Now that you're disabled, let's see if you can still be as serene as a chrysanthemum

Hearing Wei Shuo say this, Wang Ming had no choice but to say no more.

He was just quite anxious in his heart, watching helplessly as things developed.

At this time, Censor Wang had been dragged out of the Censor's Mansion by the soldiers brought by Wei Shuo. His thin, handsome and angular face was full of exasperation, and his long robe was mostly messy.

Obviously, everything that happened completely exceeded his expectations.

And when he came out and saw Wei Shuo, he was stunned at first, and then shouted: "Wei Shuo, you can actually stand up?"

"That's really great."

"You all know to bring soldiers to apologize to me in person. It seems that you have made a lot of progress after being with the Eldest Princess for so many years."

"Come on, today, this Censor wants to take a good look at your sincerity."

As soon as these words came out, the whole place was silent.

Even Wang Ming, who was used to seeing big storms, couldn't help but feel his heart boil.

No, what kind of a talent is this!

When have you ever heard of bringing heavy troops to apologize?

Wei Shuo, who was sitting on the Snow-Treading Dark Horse, had a cold face, and his eyes shot extremely hateful light. He said coldly: "You are unworthy to be a censor. You should have supervised the officials, discussed the rules, and managed the documents."

"But over the years, you were angry that I snatched the Eldest Princess back then, and you tripped me up everywhere. Even when I was fighting the barbarians in the northern border, you threatened the courtiers because I was the commander of an army, and didn't give me food and grass, almost causing a disaster."

"Wang, do you know your guilt?"

Censor Wang froze for a moment.

It seemed that he had just reacted. He looked around and found that the soldiers were strong and the blades were like a forest. A heart that had originally planned to be arrogant suddenly fell into his stomach.

Looking at Wei Shuo again, he found that Wei Shuo swung the long spear in his hand, and the cold spear tip pointed sharply at him, as if to claim his life.

He suddenly shivered and saw the situation clearly.

He quickly said: "This, this, although this official did this, Her Majesty knows everything this official did, and Her Majesty tacitly agreed, so this official could only follow suit."

"You are threatening me now just because Her Majesty and Young Master Tuoba are affectionate in the Yuchen Mansion and have not restrained you. Do you really dare to do it?"

"Aren't you afraid that Her Majesty will punish you after she comes out of the Yuchen Mansion?"

It would have been better if he hadn't said this. As soon as he said this, Wei Shuo's heart boiled with anger. It was just because Censor Wang told the Empress that everything he did was for love.

It was all because Wei Shuo blocked the love that Censor Wang and the Eldest Princess should have had, so the Empress completely stood on Censor Wang's side, making him live like a ghost these years.

If the Eldest Princess was the executioner who made him suffer, then Censor Wang was the mastermind who dropped the kill order, and the Empress knew he was not wrong, but because of the bullshit love between Censor Wang and the Eldest Princess, she had to let his head fall.

Immediately, he roared: "Then you deserve to die even more!"

Before the voice fell, the Snow-Treading Dark Horse under him rushed out, and the cold iron tiger head spear in his hand suddenly thrust out.

In Censor Wang's widened and unbelievable eyes, it suddenly pierced Censor Wang's chest, piercing Censor Wang directly through!

The long spear was slowly retracted, and the blood was brought out bit by bit. Wei Shuo's face became expressionless, and he ordered coldly: "The Censor's Mansion ignores the law of the king and almost caused the soldiers in the northern border to fall into a desperate situation. This is a capital crime and cannot be forgiven!"

"Come, execute Censor Wang's entire family, from top to bottom!"

What?

Wang Ming next to him almost jumped up.

No, in addition to killing Censor Wang, you also want to slaughter the entire Censor's Mansion?

In broad daylight?

Under the bright sky?

No, brother, the General is testing you, but the full score is only 100 points. Why the hell are you going for 120 points?

If you really do this, the image the General has managed to maintain will decline a lot!

He was just about to persuade him, but Wei Shuo's subordinates obviously obeyed Wei Shuo's orders more. What's more, Wei Shuo also had the warrant jointly signed by Ren Tianye and Lu Qing?!

So, in Wang Ming's panic, a massacre of the mansion was immediately launched.

For a time, only screams could be heard!

Censor Wang's entire family went to the West to see the Buddha.

Wang Ming stood blankly on the spot.

"General Wang Ming..." Wei Shuo clasped his fists to Wang Ming, and his posture was still as respectful as always. After all, this was Ren Tianye's most trusted person. Even without Wang Ming's military exploits, Wei Shuo had to treat him respectfully.

"I will say the same thing. When everything is over, I will explain to the General that the world of Dayu needs a massacre. Without blood and swords, the tragic Dayu cannot be stopped."

