"Yes!"
Nie Chong accepted the order, turned around and waved his hand, causing everyone around to raise their heads. Behind him, several soldiers were escorting a tall man inside. The man was still wearing clothes similar to Song Yu’s two guards, but they were torn in several places and stained with blood. His face had two knife wounds, and thick bandages wrapped around his shoulder and thigh, showing patches of blood.
Upon seeing him, Song Yu’s expression froze.
The man brought in by Nie Chong walked with unsteady steps, evidently weak and severely injured, but he gritted his teeth and walked slowly inside. He glared at Song Yu with reddened eyes before kneeling in front of Yin Changyue and Shang Ruyi: "I humbly greet Mr. Yin, I humbly greet the General’s wife."
Yin Changyue imdiately said: "I recognize you, you are the guard who has been with Lord Song throughout the journey."
"...Yes."
The man lowered his head, his voice hoarse and filled with imnse regret, saying: "I am indeed Zheng Feng, the trusted aide of Lord Song — Song Yu."
"Then how did you end up like this?"
"I ended up in this state—" Zheng Feng said while glancing at Shang Ruyi with reddened eyes: "Just as the General’s wife described earlier."
"..."
"I, along with another brother, followed Lord Song’s orders to carry out a life-threatening task. Initially, we were prepared to risk our lives, but unexpectedly, performing this task would instead cost us our lives."
Yin Changyue frowned tightly: "The task you did was—attempting to assassinate the Great General?"
"...Yes."
"How did you carry it out?"
Zheng Feng looked up at Shang Ruyi and spoke softly: "Everything was as the madam said, not the slightest bit off. Even the Hook Vine in your incense was bought from an herbal shop in the city under Song Yu’s instructions by and the other brother."
"..."
"He ordered us to wait until you ignited the herbs inside; naturally, you would be rendered unconscious. We were then to seal the doors and windows from outside, pour tung oil into the gaps, and set it on fire. Later, if anyone investigated, they would believe you mishandled the fire inside, without any flaw in the plan."
"..."
"Unexpectedly, after we started the fire fearing discovery, we left imdiately, but the girl inside broke out; Song Yu quickly instructed us to leave the official office to lay low, so we didn’t anticipate the General and his wife made a miraculous escape. Song Yu, worried the matter would be uncovered, sent people that night to kill us and silence us!"
"..."
"My brother was killed on the spot; as for —struck with dozens of knife wounds, I passed out."
"..."
"However, fate didn’t abandon ; I was thrown to the outskirts as food for wild dogs but regained consciousness, realizing I wasn’t dead. When I planned to return and report him, I encountered this brother Nie."
"..."
"Now I have confessed everything I did and all I know. If the madam wishes to kill or flay, I have no objections."
"..."
"I only plead for the main perpetrator to be brought to justice and punished!"
At this mont, Song Yu also panicked. In fact, from the mont Zheng Feng appeared, he had already lost his composure, and upon hearing the last four words, his eyes turned red. He looked sharply at Shang Ruyi, who was closest to him, and within reach.
Then, he shouted loudly, pulling out a dagger from his waist, and charged at Shang Ruyi.
This caught everyone off guard.
Just as he was about to grab Shang Ruyi and hold the dagger to her throat, a dark shadow suddenly dashed out like a fierce calf, tackling his waist and throwing him several yards away.
Song Yu slamd into the wall heavily, fell, and before he could get up, was rushed at by the figure again, who stomped on his knife-wielding wrist, followed by a loud crack.
A shrill scream sounded as Song Yu’s wrist was brutally fractured!
The one stepping on him was Shantong’er.
He panted furiously, saying: "It’s you, taking advantage of during dinner to harm my brother Yu Wen, and now trying to attack Sister Ruyi in front of , dream on!"
Song Yu scread and struggled but couldn’t move under Shantonger’s foot pressure.
At that mont, sweat covering his forehead, he raised his head just to et Shang Ruyi’s cold eyes as she stepped forward and looked down at him.
Even earlier, when he suddenly lashed out, Shang Ruyi didn’t show the slightest panic, as if she had foreseen this mont. Watching his miserable state now, her eyes didn’t exhibit a trace of joy or satisfaction.
Only icy coldness.
Shang Ruyi said: "Song Yu, when you are at a dead end, accept your fate; when there’s no way out, admit defeat. There’s no point in struggling anymore; better to be honest."
"..."
"Now I ask you."
"..."
"Who is behind your actions?"
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