's hands quivered as she took in a sharp breath of air.

There, on his pale chest, there was a deep hole just below the neck under the collarbone area. The hole was about the size of a coin, and the skin was slightly shriveled up. Nevertheless, now the injury was oozing profoundly, coated with blood. Hongyue quietly lowered her fingers to the wound.

Was it possible that Qingyu was similar to her?

Did he have a lineage gemstone as well?

Startled by her sudden conclusion, Hongyue stumbled back. Her breathing increasingly rushed, and her eyes were completely blue with a purplish hue. Her hands despairingly clutching her head as a dark memory surfaced.

”No. Please don't.”