Chapter 241: Sisters
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Emperor Wenxuan, though allowing Xiao Jue to bury Second Madam He, still wanted to keep it low-profile. Second Madam He, bearing the guilt, should not be publicly acknowledged.
On the day when He Rufei and Xu Zhiheng were executed, Second Madam He found her resting place.
Her grave was located in a serene grove on the eastern slope of the Emperor’s Mountain in the capital, adorned with pear trees. In the coming spring, when pear blossoms bloomed, and the wind was calm with birds chirping, it would be a picturesque scene. Like all the high-born ladies in the capital, she spent her life confined within the confines of her family’s home, first under her father’s authority and then under her husband’s. She never had the chance to decide her own destiny.
Perhaps, for her, death was a kind of liberation.
The gravestone bore the inscription: “The Late Deceased Mother with Virtue, Yun Shi.”
Originally surnamed Yun, Second Madam He found peace in death. He Yan had this gravestone carved, ensuring that Second Madam He, even in the afterlife, wouldn’t be entangled with the He family.
She crouched down in front of Second Madam He’s tomb, gently running her fingers over the characters on the gravestone. She softly said, “If there is a next life, Mother, please don’t be a woman. But if you must be a woman…” She smiled for a moment, “Let me be the mother, and you can be the daughter.”
In this lifetime, they were destined but not fated to have a good relationship; not even a single kind word was exchanged between them. From now on, in this world, except for Xiao Jue, no one else knew that she was He Yan.
Standing several steps away, Xiao Jue, who had braved countless criticisms from officials for handling Second Madam He’s burial at this sensitive time, heard a woman’s voice behind him.
“You…”
He Yan turned around and saw He Xinying in plain clothes.
He Xinying looked haggard, her once-beautiful face now gaunt and worn. Perhaps from crying a lot, her eyes were red and swollen. She hesitated upon seeing He Yan and Xiao Jue’s faces, stood there for a moment, then finally spoke with some unease, “Commander Xiao, Miss He.”
“Xu…” He Yan suddenly stopped speaking. “Miss He.” Xu Zhiheng was dead; there was no Xu family, no Madam Xu.
He Xinying’s gaze fell on the gravestone in front of her, and for a moment, her voice choked with emotion. “It’s my… mother?”
He Yan nodded slightly.
Approaching a few steps, He Xinying knelt down in front of the grave with a “plop,” holding onto the gravestone tightly.
On that day, a stranger guard took her out of prison and brought her to the residence of Wei Xuanzhang, the head of Xianchang Pavilion. Wei Xuanzhang, who usually stayed at the academy, only had his wife and granddaughter at home. Madam Wei treated her kindly, sympathizing with her plight. After settling in the Wei family, He Xinying gradually learned the whole story from the servants.
It wasn’t much different from what she had imagined.
All those incomprehensible things from the past suddenly became clear. Why the masked “big brother” was always particularly cold to her, while the unmasked “big brother” was exceptionally patient. It was all because the masked big brother was the deceased “elder sister.” She thought that the “elder sister” who was recuperating at the estate was the real big brother.
No wonder the elder sister went blind shortly after marrying into the Xu family. There was no such coincidental event in the world; it was all artificially arranged. After the elder sister’s death, her mother fell seriously ill, living in sorrow. The truth was so terrible and disgusting.
And what about her?
The elder sister had already passed away, her mother was gone, the He family was no more, and the Xu family had disbanded. Originally arranged by her biological father, she was married to Xu Zhiheng, only as a substitute for the elder sister, a replacement for the marriage between the He and Xu families.
Now, alone, where could she go? What could she do?
He Xinying clung to the tombstone, crying out in pain. She desperately wished that Second Madam He were still alive, at least providing some support. But now, she truly felt utterly alone and helpless.
Suddenly, she thought of He Yan, who had been alone in the Xu family years ago. Was she in a similar situation, pushed into the abyss by her own family, with no comrades to rely on, unable to see the ugly expressions on people’s faces, and unable to fathom their sinister intentions? Such loneliness and pity.
Seeing her in such distress, He Yan felt a pang of sadness. After hesitating for a moment, she finally walked over to He Xinying, bent down, and gently patted her back.
The feeling of homelessness, she understood better than anyone. She was acutely aware of He Xinying’s current emotions.
