Chapter 37

Chapter 37

The crimson sky had faded, and darkness descended. Xun Yunhe rode hastily to the foot of Qingshan Temple. There was no path beyond this point, so he dismounted and began to climb on foot. Looking up, he saw the swaying branches in the forest, like spirits lurking in the night. His heart felt as heavy as a stone, oscillating with unease.

As he walked, he pondered where to find Qingniang if she truly was here. Suddenly, a frail-looking young boy stumbled down the stone steps. In the dim light, he recognized the figure at the foot of the mountain and called out anxiously,

"Is that Father?"

Xun Yunhe was taken aback. Shouldn't his son be at the National Academy? How did he end up here? Sensing something amiss, Xun Yunhe stepped forward and asked sternly, "Why are you here?"

Xun Nianxi barely managed to stand firm, bowing to his father while replying, "Mother sent me to fetch you to the execution ground."

That afternoon, Xun Nianxi had been resting during lunch break at school when a message arrived from the gatekeeper, saying that his mother had fallen ill at Qingshan Temple and needed him to come fetch her. In a hurry, Xun Nianxi rushed to the temple but couldn't locate his mother. A nanny then informed him that his mother had performed a ritual for his stepmother, Lady Zhang, at the southeastern execution ground. As she wasn't feeling well, she couldn't oversee it herself, and thus had sent him down the mountain to pick up his father.

Since outsiders were unaware of matters concerning his stepmother, Xun Nianxi believed without question and thus descended the mountain.

Xun Yunhe's icy gaze narrowed. Just as he was wondering where to search for Qingniang, someone had sent his son to guide him. He sensed an impending trap closing in on him, yet he showed no intention of retreating. As long as Qingniang and Nannan were alive, he could face any consequences. "Lead the way."

As they climbed higher, the light ahead grew brighter, revealing vague figures moving through the woods and voices singing joyfully from a high platform. Upon reaching the temple entrance, they swiftly leaped onto the broad terrace in front of the Great Hall of the Buddha, before heading towards the southeastern execution ground.

The ritual ground, where flames of sacrificial charms should have danced, was shrouded in darkness, as still as if deserted. A pungent odor of charm oil hung in the air, but Xun Yunhe's brow remained unwrinkled as he stepped through the small gate and navigated around a cluster of flowers. To his surprise, he found a group of people gathered inside.

Foremost among them were Prince Pei Muheng, the third son of the Xiyi Palace, Minister Xiao Yu of the Punishment Department, and newly-appointed Deputy Magistrate Liu Yue of Dali Prefecture. Given that Xun Yunhe had already surmised that someone was plotting against him, he felt little surprise at the arrival of Pei Muheng and his entourage.

When Pei Muheng and his entourage arrived at the city gate, they happened upon a young novice from the abbot's side who had come to report a crime. The novice claimed that a noblewoman had committed violence within the temple grounds. With someone guiding them, they were able to locate the precise site more accurately, taking a shortcut through the hills on horseback. Thus, they arrived before Xun Yunhe.

Yet, it was merely a matter of a few dozen blinks of an eye away.

Pei Muhang silently bowed to Xun Yunhe, who returned the gesture with a slight raise of his sleeves. At that moment, a heart-wrenching cry echoed from the Wansheng Pavilion on the side.

"What exactly are you trying to do? What do you want?"

Xun Yunhe recognized the voice as Ye's and abruptly turned around. At the same time, Xun Nianxi behind him had her mouth covered by a guard.

A three-story pavilion stood at the back of the execution ground. Faint yellow light filtered through the gauzy windows, casting two dark shadows on the lattice – one figure was standing with a reproachful posture, while the other was kneeling on the ground, seemingly begging desperately. It was none other than Lady Ye.

Upon seeing Xiu Niang's face, Lady Ye, Mrs. Xun, was immediately terrified. "Who are you?"

With her sleeves folded, Xiu Niang stood under the lamp and sneered. "You ask who I am, but I should be asking the same of you. Your people have been following me in secret all day, then led me here to the execution ground, attempting to throw me into harm's way. What is your true intention?"

These words struck Lady Xun like a bolt of lightning.

