Chapter 364 Pain
Li Mingde and Qi Rong remained silent the entire way. Li Mingde was actually an extremely intelligent person. Looking at the way Qi Rong looked at him, Li Mingde realized that it was probably not a good thing.
However, a sliver of hope remained in my heart.
Upon arriving at the gate of the Prince's residence, Qi Rong dismounted first, turned to look at Li Mingde, and extended his hand: "Your Highness, please."
After saying this, he led his men straight into the courtyard of the Prince's mansion. After asking the servants where the Tiger King was, he led them directly to the Chu King's study.
Upon arriving at the entrance of the Chu King's study, Qi Rong and Li Mingde waited quietly outside, awaiting the arrival of Eunuch Ye.
Not long after they stood at the door, Eunuch Ye came out, bowed to the two of them, and gestured: "Second Young Master, Young Master, His Highness invites you."
Qi Rong strode in first, and Li Mingde, looking somewhat dazed, followed him into the King of Chu's study.
After the two entered, they first bowed to the King of Chu. The King of Chu nodded slightly to them, his face expressionless. After watching his second son lead the people in, the King of Chu hesitated for a moment and said to Qi Rong, "Rong'er, your aunt has been missing you a lot lately. She has been nagging me about how long it has been since she last saw you. If you have some free time, go and see your aunt."
Upon hearing this, Qi Rong knew that the King of Chu was trying to send the others away, so he clasped his hands in a fist and nodded to the King of Chu: "Yes."
Then he turned and left.
Li Mingde had a bad feeling. Looking at the increasingly pitying eyes of the King of Chu, he forced a smile and said, "Ninth Uncle? I have already arrived with my men. When will you come to pick up my father and mother and take them to Taiyuan?"
The King of Chu sighed, stood up, and poured Li Mingde a cup of tea: "I kept you here to talk about this matter."
As he spoke, the King of Chu put down the teapot, sighed softly, and turned his back to Li Mingde: "Xiao De, I heard a few days ago that the rebel army stormed into the palace. My third brother did not want to be humiliated, so he burned down the palace. I heard that no one survived. Please accept my condolences, Xiao De."
Li Mingde sat in the chair, looking somewhat dazed: "Ninth Uncle, no, my father said a few days ago that after I handed over the remaining troops to you, our family could be reunited in Taiyuan."
A hint of pity flashed in the King of Chu's eyes. Seeing Li Mingde's eyes gradually reddening, he took a few steps toward him and patted Li Mingde on the shoulder.
“Good child, the imperial court has posted notices everywhere, and everyone knows that Third Brother has committed suicide by self-immolation. Uncle Jiu knows that you are heartbroken. Your father’s only concern was you, but the dead cannot be brought back to life. Please accept my condolences.”
After saying that, seeing that Li Mingde was still silent, he took out a brand-new-looking notice from his desk.
Imperial Edict
To uphold the law and serve as a warning to others: Prince Sheng, who once received imperial favor and was granted the title of three princes, harbored treacherous intentions, secretly formed a clique of cronies, and plotted rebellion. His crimes are beyond reproach.
The imperial court was furious and dispatched a royal army to punish the rebels. On the day the army entered the prince's palace, the rebel prince was exhausted and knew that his crimes were unforgivable. He set fire to the palace and died in the flames.
All of his relatives and family members, except for his rebellious son Li Mingde who was leading troops outside and had not yet been captured, were executed, regardless of age. This is a testament to the vastness of the net of heaven, which is wide yet leaves nothing unpunished.
The rebellious clan has defied human ethics and shaken the foundation of the nation; their crimes are unforgivable. This decree is hereby proclaimed throughout the land: all those who have kinship or marriage ties with the rebellious clan, regardless of their closeness or distance, must surrender themselves within three days. All will be executed without exception; no one shall be allowed to escape. Anyone who harbors or protects them will be punished as an accomplice, and their entire family, including nine generations, will be exterminated.
As for the corpses of the rebel princes and their followers, they were not allowed to be collected and left exposed as a warning to those who were disloyal and unfilial. Furthermore, it was strictly forbidden to set up private mourning halls or hold mourning ceremonies. Anyone who violated this rule would be considered a traitor and executed without mercy.
His son, Li Mingde, is guilty of heinous crimes; if he is to be executed, he and his son should be beheaded!
The distinction between ruler and subject is as clear as the sun and moon; the severity of the law is as awe-inspiring as thunder. You commoners should understand the principles of obedience and rebellion, know the path to fortune and misfortune, be content with your lot, and dare not harbor any improper thoughts. Anyone who dares to speak recklessly about the government or sympathize with the rebels will be investigated and punished accordingly.
The announcement was made to the whole world so that everyone would know.
Li Mingde held the notice in his hand, tears welling up uncontrollably in his eyes, each drop splashing onto the notice and spreading across the dark black characters.
The king committed suicide by fire, and none of his family members, including his mother, sisters, and his half-brothers, survived.
Even those related to his family, except for the emperor and princes, were all to be executed. Even the corpses of his father, mother, and relatives were not allowed to be collected.
Li Mingde felt a deep, piercing pain in his heart.
Seeing Li Mingde weeping uncontrollably, his fists clenched so tightly that he had crumpled the notice into a ball, the King of Chu sighed again and gently patted Li Mingde on the back.
He said, “The court is unjust; it won’t even allow the body of my third brother to be collected. Xiao De, your father and mother’s funeral will be held at my Chu Prince’s Mansion. Your aunt and I will help you to arrange the funeral for your third brother. Cheer up soon.”
Li Mingde wept uncontrollably. He had thought that once they arrived in Taiyuan, they would be able to start a new life, but now he was the only one left alive. What was the point of him bringing people to Taiyuan?
Li Mingde hung his head, his eyes filled with sorrow, as if he had suddenly become despondent.
The King of Chu slowly walked out of the room, leaving behind the words as he reached the door: "Xiao De, after the funeral, you still have to do what you were supposed to do. The emperor framed Third Brother, and now he has forced Third Brother and Third Sister-in-law to their deaths. You haven't avenged them yet."
After saying that, she walked out of the room, intending to quietly close the door and give Li Mingde some time to process what she had said.
Just as he was about to close the door, he saw Li Mingde, who was sitting in the chair, suddenly raise his head. His bloodshot eyes were filled with hatred, and his gaze toward the King of Chu even carried a hint of determination.
Holding the notice in his hand, he knelt down with a thud.
"Uncle Jiu! Please help me!"
After saying this, he knelt on the ground and kowtowed repeatedly to the King of Chu.
Li Mingde understood that the King of Chu's order for him to hold funerals for his father and mother at the King's residence was a blatant act of defiance against the court. The King of Chu was probably already preparing for a rebellion and wanted to avenge his father. Now, he had no choice but to rely on his Ninth Uncle.
Just as the King of Chu was about to close the door, he hurriedly opened it, went into the room, and quickly helped Li Mingde up, bending down to pat the dust off Li Mingde's body.
"Xiao De, what are you doing? You don't need to tell me how I avenged Third Brother; I will do it myself."
Li Mingde looked at the King of Chu with red eyes. He knelt down again after being helped up. This time, the King of Chu tried to help him up, but Li Mingde remained kneeling upright.
“Uncle Jiu, I am grateful for your kindness in allowing me to hold my father’s funeral in the manor. I am unworthy, but I am willing to lead the ten thousand soldiers left by my father to serve you to the death! I hope you will take me in.”
The King of Chu released his grip and sighed, "You child, you are my nephew, what's with all this talk about taking you in? From now on, the Chu Royal Palace will be your home. As for your father's revenge, it will come sooner or later, sooner or later..."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
