Chapter 318 Extra: A Tribute to the Heroes
Shen Qingci had no idea that the "family" Chu Jichen mentioned actually referred to the Shen family.
Even after the imperial carriage came to a steady stop in front of the familiar yet unfamiliar vermilion gate of the Shen family, Shen Qingci was still in a daze.
She looked up at the plaque of "General Dingxi's Mansion," which, despite weathering the elements and bearing faded seals, still exuded an air of majesty. The tears she had just managed to hold back almost welled up in her eyes again.
"How...did I get here?" Her voice was hoarse and bewildered.
Chu Jichen smiled slightly, stepped down from the imperial carriage first, and then extended his hand to Shen Qingci, his gaze gentle yet firm.
"Although we have already exonerated General Shen, we still haven't had time to remove the seal on the Shen family's gate."
"Now that everything has settled down, it is time for us to give General Shen and the entire Shen family, all the heroes, a belated vindication and a dignified end."
He paused, a chilling glint flashing in his eyes: "Moreover, there are two more people, Qingqing, I think you would very much like to personally end their lives right here in the Shen residence, in front of the memorial tablets of all the members of the Shen family."
"I brought the people with me."
Shen Qingci felt as if something was choking her throat, and for a moment she didn't know how to react.
After a long silence, she trembled as she placed her hand in Chu Jichen's broad palm and softly replied, "Okay."
The two stood side by side in front of the long-sealed door, tearing off the seals that symbolized humiliation and injustice with their own hands.
As the seal fell to the ground, the horrific scene of the Shen family being executed uncontrollably flashed through Shen Qingci's mind.
On that day, right in front of this gate, blood stained the stone steps, and cries echoed through the sky.
The gate slowly opened, creaking heavily, as if telling the story of the endless injustices suffered over the past year.
The two crossed the front yard and headed straight for the mourning hall.
When the Shen family suffered a great calamity, the mourning hall had already been completely destroyed by those who ransacked the house, and even the ancestral tablets were not spared.
But now, when Shen Qingci stepped into the mourning hall, she was stunned by the scene before her.
The mourning hall was spotless, with white banners fluttering in the breeze. On the offering table, rows upon rows of brand-new memorial tablets were neatly arranged, each name so familiar, so unforgettable.
Shen Jingxuan, Madam Shen, Shen Qingfeng...
Chu Jichen had clearly arranged everything in advance.
He stepped forward, took the three sticks of incense handed to him by a palace servant waiting nearby, lit them, and respectfully placed them in the incense burner, saying loudly, "Respectfully presented by Chu Jichen, son-in-law of the Shen family."
Shen Qingci walked over slowly, took the incense, and knelt down heavily beside him, her vision already blurred with tears.
"Father, Mother, Eldest Brother... Your daughter is unfilial. It has only now that I have been able to clear your name. I have kept you waiting for so long."
"But now, you can finally rest assured. Your daughter is doing well, and the Shen family... has not been wronged forever."
After kowtowing three times, Chu Jichen helped Shen Qingci to her feet.
With a wave of his hand, several guards escorted two people in and forced them to kneel before the memorial tablet.
It was the late emperor and Huo Yunting.
Shen Qingci took a deep breath, took the dagger from Chu Jichen, and tears welled up in her eyes again. Her voice trembled but was firm: "Father, Mother, Eldest Brother, this is the culprit who spread rumors that we were hoarding troops and private soldiers, causing our family to be destroyed."
"We should have just cut off their heads right in front of you and offered them as a sacrifice."
"But my daughter really doesn't have that much strength, so this is the only way..."
Before she could finish speaking, she swiftly plunged the dagger in her hand into Huo Yunting's chest!
"Pfft—"
Blood splattered.
Huo Yunting stared wide-eyed at Shen Qingci, opened his mouth but couldn't utter a sound, and finally his body went limp and he collapsed heavily to the ground.
Shen Qingci didn't even glance at him, drew her dagger, and turned to look at the late emperor.
Her gaze was cold and sharp, her voice as icy as ice: "My Shen family has been loyal and virtuous for generations, guarding the borders and protecting our country for you. Why did you do this to us?!"
