Three men, aged between twenty and thirty, two of whom were quite handsome, while the third man in dark robes appeared somewhat ordinary. However, his narrow, deep-set eyes and the untamed, debonair quality in his features were in no way inferior.

There were also three women. Two had veils covering their faces as they rode alongside. Though their appearances couldn’t be seen clearly, the purple-clothed woman had eyes like misty clouds, quiet and bright with wisdom, while the red-clothed woman had beautiful eyes like autumn water, both alluring and sharp, as if they could see through to one’s bones. Both women were clearly beauties.

The last woman had no covering on her face. She was beautifully featured, her cheeks like peach blossoms and plums, extremely charming, yet her eyes were full of arrogance and murderous intent. At this moment, her delicate jade hands held a bow and arrow—

The woman on the ground had been shot by this woman, and the chaos and tumult caused by the horses and carriages was also their doing.

“Mother…”

A pair of young siblings threw themselves onto the woman’s body, crying in anguish.

“Please… spare… my children… please…”

The woman managed to say just one sentence before dying, her eyes pleadingly fixed on the woman with the bow.

The little girl on the ground was only seven or eight years old. Seeing her mother’s tragic death, her eyes filled with extreme terror as she screamed continuously, “Father, where is father? Father, come save us quickly, I’m scared…”

The boy, several years older, held her while trying to comfort her through his tears, “Little sister, be good. We’ll see father very soon…”

As he spoke, suppressing his hatred, he looked pleadingly at the woman with the bow, “Please, Princess, spare my sister. My father served the country and people, guarding the borders for many years. Pity my sister who has barely seen father since birth.”

The woman laughed melodiously, “Your father Liu Shouping’s treason preceded even Fu Jingshu’s. Today both families are to be executed together. You cannot escape no matter what. This princess allows you to avoid the cruel punishment of beheading and keeps your bodies intact—isn’t this a mercy?”

The venomous look in her eyes was chilling, truly displaying imperial authority. If this vicious princess were my daughter-in-law, I’d certainly make her pay! Su Zhen thought hatefully, then heard nearby common people trembling as they discussed, learning this was the family of border general Liu Shouping.

This General Liu had once advised the late emperor that he should establish the Seventh Prince Lian Jie as crown prince, saying that the Sixth Prince Lian Yu’s temperament was too cold and ruthless, not befitting a benevolent ruler. On the night before the late emperor’s death, he had secretly met with Lian Jie to discuss rebellion, but Lian Jie refused and had him arrested. No wonder everyone at court said the Seventh Prince Lian Jie and his sixth brother Lian Yu had deep affection for each other.

But was this truly genuine feeling? Su Zhen wondered wickedly—only heaven knew.

This escort was divided into two groups: the main criminals from both families were escorted by Grand Tutor Wei and General Chao, heading to the execution ground first; the family members were escorted by two princes and Marquis Huo.

Unexpectedly, Princess Lian Xin had also come.

Years ago at a palace banquet, Lian Xin had beaten a young palace maid to death for accidentally spilling hot soup on her. Minister Liu had also been present then and had petitioned the late emperor that the princess was cruel and needed proper guidance.

Now, after all these twists and turns, this was clearly revenge for that incident years ago—Lian Xin wanted the Liu family to die without reunion!

Recalling what she’d heard at the inn, the men beside Lian Xin must be those princes, but who were these two veiled women?

At this moment, sobbing sounds arose from within the military formation. Su Zhen’s thoughts were interrupted as she looked toward the source of the sound, indeed seeing several prison carts among the soldiers. Dozens of family members from both families, young and old, were excitedly beating against the prison carts, crying out in anguish, “Let her go…”

Lian Xin raised her arrow, aiming at the little girl’s head.