Chapter 403: Chapter 402: Dying for the Princess Is Your Honor 22

The people of the Capital City were discussing the New Dynasty, while Ah Chen was busy within the palace.

She quickly had a few bites of lunch and continued with her work. The afternoon came swiftly, and people around her had reminded her several times to have her meal, prompting her to finally put down her tasks.

In fact, whether she ate or not made little difference to her health, but others would not be at ease, so she decided to take a few bites anyway.

Fearing any plots, Lu Zhu and Hong Zhu always carefully inspected the food brought to Ah Chen before allowing her to eat it.

Ah Chen did not comment much. If they wished to do so, it was better for them to continue, as it saved everyone from anxiety.

However, there were indeed numerous poisons in this world, many of which Lu Zhu and Hong Zhu simply could not detect. That evening, the tea beside Ah Chen contained a problem.

She glanced at the maidservant serving the tea and asked with a smile, “What is your name?”

The maid struggled to control her body, answering calmly, “In response, Your Majesty, this servant is called Jing Shu.”

“What is your background? Do you have any family?”

Jing Shu tightened her hand hidden in her sleeve, steadying her mind: “This servant is an orphan, there is no family left.”

“How did you become an orphan?” Ah Chen propped her chin up, asking another question, “Was it disease, disaster, or calamity by human hands?”

This question stunned Jing Shu for a moment. How did she become an orphan? It was because… born under Bei Qi’s rule, her father and brothers offended the nobility, were beaten to death without justice, and she was taken away. Initially thought she would descend into hell, but was later chosen by the Third Prince of Bei Qi, improving her situation.

“Who arranged for you to come here?”

Jing Shu hastily knelt and said, “It was this servant herself, truly it was myself, no one arranged it.”

The Third Prince was still alive, if she exposed him, wouldn’t he lose any chance at survival? She merely thought killing this Third Prince would save her, but now realized it was overly simplistic.

“Did you come to kill me today to restore Bei Qi?”

“No—” Jing Shu suddenly said loudly. She had never thought of restoring the former Bei Qi. No, there was nothing good about Bei Qi. In fact, she felt quite relieved when the nobles were killed, especially knowing the person who killed her father was also dead, made her happy.

Suddenly, she lost all strength, realizing something at that moment.

But the Third Prince was different; at least the people around him were decent.

“Your master is Song Yuheng, right?” When Ah Chen mentioned this name, she noticed Jing Shu’s flustered expression and was not surprised. For a maid like Jing Shu to approach her, the master’s identity could only be this. Among the Bei Qi Royal Family nobility, only Song Yuheng had gained slight favor.

“The Third Prince never ordered it. If you wish to deal with someone, then deal with this servant,” Jing Shu fell helplessly to the ground. “Truly, this servant never had the chance to meet him, the Third Prince never sent messages, it was truly just wishful thinking on my part.”

“Do you believe if Song Yuheng restored Bei Qi, it would become better?” Ah Chen asked. Seeing Jing Shu lift her head, not waiting for her response, she continued, “It wouldn’t. Even when he was the glorious Third Prince of Bei Qi, he lacked the capability and courage to deter or advise. He will have even less ability to restore Bei Qi. Even if people helped him, those residual royal members and nobles abroad would come back to support him, equally as much of an obstacle. He won’t strike against them, instead, he will use them.”

“Those people are already on his side.”

“If Song Yuheng restored Bei Qi, even if he doesn’t do evil, his subordinates might not necessarily refrain. It won’t take long for it to be just like before.”

“Is this what you wish for?”

“No.” Jing Shu shook her head quickly. This wasn’t what she wished for. Except for the Third Prince, she loathed everyone in the Bei Qi Royal Family. Having spent considerable time with the Third Prince, she had witnessed many sordid acts, each instance bringing nausea. The Third Prince would sigh, expressing powerlessness.

The new ruler spoke rightly. Even if she succeeded today, and the Third Prince restored Bei Qi, he would merely tread the old path.

“I haven’t killed him yet. You came to kill me today for what purpose?” Ah Chen asked with a smile.

Jing Shu said, “I thought if I killed Your Majesty, the Third Prince could be saved and ascend to great positions. He… is different.”

“How could it be as simple as you think?” Ah Chen laughed, “If it were true, anyone could possibly do it, except him, who would just die faster.”

“If I’m gone, how would you let those with hope carry on? In the time to come, many, especially you vulnerable ones, might die.”

Jing Shu’s face went pale; only now did she understand the significance of this new ruler before her.

Ah Chen watched her in a daze, continuing to eat her meal; she didn’t touch that cup of tea, even if it wouldn’t be lethal, she didn’t want to frighten others.

With Fan Shi and Xue Shanhuai present, things shouldn’t spiral into complete chaos. However, without her presence, it wouldn’t go well. In times like this, the cohesiveness of human hearts couldn’t be underestimated. With her here, the people could gather and follow her directions.

She was now the backbone. None could be spared, least of all her.

Because she decisively killed the Bei Qi Royal Family and those nobles who exploited the people, they believed in her, thinking only she could assure their well-being. If she was gone, they’d panic, seeking to flee, retreating for survival, the courage they’d just found would vanish quickly, and it’d be hard to regain it.

Fan Shi was wise, Xue Shanhuai kind-heart, both were excellent, but in such chaotic times, gathering people like she could was difficult.

If human hearts could gather with only wisdom and kindness, each era had so many wise and kind-hearted ones; why fear the peace of chaotic times?

“Today, I won’t kill you. Since you have such intentions, I’ll send you to serve Song Yuheng. This counts as granting your wish, I won’t kill him. You can live together.”

Ah Chen waved a hand, and Jing Shu was sent to where Song Yuheng was held captive.

For now, it was still within the Imperial Palace, a more remote and quiet palace. Naturally, there were no treatments like that of the Third Prince, having a bit to eat was already considered good; certainly wasn’t a place for him to luxuriate.

Seeing Song Yuheng unharmed, Jing Shu was somewhat happy, but recalling the conversation with the new ruler, she felt she missed something, but her joy overshadowed her concerns.

“You shouldn’t have; she’s not one you could kill.” Song Yuheng, upon understanding the situation, sighed, “You’ve never seen her prowess, not an ordinary person indeed.”

Such methods were almost like those of an Immortal.

“Master, if I succeeded, and you restored Bei Qi, could you make Bei Qi different? Would it get better? Would it change? Could those outrages against human life be eradicated?” Jing Shu suddenly asked.

Song Yuheng was taken aback for a moment, and he smiled bitterly: “Jing Shu, you overestimate me.”

He couldn’t do it.

“Even if you truly killed Song Chen, I wouldn’t manage to restore Bei Qi. How would I restore it? Who would listen? Those people from before? Being put up by them is almost like being a puppet, how could I change anything?”

Jing Shu remained silent. Was it really so?

“Your Majesty, I heard someone tried to poison you?” Fan Shi returned anxiously, seeing Ah Chen calmly flipping through a book, relaxed with a sigh of relief. “Was that foolish person killed?”

If not, he would do it himself.

She was someone he had painstakingly found, a hope for uniting the world! How could she be harmed by others? Anyone who dared to harm her deserved death.

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