13 Finale
Su Wanting said nothing, just nodded, and turned to leave, but was stopped by Xiao Cixiao: "Wanting, I have to personally deliver the evidence to the capital tomorrow, and it will take about three days.
Zhang Tao's remaining followers haven't been apprehended yet, so be careful and don't go to remote places alone."
Su Wanting paused, looked back at him, said "hmm" softly, and then left quickly.
Watching her figure disappear into the night, Xiao Cixiao felt a tenderness in his heart.
He knew that even though she didn't say it, she still cared about him in her heart.
That was enough. He was willing to wait until she completely let go of the past and was willing to accept him again.
The next morning, Xiao Cixiao took the evidence and rode a fast horse to the capital. He rode non-stop along the way, wanting only to hand the evidence to the emperor as quickly as possible and return to see Su Wanting as soon as possible.
But he didn't expect that as soon as he left the northwest, Zhang Tao's remnants found Su Wanting.
That afternoon, Su Wanting was treating an old lady in the pharmacy when several men suddenly rushed in and dragged her out without saying a word.
The old woman screamed in fear. Su Wanting struggled and shouted, "Who are you? Let me go!"
"Stop talking nonsense! We are Lord Zhang's men. You have harmed Lord Zhang, and today we will make you pay with your life!" said the leading man viciously.
Su Wanting was startled, knowing that they were here to take revenge on her.
She struggled and thought of countermeasures, but the men were too strong and she couldn't break free.
Just then, the sound of horse hooves was heard, and Xiao Cixiao came galloping from a distance on a fast horse.
It turned out that when he was halfway there, he felt uneasy, thinking that something might happen to Su Wanting, so he immediately turned his horse around and rushed back.
Seeing Su Wanting being pulled, Xiao Cixiao's eyes turned red. He jumped off his horse, drew the sword at his waist, and shouted, "Stop!"
The men were all startled when they saw Xiao Cixiao, but they still said, "Master Xiao, this is a matter between us and this woman, don't meddle in other people's business!"
"She's mine, I'll take care of her!" Xiao Cixiao said, swinging his sword and slashing at the men. The men were no match for Xiao Cixiao, and after a few rounds, they were beaten to a pulp and fled in disgrace.
Xiao Cixiao quickly walked to Su Wanting's side, supported her, and said with concern: "Wanting, are you okay? Are you hurt?"
Su Wanting shook her head and looked at Xiao Cixiao with surprise in her eyes: "Didn't you go to the capital? Why are you back?"
"I was worried about you," Xiao Cixiao looked at her, his eyes full of tenderness, "I was afraid something might happen to you, so I came back."
Su Wanting was touched and her eyes reddened slightly. She knew that Xiao Cixiao was really worried about her.
"What should we do if the evidence hasn't been sent out yet?" Su Wanting asked worriedly.
"It's okay," Xiao Cixiao smiled. "I've already sent the evidence to the capital. I'll stay here with you. Once we get some news from the Imperial Envoy, we'll work together to find a solution."
Su Wanting looked at Xiao Cixiao, and the icy wall in her heart completely collapsed.
She knew that she could no longer deny that her feelings for Xiao Cixiao had never really disappeared.
In the next few days, Xiao Cixiao did not mention going to the capital again, but stayed in the northwest to accompany Su Wanting.
He would go to the pharmacy to help her every day, helping her to get and dry the medicine, and sometimes he would accompany her to the back mountain to collect herbs.
The two of them watched the sunrise and sunset together, and chatted under the starry sky like ordinary lovers.
Su Wanting gradually discovered that Xiao Cixiao was not as cold as she had imagined.
He would take the initiative to massage her back when she was tired; he would stand up to protect her when she encountered difficulties; and he would tell jokes to cheer her up when she was unhappy.
She recalled the days at the Xiao Mansion five years ago, and realized that Xiao Cixiao was not completely indifferent to her.
When she was sick, he would secretly ask the housekeeper to bring her medicine; when she was bullied by Liu Tingting, although he did not openly help her, he would secretly warn Liu Tingting;
On her birthday, although I don’t give her a gift, I will ask the kitchen to cook her favorite dishes.
