Because she, Luo Zhiheng, was never a spineless coward who could only talk the talk but not walk the walk!
Ignoring the fervent gazes of the four chess recorders beside her, Luo Zhiheng wore a mocking smile. She glanced casually at Li Xian'er, who was already dumbfounded, before turning her gaze directly to the chief judge on the judging panel. She made no attempt to hide the smug, arrogant smile on her lips as she watched the chief judge's ashen face. However, her mood was not happy; it was heavy and oppressive.
Why is it that people only realize their mistakes when they've made unforgivable errors and are so ashamed that there's no going back? Didn't she give these people a chance to correct their ways? Didn't she tolerate their rudeness and contempt time and time again? Didn't she smile and offer them kind glances with understanding?
She has!
Time and again, she greeted everyone with a cheerful smile, but all she received in return was merciless abuse and relentless suppression! What had she done wrong? Even if Luo Zhiheng's past life was a bit outrageous, that was her private matter, what did it have to do with these people? Why were they so fixated on her? Why did they have to hurt her with an attitude that seemed intent on driving her to her death? What good did this do them?
If tolerance and forbearance only bring more harm, if waiting and smiling only bring more humiliation, if endless repression and indifference only bring merciless abuse...
Then let me and everything else come to an end in her hands!
Luo Zhiheng will no longer tolerate or forgive. Those who hurt her, humiliated her, schemed against her—all you demons and monsters, come forth! She will use her methods to make your arrogant pride and haughtiness fall from the clouds into the mud! She will use her methods to ensure you never again dare to wantonly curse and mock Luo Zhiheng as a—good-for-nothing!
"You want to reason with me? You say I'm talentless and immoral? Then I'll reason with you. I'll show you, with your short-sighted eyes, what kind of person I, Luo Zhiheng, really am!" Luo Zhiheng pointed at the stiff judge, her loud, clear voice piercing through everyone's eardrums, directly confronting the judge with powerful impact! She directly confronted the entire group!
"Old man, remember this: eating too much salt doesn't necessarily make you knowledgeable and discerning; it could also make you sick of it, leading to exhaustion, failing eyesight, and even death! But you held on. This... is only my first victory. The next one will be the ultimate final, where you'll be completely kicked out of the Mu Dynasty!" Luo Zhiheng was always sharp-tongued, but this time her seemingly casual words carried considerable weight, completely shocking the entire audience!
When this peerless pearl, obscured by worldly affairs, rumors, persecution, and harm from her relatives, finally chooses to reveal her brilliance, even the fiercest storms, gossip, and hardships will no longer be able to obscure her dazzling splendor and world-shaking radiance!
The crowd, stunned by her powerful aura and confident domineering presence, could no longer dismiss Luo Zhiheng's words. Even if they didn't know how Luo Zhiheng would perform tomorrow, at least today she had displayed a groundbreaking and astonishing brilliance.
Luo Ningshuang stared at the chessboard in disbelief. Even she had to admit that the game was incredibly ingenious, but the fact that it was created by Luo Zhiheng was something she simply couldn't accept. She clenched her fists, gritted her teeth, and felt a surge of turmoil within her, because no one knew Luo Zhiheng's capabilities better than she did.
That incompetent Luo Zhiheng would never possess such talent and wisdom! 15458890
Because Luo Zhiheng was practically sculpted by her own hand, growing entirely according to her dark inner self! She was afraid that Luo Zhiheng would live as vibrantly and flamboyantly as in her previous life, living such a joyful and happy life. She was afraid that Luo Zhiheng would still be as wise and talented as in her past life, and she was even more afraid that Luo Zhiheng would live a better life than her!
So in this lifetime, she personally ruined Luo Zhiheng!
When Luo Zhiheng was only two or three years old, Luo Ningshuang began to guide the innocent Luo Ningshuang step by step toward destruction.
She had countless opportunities to kill Luo Zhiheng, but she suppressed her intense resentment and jealousy, waiting for Luo Zhiheng to grow up. Her only goal was to make Luo Zhiheng's death far too easy for her; Luo Zhiheng, who had caused her suffering and neglect in her past life, must live an even more miserable life in this one!
