Chapter 138: True Identity

The parade ground was dead silent. Everyone was intimidated by the woman’s aura, and none dared to harbor further doubts.

“I merely happened to overhear their private chatter today. If anyone still feels dissatisfied, you may speak your mind before me. A true man should be open and forthright; why resort to gossiping behind one’s back and inciting trouble?” She stood there, her slender frame confronting the crowd. Her plain face remained impassive, yet her presence made beads of cold sweat break out on the men's foreheads.

“Your Highness, please rest assured. As generals and soldiers of the Ji Kingdom, we naturally harbor no disloyal intentions. These two were truly audacious and unworthy of being soldiers of our kingdom. You are right to discipline them on behalf of the King.” Someone immediately stepped forward to declare their stance.

He was a minor official on the grounds, and his words reflected the position of the majority.

“In that case, let today’s matter end here. I will explain it to the King, so there is no need for any of you to dwell on it.” Having said this, she did not linger and left with her attendants.

Not far away, hidden behind the trees, Ling Yin had observed the entire scene clearly. Crouched on a branch, he watched the two soldiers who had been beaten to a pulp but still clung to life. A fierce, murderous glint flashed across his icy face.

When Xue Xue arrived at Ji Wuqing’s tent, it was evident he already knew everything that had transpired at the parade ground.

“Xue’er handled that matter very well.” Before she could speak, Ji Wuqing looked toward her. “You have been wronged. While it may be over for you, it is not over for me.” He walked to her side and pulled her onto the couch.

“What does that mean? I’m not holding a grudge; surely you, the King, aren’t either?” Xue Xue felt a mix of amusement and frustration at his serious tone. “You are the ruler of a nation, after all; they say a prime minister’s heart is vast enough to row a boat.”

“I am no prime minister. Don’t you know that a monarch is the most petty and suspicious of all?” He said this with genuine gravity.

“The most important thing now is to stabilize the military morale and ensure no one with ulterior motives can exploit the situation. Besides, I have already resolved this; you should focus on your own affairs and leave me be.” She would not let such trifles disturb her peace of mind.

Hearing her nonchalant tone, Ji Wuqing smiled. “I understand, my dear.”

Yet, his deep eyes reflected a cold, sharp light as he glanced at the sky outside—a look that sent a shiver down one’s spine.

The next day, she had expected the rumors to fade away. Instead, she received news that both soldiers had died overnight. It was not murder; they were declared to have succumbed to their injuries due to poor physical constitution.

This matter was highly suspicious.

She rested her head on her hand, lost in thought. She knew well that those hundred lashes could not have been fatal. While the soldiers had been insubordinate, they were trained men of the Ji Kingdom with strong constitutions. Furthermore, she had only intended to make an example of them and had not ordered them to be beaten to death.

With this in mind, she instructed Yuzhi, “Bring Ling Yin to me.”

“Yes.” Yuzhi nodded, wondering what was truly going on.

Soon, Ling Yin walked in behind Yuzhi. “You summoned me, Mistress?”

He appeared as calm as ever, like a cold clay figure, indifferent to everything. Yet, only in front of Xue Xue did a hint of something different flicker across his face.

“Sit down,” Xue Xue said, her tone unreadable.

“Yes.” Ling Yin sat as commanded, an unnatural expression crossing his cold, carved features. “Why did you summon me, Mistress?”

“Nothing of great importance. I simply wished to reminisce.” She picked up a chess piece and toyed with it. “You have been with me for quite some time now, Ling Yin. What kind of person do you think I am?” she asked softly, sounding as if she were indeed reminiscing.

“I dare not pass judgment on you, Mistress.” Ling Yin paused, looking at the woman sitting across from him. It felt like a long time since he had been this close to her.

“Sometimes I wonder what kind of person you are,” she continued. “Do you know why I gave you the name Ling Yin? ‘Ling’ for soul, ‘Yin’ for a drifting melody; combined, they signify a new life. But when did you cease to be a cold clay figure? Naturally, you are no longer satisfied with being a mere puppet named Ling Yin.”

“Why do you say that, Mistress?” Ling Yin’s expression shifted.

“I only recently realized something. Can you answer me?” She toyed with the chess piece, her tone profound. “First, tell me why you killed those two men.”

