Volume One, Chapter 12: Let the Happy Occasion Become a Funeral

“Does the prince not know that the rule of this mansion is that when the prince dies, the princess must be buried alive?”

Wei Guxiao had indeed heard of this rule before, but it was not he who made it—it was his dear younger sister, Princess Huayang.

At first, he believed himself to be tough and not likely to die young.

Moreover, he had no interest in women.

The eight princesses he was forced to marry by his father were all against his will.

This rule was set so that no woman in the world would harbor any illusions about him.

Everyone said he was cursed to bring misfortune to his wives, and Wei Guxiao firmly believed it.

Otherwise, how could eight wives in a row have died within a month of marrying into the mansion?

At this thought, the fire of anger in the King of Jin’s eyes gradually faded, replaced by a look of pity.

“For the sake of your short life, I will spare you for now, but don’t get any ideas.”

Su Zhizhi had heard from her subordinates before that the King of Jin was aloof from women.

Judging by the murderous intent burning in his eyes, it was true.

Though she bore scars on her face, she was still a fragile woman.

Why was there no sign of tenderness or mercy?

“Who says I, Su Zhizhi, have little time left? The abbot of the Compassion Temple said I have a compassionate heart, immense merit, and will live a long life.”

Women across the land trembled with fear and became tongue-tied upon seeing the King of Jin.

But this fake Su family daughter was truly a fearless newcomer.

Interesting.

When he woke up last night, Xiao Lizi had told him everything.

This scarred woman risked her life to save her elder sister and became a great benefactor of the Compassion Temple.

Today, she even brought tens of thousands of taels of gold to the mansion.

She also rewarded the soldiers who fought alongside him.

People who seemed perfect must have secrets best kept in the dark.

The King of Jin’s expression darkened slightly. “Where did this gold and silver come from? Even if the servants of my mansion starved to death, they would never consume food of unknown origin.”

His icy words instantly shattered all illusions Su Zhizhi had about the King of Jin.

A mere façade was useless.

Su Zhizhi smiled bitterly.

“Alright, alright, you are the prince; you get whatever you want. You don’t need my help, but the mansion must continue to survive, must it not? If you keep playing dead, there’s nothing I can do. You act so lofty and disdainful, rejecting everything. But if you fall, what will the servants of the mansion eat and use? Do you even know?”

She pointed to the wedding quilt on the bed. “If I told you this quilt was purchased with the housekeeper Wang Mama’s own savings, would you believe it? Even in such poverty, Wang Mama gave five hundred taels of gold as a bridal gift to the Su family, just to save your face.”

Wei Guxiao was born noble and thus unaware of the value of everyday necessities.

If he fell, was the mansion really so destitute it could not even put food on the table?

“I am the King of Jin; how could I ever let a single worn quilt be bought with servants’ money? Are you just making things up, woman?”

“You, the King of Jin, look down on court intrigues and reject fertile lands. You don’t even glance at the wealth handed to you, and you disdain the stipend the court gives. How long do you think the mansion can last? Even the imperial doctors treating you aren’t paid enough.”

Su Zhizhi grew more animated as she spoke, unaware that Wei Guxiao’s brow was furrowed, and his fist clenched tightly as he struck the beam above with a loud bang.

Startled, Su Zhizhi stood quickly.

But she had to speak her mind. “There are too many in the court who want you dead, and you’ve driven out those who bribed you. Even if you refuse ill-gotten gains, you should at least accept the properties your father gave you and find someone to manage them. You wouldn’t have fallen to this state.”

Wei Guxiao grew increasingly uneasy.

A woman imprisoned in Xuanlin Tower for five years, abandoned by the Su family.

Not only was she not submissive, but she seemed like a living deity, knowing everything.

“Woman, who exactly are you? How do you know so much about my mansion?”

Su Zhizhi carefully masked her expression with a smile.

“Prince, before me, eight princesses died. If I didn’t inquire everywhere, how would I know? Am I supposed to marry in just to wait for death? As for the gold, it was left by my real parents and is all stored in the Yong’an Bank. If you don’t believe me, send someone to check.”

The King of Jin was skeptical.

Though this woman’s face was disfigured, she was not ugly.

A woman who came from Xuanlin Tower surely wouldn’t dare to act deceitfully behind his back.

He frowned. “If you dare reveal even a word about me waking up today, I will kill you with a single sword!”

Su Zhizhi felt stifled.

“Kill me so easily? I shouldn’t have saved this ungrateful pretty boy.”

She picked up a bowl of lotus seed and lily porridge from the nanmu table. “Prince, would you like some?”

Seeing the King’s gloomy face, she added, “If you don’t want it, I’ll drink it myself. It’s good for calming the heart and soothing the nerves. Don’t waste it.”

Wei Guxiao had never seen anyone enjoy a bowl of porridge so much.

Was it really that good? He picked up a bowl and drank it in one gulp.

Su Zhizhi looked up. “No poison, right? When I offer you something to eat, you can trust it completely.”

“You crazy woman, what nonsense are you spouting? I’m no fool.”

Though he still looked at her with disdain, Su Zhizhi no longer cared.

She didn’t seek the prince’s love.

She sought power that reached the heavens.

“Isn’t the prince playing dead to find out who poisoned you? If you only pretended for a day or two, that would be one thing. But if you fake it for ten or fifteen days, won’t I be buried alive?”

To Wei Guxiao’s astonishment, she continued, “I have a good idea. It will spare you the trouble of faking death for so long, and I won’t be buried alive either.”

“Oh?”

Su Zhizhi spoke fluently and convincingly.

Wei Guxiao was always one to heed good advice.

With no other options, he reluctantly agreed.

“We can try it.”

“Then tonight, the prince must bear with me.”

Su Zhizhi summoned Xiao Lizi, who was guarding outside, and had him prepare according to her instructions.

Then she launched into a dramatic performance, kicking open the door and instantly bursting into tears.

“Help! The prince is dead!”

By now, the guests had all left.

The servants of the mansion were still cleaning up.

The prince was dead?

The news of the prince’s death hung over the King of Jin’s mansion like a black cloud.

Though the mansion was prepared for the prince’s passing.

White cloth, white candles, and flowers were all arranged.

But when the terrible news truly came, the people of the mansion were like ants on a hot pan, each fearing for themselves.

“The princess commands that everyone keep vigil at the funeral hall.”

Wang Mama was heartbroken.

The good days for the mansion seemed near.

How could the prince really have passed away?

At the funeral hall,

The King of Jin lay in the golden coffin gifted by the crown prince.

Within a day,

The mansion transformed from vibrant red to mournful white.

Red lanterns were taken down.

White gauze was hung.

All the guards and servants knelt on the ground.

Princess Huayang, upon hearing the dreadful news, knelt before the coffin, her heart shattered.

“Brother Xiao, if you’re dead, I, Jing Chuwei, will never live alone.”

No sooner had she spoken than she prepared to dash her head against the coffin in despair.