Chapter 561: Cold Electric Wedding, Bow to Heaven and Earth!

Zongzheng Xingyao gazed at the Chu Emperor, her eyes always carrying a hint of hope.

Her father the emperor had ten daughters and eight sons.

He had always been an extremely cold person, so he never showed any affection for these children of his.

Except for the Crown Prince elder brother, his legitimate son who could earn a bit of his regard, in his eyes the rest of these children were not even as valuable as the eunuch by his side.

Therefore, Zongzheng Xingyao's days had never been very good since childhood.

Sometimes, she was even worse off than a princess of the rank of Changning.

Changning had the genuine affection of her parents.

No matter what controversies surrounded her background, that Prince Consort Zhang also truly loved her.

As for herself, the Noble Consort was merely a woman long out of favor.

What princess?

Just a piece that can be used, that's all!

Her tears fell like broken beads, endlessly dropping as she gazed at the Chu Emperor, not knowing how he must decide for her to be even slightly better off.

Chu Emperor: "You rebels, how dare you threaten me!!"

"Don't think that because my daughter married you rebels, I will be under your control!"

"When the court's troops arrive, I will have you all beheaded and hung on the city gate as a warning, I will have your corpses whipped, turn you into human swine, I will have you executed by lingchi!!"

The Chu Emperor was like a madman, violently clamoring in his mind about the myriad ways to slaughter these lowly people.

Zheng Mama held a short dagger across his throat.

"Don't waste your impotent fury here."

"Tyrant, we can kill you right now."

"All this talk of death, don't think we dare not kill you; sparing your dog's life is because your sins in life are not yet fully paid."

"Before you die, think: would you rather live a bit more comfortably, or continue as a starving ghost!"

Zheng Mama didn't waste more words on him, simply throwing the choice to Zongzheng Langri.

Humiliated, the Chu Emperor no longer glanced at Zongzheng Xingyao.

Instead, he turned his head away and said lightly: "Ya'er, Father will surely avenge you. When the time comes, we'll kill these rebels and then welcome you back to the palace."

Zongzheng Xingyao felt no disturbance in her heart.

Her father the emperor, although a tyrant,

but also cowardly and inept, a clinger to life who fears death.

He is no longer the decisive, somewhat spirited monarch of rumor from years past.

And what am I myself hoping for?

How could he possibly risk his life for me, this unimportant daughter of his?

Just a piece that can be married off in an alliance, that's all.

Exchanging a piece could keep his life safe, let him eat a meal with meat and vegetables; why wouldn't he do it?

At this moment, her heart felt disappointment, yet also hatred toward him.

She hated this father, who always abandoned her first.

But, when putting on an act, one must go all the way.

Zongzheng Xingyao, heart dead, knelt before the Chu Emperor and then kowtowed heavily.

"Father Emperor, unfilial daughter Ya'er can no longer serve before you."

"Let Ya'er do one last thing for you."

"As long as Father can live a bit more comfortably, as long as Father can eat a filling meal, Ya'er would be satisfied even if she died."

Beside them, the gagged Zongzheng Wuxie also had moist eyes.

The Chu Emperor's heart also finally felt a trace of unpleasant regret.

In this world, could there truly be someone who would sincerely sacrifice this much for oneself?

Every word and sentence of Zongzheng Xingyao now turned into blades cutting into his heart.

And his heart, sealed away for many years, seemed to finally have a crack.

However, Zongzheng Xingyao was helped out, and soon the sound of suona horns and drums rang outside.

"No…… Ya'er…… Ya'er!!"

Zongzheng Langri had just shouted those two lines when a masked black-clad person entered carrying a lavish dinner.

It had meat and vegetables, and even wine.

With a "clang", the tray was thrown heavily to the ground.

"Your Majesty the Emperor, please eat."

"This is your daughter's wedding wine."

"Eat well, drink well."

Having said that, the black-clad person cut the ropes binding the Chu Emperor's hands.

"I'm right outside; if you dare to run, I'll break your legs."

Having spoken the threat, the black-clad person stood up and walked out.

After going out and lowering his mask, this person was none other than Sha San.

Sha Si waited outside the door, the two standing left and right as guards.

Hearing the sound of food being moved inside, the two exchanged a glance and then deliberately spoke in a moderate tone.

Sha San: "It seems even the most stubborn person will lose their backbone after three or four days of hunger."

"One's own biological daughter is worth less than a meal. Truly laughable."

Kill Four: "If he were someone with backbone, the mountains and rivers of Da Chu wouldn't be as shaky as they are today, the court in turmoil."

"Back then, Princess Qingyue met a tragic end in DaLiang, and he still didn't dare to pass gas?"

"Now, for the sake of peace with the Western Regions, Princess Qinyu has died, and they plan to send Princess Xingyao over. What kind of emperor is this—what backbone could you expect from him?"

Kill Three: "That's true. Moreover, if the crown prince truly wanted to find him, he wouldn't still be loafing around in the palace pretending."

"An emperor like him is practically ruining his own realm; he'd be better off dying sooner and cleanly."

"I've heard that recently there are three or four rebel forces simultaneously rising on the frontiers; this Chu emperor, even without our meddling, won't be able to hold onto his realm for long."

"The poor souls suffering are these common folk..."

"The sounds of movement and dining inside the house grew fainter and fainter."

