Chapter 19 The Emperor's Wrath, Thunderous Punishment
Yuwen Che, leading Su Luoxue, resolutely departed, disappearing beneath the palace walls, leaving everyone with endless fear and shock. The Su family, mingling in the crowd, were utterly dumbfounded. Although they knew His Majesty protected Xue'er, they never imagined that this protection would be so domineering and ruthless, leaving no room for compromise! Throwing a sword in public, speaking out against his will, announcing the succession to the Empress's position… each and every one of these actions exceeded their understanding of imperial power.
The emperor and empress were gone, but the drama on the palace walls was far from over. Li Dehai straightened his robes, walked to the edge of the city wall, and, facing the still deathly silent crowd and the few ministers slumped on the ground, unfurled a bright yellow imperial edict. His shrill, clear voice, like a death knell, tolled in everyone's hearts:
"By the Mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees:"
"Empress Shen, since entering the palace, has not only failed to serve as a model for the nation and maintain harmony in the harem, but has also become jealous and wicked, unfit for the heavy responsibility of the empress's position. Effective immediately, she is hereby deposed as empress and imprisoned in the Phoenix Palace, never to be released except by death! This is the imperial decree—"
The first imperial decree was like a thunderbolt! It directly deposed the Empress! Although everyone had a premonition, the actual issuance of the decree still caused a huge uproar. Empress Shen, who was lying on the ground, heard the words "deposed Empress," "imprisoned," and "not to be released unless killed." Her last bit of support collapsed completely. She let out a shrill, inhuman wail and fainted completely.
However, this was only the beginning. Li Dehai continued reading without pause, his tone icy and devoid of any emotion:
"Shen Chong, the Duke of Protector of the Nation, has relied on his status as the Emperor's father-in-law to form cliques and engage in corrupt practices. Today, he has even defied his superiors by openly gathering a crowd to force the Emperor to abdicate and coerce him. His intentions are despicable, and his crimes deserve the extermination of his entire clan!"
"However, considering his minor merits in his early years, I will grant him special leniency: confiscate all the property of the Duke of Huguo's mansion and execute the entire family! All adult males of the Shen clan, regardless of kinship, shall be executed immediately! Women, and children born to married daughters, shall also be executed! The decree shall be carried out immediately upon receipt!"
"All underage males in their clan will be made government slaves and will never be released from their status! Underage females... will all be confiscated and sent to the brothel to be prostitutes for life!"
This decree was even more bloody and cruel than the one deposing the empress! Although it didn't involve the extermination of nine generations of relatives, the scope of the purge and the severity of the punishment were chilling! Not only were all adult men and women of the Shen family killed, but married-out daughters and their children were also spared. Furthermore, the underage children were to be enslaved if male and prostituted if female, never to be reincarnated! This was tantamount to eradicating the root of the problem, leaving no trace of future trouble!
The people below the city walls fell silent. Many looked pained, but no one dared to utter a sound. This was the consequence of angering the emperor and provoking his wrath!
Li Dehai closed the imperial edict, looked down at Pei Xuan who was waiting to give instructions, and said in a deep voice, "General Pei, His Majesty's decree is for you to supervise the execution. Carry it out immediately without any mistakes!"
Pei Xuan took a deep breath, suppressing the shock in his heart, and knelt on one knee: "Your subject accepts the decree!"
After reading the imperial edict, Li Dehai's gaze swept over the other ministers beside him, who were already trembling with fear, completely out of their wits. Where was the fervor they had displayed during their earlier "die-hard remonstrance"? They were all pale, their court robes soaked with cold sweat. They weren't afraid of death, but they were terrified that His Majesty's decree would fall upon their families! Just think of the Shen family's fate—the execution of all adult men and women, the imprisonment of underage girls in brothels…that was a torment a thousand times worse than death! A living hell, where even suicide was impossible!
They were so tense they could hardly breathe, awaiting His Majesty's final verdict. Would they suffer the same fate as the Shen family, their entire family wiped out, or... was there even a sliver of hope?
Looking at their terrified expressions, Li Dehai sneered inwardly, but did not immediately announce the punishment for them. He simply said coldly, "As for you... His Majesty will make his own decision. Go back and wait!"
After speaking, Li Dehai turned and left. The ministers were left paralyzed on the spot, like condemned prisoners awaiting their final judgment, their hearts filled with endless regret and fear. They finally understood how foolish and dangerous it had been to try to force this decisive and ruthless emperor to submit to public opinion and so-called "loyalty and righteousness"!
The siege of the palace gates ended in a bloody and brutal massacre and a complete display of imperial power. Yuwen Che, in the most extreme way, declared to the world Su Luoxue's unshakeable position in his heart, and the terrible price to pay for touching her sore spot. The Great Zhou court was destined to undergo a massive purge and transformation. Su Luoxue, too, was propelled to unprecedented heights by this overwhelming power and bloodshed, finding herself at the center of an even more complex vortex.
