"Preposterous!"
His sore spot hit, Wu Cheng Wang was so enraged he slammed his hand on the table and stood up. However, Lin Qing Ge's mouth continued to move, dancing on the former's landmines.
"Xu Shou Xin, Lian Cheng Yi, Xia Cheng Cheng, Zhou Ze Li.
Propriety, righteousness, sincerity, trust.
All fine names, but alas, the people are unworthy of them, not one can live up to these four characters."
The person in question, Zhou Ze Li: ...
"Therefore, this humble daughter suggests Your Highness change their names from Propriety, Righteousness, Sincerity, and Trust to Betrayal and Deceit.
Although the dead cannot be resurrected, at least you wouldn't have to send your son to join them."
"Lin Qing Ge!
Do you truly believe this King dares not kill you?!"
Continuously struck by blows, Wu Cheng Wang raised his trembling hand and shouted outwards,
"Guards, seize this woman for me! I will personally flay her flesh inch by inch and feed it to the dogs!"
"Your Highness, isn't that a bit… inappropriate?"
Lin Qing Ge crossed her arms in front of her chest, adopting a posture of defiance unto death.
"A scholar can be killed but not humiliated. Even if you are a Prince, you cannot behave like a hooligan in public!"
...
Wu Cheng Wang, whose forehead veins were pulsing with excessive vigor, drew the sword hanging by his side and lunged forward, only to be blocked by Leng Ning Yue's shackles.
"If this King does not kill you today to appease the spirits of my mother and my sons Xin'er and Cheng'er, then I, I…"
Enraged, Wu Cheng Wang felt as if a ball of fire was burning in his mind, robbing him of all reason, causing him to forget what he was about to say.
At the same time.
Two guards, hidden in the shadows, revealed themselves, pointing their sword tips at Leng Ning Yue.
Leng Ning Yue, however, seemed to have anticipated their presence, showing no surprise on her face. She shielded Lin Qing Ge behind her, her gaze, filled with a sense of oppression, fixed on Wu Cheng Wang.
It was as if the moment Wu Cheng Wang dared to order harm upon the person behind her, she would unhesitatingly charge forward and tear him to shreds.
"Audacious!"
Feeling affronted, Wu Cheng Wang roared, raising the sword in his hand a little higher.
"I know you inherited your mother's legacy and have practiced the supreme skills of the Jade Maiden Sect since childhood, possessing formidable martial arts.
But so what?
Are you not bound by shackles and chains right now? Let alone killing me, you can't even defeat my two guards. Yet you dare to challenge me, utterly overestimating yourself!"
"Whether I can win is irrelevant, but you will certainly die!
That, is enough."
With that, Leng Ning Yue was about to make a move, but Lin Qing Ge, quick-witted, grabbed her.
"Your Highness, please don't be offended. As the saying goes, people of the same path enter the same family. My husband is even more forthright than I am, always speaking his mind.
She isn't cursing you; she means it quite literally."
...
This time, it was not just Wu Cheng Wang's hand, but the sword he held, that began to tremble.
At this moment, Zhou Ze Li stepped forward,
"Father, please do not be angry. The more agitated you become, the more you fall into this person's trap."
"You are right, Li'er. This woman is too wicked. Let you be the one to execute her in my stead."
Upon hearing this, Zhou Ze Li shook his head.
"Father, the enmity of Grandmother and elder brother must indeed be avenged, but not now.
I believe you are aware of the importance of these two individuals.
Now that they have appeared in the Northeast Great Camp, it signifies that the crisis in the capital has been resolved.
Without the Fourth Prince's restraint, the newly enthroned Emperor, once he recovers, will swiftly dispatch troops northward.
At that time, conflict will be inevitable.
However, our preparations are currently insufficient.
If we use these two as bargaining chips, even if Xiao Zhan Bei, known as the God of War of Da Xia, personally leads the army, we will have a fighting chance."
Upon hearing Zhou Ze Li's analysis, Wu Cheng Wang gradually calmed down.
"Father, rest assured, although they are bargaining chips, the initiative remains in your hands.
We can preemptively administer a poison that causes intestinal rupture and bleeding, preferably one with a delayed effect.
This way, we can exchange them for a temporary respite for the Northeast Great Camp, and also avenge Grandmother and elder brother.
Most importantly, whatever happens to them in the Northeast Great Camp will be irrelevant to you, as it did not occur in your presence."
Perhaps it was one of Zhou Ze Li's points that struck a chord with Wu Cheng Wang, for he waved his hand,
"Good, we shall proceed as you suggested, Li'er.
Guards, escort them away and keep them under strict watch!
No!
Mere watchfulness is not enough; they must suffer some hardship!"
Just as Wu Cheng Wang was contemplating what means to employ to vent his resentment, Zhou Ze Li whispered a few words into his ear.
Wu Cheng Wang finally merely glared fiercely at Lin Qing Ge, making no further trouble.
Thus, Lin Qing Ge and Leng Ning Yue were taken away.
Since their eyes were not blindfolded this time, Lin Qing Ge had the opportunity to survey the temple's surroundings.
She did not know the situation outside the temple, but as they walked down this path, there was a guard post or sentry almost every three steps.
Coupled with the obviously utilized study and Wu Cheng Wang's subconscious habits of sitting behind his desk, Lin Qing Ge was almost certain that this was Wu Cheng Wang's true base of operations.
Tsk, what normal person would establish their lair inside a temple dedicated to purity and detachment?
Arriving at a dark and damp dungeon, Lin Qing Ge and her companion were confined to the deepest cell.
"Young master, now that the people are secured, could you please remove my husband's shackles and anklets?"
Hearing Lin Qing Ge's question, Zhou Ze Li stopped his steps towards the exit and coldly replied two words,
"No."
Despite the refusal, Lin Qing Ge did not get angry. Instead, she changed her request,
"Then, could you trouble the young master to prepare some palatable food for my husband and me, out of consideration for our past acquaintance?"
This time, Zhou Ze Li made no sound and simply strode away.
Seeing Zhou Ze Li leave, the guard tapped the iron bars with his sword hilt.
"What are you looking at? The young master has already left, so don't be wishful thinking!"
As the guard spoke, his lascivious gaze swept from Lin Qing Ge's neck downwards.
"However—
You are a rather comely young lady. If you serve this grandpa well, perhaps I might reward you with a few bites…"
Before the guard could finish his sentence, he toppled backward stiffly.
And sticking out of his throat was a hairpin.