“Move! Move! Move!”
Escorted by a squad of Imperial Guards, the Nangong family set out on the three-thousand-li road into exile. The clanking of chains sounded especially harsh.
On the streets, common people stopped to watch—some cursed, some wept, some even threw vegetable leaves. The old madam paid them no mind. Ruan Mingyu kept her gaze forward. Su Niyue walked with her head held high. They all understood—these people were merely watching a spectacle. They didn’t know the truth.
Walking beside the cart, Su Niyue noticed the growing crowd. She removed the oil-paper umbrella covering Nangong Yunteng. Gasps erupted among the onlookers.
Though she had bandaged his wounds, he still wore his blood-stained undergarments. Under the sunlight, the mottled bloodstains were blinding.
Deep down, the people knew—the peace of Great Yun had been safeguarded by the Nangong family’s blood for generations. Whenever war broke out, the men of the Nangong family were the first to ride into battle. It was along this very street that the people had once sent them off—and welcomed them back in triumph.
Now, on that same road, the general who once brought them security lay battered and unconscious on a creaking wooden cart.
A great general’s glory is built upon countless bones.
Yet this man, burdened with countless heroic souls, had not died on the battlefield—but had been tortured by those he once swore to protect, until he was barely recognizable.
Hearts are made of flesh.
In that moment, something seemed to click. The curses faded. Those who had thrown vegetables lowered their heads. The elderly began to cry openly.
Ruan Mingyu supported the old madam as they walked at the front. Though bound in chains, they had clear consciences.
Only Nangong Yunran sobbed softly. “Mother… why are they framing my brother?”
“Because your brother is a hero.”
The moment Su Niyue spoke, all eyes turned to her. She met every gaze without flinching, walking proudly beside the cart.
The old madam glanced back at her and nodded.
This—this was the kind of daughter-in-law worthy of the Nangong family.
“That’s right, Ran’er. What others say doesn’t matter. What matters is that you believe in your brother,” Ruan Mingyu said, her voice steady with renewed strength.
Nangong Yunqi, though only fifteen, had lost his father in battle at nine. Raised under Nangong Yunteng’s guidance, he saw him as brother, father, teacher, and friend.
Looking at his unconscious brother, he raised his voice:
“Brother! Even if it’s three thousand li, I’ll push you the whole way—so what!”
His clear, youthful voice rang through the street—firm and resolute.
Su Niyue’s composure instantly broke. She had always been sensitive—easily moved by deep emotions. Tears welled up uncontrollably.
“Mm, Yunqi, you’re amazing. Your brother will definitely be proud of you.”
“Mm… Sister-in-law, thank you.” His gratitude carried deeper meaning.
“Hmph, just putting on a show in front of others. Who are you trying to impress?” Nangong Shuang rolled her eyes at Su Niyue.
It seemed the second branch hadn’t been summoned earlier—not just because of the confiscation, but also to avoid this kind of trouble.
Seeing no one respond, Nangong Shuang felt embarrassed and was about to speak again when—
Thud!
The old madam’s cane struck the ground heavily.
“You bring misfortune! The moment you married in, disaster struck the Nangong family! You’ve harmed yourself and dragged us all down!” It was Nangong Yunteng’s second aunt, Lady Xu, her face full of spite.
“Silence!” the old madam roared.
“Old woman, your family has already been confiscated—what are you still putting on airs for? This isn’t the War King’s residence anymore. Even his title has been stripped—what are you pretending for?”
Smack!
The old madam slapped her across the face. Su Niyue felt a surge of satisfaction.
“Did the imperial decree say my First-Rank title was revoked? Was my dragon-headed cane taken back?”
Lady Xu clutched her face, glaring at Ruan Mingyu.
“Mother, forget it. Our branch has never been favored anyway. Let’s just stay quiet,” Nangong Shuang said.
“My poor daughter! Now I understand why the engagement was suddenly broken off… all because of this cursed woman!” Lady Xu wailed.
“Shut up! If you want to die faster in exile, I can help you!” A guard pointed his spear straight at her face.
Lady Xu’s face turned deathly pale. She finally fell silent.
Su Niyue looked up at the sky. Against the deep blue, a small black dot circled above. The corner of her lips lifted slightly.
Fortunately, Xiaobao had been taken into the space along with the bonded warehouses. Otherwise, they would have been separated forever.
In the imperial palace, the emperor was nearly losing his mind.
Since court had adjourned, he had been pacing in the study like a donkey turning a millstone, practically breathing fire. The Crown Prince stood silently nearby, though resentment churned within him. Several concubines and ministers knelt on the ground, all wearing bitter expressions.
“Outrageous! Absolutely outrageous! Jinwu Guards—no, the Dark Dragon Guards—investigate! Find that thief! How dare he loot the imperial palace—I will exterminate his entire clan!”
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
Three figures in deep purple landed silently. Their faces were covered, their bodies concealed—nothing visible.
“Your command is received!”
They vanished just as quickly.
Originally, after dealing with Nangong Yunteng, the emperor had finally slept well. But before dawn, he was awakened—reports of theft in the harem.
At first, he didn’t understand.
Then came more reports—the imperial kitchen had been looted, not even a pair of chopsticks left. The clothing bureau, the imperial medical institute…
His head nearly exploded.
After compiling everything, they found that the most valuable thing left in the entire palace was the emperor’s dragon throne—and even that had been moved into the latrine.
He nearly coughed up blood from rage.
At court, before official matters could even begin, several ministers burst into tears.
Prime Minister Su cried the hardest. He had only gone out for a night of indulgence—upon returning, his household had been emptied. Not even a grain of rice remained. Even the roof tiles were gone.
The Crown Prince reported his Eastern Palace had also been emptied—but he didn’t dare disclose the full extent. He had initially planned to keep it hidden, but upon seeing that even the palace and treasury were looted, he grew worried. If the emperor demanded funds, he wouldn’t be able to provide them in time.
Though he had external assets, transferring money back would take over ten days.
The emperor instinctively touched his head—thankfully, the thief only wanted wealth… right?
Then he touched his neck.
Fortunately, he had slept alone in the study last night.
If blood pressure monitors existed in this era, his reading would likely exceed two hundred. Dizzy and disoriented, he barely managed to mention Nangong Yunteng’s exile during court.
In the Prime Minister’s residence, the legal wife awoke to find her hair unevenly chopped and her face covered in rashes. With a scream, she fainted again.
After being revived, the servants hesitated—if she found out the household was now so poor that even the rats had moved out, she would probably faint all over again.