Chapter 1366: Ridiculous, Pitiful, and Miserable!

Prince Jing’s tears washed away the bloodstains on his face. He cried while laughing, unable to stop. He felt that his life was a joke, constantly plotting against others, yet failing to realize he was also being plotted against.

Why didn’t Xiao Ba reveal his mother’s background to him? It was nothing more than because he was a prince.

In truth, his father wasn’t cruel to his mother, nor did he wish her dead, nor did he hate him. It was because his mother gave birth to him, and feeling she had failed the ancestors, she left the world.

Gu Chengyu was right; all of this was merely his imagination!

“You all knew, yet you only kept it from me. It’s too ridiculous; I was like a fool!” Prince Jing’s vision blurred, his tears like broken beads and a sense of hopelessness arose in his heart.

Even Gu Chengyu knew, yet he was the last to find out. He didn’t understand why his father didn’t tell him earlier? Was it that Gu Chengyu withheld the letter privately?

Suddenly, Prince Jing cast a suspicious glance at Gu Chengyu. What was Gu Chengyu plotting now? Was he hiding to watch his embarrassment?

“The timing of this letter was not inappropriate. The late Emperor had instructed that when this letter was handed to you, it would be your death day. If you lived your life contented, the letter might never have been given to you!” Gu Chengyu understood the meaning behind Prince Jing’s gaze, only wondering why he handed over the letter at this moment.

Because Prince Jing’s mother’s identity was too sensitive, not letting him know was to protect him. The more people knew, the greater the danger.

After all, she was a remnant of the former dynasty. Such an identity was not fit for a prince. The Emperor, like Prince Jing’s mother, merely wished Prince Jing to live a peaceful life!

However, Xiao Ba’s identity did surprise him. He turned out to be the grandson of the Fourth Prince of the Qing Dynasty. Who knows how many remnants of the former dynasty still exist.

But presumably, it couldn’t be many, because if there were wealth and power, this Xiao Ba wouldn’t need to rely on Prince Jing alone. Perhaps now, only he remained.

“My death day?” Prince Jing smiled bitterly. Yes, today was indeed his death day, judging by Gu Chengyu’s words; his father must have left a follow-up, probably an edict to execute him.

However, he never intended to live further.

“What did Father instruct you? To kill me? You don’t need to act; I’ll resolve it myself!” Prince Jing took a deep breath, picking up the sword gleaming coldly on the ground.

“Prince, don’t worry, I’ll protect you as you escape.” Xiao Ba was taken aback; was Prince Jing determined to die?

“No, you can’t beat Gu Chengyu. None of us will survive today, cousin!” Prince Jing sneered coldly. Would Gu Chengyu let remnants of the former dynasty leave?

Gu Chengyu nodded, “If you wish to leave, it would have to be over my dead body, which is absolutely impossible. But if you decide to act yourselves, it’s for the best, leaving you some dignity!”

Slowly, Prince Jing placed the sword against his neck. Xiao Ba was terrified immediately. No, he didn’t want to die!

Prince Jing’s death was Prince Jing’s matter. He hesitated not a bit, turning to run toward the distance.

Gu Chengyu sneered, two sleeve arrows shot swiftly from his sleeves, piercing Xiao Ba thoroughly.

“Must force me to act!” Gu Chengyu huffed coldly, then turned his gaze to Prince Jing.

“If you also don’t wish to die, I’ll bind you and await the Emperor’s judgment!” Gu Chengyu knew Prince Jing’s temperament; his pride wouldn’t allow that.

Prince Jing gave a bitter smile, “No need! I am no coward who fears death!”

“Gu Chengyu! People often say I am heartless, but they don’t understand me. You, on the other hand, truly have no heart.” Prince Jing let out a light laugh, knowing Gu Chengyu was cold and emotionless.

Gu Chengyu was taken aback but then replied, “It’s you who don’t understand me!”

“I don’t understand you?” Prince Jing found it laughable, just that Gu Chengyu was unwilling to admit it!

“Whatever! I have one last request to ask of you.” Suddenly, Prince Jing remembered something and then spoke to Gu Chengyu.

“Rest assured, it’s merely a trivial matter to you, but it means a lot to me!” Prince Jing’s hopeful eyes gazed over, and at that moment, Gu Chengyu surprisingly saw liberation in his gaze.

“Please speak!” Gu Chengyu surveyed the surroundings, noticing that the remaining soldiers of the enemy army were surrendering, realizing that everything was finally coming to an end.

“After my death, please bury me and my mother together. She is buried in the hill behind the Bao En Temple, her tombstone only bears her name. Please, once I am buried, engrave my name below hers.”

Prince Jing pressed the sword closer, indicating his resolve.

“Alright, I agree!” Gu Chengyu nodded; it was indeed a small matter, and he wasn’t entirely heartless.

Prince Jing gave a sorrowful smile, looking up at the night sky one last time, knowing dawn was approaching, yet he was about to forever rest in darkness. It was ultimately a fatal misstep; thus was fate!

Gu Chengyu watched as Prince Jing’s blood sprayed, soaking his robes and the ground beneath him.

He couldn’t help but be stunned, glancing back at the direction of the city tower. How many lives had this position taken? Under feudal rule, princes fought desperately for it.

Yet in the end, none obtained it; instead, a mere child sat on that Dragon Throne.

Truly laughable, tragic, and pitiful!

“Prince! The remaining enemy forces have surrendered; how should we deal with this person?” A young general rushed over. In this battle, the court suffered little loss, and post-battle rewards were inevitable.

Gu Chengyu turned to see the young general holding Princess Rong Jia! Had she not died yet?

Qin Yingyuan’s gaze was blank, devoid of previous arrogance and pride, lifeless and utterly fallen.

“Take her to Dali Temple, await the Emperor’s judgment!” Gu Chengyu glanced at her, then turned to leave.

Inside, he sighed at the downfall of what once was a proud aristocratic lady. It goes to show that one wrong move leads to an abyss.

The Duke Qin Mansion had been a prominent noble house in the capital, especially since the Duke married a princess. As long as dynastic changes didn’t occur, its prosperity could last a century. Naturally, this cost the sacrifice of one man. However, in the face of family duty, what does individual honor matter?

Though Qin Guogong rashly decided, as the princes were all cunning, skilled in power plays, he only sought trouble for himself!

It was a shame he not only found doom himself but implicated the entire clan. In this era, a single mistake could mean collective punishment.