The winter morning in Lingyang City was just like any other.
But today, Caishikou, a corner of Beijing, is somewhat unusual.
In the center of the execution ground, the entire Song family, numbering several hundred, all dressed in prison clothes, their knees covered in dust, knelt on the ground in a posture of near despair.
Their shadows stretched long in the morning light, while the cold wind howled from the north, carrying a biting chill that stung their faces.
Kneeling on the far left is Song Chong, who retired from the Imperial Medical Academy many years ago and is also Song Jin's grandfather. As the head of the family, his face is pale but resolute. Despite being imprisoned, he still stands tall with his eyes fixed straight ahead.
All around were guards armed with weapons, who stood in a circle with expressionless faces, constantly watching the surroundings and on alert for any possible attempt to storm the execution ground.
The executioners, holding gleaming, ghost-headed broadswords, stood beside the Song family prisoners, their cold gazes devoid of any emotion.
Across from Caishikou, in a teahouse facing the street, a veiled woman coldly observed everything.
Downstairs, the executioner cleared his throat and said:
"The entire Song family is guilty of unforgivable crimes and shall be executed immediately!"
With that command, the executioner's blade swung down fiercely, the first head rolling to the ground, blood gushing out and staining the cold earth red. Then came the second, the third… the stench of blood in the air grew stronger and stronger, nauseating.
With the last head falling to the ground, the fate of the entire Song family came to an end.
The few onlookers gradually dispersed, leaving only bloodstains on the ground.
Suddenly, large, feather-like snowflakes began to fall from the cold, dry sky.
The snow silently covered this blood-soaked land, gently burying all the sins and sorrows.
Ang Lee and the veiled woman walked step by step through the fine snowflakes toward the center of the execution ground, where no one dared to approach anymore.
He walked slowly toward the executioner who stood solemnly to one side of the execution ground.
"Your Excellency, please hear me out." Li An's soft, high-pitched voice jolted the dozing executioner awake.
Upon seeing that it was Li An, the executioner immediately bowed and saluted, a hint of awe flashing in his eyes: "Please speak, Your Excellency."
Li An raised his right hand slightly, his fingertips twitching slightly. Though his voice was not loud, each word was clear: "By imperial decree, considering the past merits of the veteran minister Song Chong and the innocent young children in his family, this woman is hereby ordered—" He turned his gaze to the woman standing quietly to the side, her face lightly covered by a veil, "to collect the remains of her ancestor Song Chong and the children under ten years old in the Song family, to fulfill the duty between the emperor and his subjects, to demonstrate the emperor's boundless grace, and to allow the deceased to rest in peace."
"I urge the executioner to carry out this order immediately, so as not to disobey the Emperor's grace."
Upon hearing this, the executioner bowed again, his voice trembling slightly: "As you command, I will make the arrangements immediately."
After Ang Lee and the woman finished collecting everything, their gazes swept over the empty space intertwined with blood and snow, and they sighed deeply.
If anyone is to blame, it's Song Jin for being blinded by greed, touching people he shouldn't have, and having inappropriate thoughts.
Li An said softly, "Your Majesty, we should go back now."
Qin Sheng's shoulders trembled slightly as she whispered, "Li An, the Empress is dead. I am nothing but a walking corpse now."
"Your Majesty, please don't think like that," Li An said in a low voice. "The Emperor ordered someone to secretly give you a drug to fake your death, just because he cares about our past relationship and wants to let you live a free life! No one can guarantee that one day you will regain favor!"
Qin Sheng lowered her head silently, her eyes reddening.
Is there any chance for her and Zhao Yi to get back together?
No, it won't happen again.
Even if a mirror is repaired, the crack will always remain.
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