Imperial City Department, Imperial Prison.
The pitch-black dungeon held no light, save for a faint glimmer at the narrow entrance. Within, a figure could barely be seen wearing only undergarments, stained with blood that had seeped through the white fabric, leaving mottled patches.
A pair of eyes slowly opened in the darkness, gazing toward the dungeon entrance without lowering their gaze. Only when a rat scurried past did a hand slowly extend, the iron chains clattering as it seized the audacious little creature.
The next moment, a shadow shifted at the entrance he was watching, footsteps echoed, and a figure drew nearer.
A prison guard entered.
Placing a food box before the shadowy figure, the guard retrieved the meal, poured water into a chipped bowl, and muttered, "General Yan, this is all there is. Lord Lu will be here soon. You should eat quickly…"
The shadowy figure slowly closed his eyes without a word. His hand, bearing wounds, moved slightly, brushing aside the dry straw and tracing a simple number on the bare ground:
【Six】
At Caishikou, the executioner raised both hands, spat out a mouthful of strong liquor, and the Ghost Head Blade flashed coldly before descending with a heavy thud. Excruciating pain surged, blood spurted…
Ye Xiren clutched her neck and abruptly sat up, breathing rapidly, her eyes filled with terror.
She had returned again!
"Young Miss?" The maidservants filed in.
Ye Xiren immediately stood up, her instinct almost driving her to rush to the main courtyard and confront Ye Pei. But her steps halted, and she took a deep breath. "Xue Chan, help me change and prepare the carriage."
She had returned to the first day of the third lunar month. Her brother's Spring Examination was the most urgent matter to address. Moreover, if she confronted Ye Pei now, given his temperament, he would likely reveal nothing and feign ignorance.
With the experience from her previous life, she not only needed to prevent the disaster but also uncover the reasons behind it… She had no idea when this rebirth would end. Only by understanding the full truth could she make judgments beneficial to herself and the Ye family.
She could trust no one!
On the first day of the third lunar month, avoid examination fraud.
On the second day of the third lunar month, avoid the hidden evidence of collusion with the enemy in Grandmother's Buddha statue and extract Lu Qian's confession about framing the Ye family.
After the family discussion, everyone went about their tasks. Ye Pei hurriedly left the residence and did not return until evening. Upon entering the main gate, he was informed that Ye Xiren had been waiting for him in the front courtyard.
She had been waiting since noon.
Ye Pei strode toward the front courtyard. Seeing the slender figure seated inside, he revealed a paternal smile, his voice gentle. "Xixi, you were looking for me?"
Ye Xiren sat upright in the armchair in the front courtyard. Beside her rested a freshly poured cup of tea, while she held another in her hands, its fragrance lingering in the air.
Hearing his voice, she looked up.
The tea in her hands had just been brewed, steam rising and gradually blurring her vision. Everything before her began to grow indistinct. Tea leaves floated and sank within the cup, and Ye Pei's approaching figure appeared hazy.
Ye Xiren blew gently, clearing her sight. She placed the teacup on the table beside her, the tea leaves settling one by one. A breeze swept through the hall, dispersing the wisps of steam…
"Father, have some tea." Ye Xiren nudged the other cup forward.
Ye Pei sat down opposite her, picked up the teacup, took a sip, and looked at her with the same paternal affection. "Xixi, are you willing to tell me who gave you the information?"
Ye Xiren stared intently at him.
Ye Pei, in his early forties, was dignified and composed, his eyes clear and upright, devoid of the hidden scheming often seen in many officials. Though holding a high position, he had remained self-disciplined and devoted to public service over the years, an undisputed honest official.
At home, he was filial to his mother, respected his wife, did not take concubines or keep mistresses, and devoted all his spare time to his two children…
She had always thought that if she were to marry in the future, she would definitely find someone like her father—someone who could shelter the family from wind and rain and hold up the sky.
When she was young, her father held her hand to teach her to read and write. After returning from his duties, he would always bring her favorite snacks. In Beidu, she liked the jewelry from Zhenbao Pavilion, but it was expensive, so she rarely bought it.
Yet her father remembered. He didn’t go out drinking with others after work, didn’t spend money recklessly, secretly saved up his private funds for a long time, and even tricked Ye Changming out of his saved pocket money. Together, they bought her the headpiece she loved most.