“Why are you so certain it was me? Is the King of Ji not a more likely suspect?”

“No. Ziqing cares about every decision I make, so he would not interfere.” Mentioning Ji Wuqing, her expression softened with unwavering trust. “It was you. Did you think I didn’t sense your presence yesterday? You saw everything clearly at the parade ground.”

“I did it for your sake, Mistress. They were just two loose-lipped soldiers. As the Queen of a nation, why must you be so merciful?” Ling Yin looked at the subtle changes on her face, his own darkening.

“Your words are true. If not for my mercy that day, how would you have been reborn?” She placed the piece on the board and whispered, “I remember your name: Yu Weiqiu.”

Yu Weiqiu—the Marquis of Yu, a man who should have been dead.

Ling Yin’s expression became unpredictable. He stared at Xue Xue in shock, his cold, composed face crumbling.

“You have forgotten, Mistress; I am Ling Yin, not Yu Weiqiu.” He curled his lip, forcing himself to remain calm.

Yet, his eyes never left her face, as if searching for something. After she spoke that name, her expression remained unchanged.

“It seems I guessed correctly. Ling Yin is indeed Yu Weiqiu—the Yu Weiqiu of Yuan Xue, not just a clay figure of Xue Xue.”

Back then, when she had infused that soul into the prepared clay, she hadn't considered who it belonged to. She had only felt the soul’s tenacious will to survive, a will so strong it forced her to perform the soul-capturing ritual. Now, it seemed riddled with questions. It appeared Yu Weiqiu had died that same night, his soul falling into her hands to create the puppet, Ling Yin.

“What are you saying, Mistress? Who is Yu Weiqiu…”

“Stop playing the fool. Tell me, what is your true intent?” She remembered the deep regret he had felt, which had allowed him to bond perfectly with the clay body.

What had made him so regretful? From her fragmentary knowledge, the Marquis of Yu was not a wise ruler; his harem was filled with beauties, and he had remained indifferent even when the Ji Kingdom invaded. Furthermore, her previous incarnation, Yuan Xue, was his legal wife, yet he had driven her to death with a cup of poisoned wine... Was Yuan Xue’s death the catalyst for his rebirth?

She had not fully recovered the memories of Yuan Xue, as that portion had been lost and blurred, and she had had no desire to delve into it.

“You keep speaking of Yuan Xue and Xue Xue; are they not the same person?” Ling Yin seemed to stop pretending.

“Although Yu Weiqiu can be Ling Yin, Ling Yin can never truly become Yu Weiqiu, can he? Since we have all walked our own paths, why not let fate take its course? Why force it?” She didn’t understand what he was clinging to. She also couldn't tell if this was good or bad. Because of Yuan Xue, Dan Ying was caught in a cycle of love and hate for her. Because of Yuan Xue, she had come to know Ling Yin, and he had become far from pure.

“Is it not good for me to stay by your side, Mistress?”

“You are forcing me, Ling Yin,” Xue Xue said. “I will give you one chance. Leave now, and I will not pursue this. But if I ever find you doing anything evil in the future, I will crush you myself.”

Let everything truly return to dust.

“Is the Mistress truly so heartless? Is it for the King of Ji?” His cold face revealed a flash of hurt he could not suppress.

“It is not for anyone. I am simply giving you a way to live.” Perhaps it was Yuan Xue who wanted to give him a chance.

“I owe her a word from the past. Please, Mistress, accept it on her behalf.” Ling Yin stood up, as if preparing to leave. “I treated her poorly back then and always wanted to make amends, but alas, there is no opportunity left...”

Listening to him, Xue Xue felt something was strange; his words seemed to be masking something else.

Then, she quickly covered her nose, but it was already too late...

Her body went limp, and she collapsed, only to be caught by a pair of cold arms. Before she lost consciousness, she felt only a chill...

She had miscalculated one thing: her own naivety.

“Mistress, whether you are Yuan Xue or Xue Xue, you are a solace to me.” He tightened his grip, carrying her away. It seemed his plans would have to be accelerated.

“I will cut off your arms.” However, a sinister voice drifted over, chilling, as if from the depths of hell.

He stared at the figure in Ling Yin’s arms. She looked as though she were merely sleeping, and fortunately, she seemed unharmed.

To take someone right from under his nose—how could he allow it!