Chapter 30: Chapter 30: Return to Luoyang

Xu Yingshan used her qinggong and flew out. She ran across the rooftops and made her way towards the north end of Longxin City. On top of the fortified wall, she turned and looked at the southeast sector where Xu manor was. Sadness filled her eyes.

Qiu Ling, I wish I could take you with me. But this time, I need to finish things on my own.

The note she had thrown to Qing Gang had a request for the marriage between Zhang Fangong and Qiu Ling. After having secured her future, Xu Yingshan felt better about leaving.

She leapt off the wall and started off towards Luoyang.

∇

Two days later, back in the capital, Xu Yingshan made her way to Dream House. When she entered, Madam Meng, Su Jingyi, Yu Jiao and the others were shocked. She walked over to Madam Meng.

"I suppose you've heard His Highness' decree?"

The older woman nodded. "If it wasn't for the fact Moonlight Pagoda is a power in this world, I'd turn you in. Why are you back here, Young Lady Li?"

Reinstating her old identity, Li Yingshan closed her eyes and took a shuddering breath. She knew that the probability of returning home and seeing her husband again was small. When she opened her eyes, she sighed.

"I know the risk you're taking by even speaking to me this long. I just need to know if you or any of the others have heard anything from the Crown Prince's adversaries?"

Su Jingyi walked over. "We might've. Why? Planning to kill the Crown Prince like you killed the First Prince?"

Li Yingshan raised an eyebrow. "Maybe."

After learning of my deeds, these sisters have turned on me like vultures. Everywhere is corrupt now, it seems.

Yu Jiao added, "It'd be best if you leave, Li Yingshan. Don't drag Dream House down with you."

Finally, Li Yingshan sighed. "It appears coming here was a waste of time. I'll get going then."

She turned and exited without anyone stopping her. Tears welled in her eyes as she took off for the Imperial Palace. Running across the rooftops, she crossed the wall, unnoticed by the guards. Dropping down inside, she snuck her way over to the Crown Prince's residence. Li Yingshan slipped inside and reclined herself sideways on the bed, waiting for the Crown Prince to return. When he did, shock splashed all over his face as his gaze fell on her. She tilted her head at him, gave an evil smile, and sat up.

"I figured you'd dump everything on me eventually. I just didn't expect you to do it so soon. I underestimated you, Your Highness."

"Third Young Lady Li, you know that if I call my guards, you'll be arrested immediately?"

"I know. But, when your Royal Father, the Emperor, finds out I was arrested in your residence, will he think I'm here to murder you or be your lover?"

"You-!" the Crown Prince growled as he took a threatening step forward.

"I killed all of the assassins you sent after me. Is that why you decreed my arrest? Because you had no other way to get rid of me? I gave you my loyalty. I proved it with my betrayal to my husband and our marriage. And yet, you're still seeking my death. Why? Is it because you fear Moonlight Pagoda? I've already chosen a successor. Moonlight Pagoda will never be yours."

He snarled and lunged towards her. Ensnaring her dainty throat in his hand, his grip slowly tightened.

"Sometimes, to get the job done right, you have to do it yourself," he muttered.

"Indeed," Li Yingshan agreed as she choked. "Why do you think I went and killed the First Prince myself?"

"You paved the way for me, yes. But I never planned to keep you around."

Hurt flashed in her eyes as she asked innocently, "Never?"

"Nice act, but yes. Never."

Stars started to blur her vision. Her face scrunched as her lungs began to burn from lack of oxygen.

So I really will die here. Fine. At least, Miao Chuntao has orders to reveal all of the Crown Prince's deeds. Even if I die now, Chen Kai will eventually fall.

He leaned forward and whispered in her ear, "And, regarding your marriage, I know it hasn't been consummated. Your marriage is nothing but a lie. Do you really think anyone would dare to go against the entire Jianghu for you? With all your sins, you're not worthy of being anyone but a pawn."

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Tears welled in her eyes. Could he be right? But Hero Xu was so good to me. I- I was actually happy finally. At least, if what we had was real, Chen Kai doesn't believe it. Perhaps he'll leave him alone.

"And that maid of yours..."

No. Not Qiu Ling.

"I wonder, will she miss you when you're gone? Or will she rejoice that she no longer has to serve a sinner such as yourself?"

"You're one to talk," she snapped back as he tightened his grip further. She choked and gasped for air. "Would I have sinned this much if it wasn't for you and your ambition to sit on your father's Dragon Throne?"

"You dare," he seethed. "Accuse me? You made your choice to help me. You sinned all on your own."

The darkness began to consume her. Li Yingshan's eyelids fluttered. Just then, she felt a coldness plunge into her chest. Glancing down as best she could, she saw a black hilt sticking out of her body. Shock filled her eyes as she looked up at him.

"A Nether Blade? You're tied with Cloudless Night Sect?"

"My mother came from Cloudless Night Sect. She joined the Imperial Harem on a mission. So yes, I'm closely tied to Cloudless Night Sect. And I don't mind telling you because you'll be dead in a few minutes."

His dark brown eyes glinted with a harsh cruelty. Li Yingshan choked, and blood began to seep from the corner of her mouth. He ripped out the small dagger, and blood gushed from her wound. The Crown Prince stood as watched as she fell sideways, clutching at her chest.

"It's a pity you won't be able to see me ascend the throne. But, if your death means guaranteeing my position as Crown Prince, then I don't mind sacrificing you."

Hoarsely, she replied, "In my next life, I hope our paths never cross. If they do, then I hope I have the chance to kill you."

Li Yingshan couldn't fight the darkness any longer, and it devoured her. The Crown Prince watched as her hand fell limp, and her eyes closed. He whistled for his private guards. They entered swiftly.

"Dispose of the body and have the maids clean my bed. Send someone to tell my father that the convicted traitor Li Yingshan attempted to assassinate me. Also tell him that I reacted quickly, and she's now dead."

"Yes, Your Highness," the guards all said.

Two walked forward and picked up Li Yingshan's body. One went in search of the maids while two others made for the Imperial Court Room where the Emperor would still be.

The Crown Prince watched with a crazed glee in his eye. Li Yingshan, did you really think I cared for you?

∇

A week later, Xu Haoran was returning to Longxin City. After Li Yingshan hadn't shown up, he searched all over the city for her. When he still didn't find her, he took her Bloodmoon Guardians, Zhang Fangong, and Qiu Ling to Moonlight Pagoda. There, a small wedding was held, but when Li Yingshan was still nowhere to be found, it put a damper on the mood. He chose to return home, sending Qiu Ling and Zhang Fangong on ahead of him by a day.

As he was passing by Ten Thousand Ways Restaurant, two martial artists were exiting and speaking as they walked.

"Did you hear? The Disgraced Third Young Lady Li is a traitor."

"Oh, I know. I can't believe she would do such a thing. Everyone was blinded by her."

"I heard she even attempted to assassinate the Crown Prince in Luoyang!"

Dread filled Xu Haoran's heart. He pulled back on the reins of his horse, urging it to stop.

"She did?" the other martial artist asked. "What happened?"

"Apparently, the Crown Prince was expecting something like that. He was prepared and warded off her attack. It's a good thing he wasn't hurt."

"What about the traitorous Third Young Lady Li?"

"Oh," the first martial artist scoffed as he waved his hand dismissively. "She's dead."

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