Although Emperor Wenxuan allowed Xiao Jue to bury Madam He Er, Madam He Er was still a criminal and could not be made public.
On the day He Rufei and Xu Zhiheng were executed, Madam He was buried.
Madam He Er's grave is in a quiet forest on Donghuang Mountain in the capital, with pear trees planted everywhere. In spring, when the pear blossoms are in full bloom and the wind is calm and the birds are roosting, it must be a beautiful sight. She is like all the noble ladies in the capital, obeying her father at home and her husband after marriage. She was trapped in the eaves of the four corners of the house all her life and could not decide her own destiny.
Perhaps death may be a kind of relief for her.
The stone tablet reads: The tomb of the late Empress Dehui Yun.
Madam He's original surname was Yun. Now that she has passed away, He Yan had this stone tablet carved. It seems that even in the underworld, Madam He's second wife would no longer want to have anything to do with the He family.
She half-knelt down in front of Madam He Er's tomb, gently stroked the words on the tombstone, and said softly: "If there is an afterlife, mother must not be a woman. If she must be a woman..." She smiled and said, "Let me be the mother and mother be the daughter."
The mother and daughter were destined to be together but not to be together in this life. They had never even said a nice word to each other. From today on, in this world, the only person who knew that she was He Yan was Xiao Jue.
Xiao Jue stood a few steps away. Madam He Er's identity was sensitive. Xiao Jue had already been subjected to countless spit by Yu Shi when he buried Madam He Er at this time.
A woman's voice echoed behind him: "You..."
He Yan turned around and saw He Xinying in plain clothes.
He Xinying looked much more haggard. The beautiful girl was now skinny and emaciated. She probably cried for a long time, and her eyes were red and swollen. She saw the faces of He Yan and Xiao Jue clearly, and was stunned for a moment. She stood there a little uncomfortably, and after a while, she said, "Commander Xiao, Miss He."
"Xu..." He Yan stopped talking suddenly, "Miss He." Xu Zhiheng was already dead. There was no Xu family anymore, and no Grandma Xu anymore.
He Xinying's eyes fell on the stone tablet in front of the tomb. For a moment, her voice choked up, "But my... mother?"
He Yan nodded slightly.
He Xinying took three or two steps forward, and knelt down in front of the tomb, holding the tombstone tightly.
That day, a strange guard took her out of the prison and sent her to the residence of Wei Xuanzhang, the director of Xianchang Hall. Wei Xuanzhang lived in the hall for many years, and only his wife and granddaughter lived at home. Mrs. Wei was very gentle with her and sympathized with her experience. After He Xinying settled down in the Wei family, she gradually pieced together the whole story from the servants.
It was actually not much different from what she imagined.
All the incomprehensible things in the past suddenly had answers. Why was the "big brother" wearing a mask always so cold to her, while the "big brother" without the mask was so patient and gentle to her? It was because the big brother wearing a mask was actually the dead "eldest sister". She thought the "eldest sister" who was recuperating on the farm was actually the real big brother.
No wonder the eldest sister went blind soon after marrying into the Xu family. There is no such coincidence in the world. It was just a man-made thing. After the eldest sister passed away, my mother fell seriously ill and became depressed. It turned out that the truth was so horrible and disgusting.
What about her?
Her eldest sister had passed away, her mother had left, the He family was gone, and the Xu family had broken up. She had been arranged by her biological father to marry Xu Zhiheng, and it turned out that she was also a substitute for her eldest sister, replacing the marriage between the He and Xu families that must not be severed.
Now she is alone, where can she go? What can she do?
He Xinying hugged the tombstone and cried bitterly. She wished that Second Madam He was still alive so that she would at least have someone to rely on. But now, she was really helpless.
Suddenly I remembered that He Yan, who was alone in Xu's family back then, was in the same situation. He was pushed into the abyss by his own family, with no comrades to rely on. He couldn't see the ugly expressions on people's faces, nor could he guess their sinister intentions. He was so lonely and pitiful.
He Yan looked at her crying sadly, hesitated for a moment, and finally walked to He Xinying's side, bent down, and gently patted her back.