Could it be that the nursemaid had made a mistake and taken this woman for Lady Zhang? The similarity in appearance between the two was striking, as were their outfits. The situation seemed to have collapsed, revealing her secret. Lady Xun felt panic grip her heart, leaving her utterly bewildered.

"I...I didn't..." She denied instinctively.

Xiu Niang sneered. "If you didn't, then how do you explain these two characters, 'Xun Yu,' written on this item?"

Lady Xun's body froze, as if struck by another bolt of lightning, turning rigid like wax.

Xun Yunhe, standing outside, also underwent a sudden change in expression. He subconsciously assumed the speaker to be Qingniang, for their figures were strikingly similar. However, the voice did not match.

Qingniang's voice was soft and weak, not as robust as this woman's.

A sense of defeat washed over Xun Yunhe. It appeared that it wasn't Qingniang, but someone was scheming against him. His face turned pale as he fixated intently on Lady Xun.

Lady Xun initially felt a surge of fear upon hearing this, but she quickly regained her composure. If this woman was not Zhang Qingniang, the situation hadn't reached its worst-case scenario. She hastily wiped away tears from the corners of her eyes and pleaded,

"Dear sister, you must have made a mistake. Please return this to me."

This was an admission that the paper crane was written by her.

Xu Yunqi, standing in the adjacent chamber, gently pressed her lips together. The abbot of Qingshan Temple, seated on the main seat on the other side, shook his head and silently recited "Amitabha."

Xiu Niang sat boldly in the round chair opposite Madam Xun, her fingertips delicately holding the paper crane as she gazed at her with a smile.

"Is that so? Who is Xun Yu? Surely not your secret lover, right? Could it be that you were caught in an affair and now wish to silence me?"

Madam Xun flew into a rage, "What nonsense are you spouting! He's my husband."

Xiu Niang blinked, "Oh, really? That's not what your daughter said."

Madam Xun's heart tightened, staring at her suspiciously, "Where have you taken my daughter?"

Xiu Niang chuckled, "Don't worry, she's locked up next door. And let me tell you, I'm no stranger to the ways of the world. I have some skills up my sleeve. If you don't give me a clear explanation today for why you wanted to kill me, I'll send all of you - your mother, your daughter, and that old nursemaid - to the Jingzhao Prefecture Office..."

A surge of blood rushed to Madam Xun's throat. It seemed that this woman had uncovered the truth.

Already at the end of her strength, barely holding on by a thread, she was now utterly terrified. She fell to the ground, weeping uncontrollably.

Xiu Niang leaned forward slightly, "You won't confess, right? Then let me speak for you. I've seen all sorts of tricks in my travels. Are you perhaps guilty of some crime and trying to silence witnesses? Did your people mistake me for the person you intended to kill?"

Each word Xiu Niang spoke pricked at Xun Yunhe's wife's heart, pushing her closer to the brink of breakdown. She lowered her body even more and cried even harder.

Seeing this, Xiu Niang clapped her hands, ready to stand up, "Forget it. Since you're unwilling to speak, I'll call for someone to take you both to the authorities..."

At that moment, a sob came from inside the room, "Mother, mother..." It was quickly muffled by a hand, producing a stifled groan.

Xun Yunhe's wife recognized her daughter's voice, and her pupils dilated in shock. Seeing Xiu Niang about to rise, she rushed over and grabbed her legs, "I'll talk, I'll talk."

Xiu Niang smiled leisurely and sat back down, "Speak then, start from the beginning."

Listening outside the window, Xun Yunhe had already pieced together the general story.

Recalling the green-clad woman he saw at the birthday banquet and Ye Shi's questioning in the ancestral hall, it seemed Ye Shi had also discovered this woman and, believing Qingniang to still be alive, feared she would threaten her position. Thus, she set a trap on the mountain to eliminate her. The icy glint in Xun Yunhe's eyes deepened as he considered this possibility; he had never imagined the gentle Ye Shi capable of such ruthlessness.

But then the question arose: Ye Shi had never met Qingniang, so how did she know what she looked like?

At that moment, Xun Yunhe felt as if he stood on the edge of a cliff, one step forward would plunge him into an abyss.

After more than a decade of marriage, he had not spent much time truly interacting with Lady Ye. It was as if he had never known what kind of person she was. Unable to resist, he took a step forward, only for the Deputy Minister of the Board of Punishments, Liu Yue, to hold him back with a raised hand and a gentle shake of his head, indicating that he should not act rashly.

