Chapter 108 – Sister Si Cui, I’m So Cold

Chapter 108 - Sister Si Cui, I'm So Cold

Location: The secret passage within the palace.

Si Cui interrogated Duan Feng, "Why did you stop me from poisoning? Why did you forget your deep blood feud to become the emperor's loyal dog?"

"Duan Feng, let the past be in the past. There's no need to dwell on hatred," he replied, his sharpness from before gone, replaced by a tranquil aura, like a lone wolf that had left its pack and been tamed into a domestic dog.

"Do you still remember your original name, Tan Feng? That you were saved by the former crown prince and served as his youngest guard, something you once took pride in? Have you forgotten who caused the death of your kin?" Si Cui stepped forward, question after question, attempting to evoke Duan Feng's memories from the past while also reminding herself of her unyielding vendetta.

"You had no memory back then, so you didn't understand the terror of royal power, the horror of clan annihilation, or the despair of exile. You were fortunate enough to have kind-hearted heroes rescue you during your journey in exile, but do you remember how I had to scurry around like a mouse to survive those days?

Li Si Cui, it's been eighteen years. Isn't this peaceful life good enough? Why must you disrupt it?"

"You've seen rivers run red with blood, experienced homelessness, yet you're content to be a submissive servant to the one who wiped out your clan, simply because your current life is comfortable?" Si Cui retreated three steps, looking at Duan Feng, who seemed like a completely different person from when they first met.

"I can't sacrifice my entire life for past events. Everyone has accepted reality; what's the point in doing this anymore?"

"You question me? What did you gain from hiding in the palace for six years? Do you think that by raising your voice as the daughter of the former Crown Prince, righteous soldiers will descend from the heavens?"

"That's impossible! No one will risk their life for your unrealistic revenge plans. I've awakened, Si Cui. You'd better wake up too and realize that we are nothing but ordinary people!"

"Ordinary people have their pride. Ordinary people don't forget the grudges of their parents and clan being slaughtered. You're not ordinary; you're just a coward." Si Cui sat on a stone bench in the secret tunnel, her voice subdued.

Outside the palace, influential members of the royal family were plotting to vindicate the former Crown Prince.

Back in the palace's secret tunnel.

"I am what I am, and I've accepted reality. I advise you to give up sooner rather than later. Let this be our final secret conversation," Duan Feng put away the sword on the stone table, preparing to leave.

At the exit, Si Cui suddenly spoke, "You're giving up because of Li Ru Ying. She saved your life, ending your days of hiding. You've fallen for her, and you won't let her suffer the pain of losing loved ones like you did. So you chose to compromise.

The dead can't come back to life. Your family's departure eighteen years ago is merely a painful memory to you, while Ru Ying is still alive before your eyes. You made your choice. It's fine if you gave up on your own, but you're also stopping me."

"Not only will I stop you, but if you harm the princess, I'll kill you. My words carry weight. I've already risked my life for the former Crown Prince, and the princess gave me a second chance. Duan Feng's sword will only be drawn for the princess from now on.

I know you're envious of her, perhaps believing that everything she has should be yours. But her grace surpasses yours. You're malicious, cold-blooded, and ruthless. Even if you were a princess, no one would like you." Duan Feng turned back, warningly gazing at Si Cui, "And I won't like you either. You'd better abandon those thoughts."

Duan Feng's icy words shattered the subtle rapport they had shared. Memories flooded back; the princess's act of saving his life was a debt he owed, but had he forgotten how she escorted him out of the palace?

The cold sword had once been pressed against her neck, sipping her blood lightly. Perhaps their encounter was destined to be cold from the very beginning.

"Do you truly see me that way?" Si Cui found those girlish sentiments amusing all of a sudden. A chill of sorrow rose in her heart as she realized that her perceived camaraderie and shared ideals were nothing more than wishful thinking on her part.

"Duan Feng, look into the mirror and see what envy and hatred have made of you." With those words, Duan Feng left. The moss in the secret passage shimmered with a faint green glow, transmitting fragments of their conversation to the rose spirits in the garden. As the princess conversed with the flower spirits, she heard Duan Feng and Si Cui's exchange.

Listening, the princess turned deathly pale, her heart twisting like a tangled rope. Clutching her chest, she fainted.

