Film and Television: The Collector Who Rampages Across the Heavens

Chapter 81 Xie Yu's End, A New Hidden Hand

After reprimands and mediation by the officers on both sides, the street where the fighting had taken place began to quiet down.

This once bustling and elegant street is now littered with corpses, with severed limbs everywhere. The entire road surface is covered with the bodies of soldiers from both sides, and the blood that has flowed down has soaked the bluestone floor so much that there is almost no place to step.

With a sorrowful look in her eyes, Princess Liyang slowly walked down the steps of the Marquis's residence. With each step, her expensive boots left a footprint on the ground.

"Do you see that? These people fought for their lord, but after they die, they can only get a few taels of silver. Because of your own desires, hundreds of people died last night."

She turned her gaze to Su Li beside her and asked, "Do you think all of this was worth it?"

Su Li knew that her aunt, the eldest princess, was a woman easily influenced by others and her environment, so she didn't pay much attention to her tone.

"Aunt, who can say what's right and wrong in men's affairs? You shouldn't interfere. Instead of worrying about them, you should think about what you should do next. After tonight's incident, it's good enough that Xie Yu has survived. As for the Xie family, they're doomed."

Su Li chuckled and said, "If Prince Yu were a little more ruthless, the entire Xie family could be wiped out."

Princess Liyang's expression changed slightly upon hearing this, and she sighed and shook her head: "You must have been involved in tonight's events, and you probably contributed to the chaos as well!"

Su Li did not answer, but instead looked directly at the large number of imperial guards approaching.

With orderly steps and gleaming armor, the leader was not one of the deputy commanders of the Imperial Guard, but a general of the Imperial Guard sent by Emperor Liang.

This shows that Emperor Liang was clearly terrified by the incident and immediately seized control of the palace's military forces to prevent any unforeseen events.

Su Li smiled and whispered, "This is just the beginning—"

When the group of people from the Marquis's residence came out, the Imperial Guards read out the imperial edict to everyone, ordering them all to be escorted to the palace to await Emperor Liang's personal interrogation.

Before the morning court session even began, Emperor Liang's study was already filled with the main participants from the previous night.

"What audacity! Leading troops into a fierce battle, and even getting the city guards involved! You guys are really something!"

Emperor Liang looked at his kneeling ministers and sons, and his teeth ached with anger.

These rebellious children never stop causing trouble—

Prince Yu quickly raised his head and said in a deep voice, "Your Majesty, everything that happened last night was caused by Xie Yu. We have both witnesses and physical evidence. Due to the suddenness of the incident, we had no choice but to do it."

Su Li also explained, "Yes, we were trapped in the Marquis's mansion and hadn't returned for a long time. The Prince's personal guards only came after seeing the warning fireworks from the Suspended Mirror Bureau, but they didn't expect to have a conflict with the city guards."

Seeing this, the Crown Prince interrupted, saying, "Nonsense! It's clear that the Ningguo Marquis's mansion has been invaded by a vile woman who brings disaster to the country and a group of traitorous henchmen, which is why I sent people to wipe them out."

Your personal guards are blocking the way outside, deliberately obstructing the city guards and patrol battalions from carrying out their duties.

Upon hearing this, Prince Jing immediately sneered, "Your Highness, why don't you bring in all the witnesses from last night and ask them who is covering up the truth?"

Commander-in-Chief Meng and Lord Xia Chun are both here; you can ask them directly who is telling the truth.

"You—Xiao Jingyan, how dare you speak to me like that?"

Prince Yu chimed in, "Your Highness, don't use your status to intimidate others. Right is right, and wrong is wrong. Your close relationship with Xie Yu suggests you might have been involved."

"Nonsense, I only want to eliminate the demoness."

"That's enough!"

Emperor Liang slammed his hand on the table, his face dark and uncertain. He pointed a finger and said, "First, take all those involved into the imperial prison. I will personally interrogate them about this matter."

All of you are to remain inside your residence and reflect on your actions. You are not to leave the residence without orders.

The crown prince's face turned pale: "Father—Father Emperor?"

"The same to you!"

Seeing that everyone had received the same treatment, Prince Yu suppressed his joy, knowing that Xie Yu was completely finished.

From this day forward, the Crown Prince will be completely outmatched and will no longer be his opponent.

As expected, the princes had only been in seclusion for three days when they received news that had leaked from inside the palace.

After personally verifying the witnesses and physical evidence, the emperor was furious and immediately stripped Xie Yu of his title. He was originally going to execute him after the autumn harvest if he was still angry.

However, Xia Jiang, who had emerged from seclusion after his cultivation retreat, stopped him, stating that Xie Yu was indeed at fault. Besides being too deeply involved in factional strife, it was clear that Prince Yu was deliberately trying to bring him down.

Xie Yu has made outstanding military achievements; killing him directly would inevitably cause unrest.

After some persuasion, the punishment of execution in the autumn was changed to exile to Qingzhou, where he left soon afterward.

This outcome greatly displeased Prince Yu, for as long as a person is alive, things can change at any time.

After learning about this, Su Li realized it was time to take action.

