The guilty officials who were working together with the Fourth Prince were either beheaded or exiled. People were dying daily at the entrance of the marketplace. The thick pool of blood that could not be washed off had formed a dark brown lump on the execution stage, making people retreat from the fishy stench emitting from it. Among these were a large number of influential aristocratic families who were implicated and went into a decline. In addition, many new officials rose quickly in the imperial court.
Under the control of Emperor Cheng Kang and the Crown Prince, the change of power took place in an orderly manner. The Fourth Prince was finally sentenced to be beheaded, and the huge drama of usurping the throne was over before it really began. The Fifth and Sixth Prince were both stripped of their titles as county princes. Although they were not relegated to common people, they were not that far off.
Two months later, Emperor Cheng Kang announced his abdication and handed the throne over to the Crown Prince. He also felt that he had killed too many people and had greatly hurt the kingdom, so he punished all the offendersâ families lightly. Those who were not deeply involved were either sold or sent into exile. Had it not been for the crimes committed by these men, all nine clans[1] would have been slaughtered, and the blood at the marketplace would reach as high as the market go-ersâ calves.
However, Yu Miao Qi and Lin Shi were not among those who were given a lighter sentence. When they saw the prison guard bring over the last meal, they were frightened to the point of almost losing their souls. They slumped against the cell door while incessantly begging for mercy and crying out injustice.
It was only when Lin Shiâs voice became hoarse from crying that she realised she had no other means of survival. She sat there for a moment, then picked up the last meal and ate it, very seriously and meticulously.
Yu Miao Qi looked at the pitch-black corridor outside the cell door and the apathetic Lin Shi who gave up all hope. She said sternly, âThis is the last meal, you canât eat it!â
âWhy canât I eat it? Do you still expect someone to come and save us?â Lin Shi raised her head and looked at her daughter with a strange and cold gaze for the first time. The moment she knew death was waiting for her, she finally woke up from this horrifying dream. She looked back at her former self in highsight and all that remained was a sense of absurdity and disbelief.
What has she done? For the sake of such a heartless and selfish daughter, she forsaked her mother-in-law, her son and her title as Jun Jieâs wife. And what did she get in the end? All she gets is her daughterâs resentment and criticism, as well as this bowl of last meal.
She deserves to die, so why couldnât she eat it? Now, her greatest fear is not death, but how she would meet her husband when she is in the Yellow Springs. How should she answer him when he asks if she has taken good care of her son and mother-in-law, and whether she has solidified the Marquis manor?
Should she reply âI have been indifferent to my son and mother-in-law for more than a decade. Not only have I done that, but I have also even collaborated with my daughter to ruin the Marquis Yongle manor?â If Jun Jie were to hear these words, Jun Jie would probably kill her immediately!
Such absurdity, such ridiculousness, such stupidity⌠What on earth was she thinking, to walk into the abyss step by step until all hell broke loose?
Lin Shi spat out the chicken bones in her mouth and turned to glance at her daughter who kept crying out injustice. A gloomy smile slowly appeared on her face.
Upon noticing a figure of a person approaching from the end of the corridor, Yu Miao Qi gave a heartfelt shout, âGrandmother, have you come to save us, grandmother? This granddaughter knows she is wrong. I will listen to you from now on and I will never cause you trouble. Grandmother, please forgive your granddaughter!â She kept saying âgrandmotherâ and âgranddaughterâ to remind the Old Madam of their familial ties.
Lin Shi dropped her rice bowl and lunged at the cell door to look out. As tears streamed down her face, she asked, âMother, have you come to see us off for the last time? Mother, this daughter-in-law knows she is wrong. This daughter-in-law has let you, Yanâer and Jun Jie down. This daughter-in-law deserves to die.â
The Old Madam was surprised by Lin Shiâs sudden repentance and could not help but look at her before finally lamenting, âSo what if you know you were wrong? Unfortunately, itâs too late.â She then looked at the jailer and waved her hand slightly, âLet them out.â
Lin Shi was dumbfounded, while Yu Miao Qi was overjoyed. She hurriedly squirmed out of the half-open cell door and cried out, âGranddaughter thanks grandmother for saving my life. From now on, this granddaughter will definitely be filial to you.â
With the support of Ma Momo, the Old Madam walked out first and sneered, âI wouldnât dare to accept your affection. Iâm afraid that one day you will stab me in the heart. Iâm just trying to keep the mouths of the world shut by sacrificing this old face to plead for you. In any case, Yanâer cannot be accused of filicide. He still has to act like a human being after all, unlike both of you, who have been reduced to beasts.â
It was increasingly harder for Lin Shi to take the next steps as she walked. She felt that it would be better to die on the guillotine than to go out alive. She no longer had the face to meet her son.
Yu Miao Qi followed behind the Old Madam obediently with her face hidden. She thought to herself. Let her vent it out. When she released all of the anger within her, she will take me back and I will become Marquis Yongle manorâs⌠Oh no, the di young lady of Duke Yuâs manor. Even the history books will turn the page, and Ican start my life over again.
However, they were greeted by two soldiers with swords and halberds once they reached the door. They asked respectfully, âOld Madam, are these the two? Please rest assured that they will be sent alive to Shuo City.â
The Old Madam nodded, and Wan Qiu, who was standing by the carriage, came over and threw two baoguos[2] at Lin Shi and Yu Miao Qiâs feet.
Within the Han Dynasty, Shuo City was the infamous place of exile. It was a deserted and uninhabited place; let alone exiled prisoners, even its locals wanted to flee the place. Anyone who was sent there would never ever set foot back on their homeland alive.
Yu Miao Qi appeared to realize something and asked in a trembling voice, âGrandmother, arenât you here to take me back? I⌠I am your granddaughter!â Instead of being exiled to Shuo City, she would rather die in the capital. She could never be reduced to a lowly guilty slave, suffering from the drudgery of farming day in and day out. She was born with noble status.
âDonât forget that we have long since severed our relationship. You intended to put your elder brother to death, destroy the foundation that generations of the Yu family had built with blood and lives, and yet I was willing to plead in front of the imperial court to spare your lives. I have already been kind to you. Leave, leave far away and donât let me see you again.â The Old Madam waved her hand and turned away. Even from the back, she looked melancholy and exhausted.
Yu Miao Qi tried to chase after her, but she was restrained by the soldiers. She kept on shouting out curses. She attempted to force the Old Madam to give in with their biological relationship and morals, but all she got in return was ridicule from passers-by. She was so heartless, yet she was calling others heartless. How absurd! The Old Madam spared her life at the last moment. She should really be considered a living Buddha.
Lin Shi picked up the baoguo and ignored her daughter, who was in a pathetic state. She walked towards the city gates under the escort of the officers and soldiers. To be honest, she was more relieved and calmed for not having to return to Yu manor, and facing her son and mother-in-law. If the exile could wash off her sins, then just let her die outside.