On their way here, the young monk had already informed Liu Yue that there were both eyewitnesses and physical evidence, and that they had been caught red-handed. They were here to take over the situation.

Everyone present was an experienced fox who had spent years in the imperial court. They all knew that tonight's events were far more complicated than a failed attempt at murder.

Just then, a wavering voice came from within:

"Will you let my daughter and me go if I confess?"

Xiu Niang shrugged. "I have no grudge against you. As long as you explain the circumstances clearly and convince me that you are not my enemy, I will not hold today's incident against you."

Lady Xun's body slumped, and her forehead touched the ground. She took a deep breath and wept for a long while. Clenching her teeth, she lifted her eyes and sobbed,

"I'll be honest with you. You resemble someone very much, and that person is my husband's former wife!"

Upon hearing this, Pei Muhang, Xiao Yu, and the others exchanged glances.

Could it be that the accusations in the complaint were true?

Their gazes shifted to Xun Yunhe, who was completely unaware of the situation. He only stared intently inside, awaiting Ye's response.

With a face full of astonishment, Xiu Niang said, "So it's true? You're afraid that your husband's former wife will come after him, so you want to take action first?"

At this point, with the tables turned against her, Lady Xun had no choice but to nod, tears welling up in her eyes. "That woman is utterly wicked and aimed to ruin my husband's future. I had no other option but to act as I did..."

Xiu Niang sneered, cutting her off. "Is that so? That's not what your nanny said. She claimed you stole someone else's husband!"

Lady Xun was nearly choked by these words, her complexion turning ashen.

Seeing her on the verge of collapse, Xiu Niang approached her step by step. "Did you perhaps fall for his husband and use some scheme to force him to divorce his wife for you?"

"No!" Lady Xun firmly denied, her eyes brimming with tears. Staring blankly at Xiu Niang, her pretty face intertwined endlessly with the image of Zhang, confusing her as to who was truly before her. "I'm sorry... I didn't mean to harm you..."

"I had no choice either..."

Xiu Niang assumed she was addressing her and smiled. "Why wouldn't there be a way? Looking at your attire, you must either be of noble birth or great wealth. Would you still need to snatch someone's husband?"

"Nay, nay, nay..." Tears flooded Lady Xun's mind like an overwhelming tide, ensnaring her in a vast quagmire from which she could not escape.

Xiu Niang observed the glazed expression in her eyes and knew the moment had arrived. She leaned in, her entire face close, and whispered seductively.

"That fire was an overwhelming inferno. If I were pushed down, the pain would be unbearable... Even in death, as a vengeful spirit, I would never let you off!"

Xun Yunhe, standing by the window, stumbled backward at that moment, almost losing his balance.

Peng Muqing hurriedly stepped forward to lend a hand.

"No, no, no," Lady Xun felt Zhang's face loom larger and larger before her eyes, her vision obscured by the smoke of that fateful year, causing her mind to reel in agony.

"You can't blame me; when I met him, I had no idea he was already married with a daughter..." Her voice trembled with emotion.

It was a year of light drizzle under blooming apricot blossoms, still chilly in early March. Her father, the elderly Scholar Ye, had set up a teaching platform next to their mansion, attracting numerous students. Among them was a young man, holding an old oil-paper umbrella, dressed in a thin, pale tea-colored robe. He exuded an elegant, unworldly charm.

With every word, he displayed remarkable talent and wit, becoming an overnight sensation. Not only she, but also the girl hiding behind the carved window that day, fell for him.

Among them was the daughter of the County Elder, a woman known for her arrogance and audacity, who declared that she had set her sights on Xun Yu.

Though she hails from the capital city, her father's proud and solitary nature having rendered him intolerable to his peers, resulting in his demotion and return to their hometown, Miss Ye refrains from assuming any airs before the magistrate's daughter, under whose watchful eye her father now falls. Thus, she cautiously conceals her affection, nursing it secretly within her heart.

It was on that very day that Xun Yu distinguished himself, earning the privilege of being his father's last and most favored disciple.

