211: Chapter 211 Snowflakes Falling All Over the Sky to Send One Person Off

She slowly released her grip on Jiang Li's hand.

She turned around.

She looked at the dense crowd of soldiers and civilians before her—those who had followed her all along, their foreheads bound with mourning white, kneeling in solemn reverence.

Everything Queen Jiang had said was proven true at this moment.

They, too, were part of Su Chen's plan.

In the eyes of the Xiqi people, they were the meritorious subjects who had followed her today to "slay the tyrant."

With this plan completed, the identities of these Yin Shang Dynasty soldiers and civilians had been cleared.

The Xiqi people, who always championed benevolent governance, would naturally not make things difficult for them in the future.

Whether these soldiers and civilians chose to follow Queen Jiang to Jiang State or remain in Zhaoge later on,

they would no longer face the slightest harassment.

Yet, at this moment, there was not a trace of joy on their faces at having shed the status of condemned subjects.

There was only bottomless sorrow.

Their gazes passed over her and fixed upon that sea of fire.

In their eyes was undisguised...

Loyalty.

Remorse.

And farewell.

They...

They had indeed known all along...

So...

She was the only one.

She had been kept in the dark all along.

Pushed by her husband, with the gentlest of lies, onto the altar of "regicide" with his own hands.

By killing her own lover with her own hands, she had washed away all her sins.

And he had even made her believe that she was fighting for their future together.

"Hah... hah hah..."

A strange sound emanated from Su Daji's throat.

That pair of fox-like eyes turned a dangerous blood-red in an instant.

She wanted to laugh, but her tears rushed out uncontrollably first.

She retreated, stumbling until her back struck the cold well rim, and she barely managed to steady herself.

She tilted her head back and gazed at the burning sky.

"Haha... Hahaha... Su Chen!"

"My good King! My good husband!"

"You schemed your whole life, calculated everyone's psychology, and paved the way for everyone."

"Truly... a magnificent scheme!"

"Since you are so good at planning... why is it that in all your plans, there is no place for yourself?"

"And why didn't you calculate... what would become of me if you truly left?"

Su Daji appeared as if driven mad.

"What is even more hateful is..."

"You actually said you would come out, that we would be fine, that I would get my wish..."

"You lied to me, you lied to me from beginning to end."

As she spoke, her voice choked up without her realizing it.

"My King... do you remember?"

"I once told you."

"One should only tell lies on snowy days; otherwise, the gods will punish you."

"...But today, it is not snowing!"

"How could you tell such a huge lie when it is not snowing?!"

"How could you... how could you..."

She looked up, as if she had seen something.

Her laughter stopped abruptly.

Because, at this very moment.

In the direction of the Star-Plucking Tower.

The wooden structure, burning to its limit, finally collapsed and crumbled completely with a deafening roar.

Countless burning beams, rubble, and scrolls.

Fragments turned to ash within the monstrous flames.

A powerful wave of heat, mixed with thick smoke and these grayish-white particles,

shot into the sky like a volcanic eruption.

Then, caught by the cold wind high above, it scattered and drifted down.

It was as if a heavy snow had fallen.

Su Daji was stunned.

Listening to the kowtowing and wailing of the soldiers and civilians behind her.

Gazing at Queen Jiang, whose long hair was already covered in white "snow," yet who remained motionless before her.

In the air that was trembling, swept by the heatwave.

Those grayish-white particles fell, trembling and drifting askew.

That was not snow.

It was the ash produced by the burning of paper and wood.

Mixed with the stone dust and debris of the building itself.

Yet they.

Were so white, so light, so numerous.

Falling in rustles, illuminated by the twilight and the firelight.

Enveloping half of Zhaoge City, and enveloping this secluded courtyard as well.

One of them.

Landed right on Su Daji's tear-blurred eyes.

This grand and mournful snow.

Unlike ordinary, cold snowflakes.

It was scorching, carrying the scent of death and char.

Su Daji reached out, dazed.

Catching a falling "snowflake."

Watching it curl up and vanish in her palm.

Leaving behind a smudge of dirty black.

"...So that was it."

She murmured to herself.

"My King, you still remembered what I said to you."

"To tell this lie..."

"You even specially..."

"Made this 'snow' fall?"

She remembered long ago, on the top of the Star-Plucking Tower.

Su Chen held her, gazing at the galaxy above.

He had recited a line of poetry she didn't understand but felt was incredibly beautiful and sad.

"If we walk together in the snow, it counts as growing old together in this life."

At that time, Su Daji, clearly not understanding, had pretended to understand.

She smiled gently and snuggled into Su Chen's arms.

Looking at his bewitchingly handsome face.

"My King... what does this poem mean?"

At that time, Su Chen only ruffled her hair.

"You will understand later..."

After saying that, he gently stood up.

"Demon Concubine Su Daji..."

"If one day I, your King, truly have to leave."

"I hope... that the scene when I leave."

"Will be."

"Snow filling the sky to see one person off..."

That snow from that year, which she had only half-understood.

Had finally fallen into her grief-stricken eyes today.

So dry, so stinging.

She suddenly turned her head sharply and looked at Queen Jiang.

"Sister Jiang, you have many ways, and you have always been helping the King complete his secret plans."

"You know, don't you?"

"Does the King still have a backup plan?"

"Is he faking his death?"

"He is so smart; there must be more..."

Her voice cut off the moment she saw Jiang Li's actions.

Jiang Li had, at some point, silently untied the jade sash at her waist that represented her status as Queen.

She placed it gently on the well rim.

Then, she turned around.

No longer looking at Su Daji, nor at the soldiers and civilians kneeling in the courtyard.

She took a step, then another.

Walking towards the outside of the courtyard.

The direction.

Was precisely inside Zhaoge City.

Towards the ruins of the Star-Plucking Tower, which was still burning fiercely and had become a giant torch.

"Sister Jiang, answer me!"

"Where are you going?!"

Unable to care about her grief, Su Daji felt a sudden jolt in her heart.

She stumbled in pursuit, wanting to grab Jiang Li.

Jiang Li's footsteps continued, yet she did not look back.

She only turned her face slightly.

"I... I am naturally going where I should go."

"Sister Su, you do not need to follow."

She glanced with some mournfulness at the fire, which would soon die out completely for lack of fuel.

"I know your cultivation is heaven-defying; do not stop me."

"The timing... is about to end."

Hearing this, Su Daji was somewhat anxious.

"What do you mean by where you should go?!"

"That is a fire!"

"What are you doing going there?!"

In a flash, Su Daji had blocked her path, saying urgently.

"The King... the King is already gone; you cannot have another accident!"

"Aren't the people from Jiang State coming to meet us? And there are so many Zhaoge soldiers and civilians waiting for us."