The morning mist had just dispersed when the main street leading to Chongzhi Gate was already packed with common people eager to watch the spectacle. Elite soldiers in Yulin Guard uniforms stood in orderly formation, slowly escorting a prison cart through the crowd. The excited citizens pushed against each other and chattered amongst themselves: today, that former Right Chancellor Xia Mingyuan, who once wielded power over the entire court, would be taken outside Chongzhi Gate to the execution ground for public beheading.
Amidst the chaos, a middle-aged man dressed as a storyteller was dramatically narrating: “This Xia Mingyuan relied on his power and influence, spending over a decade embezzling and committing every evil deed imaginable. Most despicable of all, when His Majesty prepared to settle accounts for his crimes, he actually dared to take desperate risks, colluding with Prince Qi to cause rebellion, attempting to help him attack the capital and commit regicide and treason. Fortunately, Xia Qing, the Commander of the Yulin Army and Xia Mingyuan’s nephew, understood righteousness clearly and revealed this entire conspiracy to His Majesty. He deliberately allowed the rebel army to enter through the north gate, then set an ambush in the back alleys to annihilate them in one stroke, shooting their leader dead with a single arrow, thus preventing the capital’s citizens from suffering the calamity of war!” Seeing the admiring looks from the surrounding people, he stroked his long beard and continued even more proudly: “By rights, this Xia Mingyuan committed a crime deserving the extermination of his entire clan, but our benevolent Majesty only issued an edict to behead him alone, ordering all male members of the Xia family to serve as soldiers in exile.” The crowd listened with sudden understanding, praising the virtuous ruler’s benevolence, while their gazes toward the prison cart grew increasingly contemptuous. Someone led the shouting: “Traitor! Nation-destroying traitor! Kill the traitor quickly!”
Xia Mingyuan listened to the endless curses around him and slowly closed his eyes. The raging cold wind blew his disheveled white hair into his mouth, bringing a dry, bitter taste. He had entered government service at sixteen, been appointed Chancellor at twenty-eight, and had once led the Xia clan to become the most prominent family in Great Mu. Who would have thought he would end up universally reviled, branded as a traitorous son? Suddenly, he remembered his sister who shared his fate – she had used her own death to awaken their son’s guilt, securing a final path to survival for the remaining Xia clan members. They had pursued too much in this lifetime, carried too much burden – perhaps it was finally time to lay it all down. Thinking of this, he sighed deeply. Sunlight fell on his face, making him unable to resist opening his eyes to greedily gaze at this last light of his life.
Suddenly, his gaze swept across a familiar figure on the city wall, and his heart couldn’t help but leap violently: impossible, it couldn’t be her! She had long hated him to the bone – how could she possibly come to see him off on his final journey? In his ears seemed to echo again her voice from that day, thick with mockery: “From now on I have no connection with the Xia family. I wish Chancellor Xia’s desires fulfilled, power forever secure, and may you die without descendants!” A bitter smile appeared at the corners of Xia Mingyuan’s lips. Perhaps this was Heaven’s punishment for him – he had personally sacrificed his own flesh and blood for the path to power, and now received this end of separation of head from body, dying with no one to see him off.
Yuanxi stood on the city wall, her blue skirts flying high in the wind, her gaze fixed unwaveringly on that prison cart moving toward Chongzhi Gate amid the crowd’s curses. She knew clearly that once it passed through this city gate, she would never see him again.
At this moment, strong arms tightly embraced her shoulders as Xiao Du leaned close to her ear and said gently, “Do you want to go to the execution ground to see him off?”
Yuanxi shook her head, using her gaze to send off that prison cart as it slowly drove out the city gate. Among the crowd she easily spotted that person’s graying head and stooped figure. Finally, everything became black dots disappearing on the long street. Let it end here – this lifetime of father-daughter bond. From now on, no more debts, no more attachment.
Xia Mingyuan was finally beheaded, all remaining Xia faction members were exiled to serve as soldiers, and the personal army once commanded by the Xia clan was also completely eliminated in that battle in the capital. Great Mu’s imperial power had finally returned to the hands of Emperor Wen, Zhao Yan. But just as people anticipated the arrival of a clear and stable era, an even greater upheaval was occurring.
First, rumors spread from the Marquis Xuanyuan’s residence. It was said that because there were spies in the mansion, Marquis Xuanyuan had begun to be extremely wary of those serving around him, continuously expelling servants from the residence, causing panic among the staff who never knew when their turn might come.
By early April, even more explosive news spread throughout the capital. A lieutenant who had participated in defending Pingdu Pass submitted a memorial to the court, claiming that in the battle at Pingdu Pass five years ago, Marquis Xuanyuan Xiao Du, due to lack of food in the city, had actually led his soldiers to consume the corpses of other fallen soldiers to stave off hunger. When this news spread, everyone was shocked. Many citizens who had lost relatives in that battle angrily cursed, demanding that Marquis Xuanyuan pay with his life. The former battlefield hero instantly became a demon that everyone wanted to destroy. The court also began continuously submitting memorials demanding that His Majesty severely punish Xiao Du to calm the surging public resentment. Emperor Wen Zhao Yan initially tried to suppress this matter, but was defeated by the increasing number of memorials and had no choice but to summon Xiao Du to the palace for trial.
