Chapter 650: The Final Showdown (Part 2)
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“Your Highness,” Donghui, who had been ordered to stand guard outside, respectfully called out.
Mingzhu and Jiang Shanshan turned around simultaneously to see Yuwen Chu walking in against the light. He glanced indifferently at Jiang Shanshan before looking at Mingzhu. “I heard you went to Changxin Palace. I rushed there to accompany you, but something held me up. By the time I arrived, you had already left, so I came here to see if you were alright.”
He was worried she couldn’t handle the blow of Fu Cong’s incident, thinking his presence might help her feel better. Although he was very busy, the thought counted. Mingzhu’s eyes reddened instinctively, and she trembled as she pointed at Jiang Shanshan. “She probably knows something about this!”
Yuwen Chu looked coldly at Jiang Shanshan, then held Mingzhu’s hand and said softly, “Leave her to me. If you want to go home, go ahead. You don’t need to worry about the palace matters; I’ll handle them.”
Mingzhu nodded tearfully and turned to leave, but Jiang Shanshan shouted from behind, “Fu Mingzhu! Aren’t you afraid I’ll tell him all your secrets? If not, kill me now, or I’ll reveal everything to him!”
Mingzhu paused slightly. What secrets could Jiang Shanshan possibly reveal? The origin of the crossbow design was hard to explain, but who would believe she had been reincarnated? She hadn’t told anyone, so she wasn’t afraid of Jiang Shanshan’s threats.
Seeing her silence, Jiang Shanshan became smug and looked at Yuwen Chu. “You have no idea what kind of woman you married.”
Yuwen Chu’s face darkened, and he said coldly, “Can a mad dog spit out ivory? Seeing you so crazed, I have a few words for you too. Everyone, leave and ensure no one stays nearby.” With a wave of his hand, Xia Xue and the others retreated in an orderly fashion.
Jiang Shanshan, feeling even more triumphant, said, “It seems you know there’s something unusual going on. Fu Mingzhu, I’ll give you one last chance: do you want to kill me now?”
Mingzhu found this bizarre. She had seen people who wanted to die, but never someone so eager to die by her hand. Jiang Shanshan was trying to provoke her into action, making Yuwen Chu believe she had a secret to hide. Shaking her head, she said, “No need. I have no secrets to hide, so I’m not afraid. Since His Highness wants to handle you, I’ll follow his decision.”
“Oh, how obedient you are. But you’re overestimating yourself!” Jiang Shanshan shouted sharply. “Yuwen Chu! Don’t you wonder why both of us know about the crossbow and the tagine? We were both born and raised in noble families, pampered in secluded courtyards. How could we surpass you men in military knowledge? But we both do. Don’t you want to know why?”
Yuwen Chu said calmly, “I’ve already asked her about it, so I don’t need to hear it from you. Either tell me what poison Fu Cong has, or I’ll send you to h*ll immediately.”
Why did he trust Fu Mingzhu unconditionally? Jiang Shanshan, furious, shouted, “Are you afraid to know the truth? I’ll tell you anyway! We are both souls from another world! Our adult souls took over other bodies, so we understand advanced knowledge that you ignorant barbarians don’t! We’ve lived for decades, and you’re like a child to us.”
So, this was why Jiang Shanshan called her “fellow countrywoman.” She thought they were from the same place. Mingzhu pondered this and suddenly realized Jiang Shanshan’s origin. Indeed, the world was full of strange things. If she could be reborn, Jiang Shanshan could also be a soul in a borrowed body. That would explain her extensive knowledge.
Yuwen Chu glanced at Mingzhu, who appeared dazed and lost in thought, not even trying to defend herself. He sighed deeply and reprimanded Jiang Shanshan, “Nonsense!”
Jiang Shanshan, hysterical, shouted, “Who says I’m talking nonsense? Fu Mingzhu, do you dare deny it?” She had nothing left to lose, and if she was going down, she wanted to drag Fu Mingzhu with her. Even if it meant being burned at the stake or dying lonely, she wanted to see Fu Mingzhu suffer.
“What is there for me to deny? I don’t belong to the same world as you. I have no idea what you’re talking about with your otherworldly soul nonsense. You can’t just drag me down with you because you’re desperate.” Mingzhu snapped back to reality after being called out, confidently continuing, “Since you’ve admitted to possessing someone else’s body, what did you do before? Why are you so skilled? You know Wusun language, how to kill, martial arts, strategies, the mechanics of crossbows and firearms, even swimming. You know everything.”
“I’ve been through things far more complicated than you can imagine, spy. Do you know? Espionage, kidnapping, covert killings, weapon intelligence, wilderness survival, driving cars, piloting boats and helicopters — I can do it all.” Jiang Shanshan sighed deeply. “But alas, what good does it do to know everything? No matter how sharp my mind is, it’s no match for the two ounces in front of your chest, the shameless scheming little white flower, the naive man!”
Mingzhu understood only half of the terms Jiang Shanshan used, but the insults were new to her. She frowned, “It sounds like you’re very capable, but what does ‘shameless white flower mean?”
“Stop pretending! You think playing dumb will get you out of this? Let me tell you, even if I die, you won’t have a peaceful life.” Jiang Shanshan, furious, shouted at Yuwen Chu, “Hey, the man who wants to be emperor, I’ve been trained since I was very young, endured countless hardships. I’ve only shown a fraction of my true abilities. If you give me a chance, I’ll help you ascend to the throne quickly.”
Yuwen Chu had remained silent since Mingzhu and Jiang Shanshan started talking. Hearing Jiang Shanshan shout at him, he raised his eyes and looked at her indifferently. “Yuwen Cong and Yuwen You both had you, but they gained nothing and suffered misfortune. Clearly, you’re a jinx. I’ll get what I want myself, without your help. So, you’re not going to reveal what poison was used on Minister Fu, are you?”
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