The Valued Lady is Truly Dominant

”Did you hear that I was about to die and came specially to send me off?” Xia Houzhe looked at Chu Ze, who was pale and wrapped in a thick cloak, with a self-mocking smile. ”Or did you come specifically to pave my way?”

Chu Ze tucked his hands into his warm sleeves, looking at him coldly, without saying a word.

The person before him had a wax-yellow complexion, like a wilting flower, about to fall yet truly close to fading.

Indeed, his elder brother was someone who held grudges zealously.

”In this game, you and I are both losers, but it’s your emperor brother who’s been fulfilled. I underestimated the ties of blood; you ultimately hold some goodwill for the Royal Family of Chu. But does your good emperor brother feel the same towards you?”

Chu Ze sneered, ”Aren’t blood ties the same for you? Do you not hold some goodwill for Xia Yu?”

If not, he would have long taken possession of that little sister with whom he shared a sliver of bloodline.

Ethics?

Some people don’t care about such matters, yet Xia Houzhe always upheld this boundary, is it not due to some shred of tenderness?

In a mocking tone, Xia Houzhe said, ”Do you see me as a benevolent person? Not touching her merely offends my sensibilities; no way would I stoop to such a person.”

This explanation had an air of argument, sounding somewhat awkward.

”You should be grateful to me. If it weren’t for me, how would you get such a pristine princess? But what to do now, when one moment of affection births a bastard, how will your emperor brother use it?” Xia Houzhe chuckled slyly. ”It’s not unknown, Xia Yu is even more legitimate and noble than me. The child she bears, wouldn’t those faithful followers have some thoughts?”

Chu Ze laughed disdainfully, ”Even now, you don’t understand. If there were loyal people, how would you end up in this state? There’s more loyalty to Cabinet Minister Ning than to Crown Prince Xia. If otherwise, upon falling into the Royal Family of Chu’s hands, wouldn’t there be someone to rescue you? From start to finish, you were just a pawn; when you become a discarded piece, there’s no reason to save you.”

Xia Houzhe laughed rather than got angry, laughing eerily, ”I’m a discarded piece, but there’s still Xia Yu’s next generation. You better pray she bears a daughter.”

Chu Ze replied indifferently, ”Whether it’s a girl or a boy, as long as Chu’s blood flows through their veins, there’s no chance those deeply hidden old followers would dare to take risks.”

Because he wasn’t worth it, and they’ve already missed their chance.

Xia Houzhe’s smile faded, glaring at him fiercely, ”Do you really think your emperor brother would allow this bastard to remain?”

”If Xia Yu can remain, why not this one? You’ve mentioned it too; perhaps a big fish can be caught,” Chu Ze unmasked Emperor Chu’s intentions.

Xia Houzhe started laughing again, coughing amidst laughter, surprisingly coughing up blood strikingly dark red, staining his mouth, quite startling.

”Cough, cough, cough, you are more ruthless than me, Chu Ze. I don’t believe you truly ignore your own flesh and blood.”

”That’s not a concern for you as the uncle,” Chu Ze turned away.

”Kill me!” Xia Houzhe called out behind him. ”Kill me to avenge those years of suffering.”

Chu Ze walked forward, saying, ”My revenge has long been fulfilled, simply removing a piece of the puzzle and letting you watch your possessions crumble in an instant—that isn’t more painful than death?”

”To the victor go the spoils, I accept!” Xia Houzhe challenged.

Chu Ze had already passed the corner, his cold voice carried by the wind, ”If that’s the case, then just die!”