Though Lady Ye maintained a composed demeanor, she was inwardly indignant. She found the county magistrate's daughter crude and utterly unworthy of Xun Yu. Secretly, she couldn't help but try to attract his attention, seeking his guidance on books or even presenting him with her poetry for critique. Initially, he had responded to her inquiries in person, but afterward, no matter what she did, he ignored her. Frustrated, she cursed him silently for not appreciating her efforts.

Xun Yu lived up to everyone's expectations by ranking first in the county scholarly examination the following year. In the capital, as well as in the county, there was a custom of matchmaking based on the exam rankings. The daughter of the county's elderly governor insisted on marrying him, causing quite a sensation throughout the city. At that time, she was deeply saddened and cried secretly on several occasions.

The county magistrate publicly declared his intention to make Xun Yu his son-in-law.

Amidst the crowd, a man of remarkable charm, dressed in a resplendent white robe, took the lead, yet firmly refused, "I have already taken a wife and vowed to dedicate my life to her alone, never taking a concubine."

To put an end to the county magistrate's aspirations, he made this declaration on the very day the rankings were announced, in front of all the prominent figures of Jiangling.

True to form, the county magistrate's daughter could not shake off these desires, her infatuation with Xun Yu bordering on obsession.

"One evening, she came to the Ye residence seeking me. She claimed that she had visited Xun Yu's hometown and met his wife and daughter,"

"Said peasant girl was dressed in a floral frock, utterly unsuitable for the limelight. How could she compare to the peerlessly handsome Xun Yu? I pressured that woman to give up on him, but she refused – how preposterous!"

She vividly recalled the girl with animated features, brimming with indignation.

Back then, she thought a village lass was clearly unworthy of Xun Yu.

As the time drew near for Xun Yu to leave for Jingzhou Prefecture to pursue his studies, the daughter of the county's elderly governor grew restless. Seizing the opportunity at the farewell banquet held by the county school, she drugged Xun Yu. However, he was a formidable figure; he forcefully broke free from the county office and returned to the school.

"So you took advantage of the situation when he was under the influence of the drug, like a mantis catching a cicada unaware, only to be preyed upon by a yellow-billed bird?" Xiu Niang whispered coldly into Madam Xun's ear.

Just as Madam Xun was about to nod, reason suddenly dawned on her, and she shook her head violently. "No, no, no... I didn't mean it... It was an accident... I swear..."

Peering through the window, Xun Nianxi gaped in disbelief, unable to accept that her mother had climbed into her father's bed in such a manner. Her youthful innocence couldn't withstand such a blow, and she spat out blood, collapsing to her knees.

Xun Yunhe, his eyes devoid of expression, gazed at the translucent Hall of Transmigration. He slowly peeled off his official robe, revealing a snowy white scholar's robe underneath. Standing in the courtyard like a wandering spirit, he remained silent for a long while.

"An accident?" Xiu Niang scoffed, lifting her hands that were covering her face, forcing her to look into her eyes. "Tell me the truth while looking me in the eye. Was it really an accident? The daughter of the county governor approached you willingly, indicating your awareness of her scheme. Xun Yu returned to the study room in the neighboring school. As a young lady from a prominent family, how could you sneak into his bed in the dead of night?"

This was the root of Lady Xun's lifelong guilt, a thorn deeply embedded in her heart that she could never extract.

"No!" She screamed, pushing away Xiu Niang's hand and covering her face, weeping bitterly.

"Do you think it's easy for me? I grew up without a mother, as the only daughter under my father's care. Seeing him fall ill and his life hanging by a thread, what would I do if he were to pass away? I can't just marry any random scholar, can I?"

"Xun Yu is already the top student in the county school. Father has mentioned more than once that with his intelligence and capability, he will surely ascend to the highest ranks of the government one day – that's a position of a grand counselor," Lady Xun covered her face, tears streaming down uncontrollably.

"How could I bear to watch such wealth and glory fall into someone else's hands? That's why I used the excuse of helping my father search for books to enter the study room."

At that time, Xun Yu had almost lost his senses, tossing and turning on the bed. She pretended to blow out the lamp, shamelessly throwing herself at him while undressing.

She would never forget how scorching hot his body was. The moment she approached, he pounced on her like rain upon a drought-stricken land.

Never in her life had she felt... so ecstatic.

Ecstatic yet shameful.

A mouthful of blood gushed from Xun Yunhe's lips, and his vision darkened.

