Yu Zao's wife had long since divorced and returned to her maiden home, and had since remarried. The child she bore with Yu Zao naturally remained with the Yu family. Only those with decision-making power in the Yu family knew the inside story, but they could not speak of it. To avoid arousing Your Majesty's suspicion, they sent the child away, occasionally providing some aid under the pretext of the years of upbringing—a gesture that, in the eyes of the former Yu Dalang, felt like charity and pity.
Not long ago, Yu Dalang somehow learned the truth: his father was the real Yu Zao, who had tarnished his own reputation to protect the family. His grandparents knew all along, which was why they secretly supported him.
This revelation struck Yu Dalang deeply. Having lived in misery lately, he was planning a major act—to target Zhao Wang, for it was Zhao Wang who had turned his father into an imposter, made him a bastard, and subjected him to endless humiliation.
The anniversary of Zhao Wang's first wife's death was approaching, and every year, Zhao Wang would take his two children to a temple to perform rituals.
They could use this opportunity to turn the tables. Yu Dalang wanted to kill Zhao Wang, and they would fuel his plan, then have Yu Sangzi die while saving Zhao Wang. Yu Sangzi must die—only then would there be no loose ends.
"Where did you get this information? Is it reliable?" Pingyao Marquis seemed somewhat tempted; this was the best plan.
"Reliable. Originally, they wanted to curry favor with me, knowing we are related to Zhao Wang by marriage," Yu Sangbai affirmed.
From the corner, Yu Sangning, who had been keeping her head down and silent, slowly curled her lips into a smile.
Yu Sangzi remained silent, her head bowed. After what had happened, she knew she had no way out. She did not blame her father and brother for their coldness—it was all her own fault.
"Good, we'll take the gamble!" No matter what, the situation was dire, and this was the only way to break the deadlock. Pingyao Marquis agreed.
Yu Furen could not accept this outcome and pleaded desperately. Yu Laofuren, weary, dismissed them. Pingyao Marquis stormed off, and Yu Sangbai helped his mother and sister leave.
Yu Sangning waited a long time until she was sure Yu Furen and the heir had left Yu Sangzi's room, then went to find Yu Sangzi. "Elder Sister."
Yu Sangzi's eyes were calm. She handed a box of sorted gold and jewelry to Yu Sangning. "These are things I've used. I hope you won't mind—either remake them or pawn them for silver in case of need."
Yu Sangning's heart tightened. Since the palace banquet incident, Yu Sangzi had been genuinely kind to her—not condescendingly, but sincerely. Looking at the jewels, she felt a lump in her throat.
In her life, too few had treated her well, and the first to do so sincerely was Yu Sangzi!
For some reason, her eyes stung.
"Elder Sister, are you resigned to this?" Yu Sangning asked hoarsely.
Yu Sangzi smiled lightly. "It was my own mistake. This is the punishment I deserve."
"Elder Sister..." Yu Sangning took a letter from her sleeve. "This is from Wen Langjun. He asked me to give it to you. Father and brother will not spare him—I've already sent him out of the city. He's waiting for you outside. Escape."
Yu Sangzi took the letter, read it through tears with a smile, then stood and burned all her private letters. "I cannot run. For over ten years, I've received my parents' kindness and enjoyed the privileges of the marquis household. I cannot let them suffer for my selfishness.""Sister, this is a medicine that will make one's pulse undetectable for an hour after taking it. If the antidote is taken within that hour, one will survive. Let us take this gamble." Yu Sangning took out a small bottle and handed it to Yu Sangzi. "I obtained this bottle by chance years ago and relied on it to escape the wolf's den. All that remains is here. Taking the medicine may not wake the person, and even if they wake, their vitality will be severely damaged. Since they are bound to die anyway, shall I take the gamble? Without seeing your Wen Lang, you refuse to leave. If he returns, everything will be exposed." Thinking of that man's kindness to her, Yu Sangzi's heart trembled. She unconsciously gripped the medicine bottle, her mind torn with conflict.
Yu Sangning waited for her for a long time before adding, "This matter requires the help of the heir and his wife to deceive grandmother and father. I have already informed them. You wouldn't want them to hold this grudge in their hearts, would you?"
"But if I live..."
"Let the heir and his wife send you far away, the farther the better. In the future, you can live in seclusion in the deep mountains, working from sunrise to sunset, growing old together without parting." Yu Sangning encouraged her. "Sister, unless you plan to bring Wen Lang with you, if news of your death spreads, he will surely return. By then, I fear even Prince Zhao will notice something amiss, and all our efforts will be in vain..."
Thinking of the nature of the man she loved, Yu Sangzi's hesitation turned into resolve. She hugged Yu Sangning. "Aning, thank you for planning this far for me."
Yu Sangning stiffened for a long moment before returning the embrace and whispering in her ear, "Sister, let me marry Prince Zhao."
Yu Sangzi released her, slightly startled.
Yu Sangning said, "I don't want my marriage to be controlled by others. Who I marry is all the same. Since you thank me, grant me this wish."
"But don't you admire Xun Wang..."
"How could I be worthy of Xun Wang? Even for Prince Zhao, if you don't help me, with my status, the best I can hope for is an ordinary official's son. Any promising young man from an official family, unless from a humble background, would marry a daughter of a concubine?" Yu Sangning smiled self-deprecatingly.
"Are you truly decided?" Yu Sangzi looked deeply at Yu Sangning.
Yu Sangning nodded firmly.
"Very well, I agree." Yu Sangzi consented.
After Yu Sangning left, Yu Sangzi caressed the medicine bottle, her thoughts swirling, until she finally smiled faintly.
As in previous years, Prince Zhao took his children to the temple to perform rituals on the anniversary of his late wife's death. To avoid appearing as if he was putting on a show of deep affection and nostalgia, he always traveled incognito and brought few guards.
The capital should have been safe, but unexpectedly, on the way down the mountain, they encountered an ambush and pursuit. The attackers were few but had set up an ambush on his essential route, causing heavy losses. He ordered his guards to protect his children while he drew the attackers away.
Worried about who might be forcing him to reveal his hand, he refrained from exposing his Hidden Guard unless absolutely necessary. Eventually, he encountered Yu Sangzi, who was ascending the mountain with her guards, along with the arriving eldest son of the Yu family. Both came to Prince Zhao's aid, thus saving him.Just as everyone let their guard down, no one expected that the helpful Yu Dalang would suddenly reveal a murderous glint in his eyes, drawing a dagger from his sleeve and thrusting it toward Zhao Wang. The prince, completely unprepared for this attack from his wife's younger cousin who had just risked his life to protect him, was pushed aside by Yu Sangzi at the critical moment. The dagger plunged deep into Yu Sangzi's chest, and she collapsed into Zhao Wang's arms.
"What a thrilling spectacle," Xiao Huayong remarked, having learned the entire sequence of events immediately.
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