Chapter 19: Cremation

With a single declaration from the Duke of Yuan, all the past false affections were instantly erased; everyone knew that from this moment forward, the two families could only be enemies.

“What am I to do? You, Zhao Tianjiang! I had a perfectly good daughter marry you, and yet you dared to openly poison your lawful wife. Such vile and despicable methods are truly outrageous. I’d like to rip out your heart and see whether it’s red or black,” the Duke of Yuan said, furious and sorrowful, his face full of grief.

If he hadn’t insisted back then, how could his daughter have married such a heartless and cruel man?

“Duke of Yuan, don’t speak nonsense. Your daughter clearly died of illness; where is this talk of poisoning coming from? Don’t burden me with these baseless accusations,” Zhao Tianjiang said coldly. Now that they were adversaries, there was no need for meaningless politeness.

“Whether I speak nonsense or not, you know in your heart. I know you won’t admit it. I already have witnesses nearby and am not afraid of your slippery tongue. I will go immediately to petition the emperor; let’s see how you will defend yourself before His Majesty,” the Duke of Yuan said, grabbing the coroner and swiftly leaving the mourning hall.

Yuan Bai Mo supported Princess Yunhua, glancing back several times as they finally left the Prime Minister’s mansion.

Concubine Li rushed over and, seeing Zhao Tianjiang’s sullen face, hurriedly smiled in an attempt to comfort him. “Master, don’t be angry. Just let them be; they can’t do anything to us.”

Zhao Tianjiang frowned. “They already have the coroner’s testimony and have reported it to the imperial court. Even if they can’t prove my guilt, if this matter spreads, it will greatly harm me.”

Concubine Li smiled gently. “Master, our residence suffered flooding; both the study and the mourning hall were destroyed. How could the coroner have examined the body? This is clearly the Duke of Yuan’s slander.”

Zhao Tianjiang raised an eyebrow and looked at the strikingly beautiful Concubine Li. Her delicate face was truly captivating. He suddenly struck out with his palm, knocking over the eternal lamp beside the coffin. Oil spilled everywhere, and the flames spread along the oil. Soon, the entire mourning hall was engulfed in fire.

Outside the hall, Zhao Tianjiang laughed. Concubine Li laughed too. Their smiles were glaringly bright and disgustingly vile.

“Damn! You vile couple,” Zhao Erdong watched from afar, etching Zhao Tianjiang and Concubine Li’s smiles deep into her heart. She would remember, always remember everything those two had done.

In this world, every action must be repaid. Vile couple, just wait and see who will have the last laugh.

The mourning hall turned to ashes—of course, including Yuan Bai Rong.

When the Duke of Yuan heard the news, he was about to enter the palace to petition the emperor. Yuan Bai Mo hurriedly reported it to him. In a sudden fit of rage, the Duke spat blood and fainted.

The petition was abandoned. Yuan Bai Rong had turned to ashes. No matter what was said, it was futile. Without concrete evidence, who would believe the Duke of Yuan and a mere coroner? Moreover, the other party was the current Prime Minister, not someone to be toppled by a few words.

The Duke of Yuan sent people to the Zhao residence to demand Zhao Erdong, claiming he wanted to bring her back to live at the Duke’s mansion.

How could Zhao Tianjiang agree? This daughter was a thorn in his side for over a decade. He was determined to see her dead. How could he allow her to go live in comfort with the Duke of Yuan?

She was a thorn in his eye, a malignant tumor growing in his chest. Until removed, it would choke him every day.

As winter deepened, no one brought clothes or blankets to the desolate courtyard, nor did anyone send food. Even if she did not starve, the cold would surely kill her.

In the bleak courtyard, the biting wind howled. They had no thick warm blankets, no charcoal fire for heat. The roof had several large holes; heavy snow fell outside, while inside, small flakes drifted in on the wind.