What do you mean I'm among your nine generations?

Chapter 49: What Do You Mean "Among My Nine Generations of Kin"?

Chu Lu looked at the captives, feeling that something was amiss.

On one hand, they had arrived far too quickly. He had only been traveling for two days before they ambushed him.

On the other hand, they had been far too forthcoming, selling out the Prince Consort without a second word.

Of course, the most unbelievable part was that the Prince Consort could maintain a private army and even dared to attack the Emperor. It was utterly preposterous. Didn't the Princess have any objections?

Chu Lu interrogated them further under harsh torture, just in case, but he didn't get any new leads.

He fell into hesitation. His intuition told him there was a trap ahead and he shouldn't press on, but turning back halfway seemed rather foolish.

"Forget it, whatever." Chu Lu finally made his decision. "I'll see this through. Let's go to the Prince Consort's manor and find out what's going on before making any judgments!"

He then ordered his soldiers to keep a close watch on the captives, have the rest rest well, and continue their journey tomorrow before he too went to sleep.

Two days later, the news of the failed ambush reached the Prince Consort's manor.

In a side room, two people were conversing.

One was the Prince Consort, Tang Zhiyin, a tall, slender woman dressed in a moon-white long gown.

Standing before her was her concubine, Jiang Xuening.

"It failed as expected," the Prince Consort said nervously. "The Emperor is coming tomorrow. What should we do? What should we do?"

"My Lord, there's no need to be afraid. Have you forgotten Cuihua's instructions?" Jiang Xuening said. "As long as you follow the plan, my Lord, that Emperor wouldn't dare lay a single finger on you."

"Right! Right, right, right!" The Prince Consort nodded repeatedly, as if grasping at a life raft. "Cuihua is incredibly powerful; her plan is bound to work!"

"Mhm," Jiang Xuening said. "As long as you don't get scared tomorrow, my Lord, take out your dagger and stab the Emperor. Whether you succeed or not, the Emperor will be powerless against you!"

The Prince Consort clenched her fists, as if hypnotizing herself, and said, "I will, I will..."

Another two days passed, and Chu Lu arrived at Linyang.

They didn't rest, pressing onward, and under the astonished gazes of the common folk, they arrived at the Prince Consort's manor.

The vermilion gates of the Prince Consort's manor were shut tight. The stone lions at the entrance held their heads high and their eyes wide with fury, as if ready to tear apart any enemy.

Chu Lu directly smashed open the gates and charged in. Beyond the gates lay a bluestone-paved path leading directly to the main hall. Upon reaching the hall, a group of people were already waiting.

The Prince Consort stepped forward, trembling with fear. "This humble subject is terrified. I didn't know the Emperor was coming and failed to welcome you properly. I beg the Emperor's forgiveness."

Chu Lu looked at the person before him. Xu Liniang told him in his mind that this was the Prince Consort, Tang Zhiyin.

Chu Lu looked at the scholarly-looking Prince Consort. He had many questions, but he first asked the most crucial one: "Where is Cuihua?"

"Cuihua is not here right now, but Your Majesty, please do not be anxious. This subject knows where she has gone. She has gone to a very dangerous place, and I can only tell Your Majesty alone." The Prince Consort said, stepping closer.

"Stop right there, what's your problem?" Chu Lu frowned. "Speak plainly. What are you doing? Who told you that you can only tell me alone?"

The Prince Consort's expression stiffened. "This is very important. I can truly only tell Your Majesty alone! This subject is not lying!"

Chu Lu grew impatient. "Cut the nonsense. Either you speak plainly, or you'll speak after I torture you."

A drop of sweat immediately appeared on the Prince Consort's forehead.

She realized she couldn't proceed further and, bracing herself, said, "I understand."

She reached into her robes and said, "Your Majesty, this subject will now take out the map and show you... look!"

As she finished speaking, the Prince Consort let out a roar, pulled a dagger from her robes, and lunged at Chu Lu.

Chu Lu was stunned for a moment, then couldn't help but laugh.

Just as he was about to act, a figure suddenly darted out from the side, lunging towards the dagger in the Prince Consort's hand, shouting, "Your Majesty, be careful!"

Splat.

The Prince Consort's dagger plunged into the soldier's body.

The Prince Consort froze, then reacted sharply, wanting to pull out the knife and attack Chu Lu again.

But Chu Lu reacted faster. He strode forward and threw a punch at the Prince Consort's face, sending her flying.

Chu Lu caught the soldier, saw the blood staining her front, and her pale face. He immediately ordered, "Arrest everyone in the Prince Consort's manor! Not a single one can escape!"

Half an hour later, all loose ends were tied up.

The Prince Consort's manor was completely secured, and the heroic soldier was receiving proper medical attention.

The stab had been a panicked move, so it hadn't hit a vital spot. Although she would be bedridden for months, her life was saved.

This relieved Chu Lu.

His general principle in dealing with people was to repay kindness with kindness and vengeance with vengeance.

Although the soldier's act of saving him was somewhat unnecessary, it stemmed from loyalty. If she had died like that, Chu Lu would have been troubled for a while.

But since she was alive, it was easier to handle. He would promote her and grant her rewards, and then their debts would be settled.

Chu Lu instructed the physician to take good care of her and then went to find the Prince Consort.

When he arrived at the main hall and saw the Prince Consort bound and gagged, his face immediately darkened.

When he first arrived, Chu Lu was only focused on finding Cuihua and didn't have much interest in the Prince Consort. But now, he did.

"To be honest, I can't let you live now," Chu Lu said, resting his chin on his hand. "But death is death, and a quick one is different from a painful one. Cooperate well, and I'll let you die quickly. Otherwise, you'll get to try all sorts of torture first."

"Hahahahahaha!" To everyone's surprise, the Prince Consort burst into laughter. "Just killing me alone is too good for me, isn't it? I publicly attempted to murder the Emperor, so my entire Nine Generations of Kin should be executed! Emperor, has your brain been filled with sewage?"

The Prince Consort spoke with a powerful voice that echoed loudly.

Chu Lu stared at her, stunned.

The soldiers present were also dumbfounded.

"I, you, what the hell." Chu Lu was taken aback by her imposing presence. After a moment, he calmed down and slowly said, "This is the first time I've ever heard such a request... Fine, I'll grant it. I'll execute your Nine Generations of Kin, so you won't be alone on the road to the underworld."

"Thank you, Your Majesty. Then, Your Majesty, when will you commit suicide?" the Prince Consort said mockingly.

"Huh?"

"Your Majesty, you want to execute my Nine Generations of Kin, but have you forgotten? I am your sister's husband, and you are part of my Nine Generations of Kin! Since I am to be executed along with my Nine Generations of Kin, you must die too!" the Prince Consort continued. "Or are you planning to go back on your word? But a ruler's word is their bond, Emperor!"

Chu Lu: "..."