The bloody imperial edict at the palace gates spread like wildfire. The once bustling square was now eerily silent, save for the howling wind whistling through the cobblestones. The people were terrified, bowing their heads and dispersing, afraid that even a glance would bring disaster upon them.
The Su family members mingled in the dispersing crowd, exchanging glances filled with indescribable complex emotions. Was it a blessing? His Majesty valued Xue'er so highly, even going so far as to publicly depose the Empress and execute high-ranking officials for her sake; the Su family seemed to have climbed to unprecedented heights. Was it a curse? This favor was too intense, like oil on a raging fire. Xue'er was placed in the spotlight, becoming the target of countless hidden attacks. Could a merchant family like the Su family, with no real foundation, truly withstand the backlash that came with such immense wealth?
Su Jingxing was the first to calm down. He suppressed the turmoil in his heart and whispered to his parents, "Father, Mother, we shouldn't stay here any longer. Let's go back to the manor quickly. There are too many people around, and if someone recognizes us... I'm afraid it will cause some trouble."
Su Wenyuan and Madam Liu were already completely disoriented. Upon hearing this, they nodded hastily and, supported by their son, hurriedly left this place of trouble with the flow of people. Their hearts were temporarily at ease for their daughter's safety, but they were even more concerned about the future of the Su family.
On the other side, those high-ranking officials who had previously knelt and delivered impassioned speeches were now terrified. Although the imperial edict hadn't yet arrived, the words "go back and wait" hung like a sword over their heads, making them restless and unable to eat or sleep. Their legs were weak, almost unable to stand, and they were only able to move with difficulty, slumped onto their carriages, thanks to their servants who had been waiting in the distance and now dared to tremble and support them. They had arrived full of vigor and high spirits, but returned dejected and broken, their faces etched with regret and fear.
Duke Shen Chong, however, did not receive such "preferential treatment." He was dragged from the ground by two ruthless Dragon Guards, like a dead dog, and headed towards the execution ground. His face was ashen, his eyes vacant, and he lacked even the strength to struggle. He could only mutter unconsciously, "It's over... the Shen family is completely finished..."
Seeing the gruesome sight of the Duke of Protectorate being dragged away, and recalling how he himself had almost knelt down, the Marquis of Zhenbei was instantly drenched in cold sweat. He grabbed his son's arm, his voice trembling, "Xuan'er...it's all thanks to you! Thanks to you for stopping me! Just now...just now I was the loudest, the one shouting the loudest. If it weren't for you...it would be our Pei family being wiped out and our property confiscated!"
Pei Xuan supported his father's trembling body, his face grave, and said in a low voice, "Father, you should understand now. His Majesty is not a bloodthirsty and tyrannical ruler, but he will never tolerate any form of disobedience or coercion, especially a public coup that challenges his authority. Even if the target today wasn't Consort Chen, and even if the Duke of Protectorate is innocent, His Majesty needs a 'chicken' to warn the 'monkeys' of the world. He is not coerced by anyone. The Shen family has simply walked into a trap."
He paused, his tone carrying a hint of warning: "After this incident, the court's structure will inevitably change drastically. Our Zhenbei Marquis's mansion must be even more cautious in our words and deeds, and loyal to the king's affairs, but we must never again get involved in such palace intrigues and coercing of the emperor. Go back now, and for the time being, close your doors to guests and observe the situation quietly."
Marquis Zhenbei nodded repeatedly, taking his son's words as gospel. With Pei Xuan's help, he climbed unsteadily into the carriage.
After seeing his father off, Pei Xuan's solemn expression did not fade. He turned to the captain of his personal guard, and gave the order in a deep voice, his tone devoid of emotion, revealing only the iron will and obedience of a soldier:
"Immediately take men to the Duke of Huguo's mansion! Seize all properties and inventory the family's assets! Arrest all adult men and women in the mansion, including married women and their children, and send them to the execution ground to await execution! As for minors, in accordance with His Majesty's decree, register the men and make them government slaves; the women... be confiscated by the brothel."
He took a deep breath and uttered four cold words: "Get it done immediately!"
"Yes, General!" The captain of the guards accepted the order, immediately mustered his men, and galloped towards the Duke of Protectorate's mansion like wolves and tigers.
This turmoil temporarily subsided with a bloody purge and a display of the emperor's absolute authority. But everyone knew this was far from the end. The deposition of the empress, the execution of the emperor's father-in-law, the purge of the Shen family… this series of ruthless actions would inevitably unleash even greater waves in the Great Zhou court. And Consort Chen, Su Luoxue, at the eye of the storm, was destined to have her future inextricably linked to this decisive, ruthless, and deeply devoted emperor. Whether the road ahead led to the pinnacle of unparalleled glory or the edge of an abyss, no one knew.
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