Standing up after the imperial edict has been read is considered disrespectful to the emperor and a capital offense.
But Wan Qiqi was unwilling.
They did not want Fang Ziming to read it aloud in front of so many people, they did not want this imperial edict to confirm Wan Yuanwai's crimes, and they did not want them to prevent the dead from being laid to rest!
Fang Ziming, however, continued reading.
"His crimes are punishable by the extermination of his entire family. However, since Wan Rong has passed away, it is impossible to punish him. Therefore, all his property has been confiscated, his corpse has been taken back, and it has been whipped three thousand times. The spirits of the deceased in Yuzhuang have been warned to abandon the body in a mass grave and not to retrieve it..."
Wan Ziyan, who had just been pressing down on Wan Qiqi, was now unable to calm down.
Whipping the corpses three thousand times and dumping them in a mass grave—this is to ensure that Master Wan will never be reincarnated!
His crime was unforgivable, but he was already dead, so why did it have to come to this?
"His adopted son, Wan Ziyan, was deceived by him. He is kind and has repeatedly performed meritorious service, so he will not be punished further. Therefore, Wan Ziyan is hereby severed from his adoptive father relationship with Wan Rong, and there is no further connection between them. He is not required to observe mourning. It is hoped that he will pass on the teachings of the sages and serve the country in the future..."
As soon as Fang Ziming finished speaking, an uproar erupted.
Fang Ziming collapsed to the ground as if all his strength had been drained, his eyes lifeless.
Wan Qiqi didn't believe the imperial edict and even had serious doubts about its contents.
Wan Rong was so capable, yet he managed to roam under the royal family's nose for over twenty years without being convicted. Why was he convicted only after his death? Isn't this taking advantage of the fact that the dead cannot speak out?
In her opinion, this was done by the imperial court, and Wanrong was merely a tool in their hands.
Now that he's dead, all the blame can be shifted to Wanrong, which will give the people an explanation, alleviate their suspicion of the court, and stabilize public sentiment.
That's a brilliant plan!
Wan Ziyan braced himself with his hands in the mud.
He clenched his fists tightly, his knuckles turned white, and the veins on the back of his hands bulged.
So that's what was waiting for him!
No wonder he wasn't afraid of Master Wan dying; he wanted to observe mourning.
These people have been plotting against him and against every family from the very beginning.
What makes such a court worthy of his service?
Raindrops fell one by one.
Wan Ziyan suddenly burst into laughter.
His eyes were red and he stared intently at Fang Ziming. "I'm afraid Wan Ziyan cannot accept the imperial decree!"
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