Chapter 90 Let Them Taste the Agony of Betrayal and Torment

Chapter 90: Let Them Taste the Bitterness of Being Betrayed by Your Own People and Humiliated by Those Close to You

Wu Shi's heart skipped a beat in panic, and she involuntarily took another step back. "You... what are you, what are you trying to do?"

Su Zheng called out, "Guards!"

In a moment, two guards entered the hall and bowed to Su Zheng. "At your command."

Wu Shi was startled and instinctively hid behind her children, shouting, "How dare you! If you so much as touch me, Chen'er, Chen'er will never forgive you!"

Su Zheng ignored Wu Shi's screams and said to the guards, "Take the pregnant women and children out and settle them in a courtyard outside."

Hearing that the guards weren't coming for her, Wu Shi relaxed slightly, stopped shouting, but remained hidden without daring to come out.

The pregnant women, seeing the guards approaching them, panicked and shook their heads while backing away, crying out, "No! His Majesty, save me!"

Su Zheng impatiently snapped at them, "Shut up! Have you forgotten that bamboo chopstick already? I don't mind spilling some blood right here to jog your memory!"

They were cowed into silence, but still didn't dare come forward.

Luo Wenqing snorted coldly. "Give it up. They would rather die than stay by my side. Thinking they'll follow your orders is a fool's dream!"

Su Zheng didn't bother with Luo Wenqing and directly threatened, "Still not going? Do I need to pick someone out and make an example of them? Fine!"

His scrutinizing gaze swept over them, and several pregnant women were terrified, afraid they might be the next corpse. Instinctively, their bodies made the decision for them.

They immediately hurried out, following the guards' lead.

Watching them leave without even a glance back at him, Luo Wenqing's face went dark. "You... you! Wretched women! Just wait—I won't let you off!"

"You don't need to worry about them, Your Majesty. You'd better focus on yourself."

"What are you trying to do?"

Su Zheng shook his head. "I won't do anything to you—just setting the stage. Let you taste what it's like to be betrayed by your own people and tormented by those close to you."

Though the young man before him looked calm and his gaze at Luo Wenqing was indifferent, Luo Wenqing felt as if a demon from hell had set its sights on him. His instinct told him this young man was more vicious than any demon.

Su Zheng looked at Luo Wenqing's concubines. "You've been slaves for so long—how would you like to taste being masters?"

The concubines exchanged timid glances, not daring to meet Su Zheng's eyes or speak.

Su Zheng didn't wait for an answer and went on. "Now you have a chance to decide for yourselves. Do it well, and you'll have your own rooms.

Your meals won't be fancy, but you'll get meat and veggies and won't go hungry. You'll also get two taels of silver per month.

By now, you must know that counting on your king won't even get you a decent night's sleep, let alone pocket money.

Of course, if anyone is deeply devoted to your king and would rather die than leave him, you can step forward now.

Such loyalty I would truly admire. I promise to honor your devotion and give you a dignified burial.

So, anyone want to step forward?"

Su Zheng dropped his intimidating presence and patiently waited for them to think.

The hall fell silent.

It wasn't just Su Zheng waiting; Luo Wenqing and Wu Shi also involuntarily looked at these concubines, wondering how many would come forward and who they were.

A long while passed, and the hall remained so quiet you could hear a pin drop. The concubines wished they could become statues.

Su Zheng said calmly, "It seems no one wants to step forward."

He turned to Luo Wenqing and said, sounding sincere, "Your Majesty, don't feel too disappointed. You'll get used to it, Your Majesty."

Luo Wenqing felt his face burning, and now this man had just stabbed a dagger into his heart. If he hadn't been gritting his teeth, Luo Wenqing felt he might have coughed up blood on the spot.

Then a hesitant voice came from the crowd. "What do we need to do?"

The voice was soft and quick, and since all the concubines had their heads down, it was hard to tell who spoke.

Su Zheng didn't press the issue and didn't even glance over. He only said, "Very simple. No matter how you do it or what you do, I just want these former masters."

With that, Su Zheng pointed to the king, Wu Shi, and a few others. "I want them to live every day in misery and suffering. The more miserable and painful their lives, the more satisfied I will be."

After savoring the looks on Luo Wenqing and the others, who clearly wanted to kill him but couldn't, Su Zheng's mood lifted. He looked at the concubines again and said lightly, "I'll have someone cripple Young Master Luo's kung fu. A cripple and a few helpless people—you all can easily handle them."

Luo Yunchen suddenly looked up at Su Zheng, his eyes filled with rage and murderous intent.

But before he could act, Su Zheng ordered, "Ying Yi, do it."

Luo Yunchen was no match for Ying Yi. In no time, Luo Yunchen collapsed to the ground, crying in pain.

Wu Shi and her two daughters were pale with terror. Only after Ying Yi's figure disappeared did they snap out of it and let out shrill screams.

Wu Shi shrieked as she crouched beside Luo Yunchen, holding him and crying, "Chen'er! Chen'er! Are you all right, Chen'er..."

The two young women didn't step forward; they screamed, clung to each other, and trembled.

Su Zheng had no intention of letting them off either.

In the original bugged timeline, these two weren't involved, but Luo Yunchen's death was so sudden and strange—how could they not have sensed something wrong?

But they chose to watch indifferently and never asked a single question.

Even when Luo Yunchen, barely conscious, made a faint sound as he struggled in the coffin, startling them, they composed themselves and cursed at the coffin.

One said angrily, "If you're going to die, at least die cleanly!"

Another complained, "Exactly, why couldn't you just die outside! Ruining our tea and flower-viewing fun—what lousy luck!"

Su Zheng gave them a cold look, then disregarded them. He turned to the concubines. "No need to be scared or hesitant. The prince's mansion doesn't keep freeloaders. If I find anyone who can't treat them like slaves, that person won't be staying around."

With that, Su Zheng turned and left the hall.

The guards held back Luo Wenqing, who tried to charge out while shouting.

Su Zheng instructed the guards, "From now on, those masters only get fed once every two days."

The guards acknowledged the order, and Su Zheng left the main courtyard.

Outside the courtyard gate, he saw Luo Yunchen waiting for him.