Chapter 5: Farewell to the Exiles at the City Gate
Ten days passed in a flash.
News has come from above that the convicted criminals will gather outside the city tomorrow and set off at noon.
Xie Yuchuan, who was imprisoned in the imperial prison, was the last to receive the news. When he stood up, his shackles clanged and his steps were heavy.
The escorting officer waited impatiently nearby, urging, "Prisoner Xie Yuchuan, the Emperor has shown mercy and released you from the Imperial Prison. Don't be so ungrateful! Hurry up! I don't know how lucky you are to have escaped from the Imperial Prison alive."
"I, Xie Yuchuan, am indeed very lucky."
As for whether it is a favor or not, Xiahou Jie is not worthy of it.
Emperor Longqing treated the Xie family like this, and Xie Yuchuan would get revenge sooner or later.
Put on the shackles and put on the prison cart, the solemn imperial prison gradually disappeared behind him. Xie Yuchuan stood tall and straight, his eyes fixed as he looked forward, the spirit of a century-old noble family was fully embodied in him.
Both sides of the Imperial Street were crowded with people who came to watch, and many people from prominent families, officials and businessmen were also among them watching.
"Alas, what a pity that the Xie family has been loyal for generations."
"Don't say such nonsense. The Xie family was convicted by the imperial court. The Xie family was defeated. Not annihilating the entire clan is a mercy from the emperor."
"Tsk, what do you know? Did the Xie family want to lose the war? Does that mean the imperial court has no responsibility?"
"What nonsense! Just shut up, don't you want to live?"
"I heard that many people who spoke for the Xie family were implicated this time."
"Yes, I've heard that too. Marquis Dongbo and Master Zhang from the Hanlin Academy have also incurred the wrath of the Holy Lord. They seem to be on the list of those to be exiled this time."
"That's wrong. You only know one side of the story. The Marquis of Dongbo wasn't just saying a good word for Duke Xie. I heard that His Majesty wanted to find a husband for Princess Shaoyang and had his eye on the Marquis of Dongbo's son, but the Marquis got ahead of him and married him off. Do you think the Emperor would be happy?"
"I understand. Being the consort of that crazy bitch Princess Shaoyang is not an easy job. What's the matter with Mr. Zhang?"
"Oh, that's... hard to say. I heard that the court wanted Master Zhang to record the fabricated story of the Xie family gods in the history books. Master Zhang took out the "Records of the Grand Historian" and argued with reason. The emperor got so angry that he kicked him off to Mobei."
“…”
"What kind of world is this?"
Outside the north city gate, the wind is cold.
The guards at the city gate reserved space on one side for the relatives of the exiled prisoners who came to see them off. Some people secretly slipped some silver and money into the space and moved forward. The guards who got the benefit turned a blind eye.
Ruan Yuanzhi, the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, along with his wife Sun and his son Ruan Peining, had been waiting for a long time.
After the court session, the father and son hurried out of the city. They didn't have time to change clothes at home on the way, so they took off their court robes in the carriage. As soon as they got out, they went to his wife and asked, "Have you packed everything for Anan and Rui'er? The journey north is extremely cold, so don't forget your warm clothes and herbs."
Sun nodded. "I brought them all. I even got up early and made some mung bean cakes that Anan loved when he was little. It's already noon, why hasn't he arrived yet?"
Sun stood on tiptoe and looked inside the city gate. Some exiled prisoners had already come to meet their relatives and friends, but why couldn't she see anyone from the Xie family?
She couldn't help but feel anxious, and asked her husband and son, "Will the court change its mind at the last minute and sentence the Xie family to death again?"
Little Ruan comforted his mother, "Mom, don't worry, my elder sister and the others will be here soon."
"well."
Sun's eyes were red and swollen as she held the prepared bag tightly in her hands.
Fortunately, not long after, the Xie family's team also left the city gate. More than twenty people were walking with shackles on their backs. Their faces were as gloomy as water, their clothes and hair were messy, but they did not look depressed.
Lord Ruan looked at it from afar and couldn't help but sigh in his heart that the Xie family was worthy of its century-old heritage, and that even in this place of imprisonment, it was still proud and elegant.
But when his eyes fell on his biological daughter Ruan and his little grandson Ruiger, he couldn't help but burst into tears.
"Anan!" Sun covered her face and cried.
When Ruan, the eldest granddaughter-in-law of the Xie family, heard the familiar voice, her dull eyes lit up instantly!
Following the sound, I saw my parents and younger brother. In an instant, tears burst out like rain, and the hands holding their young son were trembling non-stop.
