Volume One, Chapter Ten: All Because of You

Scalding liquid suddenly splashed across her face. In that moment, her mind seemed to be emptied, utterly blank.

The assailant holding Song Yueyi collapsed immediately. Terrified, Song Yueyi screamed and lunged into Song Lin’s arms, but Song Lin irritably dodged away, forcibly pushing her toward Su Lingfeng.

Song Lin shouted angrily, “Guards! Drag these vagrants out and behead them at once! Post notices throughout the city warning that any further insubordination or disturbance will bring punishment upon nine generations, no exceptions! Hang their heads on the city walls as a warning!”

Such ruthlessness from the Crown Prince of the Great Zhou!

Song Jiayin understood well that in these turbulent times, only harsh and extraordinary measures could maintain order. After all, this capital had once been the Jin Kingdom’s seat of power.

Han Wuhen swiftly led men to drag the vagrants away, and chilling screams soon echoed outside the gates.

Frightened, Song Jiayin covered her ears tightly, trembling all over, barely able to stand.

At that moment, Song Lin’s cold voice cut through the air again. “Guard duty has been so lax. Han Wuhen, your men’s dereliction of duty—what punishment do you think it deserves?”

Han Wuhen answered nervously, knowing he had been negligent. He had thought Song Jiayin unimportant, so only posted two guards for show, since Song Yueyi was the true princess.

Yet Song Yueyi softly said, “Fourth Royal Brother, it was just an accident. Commander Han has always been loyal. These vagrants must have slipped in. The weather is so cold, the guards are also working hard. Please don’t be angry; they’ll surely protect Sister well from now on.”

Again? Unable to distinguish right from wrong?

Song Jiayin inwardly sneered, watching Song Yueyi’s pure, flawless image. Turning to return inside, she heard Su Lingfeng ask, “Jiajia, you just called yourself a princess. These guards neglected their duty—what do you think should be done?”

This mere son of a marquis’s concubine, who only claimed the title of heir through his mother, dared openly challenge her before the Crown Prince and princess, utterly disregarding her.

In the past, Song Jiayin would have demanded harsh punishment for the guards in righteous fury. But now, seeing Song Yueyi, the hostage, defend the guards, why play the villain? Calmly, she said, “I called myself ‘princess’ only to save the real princess. The guards serve Great Zhou; I have no authority to punish them. Fortunately, the princess is unharmed.”

—

Yet a stern voice abruptly cut through, “If you claim to be a princess yet excuse these negligent guards, consider yourself lucky you weren’t the one kidnapped! If not for you, Yueyue wouldn’t have fallen into danger!”

Song Jing’s unexpected return and timely appearance caught Song Jiayin unprepared.

Since Song Yueyi returned from her fief three years ago, blame seemed always to fall on her.

Old wounds tore open inside Song Jiayin’s heart, bleeding afresh into a tragic bloom.

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