But at that time, she was blinded by love and only saw his indifference, but ignored the tenderness hidden in his heart.
At that time, Xiao Cixiao did not have the courage to express his feelings because of pride and misunderstanding.
Now, they have finally resolved each other's knots and can finally face their feelings honestly.
That night, Xiao Cixiao and Su Wanting sat on the hillside, looking at the starry sky.
"Wanting," Xiao Cixiao looked at Su Wanting with a serious look in his eyes, "I know I did a lot of wrong things in the past and caused you a lot of grievances.
I don't dare to ask you to forgive me immediately, but I hope you can give me a chance and let me spend the rest of my life to make it up to you, okay?"
Su Wanting looked at Xiao Cixiao, and a warm feeling came over her heart. She nodded gently and said softly, "Okay."
When Xiao Cixiao heard her answer, he hugged her excitedly.
Su Wanting did not struggle, but leaned gently in his arms, feeling his body temperature and his heartbeat.
Xiao Cixiao hugged Su Wanting, feeling the warmth of the person in his arms, his heart filled with joy of regaining what he had lost.
The next morning, news came from the capital that the emperor had received the evidence and was very angry. He immediately ordered a thorough investigation of the emperor's uncle and Li Song.
The imperial envoy also received the emperor's order and began to deploy in the northwest, preparing to cooperate with the actions in the capital to arrest the emperor's uncle and Li Song's followers.
Xiao Cixiao and Su Wanting were very happy when they heard the news.
They knew that justice was finally coming and the Su family’s grievances were finally being cleared.
"Wanting," Xiao Cixiao looked at Su Wanting, his eyes full of tenderness.
"When this is over, I will take you back to the capital and give you a grand wedding, so that everyone will know that you are my wife."
Su Wanting's cheeks flushed slightly, and she nodded gently: "Okay."
In the following days, Xiao Cixiao and Su Wanting began to cooperate with the imperial envoy to arrest the uncle of the king and Li Song's followers in the northwest.
Su Wanting used her connections in the pharmacy to find out the whereabouts of those accomplices; Xiao Cixiao brought soldiers and arrested them one by one based on the clues provided by Su Wanting.
On this day, Xiao Cixiao and Su Wanting were sorting out the confessions of the arrested accomplices when they suddenly received news from the capital saying that the emperor's uncle and Li Song had been arrested by order of the emperor and were being interrogated.
Moreover, the emperor also issued an edict to rehabilitate the Su family, restore the Su family's reputation, and recall the exiled Su Mingyu.
Su Wanting was so excited when she heard the news that she burst into tears. She had finally waited for this day: her father's grievances were cleared, and her brother could return home.
She hugged Xiao Cixiao tightly, choking and saying, "Xiao Cixiao, thank you, thank you for helping me and the Su family."
Xiao Cixiao patted her back gently and said softly, "Silly girl, we are husband and wife, it is my duty to help you. Moreover, it is also your contribution that the Su family's grievances can be cleared.
If you hadn't gathered so many important clues, we wouldn't have been able to bring down the uncle and Li Song so quickly."
Su Wanting wiped away her tears and looked at Xiao Cixiao with eyes full of love: "Xiao Cixiao, I love you."
This was the first time Su Wanting took the initiative to say "I love you" to Xiao Cixiao. After hearing this, Xiao Cixiao was so excited that he was speechless.
He hugged Su Wanting tightly and whispered in her ear: "Wanting, I love you too. I will love you forever."
At this moment, the imperial envoy walked in, looked at them, and said with a smile: "Master Xiao, Miss Su, congratulations.
Now that the uncle and Li Song have been arrested, and the Su family has been rehabilitated, it's time for you to consider your own lifelong affairs."
Xiao Ci Xiao and Su Wanting looked at each other and smiled, their faces filled with happy smiles.
A few days later, Su Mingyu returned from exile.
When he saw Su Wanting, he was so excited that he couldn't speak, and hugged her tightly: "Sister, I'm finally back, my father's grievances have been cleared, and our Su family has finally restored its reputation."
