Chapter 246
On the pitch-black surface of the river, three large boats were slowly departing from the capital. Small flags bearing the character ‘Cheng’ were hung at the bow and stern of each boat. The faint glow of yellow lanterns only illuminated the sides of the boats, unable to penetrate the darkness and reveal the lurking dangers.
The main members of the Cheng family were almost all aboard the first boat. As they watched the bustling capital gradually recede into the distance, their hearts were filled with indignation and sorrow, emotions that no one else could truly understand.
They were different from the Pei and Wang families.
The late Emperor deeply loved the eldest daughter of the Cheng family, granting her the position of Empress. She was the epitome of being showered with three thousand favors. If it weren’t for the late Empress’s exceptional beauty, intelligence, and deep understanding of righteousness, the late Emperor’s soft-hearted nature might have led the Cheng family onto the path of becoming the Empress Dowager’s family.
The late Empress always maintained a balance, but the Cheng family still received many benefits. Especially since the late Emperor insisted on not taking concubines, solely favoring the late Empress for several years. It was only because the late Empress couldn’t bear children that pressure from both the Empress Dowager and the Cheng family led the late Emperor to agree to take the younger sister of the Cheng family, the little Cheng Shi as his concubine. Not long after, little Cheng Shi became pregnant and gave birth to Yuan Ran. From then on, the late Emperor showed even less interest in the palace harem.
This effectively allowed the Cheng family to dominate the palace, leaving the Wang and Pei families with no room to maneuver, confined to the court. This resulted in the Cheng family forcefully emerging as the dominant force among the four major families, firmly suppressing the others for over twenty years.
This unchallenged dominance only began to wane with the ascension of the Prince Ning to the throne.
Knowing about Yuan Ye’s background, they always believed that the Cheng family would have the last laugh. However, they never expected their eventual downfall.
Whom to blame? The Fourth Prince’s faction, the Emperor, or Empress Cheng and Yuan Ye?
“If only we had known today, we should have…” Suddenly, someone uttered these words, but hesitated to continue. However, the words pierced into everyone’s heart like a sharp thorn.
In such dire straits, who hasn’t pondered, if only they hadn’t allied with the Prince Ning, hadn’t targeted Yuan Ran, and hadn’t sacrificed the former Empress, perhaps everything today would be different.
“In fact, both elder sister and Yuan Ran were quite good to us.”
“Back then… when I fell seriously ill, it was Yuan Ran who traveled thousands of miles to plead with his master for medicine for me. As a Crown Prince, he didn’t hesitate to endure hardships, which saved my life. Thinking about it now…”
“You’re talking nonsense now. Back then, Yuan Ran wanted to deal with us, and elder sister agreed. Weren’t you the first to come out and scold them for being heartless?”
“Yeah, our veins carry the blood of the Cheng family. Instead of helping us suppress other families, they joined forces against us. Such a sister and nephew, we can’t afford them.”
Initially, they believed that since Yuan Ran was the son of Prince Ning, and Prince Ning also had a relationship with little Cheng Shi, if they helped Prince Ning ascend the throne, he would naturally not mistreat the Cheng family. It was better than waiting to be weakened by Yuan Ran. They were a century-old family, and in the past twenty years, they had reached the peak of power and wealth. They were more than anyone else unwilling to be weakened. In their view, Yuan Ran’s intentions were a betrayal to them.
“Third Brother, don’t say that. Remember when you were captured by pirates during your sea trading, it was Yuan Ran who led the troops to rescue you.”
“Back then, to deceive Yuan Ran, our eldest son sacrificed himself on the battlefield. Now, seeing things come to this, I feel sorry for him. His death was truly in vain!”
The Cheng patriarch finally spoke up: “Alright, stop arguing. I sacrificed my eldest daughter and my eldest grandson for the glory of the Cheng family. Even if we are defeated now, we are still better off than the Wang and Pei clans. What’s the use of quarreling now? As long as Yuan Ran can hold on, we still have hope.”
As soon as the Cheng patriarch finished speaking, a commotion erupted from the back of the convoy. Startled, everyone turned around to see flames engulfing the last ship.
Some shouted to extinguish the fire, while others cried out about assassins. Chaos ensued as people scrambled to understand what was happening.
It wasn’t until a guard rushed to the scene and informed the men from the clan that assassins had attacked, ambushing several people on the last ship. They didn’t engage in direct confrontation, but set the ship ablaze before fleeing.
“Who are the attackers?”
The guard hesitated before reporting, “They appear to be from the Crown Prince’s side… the shadow guards.”