"And then?" Xiu Niang looked at her with disdain, asking expressionlessly, "Surely you didn't force him to divorce his wife and marry you, did you?"

"No!" Madam Xun's tone was more decisive than ever. She shook her head, staring blankly into the void before her, as if recalling that fateful day.

The man, steeped in Confucian teachings since childhood, could not bear the thought of being with another woman.

The depth of his ingrained principles equaled the intensity of his torment back then.

She would never forget the sight of him when he woke up, his eyes hollow like a soulless ghost, his steps heavy as he entered the Ye family's gate and knelt before her father to admit his mistake.

"I confronted my father, demanding he demote his wife to concubine and take me as his official spouse. He would rather die than yield!"

"My father was an old-fashioned scholar, utterly unable to accept the notion of his daughter losing her virtue before marriage. In his fury, he vomited blood and fell gravely ill. Unwilling to impose upon him further, he issued an order on the spot, instructing that I be sent away from Jiangling. He also made a promise to {Xun Yu},"

She vividly remembered her father leaning against the bed frame, his voice barely audible, "This incident happened in the classroom... I cannot escape responsibility. Last night, I allowed our daughter to fetch a book. I thought you were still at the county office and didn't return. Now that I think about it, my action was highly inappropriate. Yuyue, let's pretend that what happened last night never took place. After a while, I will arrange for her to be married far away. You should go home, pack up, and leave for Jingzhou. Never come back to Jiangling County Office again."

Madam Xun recalled this and broke down in tears, overwhelmed with anger.

"I never imagined that would be the last time I saw my father. After Xun Yu and I left, he passed away—his death was a direct result of my actions. Xun Yu was overwhelmed with remorse and took it upon himself to handle my father's funeral arrangements."

"I only learned about my father's passing after living in a manor outside the city for half a month. I fainted upon hearing the news and didn't regain consciousness until several days later. When I woke up, my wet nurse told me that I was pregnant..." Lady Xun paused, holding onto Xiu Niang's sleeve with tears in her eyes,

"Can you imagine the plight of a vulnerable woman, alone and carrying a child? You'll never understand why fate dealt me such a hand while Xun Yu enjoyed a peaceful life with his wife and daughter. My wet nurse, undeterred, urged me to remain patient and wait for the right moment."

"I spent two years in that manor. When our child was born, she was tiny and fragile, yet her father knew nothing about her existence..."

The weight of these memories had been suffocating her for too long. By sharing them, she seemed to find some relief.

Seeing this, Xiu Niang pulled away from her grasp, "You brought this upon yourself and have no one else to blame. As the daughter of a scholar, you could have married anyone decently, with honor and respect. But instead, you chose to steal someone else's husband – a sin that cannot be forgiven." After her scolding, Xiu Niang softened her tone and leaned closer, asking,

"And then?"

"Then..." Lady Xun slumped to the ground, took a deep breath, and her face turned cold. "I endured for two years. On one trip into the city to purchase supplies, I accidentally heard about an epidemic in Xiu Shui Village. I thought, wasn't that Xun Yu's hometown?"

"I assumed something had happened to him. Even though he ignored me, I couldn't help but worry about him," Lady Xun gritted her teeth. "So, I sought out the county magistrate's daughter. Perhaps it was fate."

At this point, Lady Xun's smile became eerily twisted. She vividly recalled the gleam in the county magistrate's daughter's eyes that day.

"Sister Ye, let me tell you, this was a heaven-sent opportunity. To prevent the plague from spreading, the only solution was to quarantine the village. Didn't Xun Yu study at the state capital of Jingzhou? At that moment, the helpless child and his weak mother were all alone. I intended to seize this chance, without hesitation, to eliminate them. When Xun Yu returns, he'll believe it was the plague that sealed the village, and he won't blame me!"

Xun Yunhe heard this and let out a cunning smile identical to that of Lady Xun's.

He knew that the only way to protect his wife and child was to acquire more power. Thus, he dedicated himself to studying through cold nights, hoping to enter the National Academy for the imperial examinations one day and take his family away from Jingzhou.

