As though she had been brutally hit by a fist, her heart gave birth to a sharp pain. A burst of dizziness. .h.i.t. Everything seemed to blurred and all noises became silent. Her world had suddenly turned into chaos. After a long period of time, the rhythmic patter of rain finally traveled to her ears again.

  The death of the whole family?

  It’s not possible! I don’t believe it’s real!

  Hua Zhu Yu hastily got up and pounded heavily on the door, calling: “Open the door!”


  Her voice was very cold yet it was trembling, as though she was very afraid – afraid of losing something.

  The guards on the outside all felt shock. They had thought that some horrific thing had appeared in the firewood room. Even though his highness had ensued punishment on that servant, however he didn’t plan for her to die. And so, the two people took out the keys and opened the door to the firewood room.

  In the crevice of the door opening, a light shadow flitted past. One of the guards was unable to react and his neck was grabbed by a slender hand.

  The hand was very cold – cold enough to let his heart become filled with ice.

  “You just said, which punishment was imposed on the Marquis of Ping Xi?” The female’s voice was extremely cold and extremely sharp. It was as chilling and suffocating as the wind in the deep winter that cut past the snow-capped mountains.

  The guard’s heart trembled and obediently said:” Due to a scheme, Hua Mu has been punished with the death of his whole family. After 10 days, he and his family will beheaded in front of the crowd in Liang Province!”


  “Is this real?”A hostile aura erupted from Hua Zhu Yu’s delicate body. It was so strong that it forced people to choke.

  “Every word is real. It is rumored that the imperial list has already been posted!” When the other guard say that Hua Zhu Yu had grabbed onto the guard’s neck, his heart had been filled with shock. The aura of the female in front of him was astonishing. Normal people couldn’t have such an aura. Only people whom have experienced the battlefield would be have such a suffocating murderous aura. He didn’t dare be careless and could only reply.

  Hua Zhu Yu’s hand slowly loosened. Her whole person seemed to have fallen into stupor. She didn’t move at all.

  The sound of rain slowly became louder. Everything between the heavens and the earth seemed to be endlessly black and heavy.

  She stood in the darkness.

  She stood in the wind and rain.

  The darkness and the freezing cold drops of rain brought an overwhelming pressure toward her.

  Her clothes were wet; they outlined her slender waist and thin shoulders. Her pale face didn’t have a sliver of expression. Her soulless eyes didn’t shine with any light.

  Why?

  Why??

  Why would it be like this?……

  Hua Zhu Yu continuously began to ask herself.

  Could this be: the bird dies, the good bow is hidden. The rabbit is bitten to death, the dog is cooked?

  (飞鸟尽，良弓藏。狡兔死，走狗烹？ – means that when a person no longer has any use, they are killed or are given a worse outcome that most people)

  After a long time, a low laughter emerged from Hua Zhu Yu’s tightly pressed together lips. She couldn’t control it and couldn’t stop it either. Slowly, her laughter became louder and louder. It brought along madness and coldness. However, tears could be seen in her eyes.

  She laughed until she couldn’t breathe. She suddenly moved her sleeve to wipe the tears from her eyes.

  Right now was not the proper time to be depressed.

  She quietly looked back. Her glittering and clear eyes carried coldness akin to that of a blizzard.

  “I want to see Xiao Yin!” She coldly said.

  “His highness is currently in a banquet. He cannot see you!” The guard said in a heavy voice. The guard was shocked by Hua Zhu Yu’s aura earlier. He had just returned from his daze.

  Hua Zhu Yu coldly glanced at him. She then ignored his words and rapidly walked away.

  “You cannot leave here!” The two guards hastily caught up and blocked her path.

  “Leave!” Her black eyes shrunk and instantly showed a sharp coldness.

  (Here, HZY uses ‘滚’ which means ‘roll’. It is something akin to swearing in Chinese – thus showing her anger)

  The moment she finished speaking, Hua Zhu Yu suddenly moved. Even though she no longer had internal force, however her martial arts skills were still there; her body was still agile.

  A silver light flashed. A silver hairpin – which carried blood – was pulled out from the ribs of the guard on the left. Hot blood flew out and the guard collapsed on the ground. The other guard had not reacted before she chopped down on his neck with her palm.

  This sequence of movements was far slower than before, however, it was more than enough to take care of two average guards.

  She picked up the sword in the guard’s hand and continued to walk forward. She walked past the courtyard and arrived at front yard of the manor in which Xiao Yin was hosting the banquet.

  The sound of the sizhu leaked past the patter of the rain drops. As she walked closer, the music became clearer and clearer.

  That place, was lit with lights.

  That place had wine; had instruments; had songs; had dances; had happy laughter……

  Sorrow only belonged to her.

  In the lit up door to the manor, guards were lined up. The swords around their waists shone with a cold glow.

  Hua Zhu Yu expressionlessly lifted up her sword. One of the guards coldly yelled: “Who goes there?”


  “Call Xiao Yin out!” Hua Zhu Yu coldly said.

  A ‘tang tang’ sound arose from around her. It was the sound of the unsheathing of Xiao Yin’s guards’ swords. In a moment, the light of the swords were like snow and the murderous auras surrounded her.

  “How bold! Is his highness the crown prince’s name something you can call? Attack!” The head guard angrily ordered.

  The group of soldiers circled around her – surrounding her. In a moment, she was forced under an osmanthus tree.

  Hua Zhu Yu’s phoenix-like eyes narrowed slightly. A flash of coldness pa.s.sed over her clear eyes.

  Under the tree, the flash of swords flew about.

  Although Hua Zhu Yu had managed to stab a couple of guards, however her left shoulder was completely stabbed through by a sword. Blood flowed out. Without any internal force and with her sword alone, she could easily take care of Mei Na’s two guards. However, these were Xiao Yin’s personal guards. She definitely couldn’t defeat them.

  Her right shoulder burst out in pain. As though she had been stabbed yet again.

  Her robe was covered with blood. She didn’t know whether it was her’s or someone else’s!