The members of the Cheng family paled in shock, their faces flushed with anger.
“Is this meant to intimidate us? To punish us!”
“Patriarch, has Yuan Ye lost his mind? Why would he do this to us!”
“Beasts! Savages! I merely gave him a few words of advice, and he resorts to murder to vent his anger!” The Cheng patriarch was so infuriated that he could hardly catch his breath, already advanced in age and unable to bear such frustration.
The others joined in, cursing Yuan Ye vehemently. The cries for help from the survivors in the water only added to the cacophony, making the waterside chaotic.
In order to rescue the people, the other two boats had to approach closer, but they also maintained a safe distance.
Suddenly, while everyone was focused on rescuing the people and hadn’t realized what was happening, two lines of fire emerged abruptly from the burning ship, reaching out into the air like fiery serpents dancing in the night sky, directly connecting to the other two boats.
By the time the people reacted with astonishment, the other two boats had also caught fire. Due to the efforts to extinguish the flames, the spread of the fire was slower, but it still forced many to jump into the icy river water to escape the disaster.
Those with status in the clan naturally gathered in the safest place, waiting for the guards to lower small boats to pick them up.
However, after waiting for a long time, no one came to pick them up. The fire grew larger and larger, causing increasing anxiety among the people. Someone decided to go check it out and started walking towards the stern of the ship. Suddenly, a dark figure flashed by, and the person who went forward instantly grabbed their bleeding neck and retreated, startling the group behind them.
Some rushed forward to help the injured person, while others protected the elders and moved backward. Calls for help echoed across the river, but with everyone focused on their own safety, no one noticed what was happening here.
Two figures emerged from the darkness.
The person whose neck was slashed couldn’t believe it and pointed at them, while the one supporting him also looked at the newcomers in astonishment.
These two… they’ve seen them… they know them…
“Lu Yi….Lu Shi? You… You didn’t die??”
“It’s the Shadow Wolves!”
“Are you mad? How dare you attack us!” Someone was still yelling, but they were instantly pierced through the chest by a projectile from Lu Yi’s hidden weapon.
Now everyone knew they were here to kill.
Lu Yi and Lu Shi were like demons from hell, leaving death in their wake. In the end, only three people remained, counting Yuan Ran’s grandfather and his two uncles.
“Stop, stop! Don’t come any closer! Have you gone mad? Who’s bribed you? Is it Yuan Ye? Was it you who set the fire and killed people just now?”
Lu Shi sneered, “Yuan Ye too? Let me make it clear to you before you die. Before you left, we sent someone to assassinate Yuan Ye, making him think it was you who did it. That’s why he retaliated against you. It was our opportunity to strike. If anyone finds out, Yuan Ye will take the blame.”
The three of them looked at them in shock, unable to believe their ears.
“Are you doing this for Yuan Ran?”
“Of course, it’s for our master. Anyone who harms our master will be mercilessly killed,” Lu Yi said coldly.
“We didn’t harm… No, even if you didn’t die on the battlefield, you should have died for the master. How can you still be alive? You betrayed your own iron law!”
Lu Yi and Lu Shi both chuckled, making the three of them retreat even more fearfully.
“We are Yuan Ran’s close relatives. You can’t kill us!” the Cheng patriarch finally shouted.
“Then can I?”
Suddenly, a voice came from the shadows of the lantern light.
Chu Lishu stepped forward slowly, approaching the crowd. Lu Yi and Lu Shi automatically made way for him, standing guard by Chu Lishu’s side.
The three men looked at Chu Lishu, clad in black robes, with a gloomy expression on his face. They were first stunned for a moment, then realized his identity. Yet, they were puzzled – why could Prime Minister Li’s people mobilize the Shadow Wolves?
“You… who are you?” The Cheng patriarch stared at Chu Lishu, suddenly feeling a strong sense of familiarity washing over him, causing his body to tremble involuntarily.
“The Shadow Wolves still exist because of me. When they acted to kill, it was naturally under my command. After all… you all wanted to kill me, so why couldn’t I retaliate?” Unlike when facing the Wang and Pei families, Chu Lishu’s hatred towards the Cheng clan far surpassed the other two families. When facing them, even his speech was tinged with resentment, and his eyes showed a fluctuation of red, indicating his emotional turmoil.
“Yuan… Yuan Ran? Are you Yuan Ran? How is that possible!” Someone was the first to react, while the Cheng patriarch stared in astonishment, almost immediately believing that the person in front of him was indeed Yuan Ran.
“Ran’er?”