Xia Dong, who was recuperating in his palace, learned that his master had returned and that he was halfway recovered, so he went directly back to the Xuanjing Division to recuperate.

According to reports from the undercover agents that Su Li had placed by her side, Mei Changsu had secretly visited her.

He immediately realized that this was the time for Mei Changsu to expose Xia Jiang's true colors as a hypocritical master.

Before Xie Yu departs for Qingzhou, he will definitely go to the prison in secret to interrogate him.

"Tonight I'll take you to kill Xie Yu."

Gong Yu, who was planting spring flower seeds in the garden, heard Su Li suddenly say this.

Her pretty face lit up with joy as she asked, "Really?"

"Of course it's true!"

Su Li stepped forward and embraced her waist, which was even fuller and more slender after being moistened. He looked at her deeply and said, "After killing Xie Yu, you must serve me well and devote your body and soul to me."

Gong Yu gently nodded, her beautiful eyes resting on his strong chest, and softly said, "I understand. From now on, I will follow Your Highness until the moment I die."

"That's good—"

Su Li scooped her up in a princess carry and carried her to the nearest room.

"It's still early, let's play some more games."

"ah----

The Heavenly Prison of Daliang was heavily guarded, and those imprisoned there were all serious criminals, ranging from princes to nobles.

Inside the dark and damp prison, there was almost no human presence; the occasional crisp sound of dripping water could be heard.

"Your Highness, this way please!"

"Is everything arranged? Xie Yu suddenly died. Do you know what to say?"

Su Li held Gong Yu's smooth, slender hand and walked slowly ahead, casually speaking to the jailer guarding the prison.

"This humble servant understands. Xie Yu knew his sins were grave, and he committed suicide by self-immolation."

Su Li smiled, raised her noble hand, and patted his shoulder to express her satisfaction.

The cell door slowly opened, and Xie Yu looked up to see Su Li and a slender woman in a black robe walk in.

"How is Your Excellency, Lord Marquis?"

"It's perfect to have food and drink and be safe in this prison."

Xie Yu sat cross-legged on the ground, making no attempt to bow. He glanced at the woman in the black robe whose face was obscured, and asked, "What brings Your Highness here?"

"I've come to let you meet someone, and I'll give you a ride along the way."

At Su Li's prompting, Gong Yu slowly pulled off her hood, revealing her beautiful and delicate face.

Xie Yu glanced at her for a moment, then tentatively asked, "Miss Gong Yu from Miaoyin Pavilion?"

Gong Yu laughed crisply, took a few steps forward, and said, "I never expected that the dignified Marquis of Ningguo, a first-rank official, would know a songstress like me?"

"Miss Gong Yu is a beauty in Jinling City, and her fame is known throughout the world. Although I have never been there, I have heard about her since I was a child."

Xie Yu was unsure what the Prince of Ling meant by bringing this woman to see him, but he still became secretly wary.

"I am not only a songstress, but I also have another identity. I wonder if Your Excellency would like to know?" Gong Yu said playfully, her red lips slightly parted.

"Oh, I'd like to hear that!"

Gong Yu slowly revealed her identity, which immediately made Xie Yu's eyes widen.

Su Li explained from the side, "The woman Mei Changsu arranged at the birthday banquet was a fake; Gong Yu is your biological daughter, the one you arranged the assassins for."

Xie Yu had no time to consider whether the two women were real or fake. He took a deep breath and asked, "What does Your Highness intend to do?"

"The Marquis is very clever; he immediately grasped the key points for tonight."

Su Li raised her hand, grasped the shadow under the ethereal torch, and said with a light laugh, "I told you, I brought Gong Yu here to see you off on your final journey."

"No, you can't kill me. His Majesty only exiled me to Qingzhou; he has no intention of killing me."

Upon hearing this, Xie Yu immediately cried out. He didn't want to die; he still had a long life ahead of him. As long as he could survive this period, he was sure he could find a chance to make a comeback.

"Your Highness, please help me. I have many trusted confidants in the Northwest Army. If you want to seize the throne, I can do my best to assist you. Also, I know Xia Jiang and have a lot of dirt on him. This will be useful to you."

Upon seeing the tall jailer slowly walk in, Xie Yu immediately panicked and repeatedly stated his worth.

Unfortunately, Zuli wasn't interested in any of what he said.

Whether the Chiyan Army overturns the verdict or not is none of his business; even if he had Xia Jiang's incriminating evidence, it wouldn't be of much use.

On the contrary, if Xie Yu were to survive, Prince Jing's side would benefit, and he wouldn't do such a losing deal if the benefits outweighed the losses.

"No, someone come quick, someone come!"

"Your Highness, if you spare me, I will give you everything."

Gong Yu glanced at Su Li, afraid that he might be moved, but the latter remained expressionless.

Su Li listened indifferently, remaining unmoved. If one were to rely on open and covert struggles to seize the throne, how many years would it take?

Even Prince Jing, a simple and stubborn honest man, was forced to abdicate by Emperor Liang through a different kind of coup, arranged by Mei Changsu.

Is he even worse than the former?

