Chapter 345 - 345: Jiang Yan’s Death

Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation

The Emperor of Qi Ming exerted a considerable amount of force, causing Xiao Junhao to spit out a mouthful of fresh blood. “That wasn’t enough”, the Emperor kicked Xiao Junhao several more times.

Xiao Junhao didn’t dare to dodge.

Only when the Emperor of Qi Ming stopped did Xiao Junhao kneel and speak, “Imperial father, please calm your anger. 1 don’t know what I’ve done wrong to anger you so.”

“You dare to ask?”

Hearing Xiao Junhao’s words, the anger that had just subsided in the Emperor of Qi Ming surged again.

He pointed to the wooden puppet on the ground and then looked at Xiao Junhao, “You dared to curse me? You bastard, do 1 still exist in your eyes?”

“Imperial Father, 1 truly didn’t know about this.”

“It was the imperial guards who found this in your princess consort’s quarters. Do you dare say you didn’t know?”

Hearing Xiao Junhao’s words and the relentless questioning from the Emperor of Qi Ming, Xiao Junhao simply shook his head.

By the end of it, Xiao Junhao’s eyes were full of pain. “Imperial Father, 1 truly didn’t know.”

“I swear, if 1 had known, may thunder strike me down, and may 1 have no place for burial.”

Xiao Junhao raised three fingers above his head, swearing solemnly.

Seeing Xiao Junhao’s gesture, the anger in the Emperor of Qi Ming’s eyes eased slightly, but upon seeing the wooden puppet on the ground, he still asked angrily, “You truly didn’t know?”

“I truly didn’t know.”

“That’s your princess consort. How could you not know?”

“Imperial father, have you forgotten? You bestowed Jiang Yan upon me.”

As the Emperor of Qi Ming’s words settled, Xiao Junhao softly said.

Upon hearing this, a complex emotion flashed in the Emperor’s eyes. But soon after, he looked at Xiao Junhao with dissatisfaction, “So, you are blaming me now?”

“I wouldn’t dare.”

After kowtowing to the Emperor of Qi Ming, Xiao Junhao whispered, “Imperial father, when the King of Jiangzhou rebelled, it was the imperial uncle who pacified Jiangzhou.”

“The Jiang family surely harbors resentment against imperial father. After Jiang Yan married into the Qing Mansion, she still held a grudge against you. I was always cautious, yet this incident occurred. This is my mistake, and I ask for your punishment.”

If Xiao Junhao had been evasive, the Emperor of Qi Ming would have grown weary. However, seeing Xiao Junhao admit his mistake, the Emperor’s expression softened.

After observing Xiao Junhao, who was kneeling on the ground, the Emperor of Qi Ming remained silent for a few seconds and then asked, “What if 1 ask you to divorce Jiang Yan?”

At this, there was a moment of hesitation in Xiao Junhao’s eyes.

After a long while, Xiao Junhao whispered, “Imperial father, although Jiang Yan is at fault, she is still my wife. All the mistakes are mine. Please punish me.”

Upon saying this, Xiao Junhao lowered his head.

From an angle where no one could see, Xiao Junhao’s eyes were full of darkness.

Upon hearing his words, all the anger in the Emperor of Qi Ming’s eyes had disappeared.

If Xiao Junhao had immediately distanced himself from Jiang Yan, the Emperor of Qi Ming would have grown suspicious. But seeing Xiao Junhao shoulder the blame, warmth appeared in the Emperor’s eyes.

After a while, the Emperor of Qi Ming looked at Xiao Junhao and said, “Alright, go back now.”

“I will handle Jiang Yan. You don’t need to worry about her anymore. But from now on, she is no longer your princess consort.”

“Imperial Father?”

“Get out.”

Before Xiao Junhao could say anything, Emperor Qi Ming directly spoke.

Meeting Emperor Qi Ming’s gaze, Xiao Junhao dared not utter another word. He promptly left the Qianqing Palace. But the moment he stepped outside the palace gates, his eyes were filled with laughter.

Yet, that smile was devoid of warmth; it was cold and menacing.

Soon after, Jiang Yan was taken away by the Imperial Guards.

When she was brought to the Supreme Court, Jiang Yan remained calm. But when she saw who had arrived, her face changed immediately.

Hearing footsteps, Jiang Yan quickly lifted her head.

“It’s you.”

Seeing Jiang Peihuan, Jiang Yan spoke with a mixture of emotions.

Jiang Peihuan looked at Jiang Yan sitting on the ground, her eyes filled with complexity. After a brief moment, she turned to leave.

Seeing Jiang Peihuan’s retreating figure, Jiang Yan cried out in shock, “Jiang Peihuan, don’t you want to know why I wanted to kill you?”

Hearing the footsteps behind her, Jiang Peihuan stopped, though she did not turn around.

“I originally wanted to know the answer when 1 first came. But now, I suddenly feel it’s unimportant.”

Saying this, Jiang Peihuan continued to walk forward.

However, Jiang Yan yelled, “Stop right there!”

Perhaps moved by the intensity in the voice behind her, Jiang Peihuan paused. She then looked over at Jiang Yan from a distance.

“Jiang Peihuan, when I first saw you, I wanted to be friends with you.”

“But later, I realized we could never be friends because 1 was too jealous of you.”

“Why is it that everything goes well for you while 1 end up like this?”

“I’m no less than you.”

“Isn’t this the result of your own choices?”

Throughout Jiang Yan’s speech, Jiang Peihuan remained silent. Only when she finished did Jiang Peihuan softly respond. Her words were light, but they left Jiang Yan looking pale.

Then, footsteps approached again.

Lifting her head, Jiang Yan saw Xiao Nanye, who came to stand beside Jiang Peihuan.

The man’s eyes held worry. He placed his cloak around Jiang Peihuan and meticulously fastened it.

After ensuring she was covered, he said, “Aren’t you done with your questions? It’s cold in here. You’re pregnant; take care not to catch a chill.”

His voice was filled with concern, but his eyes held nothing but tenderness.

Upon hearing Xiao Nanye’s words, Jiang Peihuan softly said, “I’m done.”

“Then let’s go.”

Hearing this, the man immediately took Jiang Peihuan’s hand and led her out.

Throughout, Xiao Nanye didn’t spare Jiang Yan a single glance.

Watching the man’s retreating figure, Jiang Yan’s eyes filled with complexity.

She remembered the first time she saw Xiao Nanye. He was filled with murderous intent, and she believed that such a man was devoid of emotion.

Later, she realized that Xiao Nanye wasn’t emotionless. Instead, he had given all his affection to one person: Jiang Peihuan.

“Heh… hahaha…”

Watching the figures of Jiang Peihuan and Xiao Nanye disappear around the corner, Jiang Yan suddenly laughed.

But amidst her laughter, as if recalling something, she cried out in the direction they had left, “It wasn’t me, Jiang Peihuan! It wasn’t me, it was…”

At that moment, a shadow suddenly appeared before Jiang Yan..