After the Northern Yi people withdrew from the Dongwu territory, Cao Shuangying did not follow the army to the Northern Yi, but stayed to help the people build their homes. He had been in another city before, and just came back today, he saw the Xie family oppressing the people.
Cao Shuangying pulled out his spear and Xie San fainted from the pain.
After pacifying the people in the city, Cao Shuangying ordered people to carry Xie San to Xie's house.
Although most of the Xie residence was destroyed in the battle with the fallen immortal, their money was still there. In the past month or so, the Xie residence has been restored to its magnificent state.
"The Xie family is still so corrupt!" Cao Shuangying couldn't help but sneer.
When they returned to Xie's house, the thugs hurriedly carried Xie San in and called a doctor.
When Mrs. Xie heard the news, she rushed to the front yard and saw Xie San's feet covered in blood. She took off his shoes and socks and saw that his thumb had been cut off in its entirety.
Mrs. Xie immediately shouted angrily: "Who did it!"
"I did it." Cao Shuangying strode into the room and sat down on the armchair with great force. "Madam Xie, I have no right to interfere with your behavior in times of peace and prosperity, but in these troubled times, your actions seem inappropriate."
Mrs. Xie was startled and put her hands into her sleeves. She quickly calmed down and avoided Cao Shuangying's words. She only asked about Xie San.
"General Cao, why did you hurt my brother? How did he offend you that you would do such a cruel thing?"
Cao Shuangying slowly turned the teacup on the table, stared at her pretending to be calm face for a while, and raised the corner of her lip.
"The Xie family's style of doing things is obvious to everyone. What do you think of this general?"
Her eyes were like those of a hawk, locking onto Madam Xie. "If I see your family bullying others again, I will destroy your Xie residence!"
"You..." Mrs. Xie was so angry that she couldn't speak. Although Xie San was the Earl of Loyalty and Bravery, it was just an empty title. Cao Shuangying was a third-rank general and Rong Baichuan's sworn sister. Her power was greater than the sky. She couldn't afford to offend him and could only take this warning.
Xie Sanda's thumb could not be reattached and he became a cripple. His temper became even more irritable. One day, he was bullying the people on the street again and ran into Rong Chaoxi.
"Where did you come from, you little bastard? Get away!" He swung him hard, but Rong Chaoxi didn't move at all.
Xie San was surprised and raised his foot to kick, but the foot that had been raised before him stepped heavily on his calf. With a "crack", the foot was broken.
Xie San was carried back to Xie's house again.
Madam Xie rushed over upon hearing the news, but before she could start scolding, she saw Rong Baichuan standing majestically in front of the gate. A hint of shyness appeared on her face, and she stepped forward with delicate steps to greet him, "General Rong."
Rong Yubai looked at his father, asking: What happened?
Rong Baichuan shrugged, it was none of his business.
Thirteen years ago, Rong Baichuan was still a young man in his twenties. He was born with a handsome face and the tall and strong body of a northerner. Most women who saw him were attracted to him, and Madam Xie was no exception. She even had the idea of becoming his concubine at that time.
If Rong Baichuan had not loved his wife so deeply, he would have been the general who "attacked the widow village at night" in the storybook many times.
At this moment, the sound of orderly footsteps was heard outside. Li Yi led a large army to surround Xie's house. The soldiers entered and detained everyone. Xie San was lying on a stretcher, holding his leg that had not yet been reattached, and screaming in pain.
Madam Xie frowned, straightened her back calmly, and her aura suddenly became fierce. "General Rong, what do you mean?"
Rong Baichuan didn't say anything. He took Rong Chaoxi's hand and walked inside while looking at the luxurious Xie residence.
Mrs. Xie turned stiffly and followed them.
Rong Baichuan glanced at Madam Xie and asked nonchalantly, "To be able to hold up such a large door, your hands must have been stained with the blood of many people, right?"
"..." Upon hearing this, Mrs. Xie subconsciously pulled her wide sleeves and hid her hands deeper. She knew that Rong Baichuan was talking about the time when the city was broken, when she killed the last defenders and let the foreign troops enter the city.
She replied calmly, "Living in troubled times, there's nothing I can do to protect such a large family."
"Is this the reason why you massacred the people?"
Rong Baichuan's expression suddenly became fierce, and the soldiers immediately stepped forward and forced Madam Xie to kneel on the ground.
Mrs. Xie looked up at Rong Baichuan in surprise. It was indeed him that night. He saw everything the Northern Barbarian demon did in the backyard.
"What do you mean by massacring civilians? What is General Rong talking about?" She didn't admit it. The people were captured by the northern barbarians. What did it have to do with her? She just sent people to throw them into that yard.
Rong Baichuan did not argue with him, and said in a deep voice: "Xie, you have colluded with the enemy and betrayed the city, killing innocent people. According to the law of the country, the entire Xie family will be executed..."
"Why?" Rong Baichuan hadn't finished speaking when Madam Xie struggled and said sternly:
"I just want to live. What have I done wrong? You are useless. You came too late. You let the Northern Barbarians occupy this place..."
She glared at the arrogant men in front of her. "You're far away in Kyoto, at the feet of the Emperor, living a life of luxury and comfort. How could you possibly understand the suffering of the people living on the border? The city gates are about to be breached. If I hadn't surrendered, if I hadn't maneuvered, the barbarian army would have massacred the entire city that day, and even more people would have died!"
"Isn't it just sacrificing a few insignificant people to save everyone? What right do you have to judge me?" Her voice was powerful and every word was heart-wrenching.
Rong Baichuan was speechless. This was a fact. Sacrificing the minority or the majority was always a dead end proposition, and he had nothing to say in defense.
Such things happened in the ruined city, and the generals who failed to rescue the people in time had no way to refute it.
In peacetime, the two countries trade with each other, and the large border cities are the richest places. In times of war, these large cities are often the first important places occupied by the enemy.
Throughout history, Beidi City has experienced no less than twenty major wars, and Dongwu has experienced three of them since its founding.
There was a moment of silence all around, with only Xie San's cries of pain remaining.
Rong Chaoxi glanced back and forth at the silent adults, [This old lady is so good at making excuses, Daddy is in trouble...]
"Ah!" The little girl suddenly had an idea. "I have someone who can punish her openly."
The little girl let go of her father's hand and ran into the house.
Rong Baichuan and Rong Yubai looked at each other. Who could she know who was related to this place?
After a while, Rong Chaoxi lifted the cotton curtain and brought out a little girl - it was Rong Yue'e.
Rong Yue'e lifted the curtain and came out, a little confused. How did she end up in such a cold place after passing through a starry sky gate?
"A-choo..." Rong Chaoxi hurriedly took off his small cloak and put it on Rong Yue'e.
Rong Yue'e gathered her cloak, lowered her eyes and saw a face that was engraved in her memory.
"Second sister?"
Her pupils trembled slightly, and she looked up and around...
Even though more than ten years have passed, the general layout of the Xie residence has not changed. In the five-story Zhaixing Tower on the right, she was imprisoned on the top floor for two years. Her blood was taken every day, and on the full moon day, a knife was cut into her heart.
Looking at everything that was familiar yet unfamiliar, her whole body couldn't stop shaking.
Rong Chaoxi hugged her tightly and whispered in her ear: "Sister Yue'e, let's resolve your hatred..."
Like a spell, Rong Yue'e calmed down instantly. She looked at Madam Xie with a cold and hot expression, "Second sister, long time no see."
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