CHAPTER 401: CHAPTER 398 EXECUTION

The corpses of Yang Wu and his servant were sent by the government officials to the barren hills outside the city. With the weather so cold, it was really hard to dig, so the officials dug just one deep pit, tossed the bodies in, and then hastily buried them with some dirt.

"Why go through all this trouble?" complained the panting official, "If you ask me, just pile them there. There are plenty of prisoners in the prison that need to be dealt with anyway; bury them all together when the time comes."

"At least she once was a Commandery Princess. If the wild wolves drag her away, we’ll all be reprimanded."

In the 17th year of Daqi Yuanping, too many things happened, leading to the Ministry of Justice Prison being extremely busy, still handling prisoners even by the year’s end.

The Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Justice stayed up night after night confirming Xiao Xingzong’s crimes, and managed to have Xiao Xingzong executed in the bustling market before the arrival of Yuanping’s 18th year.

On that day, the marketplace was full of noise. Xiao Xingzong barely lifted his head to look at the figures in front of him. After he went to Great Liao, he hadn’t seen such a scene for many years. Everyone was jostling, just to catch a glimpse of him.

Xiao Xingzong was momentarily dazed, recalling how in his youth he would accompany his father on campaigns. After victorious battles, returning to the city was just like this, with women among the crowd smiling at him. When he turned his head, they would shyly cover their faces.

At that time, he was still naive, thinking that nothing could be more joyous. Being young was wonderful; no troubles, easily contented, giving your heart just a little, and it would be satisfied.

How did he end up on this path?

In the court, there was both overt and covert infighting. Initially, it was for self-preservation, but later, feeling unsatisfied, he started scheming for his own family. After Prince Guangyang’s death, his father, filled with guilt, died in battle. Shortly after, his mother also passed away. He watched the new emperor ascend the throne. Thinking of the new emperor’s methods, he understood even more what it meant to win or lose a power struggle.

He followed this path all the way to the present.

In the crowd, Xiao Xingzong saw a familiar face; it was Song Xian.

Beside Song Xian was Prince Guangyang’s granddaughter.

The officials began reading out Xiao Xingzong’s crimes, and voices of curses arose.

But Xiao Xingzong kept a close watch on Song Xian and Xie Liangchen. His throat had been filled with hot oil, rendering him unable to make any sound, yet he still smiled silently.

He still had no regrets. He had merely lost for now. The one sitting on the throne might not necessarily win in the end. Perhaps Emperor Yuanping’s outcome wouldn’t be better than his current one.

The Ghost Head Saber was raised, and Xiao Xingzong’s head fell, followed by cheers from the surroundings.

Xiao Xingzong was dead; next were Cai Rong and the generals who rebelled under his command.

Song Yu watched as the number of prisoners in the cells dwindled. Ever since Xiao Xingzong was the first to be executed, prisoners were sentenced and executed daily.

Every time a government official approached his cell, Song Yu couldn’t help but tremble. Such terrifying days were even more unbearable than being killed right away.

Song Yu wanted an end yet dreaded its arrival. He couldn’t eat, and at night sleep was elusive as if he would break down at any moment.

"Why...is the smell in this cell getting stronger? Did someone pee themselves in fear?"

"Isn’t this Song Jiedu’s second brother?"

"Don’t worry, it’s not your turn yet. Whether or not we’re next, even we don’t know."

When Song Yu felt he had gone mad, Song Qizheng finally sent someone to check on him. The old steward brought the message: "Madam is gone, passed away in the prison, Second Master must hang on."

His mother was dead, his third brother too, leaving only him. The fear that had long weighed on his heart surged forth; Song Yu desperately pulled at the wooden bars of the cell, continuously banging his head like he had gone insane, shouting and screaming, attracting prison officers who bound him and threw him in the corner.

Song Yu didn’t die in the end, but was sentenced to exile, to be escorted on the road after the new year.

...

Xie Shao Yuan, Xie Liangchen, and Old Mrs. Chen still spent the New Year in the Capital.

