An Wang looked at Su Shang seriously, sensing the earnestness in her eyes. He paused for a moment before nodding.
"General Su is truly... kind! But even if General Su hadn't said it, I wouldn't have done so. He is, after all, my imperial brother. Keeping him alive is no great matter, and it can also serve to beautify my reputation."
"Then we shall cooperate like this. General Su, you must keep your word."
"Naturally," Su Shang nodded.
From then on, a period of time felt like a tool to prove An Wang as a future wise ruler. When no one was paying attention, he was taken to see his father's former subordinates.
Most of the soldiers who had once followed Su Yu had no intention of getting involved in other matters. However, the general's bloodline was still in the world, and Su Shang's face was proof of that.
As long as one thought of the two together, who could say there was no connection between them?
It was just that Emperor Feng, who believed he had annihilated the Su family, had never considered this possibility.
Among them, a few were aware that their general had only had one daughter. After Su Shang secretly confirmed her identity, she successfully gained their support.
An Wang's forces grew steadily, and finally, on a deep and silent night, they launched their rebellion.
The entire process was unexpectedly smooth.
Su Shang was deeply trusted. In everyone's eyes, she was the least likely to rebel.
A general from a commoner background, who had gained favor with the princess and ascended to the upper echelons, wouldn't be grateful, let alone harbor rebellious intentions.
But the reality was just that.
Due to complex emotions in her heart, Su Shang directly guarded the palace gate after helping An Wang break through it.
An Wang didn't mind and directly attacked.
He had no intention of taking Emperor Feng's life, but Emperor Feng, knowing that the situation was irreversible and that he had no power to salvage it, poisoned himself in his sleeping chambers.
The Empress also hanged herself with a white silk noose at the same time, before the soldiers could enter.
Feng Lianghan led his troops to charge out but was shot and killed on the spot by the rebels.
When Su Shang received the news, she fell silent for a long time, her heart suddenly filled with helplessness.
She dared not think about how she would react when she knew the news, so she could only try her best to suppress it.
She even sent her confidantes to imprison Feng Ze Yue in the general's mansion.
She deceived herself into thinking that as long as she didn't know, it was as if nothing had happened.
But how could Feng Ze Yue not know?
She was a princess, but not merely a parasite. Otherwise, she wouldn't have learned in advance about her impending arranged marriage back then, nor would she have added fuel to the fire at the border.
In just one day, her people had infiltrated the general's mansion and delivered the news to Feng Ze Yue.
Su Shang dared not see her, her heart overflowing with guilt. Su Shang finally admitted that, at some point, Feng Ze Yue herself had become more important than her desire for revenge at any cost.
It was just... she had realized it too late.
Spilt milk could not be gathered. The harm had been done. Although they had not died by her hand, they had indeed died because of her.
If she hadn't helped An Wang, perhaps none of this would have happened.
Feng Ze Yue stood rigidly in place, gazing down at the bruised and battered dark guards, her eyes dark as she said, "What did you say? Say it again. This is absolutely impossible."
Looking at the dark guards' calm yet sorrowful eyes, Feng Ze Yue staggered back two steps.
The dark guards' words reached her ears again.
"Your Highness, His Majesty and the Empress have passed away. Even His Highness the Crown Prince is dead."
"Your Highness, all of this is because of your consort. She is General Su's son. She approached you to find an opportunity for revenge. Now even His Majesty is gone. Your Highness, you should flee! We will protect you at all costs."
Feng Ze Yue shook her head dejectedly. The beautiful eyes lost all their color.
"Flee? Where can we flee? You can go! Go wherever you want, just live well." Feng Ze Yue stumbled back to her room and collapsed onto the table, weeping uncontrollably.
She had no family left.
When Su Shang received news of someone breaking into the general's mansion and rushed over, she saw Feng Ze Yue weeping at her desk.
Su Shang's body stiffened. She instantly realized that Feng Ze Yue already knew the truth, but she didn't know how to face her.
She realized with absolute clarity what she had done wrong. She had personally harmed the first and only person who had treated her with unconditional kindness.
Su Shang walked in with heavy steps. The tear-streaked girl looked up at her, her eyes filled with bone-chilling hatred.
"You were using me all along, weren't you?"
Feng Ze Yue's voice was soft, but it felt like fine needles piercing Su Shang's heart.
Su Shang's thick eyelashes trembled slightly. She wanted to say something, but in the end, she remained silent.
Deny it? What right did she have?
Whether intentional or unintentional, her family had died because of her.
"I'm sorry."
Su Shang lowered her gaze, not daring to look at the woman before her.
"Is that useful?" Feng Ze Yue stood up, a cold smile on her lips, her gaze so calm it was devoid of any emotion.
She walked up to Su Shang. The distance was close, yet it felt like a long time.
Feng Ze Yue stared fixedly at the girl, who still appeared to be in male attire. She drew the dagger she wore at her waist and fiercely stabbed it towards Su Shang's chest.
Her movements were slow, but Su Shang didn't try to dodge. She simply watched as the sharp dagger pierced her chest, bright red blood dripping onto the ground.
Feng Ze Yue hadn't expected to succeed. Surprise flickered in her eyes as she weakly released her hand, staggering back two steps, tears uncontrollably streaming down her face.
Feng Ze Yue's strength was not great, and the wound was not deep. It had only pierced the chest cavity, still some distance from her heart.
She wouldn't die.
Su Shang thought with disappointment, her gaze becoming incredibly sorrowful. Finally, she placed her hand on the dagger and pulled it out.
"Here."
Su Shang held the blood-stained dagger and offered it to Feng Ze Yue.
Blood continued to seep from the girl's chest. Her face was pale, but her eyes held a plea that Feng Ze Yue had never seen before.
After a long moment, Feng Ze Yue took the dagger.
Su Shang smiled. She pointed to her own fair neck, a faint smile on her face, and said earnestly, "If Your Highness stabs here, I will die a little faster."
Feng Ze Yue's hand trembled violently, but she suddenly threw the dagger away and cursed, "Madman."
Who cared!
Yet Feng Ze Yue clearly knew that she didn't have the courage to stab Su Shang again.
Even knowing that her family had died because of her, Feng Ze Yue still felt pity when she looked into the girl's eyes.
Feng Ze Yue hated herself deeply, hated her own cowardly demeanor.
She forcefully pushed Su Shang out of the room, her gaze cold as she gave her a final word.
"Get out."