"The two exchanged a glance, and in unison they smirked coldly in their hearts."

Having walked a bit farther away, Kill Four looked around and saw red decorations everywhere, and couldn't help whispering doubtfully: "This sham ceremony—looks like we'll actually have to go through with it?"

Kill Three: "The lady said, if we don't make it convincing, we won't be able to fool them."

"We've also discussed it with the princess—it's just a fake wedding bow, not for real."

Kill Four: "Tsk. So we still get to drink the wedding wine? This time Leng Dian counts as having married a princess."

Kill Four, feeling resentful, smacked his own hand and snapped: "Jinxed hand, why can't I draw the red slip?"

Kill Three looked at him, at a loss for words: "If you want to get married, just have the lady help you find a match. Aren't there plenty of good young ladies around her?"

Kill Four glanced at Kill Three with a hint of jealousy: "Don't spout sour grapes here. Haven't you already claimed the best young lady for yourself?"

"Hey, speaking of which, when exactly are you two getting married?"

"The brothers are all still waiting to drink your wedding wine!"

Even in the pitch darkness, Kill Three's face visibly flushed: "Que'er said there will be an auspicious day in three months."

"Once this matter is settled, I'll go together with her to personally ask the lady for guidance on this."

"By then, please have the lady set up a few tables, and we'll consider ourselves married."

Kill Four: "Shouldn't we make a big deal of it? The lady surely wouldn't just easily give away her most capable maid."

"Just wait—your lucky day will surely come."

"Oh my, how enviable."

"As it turns out, we people like us can also marry and start a family. Kill Three, you're doing great."

"Kill Four genuinely showed envy."

"Kill Three shoved Kill Four hard with his shoulder."

"Just have the brothers follow along."

"By following the lady, we can also live like human beings."

"The front courtyard was bustling with music and celebration."

"Zong Xingyao, wearing the bridal attire, lowered the veil and sat in the chair."

"Leng Dian, dressed in groom's attire, stood to the side with a cold face, holding his sword, while Li Qingluo remained in male attire, seated in the place of honor."

"Suddenly, Kill Seven rushed in from outside in a panic."

"Milady, they've arrived!"

"Li Qingluo quickly waved her hand: 'Perform the bow!'"

"Leng Dian was dragged into the center of the main hall, and Zong Xingyao was also helped over."

"Kill Two bellowed at the top of his lungs: 'First bow to heaven and earth——'"

"The wedding hall appeared lively."

"In reality, everyone straightened their backs, alert and vigilant."

"Li Qingluo heard Kill One whisper: 'Milady, the Qin King has brought at least three thousand troops.'"

"Your Highness, Zhang Tingji, and Yang Qilang's group have already lain in ambush on the mountain path from the side."

"After Daoist Qingyang feigns rescuing that tyrant and then joins forces with Your Highness and them, we can withdraw."

"Li Qingluo: 'Your Highness, how many people are in Zhang Tingji's entourage?'"

"Kill One: 'They're all forces cobbled together by Zhang Tingji and the Yang family, totaling one thousand.'"

"Li Qingluo hesitated for a moment."

"Then she continued: 'A mere Qin King actually brought three thousand troops to rescue a prince?'"

"Looks like he keeps a lot of private troops."

"Looks like we can't go head‑on; we need to change the plan!"

"Soon Li Qingluo had an idea: 'Got it. Let Kill Three and Kill Four detain Zong Wuxie.'"

"Only Daoist Qingyang can take Zong Langri away."

"Kill One: 'Are we really going to keep detaining Zong Wuxie? But Your Highness's side doesn't know about this variable...'"

"Li Qingluo: 'Your Highness will surely also know the number of troops the Qin King brought; seeing only Zong Langri rescued will make him understand my meaning.'"

"The couple's tacit understanding now means many things need not be spelled out in detail."

"Sometimes a single gesture and glance are enough to understand each other's intentions."

"Kill Two had already drawn out his voice, slowly shouting: 'Second bow to the parents——'"

"At this moment, the one seated on the high dais is precisely Li Qingluo."

"She raised her hand to signal a stop, so Leng Dian and Zong Xingyao did not actually perform the bow."

"Li Qingluo continued over the clamor: 'Earlier we didn't expect the Qin King to bring so many people. Originally we wanted to lure the two sides into battle, but now there's no need to let the Zhang and Yang families deliberately sacrifice themselves.'"

"Fortunately, Zhang Tingji and his group don't know the enemy's details, so we can take advantage of the darkness to deceive them."

"Moreover, with Your Highness restraining them, they certainly won't act rashly."

Wait till they pretend to rescue the tyrant, then we'll use the Qin King to pursue their group, and we can draw everyone to the imperial mausoleum.

After dawn, the initiative will be firmly in our hands.

Go, let that Qin King bring only twenty people up the mountain to negotiate with us, otherwise we'll chop off one of Zong Zheng Wuxie's hands and send it to him.

Sha yi immediately understood: "Yes!"

Sha er finally shouted: "Husband and wife bow—"

Really have to bow?

Leng Dian hurriedly looked at Li Qingluo, pleading with his eyes.

He dare not bow further, afraid that afterwards this princess will silence him.

Li Qingluo glared: "The princess doesn't mind, what are you minding?"

Just then, Sha wu came over and whispered in his ear: "Qingyangzi and his group have arrived."

Li Qingluo: "Quickly bow!"