"Pfft-"
After hearing the young commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard expose every last one of his schemes, Su Hongzhen violently spat out a mouthful of blood.
He had believed his calculations left nothing to chance. Even after losing to the First Prince, he had merely blamed his own poor judgment for trusting a treacherous minister and meeting such an end. Never had he imagined that he would one day suffer such a complete defeat in Great Rui!
Jiang Yanchuan had raised his arm the instant he sensed something was wrong. His broad sleeve perfectly shielded Jiang Yingcheng, keeping her from seeing such a bloody sight.
Unexpectedly, the little girl reached out and rested her hand on his wrist, then pressed his arm down with a little force.
A pair of large, curious eyes peeked out.
[Oh-ho? Spitting blood? Lost your composure?] Jiang Yingcheng's inner voice brimmed with glee at his misfortune. [This batch of Northern Frontier princes really isn't up to standard!]
Lu Yao stood behind them, unmoving as a mountain, his gaze on Su Hongzhen tinged with rather ill-timed sympathy.
Fortunately, Su Hongzhen could not hear the Little Princess's thoughts. Otherwise...
Lu Yao glanced at the pool of blood on the floor again.
Otherwise, that little bit of blood on the floor would hardly have been enough for him to spit out.
Having already learned almost everything he wanted to know from the Little Princess's thoughts, Lu Yao casually waved behind him. Someone jogged forward, took Su Hongzhen down from the Torture Rack, and escorted him into a cell.
Lu Yao stayed a step behind the pair as he guided them farther into the prison.
Since he had said they were here for an inspection, he could hardly send them away after letting them see only Su Hongzhen.