Chapter 2229: I Help You Get Even

However, she also understood that she couldn't blame them.

"Still not surrendering? It seems Miss Jiang believes I wouldn't dare to kill." The King of Wu scoffed, signaling one of his subordinates.

Changfu understood the signal and brought his blade down on a nearby member of the Jiang family—one who hadn't pleaded for mercy. Killing such a person would undoubtedly inflict more pain upon Jiang Luofu.

A streak of purple light shot forth, striking the knife from Changfu's hand.

"Stop!" A sharp cry rang out simultaneously.

Everyone turned to see a stunning woman approaching on a red horse. Her features were exquisite, with a graceful nose and crimson lips, and exceptionally fair skin, as if she had stepped straight out of a painting.

Many instantly recognized her: Yun Yuqing, the King of Wu's consort!

Standing beside the King of Wu, they truly presented the image of a divine couple.

Changfu, whose action had been interrupted, was about to launch into a tirade. However, upon recognizing the newcomer, his grimace transformed into a sycophantic smile.

*The Consort is truly beautiful, as lovely as this Jiang woman. If only I could have her once, it would be worth dying for...*

Upon seeing his wife arrive, the King of Wu subtly frowned. "Why are you here?" he asked.

"If Your Highness can come, why can't I?" Yun Yuqing replied with a faint smile.

Many in the crowd were somewhat surprised, as the tone between the two seemed to suggest a certain discord.

Displeased, the King of Wu said, "I'm conducting official business here. We can talk later."

Yun Yuqing's gaze swept across the scene, her eyes lingering longest on Jiang Luofu. A hint of admiration flickered in her eyes as she thought, *So these silk stockings are truly that alluring. I should get a pair to try sometime.*

Upon hearing the King of Wu's words, she composed herself and replied, "Lord Jiang is renowned for his virtue, and it's widely known that he is upright and incorruptible. The Jiang family should not be subjected to such bloodshed."

The King of Wu scoffed, "They are suspected of rebellion and have openly resisted my arrest. This merely confirms their treacherous ambitions, so it's only natural that I take severe action."

Yun Yuqing frowned. "Since the Jiang family has already surrendered, how can you continue to slaughter these unarmed individuals?"

Jiang Luofu cast a grateful glance at Yun Yuqing. She had truly been cornered by the King of Wu; resisting would lead to the death of her clan, yet not resisting left her deeply unwilling. With the King of Wu's consort now speaking on their behalf, the lives of her clan members were likely saved.

The King of Wu frowned. "If she surrenders, I will not kill anyone from the Jiang family. It simply depends on how much these people mean to her."

Hearing his words, many within the Jiang mansion hurriedly called out to Jiang Luofu, afraid she might act impulsively.

As Jiang Luofu wavered, Yun Yuqing spoke, "Miss Jiang, we are both women. I can promise you that if you surrender, I will guarantee your safety."

Jiang Luofu stared intently into her eyes. "Can I trust you?" she asked.

She was acutely aware of the raw desire in the eyes of the King of Wu, Changfu, and the other soldiers, and she knew just how tragic her fate would be if she truly surrendered.

Yun Yuqing nodded. "Trust me," she said, "I will protect you."

She then secretly transmitted a message to her: "I am a friend of your Grand Sacrificer."

Jiang Luofu was stunned. *She and Zu An are friends? What is their relationship?* she wondered.

However, she had no energy to dwell on that now. After a long sigh, she cast the teaching whip aside.

The King of Wu's threat to the lives of her clan had already left her with no recourse. Now, at least, the King of Wu's consort was offering her a choice.

One of Yun Yuqing's maidservants went to seal Jiang Luofu's acupoints, preparing to escort her to the consort's side. However, the King of Wu suddenly stepped between them. "Hand her over to me first," he demanded.

Jiang Luofu's expression instantly changed upon hearing his words.

The maidservants were instantly caught in a dilemma, turning their gaze to Yun Yuqing.

Yun Yuqing's face darkened. "Your Highness," she said, "I just promised to guarantee her safety."

The King of Wu replied indifferently, "Do you truly believe I would secretly torture her? The Jiang family is suspected of treason, and she is an important figure within the mansion. Naturally, she must first be escorted to the imperial prison to undergo proper procedures."

Yun Yuqing stated firmly, "If that's the case, then I will accompany her."

Jiang Luofu, who had initially feared she was being tricked, felt a slight sense of relief upon hearing those words.

"Nonsense," the King of Wu said with displeasure. "You are not a prisoner. Is the imperial prison a place one can simply enter as they please?"

Yun Yuqing did not back down. "All I know is that I just promised to protect her safety," she retorted. "One must keep their word!"

Their gazes locked, as if generating sparks in the air.

The expressions of everyone present instantly turned strange. Weren't the King and Consort said to be a loving couple? What was happening now?

Soon, however, someone came up with an explanation: perhaps the Consort found Jiang Luofu too beautiful and her legs too alluring, and, growing jealous, feared the King would become infatuated. Thus, she was preventing any contact between them.