Her father wouldn’t even spend money on good ink or fine paper, yet he had beautiful gold hairpins made for her, one after another…
He was like a mountain, like a tree. From childhood to adulthood, from Beidu to Nandu, from times of peace to years of war, he had always protected his family well. Before the first beheading, Ye Xiren had never experienced hardship.
So, last time, knowing what would happen, after informing Ye Pei, she calmly let him handle it because she believed her father would protect them.
"Xixi?" Ye Pei waved his hand in front of her eyes. "What’s wrong?"
Ye Xiren’s eyes suddenly reddened, her voice trembling lightly. "Father, why did you insist on bringing up the Military Provisions Case? Even knowing the consequences would be catastrophic, why did you still do it?"
She was questioning him!
Ye Pei’s body jolted violently. Ye Xiren clearly saw his pupils contract in disbelief. "Xixi, who told you this?! How much do you know?"
"I just want to know, why did you have to bring up the Military Provisions Case? Even knowing you would fall into a trap and be accused of corruption, why did you proceed?" Ye Xiren retorted.
Ye Xiren cut him off. "I don’t want to hear your evasions. You admitted to the crime of corruption, knowing it would lead to the execution of the entire family. As your children, who will be implicated, are you still going to brush me off before disaster strikes?"
Her face was full of disappointment.
Knowing full well the consequences, he still risked the lives of the entire family. What was this mountain that once protected them doing now?
Hearing the words "execution of the entire family," Ye Pei opened his mouth but made no sound.
He placed the teacup back on the table, his fingers trembling slightly, accidentally knocking it over. The tea inside spilled out.
Neither of them paid it any mind, allowing the tea to flow across the table and drip onto the floor, making a soft "drip, drip" sound.
Ye Pei lowered his gaze and remained silent.
A draft swept through the hall, and Ye Xiren suddenly felt a chill.
She looked at Ye Pei and smiled bitterly.
"I used to pay no attention to matters outside, but people grow. After experiencing more, it becomes harder to deceive. These past two days, I went out to investigate. I never imagined that my gentle, unassertive father was a staunch advocate for war in the court, repeatedly clashing with the Peace Faction, including Prime Minister Jiang and others!"
From the fragments of information she had gathered earlier, her father, Ye Pei, wanted to protect General Yan because he was someone who could resist Bei Yan. Though she had been worried, after her grandmother reassured her, she thought it was merely a difference in political views with others in the court and didn’t pay it much mind.
It truly was unexpected. Her father was a staunch member of the War Faction, who had repeatedly clashed with Prime Minister Jiang, Councilor Zhang, and other members of the Peace Faction in court. That so-called General Yan had ambushed the Northern Yan Delegation, defied imperial orders, and acted with extreme brutality. In the eyes of the emperor, he was undoubtedly a "rebel." Yet her father had offended countless people for the sake of this rebel.
The fact that General Yan remained imprisoned and had not yet been executed was precisely due to the efforts of her father and other members of the War Faction. The Military Provisions Case only affected General Yan, which was exactly one of the goals her father and his allies had been striving for.
No wonder their family had become a target…
Ye Changming's "examination fraud" and their grandmother's "evidence of collusion with the enemy" were likely all because of what Ye Pei was currently doing. Although she did not understand court politics well, she knew from history books that factional struggles were always bloody and ruthless.
"The Northern Yan Delegation has already entered the capital. Formal peace talks will begin tomorrow," Ye Xiren murmured, sharing the rumors she had heard. "Father, what's wrong with peace talks? Wouldn't peace and stability be a good thing for the world?"
Hearing this, Ye Pei finally looked up.
His expression was complex as he slowly shook his head, his voice heavy:
"Peace and stability are indeed good. But the person Northern Yan has sent is Chizhan Lan Ce. He is the next King of Bei Yan and the military strategist behind Northern Yan's invasion of Daliang. His personal presence here seems full of sincerity. The entire court, having been driven from Beidu to Nandu, is already deeply fearful of war. Seeing Northern Yan's apparent willingness to negotiate, they are overjoyed and eager to sign the Peace Treaty immediately, agreeing to all their demands.
