After the rewards were awarded, Ying Zheng held a banquet to welcome Wang Jian and all the generals.
While the ministers were drinking and celebrating, some were frowning.
In Huayang Palace.
"Alas!" Mrs. Huayang sighed for the first time.
"The King and Queen Mother don't have to worry too much." Changping Jun comforted her.
Lord Changping was not very interested in the celebration banquet. He just had a few bites and then came to Huayang Palace.
"You really have the spirit of exterminating relatives for justice." Mrs. Huayang said angrily.
"Alas!" Lord Changping also sighed, "Then what do the Queen Mother tell me to do? Isn't it possible for me to follow Cheng Xi and cause mischief?"
"This..." Mrs. Huayang was speechless.
"The matter is obvious. Cheng Yu was deceived by Fan Yuqi." Changping Jun said, "The only choice at that time was to reduce the losses of the soldiers and help Cheng Yu reduce his crime as much as possible. As for the final decision, then It all depends on the king’s decision.”
"How did the king react in the court today?" Mrs. Huayang asked urgently.
"The king seemed very angry at first, but in the end he just said that he should be thrown into the sky prison first and that he would deal with it after the wedding."
"So, Cheng Yu has been imprisoned in the heavenly prison." Mrs. Huayang asked.
"It should have been locked up." Changping Jun said.
At this time, a palace maid walked in from outside the door and bowed gently: "To the Queen Mother, Mrs. Xia asks to see you."
Mrs. Huayang was slightly surprised, and then said: "Please come quickly."
The maid turned around and invited Mrs. Xia to come in.
"I have met the Queen Mother." Mrs. Xia said with a gentle salute.
"How come my sister is so polite?" Mrs. Huayang squeezed out a smile from the corner of her mouth and reached out to help Mrs. Xia.
"Ying Fu has met the Queen Mother." Ying Fu, who was next to Mrs. Xia, raised his hands in greeting.
Mrs. Huayang nodded slightly in return.
"Mrs. Xia." Mr. Changping also raised his hand in greeting.
Mrs. Xia also nodded to Mr. Changping.
Since her bloody acquaintance with Ying Zheng, Mrs. Xia's status has been increasing day by day, and the entire Qin State also knows that Ying Zheng has such a biological grandmother.
After exchanging polite words, Mrs. Huayang invited Mrs. Xia to her seat.
"My sister came here this time, presumably because she has something to do with me." Mrs. Huayang had already vaguely guessed the purpose of Mrs. Xia's visit.
"Exactly." Mrs. Xia said calmly, "I came here this time to ask my sister for something."
"What is it?" Mrs. Huayang said, "As long as I can do it, it doesn't matter if you say it."
"I heard that Cheng Jiao was brought back." Mrs. Xia still looked calm, "I want to see him."
After all, Mrs. Xia does not have Mrs. Huayang's status and connections. It is not easy to meet the prisoners in the sky prison.
"You are Cheng Jiao's biological grandmother, but Cheng Jiao doesn't know about this. Speaking of which, I feel a little ashamed." Mrs. Huayang said.
Mrs. Xia, however, acted very relaxed: "It's all an old thing. Besides, it's all a matter of etiquette. It's no one's fault."
"I know that now that you see their brothers fighting, you will definitely feel unhappy." Mrs. Huayang said, "I am not the same."
"Since they were born into an emperor's family, maybe this is their fate." Mrs. Xia said, "I have seen through it a long time ago, but as for you, sister, you still seem to be worried."
"Alas..." Mrs. Huayang sighed softly, "Although this child Chengjiao is of your flesh and blood, he also has Mi's blood flowing in his body. He grew up next to me since he was a child, and now he has entered the How can I not be sad for this great disaster?"
"Now that the matter has come to this, I hope my sister will take care of herself and don't think too much about her," Mrs. Xia said.
Seeing Mrs. Xia being so calm, Mrs. Huayang also became calmer and said, "My sister wants to meet Cheng Jiao, does she want to get to know him?"
But Mrs. Xia shook her head and said: "Whether we recognize him or not, it can't change his fate, and it will only increase his resentment. I just want to take a closer look at what he looks like, and it's just a matter of worry."