Inside the Marquis Xuanyuan’s residence, the eunuch delivering the imperial edict tremblingly read the decree in his hands, constantly stealing glances at the expression of the person before him. He had long heard many terrible rumors about Marquis Xuanyuan and feared this cannibal demon might devour him alive in a moment of rage. He then thought of the several thousand Imperial Guards waiting in strict formation outside the gates, which gave him slightly more courage – fortunately His Majesty had issued an edict that if Marquis Xuanyuan dared resist the decree, he should immediately be arrested and brought to the palace for trial.
While he stood there in battle readiness, unexpectedly Xiao Du calmly accepted the decree with complete composure, showing not a trace of panic on his face, as if he had anticipated this all along. He leisurely stood up and smiled: “Please trouble this eunuch to relay my words – I ask His Majesty to grant me three days’ grace. After three days, Xiao Du will definitely enter the palace to face His Majesty and accept punishment.” The eunuch was momentarily puzzled whether this counted as resisting the decree or not, but he didn’t want to stay a moment longer, so he replied with a forced smile: “Then this servant will first go report to His Majesty. Please continue to await further imperial orders, Your Lordship.”
Xiao Du watched the eunuch’s panicked retreat, tightening his grip on the silk cloth in his hand. “Ming Cheng, you truly couldn’t wait any longer.”
When Zhao Yan received the eunuch’s report, though he didn’t understand what Xiao Du was planning, out of consideration for their many years of friendship, he ultimately granted these three days. However, from that day forward, a team of Imperial Guards surrounded the marquis’s residence, no longer allowing anyone to enter or leave.
Three days later, Xiao Du slowly rode out of the marquis’s residence in a carriage. He lifted the curtain and saw the elite soldiers still in strict formation before the mansion gates, let out a mocking sneer, then lowered the curtain and leisurely leaned back against the brocade cushions.
In Qianyuan Palace, Zhao Yan sat on the dragon throne, looking down from his high position at the person in the hall below. His back was straight, his posture dignified as he knelt there, his face still bearing a relaxed smile. Knowing this trip meant certain death, why could he still be so confident? Zhao Yan couldn’t help but lightly tap the table, his face showing suspicious doubt.
At this moment, Wu Yue, who had been promoted to Right Chancellor, angrily accused: “Xiao Du, you dared to lead others in consuming the flesh and blood of soldiers – do you have any humanity left? How can you face their souls in heaven?”
Xiao Du raised his head to look directly at him: “My actions are without shame before heaven and earth, and without shame before the brothers who followed me for many years.”
Wu Yue sneered as he crouched beside him, each word piercing his heart: “So you ate their flesh, leaving their souls with nowhere to rest, preventing their families from even recovering their bodies for burial.”
Xiao Du’s body trembled slightly, but he didn’t respond. Wu Yue raised his head and turned to Zhao Yan: “Your Majesty, these loyal and righteous men fought bloody battles, yet Marquis Xuanyuan dared commit such inhuman acts against them. If he’s not severely punished, how can we face those loyal soldiers, and how can we face their families who can’t even hope to see their bones return?”
Zhao Yan let out a long sigh, his face showing a reluctant expression. Just as he was about to speak, Xiao Du suddenly asked: “Your Majesty, what time is it now?”
Zhao Yan was startled and glanced at Eunuch Fu beside him. Eunuch Fu quickly replied: “The third quarter of the Si hour.”
Xiao Du smiled: “Your Majesty had better wait a while longer. There should be a dispatch arriving shortly. It won’t be too late for Your Majesty to determine my guilt after reading this dispatch.”
Everyone in the hall looked at each other in confusion, not understanding what trick he had up his sleeve. But Xiao Du boldly stood up, completely ignoring the suspicious looks around him, as if he had never been the one awaiting punishment. Finally, after a tense and difficult standoff, someone announced entry to the hall, kneeling anxiously and reporting: “Your Majesty, urgent report from the front lines! The Mu Rong and Wu nations have assembled 200,000 troops and are jointly attacking Pingdu Pass. The defending forces cannot match them and have retreated repeatedly. Without reinforcements, Pingdu Pass will fall!”
Zhao Yan’s expression changed dramatically, then he glared fiercely at Xiao Du. It was him! It must be him! The Mu Rong and Wu nations had long intended to invade together, but if he hadn’t deliberately ordered the Xiao family army to retreat to Ping Commandery, how would those two nations dare rashly raise armies? So this was his final escape route!
At this moment, Xiao Du lifted his robes and knelt solemnly: “The situation at the front is critical. Your subject willingly requests orders to personally lead troops into battle. I pledge on my life that I will definitely lead the army to defend Pingdu Pass to the death and will never allow foreign barbarians to defile our Great Mu’s territory!”
