Ji Li was executed.
Concubine Xiao perished in the Cold Palace, leaving nothing behind.
In the end, her body was cremated and her ashes scattered into the dry well behind Zhangzhi Hall, dispersing with the wind.
All her glory in life had vanished like smoke in the wind.
No matter how they fought, they couldn't bring it with them in life and couldn't bring it with them in death.
After that day, the Emperor closed his palace and refused to see anyone. Until the day before Ji Li's execution, a piece of news arrived from outside the capital. Ji Huan, who had been ordered to attack the barbarians, had achieved a complete victory a few days ago. The barbarians had surrendered and retreated several li.
At the same time, the Emperor issued a decree.
"The Emperor declares that the Ji Family has been convicted of treason. In consideration of Changlin General Ji Huan's meritorious service in exterminating the barbarians, he can be spared the death penalty. He is ordered to be stripped of his title and stripped of his military authority."
That very day, the gates of the capital opened and a fierce horse charged in.
Dust flew everywhere.
The surrounding commoners were shocked, almost becoming souls under the hooves of the horse.
They cursed and swore.
"Which blind son of a b * tch?"
"Does he think he's the Emperor just because he's wearing a suit of armor?"
"Damn it."
… …
It was said that the people of the capital were vicious. It was obvious that the rumors were true.
Ji Huan came from the border, spurring his horse forward. His armor hadn't even been taken off as he headed straight for the palace. Just as he arrived outside Fuyang Hall, he fell to his knees with a thud.
His body fell heavily to the ground.
"Sinful subject Ji Huan requests an audience with the Emperor."
His voice was solemn and choked with sobs.
In less than a month, the Ji Family had fallen to such a state. How could he not be heartbroken?
Zhang Quan, who had been separated by Concubine Xiao, had already returned to the Emperor's side. He walked out of the hall and looked at the trembling Ji Huan kneeling on the ground. He sighed and said, "General Ji, please return. His Majesty will not see anyone."
He wouldn't leave!
"This sinner knows that Ji Li has committed heinous crimes and that even death cannot wipe away his crimes. However, over the years, he has worked tirelessly for the Great Lin and made great contributions. I hope that Your Majesty will consider this and spare his life," he pleaded hoarsely.
His voice resounded.
"General Ji, why do you have to do this? This time, you dispatched troops to exterminate the barbarians and made a great contribution. That's why the Emperor ordered that you be spared. You should return quickly. "
"If Your Majesty is not willing to show mercy, then this guilty official will kneel and not get up."
"This …"
When Ji Huan became stubborn, not even ten oxen could stop him.
Zhang Quan had no choice but to go in and report.
For the past two days, the Qizhen Emperor had shut his doors and refused to see anyone. He sat on the golden dragon engraved chair in silence.
No one could tell what he was thinking.
Zhang Quanxing entered the hall to report, "Your Majesty, General Ji refuses to leave."
Qi Zhen Emperor narrowed his eyes and clenched his fist. He glanced outside and took a deep breath. In a cold tone, he ordered, "Go tell him that in consideration of the Ji Family's loyalty to the Imperial Court, We will spare the members of the Ji Family. We will not sentence them to death, and they will all be pardoned and released from prison. However, within ten days, they must all leave the Capital and not return for the rest of their lives. However, the criminal, Ji Li, must be executed. If Ji Huan continues to be stubborn, We will order the execution of the entire Ji Family."
Ugh!
It sounded both benevolent and evil at the same time.
Zhang Quan replied and hurried out.
He passed on the message one by one.
"General Ji, no one can save War Secretary Ji for committing such a crime. His Majesty is merciful and forgave the dozens of people in your Ji Family. If you really want your Ji Family to be safe and sound, then quickly return. Don't anger His Majesty again."
Ji Huan was shocked and deliberated.
On one hand, it was his brother. On the other, it was the lives of dozens of people in the Ji Family.
He could only choose one.
His entire body was tense, as if he had walked past a sword.
Finally …
He made up his mind.
He bowed to the ground and kowtowed heavily.
"Thank … Your Majesty."
He slowly got up and glanced at the inner hall before turning to leave. His feet felt as if they were tied to a piece of iron, as heavy as a thousand catties.
Not long after he left the palace, the Emperor indeed issued an imperial edict and released the dozens of people in the Ji Family's prison.
Including Princess Yi, Ji Muqing.
However …
Ji Muqing had already gone mad. Ever since she returned to the General's Estate, she had been singing that nursery rhyme, running around the courtyard with a smile on her face. Sometimes her smile was frightening, and sometimes it was as radiant as a flower, carefree and carefree.
Ji Wanxin stayed in the prison for two days. She was bedridden from the humidity, unable to wake up.
On the same day, the Shen family's annulment letter arrived.
The Ji family of today was no longer what it used to be. The Shen family had long wanted to annul this marriage, and now they finally got their wish.
Ji Huan knelt in front of the mourning hall, looking at the coffin in front of him.
Inside, was the body of his father, Ji Shuhan.
He did not cry, nor did he shout in agitation. He only knelt silently for the whole night, not moving a muscle.
It was not until a quarter past noon the next day that a manservant hurriedly came to report, sobbing, "Second Young Master, Eldest Young Master, he … has been sentenced to death."
Ah!
At that moment, Ji Huan's straight body trembled violently, and his eyes reddened.
"Dong!"
There was a sound from the door.
Hearing the sound, he saw the frail Ji Wanxin crash heavily against the door frame of the mourning hall upon hearing the news.
"Second Miss." A maid helped her up.
Ji Wanxin walked in, crying her eyes out. She shrunk down and knelt in front of the coffin.
Looking at the memorial tablet in front of her, she said, "Father … it's all my fault, it's all my fault …"
She repeated her words over and over again.
Ji Huan held her ice-cold hands, but she cried even harder.
She cried even more fiercely. "Second Brother, it's my fault. It's all my fault. I knew Big Brother wanted to rebel, but I couldn't stop him. If I had risked my life to stop him, our Ji Family wouldn't have ended up like this."
"This matter has nothing to do with you."
She continued to cry.
Ji Huan sighed. After a while, he ordered, "Go and collect Eldest Young Master's body. The day after tomorrow, bring it back to Jinjiang with Old Master's body."
The manservant replied, "Yes, this lowly one will go immediately."
The entire mourning hall echoed with Ji Wanxin's cries.
… …
Not long after, the Emperor ordered Jing Yi, who was locked up in the imperial prison, to be escorted to Fuyang hall.
Jing Rong and the other court officials were also summoned to wait outside. Without further orders, no one was allowed to enter.
Inside the hall, Jing Yi was in an extremely sorry state. His hair was a mess, his eyes unfocused, his robes filthy, and his face so pale that not a trace of blood could be seen. Although the sword and arrow wounds on his body had been bandaged, blood still stained the white bandage.
He knelt on the ground, his body slightly slumped.
Qi Zhen Emperor sat behind the dragon table, a cloak draped over his shoulders. He propped one hand on his thigh for a long time before speaking in a low voice, "Now, your Imperial Mother has died in the Cold Palace, your Side Consort has been buried in a sea of fire, and the entire Prince Yi's Estate has either escaped or died. Those court officials who followed you have all been imprisoned. Is this what you want?"
"…"
"We have given you countless chances."
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