Seeing that Su Li had no other orders, the jailer grabbed Xie Yu and locked her neck and body. Although the latter struggled incessantly, she could not use her original martial arts skills because her collarbone was pierced.

He could only watch helplessly as another jailer opened the bottle of poison and poured it into his mouth.

Xie Yu opened his eyes wide, but after only two or three breaths, he became completely limp and lifeless.

"After I leave, make it look like he committed suicide, and make sure you are absolutely sure he is dead," Su Li instructed solemnly.

"Your Highness, I understand. Please rest assured."

Su Li took Gong Yu's hand and quickly disappeared into the narrow prison.

After they left, Xie Yu's cell suddenly caught fire, and the prison guards, who had just woken up, discovered it and cried for help.

By the time everyone had finished their work and put out the fire in the prison cell, Xie Yu was burned to a crisp.

"You scoundrel! You can't even keep an eye on one person! Go tell the adults right now! What are you waiting for?"

Soon, news of Xie Yu's suicide by fire reached all parties in Jinling. Emperor Liang looked at the consistent reports from the Ministry of Justice and the Court of Judicial Review.

"Xie Yu knew his sins were grave, and in order not to betray the emperor's favor, he burned himself to death."

Emperor Liang's lips twitched. He knew that someone had definitely done this, deliberately crippling the Crown Prince's arm.

But death is like smoke, and Xie Yu did deserve to die for committing a serious crime. Moreover, as a general in the army, he had gone deep into the struggle for the throne, which touched his taboo. He deserved to die.

"That's it!" Emperor Liang casually tossed the memorial aside, no longer paying attention to the matter.

Xia Jiang of the Suspended Mirror Bureau also breathed a sigh of relief. Xie Yu had a lot of leverage over him, and only when Xie Yu died could he truly be free.

Prince Yu was equally pleased. The Crown Prince had completely lost this pillar of the military, which also meant that he was not far from losing his position as Crown Prince.

Mei Changsu, however, was furious. He still needed to find out the truth about Xie Yu and Xia Jiang's plot to murder Prince Qi and the blood oath used to kill the Chiyan Army.

The other party's death completely disrupted his plans. Without this crucial piece of evidence, Xia Dong wouldn't believe him either.

"Damn it, is it Prince Yu? No—Prince Ling is the most likely candidate."

Thinking of how this person had repeatedly disrupted his plans, Mei Changsu's eyes flashed with a cold light. He decided that once the Crown Prince fell, he would tell Prince Yu about the secret arrangements that Prince Ling had made several times.

Letting these two fight like dogs and become adversaries will buy Jing Dan some time for his covert developments.

Su Li was unaware of Mei Changsu's thoughts, but even if she knew, she wouldn't care.

The Crown Prince is everyone's enemy, but once he falls, he will certainly not be able to work peacefully with Prince Jing and Prince Yu.

A covert battle was inevitable, and he had long been prepared for it.

More than half a month has passed since Xie Yu died by self-immolation, and the Southern Chu delegation has begun to return home. Just like in the original story, Xiao Jingrui followed the delegation to Southern Chu to visit his biological father.

On this day, many people came to see him off, and Prince Jing, Mei Changsu, and Yu Jin all offered their blessings to their friend.

"The journey to Nan Chu is long, please take good care of yourself. Remember to write back if anything happens." Yu Jin felt sad about Xiao Jingrui's choice, after all, the two of them had the best relationship in the vast city of Jinling.

"Don't worry, I'm not necessarily staying there. I'll be right back after I see Niannian's father," Xiao Jingrui said with a smile, patting his friend on the shoulder.

"Really? Then you'd better hurry!"

Thunderous hoofbeats echoed through Jinling City, and everyone looked to see Su Li.

"Jingrui, I've come to see you off on your final journey," Su Li said with a smile, sitting atop her magnificent horse.

"Thank you, Your Highness, and thank you to my friends for seeing me off. Farewell."

Xiao Jingrui mounted his horse and gestured to everyone, saying, "It's getting late, everyone should go home."

Everyone watched as he and the Southern Chu entourage slowly disappeared into the endless road ahead. It would be at least six months to a year before they could meet again.

Yu Jin couldn't help but shout, "Jing Rui, you must come back!"

Su Li heard this and a knowing smile appeared on her lips.

Upon his return to the Prince's residence, a spy from the Green Robe Pavilion immediately reported: "Your Highness, we have already set up an ambush on the road that the Southern Chu delegation will inevitably take, and everything is ready."

Su Li took out a brush and wrote a large character "杀" (kill) on a white piece of paper.

"Make sure you do things cleanly and efficiently, and don't leave any clues."

The scout nodded repeatedly and said, "The sentries following the delegation reported that the Jiangzuo Alliance has also arranged for Zhu Chen, a top expert from the alliance, to lead some skilled fighters to follow behind. These people are probably protecting Xiao Jingrui."

"Kill them all, except for the few important figures I mentioned. Leave no one else alive," Su Li ordered calmly.

The scout accepted the order, bowed respectfully, and slowly withdrew from the study.

>