Ye Xiren instinctively looked toward Ye Changming.
The latter wore a dazed expression, muttering, "Bodhisattva, I cursed the one who plotted against me, not myself!"
Ye Xiren: "…"
This jinx!
She took a deep breath and stood up, shifting her gaze from the decree in Lu Qian's hand to his face, unable to suppress her anger and frustration: "Lu Qian, what is the meaning of this? What has Ye Changming done now?!"
Was this never going to end?!
Lu Qian, who had been coldly eyeing the crowd, paused and instinctively looked toward the speaker, Ye Xiren. She was merely a beautiful and delicate young lady from a boudoir, yet he saw no fear on her face. Instead, her eyes were filled with anger and a hint of… familiarity?
Lu Qian was momentarily dazed, then quickly resumed his stern expression and said coldly, "Bring the person forward!"
"Thud."
His subordinate pushed a person inside and threw them before the group. That person was all too familiar—it was the maid, Liu Xu, who had lifted the curtain for Ye Xiren when she entered Changshou Tang.
"Speak. Where is the evidence of treason hidden?" Lu Qian slowly asked.
Treason?!
Ye Xiren's pupils contracted.
Liu Xu trembled as she pointed at the Guanyin statue, stammering, "In… inside the Guanyin statue. I saw… I saw the old madam stuff it in with my own eyes…"
"Nonsense!" Madam Liao scolded.
Lu Qian raised his hand, and the soldier standing beside him placed a long blade against Madam Liao's neck, silencing her.
Ye Xiren reached out and pushed the blade away, glaring fiercely at the soldier.
Soldier: "?"
He was pushed back, and seeing the fire in Ye Xiren's eyes, he momentarily dared not step forward, feeling an inexplicable sense of guilt.
Another person brought the White Jade Guanyin before Lu Qian.
Lu Qian glanced at the maid, then at Zhao Shi, and finally fixed his gaze on Ye Xiren's face. The corners of his mouth slowly curled into a mocking smile as he suddenly reached out.
The White Jade Guanyin shattered into pieces on the floor, scattering shards of porcelain.
Inside, a folded piece of parchment fell out. Under the sunlight streaming in from outside, the writing on it was clear and distinct. Ye Xiren and the others widened their eyes in shock.
"What is this?" Ye Changming murmured.
"I'd like to ask the same thing," Lu Qian retorted, retrieving the parchment and shaking it open. A clear map appeared, and another rolled-up piece of white paper fell out. Before Xiren could get a clear look, she saw Lu Qian's expression change. "It is indeed the missing Southern Capital Forbidden Garrison Deployment Map!"
Ye Changming was incredulous.
The Forbidden Garrison Deployment Map was the layout and defense plan of the entire Southern Capital. It had been newly created last year when the imperial court moved from Beidu to Nandu and was one of Daliang's most critical documents. How could it be in their home?!
"All members of the Ye family, hear the judgment!"
"Investigation reveals that Zhao Lan Jun, mother of Minister of Revenue Ye Pei, secretly hid evidence of treason, colluded with traitors, and committed an act of great treachery. According to the Daliang Code, the entire Ye family shall be executed!"
A different imperial edict, but a familiar decree.
As the words "Execution of the entire family" were uttered, Ye Xiren felt her breath catch, her head spinning and vision blurring.
Even though the examination fraud was gone, how could there still be evidence of treason, and another execution of the entire family?!
Lu Qian waved his hand, and his subordinates stepped forward to seize them.
Ye Changming, limping, struggled:
"Impossible! My grandmother was born into the Zhao family, a clan known for its loyalty and bravery. How could she possibly commit treason and betray the country? This must be a false accusation! Lu Qian, what right do you have to arrest us?! I want to see my father, I want to see His Majesty!"
Injured, he was quickly subdued by the Imperial City Department's men.
Lu Qian unrolled the small, rolled-up slip of paper and held it before Ye Changming, enunciating each word clearly: "Then explain how the recently missing Southern Capital Forbidden Garrison Deployment Map ended up in your home? And what do these words on it mean?"
Ye Xiren immediately looked over.
"How would I know where this came from? My grandmother is elderly—someone must have framed us! Without investigating the truth, how can you sentence our entire family to execution?!" Ye Changming glared fiercely at Lu Qian, refusing to bow his head even while restrained.
Zhao Shi finally set down her prayer beads and slowly rose to her feet.
She turned to face Lu Qian, her expression blank:
"With a crime fabricated out of thin air, any excuse will do. Lu Er'gou, now you've changed your name to Lu Qian and become the commander of the Imperial City Department. Do you still remember who picked you up when you were orphaned and wandering the streets, who taught you martial arts and raised you properly?"
Lu Qian's expression shifted slightly, a flash of anger crossing his eyes. He then tightened his grip on the map and the slip of paper, sneering, "There's no need for you to speak of me, Madam. If you have grievances, take them up with the King of Hell. The evidence of harboring incriminating items is conclusive—your Ye family cannot escape calamity this time!"
With that, he barked, "Take them away now!"
The guards swarmed forward.
Ye Xiren shoved aside the first guard who approached, straightened the golden hairpin in her hair, and gritted her teeth: "There's no need to bind us. We'll walk on our own."
She looked at Zhao Shi and extended her hand: "Grandmother, let me support you."
