Chapter 976: 455 Tender-hearted (Third Update) Chapter 976: 455 Tender-hearted (Third Update) Princess Xinyang asked, “Is the clue they spoke of Xiao Hen’s origins?”

Ning Wang nodded, “Exactly, they said that Xiao Hen is the son of Marquis Xuanping and a female slave from Yan Country, and that the real young master had already died, killed by the female slave. Marquis Xuanping then swapped the children, presenting the female slave’s son as the princess’s child. At that time, I pondered whether my aunt, upon learning that she had been raising the son of her child’s murderer for fourteen years, would kill Xiao Hen in a fit of rage.”

Princess Xinyang looked at him, puzzled, “Why didn’t you come to tell me?”

Ning Wang looked into her eyes, “I did inform someone, otherwise who does my aunt think placed that secret letter revealing Xiao Hen’s origins in her carriage?”

Princess Xinyang suddenly realized, “So it was you.”

Ning Wang continued, “After my aunt found the letter, she went to Marquis Xuanping to verify it, didn’t she?”

Princess Xinyang murmured, “Correct, I went, and he admitted it.”

Ning Wang gave a self-deprecating smile, “But my aunt hesitated to act, I thought she had grown soft-hearted, so I decided to take matters into my own hands. Of course, this decision was not without those people whispering in my ear. Regardless, since my aunt and Xiao Hen had already fallen out, Marquis Xuanping would suspect it was my aunt’s doing.”

Princess Xinyang shot him a look, “Is that what you think, or what those people told you?”

Ning Wang replied, “Both.”

With everything laid out like this, Ning Wang didn’t care to explain any further.

He went on, “However, right after Xiao Hen died, those advisers vanished from my residence without a trace. It was then that I realized they weren’t approaching me to assist or gain glory and riches from me, but they came specifically for Xiao Hen. Of course, they could also have been targeting my aunt or Marquis Xuanping. Xiao Hen’s death was a huge blow to both of you, worsening your already strained marital relationship. With their disappearance, I feared that the truth would come out, and I would become a suspect to both my aunt and Marquis Xuanping, so I didn’t act hastily nor did I investigate.”

Princess Xinyang sharply inquired, “Then this time, why did you dare to kill Xiao Hen? Did those people reappear?”

Ning Wang smiled faintly and shook his head, “I thought my aunt would ask how I was certain that Xiao Liulang was Xiao Hen. Never mind, it’s not important anymore. Instead, I am curious about how my aunt recognized Xiao Hen.”

Princess Xinyang stated indifferently, “That’s also not important.”

Ning Wang heard the reluctance in her tone and did not continue to question her. Today, he was particularly amiable, and who knows if it was because a dying man’s words are kind; thus, he had no more burdens to carry.

He said, “Fine, then I’ll answer my aunt’s previous question. Those people did not reappear, and this time it was my own decision to kill him. I am not the same Crown Prince from four years ago. I have the strength to challenge Marquis Xuanping… Besides, I feared that my aunt would suddenly investigate the matters from four years ago, tracing them back to me. I figured it was better to end it once and for all, so I preceded to kill Xiao Liulang.”

Princess Xinyang did not overlook any subtle expression on his face, “When you made this decision, was it because you thought I hadn’t recognized him yet?”

Ning Wang took a deep breath, “Yes, I wanted to kill him before you and your son could be reunited, ensuring that Xiao Hen and the secret from four years ago would forever vanish from this world.”

Princess Xinyang said, “A pity, just one wrong move.”

Ning Wang gave a bitter smile, “A pity, indeed, one wrong move.”

Princess Xinyang rose to leave, and before stepping out, she tossed a clean handkerchief to him, “Wipe your face, you are a prince, after all. Even in leaving, do so with some dignity.”

Ning Wang looked at the handkerchief in his hand.

It was an ordinary-looking handkerchief with only one peculiar detail–an exquisitely embroidered vase in one corner, its mouth sealed with a wooden stopper.

Princess Xinyang had already crossed the threshold when she suddenly turned back and spoke unhurriedly, “When I have time, I will visit Prince Ning’s wife and the Little Princesses.”

Ning Wang’s hand gripping the handkerchief tightened!

Princess Xinyang was threatening her!

Either keep silent about Xiao Hen’s affair or she would take the lives of Chu Yue, Ning Xin, and Ning Yang!

Princess Xinyang, after seeing Ning Wang, sent Wei Gonggong to relay a message to the Emperor and then went straight back.

Wei Gonggong thought she was saddened by the memory of her prematurely deceased son and softly acknowledged the message.

“Where is Long Yi?” Princess Xinyang asked.

“It seems he went to play with Jingkong,” Yujin said.

“Never mind, let’s go back,” Princess Xinyang said.

Long Yi would return on his own after he had his fun.

Princess Xinyang was unaware that Long Yi had caused a huge disaster in the palace; the Empress Dowager was ordering his capture, and the entire Imperial Harem was in chaos.

Princess Xinyang returned to Vermilion Bird Avenue and asked Yujin to warm a pot of liquor for her.

Yujin brought over the warmed liquor, ready to pour it into a cup, but Princess Xinyang took the bottle directly and took several gulps.

Yujin’s expression changed slightly, “Princess!”

Several mouthfuls of intense liquor burned through her, igniting all her organs.

She said with a cold laugh, “It wasn’t Ning Wang who killed Ahen. It was me.”

“Princess, you’ve had too much to drink,” Yujin said, reaching to take the liquor bottle from her.

Princess Xinyang easily avoided her hand, tilted her head back, and took several more big swigs, this time so hurriedly that she choked and tears streamed down her face.

“Ning Wang had someone pour oil in Guozijian and placed a candle on it, waiting for the candle to burn out to light the oil. I found out, Yujin, I noticed it at first glance. I extinguished the candle.”

“That’s good that you did,” Yujin followed along with what she was saying.

“Let me finish,” Princess Xinyang said with self-mocking laughter, “The more I thought about it afterward, the angrier I got. His biological mother killed my son, yet I raised that woman’s son for fourteen years. I failed that dead child! I wanted to kill him! I planned to reveal the truth to him, then kill him!”

“Princess…” Yujin said.

Princess Xinyang sneered, “I had already noticed someone was targeting him, those with ill intentions. He might not live much longer even without my intervention, but I just hated him! I wanted to destroy him with my own hands!”

“Princess, please don’t drink anymore…” Yujin urged.

Princess Xinyang would not listen, “So I went back to Guozijian. I cornered him in Minghui Hall and told him the entire truth…” Princess Xinyang belched, her eyes beginning to show signs of drunkenness, “Seeing him fall apart bit by bit before me, I felt so relieved! I ruined him with my own hands… I ruined him…”

Her tears fell heavily.

Yujin, seeing Princess Xinyang so overwhelmed with distress, felt a piercing pain in her heart. She leaned over and gently embraced Princess Xinyang, letting her head rest against her own soft chest, “But in the end, you saved him, didn’t you?”

Yujin understood well that if Princess Xinyang really wanted him dead, he would not still be alive.

Princess Xinyang shattered his will, fed him Paralysis Medicine, and set a huge fire.

That way, he wouldn’t be able to escape.

The two of them could then go underground to atone for that pitiful child.

Only, she softened her heart in the end.