Journey to the West: Conquering the Demons

In his agitated mood, Wen Cheng no longer wanted to remain silent to avoid arousing Wen Jiao's suspicion. She blurted out, asking questions one after another: "The fabrics used in your clothes may not be affordable for ordinary people, so why do you all have them?"

"The Queen has decreed that even slaves can keep half of their harvest. The caravans from the east are bringing in so much cloth, if everyone saves a little, they can certainly buy some warm, strong cloth."

"Where do all your oxen come from? There are so many oxen that even if we empty Gabu's treasure house, there won't be enough."

"It was Queen Ha Xiang who used Yaksha magic to make the wild buffalo herd lose their way and run into the trap set by the guards. The trainer then trained them for a month before bringing us the precious oxen. Every spring, the queen holds a bull hunting meeting and gives the hunted cattle to ministers, common people and our royal slaves. Now our lives are no worse than those of ordinary people outside, except for one level of status."

"In the past, we didn't even dare to walk on the main road. We could only hide in the corners, fearing that we would be executed if we stepped on the shadow of the nobles. Now we can sit and talk with the queen, princes and princesses. This is a wonderful thing that we never dared to dream of before!"

"By the way, the queen also said that if our men can make military achievements, she will raise our family to civilians. Everyone is rushing to get their sons to join the army. Guardian gods, please bless my two sons who are joining the army. I hope they can make meritorious deeds and come back. Whether our whole family can hold their heads high depends on their performance." As the old man said this, he put his hands together at his forehead and prayed devoutly.

Wencheng bit her lips tightly, the doubts in her heart had never been so clear as at this moment. She realized that not only she and the king were forgotten by the people, but even if her children regrouped and fought back, the title of "traitor" could not be pinned on Queen Haxiang. After all, who would still miss the sweetness of two drops of dew after drinking a cup of honey?

The era of herself and the king as a wise ruler and virtuous concubine that supported her through eight years of confinement is completely over.

She stood up suddenly, covered her face and ran out, because if she was late, everyone would see her tears bursting out.

The old man who was chatting with her was startled: "What's wrong with this lady?"

Wen Jiao put down the milk tea bowl: "She needs to be quiet."

Since she dared to bring Wen Cheng out, she was not afraid that she would escape. After thirteen years of hard training, there was no one in this world who could beat her, let alone kidnap a living person under her nose. Didn't you see that she didn't even bother to bring a guard when she came out?

The farmers gradually dispersed, but Wen Cheng was still standing there. From Wen Jiao's perspective, she could only see her slender back. She was wearing a lake blue dress today, and at this moment, the boundless green grassland seemed to be drowning this bit of lake blue.

Just like her frustrated youth and her endless future with no way out.

"Queen, please kill me," she said, choking with sobs.

"You beg me to kill you?" Wen Jiao was surprised.

Wen Cheng turned his back to her: "I should have ascended eight years ago, right?"

Wen Jiao drank the remaining wine in the bowl, brushed off the dust on her body, stood up and walked to her side, standing shoulder to shoulder with her: "But I didn't let you ascend half a year ago, and you survived for eight years. Don't tell me that you survived so hard just to let me execute you?"

"I did it for..." Wen Cheng was determined to die, so she spoke without hesitation, but Wen Jiao interrupted her: "I know you are waiting for your son. The eldest son of the former king escaped under the protection of loyal retainers. If he doesn't learn the skills hard and come back to save his father and mother, he will be unworthy of this bloodline."

Wen Cheng did not deny it, but his voice was clear and faint, like a firefly chilled by the moonlight, and he was extremely lonely: "But now, the people of Manzagang no longer need the remnants of the former king seeking revenge."

Even if Leba comes back, even if he really succeeds in clearing the roots, can he bring the people the same good days as when Wen Jiao ruled?

There is a high probability that he cannot do it, and if he cannot do it, what will his status be in the eyes of future generations?

He is just a despicable regicide, cruel and incompetent traitor.

Give up, give up, an old person like you should disappear along with the not-so-beautiful old times.

Rather than suffering from this wishful thinking of restoration, it would be better for her to be buried alive. At least she could still preserve her dignity.

Wen Jiao looked at her sideways. The girl in her memory who was as delicate as a young leaf and a flower bud had been tempered into a calm and dignified aura like the water in a deep lake during the eight years of imprisonment. However, at this moment, this calm aura was also shattered by her tyrannical suppression, revealing the deep hopelessness inside.

She couldn't help but wonder how the girl in history who married far away in the snowy region survived this hopeless and lonely life in the strong wind of the plateau after losing her husband?

She thought deeply and said, "Zhuowasam, I will ask you a question. You must swear on the lives of the king and your two children to answer truthfully."

Wen Cheng's eyes trembled slightly, like a feather hitting the water. Even though she had the will to die, such a vow was still too heavy for her.

"If you were a dakini, and you gave up the leisure and freedom of heaven and chose to come down to earth, becoming a mortal destined to experience the sufferings of birth, old age, sickness and death, would you make such a sacrifice for the purpose of assisting a king to become a wise and virtuous monarch, or for the well-being of a country?" Wen Jiao asked.

"Of course it's for the welfare of a country," Wen Cheng blurted out, "Assisting the king is just a means to seek the welfare of the people." After saying that, she was slightly startled, vaguely feeling that Wen Jiao was hinting at something, but she couldn't figure it out clearly.

"Assisting the king is just a means to seek welfare for the people!" Wen Jiao clapped her hands and laughed, "Just now you said you wanted me to kill you, I was really afraid that you were a fool with only the words chastity and loyalty in your mind."

Wencheng was annoyed by her laughter: "Queen, what do you mean?"

Wen Jiao took a step towards her with a scorching gaze, which frightened Wen Cheng so much that he involuntarily took a step back to distance himself.

"I'm thinking, since in your eyes, assisting the king is just a means to seek welfare for the people, it doesn't matter who the king is. Why don't you assist me?" She laughed and smoothed her braids that were blown by the wind with her backhand.

Unlike Wencheng, who was in the prime of youth, Haxiang was the same age as the king, and now she was in her forties. She had been toiling for years, and had been on patrols and training troops from time to time. She had aged a lot, and her braids were mixed with fine silver threads. But she was in high spirits, and had her own beauty of high spirits.

"I don't even need you to bear children for me. It saves me so much trouble."