"Princess!"

"Quick, call the royal physician!"

...

The princess's brows knitted tightly in the darkness as a blade seemed to loom towards her. Terrified, she retreated, only for someone to step in front of her—Si Cui.

Si Cui's arrival meant salvation for the princess.

In Si Cui's grasp, the knife turned, and she turned her head, advancing toward her step by step.

"Princess, I seek vengeance!"

The once-friendly figure had suddenly become ruthless.

Si Cui's blade showed no mercy as it swung fiercely towards her!

Its razor-sharp edge glinted with a chilling light, inches from her face.

The princess jolted upright in her bed, drenched in sweat, her arms instinctively wrapping around herself.

Si Cui was her sister, her cousin, the youngest daughter of their wrongfully executed uncle, and the one whose family had been slaughtered by their parents.

Every memory of their shared moments flooded back to her.

Si Cui's unpredictable behavior—her alternating warmth and coldness, her occasional affectionate care followed by sudden distant resistance—now made sense.

Once, she believed that Si Cui carried a troubled past that kept her heart locked away, and she had tried earnestly to breach that barrier, striving to soothe her anger. But it seemed that her very existence was enough to evoke such hatred and strife in Si Cui.

The root of Si Cui's distress lies in her, so whatever she does cannot alleviate the hatred in Si Cui's heart.

All puzzles have found their answers.

Si Cui is her cousin.

Her elder sister has never been envious of me; I can sense that.

It's Duan Feng who fails to understand.

...

The Bamboo Immortal had fallen in love with the princess. The serpent demon, who had coexisted with the Bamboo Immortal for a century, could not tolerate this turn of events. She descended from the mountain to the imperial palace, intending to disrupt the royal aura, but found herself unable to enter.

Until she encountered Si Cui.

"She is the obstacle in my path with the Bamboo Immortal, and the hindrance to your quest for vengeance. If she were gone, we both could attain our objectives," the serpent demon whispered to Si Cui, who was in a state of confusion.

In her daze, Si Cui heeded the serpent's temptation and laced the princess's beloved flower-scented cream cheese with snake venom.

"Si Cui?" The princess gazed at Si Cui's dazed expression and her trembling hands. She took the sweet curd from Si Cui, holding it gently to her chest, her emotions in turmoil.

Si Cui's eyes followed the movement of the dessert, reminiscent of the day she had seen the mesmerizing golden umbrella of the illusionist.

The princess peered down at the sweet curd, her own hands now trembling too. The scent emanating from the bowl was slightly different from usual, carrying an added hint of sweetness and brine.

"Si Cui's creations have always been my favorite," the princess whispered, delicately guiding the small spoon towards her lips, just about to savor it.

"Princess!" Si Cui suddenly called out.

The princess paused and looked at her.

"Nothing, I..." Si Cui's gaze flickered, not daring to meet the princess's eyes.

Lowering her head with a hint of disappointment, the princess brought the small spoon to her lips for a taste.

"Princess!" Si Cui rushed forward, accidentally knocking over the pudding onto the floor. "This bowl has been out for too long. It's not good to drink anymore. I, I'll make a fresh one right away."

The princess's lips gradually turned dark purple, and a trail of black blood trickled from the corner of her mouth.

The venom of the serpent demon, even a gentle touch could prove fatal.

Si Cui called for assistance in a panicked state.

The princess held Si Cui's hand tightly. Despite the black blood trickling from the corners of her mouth and her shivering body, she managed a smile, "I knew you wouldn't kill me. I guessed right, you couldn't bear to, right? Si Cui, sister..."

Looking at her, Si Cui wiped away the blood, tears welling up in her eyes as she heard the word 'sister', "You knew it all along, didn't you? You knew about the poison, Ru Ying... I'm sorry, you never harmed me."

The princess spat out more blood, "Sister Si Cui, I don't blame you. It was my own choice to drink it. I knew there was poison."

...

"Sister Si Cui, I'm so cold."

"Sister Si Cui..."

Si Cui embraced Ru Ying tightly, but Ru Ying remained icy cold. Despite Si Cui's efforts, Ru Ying continued to tremble until she gradually lost consciousness.