Chapter 340 : It’s Not Easy Being the Head of Household 24 (2/2)
The Empress was someone of this world, so she would have a much easier time killing off the female lead than Shi Sheng.
Shi Sheng gave the Empress a malicious smile. “Naturally, you can use these against me too. As long as you feel you can win, of course.”
The Empress’s gaze fell onto the tiger tally[1].
When Shi Sheng emerged from the palace, all the people kneeling outside remained completely silent. They seemed to wish there was crack in the ground for them to bury themselves in, so the Prime Minister couldn’t see them.
However, Shi Sheng didn’t say anything, merely descending the steps in a leisurely manner before disappearing into the night.
“Guards.” The Empress called.
……
That night, all the people living near the Ning Princess’s residence could hear the horrible, despairing shrieks coming from within.
After midnight, a great fire burned the residence to the ground.
Shi Sheng saw Duan Qingyun’s corpse, but not Jiang Zhi’s.
Her smile was rather dark right now.
‘Not even this could kill the FL! For fuck’s sakes, why not ascend the heavens while you’re at it?!’
Shi Sheng sent people to look for Jiang Zhi, but no trace of her could be found even after searching the entire capital. Shi Sheng felt that missing this chance to kill the FL was going to end in disaster.
After several days of lockdown, the curfew on the city was lifted. The officials that had been placed under house arrest regained their freedom.
It was like the storm clouds had passed.
The Prime Minister hadn’t rebelled. The Empress was still in charge.
The only difference was…the Ning Princess’s residence had turned into a burnt ruin.
According to rumour, not a single person had escaped and everyone perished together with the Ning Princess in that fire.
One could overhear this matter discussed on any of the major roads.
“Did you know? On the night of the fire, I heard screams coming from the Ning Princess’s residence, and some people saw the Imperial Guard appear in the vicinity…”
“You mean Her Majesty…?”
“Wait, that can’t be right. All the commanding tokens are currently being held by the Prime Minister. Could it be her?”
“The Prime Minister and the Ning Princess…”
Their enmity stemmed from a man.
Several days ago, said man had disappeared, and both parties had sent out people to search for him.
The people with more active imaginations immediately invented a story behind this rumor.
“Shhh!”
A few people suddenly quietened down and signalled with nervous looks to their companions stop speaking.
Ling Yue descended from the second floor, causing absolute silence to fall.
‘Why is the Prime Minister’s plaything here?!’
Many had seen Ling Yue on the day of the Heaven’s Ritual. They later heard the Prime Minister really doted on this little priest. Hence, after seeing Ying Yue behind him, could there be any doubt as to his identity?
‘Though we have to say…the Prime Minister’s taste is impeccable. No one in the capital can even compare to this beauty!
That waist. That skin. That face… The Prime Minister sure is lucky.’
“No wonder the Prime Minister treasures this plaything of hers so much. If it were me, I’d favour him greatly too.”
“If I could have him under me for just one night, I’d wake up laughing from now on.”
Several of the braver ones examined Ling Yue lecherously, as lascivious words spewed from their mouths and travelled into his ears.
He frowned slightly, causing his aura to suddenly turn cold and sharp.
“What are you saying?!” Ying Yue snapped loudly. “You want to die?!”
‘These people actually dared to call Sir Ling Yue a plaything! Are they unafraid of Her Excellency’s wrath?!’
[1] I will just copy and paste the yabla dictionary’s meaning: (a two-piece object made in the shape of a tiger, used in ancient China as proof of authority. One half of a tally could be issued to a military officer and this would be matched with the other half when verification was required.)