She succeeded, didn't she? Step by step, she guided Luo Zhiheng to dislike studying military strategy, learning arts and crafts, and even cooking and needlework. Once she was in control, she even brought in many obedient people, using her favors to ensure their unwavering loyalty and to help her harm Luo Zhiheng. Finally, she achieved her goal, slowly pushing Luo Zhiheng down a notorious path of no return over the years!
Luo Zhiheng perfectly embodies the saying: utterly useless, uneducated, and lacking in skills. She knew nothing, so why has Luo Zhiheng suddenly become such a skilled chess player?!
Luo Ningshuang was filled with doubt and suspicion, her first thought being whether she had given herself away. No way! Was it just that Luo Zhiheng had gotten lucky by sheer chance? That was the only explanation that made Luo Ningshuang feel a little better. But the thought that Luo Zhiheng's good luck hadn't run out yet filled her with intense jealousy.
She had already defied fate, ruined Luo Zhiheng's life, and destroyed the destined bond between Luo Zhiheng and Xia Beisong. What good fortune could Luo Zhiheng possibly have left? In this life, Luo Zhiheng could only live under her thumb! Luo Ningshuang thought viciously. Only by imagining Luo Zhiheng being completely trampled under her feet, unable to rise again, could she feel any better.
Luo Zhiheng did not delay any longer. The group of people in front of her were nothing but fleeting clouds to her. Only Mu Yunhe was different. Only he was important!
She rushed off the stage without hesitation this time. Her results today were obvious, and this victory was one that no one could refute or resist.
"Luo Zhiheng wins this match!" This time, it wasn't the head judge who announced the result, but the very old man who had witnessed the game firsthand on the stage. His voice was a little hoarse with excitement, but he still couldn't wait to announce the result.
The old man's announcement was not merely a result, but also an attitude—a show of support and respect for the rising stars of the chess world!
This result didn't stop Luo Zhiheng. She walked up to Murong Qianxue with a serious face, only to be met with Murong Qianxue's amazed gaze and praise: "You really are a hidden talent. I thought you were just bragging. My brother loves betting on this stuff. I'm going to take you home; that old man will definitely like it. You won so well, where should we go to celebrate?"
Luo Zhiheng had no time for idle chatter with this young lady. She sneered, "Let's do it another day. I need to hurry back to save my life today. Thank you for helping me capture this person. I'll also need to trouble your people to help me bring him back. I need to think carefully about what kind of fate I should give to someone who has provoked me, offended me, and deceived me."
Her words were sinister, and she herself was both righteous and evil, making her unpredictable. The way she tilted her head, touched her chin, and smiled wickedly was truly chilling.
Murong Qianxue thought Luo Zhiheng looked extremely beautiful, without the arrogance of a daughter getting married, but with the straightforwardness and banditry of a chivalrous person. Seeing this made her feel great: "Okay, we're friends, you can use my people as you please. Just say the word and I'll have them follow you back to kill you and save your life!"
Murong Qianxue would never admit the shock she felt when she heard Luo Zhiheng so openly say she was going home to save her life. What kind of monster must a man be to a woman like Luo Zhiheng value her life so highly?! Moreover, Luo Zhiheng seemed indifferent to Mu Yunhe, but the moment news of Mu Yunhe arrived, Luo Zhiheng completely lost her composure; where was her current calm and ruthlessness?
Is this the legendary love?! Is love about two people valuing each other as if it were their own lives? Mu Yunhe appeared before everyone for Luo Zhiheng, even bringing out his maternal grandparents' home. Luo Zhiheng could lose all reason for Mu Yunhe, declaring ownership and murderous intent in front of tens of thousands of people.
Luo Zhiheng didn't refuse: "Then I'll trouble you. I'll go first."
Luo Zhiheng, sporting that grotesque, multicolored, and terrifying ghost face, strode out of the arena. This time, no one dared to laugh at her or throw rotten eggs at her. They all automatically made way, quickly clearing a path through the dense crowd.
Luo Zhiheng didn't take the carriage. Instead, she grabbed the reins of the messenger's horse, nimbly mounted, turned the horse around with a flourish, shouted, and spurred it forward. She left without hesitation, showing no regret for the prestigious and influential world she had built behind her. 12.