During a banquet in the palace, Xie Liangchen followed the women into the feast. After the Book Collection Pavilion incident, Xie Liangchen was even more cautious, going in and out with the ladies. When Empress Xu wanted to keep her in the palace longer, she declined, citing her unwellness as an excuse.

Empress Xu did not insist, gifting some snacks and then letting Xie Liangchen leave the palace.

"That’s all you said?" Mrs. Gao asked, "Did Her Majesty say anything else?"

Xie Liangchen replied, "No, she just told me to go home and rest well."

Mrs. Gao felt that Miss Chen was becoming more formidable, even daring to refuse the Empress. If it were her, she’d probably be like a chick facing a yellow fox.

Xie Liangchen laughed and said, "There are so many matters in the palace; the Empress can’t concern herself with me. Her saying that is just a formality." Currently, Prince Lu and Prince Qi each have two sons in the palace; Empress Xu’s attention is on these four children, needing to select two to stay in the palace and be raised before Prince Lu and Prince Qi return to their territories.

With the previous exposure of Xiao Xingzong’s framing of Song Xian’s case, the Emperor also had to deal with his two younger brothers, this period making things a bit easier for them and Song Xian.

Chen Zigeng said, "With so many matters in the palace, should we take this opportunity to return to Zhenzhou?"

Xie Liangchen nodded.

This news brought more joy than any other.

"And what about Brother?" Chen Zigeng asked, "Will Brother be going with us?"

Xie Liangchen looked at Xie Shao Yuan, "It should be about time."

The Central Secretariat had already issued a document, and the first batch of officials heading to the eight states were to take office soon. Although there were still many vacancies yet to be filled and some matters that could not be resolved immediately, as the Military Governors overseeing the Eight States, Song Xian and Du Zhuo needed to return sooner to handle official duties.

Mrs. Gao said, "Now I won’t have to open up my packed bags again."

Before leaving, Xie Liangchen still had to visit the Li Family to see Meng Changshu and the others. During this period, they’ve often been together, and the sudden separation left her feeling reluctant.

Chen Zigeng looked outside and said, "I wonder if Brother will be coming back tonight."

Ever since Song Xian got injured, he would occasionally come to stay at the Xie Family. During New Year, he used the excuse of the Song Family residence being cold and lonely to come over for the bustling atmosphere.

If Song Xian truly feared loneliness, he wouldn’t spend all his time in the army, only returning home a few times a year. Everyone saw through it but chose not to speak.

Later in the evening, Song Xian indeed returned, bringing snacks for Chen Zigeng and small dishes from a restaurant, planning to chat in the study with Xie Shao Yuan, Chen Yongsheng, and Chen Yongyi.

He also brought back news that Old Mrs. Chen most wanted to hear: "Traveling north, although there is some snow on the official roads, it doesn’t delay carriages and horses. As long as there is no heavy snow along the way, the return to Chen Family Village will be smooth."

Old Mrs. Chen smiled and said, "The coming days are uncertain, we can only hope it won’t snow. If it were in Zhenzhou, perhaps the Kitchen God could send me a dream, but being outside brings so much inconvenience."

Mrs. Gao laughed and said, "Auntie, there is a stove here too; shall you go and ask?"

"No need," Old Mrs. Chen said, "The distance is so far, the Kitchen God can’t hear clearly. If there’s a misunderstanding that leads to a heavy snowfall, that would be troublesome."

Mrs. Gao replied, "I forgot, your family’s Kitchen God is still guarding Chen Family Village and can’t reach here."

The room filled with laughter. Song Xian watched Xie Liangchen by the candlelight, her smile seemed even warmer.

After everyone finished talking, Song Xian finally found an opportunity to speak alone with Xie Liangchen: "This time, we can really go back. Du Zhuo is also preparing to set off."

Song Xian and Du Zhuo found a small house in the capital, discussing matters secretly for an hour.

Thinking about that situation, with Song Xian and Du Zhuo planning in the little house, they conversed privately for an hour.

Xie Liangchen mused on that situation as well.

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