C53 osseous flower (1/2)

”So you don't know anything?”

”Yes.”

A crafty look appeared in King Rui's eyes. He snatched the whip from the guard's hand and swung it.

Rui Xiang only felt a bone-piercing pain. Her entire body was twitching, and cold sweat poured down her face.

She knew that her master would not let her die so easily. He had many ways to live a life worse than death.

”You don't know anything. You're obviously not giving your all!” After King Rui roared, he lashed out again, this time with less force than the last.

Her light yellow clothes were already stained with blood, slowly rendering them flowery and abnormally beautiful.

She, who was already weak, couldn't take it anymore. She fell to the ground and gripped the carpet tightly with her nails, as if this would ease her pain a little.

She asked for a clear conscience, that's all.

King Rui took a deep breath and said calmly, ”This King will give you one more chance.”

”Prince …” Tears fell from her eyes, not because of the pain in her body, but because she was sad. She was born to be a chess piece. Finally, this chess piece was useless.

It was as if she didn't have much time for happiness, and the only thing that made her ruminate was that night on the grass.

Raising her hand, she lashed out yet again. If this whip were to strike her, she would most likely lose half her life.

”Your Highness, your subordinate requests that you spare her. Since she dared to come back and claim her punishment, it means that she did her best. After all, no one is willing to throw their lives away.” The guard glanced at Rui Xiang's mangled body, then cupped his hands and knelt before him.

The crafty man thought for a moment before tossing the whip onto the ground. He lowered his head and said slowly, ”You wouldn't dare to deceive this king.”

The guard heaved a sigh of relief, his face full of gratification.

”Support her down and help her heal her injuries.” This little girl had to return in one piece, otherwise that little girl Shangguan Wan might be suspicious.

”Yes.” ”Yes!” the guard acknowledged, then squatted down to pick up Rui Xiang who was on the ground and entered a room.

This room was the one Rui Xiang lived in before entering the Southern Yan Imperial Palace. At that time, Master didn't teach her how to draw or write books like other girls, nor did she teach her how to use her sabre and spear like a man. She only taught her how to make poisons.

At first, she didn't understand why this was happening, but her master had told her that it was to protect the Prince Rui's estate's prosperity, as well as the young prince's future.

So she studied hard, and in the end, at fourteen, she was sent to the palace, in a position she did not even know.

The only thing that could prove her connection with Prince Rui's estate was the word ”Rui” in her name.

Afterwards, Master sent her to the princess' side, waiting for an opportunity to pry into the imperial family's every move. After all, the most favored child of the emperor was Princess Wan.

The emperor's intention to make a marriage alliance with Xuan Yue had exceeded his master's expectations. Thus, he had no choice but to arrange her into his entourage, and find an opportunity to poison her and destroy the marriage alliance.