The Ming Dynasty's Five Hundred Years

Chapter 20 A Lonely Grave Across a Thousand Miles
"Brother, do you think the pink flower looks better when worn in your hair, or the yellow one?"

"The girls are all naturally beautiful."

"Brother, I really like this phoenix hairpin."

"Buy whatever the girl wants."

"Elder brother, they all say that after marriage, one belongs to one's husband's family. After I get married, will I still be able to go back to the Duke's mansion often?"

"The Duke's mansion will always be your home."

"Brother, you must come to see me more often, you really must come more often."

"Yes, you must be filial to your parents-in-law and behave well in the Marquis's mansion."

"I hope you take good care of yourself, live a long and healthy life, and enjoy peace and happiness."

Memories that didn't belong to Li Qi surged back at this moment, and a delicate voice lingered in his ears, as if from the horizon, eventually turning into a plaintive, resentful, and yearning tone, making Li Qi tremble all over.

"Big brother, it hurts so much."

"Elder brother, your sister is gone."

Li Qi's rough fingertips rubbed heavily across his throbbing temples and reddened eyelids, a single tear wetting his fingertips.

His eyes gleamed with a cold light, as clear as snow, which drifted between his fingers.

Marquis Jingning, Ye Sheng, stared directly at Li Qi, his eyes filled with undisguised killing intent and apprehension.

Duke Lan Yu of Liang stood not far away, watching the two with a slight frown.

Marquis Han Xun of Dongping watched the show with a playful smile on his face, his hands behind his back.

The founding duke Chang Sheng remained expressionless; this matter had nothing to do with him.

The air seemed to freeze. The crowd stood in a haphazard manner, and the group of civil officials who had come out of Fengtian Hall slowed their pace and all looked towards Li Qi.

Some wanted to get to know him, some stopped to watch, and some gleamed with coldness in their eyes.

In front of the Fengtian Hall, the emperor's chief eunuch waited, his eyes slightly narrowed.

The high-ranking members of the Embroidered Uniform Guard slowly emerged from the side hall, their expressions varied.

In a side hall of the Fengtian Hall, the emperor sat with his eyes closed, waiting for something.

Within the imperial city, a group of people standing at the very top of the Ming Empire displayed their myriad appearances.

Miss Li said she hanged herself, but the truth is known to everyone.

The warm sun shone on everyone, but it couldn't dispel the sudden chill.

A gentle breeze swept by, lifting the stray strands of hair from Li Qi's cheek and tucking them behind her ears, making her look like her third sister had returned. Li Qi's tense body slowly relaxed.

Li Qi descended the steps one by one, passing the Marquis of Dongping, skipping the Duke of Liang, and exchanging a glance with the Duke of Kaiguo.

No words were spoken.

He paused briefly beside the Marquis of Jingning before continuing on his way.

A court robe, fluttering in the breeze.

"hiss!"

Many of those staring at Li Qi gasped in shock.

Not speaking means not communicating.

Lack of communication means lack of forgiveness.

Some civil officials were delighted, thinking, "Let them fight! Let them fight to the death!" Others were disappointed and wanted to step forward to discuss some academic matters.

Most of the nobles from Huaixi turned cold.

The eunuchs in front of the palace maintained their slight smiles.

Among the Imperial Guards with their hands behind their backs, some wore a mocking smile, while others revealed a calculating intent.

"Such an imposing official's presence, Grand Secretary Li!"

Ye Sheng's voice came from behind him, full of sarcasm. A Grand Scholar of the fifth rank didn't even have the qualifications to be his lackey.

Li Qi already had a plan in mind.

It is well known that the civil service in the late Ming Dynasty brought disaster to the country and its people, but most people do not know that the military service in the Ming Dynasty had been corrupt and decadent since the founding of the country, and its harm to the people was no less than that of the Ming imperial family.

They will have to be dealt with eventually. Just not now.

Seeing that nothing else was happening, the officials dispersed out of the palace.

Inside the Fengtian Hall, the ghostly figure of the Grand Eunuch was already kneeling before the Emperor. Zhu Yuanzhang nodded slightly and said nothing.

The chief eunuch, who had served the emperor for many years, knew that His Majesty was satisfied.

This prince consort has gained even more favor with the emperor.

