Chapter 677: Just Retribution

Chapter 677: Just Retribution

Amid the flickering flames, a pair of teal eyes gazed at the woman shielded by the crowd for a long, long time.

Finally, a trace of self-mockery flashed in those eyes.

He was dead, and she wouldn’t mourn him so deeply.

The young man took one last look at the woman, and with a howl from Xiaoyue, he disappeared into the jungle with the wolf pack.

The sky had remained overcast for many days.

Each day felt like the predawn hours of winter, and no matter what, the sky wouldn’t brighten, as if the sun had forsaken the world.

Jin'er had gathered the truth from all who were present that day. Her sister had met a heroic end. Without her, the Pope and Shen Yuansong would have escaped, growing in strength each day, eventually posing a grave threat to their mighty empire.

At this moment, she couldn’t help but recall the first time she met Chu Xiaozi.

She struggled to comprehend how that little deceiver had resolved to bravely face death for the sake of the nation.

She even wished Chu Xiaozi had stayed the same as she was initially, so she wouldn’t have had to meet her end.

Aware that the master was recently negotiating with Dongrong, Jin'er paid no heed to external matters, devoting herself entirely to remaining by her lady's side.

"Miss, Hua Qingyun mentioned that Xiao Zi had once expressed a wish to journey through the vast landscapes of our empire with him. He asked that upon returning to the empire, he be allowed to take Xiao Zi's ashes with him."

Jin'er spoke carefully.

She knew that Xiao Zi's death had also deeply pained her lady, so she wasn’t sure if this news would further upset her.

But the attendant by Hua Qingyun's side had been crying in front of her every day, making her want to cry as well.

Su Youyue gazed at the possessions left by Chu Xiaozi.

Among them was a small notebook filled with her practice writings.

The character 'Hua' appeared most frequently.

Even as an onlooker, one could sense the dedication with which she practiced this character.

She remained silent for a while before absentmindedly asking, "Did Xiao Zi like Hua Qingyun?"

Jin'er was taken aback and shook her head, "This servant does not know Xiao Zi's feelings, but according to the attendant, they did travel together for a long time, though it seems they were unaware that Xiao Zi was a girl."

Hearing that the two were still unaware of Chu Xiaozi's true gender, Su Youyue fell silent again for a long time.

"I will go out to meet him personally. If it truly was Xiao Zi's wish, let him take her ashes."

Su Youyue hadn’t left the house for several days, and upon hearing her intention to go out, Jin'er quickly nodded.

When Su Youyue met Hua Qingyun, she felt a wave of dizziness.

In truth, her assumption that Chu Xiaozi liked Hua Qingyun was just a guess.

The truth was something no one could ever know.

However, such a refined and noble gentleman would be hard for any girl not to fall for.

She thought, perhaps she wasn’t wrong.

"Lady Xie..." Hua Qingyun's brows furrowed with lingering sorrow.

Su Youyue, trying to steady her emotions, asked, "Did you know that Xiao Zi was actually a woman..."

Hua Qingyun was silent for a moment, then nodded, "Recently, I noticed Xiao Zi was unusually close to Lady Xie and had already figured it out. Thankfully, I never acted inappropriately."

"Had I known she’d make such a choice, I wouldn’t have discussed Dongrong’s situation with her."

"Xiao Zi was born to a woman from a brothel." Su Youyue seemed unfazed by Hua Qingyun’s words, her response unrelated to his.

Hua Qingyun was slightly taken aback, then shook his head, "No one chooses their birth, and it’s no reason to be judged. Xiao Zi died for a noble cause and deserves to be honored by all."

Su Youyue studied Hua Qingyun’s expression closely.

It was clear Xiao Zi mattered deeply to him, though Su Youyue couldn’t probe his exact feelings.

She nodded, "Since Xiao Zi wished to travel the world with you, take her ashes. I’ll also give you some of her belongings."

Her words didn’t align with his, but Hua Qingyun got what he wanted. Seeing her still downcast, he didn’t press further and simply agreed.

As she watched him leave, Su Youyue thought to herself.

Xiao Zi, the one you loved deserved your heart.

At least I’ll make sure he knows.

Your feelings.

When he sees them, he’ll understand.

The ache in Su Youyue’s heart finally softened a little.

Seeing this, those around her finally breathed easier.

At night, Xie Yuan warmed his hands and feet with hot water before climbing into bed and wrapping his arms around her waist.

"Nuan Nuan, the terms are settled. Tomorrow, the Emperor of Dongrong will expose the Holy Sect’s actions and resolve the Shen and Bai family case. The day after, we’ll leave. On our way back to Dasheng, we’ll pay our respects to Miss Shen."

Su Youyue nodded, nestled in Xie Yuan’s embrace.

"As for Chu Xiaozi, I’ve sent a letter to the Emperor, requesting she be posthumously honored as a county princess, acknowledging her true identity as a woman."

Su Youyue turned to him, "Will the Emperor agree?"

Though death is like a flame extinguished, leaving nothing behind, she knew Xiao Zi had struggled with her identity in life.

After days of waiting, seeing her finally respond normally, Xie Yuan kissed her forehead, "He will, Nuan Nuan."

Su Youyue’s lips finally curved slightly, but sadness soon returned.

What good are empty titles after death?

Xie Yuan, sensing her thoughts, held her tighter.

"Don’t worry about me. I know my limits."

Even if she didn’t care about her own health, she had to think about the baby she was carrying.

The man didn’t reply but responded with tender kisses, as gentle as caressing a fragile rose, filled with endless affection.

The next day.

The Dongrong royal family publicly announced the countless crimes of the Holy Sect.

The people of Dongrong were outraged, and many took to the streets in protest, unable to accept the revelations.

But with undeniable evidence, more victims stepped forward to denounce the Holy Sect.

Many families only then discovered that the children they’d sent to serve were gone, leaving not even ashes behind.

Gradually, the outcry against the Holy Sect grew louder, and no one dared to defend them.

The Holy Sect would go down in Dongrong’s history as infamous.

The news of the Shen family’s punishment was drowned out by the uproar.

Even the revelation that the Shen family had orchestrated the palace banquet’s play barely made a ripple. Instead, the Fang family’s young master, proven innocent, was set free.

Master Shen and Madam Fang tried to resist until the end, but when they learned it was the emperor’s direct command, they had no choice but to yield.

Shen Zhuyu’s hollow dream of becoming empress crumbled. As the officials seized their property, she lost all her former poise and dignity.

Shen Yuanfeng stayed silent until the last moment, when he finally inquired about Shen Yuansong’s whereabouts.

When he learned that Shen Yuansong had sided with the Holy Sect and died the night the emperor crushed it, the young man fell silent, his once-cheerful face now blank.

When Shen Yuanyang learned of Third Brother’s death, he broke down in tears. But when Master Shen and Madam Fang lashed out at Su Youyue, he still insisted that without her mercy, the Shen family would have faced far worse than confiscation and being reduced to commoners.

Under Dongrong’s laws, if the crime had been solely for wealth, it wouldn’t have been punishable by death. But the Shen family had the blood of the Bai family on their hands, and they should have been exiled and made into convict slaves.

Unfortunately, Master Shen and Madam Fang refused to listen, continuing to curse and shout.

Shen Yuanyang simply remained silent, sitting in a corner in a daze, holding the nearly frightened-to-tears Shen Yuanzhen.

It was simply karma.