Chapter 272 Receiving the Imperial Decree on Behalf of His Elder Brother
Upon hearing this, everyone's expression changed.
Tao Ran, who had been hiding in the crowd, almost rushed out when he heard this.
What exactly does Ziyan want to do?
Refusing the imperial decree is tantamount to disobeying the imperial edict.
Not only him, but his family members will also be implicated.
Wan Rong has no relatives, but his son Wan Ziyan does!
Wan Qiqi never expected that Wan Ziyan would be so bold as to defy the imperial decree.
Let her think about it...
Refusing the imperial decree seems to be a death sentence?
"Disobeying the imperial decree will not only result in beheading, but will also implicate three generations of your family, including Wan Qiqi!"
Fang Ziming had already explained the consequences of refusing the imperial decree to Wan Qiqi.
Wan Qiqi was startled by Fang Ziming's words.
Isn't it said that in ancient times, once a woman got married, she was no longer considered part of her wife's family, but part of her husband's family?
How could I disobey the imperial decree and be implicated as well?
"Lord Fang, why waste your breath on him? Let him either accept the imperial decree and express his gratitude, or take them all back and interrogate them!"
The words from the person inside the sedan chair were undoubtedly forcing Wan Ziyan to make a decision.
The rain was getting heavier.
In no time, everyone's clothes were soaked.
Wan Ziyan refused to accept the imperial decree, and no one dared to get up. They could only kneel in the rain, letting the rain soak their clothes.
If this happened in the summer, being soaked for several hours wouldn't be a problem, but it just so happens to be winter.
It was still the coldest time of year when the snow was melting.
Before long, some people were shivering from the cold, their teeth chattering.
"Master Wan... Master Wan, please accept the imperial decree!"
"That's right! His Majesty has already sent people to investigate. Master Wan did something wrong, and this is his retribution."
"Master Wan, your future career has not been affected at all. This is already a great favor from His Majesty. Quickly accept the decree!"
"..."
As one or two people spoke up, more and more people joined in, urging Wan Ziyan to accept the imperial edict.
They just wanted to get up quickly and go back home.
All they saw was the punishment of the criminals and the leniency shown towards Wan Ziyan.
Imperial power is supreme.
The emperor's decree is the most effective word.
But they didn't realize that once they received the imperial decree, it would mean that Wan Ziyan acknowledged Wan Rong's guilt.
From this day forward, he will have no further connection with Wanrong.
This is the father who raised him for more than ten years, the father he has called out to for more than ten years. How could he possibly make a decision on a whim?
Even though Wan Ziyan only had one choice, Tao Ran was curious about how he would choose.
Chen Yongnian held Wan Qiqi's hand and felt her trembling.
These things are still on his mind.
Why was Wan Yuanwai convicted?
Why would there be such an imperial edict?
Wan Qiqi closed her eyes, gritted her teeth, released Chen Yongnian, and raised her hands above her head. "Wan Qiqi receives the decree on behalf of her brother and thanks Your Majesty for your great favor!"
Fang Ziming was somewhat surprised and hesitant, seemingly unsure whether it was possible to do so.
Wan Ziyan looked at Wan Qiqi with a hint of surprise in his eyes.
Wan Qiqi didn't look up, her eyes fixed on the ground.
Rain-soaked hair clung to her cheeks, water droplets sliding down her face and splashing on the ground.
Wan Qiqi wasn't thinking about anything; she only had one thought: she wanted to live!
Having transmigrated here, she has never truly ventured into a big city, not even the capital. She can't just die like this!
Pingping and An'an are still young and dependent on her. What will happen to them if she really dies?
She was talking to Boss Zhu about opening a restaurant just two days ago. She hasn't even managed to run her own shop in ancient times yet. She can't die!
There are still so many things left undone; she can't die now.
At the very least, they shouldn't die for disobeying imperial orders!
The person inside the sedan chair seemed to be getting impatient and said, "Just accept the imperial decree!"
Upon hearing this, Fang Ziming slowly placed the imperial edict in Wan Qiqi's hands.
Even if it leaves the hands of the person delivering the decree, it still signifies that the meaning of the imperial edict has been conveyed.
Fang Ziming waved his hand, and the constables left and rushed into the crowd, preparing to take the person and the coffin away together.
At that moment, Wan Ziyan also stood up, rushed into the crowd, grabbed a constable by the collar and pulled him back, shouting, "Stop! Don't touch my father's coffin!"
The yamen runners who accompanied the county magistrate usually possessed martial arts skills.
When Wan Ziyan tried to pull, he not only failed to pull the person away, but was instead pushed and fell into the mud.
The cold, muddy water instantly seeped into his clothes, staining his clean mourning clothes with mud.
However, after only a few seconds, he got up from the ground again and started to pry open the coffin-bearers.
This went on and on until finally, he was too weak to get up again.
He was covered in mud, no longer possessing the demeanor of a scholar, but rather resembling a mud figure.
Wan Qiqi felt as if the imperial edict in her hand weighed a ton, making it hard for her to breathe.
She had become the sinner, and she didn't know how to face Wan Ziyan.
So much so that she now dares not get up, dares not stop Wan Ziyan.
The people fled in droves, not daring to linger there.
Tao Ran stood beside the coffin, bowed to it, and then grabbed Wan Ziyan, preventing him from rushing over.
"Let go, let go..." Wan Ziyan roared, but he couldn't break free from Tao Ran's restraints.
Taking advantage of this opportunity, the constables quickly carried the coffin away.
Afterwards, Fang Ziming and the people in the sedan chair also left.
At the city gate, only the Chen couple, Wan Ziyan, and Tao Ran remained.
"Father……"
With a cry of pain, Wan Ziyan slowly knelt down on the ground.
He and Wan Qiqi knelt face to face, but both of them were looking at the ground.
The rain kept falling, showing no sign of stopping.
Tao Ran and Chen Yongnian exchanged a glance, indicating that they were both comforting the person in front of them.
Before Chen Yongnian could speak, Wan Qiqi said in a hoarse voice, "Husband, you go with me to the county government office and try to get Uncle Wan's... body... back..."
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