I come to see Bai Yujing today

Chapter 283 Chen Zhi'an, the Imperial Seal Holder, Master of Poetry and Painting
The winter was bleak, the willows by the roadside were withered and drooping, creating a desolate scene.

The western suburbs were already packed with people, because today was the fifth day of the Lunar New Year.

For many ordinary people in Xuantianjing, today is not only the Fifth Day of the Lunar New Year, but also a rare day in Xuantianjing.

No.

It is not uncommon.

This is something that has never happened in the last hundred years.

The reason is that today in the western suburbs, forty prominent figures from powerful families will be executed one after another, including members of the six major families of the Great Yu Dynasty.

Over the centuries, some of the six surnames of the Great Yu Dynasty were beheaded by the sage for committing wrongdoings.

There were also those whose names were removed from the taboo list by the six surnames of the Great Yu.

Never before in Xuantianjing had there been such a large-scale operation, with forty people being beheaded in succession.

At this moment, the forty execution platforms and the executioner's blades hanging high above them appeared even more chilling.

Countless people eagerly awaited the outcome, wanting to see if these forty high-ranking figures would actually lose their heads.

It's not just ordinary people.

The western suburbs of Xuantianjing are once again a gathering place for countless powerful figures.

Many divine essences are hidden in the void, flowing through heaven and earth, watching over this execution ground.

The execution ground was packed with people today, but it wasn't noisy.

This was because there were still many empty sandalwood chairs on the high platform opposite the execution ground.

These chairs were exquisitely carved, fragrant, and extremely spacious, clearly intended for officials overseeing executions.

"It is said that the officials in charge of the execution were the Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Justice and the Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review."

"Speaking of which... if so many important figures were to be beheaded, how come only a junior official from the Ministry of Justice and a senior official from the Court of Judicial Review came?"

"There is indeed something strange going on. It is said that among those to be beheaded this time is a high-ranking official like the Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review."

Even if the Minister of Justice and the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review don't come in person, at the very least several officials of the fourth rank should come.

It is unknown how the Ministry of Justice, the Court of Judicial Review, and the Prefectural Governor of the Capital discussed the matter.

Besides ordinary people, many scholars and officials who were on leave today also came to the western suburbs.

They stared at the high table from afar, their eyes filled with confusion.

Time flies by.

As the sun rose, another hour or so had passed.

A cloud of mist suddenly drifted in from not far away.

The clouds were pitch black, yet quite thick, like a black sandstorm sweeping in, completely obscuring everyone's vision.
Many people were inexplicably panicked; some retreated, while others moved forward.

In addition, the western suburbs were overcrowded at the time, and the crowd was so large that there was a risk of a stampede!
Just then, from a pavilion not far away, someone holding a gong shouted loudly: "Exit the prisoner!"

Lu Dingshan's voice was like a great bell, resounding through the void.

As he struck the gong in his hand again, with another loud bang, the gong in his hand immediately shone with golden light, dispelling the black mist.

The many people who were terrified by the black fog saw the dazzling golden light and heard the astonishing sound, and immediately came to their senses and were no longer afraid.

They stopped and looked toward the billowing black smoke.

But there were dozens of prisoners dressed in fine clothes and wearing shackles.

These people still looked noble and handsome, and with their gorgeous clothes as a backdrop, they were quite different from the ordinary people watching.

Many of them had an imposing look in their eyes, as if they were brewing thunder.

"They are those nobles who are about to be beheaded!"

Someone shouted loudly.

Suddenly, the vast western suburbs became even quieter.

The crowd parted to make way for the dozens of officials escorting these dignitaries through.

They stood on both sides of the street.

Among these common people, countless people were bowing their heads, not daring to look directly at these distinguished guests.

Some of the bolder ones looked up and saw that a dozen or so of the prisoners were striding forward with their heads held high, their eyes sweeping over the crowd watching them.

For a time, even though these prisoners' cultivation was locked away, their primordial spirits could not manifest, and their true essence could not circulate.

But it was only his aura, cultivated from his long-held high position and powerful cultivation, that terrified and bewildered the common people.

Many women were even pale and coughing repeatedly.

“The lowly and humble look me more directly.”

He Guan and Xie Jia walked at the front, their eyes calm.

Even now, they still don't seem to think they're going to die.

"My two brothers from the Xie family, please rest assured."

Even if we were to die, it wouldn't be today.

He Guan even turned his head to the side, speaking to the two members of the Xie family without lowering his voice in the slightest.

The two members of the Xie family nodded slightly.

These forty prisoners walked down the long street and arrived at the execution platform.

Judging from their appearance, they didn't seem like prisoners about to be beheaded, but rather like victorious heroes returning home.