She knew better than anyone the feeling of being homeless, and she understood exactly how He Xinying felt at the moment.
He Xinying cried for a long time before turning her head. He Yan handed her a handkerchief. She took it and said, "Thank you." She looked at the tombstone and said, "This inscription..."
Like carving a name for a mother in the name of her children...
"I had it carved." Xiao Jue said calmly, "Your elder sister and I were classmates. I carved the inscription for her."
He Xinying was stunned and whispered, "Thank you." She turned to look at the tombstone with a complicated expression, "She really is... Even though she is gone, she can still protect me all the time."
She and her elder sister He Yan had not spent much time together. Even if she had vaguely guessed the truth, she was more shocked than angry. But now, when no one could help her, the warmth left by her elder sister after her death was enough to comfort her. Whether it was Wei Xuanzhang or Xiao Huaijin, they protected her so much because of He Yan.
It would be great if He Yan was still alive. He Xinying suddenly wanted to know what kind of person He Yan was.
The few times she had contact with He Yan were when she was wearing a mask. After she returned home, He Yan got married in a hurry. She didn't have time and didn't have the chance to get to know He Yan. He Xinying thought that He Yan must be a very good person, as these people would still help her and miss her even after He Yan's death.
She shouldn't be as weak as I am, and should be able to find a way forward in despair.
"What are your plans for the future?" He Yan asked her.
He Xinying came back to her senses, shook her head, and said blankly: "I don't know."
She really doesn't know how to move forward in the future.
"Don't be in a hurry," He Yan said softly, "You can think about it slowly, and do it when you have figured it out."
He Xinying smiled bitterly: "Do I still have a future?"
A woman who was once the wife of a traitor, a woman whose whole family colluded with the enemy and betrayed the country, even if she survived, what could she do? She also wanted to die with her family, but in the end, she didn't have the courage.
"Yes." The woman in front of her looked at her and said gently, "You are the daughter of Madam He Er and the sister of General Fei Hong. What she can do, you can definitely do."
He Xinying raised her head subconsciously and looked at He Yan.
This woman... She had seen her before in Yuhua Temple, but her eyes were drawn to Xiao Huaijin beside her, so she didn't take a closer look. However, Madam He Er had talked to He Yan for a few words. Speaking of which, the Marquis of Wu'an in front of her also had a connection with her elder sister. She also disguised herself as a man to join the army, and her name was exactly the same. Perhaps it was because of this that God wanted to use her to redress her elder sister's injustice.
He Xinying suddenly felt close to the woman in front of her, even though they had only met a few times.
He Yan pulled her up from the ground, "I know you are living in Mr. Wei's house now. If you need any help in the future, you can ask someone to tell me."
"Why... are you so nice to me?" He Xinying couldn't help but ask.
He Yan smiled and said, "My fiancé was once a classmate of your elder sister. It is my responsibility to take care of you. Besides, I only have a younger brother and no younger sister. In the future, you can treat me as your sister. Although I am not as powerful as General Feihong, I will take care of you for her," she said.
Inexplicably, He Xinying felt a sense of security in her heart, as if she had finally found a small boat in the huge waves where she was alone and helpless.
"Thank you." She murmured.
"Let's go burn incense to Madam He Er first." He Yan said with a smile.
…
After offering incense to Madam He Er and burning paper money, Xiao Jue and He Yan sent He Xinying back to Wei Xuanzhang's residence. Looking at He Xinying's back as she entered the house, He Yan sighed softly.
"What's wrong?" Xiao Jue asked her.
"I just feel a little distressed." He Yan turned around and walked back home with Xiao Jue. "I remember when she was in the He family, she was very innocent and lively. He Yuanliang—" She refused to call out the word "father", "always doted on her. I once secretly envied her, but in the end, she was also treated as a sacrifice by the He family."
If He Yan had grown up alone and had seen clearly the coldness and ruthlessness of the He family, it would not have been difficult for her to accept the truth when it came out. But He Xinying had lived in a lie since she was a child. She was raised in a pampered way. When she finally discovered the ugly truth of the world one day, she would have been particularly devastated.
Xiao Jue comforted her: "She will get over it."