Zhao Yan angrily pounded the table, his eyes flashing with unwillingness and anger. If only he hadn’t been so eager to eliminate the Xia clan – now Qin Mu was dead, and Yan Province’s military defense temporarily had no replacement. Apart from relying on Xiao Du, there was no one in court who could fight against Wu and Mu Rong. If he let Xiao Du lead troops out of the capital, it would be like releasing a tiger back to the mountains – after repelling the foreign enemies, he could use his military power to attack back to the capital at any time. But if he didn’t let him go, Wu and Mu Rong could break through Pingdu Pass at any moment and march straight into the Central Plains, putting Great Mu in danger of national destruction!
After long hesitation, Zhao Yan finally gritted his teeth: “Very well! Chong Jiang has fought them for many years and must have strategies to resist the enemy. I entrust Great Mu’s safety to you – all front-line armies are at your disposal.”
The corners of Xiao Du’s mouth curved into a smile as he kowtowed: “Your subject will definitely not fail this mission!”
Several days later, banners bearing the character “Xiao” fluttered in the wind as Xiao Du, clad in silver armor with purple sash, white plumes atop his helmet, proudly led over ten thousand soldiers on horseback into battle. When the people learned that Marquis Xuanyuan had accepted orders in crisis and was once again personally leading troops to resist invasion, saving Great Mu from fire and flood, they immediately forgot all previous rumors and spontaneously stood along the roadside to see him off, shouting loudly: “Marquis Xuanyuan! Marquis Xuanyuan…” Their voices echoed to the heavens, moving all who witnessed it. Zhao Yan stood on the city wall wearing his crown, his piercing gaze fixed on that heroic figure on horseback. This was the second time he was seeing him off to war – perhaps when they met again, it would be time for armed conflict.
At this moment, Wu Yue stepped forward to comfort him: “Your Majesty need not worry so much. Xiao Du’s family members are still confined in the marquis’s residence – I guarantee he wouldn’t dare act rashly.”
Zhao Yan let out a gentle sigh, but suddenly his eyes widened as he called over a guard and ordered: “Quick! Send a spy to secretly enter the marquis’s residence and see if they’re still there!”
Hearing these words, Wu Yue immediately understood as well. When Xiao Du left the city this time, why had no one from the marquis’s residence come to see him off? Even the Marquis’s wife was nowhere to be seen. Could it be… He broke out in cold sweat, and the tablet in his hand fell heavily to the ground…
—
Half a month earlier, a carriage tightly covered with black cloth slowly emerged from a residence hung with lanterns bearing the character “Luo,” driving down the long street straight to Qide Gate. The gate guards lifted the cloth curtain, and after questioning, quickly smiled and said: “So it’s Scholar Luo. Why are you rushing to leave the city when it’s almost dark?”
Luo Yuan had contributed to the Xia Mingyuan case and possessed exceptional talent, earning great regard from His Majesty and some recognition among the Imperial Guards. Luo Yuan smiled slightly and bowed to the soldier: “My family in my hometown has passed away, and I’m rushing through the night to attend the funeral. I hope this elder brother can be accommodating.”
The soldier nodded, then looked around at the other people sitting in the carriage. He saw they were all wearing coarse cloth clothing, sitting silently in the back with lowered heads, so he asked suspiciously: “Who are these people?”
Luo Yuan replied: “They are my distant relatives living in the capital, accompanying me back for the funeral.”
The soldier thought that His Majesty had issued strict orders that all people leaving the city must be carefully searched, but he didn’t dare make decisions on his own, so he found the guard commander to report. When the commander arrived, he immediately smiled apologetically at Luo Yuan: “Could you ask them to come down for questioning? Imperial orders must be followed – I hope Scholar Luo won’t take offense.”
Luo Yuan’s expression changed slightly. Just as he was about to speak, suddenly a voice came from behind: “Don’t you trust Scholar Luo?”
The commander looked closely and saw it was actually Xia Qing, immediately feeling somewhat weak. Xia Qing had achieved great merit in suppressing the rebellion, and His Majesty, to reward his achievements, had placed the other two battalions besides the Yulin Guards under his command as well – he was a powerful figure not to be offended. So he immediately bowed and scraped: “General Xia, we’re just following His Majesty’s will.”
Xia Qing dismounted and said: “Could Scholar Luo be some kind of traitor? Since he has urgent matters, why don’t you quickly let him leave the city.”
The commander didn’t dare delay and immediately ordered the others to let them pass. Luo Yuan sat back in the carriage, lowered his head to wipe the sweat from his forehead. Seeing the carriage finally moving farther from the city gate, he finally breathed a long sigh of relief and said quietly inside: “Old Marquis, Madam, Second Young Master, now we’re rushing to the ferry crossing immediately. The Marquis has arranged a boat there for pickup, then we’ll head to Ping Commandery. The Marquis will find a way to escape himself.”
Yuanxi removed the black hat from her head, lifted the curtain to look back toward the capital, silently thinking: “A’Du, you must safely come find us.”