At first, Yang Qingshan thought he was dreaming.
Otherwise, how could this be happening? For so many years, he had ruled Great Tong like a local emperor, doing whatever he pleased. When had he ever suffered such a crushing defeat?
Even Xiao Yunting was just a green, inexperienced youngster.
How could someone like that possibly defeat him?
But when he opened his eyes, the very first person he saw was his lawful wife, Madam Ma. His vision immediately went dark, and his entire body began trembling uncontrollably.
He knew at once that this was definitely not a dream.
Madam Ma had always lived in the Commander-in-Chief’s residence. She had never known this mansion on Northern Road even existed.
Sure enough, her eyes burned with fury as she demanded: “Master, what exactly is going on?! Who is that vixen?! And who are those little b*stards?!”
The oldest child was already sixteen years old!
Sixteen!
Only one year younger than their own child!
Yang Qingshan was truly impressive.
He had managed to maintain two families at once, both flourishing.
And he had deceived her so thoroughly!
A chill spread through Yang Qingshan’s entire body.
At a time like this, how could he care about any of that?
He shoved Madam Ma aside and shouted: “Where are my men?! Where are Li Jin, Wang Chong, Bai Ping, and the others?! Tell them to get in here immediately!”
Was now really the time to discuss such useless matters?!
Madam Ma immediately burst into loud sobs.
She had worked tirelessly all these years. She had cared for her in-laws until both were gone. And this was the surprise Yang Qingshan gave her in return.
So many illegitimate children!
How was she supposed to face the future with her own children now?
That heartless b*stard!
Seeing Madam Ma cry, Madam Lu, who had nearly been beaten to death by Madam Ma earlier, also began crying.
Once the two women started, all the children in the room began crying as well.
In an instant, the entire room was filled with sobs and wailing.
Anyone hearing it would think someone had died.
The moment the words “someone had died” crossed his mind, Yang Qingshan’s expression changed drastically. His heart sank. Furiously, he shouted: “Shut up! All of you shut up!”
Wasn’t he already unlucky enough?!
Were they trying to make sure he died even faster?!
But just then, a thunderous crash erupted outside.
Everyone jumped in fright.
Even Madam Ma, who had been crying and causing the biggest scene, stopped instantly. Staring blankly at Yang Qingshan, she wiped away her tears. “Oh, right. I heard you let the Oirats into the city. Is that true?!”
Yang Qingshan’s heart instantly turned ice-cold.
Xiao Yunting was truly ruthless.
With Zhar Tuobuhua in his hands, luring some Oirat soldiers over had not been difficult. Then he had seized control of Zhang Fei and deliberately lured Ma Ancheng away beforehand.
Without Zhang Fei and Ma Ancheng maintaining order, and with the other officials either arrested or killed by Xiao Yunting, the city had immediately descended into chaos.
Naturally, the citizens genuinely believed that he had invited wolves into the house and was preparing to flee.
Terrifying.
Absolutely terrifying.
The Crown Prince had been educated in Confucian teachings.
So how had the Imperial Grandson become so vicious and calculating?
At that moment, the gates of the estate were finally smashed open by determined citizens working together. The enraged crowd, having completely lost their reason, surged into the luxurious mansion.
They were dazzled by the sights before them.
Everywhere they looked were magnificent decorations and lavish furnishings. Everywhere were scenes of unimaginable luxury.
Lord Yang always claimed he would rather eat salted fish and tighten his belt so that soldiers could receive their military pay. So this was how he “tightened his belt”!
These corrupt officials!
These d*mned, corrupt officials!
The citizens’ anger completely overwhelmed their reason.
After finally locating the magnificent main hall and seeing Yang Qingshan surrounded by wives and concubines, embracing women on both sides, their rage exploded.
No one knew who struck first. But the first thing that happened was that a brick smashed into Yang Qingshan’s head, splitting it open.
Once the people’s fury was ignited, there was no stopping it.
For years, the shadow of the Oirats had hung over their heads.
At any moment, they feared being killed.
They feared being captured and turned into “two-legged sheep”, human livestock.
Originally, they had believed Lord Yang was a rare good official who would protect them.
But it had all been a lie.
This man was the true great corrupt official.
Colluding with the Oirat Third Prince. Colluding with Oirat nobles. Secretly selling them horses and iron weapons. Even opening the city gates and offering no resistance, allowing Oirat soldiers to enter and plunder.
Was this even a human being?
How could someone like this deserve to be an official?
The crowd surged forward together.
The scene quickly became so bloody that it was almost impossible to watch.
Yet Xiao Yunting did not look away. Hidden among the crowd, he watched coldly as the enraged citizens tore apart, beat, and slaughtered the entire Yang family. His eyes remained completely indifferent.
As for Yang Qingshan, there was no need to mention him. No matter how miserably he died, it would never be enough to atone for his crimes.
Even his children were not innocent.
Every one of them had grown up feeding on the blood of the border soldiers and civilians.
Raised by Yang Qingshan, they would eventually become one Yang Qingshan after another.
Mercy was for good people.
Showing mercy to evil people only encouraged their wickedness.
Coldly lowering his eyes, he instructed Qingfeng: “Guide the situation carefully. Keep Zhang Fei suppressed. Maintain control over those five thousand soldiers. Do not allow any further disturbances. Understood?”
Qingfeng immediately acknowledged the order.
Only then did Xiao Yunting turn and leave.
Looking up at the moon hanging in the sky, he slowly let out a deep breath.
If Yuanyuan were here, the scene would probably have been even bloodier.
Though he wasn’t much better himself.
Now that matters here were settled, Yang Qingshan was dead, and with Zhang Fei, the others, and Zhar Tuobuhua as witnesses, there was more than enough proof that Yang Qingshan deserved his fate.
All that remained was for Kang Tongqu to find Lu Ting.
Then everything would be over.
He slowly relaxed.
When he thought about returning to the capital soon and obtaining an imperial decree of marriage from Emperor Yongchang, all his exhaustion vanished.
Meanwhile, at that very moment, Qi Yuan was covering Xie Ying’s mouth in the darkness.
Xie Ying was completely bewildered.
He had been sleeping soundly. Who could have expected that in the middle of the night, someone would suddenly appear beside him? He had been about to cry out for help when a hand firmly covered his mouth.
Fortunately, Qi Yuan wasted no time. Leaning close to his ear, she whispered: “It’s me.”
Only then did Xie Ying relax. His right eyelid twitched violently several times. He immediately realized that something had happened.
He nodded to show he understood. Only then did Qi Yuan release him.
Taking a deep breath, Xie Ying lowered his voice and asked: “What’s going on?”
“Something’s wrong. Someone just blew sleeping gas into my room.” Qi Yuan wasted no words. “I figured your room probably wasn’t an exception, so I came over.”
Xie Ying’s heart skipped a beat.
Sleeping gas?
He immediately understood. “Someone knows that you and I came to Jinling to investigate Wen Mingfeng’s mother and maidservant?”
That had to be why someone was causing trouble.
Otherwise, ordinary thieves would never dare act when they knew there were four or five grown men in the group.
Qi Yuan curled her lips into a mocking smile.
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