Chapter 377: Granting White Silk
When Emperor Defeng issued that imperial edict, it meant that he had completely given up on his son and was not even going to give him basic respect.
I thought the matter was over, but it didn't end there.
Rumors spread among the people that Xiao Yanqing was the mastermind behind this incident, and that all the silver that Li Shirong embezzled and looted went into Xiao Yanqing's pocket, and that he was the real culprit who exploited the people.
Such unscrupulous and heinous people do not deserve to live in this world.
If the emperor breaks the law, he should be punished like the common people. Even if he is the emperor's own son, he should pay with his life for those students whose future has been ruined and whose lives have been lost.
Because this matter involved scholars, the uproar and public opinion quickly fermented. For a while, people on the streets were criticizing Xiao Yanqing.
Some people even risked being beaten with a stick and rang the drum to report the incident, risking their lives to make their case, just to ask for the death penalty for Xiao Yanqing.
In the court, all officials were silent and no one dared to express their opinions on the matter.
If we want to protect Xiao Yanqing, it will go against public opinion.
If we suggest that he be sentenced to death, he is Emperor Defeng's biological son after all. When Emperor Defeng thinks of this matter later, he may bring up the past.
No matter what choice you make, it will be a thankless task.
Emperor Defeng sat on the dragon throne, and he seemed to have aged more than ten years in an instant.
After an unforgettable length of silence, Emperor Defeng finally spoke slowly, "Pass on my decree. Sixth Prince Xiao Yanqing is granted—white silk."
Xiao Yanqing is dead.
He hangs it in his study.
Before he died, he wrote a tragic letter in blood, each word was tearful, and he was crying out for justice.
Finally, he said, "Father, I am not afraid of death. I am only afraid that after death... one day, Father, you will think of Qing'er and feel regret. If that day ever comes, even in the depths of hell, I will be heartbroken!"
"After I die, I wish to transform into wind and rain to protect my father's health and prosperity, and to ensure the eternal stability of his kingdom. — This is the final words of Xiao Yanqing, an unfilial son."
The last few lines were written in messy handwriting and stained with tears.
When the blood letter was sent to Emperor Defeng's desk, a sharp pain struck his heart, and his cloudy eyes suddenly filled with moisture.
No matter what mistakes he made, he is still his child after all.
Emperor Defeng fell ill and suspended court for several days.
When Xiao Yanci heard about this, he went to the palace to attend to the patient.
After returning to the palace, Xiao Yanci was obviously in a bad mood.
Lu Zhiran asked, and Xiao Yanci said slowly, "Father has aged a lot. His words were actually testing whether I should interfere in this matter."
The suicide note written by Xiao Yanqing before his death eventually planted the seeds of guilt and suspicion in Emperor Defeng's heart.
Lu Zhiran was silent for a moment before saying, "A living person can never win against a dead person. If he hadn't died, Father would have remembered his faults. Now that he's dead, Father will only remember his good deeds. You don't need to worry about it."
Lu Zhiran was afraid that Xiao Yanci would feel disheartened by Emperor Defeng's suspicion, so she had to comfort him carefully.
Xiao Yanci held her hand and smiled.
"In the royal family, the ruler and his subjects always come before the father and his son. I have known this for a long time and will not have any unnecessary fantasies."
He would do this even if his father doubted him.
He would not be at peace unless he got rid of Xiao Yanqing.
What's more, Xiao Yanqing was not innocent in this matter, and his death was not unjust.
Seeing that he didn't think anything wrong, Lu Zhiran felt relieved.
In any case, they got rid of a strong enemy, which was indeed a great joy.
Lu Zhiran thought of another thing.
"Are there any other unusual movements on Zhao Shuning's side?"
Xiao Yanci shook his head. "I've been keeping an eye on her in prison, and there haven't been any unusual movements. My father has already issued an order to select a date for her execution. She's already been abandoned, with no chance of recovery."
Sure enough, the court soon announced the execution date for Zhao Shuning, Gu Zhaolin, Li Shirong and other serious criminals, which was just three days later.
During these three days, their food also improved greatly.
The last meal before execution has always been like this.
Gu Zhaolin couldn't help crying while eating the sumptuous meal. He was filled with remorse and cursed Zhao Shuning while crying. He was very noisy and only calmed down after being warned by the jailer.
On the other side, Zhao Shuning was very quiet.
Xiao Yanqing's successive defeats completely extinguished the hope in her heart.
She was unwilling at the beginning, but now her heart is numb.
Even the King of Wu was sentenced to death, so how could she have such extraordinary abilities?
Would the man in black come to save her? Of course not. She was already useless. How could he be worth wasting his energy?
Since you are destined to die, you might as well die gracefully.
She ate her meal quietly, blocking out everything around her.
I don’t know what he saw, but Zhao Shuning paused slightly while eating.
Xiao Yanci told Lu Zhiran the news and asked, "Do you want to go meet her?"
For her, letting Zhao Shuning see the almighty Princess Jin before her death was a revenge.
Even if she dies, I'm afraid she will die unwillingly.
Lu Zhiran shook her head. "She's not worth my time."
After hearing this, Xiao Yanci said no more.
Three days later, Zhao Shuning and other serious criminals were taken to Caishikou for execution. The onlookers crowded the execution ground and shouted and cursed.
After the execution, blood flowed like a river and the smell of blood filled the air for a long time.
This also made the officials in the court alert. If they want to avoid following in this footsteps, they must maintain their original intentions and never do things that exploit the people.
Otherwise, the net of heaven is clear and no one can escape.
Empress Sun still needed acupuncture treatment from Ma Xingyi for her illness, so Prince Rui, who was originally going to return to his fiefdom after the Lantern Festival, was able to stay temporarily.
During this period of time, Xiao Baozhu did not go anywhere and just stayed by Empress Sun's side, never leaving her side.
Whenever Aunt Wu saw this, she couldn't help but wipe away her tears secretly.
In a short period of time, Xiao Baozhu lost a lot of weight.
The originally plump and full face became thinner, revealing a pointed chin.
One day, when she was helping Empress Sun wipe her body, she found that there were deep and shallow scars on her arms, which looked like they were caused by a knife.
Xiao Baozhu was stunned, and Nanny Wu hurried to cover it up, but it was too late.
Xiao Baozhu demanded angrily, "What are these? Is this how you serve our mother? How dare you mistreat her like this?"
Nanny Wu immediately knelt down and apologized repeatedly.
"Princess, calm down. This, this is all caused by the Queen herself. It's my fault for not taking good care of it. I deserve to die..."
Xiao Baozhu's voice trembled, "When did it start?"
Is it because of the death of the eldest prince?
Nanny Wu knelt on the ground and whispered, "Yes, it was not long after the princess was born..."
Xiao Baozhu's heart trembled violently.
The wounds that had been covered up for so long were ruthlessly torn open again at this moment.
So, the Queen Mother hated him to this extent? To the point where she would rather torture herself?
Seeing her distraught look, Nanny Wu hurriedly explained, "Princess, please don't worry. The Queen's behavior is not because of you..."
Xiao Baozhu smiled bitterly, "Madam, why bother to comfort me?"
"Princess, I'm not trying to comfort you, but telling you the truth. The Queen is just sick."
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