Chapter 52: To Protect Family, He Apologizes with Death

Inside the room, Jiang Jiang Mingyu's tightly furrowed brows and half-closed eyes revealed his understanding of the severity of the situation.

He silently thought that things had ultimately developed in the worst possible direction.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu knew very well that although Ma Ma Defake hated him, he absolutely lacked the ability to set such a complex trap alone.

And since the Prince of Qi, knowing the evidence was conclusive, still intended to put Ma Ma Defake to death, he must have ulterior motives.

This case could not be separated from him.

Recalling the past grievances between the two and the Prince of Qi's character, Jiang Jiang Mingyu was almost certain that the mastermind behind this case was the Prince of Qi.

If Ma Ma Defake died here, the truth would likely never see the light of day.

At this moment, Ma Ma Defake was already pinned beneath the blade, his life in grave danger.

Although Jiang Jiang Mingyu was well-versed in political strategy, he was helpless in this critical moment.

Just then, without him needing to speak, the agile Tu Tu Kesiluo blocked the blade the Prince of Qi had brought down with lightning speed, saving Ma Ma Defake from the hands of the Grim Reaper.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu sighed slightly in relief, quickly organized his thoughts, and spoke in a deep voice: "Your Highness, are you not too hasty? There must be some hidden circumstances here, right?"

The Prince of Qi, suddenly stopped by Tu Tu Kesiluo, twitched in his facial muscles; a flicker of panic flashed in his eyes, but he quickly feigned calmness and argued incoherently: "I... I, this Prince, stand upright and act correctly; what is there to fear? This treacherous villain has tarnished my reputation; I am merely eliminating evil and protecting the good according to the law!"

However, his uneasy eyes had already exposed the flaw.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu nodded slightly and spoke calmly: "Your Highness, your reaction has already revealed where the hidden circumstances lie."

The Prince of Qi, exposed by Jiang Jiang Mingyu's single sentence, turned deathly pale.

He stammered, trying to find some excuse to argue, but could not justify himself.

At this moment, Jiang Jiang Mingyu turned his gaze to the sweating Ma Ma Defake and spoke peacefully: "Commandant Ma, do you still intend to conceal the truth?"

Ma Ma Defake immediately understood the subtext of Jiang Jiang Mingyu's words—your master has already secured his own safety; if you remain obstinate, is that not inviting your own destruction?

Ma Ma Defake's tightly furrowed brows revealed his inner struggle.

At this time, the Prince of Qi managed to calm down somewhat; his sinister eyes, like a viper's, stared tightly at Ma Ma Defake and threatened in a voice only the two could hear: "Villain, why do you not confess the truth?"

Seeing that Ma Ma Defake was still hesitating, the Prince of Qi added another warning: "If you do not confess, think of your eighty-year-old mother and your wife and children..." He paused meaningfully; the implication was already clear: betraying your master would bring disaster upon your entire family.

Ma Ma Defake understood the Prince of Qi's threat; he was covered in sweat, his lips pale.

But from the Prince of Qi's eyes, Ma Ma Defake also read another layer of implication—as long as he stood up and confessed, his family would be safe.

After a brief but intense mental struggle, Ma Ma Defake finally made up his mind.

"My two lords, actually, I am the one who did this... I hated Lord Jiang to the bone because he cut off my source of wealth, so I framed him and sought revenge. I know I deserve to die a thousand deaths; I will now use my own blood to wash away Lord Jiang's injustice."

Before the words had fully left his mouth, Ma Ma Defake suddenly drew the steel blade flashing with cold light from his waist; without any hesitation, the blade pointed directly at his own throat!

This sudden change happened too quickly; even the agile Tu Tu Kesiluo was unable to react.

In an instant, blood splattered everywhere; Ma Ma Defake pierced his own windpipe, his head separated from his body, and he fell to the ground dead.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu keenly noticed that at the moment Ma Ma Defake fell, the Prince of Qi's face clearly flashed with an expression of relief.

He spoke calmly: "Prince of Qi, Your Highness, your method of handling this matter is indeed extremely brilliant." His tone carried a faint hint of sarcasm.

The Prince of Qi's face changed slightly; he forced himself to remain calm and said: "This Prince does not understand what Lord Jiang means by these words."

Jiang Jiang Mingyu chuckled lightly and said meaningfully: "There is plenty of time; there will surely come a day when Prince of Qi, Your Highness, understands."

He glanced at Ma Ma Defake, who had already died from excessive blood loss, and then instructed Tu Tu Kesiluo: "Later, call Dog Egg to bring some silver; bury the body properly. Let us go."

Watching Jiang Jiang Mingyu's back as he departed, the Prince of Qi finally sighed in relief; the dark clouds on his face dispersed, his expression complex.

He felt he must eliminate Jiang Jiang Mingyu, this grave threat to his heart, as soon as possible; otherwise, disaster was destined to befall him in the future.

At this moment, the common people gathered outside the door, seeing Jiang Jiang Mingyu returned unharmed, perked up again and began to discuss the matter, one speaking after another.

"I said our Imperial Envoy, my lord, would absolutely not kill anyone!"

"That's right; harming people with coal, that is simply unimaginable to think of!"

"Everyone, hurry and disperse; do not delay my lord from returning to rest; we will need to rely on this great lord of justice in the future!"

"..."

Jiang Jiang Mingyu paid no attention to these fickle common people; he merely smiled calmly and did not blame them excessively.

He understood that these people were like grass on a wall, swaying with the wind. Although he felt slightly lonely in his heart, Jiang Jiang Mingyu had long since seen through the fickleness of the world.