A tremor ran through A Zhu's soul. If Song Qingshu had not been supporting her, she probably would not even have been able to stand steadily. "Sect Leader Huang of the Beggar's Clan and Princess Shaomin of the Mongol Empire are both famously intelligent women. Aren't they doing quite well?"
Song Qingshu smiled faintly. "Sect Leader Huang has her father, one of the Five Greats of the Central Plains, her master, and the mighty Guo Jing to back her up. Zhao Min is even more formidable. Behind her stands Prince Ruyang's Mansion, and beneath her command are countless experts. With a wave of her hand, she can wipe out a great sect with centuries of heritage. With such power behind them, being clever naturally poses no problem. But Miss A Zhu, you are merely a maid of the Murong Family. Not only you—even the Murong Family is now a mere shell of its former self, declining with the setting sun. For someone like you, cleverness will not bring happiness. It will only bring misfortune."
He was not lying. Thinking of A Zhu's fate in the original story, she had simply been too clever. In the end, her cleverness had led to her own undoing, separating her from Xiao Feng forever and indirectly bringing about Xiao Feng's tragic end.
A Zhu finally broke down. Her body swayed, and she collapsed to the floor. Murmuring, she said, "Brother Xiao knows nothing of this. I hope... Your Majesty will spare him."
Hearing the tragic resolve in her voice, as though she were willing to sacrifice herself to save another, Song Qingshu said calmly, "When did I ever say I was going to kill you?"
A Zhu froze. "You won't kill me?" In her view, having uncovered such a shocking secret, being silenced was