He Xinying cried for a while before turning her head. He Yan handed her a handkerchief, and she took it, saying, “Thank you.” Then she looked at the tombstone and asked, “This inscription…”
It seems to be inscribed in the name of the children for their mother…
“I had it carved,” Xiao Jue said indifferently. “Your elder sister and I were once classmates. I carved the inscription on her behalf.”
He Xinying was stunned and whispered, “Thank you.” Then she looked at the gravestone, her expression complicated. “She really… even though she’s gone, she can still watch over me all the time.”
She and He Yan, the elder sister, hadn’t actually spent much time together. Even when she had vaguely guessed the truth back then, it was more shock than anger. However, now, in this time when no one can offer assistance, the warmth left behind by her deceased elder sister is enough to provide her with some comfort. Whether it was Wei Xuanzhang or Xiao Huaijin, both had protected her in various ways because of He Yan.
If only He Yan were still alive. He Xinying suddenly wanted to know more about what kind of person He Yan really was.
The only few times she had contact with He Yan were when she wore a mask before, and later, when she hurriedly got married after returning to the mansion, she didn’t have time and didn’t have the opportunity to get to know He Yan. He Xinying thought that the people who were still helping after He Yan’s death, thinking of He Yan, must be very good people.
She shouldn’t be so weak, able to find a way forward in despair.
“What are your plans for the future?” He Yan asked her.
He Xinying came back to her senses, shook her head, and spoke dazedly, “I don’t know.”
She really didn’t know how to move forward in the future.
“Don’t worry,” He Yan said softly, “you can take your time to think, and when you figure it out, go ahead and do it.”
He Xinying smiled bitterly, “Can I still have a future?”
A woman who was once the wife of a traitor, a woman whose entire family betrayed the country, even if she survived by chance, what could she do? She wanted to die with her family, but when it came to the moment, she couldn’t summon the courage.
“Yes.” The woman in front of her looked at her and said gently, “You are Second Madam He’s daughter, Flying Phoenix General’s sister. What she can do, you can definitely do.”
He Xinying instinctively raised her head and looked at He Yan.
This woman… she had seen her before at Yuhua Temple, but at that time, her attention was entirely attracted by Xiao Huaijin beside her, so she didn’t take a close look. Second Madam He and He Yan had talked for a few words. Speaking of it, Marquis Wuan in front of her had a lot of fate with her elder sister. She also disguised herself as a man to enter the military camp, and their names were exactly the same. Perhaps that’s why the heavens wanted to use her to help her elder sister clear her name.
Suddenly, He Xinying felt a sense of intimacy towards the woman in front of her, even though they had hardly met.
He Yan pulled her up from the ground, “I know you are currently living in Teacher Wei’s mansion. If there is anything you need help with in the future, you can have someone tell me.”
“You… why are you so good to me?” He Xinying couldn’t help but ask.
He Yan smiled, “My fiancé once had a friendship with your elder sister. In terms of sentiment and reason, I should take care of you. Besides, I only have a younger brother in my family and no younger sister. In the future, you can treat me as your sister. Although I am not as formidable as Flying Phoenix General, I will take care of you on her behalf.”
Unexplainably, He Xinying felt a sense of reassurance in her heart. It was like finding a small boat in the vast and lonely waves.
“Thank you very much,” she nodded.
“Go and offer incense to Second Madam He first,” He Yan smiled.
…….
After offering incense to Second Madam He and burning paper money, Xiao Jue and He Yan sent He Xinying back to Wei Xuanzhang’s mansion. Watching He Xinying’s figure entering the door, He Yan sighed softly.
“What’s wrong?” Xiao Jue asked her.
“Just feeling a bit sorry for her.” He Yan turned around and walked back home with Xiao Jue. “I remember when we were at the He family, she was very innocent and lively. He Yuanliang—” she refused to say the word “father,” “always doted on her. I once secretly envied her, but in the end, she was treated as a sacrifice for the He family.”
If He Yan grew up lonely and understood the coldness and ruthlessness of the He family early on, it wouldn’t have been very difficult to accept the truth on the day it was revealed. But He Xinying grew up in a lie from an early age, a pampered girl who, one day, discovered the ugly truth of the world, which must have been particularly devastating.
Xiao Jue comforted her, “She will come out of it.”
