Rejected Beauty Practices the Villain Play-Chapter 842 - 820: Sudden Change
When the Royal Palace Inner Hall caught fire, Fang Chuning was at the banquet, engaging in lively conversation with Han Ziqi. The King of Sannan had matters to discuss with Xie Jue, and the two left the table for a talk. The negotiations were essentially finalized, and several copies of the treaty of surrender were signed, which would immediately take effect upon signature and seal. Though Fang Chuning was displeased with Sannan’s demand for Xie Jue to acknowledge his maternal lineage, he was nevertheless happy about the smooth progress of the negotiations. Han Ziqi intentionally tried to build rapport with him, and he patiently responded; even Mr. Gu drank a few more cups, feeling very pleased.
"My father and brothers all want to live in Mudan City in the future, but I want to go to the Capital City. I’ve long grown tired of Mudan City after so many years. I’ll have to rely on General Fang to take care of me then," Han Ziqi, accustomed to social engagements, made these remarks without any stiffness or flattery, instead giving a genuine impression.
Fang Chuning also just listened without taking it to heart. As they were chatting idly, they suddenly saw flames shooting into the sky not far away. Han Ziqi paused, "That’s the Inner Hall... that’s where Father lives, why is it on fire?"
Fang Chuning frowned, and suddenly a palace attendant with a pale face ran over and knelt in the hall, "Your Highness, Your Highness, it’s not good, Chaoyang Palace is on fire. The King, Princess, and Prince Yan are trapped inside."
"Ting Feng..." Fang Chuning abruptly stood up and dashed towards Chaoyang Palace. The Great Prince, Third Prince, and Han Ziqi also followed Fang Chuning in panic. In this emergency, Fang Chuning disregarded etiquette, instructing Lin Xiao to mobilize the troops while running. With the unclear situation at Chaoyang Palace, Xie Jue must not remain trapped in the palace.
When Fang Chuning and Han Ziqi arrived outside Chaoyang Palace, they saw the slightly disheveled Xie Jue, Princess X kneeling and crying, continually calling out for Father. Princess X, dressed in luxurious palace attire, sat on the steps in tears, while palace attendants were fighting the fire. The blaze was overwhelming; a loyal warrior who rushed into the hall to save the King of Sannan was burned to death inside, and Princess X could still hear his cries.
"Ting Feng, how are you, are you injured?" Fang Chuning swiftly moved to Xie Jue’s side, where two Shadow Guards were already present, both appearing somewhat disheveled.
"Father, Father..." Han Ziqi’s eyes reddened as he shouted towards the hall, "Lingling, why is Father still inside the hall?"
Princess X cried bitterly and suddenly pointed at Xie Jue, "It’s him, he’s the one who killed Father, he’s the one who burned Father to death in the palace."
Han Ziqi paused in shock and looked at Xie Jue, while the fiery-tempered Great Prince, upon hearing this, roared furiously and drew his sword towards Xie Jue, "Xie Tingfeng, I’m going to kill you!"
The short blade, reflecting the firelight, still emitted a chilling gleam. Today, they entered the palace for negotiations without swords, and Ying Er and Ying San swiftly advanced to control the Great Prince’s arms on either side, seizing his short sword. Ying Er also took the opportunity to keep the short sword for himself.
The Great Prince continued to shout about wanting to kill Xie Jue, but was kicked away by Ying San. Still, he tried to rush forward and fight Xie Jue with blood-red eyes full of hatred, yet was stopped by the Third Prince, "Elder Brother, let’s extinguish the fire first and find out what really happened."
"What more is there to find out? Little sister has already accused him of killing Father. The enmity of patricide is irreconcilable; I must kill him!"
"Utter nonsense. Clearly, the King of Sannan set the fire himself and trapped himself in the hall. Why does Princess X choose to frame our master!" Ying Er shouted angrily.
"Lies, it’s Xie Jue!" Princess X sobbed uncontrollably, her tears evoking sympathy. She clung to Han Ziqi’s arm, crying, "Father brought me here intending to discuss our marriage with Prince Yan. Sannan was already set to negotiate, and Father hoped I could marry Prince Yan to solidify the alliance, but Prince Yan refused, saying he was enamored with General Fang and would never marry a woman. Father was furious and argued with him, hoping he’d see the bigger picture and marry me, appeasing the Sannan Royal Family. They argued, knocking over the candles in the hall, and the flames quickly spread. Father and I could have escaped, but near the hall entrance, he pushed Father back in, saying that the surrender document was secured, and Father’s survival would only force him into marriage, so he might as well die in the fire. It was him... he is the murderer!"
Chaoyang Palace’s fire blazed fiercely, beyond rescue. A group of concubines nearby cried hysterically. With the King’s death, Han Ziqi became the King of Sannan.
Several young and spirited princes shouted for Han Ziqi to kill Xie Jue to avenge their father!
Xie Jue coldly said to Princess X, "The story is well crafted; I didn’t expect Princess X to escape death. Faced with your father being burned alive, you remain calm and articulate such a perfect tale, plotted long ago, no doubt. He indeed self-immolated in the hall, yet you place the blame on me. What do you plan to do?"
"Prince Yan, my father signed the surrender document. Why would he seek death? My sister is pure-hearted and never lies." The Third Prince questioned, "You refused the marriage for Fang Chuning, why kill my father? We clearly surrendered, yet you bully us too much!"
The flames of anger among the Sannan people were ignited instantly. The King of Sannan, being kind, was greatly respected by palace attendants, and now he was burned to death in the hall. Xie Jue, accused by Princess X of murdering the King, was left without a defense.
Fervor surged, and a group of guards armed with swords approached, shouting loudly, "Kill Xie Jue to avenge the King, Kill Xie Jue to avenge the King!"
Fang Chuning pulled Xie Jue to his side, shielding him, "I’d like to see who dares!"
In the distance, a green firework shot into the sky, which was the rescue signal from the Ningzhou Iron Cavalry. The palace was tense with swords drawn, and the Ningzhou Iron Cavalry at the lodge would arrive at the palace with utmost speed.
"Han Ziqi, you’d better advise your guards to stay calm and avoid causing a scene. Our Ningzhou Iron Cavalry, even with only five thousand men, have no problem fighting their way through. You don’t wish for the palace to flow with rivers of blood and for the negotiations to collapse. Immediately order them to lay down their weapons and withdraw from Chaoyang Palace." Fang Chuning said sternly. The celebration banquet did not envision the King of Sannan perishing in the hall.
Han Ziqi was kneeling before the hall, eyes reddened, bowing heavily towards Chaoyang Palace. The group of guards filled with hatred and rage kept their gaze fixed on Xie Jue. With a single command, they could tear Xie Jue limb from limb. The young princes and princesses were like angry beasts, glaring at Xie Jue with resentment, yearning to devour him. Xie Jue sensed the attacking hostility from all directions.
"Anning, they are overwhelmingly numerous. If there’s a chance, you must leave first; they wouldn’t dare to kill me rashly." Xie Jue lowered his voice. After all, it was the royal palace, and only five hundred men were present, with the rest at the lodge. If this was a premeditated frame-up, whether the Ningzhou Iron Cavalry at the lodge would arrive smoothly was also uncertain.
"What are you talking about?" Even in dire straits, faced with a dead end ahead, he never abandoned Xie Jue, leaving him alone, "We’ve sworn as husband and wife; we share life and death. Besides... this scenario isn’t new to us from Beiman, I’m here!"
