"Don’t pretend to be surprised in front of me. I don’t believe it." Xie Ruotong watched Song Yanqing’s reaction with cold indifference.

Song Yanqing’s eyes tightened slightly.

At that time, he didn’t think much about the elder princess’s death.

He thought that given her age, a sudden heart attack, although unexpected, was not impossible.

And because everyone was together watching the opera that day, doing nothing else, her sudden attack did not raise much suspicion.

But now, hearing what Xie Ruotong said,

So certain in her speech,

He began to doubt whether the death of the elder princess was truly an accident.

"Xie Ruotong, if you want to kill us then do so. Falling into your hands, we never expected to survive!" Xie Ruilin shouted loudly.

Even if it meant death,

She did not want Xie Ruotong and Song Yanqing to clear up the misunderstanding.

She would not let Xie Ruotong know that her grandmother’s death had nothing to do with Song Yanqing.

She wanted Xie Ruotong to hate forever, to suffer for a lifetime.

"Heh," Xie Ruotong gave another cold laugh, "If you want death that much, I’ll grant your wish."

There was not a trace of emotion in Xie Ruotong’s eyes.

There would be no feelings towards Xie Ruilin.

Xie Ruotong dismounted nimbly, swiftly getting off the horse’s back.

She walked over to Xie Ruilin.

Xie Ruilin was somewhat frightened by Xie Ruotong’s approach.

She never imagined she would end up in Xie Ruotong’s hands.

She never imagined that the Prince of Chu would be defeated by the Prince of Chen.

If only the Prince of Chu had not been incompetent.

They would not have been driven to such a state.

If the Prince of Chu had defeated the Prince of Chen, Xie Ruotong would have been implicated because of the Prince of Chen.

The one who should die would be Xie Ruotong!

She glared fiercely at Xie Ruotong.

Xie Ruotong drew out the Treasure Sword.

There, in front of Song Yanqing and Xie Ruilin, she unsheathed her sharp sword.

The bright blade under the firelight was dazzling.

The sharp sword tip was aimed at Xie Ruilin.

Xie Ruilin trembled with fear.

She said to Xie Ruotong, "Even if you kill me, you and Brother Yanqing can never be together; Brother Yanqing won’t like you!"

Xie Ruotong was not swayed by Xie Ruilin’s words.

Whatever she said

Was unimportant to Xie Ruotong.

In her eyes, there was only hate.

Just the hate for Xie Ruilin causing harm to her grandmother.

Her eyes tightened.

Hand slightly moved.

Song Yanqing directly stepped in front of Xie Ruilin.

Xie Ruotong’s gaze flickered slightly.

She just watched Song Yanqing protecting Xie Ruilin.

Song Yanqing also saw Xie Ruotong, who suddenly retracted her Treasure Sword.

She had no plans to kill Xie Ruilin.

Song Yanqing’s Adam’s apple moved.

"Can’t bear to see her die?" Xie Ruotong asked indifferently as she methodically returned the Treasure Sword to its sheath.

Song Yanqing said, "There’s no need for senseless killing."

"Innocent, do you think she is innocent?" Xie Ruotong asked faintly.

"The Prince of Chu’s rebellion has nothing to do with them; I alone was involved."

"Then tell me, where is the Prince of Chu?"

"I am loyal to the Prince of Chu," Song Yanqing stated bluntly.

Therefore,

He knew the whereabouts of the Prince of Chu.

But because of his loyalty, he would not speak.

Xie Ruotong just watched Song Yanqing coldly, reminding him, "Sometimes, living is more painful than dying."

"I know."

"You don’t know," Xie Ruotong mounted the horse, "but you will soon."

Xie Ruotong pulled the reins.

She left an order, "Arrest Song Yanqing and Xie Ruilin and bring them back for interrogation."

"Yes."

Lin Qianyu commanded his men to capture the two.

Xie Ruotong did not kill them.