As they were walking, a pedestrian passed by and seemed to be muttering about the execution that took place in the city today. He Yan heard someone say, "When Xu Zhiheng was pushed onto the execution platform, he was so scared that he peed his pants. Hahaha, that's too funny!"
"He Rufei was even worse, 120 knives, it hurts just thinking about it."
"They deserved it! Who made them do such a disloyal and unjust thing? They are so ruthless! It's a pity for General Feihong. It's a rare talent in Wei Dynasty. She was a woman, but they killed her. Your Majesty's action can be regarded as revenge for General Feihong."
"This is called every wrong has its perpetrator and every debt has its creditor. It's not that I haven't paid it back yet, but the time has not come yet."
He Yan listened to the pedestrians' discussions and was stunned for a moment. She did not go to watch the execution. For her, it was enough for the guilty to get their retribution. Watching the execution did not make her happy, and revenge was not the purpose of her life. People should learn to look forward. Only by looking forward can there be a future.
"Xiao Jue," He Yan said, "What are you going to do about Prime Minister Xu's matter?"
Xiao Jue's eyes paused for a moment, and after a while, he spoke: "Almost, it's now."
…
The case of General Feihong was exposed, the truth was found out, and the guilty person was brought to justice. After all, He Rufei was not guilty of a serious crime, so it was understandable to deal with him in this way. But Xu Xiang, who was left behind to await trial, made things a little awkward.
Xu Jingfu's disciples were all over the court. Although they dared not say it directly, there were many people who worked hard for him these days. Most of them talked about Xu Jingfu's contributions when Emperor Wenxuan ascended the throne. They also said that a few letters and He Rufei's confession alone could not convict him, and Xu Jingfu was wrongly accused.
But soon, Fengyun General Xiao Huaijin personally brought two people to the Jinluan Palace, the survivors of the Mingshui Battle, a pair of brothers named Luo. In front of all the civil and military officials, the Luo brothers told Emperor Wenxuan the truth about the Mingshui Battle. It turned out that Xu Jingfu secretly colluded with the traitors in the Xiao family army and deliberately sent the military map to the Nanman. The reason why Xiao Zhongwu was defeated in the Mingshui Battle was not because of improper command, but because Xu Jingfu's men shot an arrow in the back and the whole army was annihilated.
When these words were spoken, the whole court was shocked, and Emperor Wenxuan became furious in front of all the ministers.
Everyone knows that Xiao Zhongwu was defeated badly in the Battle of Mingshui that year, and the Xiao family was almost devastated. If Xiao Huaijin had not been determined to fight to the death and led three thousand soldiers to invade the Nanman again, there would definitely be no "General Fengyun" in the Great Wei today.
After the Battle of Mingshui, civil officials openly and secretly accused Xiao Zhongwu of being stubborn and self-willed, and the most severe accusation was from Xu Jingfu. Emperor Wenxuan also left the Xiao family on the sidelines for a long time. Now the truth is out, it was Xu Jingfu who was behind it. On the one hand, it chilled the old followers of Xiao Zhongwu, and on the other hand, it also made people feel that Emperor Wenxuan was an absurd and unjust emperor who could not distinguish between loyalty and treachery.
Emperor Wenxuan was furious and ordered the Dali Temple to thoroughly investigate the entire Xu family and re-examine the old case of the Battle of Mingshui. He would not stop until the case was thoroughly investigated and the truth was revealed.
As a result, the original Xu party was in danger, and the building was about to fall. Who would care about Xu Xiang or not? They wanted to cut off all their past ties with Xu Jingfu. At the same time, everyone was more afraid of the legendary Jade-faced Governor. After lurking for so many years, they never gave up investigating this matter. Who knows if Xiao Huaijin has other evidence in his hands.
It is not easy to uproot an old tree that has grown for many years, but looking at Xiao Huaijin's attitude, it is clear that he is going to settle the score later and will not let anyone off.
In the prince's residence, Guangyan paced back and forth in the hall, feeling restless.