Wei Shuo obviously knew a little more than Wang Ming, but he still didn't say much. Instead, he asked people to quickly destroy the Censor's Mansion and took people straight to the martial arts arena.

They had just left when Ren Tianye arrived with his people. Looking at the Censor's Mansion which had become a ruin, and learning from the personal guards left by Wang Ming that Wei Shuo had done all this, Ren Tianye's mouth shaped into an "o".

No way, he thought Wei Shuo couldn't pass his test, but he didn't expect Wei Shuo to be so ruthless?

He directly destroyed the Censor's Mansion?

Hundreds of people!

How much hatred is this holding back?!

"Great, Great General..." The personal guard next to him was a little trembling: "You ordered not to allow massacres in the capital. Is this situation against your..."

Ren Tianye glared at him and said, "What nonsense are you talking about? This General is loyal and patriotic, and supports Her Majesty the most. How could I do such a thing?"

"Isn't it obvious that this is an imperial decree from the Yuchen Mansion, and General Wei Shuo is just following orders."

"As for why such an imperial decree was issued, you have to ask Her Majesty. God knows what game Her Majesty and Tuoba Xiangtai are playing again. After all, all the civil and military officials, and the people of the capital, who isn't part of their play?"

The personal guard didn't understand what "play" meant in Ren Tianye's mouth, but he understood Ren Tianye's words.

Oh, so it was an imperial decree from the Yuchen Mansion!

As for the imperial decree?

The decrees of the Yuchen Mansion all had to go through the Taiwei's Mansion first, so whatever the General said goes. If all else fails, just copy Tuoba Xiangtai's handwriting and write one.

It's not like it hasn't been done before.

While still stunned, Ren Tianye had already waved his hand: "Let's go to the martial arts arena in the Zhuolong Garden of Shanglinyuan!"

Ren Tianye rode fast, but Wei Shuo went first and was faster. In a short while, he arrived at the martial arts arena with a thousand soldiers covered in blood.

There, the Eldest Princess Xiao Ruyi had already been invited.

The moment the two met eyes, the Eldest Princess Xiao Ruyi shouted in a shrill voice for the first time: "Wei Shuo, what are you going to do?"

"I am the Eldest Princess, and now the minister entrusted with the orphan of Dayu. How dare you have someone hold me hostage to this martial arts arena? Are you trying to rebel?"

This sharp voice was completely different from the Grand Princess's usual serenely detached image. It seemed that in her entire life, she had never encountered the chaos of war. Always sitting high upon her pedestal, a mere frown from her would have someone handle everything on her behalf, leaving her only to pick and choose as she pleased.

Right now, soldiers had broken into the Grand Princess's manor and taken her hostage, completely shattering her psychological defenses.

Wei Shuo naturally saw this as well. He dismounted his horse and strode toward Grand Princess Xiao Ruyi. It was only a distance of a few short steps, yet a strange feeling surged within Wei Shuo's heart.

This scene was so incredibly familiar.

It was just like back then, when he defeated all challengers in the martial arts tournament for her hand and was personally granted marriage by the late Emperor. He had strode toward Grand Princess Xiao Ruyi in this exact same manner. At that time, Xiao Ruyi's fair face rippled with a radiant smile that made his heart pound, making him feel that his life was complete.

Little did he know that one could know a person's face but not their heart. Over the years, simply because of that irreplaceable smile, he had sacrificed everything, only to realize in the end that he had made a catastrophic mistake.

Throughout decades of mediocrity, looking back right before his death, only his memories in the Northern Frontier made him feel like he had lived as a true man. The rest were entirely about Grand Princess Xiao Ruyi.

Yet they were all a bleak gray, like a gloomy sky battered by violent storms!

Wei Shuo let out a soft breath, casting aside all distracting thoughts.

His grip on the saber at his waist tightened a fraction more.

General Ren had given him a chance to start over, an opportunity he had been yearning for all this time. He would not let General Ren down, nor would he fail himself.

So, it turns out you are aware that you are a Regent, Grand Princess. As a Regent, when His Majesty remained confined in the Yuchen Palace for months, Lord Pei Jingzhi came begging at your manor, presenting you with His Majesty's blood edict. He was so desperate he nearly fell to his knees, yet you ignored him completely.

Do you even deserve the title of Regent?

At these words, Grand Princess Xiao Ruyi's face regained its usual calm and indifferent expression. I have always possessed an uncompetitive nature. How could I let myself be burdened by court politics?

Very good, very good! Unlike before, when Wei Shuo would burn with fury, now that everything was under his control, he was equally calm and indifferent, even wearing a somewhat mocking smile.

Excellent!

However, I am very curious. If a slap lands on your face, and I am no longer willing to shield you from it, will you still be able to remain...