Su Wanting was also very excited. She took Su Mingyu's hand and introduced Xiao Cixiao to him: "Brother, this is Xiao Cixiao. He helped our Su family clear the grievances, and he is also my husband."
Su Mingyu looked at Xiao Cixiao and nodded. "Master Xiao, thank you. I misunderstood you before. I hope you can take good care of my sister in the future."
Xiao Cixiao said solemnly: "Don't worry, Mr. Su, I will definitely take good care of Wanting and will not let her suffer any more grievances."
The spring breeze from the capital blew into the courtyard of the Prime Minister's Mansion with warmth.
Su Wanting was sitting in front of the window, watching Xiao Cixiao processing official documents. Her fingertips unconsciously stroked her cuffs, where a small crabapple flower was embroidered. She had just embroidered it a few days ago.
It was also the flower that bloomed most abundantly when they first met in the back garden of Yongning Marquis's Mansion.
"What are you thinking about?" Xiao Cixiao put down his pen, walked to her and held her hand.
Su Wanting looked up and smiled: "I'm thinking about the refugees in the northwest. I wonder how they are doing now."
"Don't worry," Xiao Cixiao rubbed her hair, "I've asked someone to inquire about them. They have all been allocated land, built new houses, and are living a good life."
Su Wanting nodded, feeling much more at ease.
At this moment, the housekeeper hurried in, holding a memorial in his hand, his face panicked: "Sir, this is bad! News has come from the capital that Li Song has changed his confession in prison, saying that he was wrongly accused and that there is evidence proving his innocence!"
Xiao Cixiao and Su Wanting looked at each other and saw surprise in each other's eyes.
Li Song has been detained for half a year and the evidence is solid. Why would he suddenly change his confession?
Xiao Cixiao took the memorial, read it quickly, and his face gradually darkened: "Li Song said that he has a letter that he exchanged with Beidi in the past.
He said it was not forged, but was genuine. He also said that the letter was in the hands of his old subordinates, and that as long as they found it, they could prove his innocence.
"This is impossible!" Su Wanting said excitedly, "My father was framed because of this letter. This letter was clearly forged by Li Song, how could it be real?"
Xiao Cixiao frowned. "I find this strange too. Li Song's retraction of his confession must be a conspiracy. Where are his old subordinates now?"
"The memorial said that his old subordinate ran a silk and satin shop in Suzhou Prefecture in Jiangnan," said the housekeeper.
Xiao Cixiao was silent for a moment and said, "No, I must go to Suzhou Prefecture in person to investigate this matter.
If Li Song succeeds in retracting his confession, not only will the Su family's injustice be overshadowed again, but it will also make those corrupt officials even more arrogant."
Su Wanting looked at Xiao Cixiao, her eyes filled with worry. "I'll go with you. I'm familiar with Suzhou Prefecture, and I also want to investigate this matter myself and clear my father's name completely."
Xiao Cixiao nodded: "Okay, let's go together."
The next morning, Xiao Cixiao and Su Wanting quietly left the capital with a few followers and headed for Suzhou Prefecture. They did not make a sound, fearing to alert the enemy.
After several days of travel, they finally arrived at Suzhou, a prosperous place in the south of the Yangtze River, with small bridges, flowing water, pavilions and towers everywhere.
Xiao Cixiao and Su Wanting had no time to appreciate the beautiful scenery. They directly followed the address on the memorial and found the silk shop run by Li Song's old subordinates.
The owner of the silk shop is surnamed Wang, an old man in his fifties. He looks kind, but there is a subtle shrewdness in his eyes.
Xiao Cixiao and Su Wanting walked into the silk shop. Boss Wang quickly came over to greet them and said with a smile, "My two guests, what kind of silk would you like to buy? We have the finest silk and the latest patterns."
Xiao Cixiao didn't mince words and directly stated his identity: "Boss Wang, we are from the capital and would like to ask you something. Li Song said that you have a copy of the letters he exchanged with the Northern Di people. Is this true?"
When Boss Wang heard the name "Li Song," his expression changed, and his eyes became a little flustered. "Sir, what are you saying? I don't understand. I don't know any Li Song, and I don't have any letters."