As they walked, pedestrians passing by seemed to be discussing today’s executions in the market. He Yan overheard someone saying, “When Xu Zhiheng was pushed onto the execution platform, he was so scared that he wet his pants, hahaha, so ridiculous!”
“He Rufei is even worse, 120 slashes, just thinking about it hurts.”
“Serves them right! Who told them to do such disloyal and unjust things, simply heartless! It’s just a pity for Flying Phoenix General. After so many years, Great Wei finally produced such a talent, and she, as a woman, was killed by them. His Majesty’s actions can be considered avenging Flying Phoenix General.”
“This is called justice. There’s a master for every debt, and it’s just a matter of time before it’s repaid.”
He Yan listened to the discussions of the passersby, feeling a bit absent-minded. She did not go to watch the executions; for her, knowing the guilty received retribution was enough. Watching executions did not bring her joy, and revenge was not the purpose of her life. People should learn to look forward, and only by looking forward, there is a future.
“Xiao Jue,” He Yan spoke, “what do you plan to do about Xu Xiang’s matter?”
Xiao Jue’s gaze paused slightly, and after a while, he said, “It’s about time now.”
…
The case of Flying Phoenix General progressed rapidly from being revealed to uncovering the truth, and finally, the guilty receiving punishment. After all, He Rufei was extremely guilty, so dealing with it was justifiable. However, the situation became somewhat awkward with Xu Xiang, who remained for trial.
Xu Jingfu’s students were scattered throughout the court, and though they dared not openly speak, there were quite a few people who had been pleading for him these days. They often cited Xu Jingfu’s merits when Emperor Wenxuan ascended the throne. They argued that relying solely on a few letters and He Rufei’s testimony was not enough for a conviction, and Xu Jingfu was being wronged.
However, soon, General Fengyun, Xiao Huaijin, personally brought two people to the Golden Luang Palace—survivors of the Battle of Mingshui, two brothers surnamed Luo. In front of the court officials, they spoke the truth about the battle, revealing that Xu Jingfu had colluded with a traitor within the Xiao family army, deliberately giving the enemy a map, and it was due to Xu Zhongwu’s betrayal from behind that Xiao Zhongwu suffered a devastating defeat, leading to the complete annihilation of the entire army.
As soon as this was revealed, the entire court was shaken, and Emperor Wenxuan, in front of his courtiers, erupted in anger.
Everyone knew that after the Battle of Mingshui, Xiao Zhongwu suffered a disastrous defeat, and the Xiao family was on the verge of collapse. If it weren’t for General Fengyun’s determination to return to the Southern Barbarians with three thousand troops, there would be no “General Fengyun” in the present Great Wei.
After the Battle of Mingshui, both civil and military officials openly or secretly accused Xiao Zhongwu of being reckless and relying solely on his bravery, with the most severe accusations directed from Xu Jingfu. Emperor Wenxuan made the Xiao family sit on the cold bench for quite a while. Now that the truth was revealed to the world, Xu Jingfu’s manipulation behind the scenes not only made the former followers of Xiao Zhongwu feel disheartened but also made people feel that Emperor Wenxuan, as an emperor, could not distinguish loyalty from treason, absurd and unreasonable.
Emperor Wenxuan was furious, ordering the Grand Court to thoroughly investigate the entire Xu family, reopening the old case of the Battle of Mingshui. The matter would not be dropped until everything was thoroughly investigated.
In this way, the former supporters of Xu were in a state of panic, and the entire alliance was on the verge of collapsing. No one cared about Xu Xiang; they all wanted to completely sever their connections with Xu Jingfu. At the same time, people also harbored fear towards the legendary Jade-Faced Commander, who had been lurking for so many years and never gave up investigating this matter. Who knew if Xiao Huaijin still had other evidence in his hands.
Uprooting a tree that had grown for many years was not an easy task, but judging by Xiao Huaijin’s momentum, it was clearly settling scores after the autumn, and he didn’t intend to spare anyone.
In the Crown Prince’s residence, Prince Guangyan paced anxiously in the hall.
All the servants knelt on the side, afraid to speak. In these days, the crown prince’s temper became increasingly bad. Just a few days ago, he even physically assaulted the Crown Prince consort. Everyone knew it was because of Xu Xiang. The prince had got along with Xu Jingfu for many years, and Xu Jingfu had always supported the crown prince. With Xu Jingfu falling from grace, it was akin to severing one of the crown prince’s arms. That alone was enough to make him furious. Moreover, the cunning old man had been accumulating evidence over the years. If he were to be implicated…
The crown prince clenched his fists, his expression growing darker. Guangshuo would definitely not miss this opportunity!
