For some reason, the instant Yang Ming looked at her, Zhu Zhuqing felt as though she were exposed beneath the blazing sun, every secret laid bare before him.
"Perhaps I'm just imagining it?"
Comforting herself with that thought, Zhu Zhuqing pondered briefly before parting her crimson lips, revealing white teeth as her voice rang out as sweetly as an oriole's song:
"Yang Ming, here's the situation. My sister, Zhu Zhuyun, used to be Dai Weisi's consort. Now that he's being held accountable for his crimes, by rights, my sister is also on the list of people to be punished. These past few days, she hasn't had any appetite and hasn't been able to sleep at night. She specifically asked me to come plead with you. Since she hasn't done anything that would enrage heaven and mankind alike, she hopes you can spare her this once."
As she spoke, Zhu Zhuqing looked at Yang Ming with hope written all over her face.
Whatever else might be said, Zhu Zhuyun was her own elder sister, and the two shared the closest of blood ties.
Moreover, the Zhu Clan had no sons in this generation, only these two daughters, making their positions all the more important.
Back when Dai Weisi had imprisoned Zhu Zhuqing in the Royal Prison, Zhu Zhuyun had also pleaded with him on her behalf.
Unfortunately, after ascending the throne, Dai Weisi's temperament had changed completely. Not only had he become brutal and heartless, but his debauchery had also grown unchecked. Although he had nominally made Zhu Zhuyun his consort, he had neglected her entirely afterward. The two might not even see each other once a month.
Yang Ming did have some impression of Zhu Zhuyun.
She bore a certain resemblance to Zhu Zhuqing, but lacked her distinctive, delicate beauty.