However, he never expected the county magistrate to be so insane. To curb the plague, the magistrate ordered the mountains to be sealed and set on fire. The spy he had left in the county office immediately conveyed the news to Jingzhou. Xun Yunhe rushed to the provincial government first, beating the drum to file a complaint. Upon hearing the news, the provincial officials hastily dispatched men to Jiangling County. They agreed to seal off the village but forbade burning it.

Unfortunately, it was too late. When he arrived, the entire mountain range was turned into charcoal, and the once verdant village was reduced to a blackened abyss. Creatures were devastated, ruins littered the landscape, and the rain washed down disfigured corpses along the mudslide into the village's foot.

He dug tirelessly for three days and three nights in the rain, uncovering a charred body and a small arm still wearing a silver bracelet.

He had saved two neighboring villages by reporting to the provincial government, but his own village was not spared.

In the following days, he frantically searched for the county magistrate's misdeeds, eventually finding two critical flaws. With a written complaint, he reported to the provincial government and pounded the drum relentlessly for three days and nights. His hands were soaked in blood, he neither ate nor drank, determined to avenge his wife and child with his last breath. The county magistrate, who had held sway over Jingzhou for years, was not easily shaken. Fortunately, he had prepared a backup plan over the past two years. He discovered someone who was at odds with the magistrate and secretly exploited this conflict to bring the case to the capital.

Within half a month, officials from the capital came and dealt with the county magistrate's family. Thirty lives lost in Xiushui Village, although seemingly a necessary measure to control the plague, the massacre was still horrifying. The newly appointed inspector was an upright individual who sentenced the magistrate to death by hanging and sent his wife and daughter to the frontier as slaves.

With his wife and child gone, he lost all zest for life and motivation to pursue the imperial examinations. He planned to follow them in death, seeking retribution with their blood.

Perhaps fate was not ready to let him go just yet, for the county magistrate's wife and daughter died on their way.

By the time Xun Yunhe returned to Jingling, emaciated and exhausted, he saw Ye Shi standing at the city gates with a toddler barely over a year old in her arms.

That day, snowflakes swirled fiercely. The frail child trembled by her mother's side, reminding him of his own beloved daughter who had been eagerly awaiting his return. His heart ached relentlessly.

Ye Shi knelt before him, disregarding any formal status, only pleading for a place to shelter them. The little girl, with eyes as bright as grapes, called out to him, "Father."

Xun Yunhe closed his eyes in despair.

He had once felt guilty towards his mentor, Ye Shi, and their child, eventually accepting them into his life. But now he discovered that Ye Shi had been involved in that case all along.

Inside the house, Xiu Niang asked, "Where were you when the county magistrate set fire to the village?"

Madam Xun shuddered, avoiding Xiu Niang's piercing gaze.

"Did you just stand there and watch them burn alive?"

The words "stand there" triggered a flood of memories, causing Madam Xun to hug herself, trembling from the cold. "I... I... I had no choice," she cried uncontrollably.

"No choice?" Xiu Niang sounded as if she had heard the greatest irony. "Was Heaven forcing you to commit murder?"

The words "murder" struck the deepest, most vulnerable chord in Lady Xun's heart, plunging her into a dark vortex from which she could not escape. Meeting Xiu Niang's piercing gaze, reminiscent of Lady Zhang's, her sanity crumbled.

"The daughter of the county magistrate herself led a group to Xiu Shui Village. Dozens of barrels of oil were spread across the hillside, ready to be set ablaze, leaving nothing but ashes. The county soldiers first targeted the area with the worst plague, but halfway through, a soldier rushed in, declaring that the provincial government had ordered a halt to the burning. The Xun family was one of only two households nestled in the innermost recess of the valley, somewhat distant from the flames. Seeing the plan almost succeed, what could I do?"

She screamed in desperation,

"I seized the opportunity, rushing to his doorstep without hesitation and threw the torch down. The fire engulfed everything."

Upon hearing this, the distraught Xun Yunhe, his eyes bloodshot with intense hatred, lunged forward. With a sudden burst of speed, he kicked open the door and pounced, clamping his hands around Lady Xun's throat.

"Bastardess!"

He had actually allowed this woman, who murdered his wife, to become his intimate companion. He truly deserved death! It was as if searing oil was writhing in his chest, and Xun Yunhe's reason was drowned by a tide of hatred and regret.

