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墨書 Inktalez
After removing the chin, she could no longer scream. Thirty lashes would likely cost her half her life.
Life and death were irrelevant... life and death were irrelevant...
Zhu Minran was terrified, wanting to shout for mercy, but her jaw had loosened, making it impossible to utter a word.
Suddenly, her neck tightened as an Imperial Guard grabbed the back of her clothing, pulling her forcefully outward.
Her back scraped against the ground, the uneven stones digging into her skin, causing a sharp pain. Zhu Minran let out a muffled whimper from her throat, waving her arms in an attempt to grasp something to stop this terrifying drag.
Just when she felt powerless, her wrist was suddenly restrained.
Ignoring the pain, she looked up in surprise, only to see Huo Yun'ai's cold gaze from a distance.
The chilling intensity in those eyes made her shiver all over. But in the next moment, when those eyes turned toward her palm, she couldn't even afford to be afraid anymore.
It was because a sudden sharp pain shot through her palm, making her cry out involuntarily!
The dagger was gone.
Blood flowed profusely!
Mu Hai held the hilt of the dagger tightly and swung it forcefully, causing all the blood droplets on it to fall away, leaving it completely clean.
"Clean it." Mu Hai handed the dagger to his officer. The officer solemnly accepted it and quietly bowed as he retreated.
Mu Hai continued to grip Zhu Minran's wrist tightly, probing his fingers between her sleeves for a while before finally stopping at her left elbow and pulling hard.
A few bundles tied together fell out.
Zhu Minran's lips trembled violently, and her eyes were filled with a dead silence. Even under the intense pain, she had lost the strength to struggle.
The Imperial Guard continued to drag her outside the courtyard. Soon, the sound of heavy blows striking flesh and bone echoed.
Mu Hai picked up a paper bag and walked over to Zheng Young Master with a gloomy expression. "What is this?"
Zheng Young Master trembled like a leaf, stammering, "I-I don't know..."
Mu Hai snorted coldly and casually shook open one of the bags.
A faint fragrance spread around. A few birds flew down to peck at the powder that had just fallen.
With just one bite, they fell to the ground and died.
The remaining birds sensed something was wrong and tried to fly away. However, even a tiny bit on their beaks rendered them powerless to move. Ultimately, they shook their bodies and collapsed, their legs and wings flapping a couple of times before they breathed their last.
Zheng Young Master knelt on the ground, gasping for air.
Mu Hai reached into his arms and retrieved a spare signaling device. He then waved his hand, and someone dragged Zheng Young Master outside for execution. Soon, his high-pitched cries echoed.
The men in black either struggled or prepared to take their own lives. The Imperial Guard dislocated their jaws to prevent them from biting their tongues, shattered teeth that could hide poison, and twisted their arms behind their backs at impossible angles, leaving them with no ability to resist.
Outside the courtyard were wails and muffled groans. Inside were the gasps of the men in black as they struggled and cursed.
Amidst these piercing sounds, Huo Yun'ai's expression was cold and fierce as she stepped through the bloodstains and fallen teeth left by the struggle, advancing step by step.
Her indifferent gaze radiated a chilling intensity, sweeping coldly over everyone present.
Those around her fell to their knees in fear.
Only Qing Wu did not kneel.
Zhenyuan Marquis, fearing that his granddaughter would be reprimanded by the Emperor, hurriedly reached out to pull her. However, he unexpectedly witnessed an unforgettable scene before him.
The tall figure of the Emperor blocked the blazing sun, casting a long shadow that enveloped the delicate Qing Wu entirely.
The upright and stern young man had no gaze for anything else at this moment; he was solely focused on the girl before him.
The girl slightly tilted her head and looked up at him.
Seeing this scene, Master Wen, who had fought on the battlefield for many years, felt an inexplicable sense of panic in his heart. He wanted to step forward to pull Qing Wu down to kneel and bow, but was stopped by Qin Shuying.
Zheng Ning had been standing at a distance from everyone else. At this moment, he knelt there, turning his face away with a calm expression, looking at the Weeping Willow swaying by the courtyard wall, his face neither sad nor happy.
The two facing each other were completely oblivious to those around them.
They quietly gazed at each other. After a moment, Huo Yun'ai raised his hand.
His slender fingers gently brushed over the girl's brow, slowly smoothing her slightly furrowed forehead.
His movements were light and gentle. Yet, they stirred a sense of fear and trepidation in the hearts of those nearby.
The girl's expression gradually returned to calm. Slowly, the corners of her lips even curled into a gentle arc.
Seeing her like this, a faint ripple appeared in the cold depths of the young man's eyes.
He quickly lowered his eyelids to hide all thoughts. Then he gently nodded at her before striding away.
The Imperial Guard, who had restrained the man in black, followed suit and quickly retreated.
Before long, the sounds of the staff outside ceased. Another group of Imperial Guards departed.
Forty-eight remained, standing respectfully in the courtyard.
The leader of this group of Imperial Guards was a tall and lean man.
He stepped forward slowly and cupped his fists in salute to Zhenyuan Marquis, Heir Apparent, and Head of the Yi Family. Then he turned his body and bowed to Qing Wu, saying, "Lord Liu."
After the tense moments earlier, Qing Wu had already broken into a layer of sweat on her back. A breeze blew, making her feel a bit cold, and her throat tightened slightly.
She took a deep breath to calm herself, striving to steady her voice as she nodded and said, "Meng Daren."