Many people held their heads high, and the prisoners who were afraid in their hearts became bolder when they saw how fearless these people were.

“These people committed capital crimes and were escorted to the execution ground; they were different from ordinary people.”

"Exactly! They were lucky to be born into such a family!"

Some indignant scholars lowered their heads, not daring to look at them, and could only exchange whispers.

According to the rules, those who commit serious crimes must be paraded through the streets of Xuantianjing in prison clothes, with disheveled hair and shackles, before being escorted to the execution ground.

Even after these people reached the western suburbs, a strange black aura still surrounded them, protecting their faces.

Not to mention being paraded through the streets in shackles, their clothes weren't even prison uniforms; they looked quite luxurious, probably very expensive, and without a single wrinkle.

It's like a brand new garment that's just been sewn.

Even on the execution ground, they were allowed to wear new clothes!

What's the point?
Many people were dissatisfied, but they just lowered their heads and dared not say anything.

However, where there is injustice, those who suffer injustice will inevitably harbor resentment and hatred.

Many of the people who originally came to the western suburbs to watch the spectacle are now increasingly hoping that these people will be beheaded.

"Strange, the prisoners have all arrived at the execution platform, but where are the executioners and clerks on the platform?"

"Such an important event, and these officials haven't even shown up yet? Don't they have any sense of shame?"

"In my opinion, these people were probably forced into this situation, and now that the time has come, they don't dare to come."

"How can you just not come like that? The punishment of beheading was approved by the Emperor and discussed by several government departments!"

As the executioners, they would lose their heads if they dared not to come.

The scholar was greatly surprised.

Beside him, an older scholar sneered: "To defy the orders of the Ministry of Justice, the Court of Judicial Review, and the Prefectural Governor of the Capital, the lightest punishment is dismissal from office, and the heaviest is exile to the Tianshan Mountains or the Northwest."

The worst that could happen is losing your head.

"Offending the imperial court will cost you your head."

The Assistant Minister of Justice, the Director of the Court of Judicial Review, and the Chief Justice of the Prefectural Governor's Office must also be from a prominent family, the number of whom is unknown.

"Offending the six powerful families of the Great Yu Dynasty could mean the extermination of any aristocratic clan in the land."

"The Great Yu is a land of propriety, how could it be now..."

"Silence!"

The older scholar suddenly shouted, and the younger scholar who had just spoken immediately broke out in a cold sweat and fell silent.

All forty prisoners were brought before the execution platform, and finally a few scholars dared to raise their heads.

They watched the prisoners' retreating figures, their hearts filled with resentment.

This is because the crimes of these people have been made public.

Many people could die ten times over without any injustice.

But now, noon is approaching. And there is not a single executioner on the high platform.

On the execution platform, there were only a few executioners scattered about.

Even these executioners, looking at the imposing adults below the stage, were somewhat at a loss.

He Guan smiled slightly.

Lu Dingshan was in charge of escorting the prisoners, and he frowned as he stood on the pavilion.

"The Minister of Justice is the head of the Si family!"
The Prefect of the Capital Prefecture is a direct descendant of the Wang family.

The Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, needless to say, is a disciple of the head of the Li family!
Upon closer examination, it turns out that none of these high-ranking officials came from aristocratic families!

The emperor allowed Chen Zhi'an to exercise his power, turning a blind eye... Now, at the execution ground, the supervising official dared not show up.

There was absolutely no reaction from within the Suspended Heaven Palace.

Lu Dingshan's brows furrowed deeper and deeper: "What exactly is the Sage thinking?"

Lu Dingshan couldn't figure out or understand the affairs of those important figures.

But time slips away quietly.

The sun shone brightly over Beijing, bringing some warmth to this cold winter day.

For the common people who came to the western suburbs to see the execution of the nobleman's head, whether or not there was warmth was actually not important.

"What a huge joke."

"Post a notice! Inform the capital! Acknowledge the details of the crimes! The final punishment is beheading in the western suburbs."

When the appointed time arrived, there weren't enough executioners, nor were there any officials to oversee the execution!

"It's absolutely rotten!"

Someone murmured.

Just then, a commotion suddenly arose not far away.

The crowd then naturally dispersed.

But an official wearing a black cloak rode up on a tall horse at breakneck speed!

"Issue orders from the Ministry of Justice, the Court of Judicial Review, and the Prefectural Governor's Office!"

"Unexpectedly, the four officials who were to oversee the executions today have suddenly died, and the four clerks and nine officers have also met with violent deaths."

The Ministry of Justice, the Court of Judicial Review, and the Prefectural Governor's Office suspected that the murderer was among these prisoners.