The servants all knelt on one side, not daring to answer. The prince's temper has become worse these days. A few days ago, he even beat the princess. Everyone knows who he is angry with. The prince has been friends with Xu Xiang for many years. Xu Xiang has always supported the prince. Xu Xiang's fall is tantamount to cutting off his own arm. That's all. But the old man is cunning and treacherous. He has evidence in his hands for so many years. If he wants to drag him into the water... The prince clenched his fists, his expression became more and more gloomy. Guangshuo will definitely not miss this opportunity!
When they were on Tianxing Terrace, Guangshuo had already instigated He Rufei's case. Now that the He family and the Xu family have both fallen, if the next one is the Xu family, then the next one, wouldn't it be himself?
Well, they have probably calculated this day. If they succeed at this time, wouldn't it be a failure? But Emperor Wenxuan is angry now, and he can't speak for Xu Jingfu at this critical moment. Besides, the evidence of the Mingshui case is conclusive, and Xiao Huaijin is in high spirits now. He can only avoid his sharp edge and dare not fight head-on.
Just as he was thinking, a maid came in from outside, walked up to him, and whispered, "Your Highness, are you worried about Prime Minister Xu?"
At this juncture, the only one who dared to come over and talk to him was the favored maid Yingxiang.
Guangyan glanced at Yingxiang. Today, he had no intention of flirting with a beauty. He just said, "Not bad."
"If I were to say, isn't this a good thing?" Ying Xiang helped Guangyan sit down on the couch and gently massaged his shoulders. "Your Highness, don't you think that Prime Minister Xu is overreaching? Now that Prime Minister Xu is in trouble, Your Highness should have fewer worries in the future."
"What do you know?" Guangyan said impatiently, "Xu Jingfu is my man! If anything happens to him, it would be like cutting off one of my arms. All the planning in the past few years would be in vain!"
"Your Highness, are you worried that there will be no one to replace Prime Minister Xu after he leaves?" Ying Xiang said with a smile, "Doesn't Prime Minister Xu have a son-in-law? The Fourth Master Chu has followed Prime Minister Xu for so many years. If he can protect himself this time... it's not impossible for him to take Prime Minister Xu's place."
Chu Zilan? Guangyan was slightly startled.
He intended to pull Chu Zilan under his wing, but things had been happening one after another these days and he had forgotten about Chu Zilan. Now, after hearing Ying Xiang's reminder, he suddenly remembered what Manningbu had said in his house before.
"With the same means and connections, a young chick is easier to train than an adult venomous snake, isn't it?"
Chu Zilan was taught by Xu Jingfu. Compared with Xu Jingfu's viciousness, he looked more gentle and harmless, but he had done everything for Xu Jingfu over the years. No one would look down on him, otherwise he would be incompetent. How could Xu Jingfu marry his daughter to Chu Zilan?
However... his eyes moved to the beautiful face of the maid in front of him, and he suddenly reached out and grabbed Ying Xiang's wrist, pulling her into his arms, and asked: "Chu Zilan is Xu Jingfu's student. If Xu Jingfu falls, Chu Zilan will not be able to escape. How do you know... that he will escape?"
"I was just saying that," Ying Xiang did not struggle, but kept a submissive smile on her face, snuggled in his arms, and said softly, "After all, he was my former master."
Guangyan stared at her for a long while, sneered, and pinched Yingxiang's chin, forcing her to look straight at him. "I hate betrayal the most. Yingxiang, you are my most beloved maid in the whole mansion. I hope you know what to do and what not to do. If I find out that you have been having an affair with someone behind my back... you should know," his smile looked a bit sinister, "there are more women like you who died in the prince's mansion."
Ying Xiangjiao smiled and said, "Your Highness is scaring me again. I am your Highness's person in life and your ghost in death. How could I have an affair with someone else? Your Highness, please don't forget the old one when you have a new one."
The beauty looked bright and charming, with a pair of obedient eyes, without any doubt.
"As long as you are obedient," Guangyan touched her face with satisfaction, "I will always love you."
Ying Xiang smiled and lowered her head. On her slender wrist, there was an obvious bruise caused by Guangyan's action. She calmly covered the bruise with her sleeve and buried her head in Guangyan's arms to hide the deep meaning in her eyes.