“Grandfather, two uncles, long time no see.” Chu Lishu’s low voice was as chilling as a death knell.
No need for further explanation, they also knew that Yuan Ran must have known everything, which is why he came back for revenge.
“You… Is all of this your doing? For revenge, you’ve successively wiped out the Wang and Pei families, and now it’s our turn? It’s all you?” They only just realized this.
“It’s me.” Chu Lishu smiled faintly, but with a bloodthirsty aura.
The two uncles instantly collapsed. Indeed, if their current fate was the result of various forces, they could accept it. But if they were told that everything was orchestrated by one person, they wouldn’t believe it. No one had that capability, not even the one on the throne. But if that person was Yuan Ran, the talented and stunning Yuan Ran from the past, then suddenly everything seemed possible.
“Yuan Ran, we… we are your elders, your family. Please forgive us this once, spare us.”
“Yes, our elder sister has always been good to us. She wouldn’t want to see you kill us.”
“We were just going with the flow. You can’t blame us for everything. The one you should truly blame is the one on the throne!”
“Yuan Ran… Yuan Ran, spare us, please. We will help you. This time, we will definitely support you. You can’t bear the guilt of killing your own kin.”
The two men pleaded on their knees, but Chu Lishu merely cast a glance at them. “Rest assured, my mother will be delighted to see you. As for the person on the throne, you will meet him soon enough.”
“Yuan Ran, you have the kindest heart. Can you… truly bring yourself to kill us? We are not unforgivable, are we?”
The words stung both Lu Yi and Lu Shi. They had watched their own brothers die before their eyes, clawing their way out of blood and flesh. They couldn’t stand hearing these culprits make excuses.
Upon hearing this, the mocking smirk vanished from Chu Lishu’s face. The coldness in his eyes spread across his entire visage, making him look exceptionally sinister.
“For your selfish desires, countless lives were lost in the battles of Tongjia Pass and the three cities. Innocent people in the cities, the palace, and the court were implicated. Have you ever stopped to count how many lives are stained with blood because of your actions? Just because you didn’t personally wield the sword, does that mean you bear no responsibility? Well, I’m not wielding the sword myself to kill you now, so does that mean I’m not guilty of patricide?”
The two uncles cried out in despair on the spot.
Finally, the Cheng patriarch couldn’t bear it anymore and let out a loud roar, “Enough! Look at yourselves, do you still not understand? Did anyone who just died blink an eye? Didn’t they suffer the same fate because of him? Your pleas are just a disgrace to yourselves. The past Yuan Ran couldn’t be stopped once he set his mind on something, and the present Yuan Ran is no different…”
Chu Lishu chuckled, “Indeed, Grandfather understands me.”
As soon as Chu Lishu finished speaking, Lu Yi and Lu Shi decisively made their move. They understood that shedding the blood of loved ones was unacceptable, so they would rather act on behalf of their master.
In the end, Chu Lishu also granted the Cheng patriarch some dignity by leaving behind a dagger and saying, “A swift death is painless, Grandfather. This is my final act of filial piety to you.”
The Cheng patriarch looked at the man before him, his unfamiliar grandson, who appeared like a devil emerging from the abyss, cruel and ruthless. He was no longer the gentle and virtuous Crown Prince of years past.
As he surveyed the blood and bones strewn about and the flames still raging on the ships, he didn’t know how many of his people would ultimately survive. He only knew that with the death of those aboard this ship, the future of the Cheng clan was extinguished, and everything came to an end.
Years of pride, plans for a century-long future, all destroyed, just like that. The Cheng patriarch coughed up another mouthful of blood, then glared fiercely at Chu Lishu.
“I regret… I regret it all!”
For a moment, it seemed to both Lu Yi and Lu Shi that the old man had finally realized his mistakes, regretting his actions from years past. Perhaps his death would hold some meaning after all.
But Chu Lishu could see it in his grandfather’s eyes—there was only hatred.
The next moment, the Cheng patriarch picked up the dagger and pointed it at Chu Lishu. “The only mistake I made in this life was allowing you to live. You shouldn’t have been born, shouldn’t have grown up. Otherwise, the Cheng family wouldn’t have ended up like this. I was truly wrong.”
Lu Yi and Lu Shi were stunned. They remembered how those from the Wang and Pei families regretted targeting their master in the end. But now, their master’s own grandfather believed that their master should have died earlier to avoid obstructing their plans. They were infuriated, almost driven mad with rage, itching to rush forward and tear the old man apart.
However, after finishing his words, the Cheng patriarch burst into laughter.