Meng Daren replied, "His Majesty has ordered us to escort you all home. Twelve will escort the three young ladies home in turn, while eighteen will escort Head of the Yi Family. Eighteen will accompany the Liu Family and the Marquisate." After a moment's thought, he added, "Although His Majesty had made arrangements earlier, it was unexpected that these people would cause so much trouble at this banquet. Two groups had come outside before. Although they were stopped by my brothers, many were quietly sent back."
His attitude left Wen Family Ancestors and Descendants and Yi Zhenglian quite shocked.
Everyone thought Qing Wu was merely a female official in the palace. If that were the case, why would the leader of the Imperial Guards treat her with such courtesy? There was even a hint of respect in his demeanor.
Qin Shuying crossed her arms and smiled at Meng Daren, saying, "The people escorting the girl should be assigned to Head of the Yi Family. I also brought a few people with me who are still waiting outside. Together with Wen Qingyue and me, it will be sufficient." She then turned to Qing Wu and said, "I will also escort you back."
Meng Daren showed a troubled expression.
Before he could speak, Yi Zhenglian had already addressed Qin Shuying, saying, "Have you forgotten that I also brought people?"
During the previous conflicts, Yi Zhenglian had already known Qin Shuying. Although many years had passed since they last met, their conversation still felt as familiar as before.
Qin Shuying shook her head and said, "The Yi Family is not familiar with the capital; it’s better to have more people." The identity of Head of the Yi Family had already been exposed. It was still wise to be cautious in the outskirts.
However, Yi Zhenglian looked at Meng Daren and said, "Rest assured. The people I invited will only be stronger than those who ambushed us; they will certainly not be weaker."
Qin Shuying suddenly realized something. She turned to Meng Daren, who gestured and pointed towards the remaining Imperial Guard. In an instant, she understood, her expression turning somewhat grim.
…That person really is…
Clearly, Head of the Yi Family was the biggest target today. Yet he left his most elite team for Girl...
Seeing that Qin Shuying still hadn’t grasped the situation, Yi Zhenglian sighed and lowered his voice to say, “Possessing a treasure can be a crime. With the hairpin in hand, the girl is the most important one.”
Just those two brief sentences caused the usually unruly General Qin to lose color in her face.
That hairpin… was a relic left by Qing Wu’s mother…
Everyone around the Former Emperor knew that Head of the Yi Family had been saved by Qing Wu’s mother. Subsequently, Yi Zhenglian gave Wen Tingshu a token. The holder of this token could request assistance from the Yi Family to fulfill their wishes.
However, neither the family head nor Madam Wen had ever clarified what that token actually was.
If the hairpin is indeed that token…
Qin Shuying’s expression changed.
No.
Just now, Head of the Yi Family was clearly making it known to him that the hairpin is the token!
With this realization, Qin Shuying immediately ceased her smile and turned her gaze towards Qing Wu.
If that’s true, then there must be more to that tragic incident from years ago.
Meng Daren invited Qing Wu to accompany him for arrangements.
Qing Wu must have instructed Huo Yun'ai to say something to Meng Daren that was not convenient to discuss in front of everyone, so she went over with him.
Qin Shuying, disregarding Meng Daren's repeated hints, followed closely behind. She justified it by saying she was worried about the girl.
Watching the girl’s figure gradually fade away, Yi Zhenglian suddenly asked, "Your Majesty, how do you explain that the young lady is his?"
Master Wen turned to glance at Zheng Ning, who was only a few feet away.
Seeing him seemingly gazing at the clouds nearby without much reaction, the old man cleared his throat and spoke with a somewhat tense voice, "Qing Wu serves as a female official by his side; perhaps that is what it means."
"Oh?" Yi Zhenglian raised an eyebrow and looked distantly toward the palace, saying nothing more.
Wen Heir was still in shock from earlier and had not regained his composure.
The Head of the Yi Family—that was "Your Majesty"...
No, earlier, someone had called him "Emperor," right?
And there was the Imperial Guard...
But back then, why did he impersonate Liu Family Second Young Master?
That's right. It wasn't him pretending. It had always been himself being self-righteous...
But if he wasn't Liu Er Shao, how could he explain his intimate demeanor with Qing Wu during the Shangyuan Festival when they were admiring lanterns together?!
Such a cold and indifferent person only smiled at his own sister and treated her gently and considerately.
Reflecting on past events, Wen Qingyue seemed to have realized something. However, the other party's status was too high and their methods too ruthless. He could not speak even a word of this to anyone else.
Wen Da Shizi, who was usually quick-witted, felt overwhelmed by the situation and didn't know what to do.
No one expected that the "few people" Qin Shuying mentioned were actually one hundred twenty-eight officials from the Ministry of Justice. It was unclear when he had called them. No wonder he dared to directly dismiss eighteen Imperial Guards.
Even if the officials from the Ministry of Justice were not very capable, their numbers were sufficient. As they proceeded, they maintained an orderly formation, surrounding the carriage of Tuan Tuan. If anyone wanted to rush in, it would indeed be quite difficult.
Thus, the carriages of the Wen Family and Liu Family arrived grandly at the gates of the Liu Family under the protection of the officials from the Ministry of Justice.
Zheng Ning had already gotten out of his carriage and was looking over this way from a distance.
Qing Wu intended to get out of the carriage to bid farewell to everyone. However, as she lifted the curtain, she saw Qin Shuying riding up to her carriage, tapping on its side with his whip, looking quite troubled.
"Hey, Girl, I need to discuss something with you."
General Qin's expression was rarely solemn, with his brows tightly furrowed.
"Why don't you stay away from home for a while? It would be better for you to stay in the palace."
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