...as serenely detached as a chrysanthemum?

Will you still be able to remain... uncompetitive and aloof?

Xiao Ruyi's expression changed slightly. Wei Shuo, what do you mean?

Wei Shuo ignored her. Instead, he looked around at his trusted subordinates, all fiercely loyal to him, and shouted loudly, Brothers, this woman is the Grand Princess of our Great Yu, a heavily entrusted Regent of our Great Yu.

Yet she was pushed into this position of Regent by me, Wei Shuo. I expended countless efforts and shed my life's blood for it, but afterward, she cursed me for being ruthless and said my methods were too ugly.

Brothers, tell me, what should I do?

The surrounding soldiers, including Wang Ming, were stunned.

They hadn't expected Wei Shuo to suddenly ask such a question. For a moment, Wang Ming didn't know how to answer, but the soldiers who followed Wei Shuo had already begun to shout.

Kill, kill her!

Good! Wei Shuo affirmed loudly. My daughter, the apple of my eye, my very lifeblood. I racked my brains to find her a brilliant young man of equal standing to marry, but afterward, this woman cursed me for being a sycophant without a shred of integrity.

Brothers, what should I do?

This time, without the slightest hesitation, the crowd roared in unison, Kill, kill, kill!

Wei Shuo nodded and shouted again, I fought in the Northern Frontier, defending the borders for Great Yu. Yet this woman claimed my hands were covered in blood and that I should atone with my death. Furthermore, she wouldn't even let me rest in peace after death; she wanted to hold my ashes and apologize on my behalf to her paramour.

Brothers, tell me, what should I do?

Almost instantly, a thunderous roar erupted.

Kill her, kill her, kill this wicked woman!

The voices of a thousand men shook the roof tiles, and even Wang Ming couldn't help but join the shouting.

He had heard this story once before and felt a deep hatred in his heart. Hearing it again now, his hatred had not diminished in the slightest.

Before knowing this, no matter how much he stretched his imagination, he could never have conceived that a wife could be so cruel to her husband, all while parading herself as serenely detached and uncompetitive. She truly... deserved to die!

Good, kill her!

Wei Shuo affirmed once more, his gaze now turning to Grand Princess Xiao Ruyi.

Xiao Ruyi's complexion had changed drastically. All traces of her calmness were gone as she trembled, Wei Shuo, we are husband and wife. We have loved each other for so many years. What... what are you doing?

Wei Shuo looked at her.

The snowstorm in his chest settled, giving way to a surging tide of hatred.

Suddenly, the flash of a blade lit up.

Perhaps the gleam of the blade was so bright that it made the very heavens and earth dim for a moment.

Blinded by the flash, Grand Princess Xiao Ruyi couldn't open her eyes. Immediately after, she felt a sudden heat in her chest. When she looked down, the edge of the blade had already pierced her ribs.

Wei Shuo pulled the saber out and said coldly, This strike is for myself!

Before his voice faded, the bloodstained blade thrust forward again.

Another strike landed on the Grand Princess.

This strike is for my daughter!

As a general who had fought in wars for years, Wei Shuo had impeccable control over his blade. These two strikes inflicted severe wounds on Grand Princess Xiao Ruyi, but they were not fatal.

Then, Wei Shuo raised his saber once more.

And this strike severs the sinful karma that has entangled us for half a lifetime!

As the blade was about to fall, Grand Princess Xiao Ruyi suddenly shrieked, No, no, Wei Shuo, no! I... I was wrong! I was wrong! Don't kill me, please don't kill me...

Wei Shuo paused his blade and said indifferently, Rest assured, I won't kill you. I just... want to cripple you.

I really want to know, once this blade lands on you and you spend the rest of your life bedridden, just like I once was, will you still be able to remain...

...as serenely detached as a chrysanthemum?

...uncompetitive and aloof?

The third strike fell.

Xiao Ruyi let out a miserable scream as blood gushed out.

Wei Shuo stared into her eyes, his tone betraying neither sorrow nor joy, and said slowly, Xiao Ruyi, everything you have began with me. Now, everything you have shall end with me.

After speaking, Wei Shuo seemed somewhat moved with emotion.

He looked up at the sky. Just moments ago, it had been clear and bright, but at some unknown point, it had become heavily overcast. It looked as though a heavy snow was about to fall. Suddenly, he felt a chill on his cheek as a single snowflake melted against his skin.

He smiled again.

Within that smile lay endless vicissitudes of life, yet the clarity in his eyes was even purer than when he had fought in the Northern Frontier in his youth.

He and Xiao Ruyi had fallen in love in the blooming height of summer, and now it ended in the bitter, freezing winter!

For the rest of his life, there would only be hatred, without a single trace of love!

...