"Okay." Mrs. Huayang said, "Originally, I was still hesitating whether to go to Tianlao to visit. Now it seems that even if Zheng'er loses his temper, we still have to go."
"Sister, you are worrying too much. Zheng'er won't do it," Mrs. Xia said.
Mrs. Huayang nodded, then sent two young eunuchs, took a token, and went to make arrangements first.
The so-called sky prison is a place where kings and relatives are imprisoned, so it is not as dark and cold as ordinary cells, giving people a gloomy feeling.
Except for the iron bars that separate the cells, most of the rest are made of wood.
Wooden floors, wooden beds, and wooden washbasins and toilets. The bedding is not so damp and feels very dry.
Cheng Jiao has washed her body and tied her hair up, and she has returned to her handsome appearance, but her eyes are still lifeless.
Mrs. Huayang, Mrs. Xia, Lord Changping and Ying Fu entered the prison and were led by the jailer to the cell where Cheng Jiao was held.
Mrs. Huayang originally thought that after Cheng Jiao saw her, he would immediately rush to her, cry or ask for help.
Unexpectedly, Cheng Jiao just said calmly: "Grandma Wang."
After that, there was no more words or any expression.
"Cheng Jiao, what's wrong with you?" Mrs. Huayang asked, puzzled by Cheng Jiao's unusual reaction.
"It's nothing, Grandma Wang." Cheng Jiao stood up slowly, "Come in and sit down."
The jailer opened the cell door and several people filed in.
Mrs. Xia looked at Cheng Jiao silently, not surprised by Cheng Jiao's condition.
Changping Jun said: "Chengjiao, is it because you can't accept the gap from prince to prisoner?"
Cheng Jiao shook her head: "My life is almost gone, so being imprisoned doesn't matter."
"Is that because you resent Fan Yuqi?" Mrs. Huayang asked.
Cheng Jiao smiled bitterly and said: "I should indeed hate him, because he is the person I trust the most, but he plays with me. But what can resentment solve, can we take revenge?"
"You can't forgive yourself for your stupidity, right?" Changping Jun asked again.
Cheng Jiao said calmly: "Maybe, but it's not important anymore."
There is no greater sorrow than the death of one's heart.
What Cheng Jiao was destroyed was the belief she insisted on, but the person who did it was the person he trusted the most and was regarded as a master like a father.
"If we jointly petition to protect you from death, can you cheer up?" Mrs. Huayang asked again.
Cheng Jiao still looked at Mrs. Huayang with a dull look: "If this is the case, my life will be worse than death."
Mrs. Huayang couldn't help but shed two lines of tears.
As an elder, the last thing you want to see is for your younger generation to fail, but Cheng Jiao doesn't even have the desire to survive.
Mr. Changping looked at Mrs. Xia.
Mrs. Xia kept staring at Cheng Jiao, but her mood seemed to have changed, and she seemed to be considering whether to use family affection to awaken Cheng Jiao's desire to survive.
After thinking again and again, Mrs. Xia finally did not speak and looked away from Cheng Jiao.
When Mr. Changping saw Mrs. Xia's reaction, he just shook his head gently.
"Think calmly." Changping Jun said, "You still have a lot of time to think. If you figure something out, let your uncle know."
Cheng Jiao nodded and said nothing.
"Let's go and let him have a good rest. Maybe he's scared too." Changping Jun said.
Mrs. Huayang nodded and walked out of the cell reluctantly, looking back from time to time.
Mrs. Xia also looked back and left the prison with some reluctance.
It wasn't until everyone disappeared from sight that Cheng Jiao shed two hot tears in her eyes.
Early the next morning, the jailer delivered meals.
This is a very sumptuous breakfast, no worse than the royal meal in the palace, and there is even an extra jug of wine.
When Chenglong saw it, he smiled bitterly and started eating.
The sumptuous meal seemed to indicate something, but Cheng Xi didn't care at all.
After they were full of wine and food, the jailer put away the dishes and chopsticks.
There were footsteps outside the cell.
Ying Zheng came, Zhao Gao followed.
