Chapter 13: The Assassination

Chapter 13: The Assassination

Indeed, after telling one lie, countless others are needed to make it whole.

Upon hearing the tyrant's question, Lu Changping showed a bitter smile on his face.

As he lowered his head in quiet contemplation, the soft light softened the contours of his beautiful face, hiding the murderous aura on his body and making him appear exceptionally innocent.

The tyrant, for his part, was not in a hurry, admiring the beauty of the newly appointed Consort Lu while waiting for the answer that had piqued his curiosity for two whole days.

Lu Changping was very clear that confessing to the tyrant was a desperate measure to save his own life, but delving into the reasons would be tantamount to courting death.

He weighed his answer carefully. To say it was because of the tyrant's somewhat handsome face would most likely be deemed superficial and frivolous.

To say he liked the tyrant's murderous nature at the slightest disagreement? That would only mean he was more twisted than the tyrant himself.

The best plan was to take advantage of Xie Xuan Yuan's drunkenness to muddle through.

He thought for a moment and wrote: "Your Majesty, have you heard the saying, 'Love begins in a moment, grows over time'?"

Xie Xuan Yuan frowned at the beautiful handwriting on the paper and snorted disdainfully after understanding its meaning: "I stopped believing such deceitful nonsense when I was twelve."

He lifted Lu Changping's chin with his slender fingers, continuing:

"In this world, everything has a reason. Just like why you are now in my palace? It's because your royal brother is a useless coward. He dares not wage war against my Northern Wei outside, and fails to fulfill his duties as a brother inside.

I had heard that the King of Nan Chu treasured his only sister like a pearl, a rare good brother indeed. But now it seems that's all he is. Nan Chu hasn't even lost the battle yet, and he hurriedly offered you up. Such a person, I disdain to even call an opponent."

Xie Xuan Yuan was vehement in his scorn, the usual gloom in his eyes dissipating, leaving only the youthful pride of triumphing over an adversary, making him look quite striking.

But Lu Changping was in no mood to appreciate the beauty before him.

He never expected to be seen in such a pitiable light by the tyrant.

Even if Nan Chu and Northern Wei were enemies, his diligent governance over the years had improved the lives of Nan Chu's people; he deserved some respect!

He turned his head away, avoiding the tyrant's ever-teasing hand, and wrote in his defense on the paper:

"My royal brother is not such a person. When Your Majesty deployed a large army to our borders, my brother knew well that a war between our countries would only lead to devastation and a pyrrhic victory. That's why he hesitated to wage war. As for coming to Northern Wei for a marriage alliance, it was my own choice!"

Lu Changping wrote in haste, forgetting even to use humble terms.

Although he now claimed the identity of Zhao Ping to conceal part of the truth, his voluntary journey to Northern Wei for the marriage alliance was a fact! Just on this point alone, he would not allow the tyrant to slander him without cause.

Xie Xuan Yuan, after being righteously rebutted by Lu Changping, wasn't annoyed. Somewhat regretfully, he withdrew his hand that lingered on the beauty's face, his words tinged with jealousy:

"All for that Lu Changping? In what way is he better than me? Are you really that foolish?"

Hearing the tyrant call his name so bluntly, Lu Changping felt a surreal sense of unreality.

But when it came to how he surpassed this enemy tyrant, the list was indeed too long, possibly taking all night to enumerate.

Not only was he skilled in governance, but he also had a gentle and beautiful sister, recognized as the most beautiful woman under the heavens, unlike the tyrant who was a loner, thinking only of provoking neighboring countries every day.

He moistened his brush on the inkstone in front of him, planning to list out his advantages over the tyrant in detail.

Before he could start, the tyrant impatiently spoke again:

"Forget it, I have no interest in hearing about Lu Changping. Let's talk about you. Knowing full well that Northern Wei is an enemy, why did you still volunteer to come here for the marriage alliance?"

Lu Changping had hoped to correct the tyrant's prejudice against him before his death, but was stopped before he could begin.

