Reborn to Become A Queen: The Real Heiress's Comeback-Chapter 397 Turning Against Each Other

Si Jun’s words sent a chill down Zhan Xuerou’s spine. She looked at Si Jun’s sinister smile, trembling all over in fear.

"Prince, Rou’er won’t dare anymore, Rou’er was wrong..."

She clutched at Si Jun’s robe, begging desperately. Si Jun shook her off and instructed Hei Yu, "Throw her into the dungeon."

"Yes!"

Zhan Xuerou’s pupils contracted sharply as she pleaded, "Prince, I beg you, Rou’er is willing to do anything you say, anything at all!"

Hei Yu dragged her mercilessly to the dungeon. Zhan Xuerou staggered, and with a shove from Hei Yu, she was thrown into one of the cells.

Darkness surrounded her. The foul stench made her feel nauseous. When the candle was lit by Hei Yu, the terror of the cell came into view all at once.

"Ah! Ahhhhh!" Her distorted features screamed in fright.

A starving wolf was chained inside the cell, drooling as it let out hoarse growls toward her.

Zhan Xuerou ran hastily to the corner of the wall because the ground was crawling with wriggling black insects.

When she glanced upward, she nearly fainted from shock—hanging above was a gutted sheep, its internal organs draped loosely outside its body, blood dripping down as the black insects below swarmed to lick up the blood. freēnovelkiss.com

Beside the wolf were scattered piles of white bones, some resembling human remains, and others, those of animals.

In her mind’s eye, Zhan Xuerou imagined herself being strung up like the sheep, gutted, with her organs dangling outside her body. Once the ropes holding her were gnawed through by the black insects, the starving wolf would rip her apart bite by bite until only a pile of incomplete bones was left.

Zhan Xuerou turned ghastly pale, her hair standing on end, cold sweat pouring down incessantly. Hei Yu’s chilling voice echoed through the dungeon.

"No woman has ever stayed here for long without losing their sanity..." Hei Yu warned, "I’d advise you to obey the Prince. If there’s a next time, being locked up here will be the least of your concerns!"

After finishing his warning, Hei Yu locked the dungeon door and left. Zhan Xuerou shrank into herself, her breathing rapid, her heart pounding so hard it seemed to leap into her throat.

A black insect crawled onto her instep. With a scream, Zhan Xuerou jumped and shook it off as tears streamed uncontrollably down her face.

This place wasn’t the mortal realm—it was hell!

Si Jun had truly treated her like a dog to be tormented!

Only now did she fully realize how terrifying a man Si Jun was. His cruelty and viciousness—he was no human being!

From this moment on, any love Zhan Xuerou once held for Si Jun was utterly extinguished.

...

Zhan Lan had just returned from the fief, fortunately finding everything there in order.

Sitting in the carriage, she mulled over the day’s events. She still understood well the personalities of both Zhan Xuerou and Si Jun.

The more Zhan Xuerou struggled to break free from Si Jun’s control, the more it would provoke his hatred for those disloyal to him. He would undoubtedly go to any lengths to torment her.

After all, Si Jun loved power above all else. Before he achieved his goals, he would stop at nothing; and once he succeeded, anyone who had served as his pawn or knew too much about his past would be eliminated one by one.

Perhaps in her previous life, Zhan Xuerou met the same end. She had just not witnessed it personally.

Both Zhan Xuerou and Si Jun were selfish people who would inevitably turn against one another!

The Hidden Guard directed the carriage toward the Ministry of Justice, bringing Zhan Lan along. Looking at the darkening sky, she figured Xiao Chen might no longer be busy.

From the guards at the Ministry of Justice, Zhan Lan learned Xiao Chen wasn’t there.

Turning to the Hidden Guard, she said, "Then let’s return to the General Mansion."

"Understood," the Hidden Guard replied respectfully.

A tea’s time later, Zhan Lan arrived at the General Mansion, intending to see her family.

She stepped down from the carriage and entered the courtyard.

"The eldest young lady has returned!"

"Greetings, Princess!"

Some servants greeted her with deference, others with warmth, bowing as they made their salutes.

Zhan Lan nodded lightly at them and spotted Housekeeper Zeng not far away.

