Chapter 207: Stunned, a secret as large as the Heavens (1/2)
Chapter 207: Stunned, a secret as large as the Heavens
Once Murong Wanru had gotten everything off her chest, she’d lost all sense of reason. Or perhaps, she’d lost it the moment she decided to kill Grand Concubine Yi. When she saw Grand Concubine Yu’s face of terror, she forgot all about the fact that she would have been nothing but an anonymous court lady without her. She might even have been buried alive with the dead Princess Changping as per custom if she had never left the palace. Right now, her entire mind was filled with thoughts of how Grand Concubine Yi hadn’t helped her, protected her, or placed her in the position as the Duke of Qin’s concubine.
This was probably an example of ‘one sheng of rice earns gratitude, while one dou of rice breeds enmity1.’
“Ever since I was young, I had to rack my brains to guess your thoughts. I had to serve you carefully in case you got unhappy one day and sent me back to the palace. For what?”
“Grand Concubine Yi, seven years ago you first told me that I’d be married to the Duke of Qin. And the results? You married me off to that coward Zhangsun Che! Why are you so good to Han Yunxi? Even though I’m not your real daughter, I’ve waited on you for so many years. Can’t I compare to a single Han Yunxi? Tell me!”
The more she spoke, the angrier Murong Wanru got. Grand Concubine Yi’s tears poured down. Even with the needles at her neck, she shook her head to deny all of Murong Wanru’s claims.
That wasn’t it! All these years, she’d wholeheartedly treated Wanru well. Why did Wanru think this way? In her heart, Wanru was much more important than Han Yunxi. No matter how well Han Yunxi did, she was still an outsider!
“What, are my words wrong?” Murong Wanru gave a cold, disdainful smile. “In any case, you don’t have long to live anymore. There’s no harm in telling you that I was the one who spread rumors about Han Yunxi having medical knowledge. I also instigated Lady Xu to make a ruckus in front of our gates, and also…” Murong Wanru seemed to recall something just then as her gaze turned ruthless. “And also, what happened at the Plum Blossom Meet was something arranged between me and Princess Changping. Zhangsun Che should’ve violated Han Yunxi, not me…not me!” By now, Murong Wanru was practically pressed against Grand Concubine Yi’s face as she howled.
“It wasn’t supposed to be me!”
At her words, the needles in her hands pricked Grand Concubine Yi’s neck before digging deep into the flesh.
“Sobsobsob…sobsob…”
Grand Concubine Yi never expected Murong Wanru to be the culprit of all these things. Her teary eyes looked at the girl who had long lost herself to madness. Murong Wanru looked at her emotionlessly as if enjoying the view. Grand Concubine Yi’s neck really hurt as more and more blood flowed down. She was going to die! She was definitely going to die!
But nobody knew that Grand Concubine Yi’s heart felt like it was being cut apart this very moment. The pain from her neck was nothing compared to her heartbreak.
No, Wanru couldn’t kill her. Anyone in the world could kill her except for Wanru!
Finally, she couldn’t bear it anymore and knocked Murong Wanru coldly aside. She took the gag in her mouth out and said, choking with sobs, “Wanru, you’ve disappointed me so much! Too much!”
How angry did Grand Concubine Yi have to be to grow enough courage to overcome her fear? Murong Wanru gave a start as she paled in panic. Quickly, she blocked off Grand Concubine Yi into a corner, violently jolting the carriage in the process!
By now, Han Yunxi had taken care of all the black robed assassins. She was about to get on the carriage when it suddenly jolted. Filled with suspicion, she climbed on board. Inside, the occupants had long forgotten about the world outside. Murong Wanru used her own body to completely trap Grand Concubine Yi, her hand clutching the three bloodstained needles. Again, she struck at Grand Concubine Yi’s neck while holding her hands down. Grand Concubine Yi had no way to retaliate as her lips trembled. She even forgot to cry out for help.
“Mufei, don’t blame me for being heartless. You wronged me first. But you needn’t fear. These needles are Han Yunxi’s, so I’ll remain blameless!” After her cold words, she was about to act when Grand Concubine Yi finally opened her mouth.
“Stop! Wanru, you…you’re my real daughter! You can’t kill me!”
It wasn’t that Grand Concubine Yi had grown too stupid to cry for help, but that she was worried that it would attract people as soon as she did. If they came, Murong Wanru’s life would be over!
Murong Wanru’s hands stilled at those words. Just what had she heard? The needles were still hovering over Grand Concubine Yi’s neck, but her hands had turned stiff. She understood every single word that Grand Concubine Yi had just said, but somehow the words didn’t make sense. Grand Concubine Yi shed silent tears that seemed like they’d never stop. She never imagined she’d tell the truth in this lifetime, much less in a situation like this one.