With all his might, Lady Xun's throat was constricted. She didn't even have time to discern the attacker before she lost consciousness. Just as it seemed that Xun Yunhe was about to strangle her to death, two guards rushed in, grabbing his wrists from both sides, forcing him to release Lady Xun.

In the next moment, Liu Yue, the Deputy Minister of Justice, leaped in and stood between them, urging, "Minister Xun, you're the esteemed Premier. How could you soil your hands with such a wicked woman?"

"Guards, take her away for interrogation at the yamen!"

As the guards lifted Lady Xun out, they swiftly inserted a needle into the nape of her neck. She shivered and jerked her head upward, instantly regaining consciousness.

Amidst the rows of guards and torches flickering like a sea of flames, familiar faces appeared before her—some disdainful, some sarcastic, and some filled with disgust. Only one person stood apart from the crowd, his eyes resembling two bloodshot pits, ignoring her as if she were something unclean.

Upon recognizing Xun Yunhe's figure, all hope within Lady Xun was crushed, causing her body to go limp.

At that moment, Xun Nianxi crawled over on her knees, looking at her mother with sorrowful eyes.

"Mother, why did you do this? Why?" she cried, collapsing before her.

Lady Xun's throat had just been choked, leaving her unable to speak. She could only gaze at her child in a daze, whispering, "Xin'er..."

It took Xun Yunhe three years to accept her. As Xun Yunling was born from a concubine, he had always disliked her. Later, when they finally had a son, she insisted on naming him Nianxi in the hopes of winning a sliver of his affection.

The side rooms on both sides of the Hall of Reincarnation were flung open, revealing Xun Yunling, the old nanny, and a few trusted servants being escorted out.

Behind them stood Master Mingjie, the abbot of Green Mountain Temple, along with several martial monks. He bowed to Pei Muheng and the others.

"May Buddha have mercy. I, an old monk, am ashamed to have disturbed Third Prince and all the esteemed officials. This afternoon, Lady Xun secretly ordered someone to commit a crime, but their plan was uncovered," the elderly abbot pointed at the kneeling figures. "Lord Liu, there are both witnesses and evidence. The matter is now in your hands."

Return to the yamen for interrogation?

That was not Xu Yunqi's intention.

With leisurely grace, Xiu Niang descended the steps and pointed at the gagged Xun Yunling and Xun Nianxi. She then asked Liu Yue, "May I ask, Sir Liu, what punishment befits this Lady Xun, who has blood on her hands? And how should her two children be dealt with?"

Liu Yue, well-versed in the laws of the Great Jin, pondered briefly before responding, "Madam Ye first committed murder, then carried out another assault today. On top of that, she deceived the Prime Minister. For these multiple offenses, she shall be sentenced to immediate execution."

"And what about her two children?"

Liu Yue spoke without hesitation, "Should the charges be substantiated and Miss Xun indeed proven complicit in the act of violence, she is to be confined within the Imperial Inner Prison of the Ertang for life. As for Master Xun..." Liu Yue's gaze fell upon the young man, his voice heavy with sorrow and barely suppressed sobs, "Being implicated by his mother's guilt, he shall have his scholarly honors stripped, demoted to commoner status, and exiled for a thousand li."

Madam Xun's eyes widened in astonishment as she heard the outcome. She frenziedly shrieked towards Xun Yunhe's direction.

"Xun Yunhe!"

"Infants are innocent, save them, I implore you!"

Xun Yunhe, I've been with you for so many years, through both merits and hardships. They are your own flesh and blood, how could you...?"

Unfortunately, the man in white on the steps was like an old pine in meditation, his face almost translucently pale. Gripping those two talismans tightly, he showed no reaction at all.

Xiu Niang knelt down and sighed innocently towards Madam Xun, "Do you regret it? One moment of misguided intention led to harm, and now you've fallen to such infamy. Look at your daughter, she's not even seventeen, she should be the most celebrated young lady in the capital, yet she's to be confined in the imperial prison. Do you know what kind of place that is?"

"That's where convicted eunuchs and palace maids are gathered, a place without sunlight, where even if one were to develop ulcers, no one would care!"

"And your son... Look at him, such an innocent and bright young man. So full of vitality and righteousness, yet all his honor and prospects have been ruined by a mother like you. It's a pity for him, does your conscience ache as a mother?"