"A woman on horseback? What superb equestrian skills! A woman who is indifferent to fame and fortune, yet she tells me she has her eye on the prize for first place in the competition. Isn't that contradictory?" Murong Qianxue muttered with interest, showing great interest in Luo Zhiheng. She said to the soldiers and servants, "Come on, let's go take a look and cheer on your aunt's new friend!"
The group left, but the entire arena remained in an uproar, solely because Luo Zhiheng's chess game was so beautiful and captivating. Tournament officials quickly arrived and meticulously recorded every move, the order in which the two players played, and even the one move Luo Zhiheng missed. The game was also quickly drawn into a simple yet complete musical score. Luo Zhiheng's chess game was promptly sealed and escorted away by tournament officials.
Seeing this scene, and witnessing the importance and attitude that the person in charge behind the scenes of the competition placed on this game, everyone knew that Luo Zhiheng would be viewed differently by the people behind the scenes of the First Talent Competition!
Even the top judges couldn't do anything about Luo Zhiheng.
This is the benefit and charm of conquering everything with personal strength!
This tournament foreshadows a Go craze, and the black stones that Luo Zhiheng chose, which resembled a dark horse, will become a favorite choice for Go fans worldwide.
It was as if Luo Zhiheng possessed magic. It was precisely because of that statement that Li Xian'er could no longer even cry. She stared blankly at the power of Luo Zhiheng's seemingly casual chess piece, which instantly reversed the situation and rewrote history. She watched as those who had praised her all turned to Luo Zhiheng's chess game. She watched as the participants in the competition worked cautiously, enthusiastically, and meticulously, all because Luo Zhiheng had orchestrated this game. Li Xian'er felt utterly devastated.
After a long while, the proud girl finally couldn't bear the blow and burst into tears. But who would sympathize with her? She needed people's pity and cursed Luo Zhiheng. No one considered the immense pressure and blows Luo Zhiheng had endured before, or the sadness and repression she had felt. Yet, Luo Zhiheng had always managed to overcome it all with a smile.
This is a matter of mindset. If you have a bad mindset and treat failure as a dead end, then you are bound to fail! What's more, those who fail don't reflect on their mistakes and keep complaining and cursing others, which is truly pathetic.
While luck played a part in Luo Zhiheng's success, her ability to face everything with a smile, her composure in the face of adversity, and her efforts to overcome setbacks and failures as challenges on the path to success were all part of her triumph. And that was success! No one can take that success away from her.
Consort Li felt utterly humiliated. Was this the daughter-in-law she had chosen? Losing wasn't hateful, but losing and then daring to cry was. She should have shown some ruthlessness and found a way to kill Luo Zhiheng later. But she didn't have time to care about Li Xian'er right now. She asked Hua Kai, "What did you mean just now?"
Hua Kai recounted the details of the ordeal to Consort Li, whose voice was filled with shock and rage: "What? It failed! Seven Bowls threw out Doctor Liang?! Then why did someone still come to report it?"
Hua Kai, her face full of unease, whispered, "Isn't this just doing what Master said? Finding someone to impersonate her and deliver the message. I didn't expect Luo Zhiheng to not fall for it."
"Damn it! Aren't they saying the older the guy, the more cunning he is? How come Luo Zhiheng is even more cunning than an old fox? It's infuriating! Xian'er was just a hair's breadth away from winning." Consort Li gritted her teeth, suddenly wondering if Doctor Liang would be cornered by Luo Zhiheng? Luo Zhiheng is full of tricks; what if she manages to get information out of Doctor Liang?
"You're more trouble than you're worth! Let's go back to the manor!" Consort Li didn't care about Li Xian'er's life or death and turned to leave quickly.
When Li Xian'er saw her aunt leave, she cried even harder, and even began to hate her aunt who loved her dearly.
Luo Zhiheng galloped along on horseback, but just as she reached her doorstep, she almost couldn't rein in her horse in time and crashed into the coffin covered with a white cloth in front of her!
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139 Empty coffins! Tragic! Survivors!
Updated: 2013-07-02 13:31:27 Word Count: 7659
Luo Zhiheng's face turned as white as those shrouds of the dead almost instantly.
She reined in her horse and looked down at the coffin from its saddle. Several pallbearers stood around, dressed in uniform, but not in the attire of servants of the Prince's mansion. Yet the coffin was brazenly placed at the entrance of the Prince's mansion, leaving Luo Zhiheng no choice but to feel tense and terrified.
