“By the Mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: War King Nangong Yunteng, during his tenure as Grand General, colluded with the enemy and intended treason. The crime has now been confirmed. Though I am deeply pained, in consideration of the Nangong family’s generations of loyalty and meritorious service, I spare them the death penalty. The entire Nangong clan is to be demoted to commoners, their property confiscated, and exiled three thousand li to Lingnan. Without summons, they shall never return to the capital…”
Su Niyue really wanted to bury both this old eunuch and that damned emperor on the spot.
The old madam, the only First-Rank titled lady in Great Yun, held a dragon-headed cane bestowed by the late emperor—she was exempt from kneeling. Her body swayed, barely supported by the cane, yet she seemed to age years in an instant. Ruan Mingyu’s face turned pale, her body trembling. Even under the warm June sunlight, she felt ice-cold.
Su Niyue half-squatted among the crowd, head lowered, doing her best to remain unnoticed—especially since she hadn’t knelt.
Once the decree was read, the Imperial Guards, spears in hand and eyes fierce, surrounded every member of the Nangong household. A woman let out a cry, about to wail, when a tall armored general barked, “Shut up! What are you crying for?” The woman trembled and swallowed her sobs.
Su Niyue recalled the original plot. It should have been the emperor’s elite guard handling the confiscation—but today, it was clearly the Imperial Guards. Could it be that her actions last night—emptying the palace—had already shifted the storyline?
“Men!”
“Present!”
“Begin the search! Inside and out—be thorough! All property is to be confiscated!” With a wave of his hand, Commander Yang Cheng sent his men scattering through the courtyards.
Su Niyue’s eyes flickered. “Yunqi, go find a cart. Your brother can’t walk right now.”
“Yes, Sister-in-law!”
“No one moves!” A guard blocked their path with a drawn blade.
“Officer, my husband is gravely injured and unconscious. We need a cart to move him. We are all women—none of us can carry him. If delays occur, neither you nor I can bear the responsibility.”
Yang Cheng looked at her with disdain. “No.”
“General, the decree states that the Nangong family has been demoted to commoners—not prisoners. Moreover, the emperor loves his people. Surely he wouldn’t want Nangong Yunteng to die before even leaving the capital…” Su Niyue met his gaze calmly, leaving the rest unsaid.
Yang Cheng hesitated.
Indeed—the emperor clearly didn’t want Nangong Yunteng to die too soon. If he died under his watch, the blame would fall on him. With a wave of his hand, he signaled two soldiers to accompany them.
After thanking him, Su Niyue and Nangong Yunqi went to the backyard and found a cart. Yunqi took the initiative to push it. Though awkward at first, he quickly found his balance.
Returning to Nangong Yunteng’s courtyard, they found it already ransacked—rooms in complete disarray. Su Niyue frowned, anger flashing in her eyes. Good thing she had already taken her revenge on the emperor—or she might have lost control.
“Yunqi, bring some bedding. The cart is too hard—your brother will be uncomfortable.”
“Alright!”
He quickly fetched several quilts, carefully spreading them over the cart. He even brought an oil-paper umbrella.
Su Niyue nodded in approval. Yunqi pressed his lips tightly, eyes reddened—how he wished he could take his brother’s place and bear this suffering.
“Come, help me carry him out.”
“Mm.”
Together, they lifted Nangong Yunteng onto the cart. Su Niyue removed the thin blanket covering him. The sunlight was strong—letting him bask in it would help his recovery. Besides, it would let the onlookers see just how cruel the emperor truly was.
“Yunqi, from now on, your brother is your responsibility. If anything happens, you must tell me immediately. I’m worried he may develop a fever. And no one is allowed near him—do you understand?”
“Yes, Sister-in-law!” Yunqi nodded solemnly.
They pushed the cart to the front courtyard. The female family members had already been stripped of their jewelry. A few boxes lay on the ground, containing only worthless items—and imperial gifts like vases.
Su Niyue glanced at them. The words “Bestowed by the Emperor” were written on them—which essentially meant they were worthless. Selling imperial gifts was a grave crime. Anything that couldn’t be turned into money was worthless in her eyes.
Meanwhile, Yang Cheng stood at the hall entrance, face full of anger. “Search again! Check thoroughly—hidden rooms, underground vaults!”
They had found nothing. Without results, he couldn’t report back properly. Fortunately, it wasn’t just the War King’s residence—many noble households in the capital had also been mysteriously emptied. At least they wouldn’t be accused of dereliction.
Su Niyue understood—clearly, they had discovered the empty treasuries.
“Madam Nangong, when did your residence suffer theft?” Yang Cheng asked, going through the motions.
“Theft? There was no theft…” Ruan Mingyu replied blankly, her mind in disarray.
“Nangong Su!” Yang Cheng suddenly barked.
“Huh?” Su Niyue looked up in confusion.
“Why are your treasuries completely empty?”
“Empty? How is that possible?” Her shock looked entirely genuine.
“Yes. Both the main treasury and private storerooms are empty.”
“I don’t know. I only married in yesterday. Could it have been used as my betrothal gifts? That doesn’t make sense… Even if the War King’s wealth was used to support the front lines, the treasury shouldn’t be empty. My dowry was also moved into the treasury yesterday—are those gone too?” Her face was full of confusion.
After all, she had learned well from countless dramas in her previous life.
Yang Cheng studied her expression and found no flaws. The confiscation order had only been announced that morning—it was impossible for them to have prepared in advance. And since many noble families had been looted, it seemed the War King’s residence had simply suffered the same fate.
He glanced at her again—simple wooden hairpin, plain clothing. Clearly an unimportant pawn. He decided not to press further.
Soon, the steward, maids, servants, and attendants were all taken away—likely to be sold off.
Amid soft sobs, the members of the Nangong family were bound in chains.