"Boss Wang, stop pretending," Su Wanting looked at him with a firm tone, "We know that you are Li Song's old subordinate.
Li Song framed my father because of this letter. Now Li Song has changed his statement in prison, saying that the letter is real and that it is in your possession.
If you know what's best for you, hand over the letter. Otherwise, we'll have no choice but to take you back to the capital and hand you over to the emperor for questioning."
Boss Wang's face turned even paler. He knew that Xiao Cixiao and Su Wanting were not ordinary people. If they really brought him back to the capital, he would definitely not have a good ending.
He hesitated for a moment, then finally sighed, "Okay, I admit, I do have a letter in my hand. But this letter isn't the one between Li Song and the Northern Di people. It's evidence that Li Song forged the letter!"
Xiao Cixiao and Su Wanting were both stunned: "What did you say?"
Boss Wang took out a box from the inner room, opened it, and found a piece of paper inside.
He handed the paper to Xiao Cixiao and said, "This is the evidence that Li Song forged the letter. Back then, Li Song asked me to imitate the handwriting of the Northern Di leader and write a letter of treason.
Then I put the letter in the Yongning Marquis Mansion. This paper is the one I used to practice imitating my handwriting. It also has my signature and date on it.
Xiao Cixiao took the yellowed paper and stroked the crooked handwriting on it with his fingertips. It was a handwriting that was deliberately imitating the handwriting of the Northern Di leader.
There were still traces of ink traced repeatedly on the edge, and at the end there was indeed Boss Wang's signature, with the date marked in small letters next to it, which was exactly one month before the Su family case occurred five years ago.
"Back then, Li Song promised me a thousand taels of silver and asked me to imitate the Northern Di handwriting to write a letter to the enemy," Boss Wang lowered his head, his voice trembling.
"I agreed out of greed, but I was afraid that the truth would be revealed, so I secretly kept this exercise paper, thinking that it would have a way out if something went wrong.
Later, the Su family fell into decline, and Li Song's career flourished. I dared not speak out, but I never expected him to turn the tables and try to use the lie of the 'genuine letter' to overturn the case."
Su Wanting looked at the paper, her eyes instantly reddened. This thin sheet of paper concealed five years of injustice suffered by her father and the truth behind the Su family's downfall.
She reached out and gently touched the paper, as if she was touching her father's cold tombstone, and finally couldn't help but shed tears.
"Boss Wang," Xiao Cixiao's voice was filled with suppressed anger.
"Do you know that behind this piece of paper is a life and the destruction of an entire family? If you had produced this evidence earlier, how could the Su family have been destroyed?"
Boss Wang knelt down with a thud and kowtowed repeatedly: "Master Xiao, please forgive me! Miss Su, please forgive me!
I was blinded by my own greed and fear of Li Song's revenge, so I dared not speak out! Now I am willing to hand over this evidence, hoping to redeem myself and beg you to spare my life!"
Xiao Cixiao looked at his miserable appearance, then looked at Su Wanting who was crying beside him, and finally sighed: "Get up.
You have voluntarily handed over the evidence, which can be considered as amending your mistakes. However, your mistakes from that year must also be dealt with according to the law. When I return to the capital, I will report the truth to His Majesty."
After obtaining the evidence, Xiao Cixiao and Su Wanting did not dare to delay and immediately rode back to the capital.
Along the way, Su Wanting held the box containing evidence tightly.
She remembered her father dying of illness in prison and her brother's back in exile, and secretly swore in her heart that she would make Li Song and all those who participated in framing the Su family pay the price they deserved.
After returning to the capital, Xiao Cixiao presented the evidence to the emperor as soon as possible.
When the emperor saw the evidence, he was furious and immediately ordered Li Song to be retried.
Faced with irrefutable evidence, Li Song could no longer deny it and had to confess the truth. He had embezzled the annual tribute from the Northern Di people and fearing that Su Cheng'an would expose him, he teamed up with his uncle to forge a letter of treason and frame the Su family.
Now he wants to overturn the verdict, and it is the uncle of the king who is instigating it behind the scenes, hoping to take the opportunity to escape punishment.