The group didn't pay any attention to Luo Zhiheng's appearance. After one of them came out of the palace, he ordered the rest of the people to carry the coffin away.
Luo Zhiheng used a stern tone to conceal her trembling, and whispered, "Wait! Who are you? Who's inside this coffin?"
All four people were stunned for a moment. The man who looked like the manager stepped forward, saw Luo Zhiheng's messy face, and said with disdain and disgust, "Who are you? How dare you interfere in the affairs of the Mu Prince's Mansion? Get out of the way. If you delay the affairs of the Mu Prince's Mansion, you'll lose your head."
"The affairs of the Mu Prince's Mansion? Ha! I'm even more determined to get involved in the affairs of the Mu Prince's Mansion! I really didn't know when these servants of the Mu Prince's Mansion became so arrogant? They even dare to be so blatantly arrogant in front of me? If you don't answer my questions, you'd better watch out for your dog's head!" Luo Zhiheng scolded, pointing at the coffin and saying, "Open it!"
She couldn't just go in like that. The coffin's origins were unknown; she couldn't let it go. What if it was related to Mu Yunhe? When Luo Zhiheng saw the coffin, her heart leaped into her throat, fearing that the awkward man might be lying inside. She was afraid she had truly returned too late.
The group of people's expressions changed. They didn't know who the person in front of them was. They had only mentioned the Mu Prince's residence to avoid trouble, but unexpectedly, they were being pestered by this woman instead. Seeing Luo Zhiheng's tough and arrogant attitude, the steward didn't dare to be too arrogant and could only swallow his anger and say, "This young lady, what is your relationship with the Mu Prince's residence? Perhaps there is some misunderstanding. We are here to see Consort Li. Why don't we ask Consort Li to speak with you?"
Consort Li?
Luo Zhiheng narrowed her eyes, her expression mocking and sarcastic, and said, "Either open the coffin! Or tell me who's lying inside."
Luo Zhiheng should have gone in immediately to confirm if Mu Yunhe was still alive, but she was alone, didn't trust anyone in the palace, and her own people weren't around. There was also a suspicious coffin in front of her, so Luo Zhiheng could only guard what was in front of her and wait for Murong Qianxue's people to arrive.
"How can you be so rude, young lady? My young master is inside the coffin, and the coffin is already nailed shut. How can you be so disrespectful!" The steward was also furious and refused to open the coffin.
His address of "Young Master" made Luo Zhiheng's heart pound. Just then, Murong Qianxue's men arrived, bringing with them the messenger. The wet nurse also returned.
Luo Zhiheng regained her senses and shouted to her wet nurse, "Go back quickly and see if Mu Yunhe is still there! Report back immediately!"
The wet nurse's scalp tingled at the sight of the coffin. Seeing Luo Zhiheng's red eyes and her inaction, she knew that the coffin might contain the young prince. The wet nurse quickly ran towards the prince's residence, refusing to believe that something had really happened to the young prince. As she passed the stewards, she was filled with murderous intent.
"What's going on?" Murong Qianxue rode up and stopped beside Luo Zhiheng, noticing that Luo Zhiheng's expression was somewhat unwell. A glance at the coffin made it clear.
A coffin clearly containing a dead person placed at someone's doorstep would make anyone unhappy. Especially since that coffin might contain Luo Zhiheng's life. No one could afford to be careless.
The two sides were deadlocked, and Luo Zhiheng's heart was almost stopping. The expressions of the people on the coffin side changed when they saw the messenger being brought back. They became more anxious than before, and the steward said coldly with an ugly face, "Is this young lady from the Mu Prince's Mansion? I am just passing by the Mu Prince's Mansion on business. Please be magnanimous and let me pass."
"Passing by on business? That's not what you said earlier! Didn't you say you were from the Mu Prince's Mansion? Besides, would anyone bring a coffin on business? If you're going to make up a lie, at least give me a decent excuse!" Luo Zhiheng said angrily from horseback, her face frosty.
The wet nurse came out quickly, followed by Qi Wan and Xiao Xizi. Qi Wan was disheveled and panting, while Xiao Xizi's arm was bleeding!