After laughing, he suddenly spoke again, “The prophecy of the Supervisor back then was completely accurate. Yuan Ran, you are indeed a calamity!”
With these words, not only did Lu Yi and Lu Shi’s expressions change drastically, but Chu Lishu’s expression also shifted.
“You know about the prophecy?” Chu Lishu was about to inquire further.
The Cheng patriarch, however, directly pressed the dagger against his own neck, with a meaningful smile, “Emperor, Empress Cheng, Yuan Ye, you’re going to kill them all, right? Haha… Yuan Ran, I’m waiting for you to bring down all your enemies. I’m waiting for you to prove all your prophecies true. You won’t have a good end. Definitely not! Because of you, so many people died, and there will be even more deaths in the future. You shouldn’t have lived.”
With his neck restrained, eyes filled with fury, the Cheng patriarchcursed his once proud grandson with the most venomous tone. The dagger slowly slit his throat, and the poison spread.
He was different from other family members. While others might regret their actions against Yuan Ran, he wouldn’t, because he knew those three prophecies. In the process of Yuan Ran’s growth, he felt both relieved and worried. When he decided to kill him, it must be said that he breathed a sigh of relief.
And now, he was relieved again because the prophecy would eventually come true, and no one could escape it.
There was an even more cruel truth waiting for Yuan Ran, and he wouldn’t reveal it now. It was a lesson to teach this kid for destroying the Cheng family.
He waited below to see what expression Yuan Ran would have once he learned all the truths, and he waited to see Yuan Ran’s fate.
Chu Lishu looked at his collapsing grandfather, the last words still echoing in his ears. The curse from his loved one felt like real injuries from blades and swords. Moreover, those words were too harsh, leaving him more worried and fearful in their ambiguity.
As for Lu Yi and Lu Shi, they looked at Chu Lishu, able to clearly see the turmoil of red in his eyes.
“Master, it’s time to take your medicine.”
Lu Yi also spoke up, “Master, the rescue boats should be nearing. We should leave… Lin Qingyang is still waiting on the painting boat.”
Chu Lishu, gradually returning from his distracted state, took a pill to calm his mind, suppressing his turbulent emotions.
Then, he jumped onto the large boat with Lu Yi and Lu Shi, returning to the nearby small boat, and slowly rowed away, disappearing among the coming and going rescue boats.
Most of those rescued from the last three boats were either young children or women, and the majority of the people onboard perished.
On the trading pleasure boat where Lin Qingyang stood from a distance, people around him buzzed with discussion, watching the commotion ahead, marked by the distant flicker of flames.
Shortly after, someone tugged at his clothes from behind. Lin Qingyang turned around to see Chu Lishu.
Chu Lishu wore an expressionless face, clad in black robes that seemed to exude an overwhelming aura, casting a palpable sense of oppression.
Chu Lishu parted his lips but found himself momentarily speechless. He simply said, “I’m back.”
Lin Qingyang paused for a moment, then suddenly led Chu Lishu behind a curtain to avoid the gazes of others. Cupping Chu Lishu’s face in his hands, he placed a tender kiss on his forehead and then gently embraced him, patting his back soothingly. “It’s all over now.”
Chu Lishu’s eyes flickered as he lifted his arms and held Lin Qingyang tightly in return.
On an early spring night, the wind blew cold over the river, chilling Chu Lishu to the bone on the Cheng family’s boat. It felt as if even his warm blood and heart were frozen.
But now, he held onto a source of warmth, an existence even warmer than the sun. The venomous curses from his family seemed to dissolve away within him.
Unable to resist, Chu Lishu turned, pressing Lin Qingyang against the boat, and tenderly kissed him.
People around came and went, watching the spectacle. Although Lin Qingyang was extremely nervous, he complied.
It wasn’t until the officials came to inspect the boat that they emerged from behind the curtain.
By then, Lin Qingyang was already feeling unsteady, his face flushed and his eyes hazy. Chu Lishu, on the other hand, wore a smile at the corner of his lips, with one arm half embracing Lin Qingyang, smoothly undergoing the inspection.
Meanwhile, a confidential letter was on its way from the border. It was sent by Ning Ziheng, who had awakened and learned about the prophecy from Qi Ci. Remembering something significant, he immediately sent a letter to Chu Lishu.
If you love what Ciacia is doing, then consider showing your support by supporting a cup of coffee for her at Kofi. If you can’t wait for the next release chapter, subscribe to advanced chapters membership on her Kofi to get access to up to 10 chapters!
