My Female General Is A Villain (GL) - Chapter 23

“I am not a bloodthirsty man, but Young Master Pei,” Yuwen Jingshen said, gently letting go of her chin and shaking his head. “You are in my way. There’s nothing I can do but sacrifice you.”

“Oh, and about your wife, I will take good care of her. After all, she was meant to marry me. You, you were just an accident.”

Pei Ji coughed a few times. “Are you so sure that I’m going to die?”

Yuwen Jingshen seemed to have heard something funny. He curled his lips into a smile. “I never do anything without a sure thing.”

“Why do you think the Emperor left this matter to me and didn’t ask any questions? Pei Ji, you’re at the end of your rope. It’s not just me. The entire state of Great Jing can no longer tolerate you.”

Pei Ji ignored him, paying no attention to his words. “Then let’s make a wager.”

“And what is that?”

He had come all this way, and yet he still wouldn’t give up.

He found it amusing.

“In your state, what could you possibly wager with me?”

Pei Ji said playfully, “Let’s wager the Crown Prince’s life.”

Yuwen Jingshen’s eyes suddenly darkened. When he met Pei Ji’s gaze, her bloodshot eyes stared at him without fear. They were like a wild beast, tearing and gnawing at him.

He felt the prison cell grow even colder.

“If I can stay alive, you better watch your back. A prince’s life must be worth more than mine. It’s not a losing deal for me.”

“When the time comes, I’ll pay you back in kind and make sure you never find peace.”

“So you better pray my life isn’t as long as I think it is.”

Yuwen Jingshen had always been on a pedestal, controlling the fate of others. But this time, he felt a sense of unease, as if he were being held in someone’s palm, unable to escape. An invisible pressure spread all around them.

He subtly frowned, then smiled again. “Don’t blame me.”

“You are a thorn in someone’s side. You don’t need me to tell you who. Blame your bad luck for being born into the Pei family.”

“Today, I’ll let you die with your eyes open. This is my farewell gift to you.”

*******

Jiaojiao was lost in the fog, but she had a general idea of what was happening.

Yuwen Jingshen probably had an unusual relationship with Beili, which was why he had set up this trap to lure Pei Ji in and silence her. It was a perfect plan.

However, his words showed that he wasn’t going to play any games with her. He was going to find another way to make sure Pei Ji died without resistance.

There was only one way.

Kill her!

The plot had developed to a point she never wanted it to.

She couldn’t let Pei Ji die for nothing. If she died, Jiaojiao’s life would be over, too.

Every moment Pei Ji stayed here, she was in more danger.

“I can’t wait.” Pei Ji stared at him, her contempt growing with every word.

After Yuwen Jingshen left, Jiaojiao walked out from behind the torture rack, looking at the grim-faced Pei Ji and sighing.

The medicine must be taking effect.

Pei Ji suddenly pulled on her chains with all her might, her eyes wide with fury. “He Jiaojiao! What did you give me?!”

The clanging of the chains was loud, but thankfully, no one would hear it at this hour.

She ignored the pain from her wounds. The skin that had just been treated was torn open again, and bl00d poured out. She just wanted an answer.

“I told you, it will only benefit you.”

With that, Jiaojiao turned to leave.

The suffering Pei Ji called out to her in a hoarse voice. “Come back! He Jiaojiao, you come back here!”

Her anger had reached its peak. All she could see and feel was the small figure who had abandoned her.

Everyone wanted her dead. No one was an exception!

She had thought, at least…

It was all just a facade. He Jiaojiao had always wanted her dead.

It was true before, and it was true now.

Pei Ji’s neck was red, and her veins bulged. She gagged, trying to throw up whatever was in her stomach.

******

The next morning, Jiaojiao went to Consort De’s palace to pay her respects.

Consort De was surprised but also understood.

She was surprised because He Jiaojiao had been spoiled since she was a child and had never been well-mannered. Although she knew her personality had changed a lot, she was still impressed.

She went forward and knelt down. “Greetings, Consort De.”

Consort De quickly went to help her up. “You were never bound by these rules before. Now you’re being so polite.”

She pulled her to a seat. A palace maid brought them tea and snacks.

“These are all your favorites. Hurry and try them.”

Jiaojiao couldn’t help but sigh. The original owner was so ungrateful. So many people cared for and loved her, yet she never saw their sincerity.

This was something Jiaojiao could never have in her own life. It was so fleeting and unreal.

He Jiaojiao smiled bitterly. She picked up a snack and tasted it. The ingredients were top-notch, even better than those at the General’s estate.

Feeling down, she finally spoke. “Huan’er came to see me yesterday. The palace is full of intrigue, and what you did was not wrong.”

“I also tried to get some information from the Emperor,” Consort De said, sighing and shaking her head. “I could tell he didn’t want me to get involved. If I keep pushing, it might bring trouble to you.”

“Jiaojiao,” Consort De continued. “Do you understand what I’m saying?”

