Chapter 342 He Became a Star

The content of the public notice was relatively detailed, putting all the blame on Fan Ding's meticulous frame-up, allowing the people to shift their anger at the court's wrongful accusation of Prime Minister Yan to Fan Ding.

"It turns out that the big shot who was arrested that day was Fan Ding. That old thief was dressed so well, how could he look honest at all?"

"Twelve years of injustice... God, I still remember when Yan Xiang came to see us. Such a high-ranking official came to this shabby place in person, dressed in plain clothes, and he looked like a good official."

"Yan has been carrying a stigma for so many years, and he never figured out where he was so greedy until his death... I am really going to cry my heart out. How can there be such a bad person in this world? When will the old thief Fan Ding be executed?"

"After the autumn harvest, after the autumn harvest, we will all come to watch that old thief die. If I have the chance, I will definitely kick him a few times!"

"Yes, we must see him die with our own eyes. Only when he dies can we feel relieved and comfort the spirit of Prime Minister Yan in heaven."

"Yan Xiangdayi, have a safe journey..."

…

After reading the notice, the people were angry at first, but finally burst into tears for Yan Xiang's injustice. Those tears were of joy as well as grievance.

Not far away, the Yan family members stood in a corner, weeping. They were crying that Yan Xiang was finally vindicated, but also that this vindication came too late.

Even though the clan had sent people to arrange better accommodation for them, and even though their food and lodging were better now than when Yan Xiang was still alive, this financial abundance could not make people ignore the despair and pain.

What saddened them was that all the elders and male members of the family were gone. Twelve years ago, the Yan family had completely collapsed and could never recover.

Zong Wenxiu didn't know what to say. He just stood there silently accompanying his mother and aunts, feeling heavy in his heart.

general's office.

The old marquis and the old lady personally watched over the name change of Zong Die, changing Baili Weihong's name back to Yan Suxue, and recorded it next to Zong Yan in the name of his legal wife.

The old lady couldn't bear to look at Zong Yan's tablet, so after changing the Zong disc, she left as if escaping.

Zong Zhao came in after they left, picked up the handkerchief beside him, and wiped the tablet clean bit by bit. The small characters on it read "The second son of the 19th generation of the Zong family" and the big characters read "The seat of the Zong family".

As he wiped his hair, he recalled the night he went to war. The weather was fine, and the sixteen-year-old Zong Yan was so excited that he couldn't sleep, so he ran to his room and shared a bed with him. They were twin brothers, and although they looked different, they had a very close relationship.

Zong Yan had admired him since he was a child, always asking him questions and being particularly talkative: "Brother, do you think our expedition will be smooth this time? The southern border is easier to fight than the You Kingdom. Can we also become a great general respected by everyone in the army like Luo Jingfeng?"

Although Luo Jingfeng's refusal to hand over military power made the emperor jealous, his achievements were indelible. The generals and soldiers in the army and the people in the martial arts academy all wanted to become the second Luo Jingfeng who enjoyed unlimited glory.

Zong Zhao replied seriously, "It's unlikely. The fact that the southern border is easy to fight means that even if we win, we won't be able to gain the same achievements as Luo Jingfeng, because the achievements won't be that great."

Zong Yan lost his temper for a second, but soon recovered his excitement: "That's okay, brother, you are the top scholar in both civil and military affairs. You are brave and resourceful in fighting, and you will definitely be more powerful than Luo. And I have a feeling that we will definitely return with a great harvest this time!"

Zong Zhao also thought so, but he was always humble and only reminded: "It's good that you can come back safely. The battlefield is ruthless and the sword has no eyes. You need to be careful."

Zong Yan turned over and continued happily, "What are you afraid of? The fate of a soldier is to die on the battlefield. Even if you die, you have contributed your body to the country and brought honor to the family. Besides, although I am not as good as you, I am still the number one in our martial arts academy and the pride of the dean. You don't know how much the people in our martial arts academy admire me, just like I admire you!"

Zong Zhao was drowsy from his chattering. Seeing that it was getting late, he reminded him, "Go to bed quickly. We have to go to the barracks early tomorrow morning. We are not generals and cannot keep others waiting. Even if our uncles are around, it won't work. We have to make a name for ourselves."

"Yes! We have to rely on ourselves!" Zong Yan vowed, "When I come back, I will put on the general's armor and show it to my mother. This will be my most beautiful outfit!"

…

Time flies and things and people are no longer the same.

The night talk of the teenagers ten years ago finally became a memory, and he... failed to bring Zong Yan back.

Zong Zhao thought about Zong Yan's lofty words about sacrificing his life for the country, and his chest felt like it was being gripped by sharp claws. The pain was so severe that he couldn't calm down for a long time. The simple-minded Zong Yan didn't know until his death that the ones who had brought them to this point... were all their own people.

He wiped the tablet over and over again, trying to use repetitive actions to calm the hatred, impulse, and violence in his heart.

Night falls.

The dishes had already been set out in the courtyard. Xu Wan waited for a long time but Zong Zhao didn't come back. After asking, she found out that he had been in the ancestral hall for the whole day.

For the children in the key classes, the ancestral hall was a place where they were often punished to kneel and write self-criticisms; and for Zongzhao, it was a place where the tablets of his elders... and his younger brother were placed.

When Xu Wan thought about this, she finally couldn't sit still anymore.

Outside the Zong family ancestral hall, Cuizhi and others were guarding outside. Xu Wan walked in quietly and saw Zong Zhao sitting on a cushion with Zong Yan's tablet and handkerchief in his hands.

Xu Wan's heart skipped a beat and her steps stopped where they were.

Everyone knows that the two eldest sons of the clan went to war, one died in battle, and the other went missing. Now the missing one has returned, but the one who died in battle cannot be resurrected.

Zong Yan is also Zong Zhao's younger brother. Not being able to protect his younger brother and bring him back safely must be the biggest pain and regret in his heart.

Xu Wan didn't know how to persuade him. She felt that no matter what she said at this moment, it would be powerless.

But she still walked over slowly, squatted down, and looked at him at eye level, and said softly: "Two years ago, when Wenxiu was promoted to the second wife's legitimate son, my mother-in-law told me some things about Zong Yan. He was a lively, cheerful and likable person, right?"

Zong Zhao always answered her questions, but this time he was in a bad mood and rarely did not reply.

Xu Wan was not discouraged and continued, "No wonder a smart mother-in-law could be fooled by Jin Cheng before. She must have wanted to compensate Zong Yan for her years of doting on Jin Cheng, right?"

Zong Zhao raised his head to look at her. Under the dim moonlight, her expression was gentle and powerful.

Xu Wan pointed to the sky outside and said gently, "I often hear people say that after death, people will fly to the sky and turn into shining stars. They don't disappear, but stand high up and watch from afar, blessing their loved ones. So there are often people who like to look at the vast starry sky, and see the people they want to see through the stars and the moon."