It seemed Xie Xuan Yuan was indeed not foolish, aware that once Lu Changping started writing, he would not speak ill of "Lu Changping."

But missing this opportunity was of no great concern.

His primary task tonight was to lull the tyrant to sleep with their conversation, then use the "tool" previously hidden near the bed to take the life of this despised emperor.

Lu Changping carefully considered his words, then began to answer the tyrant's latter question:

"Volunteering for the marriage alliance to Northern Wei was indeed to alleviate my brother's worries. But beyond that, I also harbored my own selfish desires. While in Nan Chu, I often heard people say that Your Majesty recognizes no kin, is cruel and bloodthirsty, a tyrant that everyone wishes to kill..."

Writing this, Lu Changping deliberately glanced at the tyrant leaning against the headboard, wanting to see how he felt being the one insulted for a change.

However, Xie Xuan Yuan, seemingly accustomed to being cursed at, offered Lu Changping a cold, emotionless smile, and said, "Continue."

Unable to provoke the tyrant as intended, Lu Changping continued writing with a touch of regret:

"How could I not know that Northern Wei is an enemy state, that Your Majesty's anger could lead to millions of corpses and rivers of blood? What puzzles me, however, is if Your Majesty were truly a tyrant incapable of distinguishing right from wrong, Northern Wei should have been overrun by righteous armies and its people living in misery long ago. How then could it possess the strength to threaten Nan Chu?"

The point Lu Changping made was something he had been unable to understand since his ascension to the throne.

He had always regarded the new sovereign of Northern Wei, Xie Xuan Yuan, as a formidable adversary to be cautiously dealt with, never forgetting to send spies into Northern Wei's royal palace while he was in Nan Chu.

However, the information about Northern Wei and Xie Xuan Yuan was very limited, everything shrouded in mist, vague and indistinct.

Over the years, those he sent either met with death after their identities were exposed, or vanished without a trace...

Lu Changping was well aware of the risks of disguising himself as a woman to enter the enemy state for a marriage alliance. Yet, compared to the risk, the opportunity before him seemed irresistibly tempting.

As the monarch of Nan Chu, he wanted not only to kill the tyrant but also to use this opportunity to gain a legitimate understanding of Northern Wei's situation.

This way, should the day come when Nan Chu and Northern Wei inevitably go to war, his side could achieve the principle of knowing the enemy and knowing oneself, ensuring victory in all battles.

The more Lu Changping wrote, the more excited he became, even his clear, peach blossom eyes glittering under the candlelight.

After he "snap" put down the brush, Xie Xuan Yuan finally saw the last sentence on the paper: "I have always wanted to see Northern Wei with my own eyes, and to see Your Majesty as well."

This seemed to be a simple statement, far less flattering than the many sweet nothings Consort Lu had previously spoken to him.

Yet tonight, with Xie Xuan Yuan drunk, his emotions were much more delicate than when sober.

Upon reading that sentence, his mind inexplicably conjured up images of the beauty before him gathering various pieces of information about him while in Nan Chu.

Such imaginative thoughts unexpectedly gave the tyrant a bizarre illusion of being secretly adored for a long time. Following the illusion came a wave of sweetness.

He realized his current state was amiss, deliberately shifting his gaze away from the radiant Lu Changping, slightly lifting his head to look at the gauzy canopy above the couch, and asked softly:

"Now that you've seen, are you disappointed?"

If Lu Changping were to tell the truth at this moment, his answer would definitely be that he was not disappointed.

Although the tyrant was temperamental, venomous in speech, and quicker to turn his face than a book, his diligence in handling state affairs was in no way inferior to Lu Changping, the enlightened monarch.

Ultimately, the two differed greatly in their concepts of governance and politics.

The tyrant's approach was more extreme, resorting to eradication at the slightest disagreement. Lu Changping, on the other hand, would always seek to resolve matters through negotiation rather than resort to violence...

Lu Changping withdrew his thoughts and, upon looking at the tyrant, suddenly felt a playful urge to tease him.