He Jiaojiao smiled faintly. “Of course. But what I want to ask you for is not about this. His Majesty has his own concerns, and his will is hard to defy.”

“If…”

“Just say it,” Consort De said.

“If something happens to Pei Ji, I hope His Majesty can return him to me. He is my husband. It’s only right that I give him a proper send-off and bury him so that he can have a good life in the next one.”

Consort De felt a pang of sympathy after hearing her words and seeing the sadness on her face.

The law of Great Jing stated that any prisoner or death row inmate in the Grand Court of Appeals, upon their death, had to be thrown into the mass grave. They were not allowed a proper burial.

This was because they were considered to be filled with too much resentment from committing major crimes. The gods would not accept them, so they were left to be abandoned.

To think she was a girl at the prime of her life, and yet she had to deal with such things. It was not easy.

Consort De felt more and more pity for her. She held her hands in hers. “Don’t worry. Leave this to me. No matter what, I will fulfill this small wish for you.”

For the sake of her niece, she had to grant this small request.

“Jiaojiao thanks you on behalf of Pei Ji, Auntie.” Jiaojiao stood up and gave her a respectful bow.

The word “Auntie” was without any rank or formality. It was full of familial love.

Consort De was startled. “You’ve bowed to me twice today. Since you call me Auntie, there’s no need to be so formal. Don’t be too sad. You have to look forward.”

Although she knew that Jiaojiao had been infatuated with the Crown Prince since she was a child, which led to the rumors of a loveless marriage, she had a different impression of them now.

They were husband and wife. With time, they must have developed some feelings for each other.

In just two days, they both seemed to have gotten much thinner.

But at this moment, she was truly helpless. A good marriage was likely going to be buried.

*******

In the cold prison cell, Pei Ji was having a long sleep. She had always been a light sleeper, but this time, she was having a beautiful dream.

She was suddenly woken up by a bucket of cold water. The freezing liquid soaked her body, as if salt were being rubbed into her wounds.

She opened her eyes in pain. Before she could say anything, Zhang Shen and Li Si pulled her up and tied her to a wooden cross.

For three days, the constant torture had left her looking inhuman.

Pei Ji let them tie her up. She looked at the familiar chains on her limbs and laughed. A wave of bitterness rose in her throat, causing her to cough. Red bl00d flowed from the corner of her mouth to her jaw, staining her collar.

Chai Cheng didn’t say anything. He simply waved his hand, and Zhang Shen and Li Si began whipping her relentlessly.

After a long time, Li Si noticed something was wrong. The person in front of him wasn’t moving and wasn’t reacting at all.

“Stop!” he said to Zhang Shen.

“What’s wrong?” Zhang Shen asked, frustrated.

Li Si walked over and tapped Pei Ji’s face. Her head fell to the side, then slumped down, lifeless.

He turned to Zhang Shen. Their eyes met, and they both had the same thought.

Li Si put his hand under the person on the cross to check for breathing. He pursed his lips. He couldn’t hide his panic.

To be sure, he checked her pulse. After a long moment, he muttered blankly, “It’s not beating.”

Zhang Shen also panicked.

Pei Ji’s identity was special. He was a person of status, and now he had died in their hands. The prisoner hadn’t signed the confession, and there was no solid evidence. Now he is dead.

The higher-ups wouldn’t be afraid of the consequences, but small people like them, who had no one backing them up, would become scapegoats.

“Ju… Judge, he’s not breathing…” Zhang Shen almost stumbled. He pointed at Pei Ji, his jaw agape.

Chai Cheng, who was sitting comfortably, chided them. “What are you panicking for? He’s dead, so he’s dead.”

He took the document a guard handed him and looked at it. A bright red, fresh fingerprint was on the paper. He nodded in satisfaction. “I was already prepared.”

Hearing that, Zhang Shen and Li Si finally relaxed.

“You are a genius, Judge,” Zhang Shen said, his face beaming with joy.

“You two deal with the body,” Chai Cheng said, glancing at the lifeless figure. His expression went from cold to thoughtful. He walked away with the document in hand.

At that moment, Yuwen Jingshen received the news.

But remembering Pei Ji’s fierce gaze and his words, he couldn’t feel at ease.

“He’s really dead?” he asked, sitting leisurely on a long chair, still a little doubtful.

“Your Highness, my subordinate checked. There is no mistake,” the guard replied.

The man who spoke was the one who had been with Chai Cheng.

“Thinking he could turn things around on me. How naive,” Yuwen Jingshen scoffed.

He had always thought the outcome was decided, but he still felt uneasy. Now that it was all over, he had nothing to worry about.

Pei Ji was just a useless pawn. He should have known he couldn’t stir up any trouble.

“I understand,” he said, playing with the fat cat next to him. “Report any new developments immediately.”

“Also, keep a close eye on Chai Cheng.”

“Yes,” the guard replied, bowing his head.