Not to torture them.

But merely to execute the royal decree of Prince Chen.

Xie Ruotong did not bother with Song Yanqing and Xie Ruilin anymore and went straight to Prince Chu’s residence.

Even though the recent altercation with Bai Mowan had been unpleasant.

Yet, capturing Prince Chu was a command from Prince Chen given to both of them.

If she had any leads, she naturally had to inform Bai Mowan immediately.

When she arrived at Prince Chu’s residence.

She heard a heart-wrenching scream from inside.

Stepping into the courtyard of Prince Chu’s residence, she saw Xie Ruiyao tied up on the ground, with Bai Mowan standing in front of her, holding a bloody sword.

Bai Mowan evidently noticed Xie Ruotong’s arrival.

But did not pay attention to Xie Ruotong.

Xie Ruotong quietly walked over.

"Speak! Where exactly did Prince Chu go?!" Bai Mowan fiercely demanded, her face contorted with ferocity.

Kneeling on the ground, covered in blood, barely alive, Xie Ruiyao said, "I don’t know, I have no idea where the Prince has gone! Bai Mowan, you actually dare to use this unofficial punishment on me, I’ll kill you... ah..."

Another agonized scream.

With a thrust of the sword, Bai Mowan stabbed into Xie Ruiyao’s thigh, her pain nearly causing her to faint.

Xie Ruotong remained silent by the side.

She did not quite understand why Bai Mowan was torturing Xie Ruiyao like this.

She should know, with Prince Chu not in the residence, Xie Ruiyao definitely couldn’t know Xiao Jinsen’s whereabouts.

This interrogation made her feel like she was seeking vengeance.

Only, what deep hatred could have existed between Xie Ruiyao and Bai Mowan to make Bai Mowan torture her like this?

Not just Xie Ruotong was puzzled.

Xie Ruiyao herself also did not understand how she had offended Bai Mowan.

The only previous grievance between them... was her taking Bai Mowan’s position as Princess Chu’s wife.

But later she heard that Bai Mowan actually liked Xiao Jinxing.

By marrying Xiao Jinsen, she had given Bai Mowan the opportunity to marry Xiao Jinxing, so why would Bai Mowan treat her this way?

Although she truly wished Bai Mowan dead, to rid Xiao Jinsen of his constant reminiscence.

Yet she hadn’t taken any action.

She simply did not have the power to confront Bai Mowan.

Could it be that Bai Mowan has mind-reading abilities, knowing her inner thoughts...

Xie Ruiyao writhed in agony, her body convulsing, she fiercely said, "Bai Mowan, treating me this way, if Prince Chu returns, when Prince Chu comes back, he will surely have you torn to pieces, you won’t die well!"

Bai Mowan sneered coldly.

The sinister smile made even Xie Ruotong feel somewhat terrified.

From a young age, she knew exactly what kind of person Bai Mowan was.

Definitely not this cruel to the extreme.

Of course.

She felt no sympathy for Xie Ruiyao’s suffering.

Xie Ruiyao could be considered one of the masterminds behind the death of her grandmother, and she wished nothing more but for Xie Ruiyao’s death.

She just didn’t understand why Bai Mowan had become so utterly ruthless.

Was it because she also suffered some blow?!

Because she couldn’t marry Prince Chen?!

Xie Ruotong remained composed, coldly watching the crazy torture Bai Mowan inflicted on Xie Ruiyao.

Bai Mowan said, "Xiao Jinsen will not return, do you think he would risk his life for someone as insignificant as you? Xie Ruiyao, shouldn’t you understand very well what kind of man Xiao Jinsen is?!"

"He will return, he will come back, I am carrying his child, he must return!" Xie Ruiyao retorted loudly.

Even as she screamed heartbreakingly, she knew very well in her heart.

Xiao Jinsen had abandoned her.

For Xiao Jinsen, his own life was more important, he wouldn’t care about her fate at all!