"The emperor is newly enthroned and has yet to consolidate his power. Though he was ambitious at his coronation, under the persuasion of the Peace Faction, he still imprisoned General Yan and is now lavishly entertaining the very enemies of Daliang."
Last year, when General Yan first emerged, he won several consecutive victories, firmly blocking the Northern Yan forces outside Huai'an Qu and protecting Daliang's new capital.
Who in the court wasn't equally overjoyed then? They spoke of reclaiming lost territory, returning to Beidu, and driving the ambitious Northern Yan out of Daliang's lands…
But just one Peace Treaty and a Northern Yan Delegation led by Chizhan Lan Ce had caused many in the court to change their minds.
Ambushing the delegation might not be the act of a rebel—it could be the action of a resolute member of the War Faction!
"Chizhan Lan Ce is a man of profound cunning. It was he who drove the Northern Yan Iron Hooves into Daliang, occupied the northern territories, and allowed the Northern Yan Army to slaughter freely," Ye Pei said through gritted teeth. "How can I trust such a man to be sincere in peace talks?!"
He must be harboring sinister ambitions to destabilize Daliang's court!
"Isn't it said that Chizhan Lan Ce's importance to the Northern Yan Army is no less than General Yan's to the Yanjia Army? If he has come personally, how could the peace talks be fake?" Ye Xiren frowned. "If there really is a problem, we could simply kill the Northern Yan Crown Prince immediately!"
She recalled her brief glimpse of Chizhan Lan Ce that day. He appeared like an immortal descended to earth, outwardly gentle and courteous, as if untouched by bloodshed…
Hearing this, Ye Pei smiled bitterly. "Many share your view. Even the emperor has wavered, which is why he finalized the formal peace talks for tomorrow. Northern Yan will certainly target General Yan and demand his life…"
But he did not believe Northern Yan was sincere in seeking peace. There must be a conspiracy at play, and before understanding what they intended, General Yan absolutely could not die.
The Yanjia Army and the Northern Yan Army were still confronting each other across Huai'an Qu. How could General Yan die now?
Chizhan Lan Ce surely had a scheme. Daliang must not fall into a trap. With Northern Yan, there could only be war—peace talks must never be an option!
The best course of action is to immediately kill Chizhan Lan Ce, release General Yan back to Huai'an Qu, and continue the war against Bei Yan to reclaim the lost territories.
Ye Xiren still didn’t understand. Frowning, she tilted her head and asked:
"But can you really protect him? In the eyes of the Emperor, his actions mark him as a rebel, and he has even committed acts of treason. Even if he is a prodigious talent, the Emperor will not spare his life."
And those who insist on protecting a "rebel"—in the eyes of the Emperor, how are they any different from rebels themselves?
The Bei Yan people are dangerous and could overthrow Daliang, but rebels… in the Emperor’s eyes, how are rebels any different from Bei Yan? Both are threats to his rule.
If the northern territories could be reclaimed through peace talks, that would be ideal.
"Lord Zheng, the Prefect of Southern Capital, has received news that many of the charges against General Yan are false. His alleged slaughter of officials, massacre of refugees, and defiance of imperial orders all seem to be related to military provisions."
Ye Pei shook his head and let out a sigh:
"I’ve uncovered some clues from the Ministry of Revenue. The batch of military provisions sent to the Yanjia Army back then might indeed have been problematic. Lord Zheng has already dispatched people to Huai'an Qu at full speed to investigate, but they won’t return until the day after tomorrow.
"So, no matter what, we must first save General Yan’s life tomorrow. As long as General Yan is kept alive, the peace talks cannot proceed. This will buy us time to retrieve the evidence, regain the Emperor’s favor, and prevent Daliang from falling into Bei Yan’s schemes."
Tomorrow, on the third day of the third month, the peace talks will take place. The Bei Yan people are pressing too hard, but the more they push, the more suspicious Ye Pei becomes.
Overwhelmed by the influx of information, Ye Xiren fell into deep thought as she listened, slowly piecing everything together. The War Faction and the Peace Faction were still locked in a tug-of-war. To stop the peace talks and save General Yan, the Military Provisions Case must be brought up before the talks to regain the Emperor’s favor…
Wait!