Instead of shaking his head, he nodded.

Although Xie Xuan Yuan was lying on the couch in a lazy posture, he still caught Lu Changping's nod with his peripheral vision.

His face darkened instantly, looking like he was about to lash out at Lu Changping, but the lingering effects of alcohol and a severe headache restrained him.

Xie Xuan Yuan turned over, gently massaging his throbbing forehead with his fingertips, unable to speak for a long while.

Taking advantage of the tyrant's headache, Lu Changping continued to flatter him:

"I merely feel that rumors cannot always be trusted. Your Majesty, often described as a tyrant by others, sometimes shows unexpected gentleness. Since Your Majesty has taken me as a hostage, it would have been enough to just keep me confined. Why go through the trouble of summoning so many physicians this afternoon to treat my throat?

"Initially, I did deceive Your Majesty by not revealing my true identity. I thought I would either not be killed or be tortured to the point of begging for death. Yet, Your Majesty has not only refrained from mistreating me but has instead showered me with favor."

Xie Xuan Yuan turned to look at the explanation on the paper, humming uncomfortably:

"How would you have me mistreat you? Throw you in prison, torture you, or feed you poison that acts periodically? You know, I have invented many kinds of punishments. Whatever you wish to experience, I can satisfy."

Lu Changping was genuinely frightened by the cruel methods the tyrant casually listed. He shook his head desperately, wishing he could take back his earlier playful taunts.

Seeing him so frightened, Xie Xuan Yuan laughed unrestrainedly. Unfortunately, his mirth caused his headache to worsen.

Holding his forehead, he coldly continued to taunt Lu Changping: "Don't overthink it. I merely intend to use you as a bargaining chip against Nan Chu. If your useless brother no longer wants you because you've become mute, wouldn't I be at a loss?"

Lu Changping, observing the tyrant's insincere and awkward demeanor, decided not to argue further. He concluded on the paper:

"That may be, but I am nonetheless grateful for Your Majesty's mercy."

Pausing, he then turned to the main point: "It's getting late, and Your Majesty has an early court tomorrow. Allow me to assist you to bed."

The tyrant was noncommittal about the last statement, simply wrapping himself in the quilt and leaning against the headboard in an indifferent lordly manner, waiting to see how Lu Changping would proceed.

Gritting his teeth for mental preparation, Lu Changping moved beside the tyrant, beginning to undo his robe.

Xie Xuan Yuan was thinner than he appeared, somewhat bony. In contrast, the muscles on his waist and abdomen felt better when accidentally touched on the wedding day.

Lu Changping felt relieved that he didn't have to spend the night embracing the tyrant's bony body.

Once the robe was removed, the tyrant was left in only a layer of white undergarments.

At this point, Lu Changping could finally ease his mind completely.

With one hand, he quietly opened the hidden compartment at the head of the bed containing the weapon, while his other hand absentmindedly fiddled with the tyrant's sash. He was waiting for the right moment to strike the tyrant unawares.

However, as most of his attention was on how to silently draw the dagger from the compartment, his other hand misaimed and accidentally tore the collar of the tyrant's thin undergarment.

In the spacious chamber, the sound of fabric tearing was strikingly clear.

The tyrant, who had been quietly watching the scene unfold, suddenly pushed Lu Changping away with a surge of energy after his last piece of modest clothing was torn, then tightly covered the ripped collar.

Just by looking at his shocked and angry expression, one might believe he was a virtuous husband unwilling to be violated by a bully.

Lu Changping was forcefully pushed, hitting the half-opened compartment behind him, causing a heart-wrenching pain.

A clatter followed as ropes, a gold hairpin, a dagger, and other items spilled out from the compartment, including several red candles Lu Changping hadn't noticed before.

The assassination plan was ruined in an instant, leaving Consort Lu weakly sitting amidst the scattered "weapons," his heart nearly stopping.

Could it be the tyrant had sensed his intentions all along and was prepared? Was he to meet his end here today?

Author's note:

There will be about two more updates today~