However, the individuals involved were far from harmonious. The King of Wu secretly transmitted a message with his vital energy: "What is the meaning of this, in front of so many people?"

"And what do *you* mean by doing these things to the Jiang family?" Yun Yuqing retorted coldly.

"The Jiang family rebelled; I am merely acting on imperial decree," the King of Wu scoffed.

"Heh." Yun Yuqing clearly did not believe him.

Her expression and demeanor somewhat stung the King of Wu. "I am doing all of this for our grand cause," he said. "Once we eliminate these arrogant aristocratic families in the capital, I will become emperor, and you will be empress."

"I don't care if you deal with others, but you absolutely cannot touch Jiang Luofu," Yun Yuqing declared, stating her position. "She is a teacher from the Academy's back mountain, and the Academy has always held a transcendent status. You should not lay a hand on her."

The King of Wu couldn't help but grow angry upon hearing this. "Is this because she's from the Academy, or because she's Zu An's friend?"

Yun Yuqing's elegant brows furrowed. "Regardless of the Academy's involvement or her being Zu An's friend, you should not touch her," she stated.

The King of Wu sneered, "Since the old Grand Sacrificer's death, the Academy is but a shadow of its former self. As for that Zu fellow, he hasn't returned in so long; he's likely perished in some forgotten corner. You must understand that he is a thorn in the side of those demons, and no matter how high his cultivation, he cannot possibly compare to their powerful might."

Yun Yuqing took a deep breath to compose herself. "Think what you will," she said. "Regardless, I will protect her today."

The King of Wu's eyes narrowed. He ceased his private transmission and spoke aloud, "In that case, let Miss Jiang choose for herself."

"Miss Jiang, do you wish to go with the Consort or with me? Consider your answer carefully."

His soldiers understood the unspoken command and immediately pressed their blades against the throats of the Jiang family members who had just resisted. It was as if a single word of refusal from her would cause the blades to fall, severing their heads.

Jiang Luofu trembled uncontrollably. This King of Wu was truly despicable and shameless.

Seeing this, Yun Yuqing shielded Jiang Luofu behind her. "The members of the Jiang household have not yet undergone the joint trial of the Three Judicial Offices," she declared. "How can you apply private punishment now?"

The King of Wu smiled grimly. "I came here by imperial decree to apprehend rebels. Their open resistance is, in itself, a grave crime. Even if I were to kill them all on the spot, no one in the imperial court would fault me."

Yun Yuqing's expression subtly changed. She hadn't expected the King of Wu to show her such blatant disrespect now.

It was well known that for years, the King of Wu had been exceptionally compliant with her. She had assumed he wouldn't refuse such a minor request, but it seemed *that incident* had indeed created a rift between them.

"Miss Jiang, have you made your choice? My patience is limited." The King of Wu shifted his gaze from Yun Yuqing to Jiang Luofu.

Jiang Luofu's chest heaved violently, a clear sign of her intense internal struggle.

The King of Wu gave a signal to his subordinate. Changfu nodded and raised his blade, bringing it down towards the head of a Jiang family member.

"No!" Jiang Luofu cried out in desperation.

The King of Wu smiled in satisfaction. "Remember," he said, "he was killed because of you. If you had agreed sooner..."

Mid-sentence, he suddenly sensed that the atmosphere around him had shifted. He quickly turned to look, only to find that the imagined decapitation had not occurred. Instead, Changfu had stumbled to the side, and standing beside the Jiang family member was a man who, despite his tall, imposing, and handsome appearance, possessed a face that had haunted the King's nightmares for years.

"The Regent!"

Someone cried out, and the Jiang family members instantly became agitated with excitement.

Conversely, the King of Wu's soldiers instinctively recoiled, creating a large empty space around Zu An.

"Ah Zu!" Jiang Luofu exclaimed upon seeing him, her usually resolute eyes blurring with tears. She had never realized how fragile she could be, and try as she might, she could not hold back the tears.

Zu An approached her, gently wiping away the tears that streamed from her eyes like a spring. "I'm sorry," he said, "I came late."

As he spoke, he had already undone the restrictions on her.

Yun Yuqing watched all of this silently. Although she, too, had been deeply moved to see Zu An return safely, at this moment, she felt a profound sadness. Given their respective statuses, she was destined never to be able to openly acknowledge him and reminisce as other women might.

"My father..." Jiang Luofu said, immediately looking towards her unconscious father.

Zu An went over and examined him. "Don't worry," he assured her. "Although his injuries are severe, his life is not in danger. He will recover with proper rest for a period."

Upon hearing his words, Jiang Luofu visibly sighed with relief.

The King of Wu across from them could no longer contain himself. "Regent," he interjected, "the Jiang family are now imperial criminals, guilty of treason!"

Zu An ignored him, turning his gaze instead to Jiang Luofu. "Who bullied you just now?" he asked. "Tell me, and I will avenge you!"