Beaming, Housekeeper Zeng remarked, "Oh, Eldest Miss, you’ve returned. Master is entertaining a guest in the main hall!"

"Who has come to our home?" Zhan Lan asked curiously.

"It’s Mr. Xiao, the Minister of the Ministry of Criminal Justice!" Housekeeper Zeng replied cheerfully.

Shaking her head, Zhan Lan smiled. She had gone searching for Xiao Chen, only to find he was at her family’s residence.

Heading toward the main hall, she saw Xiao Chen enjoying wine and food with her father.

At the sight of Zhan Lan’s entry, Xiao Chen instinctively stood. Zhan Lan smiled and asked, "Mr. Xiao, what brings you here?"

Zhan Beicang, in a good mood, chuckled and answered, "Lan’er, you might not know this, but Xiao Chen is the son of your Uncle Xiao Yin!"

Back in his youth, Zhan Beicang and Xiao Yin had been close friends, addressing each other as brothers.

Turning to Zhan Beicang, Zhan Lan offered a courteous bow and respectfully called, "Father."

Zhan Beicang’s eyes turned red at her address. This girl rarely called him that so sincerely.

"Quick, set an extra place for Miss," he instructed the servants.

Looking at the lavish spread on the table, Zhan Lan remarked, "So much delicious food—today, I’m truly in for a treat."

Zhan Beicang clapped Xiao Chen on the shoulder and said with a laugh, "Lan’er, you wouldn’t know, but today is Xiao Chen’s birthday. I specifically invited him over to celebrate. You’ve arrived just in time; we were just about to start."

Zhan Lan suddenly remembered—it was October the first, Xiao Chen’s birthday.

Looking to Zhan Lan, Xiao Chen explained, "Uncle, the Princess and I became acquainted while in the military camps. Did you forget?"

Zhan Beicang chuckled. "Oh, right! Ah, happiness made me forget! Years ago, your father and I agreed that if we had children, we’d arrange a marriage between them. If fate hadn’t played its tricks, you two might have been husband and wife by now!"

Xiao Chen’s dark eyes flicked toward Zhan Lan. For a brief instant, their gazes met, but Xiao Chen quickly looked away, fearing she might uncover the secret buried within his heart.

Zhan Lan had been unaware of this agreement. Were it not for Mu Yan, could she and Xiao Chen have truly become husband and wife?

She dismissed the notion as absurd, never having entertained such thoughts in either of her lifetimes.

Suddenly, a voice rang out from the door, "Father-in-law, why wasn’t I invited to the drinking party?"

Zhan Lan turned to see Mu Yan standing in the doorway. She wasn’t sure if he had overheard Zhan Beicang’s mention of the arranged marriage.

Judging by his pleasant demeanor, he didn’t seem angry.

Seeing Mu Yan, Zhan Beicang, despite not especially warming to his son-in-law, still welcomed him into the family’s celebrations.

"Quick, set a place for our son-in-law as well," Zhan Beicang instructed the servants.

"Yes, Master!"

Xiao Chen remained seated to Zhan Lan’s right, while Mu Yan took the seat to her left.

Glancing at Mu Yan, Xiao Chen greeted, "Greetings, Prince."

Mu Yan gestured lightly. "There’s no need for formality, Mr. Xiao."

Zhan Lan leaned slightly toward Mu Yan and asked in a low voice, "Why are you here?"

"Madam, I came to visit my father-in-law," Mu Yan replied softly.

Zhan Lan didn’t believe his excuse. She shot him a sideways glance and picked up a piece of lotus root, placing it into his bowl.

Mu Yan’s lips curled into a grin. He was particularly fond of Zhan Lan’s initiative.

Yet, was this lotus root a subtle hint from her, implying he harbored schemes within schemes?

Thinking of Xiao Yin’s demise in foreign lands, Zhan Beicang suddenly grew somber and sighed, "Ah, my dear nephew, your father... what a pity..."

Xiao Chen quickly changed the subject, raising his cup. "Uncle, let me toast you!"

The two resumed drinking, while Zhan Lan asked, "Father, how did you know today is Xiao Chen’s birthday?"