Zhu Zhuyun stared at the bare bed frame, her pupils suddenly contracting as a bad thought arose in her mind.
The bedding and sheets had all disappeared, and the room was eerily clean.
Countless unpleasant speculations flashed through her mind in an instant, her face showing both shock and fear.
If it is just a strange man sneaking into the room, it can still be classified as a burglary, and the information can be suppressed to cover it up.
But if all the bedding disappeared, it would surely lead to all sorts of rumors and countless sordid speculations once the news got out.
Zhu Zhuqing is the fiancée of the Star Luo Empire Prince and is bound by a royal marriage contract. If this matter falls into the ears of Dai Weisi's faction, it will surely be magnified infinitely and relentlessly pursued.
To save face for the royal family, Star Luo Emperor will definitely execute Zhu Zhuqing; only in this way can the rumors be quelled and the royal dignity preserved.
This matter could potentially implicate the entire Zhu Family and cast doubt on their loyalty to the imperial family.
Zhu Zhuyun couldn't even imagine the consequences.
A surge of intense hatred welled up within her; she loathed the mysterious man who had infiltrated her, wishing she could tear him to pieces.
Looking at the empty room, Zhu Zhuyun felt a complex mix of emotions.
Dai Mubai was weak and incompetent. Unable to withstand the pressure from the royal family, he abandoned his engagement and Zhu Zhuqing, running away alone and leaving her to bear the pressure in the capital.
The mysterious man was able to sneak into the Zhu Family without a sound, so he must have some skill. If the two of them really have something going on... it might not be a bad thing.
If a prince Dai Mubai can escape, why can't his own sister?
If Zhu Zhuqing could leave with that person, she wouldn't be trapped in the cruel power struggles of the royal family, nor bound by a marriage contract, and might be able to gain a lifetime of peace and freedom.
The thought had formed in her mind when Zhu Zhuyun suppressed all her emotions and said coldly, "Bring her in."
The two guards immediately released her and pushed Zhu Zhuqing, whose eyes were red and who was full of stubbornness, into the room.
The moment Zhu Zhuqing entered the room, she scanned the entire space and, finding no trace of Lu Yu, her heart, which had been pounding with anxiety, instantly settled, and she secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
"All of you, step back." Zhu Zhuyun waved her hand to dismiss all the guards, leaving only the two sisters in the room.
She turned around, her gaze fixed on Zhu Zhuqing, her tone probing. "Last night, was someone here? You... do you already have someone else in your heart?"
Zhu Zhuqing stood with her back straight, her expression icy, and remained silent.
No matter how Zhu Zhuyun tried to probe indirectly, Zhu Zhuqing only replied with two sentences: "I don't know" and "It's none of your business."
After several unsuccessful attempts to probe, Zhu Zhuyun completely lost patience, a mocking yet cold smile appearing on her face as she adopted the posture of a victor.
"My dear sister, you should know what it means that a strange man was found in the prince's fiancée's room."
Zhu Zhuqing froze, her pupils contracting slightly, realizing the consequences of letting this matter out.
But she remained defiant, coldly meeting my gaze. "Isn't this the result you wanted? Once I'm dead, you can sit on the throne of the Star Luo Empress without any scruples."
Zhu Zhuyun chuckled softly, her tone ruthless. "Looks like you're not stupid after all. In that case, we'll see."
Having said that, she didn't linger, turned around, and left with her guards.
The moment the heavy door closed, my long-held psychological defenses completely collapsed.
Zhu Zhuqing felt completely exhausted and collapsed to the ground, burying her face in her knees. All the grievances and helplessness she had suppressed for so long burst forth, and she began to sob softly.
Meanwhile, Zhu Zhuyun returned to the side hall of the main courtyard and immediately summoned the maid who had brought the news.
"Tell me again in detail, what exactly happened last night?"
The maid dared not conceal the truth and respectfully replied, "Reporting to the eldest young lady, last night a strange man broke into the servants' quarters, forced us to reveal the second young lady's address, and then knocked us all unconscious."
