Climbing to the Top: A Reborn Queen's Journey-Chapter 654: Marching to Death (Part 3)

The poison in the wine was extremely potent. After Prince Dongping and his son drank it, they died almost instantly.

They didn’t suffer much, and their deaths were quick and clean.

The Princely Heir of Prince Dongping’s expression was frozen at the moment before death: fear, despair, unwillingness, along with a deep yearning for life.

However, Prince Dongping was calm and serene, as if he were merely asleep.

Jiang Shaohua silently watched the corpses of Prince Dongping and his son, and without turning her head, ordered, "Go and bring Prince Huaiyang and Prince Wu’an here."

Liu Hengmao was momentarily stunned, while Song Yuan immediately responded affirmatively.

The Heavenly Prison was neither too small nor too large, consisting of just a few dozen cells. Within the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, Song Yuan had "invited" Prince Huaiyang and Prince Wu’an over.

The dejected Prince Huaiyang remained silent the whole way, but Prince Wu’an, like a mad dog, shouted incessantly, "I am innocent, I had nothing to do with treason or rebellion."

"Release me at once!"

"Where are you taking me? Are you going to torture me into confessing? I am not someone who can be easily coerced..."

Upon seeing the familiar figure, Prince Wu’an’s shouts automatically softened considerably, quickly turning into a plea, "Shao Hua, you have finally come. I am truly wronged! Please release me, I will definitely support you in the future..."

His eyesight had deteriorated with age, but Prince Huaiyang’s eyesight remained very sharp, and he clearly saw the bodies of Prince Dongping and his son lying on the ground.

Prince Huaiyang’s expression changed abruptly, and he quickly tugged at Prince Wu’an’s sleeve.

Prince Wu’an, ignorant of the situation, turned to glare at Prince Huaiyang, "What are you pulling me for? If it weren’t for your false accusations, I wouldn’t be locked up in this sunless place. I will never reconcile with you!"

Prince Huaiyang, uninterested in arguing with this confused fool, entered the prison and immediately knelt down, "I greet Your Majesty."

Prince Wu’an: "..."

Prince Wu’an was completely stunned, almost blurting out "What madness is this?" But then his gaze caught the sight of Prince Dongping and his son’s bodies.

A chill ran down Prince Wu’an’s spine. His legs gave way, unable to support him, and he knelt beside Prince Huaiyang.

He couldn’t bring himself to call Jiang Shaohua "Your Majesty," and his face turned red from the effort before he squeezed out, "Have mercy!"

Finally, Jiang Shaohua turned around.

She was four months pregnant, her lower abdomen slightly swollen. Typically, pregnancy brought a softer demeanor, nurturing and harmless. Jiang Shaohua’s expression wasn’t exactly harsh; she just looked at Prince Huaiyang and Prince Wu’an indifferently.

This indifference was more chilling to the two Vassal Kings than any harsh threats or stern rebukes.

Willing to do whatever it takes for survival, Prince Huaiyang threw away all pretenses, heavily kowtowing three times, "I was blind to the truth, misled by my personal soldiers, and nearly caused a great disaster."

"I am deeply remorseful. I ask Your Majesty to strip me of my title and reduce me to a commoner."

"I have accumulated some wealth in Huaiyang County over the years, and I am willing to offer it all to Your Majesty. I only ask that Your Majesty spares my life."

Prince Wu’an wanted to denounce Prince Huaiyang as a coward, for conceding defeat and offering his wealth and title before Jiang Shaohua even said a word.

But here in this dim prison, their lives were in Jiang Shaohua’s hands. She didn’t need to act personally; just a glance would summon numerous strong, loyal aides to take their lives!

Afterward, it could be announced that they died of illness in the palace prison. Among their allies in the court, who would risk advocating for them?

Revenge was even more unlikely. What did the deaths of two Vassal Kings matter in the face of the throne? Weren’t bloody regime changes common occurrences?

Admitting the truth, if he were in Jiang Shaohua’s place, he wouldn’t show mercy. Eliminating threats was the most prudent decision.

Life and death stood before them, in just this fraction of a moment.

The more Prince Wu’an thought about it, the more terrified he became, trembling uncontrollably. His gaze fell accidentally on the wine jug nearby, burning as if scalded, and he quickly looked away.

"The same goes for me," Prince Wu’an, trying to sound composed but with a hint of sobbing, said, "Jiang Shaohua, spare me too. I will offer all my wealth. I don’t want the Commandery Prince title either, I am willing to live as a commoner if it means sparing my life."

Jiang Shaohua’s gaze swept over the terrified, trembling Prince Wu’an, then settled on the pleading Prince Huaiyang, "Prince Dongping’s father and son conspired with Jiang Yi, causing my cousin’s death. I must avenge my cousin, so I took their lives."

"As for the two of you, it’s unclear who’s behind Wu Weisiwu’s attempt to assassinate Prince Ping at the Imperial Mausoleum."

"You both know the temperament of the Grand Empress Dowager. Someone has to take responsibility for this."

Prince Huaiyang, always a step ahead of Prince Wu’an, immediately said, "Wu Weisiwu was a Death Warrior placed by Prince Wu’an to frame me. It was Prince Wu’an who ordered their actions. Please, Your Majesty, see the truth!"

Prince Wu’an: "..."

Prince Wu’an was so enraged he nearly fainted, huffing several breaths, his gaze towards Prince Huaiyang full of venom, "Heaven sees what people do. To save yourself, you threw me into the fire. Even in death, I will drag you down with me."

He shouted to Jiang Shaohua, "Jiang Shaohua! I’m this old, how many years do I have left anyway? If you release me and strip my title, I might just pass away in a few years."

"But Prince Huaiyang, in the prime of life, has five strong sons and six grandsons and granddaughters. Moreover, he’s adept at patience and cunning; are you truly at ease letting him live?"

"Now is the time to deal with him. It’s right and proper; no one would say otherwise. Letting him go will surely bring endless troubles!"

Prince Huaiyang’s brow twitched heavily.

Prince Wu’an was certainly speaking the harsh truth. From Jiang Shaohua’s perspective, it was best to kill one and keep the other. Keeping one Vassal King was for appearances, to avoid a harsh historical record. As for who to kill, it almost needed no consideration.

Of course, it was an opportunity to eliminate the greatest threat.

Since he realized this early on, he hadn’t straightened his back since entering the prison. He kept his head down, continually pleading for his life.

"Your Majesty, Prince Wu’an is hot-tempered, narrow-minded, and vengeful. If released, he will certainly rebel." To survive, Prince Huaiyang was willing to sacrifice all dignity, "I, however, understand situations, know the stakes, and will not do anything I shouldn’t to survive, nor will I speak recklessly."

"Whatever Your Majesty asks, I will comply without objection. Just spare my life, Your Majesty!"