When Cheng Yu saw Ying Zheng, he was not as indifferent as when he saw Mrs. Huayang yesterday. Instead, he took the initiative and said, "Brother Wang is here."
Ying Zheng nodded, ordered the jailer to open the door of the cell, and took Zhao Gao into the cell.
"How was your rest?" Ying Zheng asked.
"Very good, very practical." Cheng Yu replied.
Ying Zheng was a little surprised by Cheng Xi's answer, so he asked: "Your condition was not very good yesterday. Why did you suddenly become more stable?"
Cheng Yu smiled slightly: "After I have figured out some things, I will naturally feel at ease."
"What do you want to understand?" Ying Zheng asked curiously.
Cheng Xi breathed a long sigh of relief and said: "Brother Wang, you know Cheng Xi, I am not someone who likes to fight for power. Since I was a child, I have longed to wear iron armor, fight on the battlefield, and be able to open up territory and make contributions to the Qin Dynasty. "
Ying Zheng did not interrupt Cheng Xi and listened to his story quietly.
"And all along, I thought it was a desire for success and fame. It wasn't until the moment I sat in the cage that I realized that these desires stem from my love for the Ying family and my belief in making Great Qin stronger. .”
"The reason why I raised the army was not to rebel, but because I really believed Fan Yuqi's words and couldn't bear the Qin Dynasty falling into the hands of foreigners. If my brother has really been coveting the throne for a long time, he will definitely make a careful plan , and would not act so hastily.”
Ying Zheng: "..."
"After my brother learned that Brother Wang had proved his bloodline by shedding blood, I felt at ease. Because the throne of Great Qin will not be left behind after all."
"Afterwards, the reason why I was so panic-stricken was actually because I was thinking about how to make up for the losses I had caused to Great Qin due to my stupidity."
Ying Zheng stared at Cheng Xi and asked, "Then do you want to know what to do?"
"My brother, I only have one chance to die." Cheng Yu said decisively.
Ying Zheng: "!!??"
"What my brother is referring to is not to die in apology. If I flee to Zhao, I will definitely be used by someone with ulterior motives in the future and become a puppet to counterattack Qin. If I seek refuge in the DPRK and survive, it will definitely destabilize the DPRK. , causing all the ministers to shake their faith in Brother Wang and Great Qin. Even if other countries do not take advantage of the situation and invade at this time, Brother Wang’s future battles will definitely be twice as difficult due to the disunity of people’s hearts." Cheng Xi said. The tone was very sincere.
Ying Zheng's face was solemn. He originally thought that Cheng Yu had given up all hope, but he did not expect that Cheng Yu was so thoughtful and caring about the overall situation.
"So, Cheng Yu is willing to die, to uphold the law and discipline, to frighten the powerful ministers, and to help Brother Wang take over the royal power as soon as possible, so as to ensure that the Ying clan is forever strong. If one day, Brother Wang can sweep away the six kingdoms and pacify the world, Cheng Yu will be in the underworld. Then it can be regarded as getting what you wanted.”
Ying Zheng was violently moved, tears accumulated in his eyes and were about to roll down.
This is Cheng Xi, an eighteen-year-old boy, but he still understands the general situation like this when he is helpless and desperate.
And he could only say these words to Ying Zheng. This is why he is completely different from the person he was yesterday.
"Since you have considered it so carefully, I can only follow your words." Ying Zheng held back his tears and said, "If you have any unfulfilled wishes, please tell me."
"Cheng Xi hopes that Brother Wang will give him a foot of white silk, and I want to write some heartfelt words to warn future generations." Cheng Xi said.
Ying Zheng nodded slightly and said, "Is there more?"
Cheng Xiu slowly shook his head, then stood up and knelt down: "Cheng Xiu bids farewell to Brother Wang, and leaves the legacy of the Ying family to Brother Wang."
Ying Zheng turned around, tears streaming down his lips uncontrollably, and then left the prison without looking back, not wanting Cheng Yu to see his vulnerable side.
Cheng Yu looked at Ying Zheng's leaving figure with complicated eyes.
Two hours later, a footlong white silk swayed on the beam.
He became a dragon and hanged himself.
