When Shen Yan learned that his friend was likely to be beheaded, it was like a bolt from the blue.
However, when he asked many people, the answers were all pretty much the same.
They all felt that Xiao Linghan couldn't escape this time.
Because the sin was too great.
How could a case that the emperor had personally intervened in be easily dismissed?
The raid was just the first step; there were many other things to deal with seriously afterward.
From any perspective, Xiao Linghan was doomed to die.
Moreover, the Xiao family was not a respectable family to begin with. If they were truly respectable, how could they possibly do something so risky?
If someone so close to Xiao Linghan's second uncle is going to do something like this, then it can only prove that this family is truly incapable.
It's usually people from collateral branches or other related relatives who engage in the smuggling of salt in order to accumulate wealth quickly.
The main members of the Xiao family are willing to risk their lives for money; it's a laughingstock if word gets out.
Therefore, paying the price is only natural.
It was just a pity for those family members, who were in the prime of their lives, but had to face exile.
Exile was no small matter; countless people died on the way.
Traveling thousands of miles, there are always all sorts of unexpected events. Even if you survive and reach the place of exile, you can only do the roughest and hardest work.
Falling from a peaceful and comfortable place to hell all at once is something that anyone might not be able to endure.
However, since they enjoyed the wealth and honor of the Xiao family and were willing to live and die with them, it was only natural for them to do so.
So they all advised Shen Yan to put the matter aside as soon as possible.
He was a promising young master, a world apart from Xiao Linghan, who was already imprisoned.
Continuing to associate with him might be detrimental to him.
Shen Yan's parents didn't impose many restrictions on him; they simply said what needed to be said.
Shen Yan is doing useless things now. No matter how much he is loved and seen as a carefree young master, he cannot defy the law.
This is a major case, and in the face of such a case, Shen Yan is utterly ineffective.
After returning home dejected, Shen Yan slept for several days. Upon waking, he immediately asked if there had been any resolution regarding the Xiao family's affairs. He only breathed a sigh of relief upon learning that there had been none.
He and Xiao Linghan were kindred spirits and had gone through many trials and tribulations together, with Xiao Linghan helping him a great deal.
Such a loyal and devoted friend, burdened by his own relatives, might one day be separated from him by death. Shen Yan was deeply pained.
But he knew he had done everything he could, and all avenues were blocked, which meant there was no room for maneuver.
With nowhere to relieve his inner turmoil, he unknowingly walked to the side of Jiang Tian's estate.
Today, Jiang Tian had hot pot with her family at home. They bought several sheep, chopped a lot of vegetables, and set out several steaming hot pots. Everyone's face revealed a kind of joy.
Hearing the bustling noise inside the manor, Shen Yan looked at himself outside the manor, only able to face the bright moon in vain, and couldn't help but feel bitter.
At this moment, a guard walked towards him: "Young Master Shen, my lady requests your presence."
The situation took an unexpected turn.
Shen Yan's eyes widened in surprise. He didn't understand at first, but when he realized what was happening, his heart started racing.
He quickly straightened his clothes and followed the guards into the manor.
Jiang Tian wiped her hands with the handkerchief in her hand before saying to him, "Come in."
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