Chapter 142: Witnessing the Execution

Chapter 142: Witnessing the Execution

Though Grand Secretary Su had no major grievances to bear in his daily life, things were different for Su Youyue.

With her exquisite beauty, she was among the most outstanding young ladies of her age. At this tender age, girls couldn't help but compare their appearances, and most fell short when standing before Su Youyue. How could they not feel discontent?

Thus, Su Youyue's poor reputation wasn't solely due to her own actions, but also the result of these girls' relentless gossip in the past.

Seeing Su Youyue once overshadowed by a mere concubine-born sister and now unable to find a husband, some young ladies found solace and a sense of superiority in her misfortune.

But recently, Su Youyue's reputation among the common folk had gradually improved, even managing to overshadow Su Qian. With her dozen shops bringing in a fortune daily, her life was thriving, which immediately irked them again.

Now that her potential downfall was in sight, many young ladies reveled in schadenfreude.

In private, they had even placed bets, certain that the first person Lord Xie would seek revenge against would be none other than Su Youyue!

Unaware of the bets placed on her fate, Su Youyue, upon the arrival of the day of the traffickers' execution, dressed herself early in the morning and waited for Xiao Feiyan at home.

Finally, Xiao Feiyan arrived at the Su residence with Fangxin. Upon reaching the Wisteria Courtyard, she saw Su Youyue sitting demurely, her beautiful face as fresh as a flower bud. Unable to resist, she pinched her cheek gently. "Moon! I've missed you so much!"

It was strange how Moon, only fifteen years old and a year younger than her, often seemed more mature and reliable, almost like an older sister.

When she didn't speak, her appearance alone revealed a hint of the innocence and charm typical of her age.

Su Youyue asked about her days spent at her maternal grandmother's house. Seeing Xiao Feiyan recount various amusing stories, she couldn't help but smile, accompanying her outwards.

How wonderful.

In her previous life, at this time, Xiao Feiyan should have already been taken away by those wicked people to a distant land. Back then, she must have felt utterly helpless...

But now, she could play joyfully with her family.

Inside the carriage, Xiao Feiyan pouted. "Dear Moon, I heard that the new goods in your jewelry shop have been snatched up by the city's young ladies. Let's go shopping instead; what's the point of watching executions?"

She came here to spend time with Moon, and the thought of watching the execution of those evil men held no appeal to her. Moreover, the gruesome scene would make her uncomfortable.

However, Su Youyue shook her head firmly. "Feiyan, we both experienced the atrocities committed by these evildoers. We must witness their deaths with our own eyes to truly feel vindicated."

Seeing her determination, Xiao Feiyan reluctantly agreed.

After all, it wouldn't be too late to go shopping after the execution.

Upon arriving at the execution grounds, a large crowd had already gathered. Su Youyue instructed the driver to park the carriage a safe distance away, ensuring they wouldn't be jostled by the throng while still having a clear view of the entire scene.

"These despicable human traffickers deserve to be torn into a thousand pieces!"

"Thanks to the government's efforts, my son who was missing for three years has finally been found, but his leg was broken by these traffickers. Please, honorable officials, break their legs first!"

"My poor daughter, when will she be found..."

Amidst the bustling crowd, cries and curses echoed intermittently. Even Xiao Feiyan, who had been chattering nonstop inside the carriage, fell silent, listening intently.

Eventually, the prisoners were led onto the execution grounds one by one, with the aged Master Qiu at the forefront.

From being the lofty Master Qiu to becoming a prisoner, it had taken no more than seven days, yet he had transformed from a man of noble bearing to a decrepit beggar on the roadside.

However, the onlookers felt no pity for this evildoer. They hurled rotten vegetables and foul eggs they had prepared beforehand at him. "Wretched official, die quickly!"

"You heartless fiend, return my daughter!"

The barrage of projectiles was too much for Master Qiu to dodge. Soon, his face was swollen from the blows inflicted by the very people he once looked down upon, blood streaming from his forehead. Yet, a flash of anger still flickered in his eyes.

Suddenly, the executioner grabbed him, pressing him down on the chopping block. At that moment, genuine terror flashed in Master Qiu's eyes, but it was too late. A cold glint flashed, and his head rolled to the ground, blood splattering three feet high.

Immediately following, another head, then another...

Over a hundred people were executed, turning the entire execution grounds red with blood, a veritable river of gore.

Some of the initially enthusiastic onlookers began to feel uneasy as the executions continued, quietly departing.

Gradually, fewer and fewer spectators remained, but those left behind seemed to be the families of the victims. Some glared hatefully at the severed heads on display, others cursed incessantly, and there were those who wiped away tears, muttering to themselves.

Xiao Feiyan, who had never witnessed such a mass execution, felt a chill run down her spine as it progressed.

"Moon, although these people are vile, seeing them beheaded one by one doesn't sit well with me."

Su Youyue took her hand, giving it a gentle squeeze to calm her spirit. Then, looking into her eyes, she spoke slowly. "You feel uncomfortable because you are a good person, someone who would never commit such evil deeds..."

"Enough, since you're feeling uneasy, let's leave."

Only a dozen or so people remained to be executed, the masterminds already dead. If Xiao Feiyan couldn't bear to watch any longer, it was fine.

But Xiao Feiyan shook her head. "Let's see it through."

Moon was right; these were wicked people who deserved their fate. Since she had promised to witness it with her, keeping her word was better.

How could the people of the Jinghai Marquisate be untrustworthy?

They stayed until the last execution was over before leaving.

Su Youyue took Xiao Feiyan to visit all her shops, showering her with gifts until the Jinghai Marquisate's carriage could barely contain them.

Xiao Feiyan soon forgot the gloomy mood that had enveloped her during the executions. She was beaming from ear to ear, repeatedly exclaiming how wonderful Moon was.

Initially, she hesitated to accept so many gifts, but after Su Youyue explained the income from her shops, reassuring her not to hold back, she felt slightly relieved. She decided to reciprocate by sending Moon even more and better gifts later.

By the end of the day, Xiao Feiyan returned home, her steps light as if floating on air, elated.

Lady Jinghai Marquisate, seeing her daughter in high spirits, was delighted. Noticing the abundance of gifts Su Youyue had bestowed upon her, all currently popular in the capital—some even unavailable without queuing—she couldn't help but sigh to her attendant.

"Indeed, the eldest Miss Su is a worthy acquaintance; Fei Yan has chosen her friends well this time."

Mrs. Wu nodded solemnly, "I think the same way. The eldest Miss Su is quite different from the rumors. In my opinion, there must have been someone intentionally tarnishing Miss Su's reputation in the past!"