"Ahh..." Lady Xun let out a pained scream, her eyes resembling those of a vengeful spirit as she howled incessantly in the direction of Xun Yunhe.

Numerous officials, who had been staying overnight, rushed through the side gate, filling the spacious courtyard with their presence. Those who once fawned over her now looked down on her from their high horses, pointing and whispering disdainfully.

"This is the daughter of the old Hanlin Academy member Ye. I suppose the old man was driven to his grave by her antics."

"The Ye family still has distant relatives living in the capital. Upon hearing about this, they're too ashamed to show their faces."

"So it turns out that her grace and composure were all an act. She brought about the death of the original spouse to seize power; she's the most wicked concubine there ever was!"

"Indeed, she's just a concubine!"

"And her daughter is also a child born from a concubine!"

"I spit on that! I once shared a table with such a person, how revolting!"

"She was never properly raised by her mother, no wonder she'd engage in such despicable acts. Lord Xun must have believed in the Ye family's upright reputation, but who knew her heart was so filthy?"

"The most pitiful is Lord Xun's original wife. How tragic for Madam and Miss Eldest to have suffered such a horrid end!"

"To be deceived by such a bedmate for over a decade, if it were me, I'd personally slay her to avenge my wrath."

Amidst the barrage of insults, Lady Xun's body turned icy cold. Seeing her husband's indifference, she summoned her last bit of strength to break free from the guards. She dashed towards the altar, colliding with the nearest imperial guard, causing his torch to fall and ignite the oil. A ring of fire blazed up, and Ye entered the inferno.

"Ahh!" The searing pain pierced through her skin and into her organs.

"Miss!" Witnessing the flames engulfing her, the old nanny also shook off the monk's grasp and lunged towards the blazing altar.

Better to die here than suffer in prison.

Xun Nianxi knelt on the ground, weeping loudly as she listened to her mother's anguished moans.

Xun Yunling, held by the monks' grip on her arms, struggled fiercely, repeatedly attempting to reach the sacrificial fire pit. However, the monks pulled her back, and in one forceful tug, she was thrown against the steps, instantly losing consciousness.

The bright flames illuminated Xu Yunqi's dark eyes as she stood alone in the shadows outside the antechamber, watching the servant and her mistress struggle in the fire without showing any emotion.

"Fat Girl, Auntie Fat, may you rest in peace," she thought silently.

The only sounds that broke the silence were Ye Shi's and the old nanny's piercing screams echoing through the night sky. Ye Shi, still unwilling to accept her fate, cried out to Xun Yunhe,

"For all these years, everyone praised my glory and our loving marriage. Each time I heard it, my heart felt torn apart, and I couldn't help but question myself if I had made a mistake back then."

"But just by looking at you, seeing your face, I could endure any hardship. Only now do I realize that I was nothing but a laughingstock. Xun Yunhe, I hate you!"

"Stop, please..." The old nanny, overwhelmed with sorrow, tried to pull Ye Shi back, tears streaming down her face. Another burst of flames engulfed them both, silencing their screams mid-air. Xun Nianxi watched helplessly as their figures blurred and gradually ceased struggling. The bitter taste of blood rose in her throat, causing her to faint on the spot.

Seeing this, Xiao Yu sighed and waved his hand, signaling the guards to take away the convicts. The horrifying sight of self-immolation left no room for hesitation; the ladies-in-waiting quickly dispersed.

The abbot and the others murmured "Amitabha" in silent prayer.

Xiu Niang, relieved that her mission was accomplished, was about to turn away when a tall and slender figure blocked her path.

Xun Yunhe gazed at her intently with his scarlet eyes,

"Where is the owner of this note?"

He lifted the pristine parchment and held it before her.

She glanced at it, crossing her arms with a chuckle, "Ah, Lord Xun, you didn't search for them fifteen years ago, why the fuss now? Just consider them dead, and let each person walk their own path from here on. No one will interfere with anyone else's life. As for you, there's no need to pretend such deep affection. For all these years in the capital, no one knew you had a wife, treating your concubine as your true spouse."

"Since you changed your name and cut ties with your past completely back then, why feign such sentimentality now?"

"You're already the top advisor, yet your wife is reduced to just a tablet, without even an imperial edict acknowledging her. How can you ask with a clear conscience who wrote this note?"