Chapter 16: Lu Heng Harbored Deadly Intentions Toward Her

It was nearing the end of the fifth watch, just before dawn. Yet the empty streets remained eerily silent, broken only by the occasional meow of a cat or bark of a dog.

Lu Heng carried Gu Nanshu as they flew a distance, then walked half a mile before reaching the Northern Star Prince’s mansion. He stopped and gently set Gu Nanshu down.

Behind them, Lie Yan released Huantao’s hand, and Huantao was about to run over to the princess consort but was grabbed by Yun Feng. “Don’t go just yet. The prince has questions for the princess consort.”

Huantao hesitated, thinking, Could the prince be about to question the princess consort about Jiang Mubai?

This was bad…

The princess consort could hardly cover up the matter now—caught red-handed at the old Jiang estate, the prince would surely press for the truth. What should they do?

“Gu Nanshu, you’re quite bold to deceive even me! Is there anything you wouldn’t dare to do?” Lu Heng’s voice was sharp, like a reprimand, unsettling everyone.

Gu Nanshu’s ears buzzed with anxiety. She lifted her head to meet Lu Heng’s sly smile, realizing she could no longer fabricate any excuses to appease him.

Was the feud between her and Jiang Mubai doomed to be exposed?

No, there had to be a way out.

As long as she kept silent, the matter could be smoothed over.

So, with smooth words, she chuckled and bantered with Lu Heng, “Prince, why didn’t you tell me you were following me? Just now, I nearly died by Jiang Mubai’s hand. Fortunately, you saved me.”

She immediately clasped her hands in gratitude. “Thank you, Your Highness, for saving my life tonight.”

Seeing her cunning smile, Lu Heng narrowed his eyes, thinking about how she might continue to feign innocence before him. He bluntly asked, “Gu Nanshu, you previously told me you didn’t know Jiang Mubai and had no grudge against him. Yet tonight you appeared at the Jiang estate, knowing the layout as if you were its mistress.”

Speaking as he slowly approached her, his deep eyes seemed to pierce through her, leaving no room for evasion. Yun Feng had already confirmed that there was no animosity between Jiang Mubai and Gu Nanshu.

Gu Nanshu felt unsettled hearing this. As Lu Heng closed in, she could only retreat step by step.

He continued, “That bloodstain in the pavilion—if I’m not mistaken, that’s where Madam Jiang died. Otherwise, why would Jiang Mubai be there to mourn her? Yet when Huantao was frightened by that blood, you comforted her, saying... that blood was yours?”

These few words struck to the core of her heart. Gu Nanshu’s eyelashes trembled slightly, as if a secret hidden for a thousand years was suddenly unveiled—joy, taboos, and struggles that could never be undone, forming a prison in her soul.

Cornered against the cold, biting stone wall, her back pressed tight, Gu Nanshu’s heart stiffened. There was no way out.

Lu Heng stopped, his tall figure looming close, his sharp face filled with menace. Deep down, he had a bold suspicion: Gu Nanshu might be Feng Sanniang. But he was not yet certain.

At this moment, he needed a logical explanation and, more importantly, her own confession. If she revealed her true identity, he would believe her.

Nearby, Huantao nervously wrung her hands and tapped her feet, anxious. She thought, This is it. I just hope the prince doesn’t act rashly toward the princess consort. If this matter is fully exposed, it won’t be just about sneaking into the old Jiang estate anymore.

Gu Nanshu pressed against the stone wall, motionless, her mind spinning like a top. No matter how she explained to Lu Heng, it seemed impossible to escape the truth: she was Feng Sanniang.

Now trapped in a dead-end, her survival depended entirely on fate.

Lu Heng’s cold gaze bore into her, losing patience. “Gu Nanshu, be honest. Are you... not Gu Nanshu?”

This question felt like a great stone pressing on her chest, suffocating her. Her hands clutched the wall; whether to speak or not was a fleeting thought. She knew well Lu Heng was not easily fooled—otherwise, he wouldn’t have caught her tonight at the Jiang estate. He had already suspected her.

It was only that she wasn’t strong enough alone to contend with overwhelming forces.

Her voice turned cold. “Since Your Highness has guessed, why ask further? I only beg to live. Please grant me mercy.”

This answer confirmed Lu Heng’s suspicions. His expression darkened, brows furrowed tightly, startled by the possibility she truly was Feng Sanniang.

How could this be?

Feng Sanniang was supposed to be dead. Can the dead truly return to life?

No wonder Gu Nanshu’s whole demeanor had changed—her crude and coarse behavior now made sense!

Lu Heng’s sharp eyes flickered like a hawk’s. No matter how Feng Sanniang had come back, such a person should not live to harm others again.

In a flash, a gleaming dagger appeared in Lu Heng’s hand. Pressing the blade against Gu Nanshu’s neck, his eyes burned with murderous intent.

“You survive because of propriety and the heavens’ will. How could I spare your life? Where is the real Gu Nanshu?”

The blade cut her skin, blood welling forth. Gu Nanshu dared not move, knowing Lu Heng had already resolved to kill her.

At that moment, she suddenly felt all men were the same beneath their handsome exteriors—bloodthirsty killers who murdered without hesitation.

Jiang Mubai was like that, and so was Lu Heng.

“Ha...” Gu Nanshu let out a cold laugh. Buried hatred, anger, and helpless struggles surged forth uncontrollably.

Her chest rose and fell rapidly, face pale as death.

Seeing her sudden cold laughter, Lu Heng’s brows knitted deeper. “Why are you laughing?”

“Why laugh?” Gu Nanshu’s laughter grew crazed, like a forsaken woman’s scream, yet she restrained her deepest pain and lowered her voice. “Because none of you men are good! Calculating, using, then killing or discarding without a shred of conscience—less than pigs or dogs!”

“Enough with your nonsense!” Lu Heng snapped sharply. At least he was not like that.

“Is it nonsense? Are there not many men like this in the world? As the esteemed Northern Star Prince, commanding 700,000 troops and navigating court politics for years, surely you’ve seen many corrupt officials and treacherous ministers—how they act and how many innocents they’ve killed. You should know better than I, a mere woman!”

Her weighty words ignited Lu Heng’s anger. He pressed the dagger harder, slicing a one-inch cut on her neck. Blood spurted, and Gu Nanshu swallowed hard.

She must be mad to say such things in front of Lu Heng!

Fortunately, he did not press the blade further. Had he advanced even an inch more, her neck would have been severed.

Cold sweat broke out over her body, and she weakened. If Lu Heng hadn’t held her tightly, she would have collapsed.

Seeing the danger, Huantao could no longer hold back. She rushed over, fell to her knees with a thud, and kowtowed frantically, pleading with Lu Heng, “Your Highness, please spare the princess consort. She has her reasons. You must not kill her!”