When the emperor learned the truth, he was so angry that he slammed the table and immediately ordered that Li Song be executed and his property be confiscated.
The uncle of the king was deposed from his title, thrown into prison, and executed in the autumn for crimes including treason and corruption.
All officials who participated in framing the Su family and withholding grain funds will be dismissed and investigated. Those with serious penalties will be exiled, while those with minor penalties will be punished with caning.
When the news spread, the people of the capital applauded. The Su family's grievances were finally completely cleared, and those corrupt officials who had committed many evil deeds finally received the punishment they deserved.
On the day Su Wanting learned the verdict, she went to her father's grave on purpose.
She was dressed in plain clothes, holding a bunch of white chrysanthemums in her hands. She knelt in front of the grave and said softly, "Father, your daughter is here to see you. Your grievances have been cleared, and those who harmed you have been punished. You can rest in peace now."
Xiao Cixiao stood behind her, accompanying her silently.
He knew that the pain in Su Wanting's heart could not be soothed by just saying "the injustice has been cleared."
After returning from the cemetery, Su Mingyu specially held a banquet to thank Xiao Cixiao for everything he had done for the Su family.
At the banquet, Su Mingyu raised his glass and said to Xiao Cixiao, "Sir Xiao, I misunderstood you before and I am sorry for offending you.
Now that you have not only cleared the Su family of their grievances, but you have also been so kind to my sister, I, Su Mingyu, would like to offer you a toast! From now on, you will be the benefactor of my Su family and also my Su family's son-in-law!"
Xiao Cixiao took the wine glass, looked at Su Wanting, and said with a smile: "Mr. Su, you are too polite. Wanting is my wife, and it is my duty to work for the Su family.
Moreover, being able to marry Wanting is the greatest blessing in my life, Xiao Cixiao."
The early summer sunshine shines through the stained glass windows of the Prime Minister's Mansion and falls onto Su Wanting's desk.
She was sitting at the table, reading the letter sent by her brother. After Su Mingyu was recalled to the capital, the emperor restored his official position in recognition of his merits and sent him to guard the border. Now the border is stable and the people live and work in peace.
"What are you looking at? So engrossed?" Xiao Cixiao gently hugged her from behind, his chin resting on the top of her head, his tone full of tenderness.
Su Wanting turned around, held up the letter, and said with a smile, "I'm reading my brother's letter. He said that the border areas are doing well now, and that he wants to go to Jiangnan with us when he comes back."
Xiao Cixiao took the letter, glanced at it, and said with a smile, "Okay. Once we finish our work, we'll go to Jiangnan.
Haven't you always wanted to go back to that town? We could go sit with the old man in the pharmacy and go boating on the river."
Su Wanting nodded and leaned in Xiao Cixiao's arms, her heart full of happiness.
She recalled that five years ago, she had lived a life worse than death in the Xiao Mansion, and thought that she would be trapped in that painful marriage for the rest of her life;
Thinking back to three years ago, she hid her identity in a small town in the south of the Yangtze River, thinking that she would never return to the capital and would never see Xiao Cixiao again;
She recalled that a year ago, she reunited with Xiao Cixiao in the disaster area in the northwest, and thought that there would only be endless resentment and alienation between them.
But unexpectedly, fate took many twists and turns and finally brought them together.
"Xiao Cixiao," Su Wanting raised her head, looked into Xiao Cixiao's eyes, and said softly, "Do you still remember? Back then in the Xiao Mansion, you said you would never recognize me as your wife in this life."
Xiao Cixiao was stunned for a moment, then smiled and said, "Of course I remember. I was so foolish back then. I didn't cherish such a good person like you and was so heartless to you.
Thinking about it now, I really regret it." He held Su Wanting's hand, his tone full of seriousness,
"Wanting, thank you. Thank you for not giving up on me, thank you for giving me another chance. From now on, I will definitely treat you well and never let you suffer any grievances again."
Su Wanting smiled and shook her head: "Actually, I want to thank you too.
Thank you for your persistence, thank you for everything you have done for the Su family, and thank you for making me believe in love again."
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