……

Princess Lin'an accepted the crown from Li Qi as he entered the hall, then served him hot tea. Her bright eyes looked at Li Qi with anticipation.

Li Qi took the hot tea and drank it down in two gulps before saying, "The two traitors, Zhan Hui and Li Yuanming, have been imprisoned and will soon be executed by slow slicing, and their entire families will be wiped out. My father has appointed me as a Grand Secretary of the Eastern Pavilion, to serve as an advisor, and to concurrently serve in the Imperial Academy and the Hanlin Academy, and to continue investigating the old customs of the Mongol Yuan Dynasty."

Princess Lin'an visibly breathed a sigh of relief, and gently said while holding Li Qi's hand, "With our great revenge avenged, you can sleep peacefully at night without fear, my lord."

Li Qi had been awakened in his sleep countless times, and Princess Lin'an, who was his bedmate, knew this all too well. There was nothing else she could do but comfort him. Now that his great revenge had been achieved, she was naturally overjoyed.

Li Qi breathed a sigh of relief, pondering his current situation.

The downfall of the Duke's mansion was initiated by the emperor, and then civil officials, nobles, and close ministers all joined forces.

Nowadays, most of the enemies among civil officials have been eliminated.

Some members of the Embroidered Uniform Guard were also involved in this matter, but it is now difficult to find out exactly who they were after the Embroidered Uniform Guard Commander Mao Xiang was killed.

We'll have to wait until we get some tools that will allow us to uncover the truth.

Be careful of assassinations from the Embroidered Uniform Guard during this period.

As for the Jingning Marquis's mansion and other noble families of Huaixi, they appeared to be at the height of their power and prestige, but they had already stepped onto the road to the underworld.

According to historical records, Lan Yu was about to go on another expedition and would not return in triumph until the following year, by which time Zhu Biao would have already passed away.

Li Qi slightly suppressed the cold glint in his eyes, waiting for Zhu Biao's death so he could then deal with the Marquis of Jingning.

"Husband, shall we go and offer incense to our father-in-law and tell them about today's events?"

"No need. I already told you before going to court that I should go see my third sister. I haven't visited her since we came to the capital."

Upon hearing her third sister's name, Princess Lin'an's eyes darkened, and a sense of sorrow arose within her.

She, as the eldest sister-in-law, truly treated Miss Li like a mother. Whenever she thought of Miss Li, whom she had cherished for so many years, passing away in her prime, she felt an unbearable pain.

Li Qi led Li Fang, Li Mao, Princess Lin'an, and Zijuan out of the city, and soon they arrived at the foot of Zijin Mountain.

There is only one solitary grave here.

Zijuan wept bitterly, saying, "Miss loves mountains and rivers, so I bought this place to be her burial site."

Li Qi looked around and saw that the place was full of strange rocks, which could hardly be called a blessed place. It would be difficult for ordinary people to find it. He said gently, "This place is nestled against the mountains and by the water. You have put in a lot of effort."

"The Tomb of the Li Family".

A wooden tombstone, slightly askew from the wind and rain, with a small mound of earth behind it. It's no longer a new grave, overgrown with weeds and withered yellow leaves.

Zijuan knelt before the grave, sobbing, and placed the offerings she was carrying before the grave, bowing deeply.

Li Qi silently stepped forward, straightened the tombstone, and pressed it down heavily. Li Fang and Li Mao sobbed as they added soil to their aunt's grave.

Princess Lin'an sobbed, "She was crying in my arms when she got married, like a flower bud. When we met again, we were separated by life and death."

"Third sister, your eldest brother has come to see you."

Li Qi gently stroked the tombstone, his heart churning with countless thoughts, tears welling up in his eyes. "Don't blame your elder brother for being late. I've already eliminated those who framed the Duke's mansion. Now I can avenge you."

Don't rush, wait until I've taken the lives of the entire Jingning Marquis's family before I take you home.

Fang'er, Mao'er, come and kowtow to your aunt.

Li Fang knelt on the ground and kowtowed four times, saying, "Aunt, please rest in peace. Fang'er will definitely avenge you!"

Although Li Fang is of average talent, she has a kind heart and is a good child.

A gust of wind suddenly arose, scattering the paper money, which turned to ash in the air and then fell onto the grave.

It was as if Miss Li had overheard their conversation.

In response.

(End of this chapter)