"The Minister of Justice, the Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, and the Prefect of the Capital have ordered that these prisoners be immediately escorted back to the prison for thorough interrogation."

Officials who die unjustly must have their crimes brought to justice, and the law must be upheld to seek redress for them.

The western suburbs were completely silent...

He Guan smiled slightly.

The same was true for the two Xie family members behind him.

Immediately afterward, the unease in the eyes of the other prisoners vanished.

Some even had smiles on their faces.

"How utterly ridiculous!" The scholars mixed among the common people looked at each other, finding the whole thing utterly laughable.

"It's over! It's over!"

Suddenly someone shouted, and an old scholar dressed in coarse linen clothes but wearing a tall hat suddenly squeezed out of the crowd and shouted loudly: "So blatant, so reckless!"

"Your injustice will not be redressed, your blood debts will not be repaid, and the world will witness your blatant lies!"

"It's over! It's over! The five-hundred-year reign is over!"

Some people's expressions changed immediately.

But in the distant void, bursts of light suddenly twisted and distorted.

Immediately afterwards, more than ten people revealed their whereabouts.

"To slander the imperial court and curse the dynasty is a grave crime!"

"Arrest them! Investigate thoroughly!"

Someone gave the order.

The old scholar, however, remained completely unfazed and continued to laugh heartily.

Among the dozen or so people, one of them was holding a whip and was lashing at the old scholar from a distance of several dozen feet.

The long whip pierced the air like a thunderclap, causing countless people to scream in fear.

The western suburbs will soon be in chaos.

He Guan sneered and looked up at Lu Dingshan, who was standing on the pavilion.

"Lord Lu, the yamen has issued an order that it is time for you to perform your escort duties."

Lu Dingshan's eyelids drooped slightly, and it was unclear what he was thinking.

The two powerful members of the Xie family also sneered.

They still remember the scene when Lu Dingshan came in person and turned the Xie family villa upside down.

"Song Xiang will die, and Zhao Chongzhi will not serve as the Censor-in-Chief forever."

Xie Hongqi grinned at Lu Dingshan and actually said such a thing openly.

Lu Dingshan finally opened his eyes, and their gazes met.

Immediately afterwards, He Guan suddenly saw a smile appear on Lu Dingshan's lips.

He Guan and the others were slightly taken aback, somewhat confused as to what Lu Dingshan was laughing about.

Just then, a sword light suddenly flashed from the distant void.

In an instant, the sword light emitted a blazing radiance, pierced through the void, bloomed in the western suburbs, and then landed on the long whip!
Chi!
The sound of a sword flashing through the air rang out, colliding with the long whip.

The whip was enveloped in lightning almost instantly.

Then came another scream. The person who had wielded the whip seemed to have been struck by the sword energy, and a clear sword mark appeared on their face.

Blood gushed out immediately, flowing down and covering his face.

"Chen Zhian!"

He Guan frowned immediately.

But after thinking about it, he glanced at the distant void and felt somewhat at ease.

At this moment, many people also saw the brilliant sword light.

They followed the sword light and saw an astonishing scene.

From the clouds and mist, a magnificent carriage broke through the clouds and sped towards them.

The chariot still radiated a cool, clear light, like a shooting star in broad daylight, exceptionally dazzling.

In this cool, clear light, a great man wearing a crown adorned with jewels and a robe embroidered with mountains, rivers, stars, and constellations, and with a sword at his waist, came.

In the blink of an eye, the chariots had arrived in the western suburbs.

Many people looked up and couldn't help but marvel.

This was simply because the man dressed in fine clothes and sitting upright in his chariot was too young and too outstanding.

His clothes were extremely solemn, and the tall crown on his head made him appear even more composed.

This man's face was exceptionally handsome, astonishing many.

"Chen Zhi'an, the current seal-bearer of the court!"

"So this Lord Seal Master is indeed as young as the rumors say!"

"That's for sure! This official in charge of the seal is none other than Chen Zhi'an, the one who was previously renowned for both poetry and painting!"
His portrait has been circulating throughout Xuantianjing for some time now, and you haven't seen it?

"Of course I've seen it... but a portrait is still just a portrait. I originally thought that the portrait deliberately made the person look more handsome."

But unexpectedly, this young Lord Chen was truly so outstanding.

"These forty prominent figures were also imprisoned by General Chen Zhi'an! And it was General Chen who ordered their execution!"
Now that this has happened, and General Chen has come in person, we don't know how to handle it..."

Everyone speculated.

At that very moment, Chen Zhian's chariot had already flown a great distance before landing.

He Guan's expression changed... because the place where Chen Zhian's chariot landed was on the execution platform!
(End of this chapter)