Even though the late emperor was imprisoned, he still maintained that lofty and aloof imperial demeanor.
He scoffed, his eyes filled with disdain: "Loyalty to the emperor and defense of the country? All you've done is win a few battles, and you still won't let me mobilize my troops? I am the emperor! The emperor of the Great Zhou!"
"All the troops in this world belong to me! Since he is unwilling, then I... have no choice but to let him die."
Shen Qingci closed her eyes, feeling utterly absurd.
The lives of her entire Shen family were lost because of such a ridiculous and selfish reason!
Why would the late emperor, who was enjoying peace and tranquility in the capital, mobilize troops?
With external threats still unresolved and the border in grave danger, Father, as a great general, could not possibly disregard the safety of the border people for the sake of the emperor's selfish desires and allow him to mobilize troops at will.
This is what is called "disobeying imperial orders" and "using military force to increase one's own power"!
You don't deserve it.
Shen Qingci sneered, her eyes filled with disdain: "You are not worthy of the loyalty of my Shen family, and you are even less worthy of being the emperor of this Great Zhou!"
As Shen Qingci spoke, he raised the dagger again and plunged it into the late emperor's heart without hesitation!
Blood gushed out, splattering all over her face and body.
The late emperor stared wide-eyed at Shen Qingci, seemingly unable to believe that he would die at the hands of a woman.
Shen Qingci released his grip, letting his body fall to the ground.
She turned around and looked at the memorial tablets filling the hall, silently saying in her heart, "Father, Mother, Eldest Brother, I have brought them here. You can settle your grievances and avenge your grudges."
As Shen Qingci left the Shen family home, the sun was still shining brightly, but she felt an emptiness in her heart.
The two boarded the imperial carriage again and headed towards the palace.
Chu Jichen looked at Shen Qingci's pale face, reached out and pulled her into his arms, his eyes crinkling as he let out a long sigh: "It's finally over."
yes.
It's finally over.
Shen Qingci leaned against his chest, looking out the window at the streets ravaged by war, her heart aching.
Suddenly, she spotted a somewhat familiar figure in the crowd.
It was that old lady who used to live in the small courtyard next to hers and sold tofu.
The old woman was covered in blood, her hair disheveled, and she was desperately squeezing into the crowd of onlookers, peering in their direction.
When she saw Shen Qingci sitting on the imperial carriage, she was visibly stunned for a moment, then a smile that was more like a grimace appeared on her face. She waved vigorously at Shen Qingci and shouted loudly, "Young lady! It's you! You're the Empress? Good, very good! This old woman has also met the Empress and saved her! Old man, do you see? We're not bad!"
Shen Qingci then noticed that there was actually someone leaning on the old woman's back.
The man's eyes were closed, his face was ashen, and his hands hung limply at his sides, swaying gently with the old woman's movements. He was clearly no longer breathing.
It was the same uncle who had some difficulty walking, yet still rushed out with a wooden stick.
Shen Qingci stood there stunned for a long time, watching as the old woman carried her husband's body on her back, her steps faltering as she gradually walked away and disappeared into the crowd.
She finally couldn't hold back any longer and burst into tears in Chu Jichen's arms.
Chu Jichen was startled by her sudden breakdown and quickly patted her back gently, asking softly, "What's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?"
Shen Qingci cried for a long time before finally stopping. She raised her head, her red and swollen eyes filled with sorrow and determination.
She shook her head: "Too many people have sacrificed their lives this time. This peace... is truly hard-won."
“Chu Jichen,” she said, clutching his clothes tightly, her voice hoarse, “we absolutely must protect all of this, protect the territory and the land of the Great Zhou.”
"Don't let the same thing happen to any of the people of the Great Zhou again."
Chu Jichen looked at her, his gaze as deep as the sea, his Adam's apple bobbing slightly.
He lowered his head and placed a solemn kiss on her forehead, his voice deep and powerful: "Okay."
"I agree."
"I hereby name it Great Zhou, may the seas be calm and the rivers clear, and may there be no more war."
(This is completely finished. It made me cry. I'm going to go cry for a while.)
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