While on Tianxing Terrace, Guangshuo had been subtly supporting the case against He Rufei. Now that both the He and Xu families had fallen, if the next target was the Xu family, and the next after that, wouldn’t he be in jeopardy?
Okay, if one or two of them were targeted, it was probably already predicted today. If they were allowed to succeed at this point, wouldn’t it be a wasted effort? However, Emperor Wenxuan was currently in a fit of anger, and he couldn’t speak up for Xu Jingfu at this critical moment. Moreover, the evidence against the Mingshui case was solid, and now was a time when Xiao Huaijin was riding high. He could only avoid the edge and dare not engage in direct confrontation.
At this critical moment, a maid came in, walked to him, and whispered, “Is Your Highness troubled by Xu Xiang’s matter?”
At this juncture, the only one daring to come and speak to him was the favored maid, Ying Xiang.
Guangyan glanced at Ying Xiang. Today, he had no intention of flirting with beauties. He said, “Yes.”
“If this servant may speak, isn’t this a good thing?” Ying Xiang helped Guangyan sit down on a soft cushion, gently massaging his shoulders. “Your Highness, don’t you think Xu Xiang’s influence is too long-reaching? Now that he’s in trouble, Your Highness might have a lot less trouble in the future.”
“What do you understand?” Guangyan replied impatiently, “Xu Jingfu is my person! If something happens to him, it’s like severing one of my arms. The schemes of the past few years will all be in vain!”
“Is Your Highness worried that after Xu Xiang is gone, there won’t be anyone to replace him?” Ying Xiang smiled, “Doesn’t Xu Xiang have a son-in-law? Fourth Young Master Chu has followed Xu Xiang for so many years. If he can survive this time… he might be capable of taking Xu Xiang’s position.”
Chu Zilan? Guangyan was slightly startled.
He did intend to win over Chu Zilan, but with one thing after another happening recently, he had also pushed Chu Zilan out of his mind. Now, hearing Ying Xiang’s reminder, he suddenly thought of what Maningbu had said in his mansion earlier.
“The same means and connections, a young eagle is easier to train than an already mature snake, isn’t it?”
Chu Zilan was personally taught by Xu Jingfu. Compared to Xu Jingfu’s cunning, he appeared to be gentler and harmless. However, in these years, he had done plenty for Xu Jingfu. No one would underestimate him; otherwise, Xu Jingfu wouldn’t have married his precious daughter to Chu Zilan.
But… his gaze shifted to the beautiful face of the maid in front of him. He suddenly reached out, grabbed Ying Xiang’s wrist, pulled her into his arms, and asked, “Chu Zilan is Xu Jingfu’s student. If Xu Jingfu falls, Chu Zilan won’t escape either. How do you know… he will survive this calamity?”
“This servant was just talking casually,” Ying Xiang did not struggle, maintaining a submissive smile on her face. Snuggling into his arms, she whispered, “After all, I used to serve my previous master.”
Guangyan stared at her for a long time, sneered, squeezed Ying Xiang’s chin, forcing her to look directly at him, “I hate betrayal the most, Ying Xiang. Among all the maids in the mansion, you are the one I cherish the most. I hope you are clear about what to do and what not to do. If I find out that you are secretly communicating with outsiders behind my back… you should know,” his smile appeared somewhat sinister, “Women who died in the crown prince’s mansion, there’s no problem with one more.”
Ying Xiang chuckled, “Your Highness is scaring me again. I am born to be Your Highness’s person, and in death, I will be Your Highness’s ghost. How could I possibly communicate with others? It’s Your Highness who must remember not to forget the old when embracing the new.”
Despite her dazzling appearance, her eyes were full of obedience, without a hint of doubt.
“As long as you obediently follow orders,” Guangyan fondly stroked her face, “I will continue to cherish you.”
Ying Xiang smiled, lowering her head. On her delicate wrist, a distinct bruise from Guangyan’s earlier actions was now covered with the sleeve. She calmly concealed the mark, burying her head in Guangyan’s embrace, hiding the depth of her intentions.
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