Madam Yang replied calmly, "Half a year ago, I had already arranged for my youngest son, Yang Qin, to go to his maternal grandfather's house. You've even asked why he hasn't returned yet. A thousand miles is not considered far."
"I can answer my husband's question now. Qin 'er won't be coming back. He didn't go to his maternal grandfather's house. Instead … he entered a sect and became a disciple of a sect. This is my arrangement. At that time, I was afraid that you wouldn't agree, so I didn't tell you the truth. I only hoped that one day, when Qin 'er's cultivation was successful, he would come back and tell you everything. Now, it seems … everything was a lucky hit, and your Yang Family has left behind a little bloodline. "
"As the daughter-in-law of the Yang Family, this is also something that I have done for your family."
"Phew …"
Yang Botao let out a long sigh, as if he had put down a huge stone in his heart. He said gratefully, "Thank you, my good wife!"
Mistress Yang looked at Yang Botao and said, "Even now, you still don't want to tell me the reason?"
Yang Botao took a deep breath, as if he wanted to say something, but he swallowed the words that were about to come out of his mouth. He said, "Madam doesn't need to know about this. Just take it that I … Yang Botao's heart was suddenly blinded by lard and possessed by a ghost. "
His eyes were filled with anguish as he said, "I, Yang Botao, have let down the Nine Supremes first in my life; letting down you, my wife, is the second!"
He stood up and stared at his wife. Suddenly, he knelt down and said, "My wife, I'm sorry!"
The tears that Mrs. Yang was trying her best to hold back finally flowed out.
Even at this point, he still refused to speak …
Yang Botao slowly stood up and walked out without looking back.
Yang Botao knew that there was no turning back for him. There was no turning back for him since a long time ago!
Mistress Yang's tears streamed down her cheeks. After a long, long time, she said, "Forget it. If you don't want to say it, then don't say it. If I say it, I'll die too. If I don't, I'll still die. There's nothing wrong with being a muddle-headed ghost. There's no need for humans to understand everything! "
She picked up a cup of wine and slowly drank it. She murmured, "I wanted to poison this wine and end it all, but … in the end, I couldn't bring myself to do it."
"Forget it. On the day of the public trial, let's go to the underworld together …"
…
The night was dark, and the wind was howling in the horizon. The wind seemed to be getting stronger and stronger.
The cold wind whistled through the air, stirring up a sharp sound. It was as if thousands of ghosts were coming out at the same time, causing one's scalp to explode involuntarily.
Countless people in Tiantang City were waiting for daybreak.
When the sun rises, the truth will be revealed.
Tie Zheng was an exception. He had gone to bed early, snoring loudly as he slept soundly like a dead pig. However, when the fourth night-watch had passed, he woke up abruptly, scaring his wife who was beside him.
"Why so early?"
"Something big happened today! Recover your energy and wake up early to prepare! "
Tie Zheng's upper body was bare as he sprung up. The cold wind blew on his bare chest and on his face. He shuddered, the remaining drowsiness vanishing without a trace.
Tie Zheng used the cold well water to wash his face and put on his robes swiftly. After wiping his face carelessly, he said, "Mistress, I am going to work."
Without waiting for his wife's reply, he strode out.
His wife, who was draped in a robe, leaned against the door. She vaguely felt that Tie Zheng was not quite himself today. It was only a court session as usual … Was there a need to be so valiant, as if he was about to fight a decisive battle?
Yes, court session!
However, Tie Zheng had a sword at his waist, a breastplate hanging on his chest; he was clad in armor, and his bodyguard behind him was helping him carry the glaive … How was this a court session?
It was obviously a fight to the death!
Just as she thought about it, she could not help covering her mouth in shock. Just as she was about to chase after him to ask, she realized that Tie Zheng had already disappeared around the corner.
He was gone.
…
At this moment, Tiantang Square was already crowded with people.
A towering flag stood in the center. This flag was at least 200 feet tall, and the blood-red flag was fluttering in the air.
Below the flag, there was a high platform.
This platform was the main venue for the public trial.
However, the public trial this time …
All the higher-ups knew that this so-called public trial was only a pretense.
Whether it was Yutang's higher-ups or the Four Seasons Tower's side, they were all waiting for one person to show up.
Whether the crime was proven or not, it did not depend on the evidence, but whether the person showed up or not!
If Supreme Wind showed up, then Yang Botao would be guilty, guilty and unpardonable!
If Supreme Wind did not show up, then Yang Botao would be innocent. All his crimes would be cleared and he would be safe and sound!
Other witnesses and material evidence would not count!
The sun was high up in the sky, its rays shining on the earth.
The five main judges had all arrived; Yang Botao, who was directly involved in the case, had also arrived to await his trial.
Yang Botao did not bring many people with him; there were less than thirty of them.
They were all dressed in military uniforms, but the aura they exuded was enough to make Qiu Jianhan and the other bigwigs take a few more glances.
This group of people had a domineering aura that was completely different from that of the military. It was clear to everyone that this group of people was not simple, they were not to be underestimated.
Old Marshal Qiu snorted and said, "Marshal Yang, there are quite a number of experts among your bodyguards! Even this old man doesn't know if I should be envious or jealous when I see them! "
Yang Botao's face was pale, looking rather absent-minded. He only hummed in response to Old Marshal Qiu's harsh words, as if he did not hear what he said clearly. He did not offer any explanation or rebuttal.
His back that had been as straight as a pine tree was obviously hunched.
Tie Zheng had been paying attention to Yang Botao's every movement and word since the moment he had arrived. His heart skipped a beat; it had only been one night but Yang Botao seemed to have aged twenty years in an instant. Had there been some other unforeseen event?