Luo Zhiheng's expression changed drastically. The fact that even the few people she could trust had come out proved that Mu Yunhe was really in trouble! Her gaze suddenly fell on the coffin, and her scarlet eyes burst forth with overwhelming murderous intent and rage.
"Master! The young prince is missing!" The wet nurse's voice was strained, her face extremely pale, and she seemed hesitant to speak: "It's related to Physician Liang..."
"Speak! I want to see what kind of trouble this so-called Doctor Liang can cause. Tell me everything." Regarding Doctor Liang, Luo Zhiheng originally planned to find an opportunity to eliminate him after the competition, but since this imposter couldn't hold back anymore, why should she be polite? At worst, she would tear off the mask; she couldn't let Mu Yunhe have such a venomous snake by his side.
The wet nurse immediately spoke openly in front of everyone, saying, "Your Highness may not know this, but this matter did not alarm Your Highness. Previously, Doctor Liang suddenly came to the courtyard to deliver the newly developed medicine to the young prince. Because you instructed Qiwan not to allow Doctor Liang to enter the courtyard and approach the young prince, Doctor Liang actually got angry and tried to barge in, so Qiwan simply threw Doctor Liang away when he tried to barge in."
"What happened after you threw him out? Mu Yunhe didn't see Doctor Liang, so why is he still missing? How did Xiao Xizi get injured?" Luo Zhiheng's voice grew colder and colder.
The wet nurse looked terrible, and Qi Wan couldn't help but burst into tears. Upon closer inspection, Qi Wan also had many wounds on her body! Wounds, how could such clear and neat cuts be made without a sharp blade? Xiao Xizi was still bleeding, all of this was telling Luo Zhiheng that something terrible had happened while she was away from home.
Within the Prince's mansion, a thrilling and bloody battle may very well have taken place!
“This servant cannot explain clearly, but it is true that the young prince is missing. In the chaos just now, Qiwan said that she had been guarding the young prince’s door the whole time, and no one could get in. The group of people who came just now did not come to see the princess. They met with Consort Li’s people, but I don’t know what they talked about. Also, this coffin was indeed carried into the palace before.” The wet nurse summarized the information she had gathered along the way and said.
Although the Prince's mansion was in the hands of Consort Li, not everyone in it was her person, so it was still easy to find out some things that were on the surface.
After entering the coffin in the Prince's mansion, Mu Yunhe was nowhere to be found, and the matter seemed obvious.
Everyone was shocked. Who would dare to be so audacious as to bully the Mu Prince's residence?! Even if Prince Mu was not home, this was still the most prestigious and illustrious royal residence in the Mu Dynasty. Would an ordinary person dare to be so presumptuous?
"Open the coffin!" Luo Zhiheng almost roared.
This time, no one else was needed. With Qi Wan, the strongman, he could split the coffin open by himself. However, there were still six or seven people guarding the coffin. They rebelled against Qi Wan, and at this moment, they no longer used the mask of hypocrisy to disguise themselves, revealing their brutal true colors. Each of them was surprisingly skilled! Zhiheng grinned at Zhou Rong.
Luo Zhiheng's pupils contracted. She had underestimated Consort Li's audacity and ability! She had actually hired assassins?
"What are you all standing there for? Charge!" Murong Qianxue immediately shouted. The soldiers protecting her had no choice but to rush forward.
The scene instantly descended into chaos, filled with the sounds of fighting, the flashing of swords, and blood splattering across the steps of the Mu Prince's mansion. In the midst of the chaos, several people even pulled out knives from under the coffin and engaged in a fierce battle with Murong Qianxue's men.
The wet nurse didn't move, but returned to Luo Zhiheng's side. She looked frail, but at this moment, standing in front of Luo Zhiheng, she exuded a powerful strength that could shield Luo Zhiheng from the wind and rain.
"Anyone who dares to stop the coffin from being opened will be killed without mercy! I, Luo Zhiheng, have no need to leave any survivors!" Luo Zhiheng said in a sinister tone.
Qi Wan became even more enraged. She had never killed anyone before, but she was incredibly strong. Fueled by anger and guilt for failing Luo Zhiheng's orders, and influenced by Luo Zhiheng's commands, Qi Wan's actions were surprisingly ruthless. Perhaps she was simply too naive, too reliant on and trusting of Luo Zhiheng, so she never considered Luo Zhiheng's words, only acting on them.