No one expected the calmest person in the Ye family to be the youngest, Ye Xiren. Even in the face of the terrifying Imperial City Department and the decree of execution for the entire family, she remained composed, as if she no longer feared death or the people before her.
Zhao Shi's lips trembled slightly before she placed her hand in Ye Xiren's. The strength she had been forcing herself to maintain eased somewhat as Ye Xiren steadied her.
Lu Qian watched Ye Xiren, his gaze profound:
"The Ye family has raised a bold and capable daughter. Previously hidden away in the inner chambers with little reputation, who would have thought she'd be so composed and calm? A pity."
Ye Xiren met his gaze expressionlessly.
The group was led into prison carts.
Ye Xiren glanced back at "witness" Liu Xu, who was also being taken away, and clenched her fists tightly.
Ye Changming, equally seething with anger, demanded:
"What is going on? With just one piece of 'evidence' from who-knows-where, you sentence our entire family to execution? Shouldn't this be handed over to the Dali Temple and the Ministry of Justice? Who does Liu Xu work for? Why is she harming us? And where is Father?"
He used a barrage of questions to mask his panic.
Unfortunately, no one else had answers. Zhao Shi seemed to age in an instant, her voice hoarse: "Your father is likely in dire straits himself now."
With the entire family sentenced to execution, how could Ye Pei be spared?
Madam Liao's eyes reddened as she asked, "Mother, what about the map and the slip of paper…"
Zhao Shi shook her head, clearly unaware.
"Grandmother," Ye Xiren leaned closer to Zhao Shi, lowering her voice, "Tell me about this Lu Qian. What exactly is his story?"
Ye Changming looked at her incredulously: "We're about to die, and you still have the mood to ask about this?"
Ye Xiren took a deep breath, her composure finally breaking: "This round is lost, but we must prepare for the next one!"
Imperial City Department, Imperial Prison.
A figure stirred, the chains binding its hands and feet clinking as fresh blood seeped from its wrists and ankles. The figure seemed unaware, remaining seated upright in the dungeon.
His back was straight, his eyes hidden beneath disheveled hair fixed on the entrance of the dungeon, where the only light came from the flickering of a candle flame.
A rat scurried past his feet, but he paid it no mind, his gaze still locked on the entrance.
Then, a shadow appeared—the jailer entered to deliver food, carrying a meal box toward the dark figure. The dishes were taken out one by one, and water was poured into a chipped bowl.
The figure glanced at it, then slowly closed his eyes.
At Caishikou, the executioner raised both hands, spat out a mouthful of strong liquor, and with a flash of cold light from the Ghost Head Blade, brought it down heavily. Excruciating pain surged, blood splattered…
Ye Xiren clutched her neck and sat up abruptly, breathing rapidly, her eyes filled with terror.
"Young Miss?" The maids filed in one after another, the head maid looking anxious as she wiped the cold sweat from Ye Xiren’s forehead and instructed, "Quick, bring some water!"
It was still the familiar scene, the familiar voices.
Ye Xiren’s eyes grew moist, her lips twitching as she cried and laughed at once, her entire demeanor utterly abnormal.
She had truly returned again!
She had returned three times before, but each time it was on the first day of the third lunar month, when Ye Changming was caught in the examination fraud. This time, it was "the evidence of collusion with the enemy hidden by Grandmother," again on the second day of the third lunar month… Ye Xiren had appeared relatively calm before her death, but only she knew how terrified she truly was.
Fortunately, she had returned, and she could still save the Ye family!!
Ye Xiren ignored her sweat-soaked state and paid no heed to Xue Chan’s worried inquiries. Instead, she grabbed Xue Chan’s wrist and urgently asked, "What is today’s date?"
Xue Chan replied blankly, "The first day of the third lunar month."
Ye Xiren was both shocked and overjoyed. Time had returned to the first day of the third lunar month, giving her more time to prepare and find a way to save the Ye family.
She stood up abruptly and hurriedly got out of bed: "Quickly, help me get dressed and prepare the carriage."
Ye Changming’s imperial examination!
She had to survive the calamity of the first day of the third lunar month first, only then could she live to see the second.
Xue Chan looked bewildered but followed the instructions to prepare the carriage. She draped a cloak over Ye Xiren, who was in a hurry to leave, and reminded her, "The eldest young master has just left. You can still catch up. Have something to eat first, don’t go hungry."
She could hardly keep up with her young mistress!
Why was she in such a hurry?
"There’s no time," Ye Xiren said as she walked, fastening her cloak. She moved so quickly that her cheeks flushed slightly, but her eyes were so bright they seemed almost piercing.
After a few steps, she suddenly stopped and turned back:
"I noticed the willow catkins in Grandmother’s courtyard are quite lovely. Go and ask for them to be moved to our courtyard."
Xue Chan was taken aback.
When she looked up again, Ye Xiren was already far ahead, carrying a lantern. Her shadowy figure turned the corner of the corridor in the darkness, the blue silk and gold-threaded cloak brushing past, soon disappearing from sight.
Had the young mistress changed from before?
Her words and actions were sharper, no longer gentle and obedient as in the past. Though she was still the same person, something about her was different. She was like a burning flame, startling to behold.
The carriage clattered along and soon stopped at Wenlin Fang.
Familiar darkness, familiar alleyways, with shadows lying haphazardly inside, dressed in tattered clothes.
"Ma Shan!"
The tone was all too familiar.
Author’s Note:
There’s one more chapter today, a double update.