The next morning.
The news that Qin Shousheng was to be beheaded and his head displayed to the public spread like a thunderbolt, instantly reaching every street and alley in Anyang.
Teahouses, taverns, and streets were filled with the talk of this delightful event.
"Have you heard? That damned Qin Shousheng is finally getting his comeuppance today and he's going to have his head chopped off!"
"That beastly bastard should have died long ago. Over the years, he has preyed on the people, committed countless evil deeds, and caused them untold suffering. He has turned Anyang into a chaotic mess. We should cut him into a thousand pieces to vent our anger!"
"That's right. Over the years, Qin Shousheng has plundered so much of our people's hard-earned money and killed so many innocent people. He deserves to die ten thousand times over!"
An old woman wiped away tears with her sleeve as she sobbed,
“My poor son was beaten to death by Qin Shousheng’s henchmen for not paying those unknown exorbitant taxes on time. Today, my son can finally rest in peace. I’m going to his grave to tell him.”
"It is a blessing for the people of Anyang that such a greedy and corrupt official has been executed. We will no longer have to live in fear and can finally live a peaceful and happy life."
"Yes, it's fortunate that a big shot came from Kyoto, otherwise Qin Shousheng would have been killed."
"You're right. I've heard that this important figure is none other than the renowned War God, Prince Ning."
"Is that so? Prince Ning has actually come to our Anyang. I must go and see his face."
"Give me a break! Do you think we can even see Prince Ning? You should go to the prison and see Qin Shousheng's pathetic state!"
"Yes, yes, this is so satisfying to see, let's go."
Outside the Anyang prison, a large crowd of onlookers had already gathered.
Their eyes were filled with hatred, and they kept cursing...
The road leading to the execution ground was lined with people, a vast, densely packed crowd that stretched as far as the eye could see.
They all wanted to witness the heinous Qin Shousheng being beheaded.
Seeing Qin Shousheng being escorted out of the prison by yamen runners, the anger of the onlookers surged instantly.
Pairs of eyes filled with hatred and rage stared intently at Qin Shousheng, wishing they could rush up and devour his flesh and drink his blood.
A furious roar erupted from the crowd, "Smash him! Smash this inhuman corrupt official to death!"
In an instant, stones, rotten vegetable leaves, and rotten eggs rained down on Qin Shousheng.
Qin Shousheng was battered and bruised, his head hanging low, his eyes filled with fear and despair.
His former arrogance and domineering attitude have long since vanished without a trace.
The escorting constables struggled to clear a path through the crowded people and led Qin Shousheng and the others to the execution ground, where they were then firmly tied to the execution post.
The onlookers craned their necks, their faces beaming with satisfaction, chanting in unison, "Execute him! Execute him!..."
The executioner stood on the high platform and loudly read out the numerous crimes of Qin Shousheng and others.
As each crime was read aloud, the crowd below grew even angrier, shouting, "Kill him! Kill this corrupt official!"
Qin Shousheng was terrified out of his wits. He knelt on the ground, defecating and urinating, tears mixed with snot streaming down his face.
"The time has come, execute!"
At the executioner's command, the executioner raised his broadsword high, a flash of cold light, and with a swift stroke, the heads of Qin Shousheng and the others rolled to the ground in an instant.
The people erupted in deafening cheers, "Well done!"
"Finally, we've rid the people of this scourge!"
......
At this moment, Chu Jiuqing, Chen Qingqing, and others were sitting in a teahouse not far away, witnessing Qin Shousheng and others carrying out the execution.
Seeing the jubilant crowd, Chu Jiuqing was filled with emotion.
They thought that by presenting the evidence to Qin Shousheng, they could uncover the Crown Prince's crime of treason.
Unexpectedly, the Crown Prince had chosen him so carefully that Qin Shousheng never betrayed him, even until his death.
It seems that the Crown Prince's strength was underestimated, or perhaps he had already abandoned Qin Shousheng as a pawn.
But it doesn't matter. Eliminating Qin Shousheng, this heinous scourge, is enough to give the people of Anyang an explanation.
Hearing the cheers of the people downstairs, Chen Qingqing felt happy too, knowing that the corrupt officials and unscrupulous businessmen had finally received their just deserts.
But she also had some concerns about what path to take in the future.
The sugar shop's business was the envy of many, and for her, with no power or influence, to gain a foothold and remain undefeated was no easy task.
This time Qin Shousheng has his eye on it, who knows what other Zhang Shousheng, Li Shousheng, might come along in the future...
Her gaze fell upon Chu Jiuqing opposite her, and her brows furrowed.
If we take advantage of Prince Ning's influence, we'll be in the same boat with him from now on. Prince Ning is indeed a good backer.
The thought of finding a prince to rely on involuntarily brought to mind the fates of those princes who failed in their struggles for the throne.
I felt a chill run down my spine without realizing it. If I were to choose the wrong side, I might not even know how I died.
Forget it, let's talk about having a powerful backer later...
While I was thinking, things had returned to normal across the street, as if nothing had happened.
The constables cleaned up the execution site, and the bodies of several criminals had already been quietly taken away by their relatives...
Seeing that Qin Shousheng and the others had been executed on the spot, Chen Dabao wanted to quickly return to Nanshan Village to resume normal production at the sugar mill.
After all this delay, some places have probably already sold out of white sugar.
"Sister Qingqing, the villain is dead. Let's hurry back. The sugar mill needs to start operating as soon as possible."
Chen Zhanshan's eyes were full of smiles. He never dreamed that he would be connected with the imperial family and become their savior.
"Yes, yes, the sugar mill needs to resume operations as soon as possible. With Prince Ning protecting us, I reckon no one will dare to oppose us again, whether it's the sugar mill, the clinic, or the restaurant."
“Yes, that’s why my Qing’er is so lucky. I was against it when she saved Xiaoyu—no, I mean Prince Ning. I never expected her to have such good fortune. Otherwise, the Chen family would have been in trouble.” Madam Lin was also beaming with joy and continued, “Xiaoyu, no, Your Highness Prince Ning, thank you for saving our family.”
"Yes, thank you very much for saving us, Your Highness Prince Ning," Chen Zhanliang replied.
Hearing her family's words, Chen Qingqing's previously suppressed thoughts were stirred up again.
What to do? The family all thought that Chu Jiuqing could become the Chen family's backer. Could it be that he really has to get involved with the royal family?
She was conflicted and secretly glanced at Chu Jiuqing, her eyes meeting his.
The words of the Chen family members were exactly what Chu Jiuqing wanted to hear.
He knew that Chen Qingqing was a skilled doctor, decisive, and courageous.
If she refuses to return to Kyoto with me, I'm afraid I really won't have any other choice.
If she were willing to help him cure his father's illness, he wouldn't mind becoming her protector; it would be a win-win situation for both of them...
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