Ye Xiren’s pupils contracted sharply. She sprang to her feet, looking at Ye Pei in disbelief. Her lips parted, and she spoke with difficulty:
"No, that’s not right. Tomorrow is the third day of the third month, the day of the peace talks. General Yan is already in danger… Bringing up the Military Provisions Case won’t save him because you still don’t have the evidence!"
At this point, she was almost gritting her teeth: "Only by clearing his name can we truly buy time. So, you’re not planning to bring up the Military Provisions Case—you’re going to take the blame yourself!"
No wonder Ye Pei confessed at the Dali Temple. With the Chief Minister of the Dali Temple protecting him, even if he were framed, he wouldn’t have confessed so quickly!
No wonder, even after she warned him, he was still framed…
It wasn’t that he had fallen into another trap. There was no trap in the Military Provisions Case at all. He was using his own life to take the blame, to buy time for that so-called General Yan!
Ye Xiren felt her vision darken.
Everything she hadn’t understood before now made sense, and it all fell into place. With a large batch of military provisions compromised, only the Minister of Revenue or the Minister of War stepping forward could immediately clear General Yan’s name, save his life, and delay the peace talks.
Ye Pei lowered his eyes and did not respond.
But his silence had already given her the answer.
Ye Xiren swayed unsteadily, bracing herself against the table to stay upright. Her voice trembled: "The conflict between the War Faction and the Peace Faction has been going on for a long time. Why is it that in these past few days, my Ye family has repeatedly faced the heavy crime of execution of the entire family? It’s you—it’s because you’re going to take the blame!"
On the third day of the third month, the War Faction plans to make its move to stop the peace talks, with the Minister of Revenue, Ye Pei, as its key figure. This man intends to take the blame himself!
And the Peace Faction must have received word of this and is trying to stop Ye Pei.
So, on the first day of the third month, examination fraud leads to immediate execution of the entire family, not even surviving until the third day of the third month.
If they escape the first day, the second day brings the crime of concealing evidence of collusion with the enemy, again resulting in the execution of the entire family—one major offense after another, all because the third day of the third month marks the greatest struggle between the Peace Faction and the War Faction!
Ye Pei moistened his dry lips and looked at her, his eyes filled with guilt:
“His Majesty is merciful. If I confess, I likely won’t be executed immediately. As long as we can delay until the fourth day of the third month, evidence will be sent back. But if His Majesty is enraged or someone schemes against me, and I am truly sentenced to death… Xixi, I will arrange for someone to send you away from Nandu as quickly as possible.”
Ye Xiren could hardly believe her ears.
“Will Grandmother leave? Will Mother leave?” Ye Xiren stared at him intently, her eyes bloodshot. “Can my brother and I abandon you all and watch you die?!”
“Xixi…”
“What gives that man surnamed Yan the right?!
“For the sake of a stranger, you’re willing to sacrifice our entire family for him? Are you truly certain there’s an issue with the military provisions? Can you guarantee he isn’t a traitor? Can you really retrieve evidence from Huai’an Qu?
“You have your own plans, but what about us? Father, do you know how painful it is to be beheaded? Do you know how terrifying it is to lie at Caishikou, waiting for the Ghost Head Blade to fall?”
Ye Xiren was already in tears.
Ye Pei lowered his head and, after a long while, finally said, “Tomorrow, I will have someone send you all away. Everyone must leave.”
“I don’t care!” Ye Xiren glared at him fiercely before turning and running out.
She had already run out of the front courtyard, but Ye Pei never made a sound to stop her.
Looking back, Ye Pei sat in the armchair, quietly and motionless, alone in the empty front courtyard, staring blankly ahead.
His mind was made up, and he would not change it.
Ye Xiren gritted her teeth, her chest heaving with anger. The fire of rage consumed her entirely, but soon, a cool breeze blew past, and she became utterly clear-headed again.
Ye Xiren wiped the tears from her face and sneered:
“If that’s the case, then I’ll do it myself.”
If Ye Pei didn’t care about his family’s lives, she did. She would protect them.
On the third day of the third month.
The Ministry of Revenue Minister’s Mansion was poisoned, and the entire family was bedridden.
Ye Pei was unable to attend court.
Author’s Note:
Our Xixi is gradually becoming a “ruthless person”!
This bunny loves formidable female leads. Xixi starts off relatively weak in this story, but each rebirth is a transformation. Everyone can definitely look forward to it!