Zhu Zhuyun's brows furrowed slightly, and she asked coldly, "Since you were knocked unconscious, how do you know what happened?"
The maid was now filled with fear, worried that something might have happened to the second young lady. She couldn't detect the murderous intent in Zhu Zhuyun's words at all, and hurriedly tried to explain.
"I was knocked unconscious after that man interrogated me about my address, so I know everything!"
Upon hearing this, Zhu Zhuyun slowly closed her eyes, feeling helpless.
"I've already given you a chance!"
Zhu Zhuyun's fingernails suddenly grew longer, whistling sharply as they swept across the maid's neck.
The maid's eyes widened in bewilderment. She had taken the initiative to report the news and earn merit, so why would it lead to her death?
Looking at the corpse on the ground, Zhu Zhuyun remained expressionless and turned to look at the butler beside her.
" Uncle Zhang, I'll trouble you to personally deal with all the other people who shared the room with me last night, leaving none alive."
"Yes, Miss." Uncle Zhang bowed, accepted the order, and withdrew.
As the Zhu Family's steward, he was naturally also Soul Master, and in a short time, he quietly disposed of all those who knew the truth.
After completing everything, Zhu Zhuyun made a declaration on behalf of the Zhu Family.
"Last night, a thief broke into the Zhu Family and stole valuables. He was discovered by the servants, who then killed him to cover their tracks. Anyone who can provide clues about the thief will be rewarded with 10,000 Gold Soul Coin."
In short, the secret of breaking into the mansion last night was completely covered up as a common crime by thieves, perfectly erasing all traces and potential dangers.
On the other side, the main house of the Zhu Family's west courtyard.
After about ten minutes, Lu Yu, who was hiding under the bed, heard no more noise outside and figured that Zhu Zhuyun must have left with her people.
Lu Yu also heard what Zhu Zhuyun said. As a modern person, she didn't think much of it, but she had at least watched palace dramas.
If word got back to the royal family that a strange man had broken into the room of a prince's fiancée, the other princes' factions would swarm like sharks smelling blood.
Lu Yu was immediately overwhelmed; this wasn't the original plan!
Lu Yu hid under the bed, thinking rapidly. Zhu Zhuyun already knew of her existence, and continuing to bring the Zhu Family along would bring endless trouble to Zhu Zhuqing.
This will not only fail to build a closer relationship with Zhu Zhuqing, but will also make Zhu Zhuqing feel disgusted.
"Should I take her away now? According to the original plan, Zhu Zhuqing would also go to Suotuo City to find Dai Mubai. I'm just moving the timeline forward."
Lu Yu thought about it and felt it was a good idea. In the original novel, when Zhu Zhuqing escaped, Zhu Zhuyun even sent people to hunt her down.
If he were to escape with Zhu Zhuqing, Zhu Zhuyun would most likely protect Zhu Zhuqing secretly under the guise of pursuing Zhu Zhuqing, in order to ensure her safety.
The fastest way to deepen a relationship is to go through life and death together!
Was that called a chase in the original story?
A Soul King chasing a Soul Grandmaster and still managing to keep her safe out of the Star Dou Great Forest —isn't that just using the guise of a chase to protect her?
There is another possibility: the Soul King in charge knew Zhu Zhuqing's identity and was just doing his job for money.
But the other party is the second young lady of the Zhu Family, the prince's fiancée. If he really kills her, what will he say when he is held accountable afterwards?
So, failing to hunt down the enemy is at most a case of incompetence, and the reward is simply lost.
If Zhu Zhuqing were to kill him, he would face the wrath of the Zhu Family and the imperial family.
He's just a Soul King; what's the point of getting involved in the power struggles between royal families? He should just sit back and pretend.
There are some things that your superiors tell you to do, but you can't actually do them. At least outwardly, you have to let them know that you're doing what they want you to do.