Chapter 220: Deserves death by a thousand cuts

At this moment, Su Wanrou knew she could no longer evade responsibility; she never expected that when the truth came to light, she would actually feel a strange sense of satisfaction in her heart.

Su Wanrou was kicked hard by Xiao Yin's foot, causing her to vomit blood, yet she gritted her teeth, struggled to her feet, and coldly stared at Xiao Yin.

This was the first time she looked at her beloved man without any concealment, staring straight at him.

From the moment he brought her back to the Rui Wang Fu, this handsome, god-like man had already entered her heart and become her deity.

She only wanted to possess this happiness exclusively, yet she never expected things to come to this point.

Su Wanrou stumbled up from the icy ground, the red pearl hairpin on her head already fallen, her hair in disarray, making her look like a confused madwoman.

She laughed loudly, ha ha ha, her laughter eerie, like an owl's hoot in the dark night, showing none of the elegance she had previously feigned.

She had always disliked the pretentious elegance of noblewomen in Shang Jing, rarely associating with them, precisely because of her lowly birth—she was merely a country bumpkin.

Jinzhi was different from her; although she was not accepted by the An family, the Longzhou Su clan doted on her immensely, and she had been raised like a treasure in a honey pot since childhood.

Even after she had her six‑year life stolen, reduced to a slave trampled in the dust, she still unconsciously retained the elegance natural to nobility.

Yet she was nothing at all; the more she interacted with and helped others, the deeper her ingrained inferiority tormented her, and she wished to destroy everyone—all the beautiful women of Shang Jing should die!

Why? Why?

Is it merely because of different origins? Why can they stand high above while she sinks deeper into the mire?

She clenched her teeth venomously, glaring at Xiao Yin.

"Ha ha ha ha... Everyone says you, Xiao Yin, are wife‑killing, huh! I just find the women you bring home displeasing—each one frail and helpless, useless snacks, yet they cling to the title of Princess Consort of Rui! They truly deserve to die!! Die!!"

Xiao Yin's pupils constricted, he stepped forward, seized Su Wanrou's collar tightly, gritted his teeth, and coldly asked: "What have you done?"

"What have I done?" Su Wanrou laughed hysterically, "Of course I poisoned them! Weren't they all women bestowed upon you by the imperial clan? You don't even value them—why keep them?"

"Dead is best!"

Xiao Yin suddenly grabbed Su Wanrou's neck, his fingers exerting slight pressure, and she instantly found herself unable to speak.

Frost lingered in his brows and eyes; he had once truly believed himself an omen of misfortune, having killed so many, but now…

He suddenly tightened his grip, while Gu Jiu Ling hastily seized his arm: "Your Highness! This case has already been reported to the authorities; officials will arrive shortly. Before the Ministry of Justice personnel come, killing her would be wholly inappropriate."

Moreover, strangling her like this would be far too lenient for her!!

Xiao Yin drew a deep breath, released Su Wanrou's neck, then pinched her fingers and wiped them on his clothing, his gaze cold as he fixed on the Su Wanrou collapsed on her knees.

"Yes! This woman's crimes merit death by a thousand cuts—three thousand six hundred strokes. You shall suffer it well for this prince!!"

Su Wanrou's eyes flickered with fear; though she had taken countless lives, when it came to her own turn she was terrified, her body trembling slightly.

Soon after, officials in charge of prisons from the Ministry of Justice rushed over, and even Ministry of Punishment personnel came personally to apprehend the suspect.

The six‑year‑old case of false identity was finally exposed to the world; Su Wanrou, however, hardened her stare, fixed on Jinzhi and laughed loudly: "Jinzhi, you're lucky! You're merely fortunate!"

"But because of you alone, so many people have died; you are also a jinx!!"

"Your grandmother was burned alive because of you, half the village buried with you; countless vengeful spirits remember only your name, Su Wanrou—hahaha! You are Su Wanrou, they will seek you out, haunting you day and night! You are Su Wanrou!!"

Su Wanrou had completely gone mad; everyone looking at her now felt that such utterly wicked people should not exist in this world—it was simply inconceivable!

The festivities at the Third Prince's Manor ultimately turned into a farce—how could anyone still enjoy the banquet?

The guests departed one after another from the hall of the Third Prince's Manor; the formerly lively scene instantly grew cold and deserted, leaving only Xiao Yin and his companions.

Xiao Yin smiled at the ashen‑faced Xiao Wei before him and said slowly: "Dear nephew, you ought to treat me to a drink to properly thank Imperial Uncle."

"Otherwise, marrying such a fraud, and such a vicious female fraud at that, if she were made a concubine, wouldn't that be a laughingstock?"

Xiao Wei clenched his fists, fixed Xiao Yin with a deadly stare, wishing he could kill him.

Yet facing this man, he dared not act rashly.

Xiao Yin unwilling to waste another word on a worthless person, turned and led Gu Jiu Ling and Jinzhi out of the Third Prince's Manor.

Gu Jiu Ling noticed that the fair‑looking maiden beside her seemed a little downcast; the earlier words of that trash‑like Su Wanrou might have hurt this maiden, Jinzhi.

She raised her hand and gently took Jinzhi's hand; Jinzhi's hand involuntarily trembled slightly.

Gu Jiu Ling whispered comfortingly: "That woman's talk is like a fart—don't take it to heart."

"Whether it's Su Wanrou or Jinzhi, they're just personal names, mere symbols."

"The name Su Wanrou has been made disgusting by her; we don't want it—let's just be our Jinzhi, how pleasant, how prosperous!"

"Jinzhi," Gu Jiu Ling paused, turned to face Jinzhi and said: "Jinzhi, this isn't your fault; it's someone else's mistake—there's no need for you to bear it."

"You've endured six years of displacement; life has already been bitter, you've suffered all the punishments you deserved—you are also a victim; the evildoer is not you, but her."

"The one bound for hell is her, the one haunted by vicious spirits is her too! Jinzhi! Do you understand?"

"Your parents in heaven also wish you to live happily and joyfully, not forever mired in self‑blame; you have already done very well."

"Live well, earnestly make each day good, and that will comfort their spirits in heaven!"

Jinzhi nodded, her eyes faintly reddened, tears spilling unbidden.

Gu Jiu Ling took Jinzhi's hand and caught up with Xiao Yin's pace, only to see Xiao Yin conversing with the two An brothers; the An family members had not left yet and were waiting outside the Third Prince's Manor.

Seeing Jinzhi, An Chengren and An Chenggui's expressions showed a hint of conflict.

Still, An Chenggui stepped forward first, bowed to Gu Jiu Ling with clasped fists, then fixed his gaze on Jinzhi, inhaled, and said: "Miss Jinzhi, you ultimately belong to the An bloodline; in a few days the year's end will arrive, and at the An family's ancestral rites, we hope… you will come to offer a stick of incense for your father."

As soon as An Chenggui finished speaking, Gu Jiu Ling felt a faint joy in her heart—this might be the recognition of lineage, after which Jinzhi's noble status would be completely established.

That would be excellent!