"mother--"
Mrs. Xie also saw the Ruan family and said to the back, "Anan, take Brother Rui with you."
Madam Zhou also nodded to her daughter-in-law and said, "Go."
Ruan took her son Xie Jiarui to her parents' home. Everyone else looked at them enviously, and their eyes couldn't help but search for their own families in the crowd.
The expectant eyes gradually dimmed.
Not everyone is as lucky as Nguyen.
Ruan's parents hugged their daughter and grandson, their hearts aching. Sun stroked her daughter's dry hands with shaking hands, tears streaming down her face. "Anan has suffered so much. What can we do?"
"Mom, don't cry, Anan is fine."
"What should we do? Can you and Rui Ge'er not go to the Northland?"
"Madam!" Lord Ruan hurriedly stopped Madam Sun, fearing that she would say something that would embarrass his daughter.
Mrs. Ruan wiped her tears and said, "I know, I know! I shouldn't say it, but I can't bear it."
Master Ruan sighed, patted his daughter's shoulder gently, and looked down at his little grandson, "Jia Rui, please talk to your mother and grandmother."
"Okay, Grandpa, Jiarui knows."
Lord Ruan patted his head lovingly, turned and walked towards Madam Xie, bowed and said, "Madam Xie, I am incompetent and cannot protect the Xie family from wind and rain. You will have a long journey, so please take good care of yourself."
Mrs. Xie and other members of the Xie family bowed in return.
"Lord Ruan, you are too kind. You really shouldn't come here today. It will do no good to the Ruan family." Old Madam Xie said gratefully.
Ruan Weizhi was unconcerned. "It's no big deal. The Ministry of Personnel is a chore, and teaching in academy is more relaxing than worrying about it."
Old Madam Xie frowned slightly, thinking that the Xie family's decline still affected the surrounding areas.
Ruan Yanzhi took it easy and whispered soothingly, "A building about to collapse cannot be supported by a single piece of wood. A gentleman does not stand under a precarious wall. I am simply following the trend. Old Madam, please do not take it to heart. However, my daughter Anan has been spoiled since she was a child. I am worried that she will not be able to withstand the hardships of the journey, so my wife has prepared some extra clothes and medicine. I hope Old Madam will not refuse."
"It's easy to add icing on the cake, but it's difficult to provide timely assistance. Madam Ruan, thank you for your hard work." Old Madam Xie was very grateful. "Don't worry, Master Ruan. The descendants of the Xie family will always watch over and help each other in times of trouble. We will definitely take good care of Anan and Rui'er."
Lord Ruan's eyes were red and he nodded with a sob.
As parents, all we want is for our children to be safe and sound.
Without her husband and son by her side, Mrs. Ruan couldn't help but whisper, "Anan, how about... you bring Rui Ge'er home?"
Ruan raised her head, shook her head gently through her tearful eyes, her gaze firm, "Mother, Anan will not leave the Xie family. My husband and his family are gone, but Rui Ge'er is still here. He may be young, but he is a descendant of the Xie family. No Xie family man has ever died in battle, never deserted. Since I married into the Xie family, they have never treated me badly, and my husband loves me dearly. The Xie family is in trouble now, and I am in trouble too. No matter how strong the wind and waves are, I am not afraid. Besides, Rui Ge'er's sixth uncle is still here, so don't worry, mother."
Mrs. Ruan knew she couldn't change her daughter's mind, so she stopped trying to persuade her and stuffed the bag into her daughter's arms. "It's cold in the north, so you must protect yourselves on the road. I've also prepared some money. There are many people being exiled this time, and most of the Xie family are elderly and weak. Don't feel bad when it comes to making arrangements. As long as people are alive, that's more important than anything else."
Mrs. Ruan felt like she had endless instructions, so Ruan Peining came over, bent down and picked up her nephew Xie Jiarui.
"Brother Rui, how about going back to the Minister's Mansion with your uncle?"
Although this question was asked to the child, it was also said to the eldest sister Ruan.
Xie Jiarui looked at his mother. He was still young and could not fully understand the relationship between adults, but he would not answer casually unless his mother nodded, even if it was to his favorite uncle.
Nguyen said to her brother, "Please help me take good care of my father and mother."
Ruan Peining nodded and agreed.
"Sister, I heard that the Xie family's deity is very effective. Do you know if it's true?"
Ruan looked around and lowered her eyes slightly.
The mother and son looked at each other. Ruan Peining's expression relaxed a little, and Mrs. Ruan silently clasped her hands together and prayed for her daughter.
The crowd around him was agitated, and someone shouted, "Here he comes! It's Xie Yuchuan! Oh my god, he's still alive!"
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