When Tie Zheng heard Old Qiu's sarcastic words that sounded like praise but were actually derogatory, he paid even more attention to Yang Botao's actions. He had thought that the latter would defend himself endlessly, such as how he had been a marshal all his life, loyal and courageous, receiving the help of many righteous men, there was nothing strange about it. If Yang Botao had said so, Tie Zheng would definitely have rushed over. Even if he did not fight, he would have spat on his face. However, Yang Botao's actions were too unusual. Tie Zheng did not know what to do, so he sat down quietly.
It was not only Old Marshal Qiu and Tie Zheng who were paying attention to Yang Botao, but everyone else who was present had their gazes focused on him. Facing the sword-like gazes from all directions, Yang Botao lowered his eyelids. He did not speak nor move, his expression dull like a wooden sculpture.
Among the group of people who had followed him here, there were two people who had always stood behind him, while the others had quietly dispersed, dispersing into the crowd without leaving a trace. They seemed to be moving casually, but in reality, they had faintly formed an encirclement.
It was a large circle.
Yang Botao sat there with his eyes closed, his expression as dark as still water. He was shocked by a sentence that he had been thinking about for a long time, "Why?"
It was his wife, a question that was filled with doubt and incomprehension.
Why?
Yang Botao was also asking the same question in his heart.
However, there was only a bitter smile on his face. He had nothing to say to it, he had no heart to answer.
He had come out today only to wait for this result. If Supreme Wind were to appear, it would be the final verdict. No matter how he refuted it, no matter how perfect the evidence was, it would be futile.
If Supreme Wind did not appear …
If he did not appear …
Yang Botao could not think of any reason why Supreme Wind would not appear.
The Nine Supremes had never needed so many taboos in their actions. There was only what they should and should not do!
In the past, Yutang's wars had been fraught with danger. There were countless battles where the situation was precarious. However, no matter how dangerous the war was, as long as they could make it in time, the Nine Supremes would definitely come to their aid. They had never cared about the so-called danger, only whether they should or should not do it!
Actually, even if Supreme Wind did not come, what could he change? His act of treason and collusion with the enemy had long been settled in the hearts of Yutang's higher-ups. Whether Supreme Wind would appear or not, parting with his wife this morning would be a farewell forever!
His wife would not wait for him to return.
Thinking of this, Yang Botao felt a throbbing pain in his heart.
The high platform was surrounded by fully-armed soldiers who were guarding the stability of the platform. Further out, there were troops who stood solemnly, forming the second line of defense. Then, there were the ordinary citizens who came to watch.
However, the number of people who came to watch today was unusually large. It was a sea of people, with no end in sight.
Everyone present was waiting.
In the palace, His Majesty the Emperor was waiting. In the Residence of Grand Commandant, Old Grand Commandant was waiting. In the sky, there were other existences who were waiting as well … Yang Botao and his guards and experts were waiting as well.
"By His Majesty the Emperor's order, a public hearing will be held here regarding the case of Supreme Wind, one of the Nine Supremes, accusing Yutang's northern troop marshal, Yang Botao, of colluding with the enemy and framing."
Leng Daoyin's voice was like the clanging of metal. "This concerns the fate of the nation. The world must bear witness. Do not let injustice go unpunished, do not let the souls of the heroes rest in their graves …"
"Lead, Yang Botao!" Leng Daoyin hollered.
Yang Botao stood up slowly, the corners of his lips curled into a smile that no one knew what it meant as he strode up to the stage.
Only Yang Botao stood up on the high platform.
There was nothing in front of him, only emptiness.
Everyone was waiting.
If Supreme Wind were to appear to testify, then this should be the moment.
Anyone with a discerning eye would know that this was a setup.
It was not targeted at Yang Botao, but at Supreme Wind, or perhaps the surviving members of the Nine Supremes!
If Supreme Wind were to appear, then Yang Botao would have to die!
There was no room for negotiation!
However, Supreme Wind would have to bear a great crisis. Other than Yutang, the whole world viewed the Nine Supremes as the root of the world's calamity, eager to get rid of them!
If Supreme Wind did not appear, then the public hearing against Yang Botao would change. There would be countless pieces of evidence to prove that he was wrongly accused. Similarly, the public could not accept the fact that a meritorious minister was wrongly accused. The former had the Shangguan Family of Generals' incident. If the accusation were to be reversed today, then Yang Botao's reputation and power in Yutang would rise to a whole new level. No matter how the higher-ups viewed it, they would not be able to do anything to him in the near future!
Everyone's attention was on them, waiting quietly to see how Supreme Wind would choose to deal with this difficult situation.
Would he step forward to expose the traitor's mask and face the unpredictable crisis head-on?
Or would he preserve his useful body and wait for another day to come?
Time passed slowly but Supreme Wind did not appear.
Gradually, whispers could be heard from below the stage.
Tie Zheng was dressed in martial attire, his left hand on the hilt of his sword while his right hand held onto his glaive, staring at the high platform like a tiger watching its prey.
However, there was no movement from the other side. Tie Zheng's heart was beating like a drum.
He believed in what Supreme Wind had said, that Yang Botao must be the traitor, the one who had betrayed the Nine Supremes. However, it was not enough for him to believe in this matter. The public hearing must have sufficient credibility. Only Supreme Wind's appearance could settle the matter. Everything else was as fleeting as the clouds!
On the high platform, Old Marshal Qiu Jianhan gazed afar, his expression carefree.
Are you coming or not?
After a while …
Whoosh, whoosh …
Someone cried out in surprise, "The wind is here! The wind is stronger! "
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