Chaos of Ming 1628

"An imperial edict?" Wei Zhongxian's voice turned shrill. "What imperial edict?"

Sun Qing stood motionless in the courtyard. He raised his head and looked towards the front yard, his expression unusually calm.

"Eunuch," he said, "it's time to receive the imperial decree."

Wei Zhongxian stood there, staring intently at Sun Qing. After a long while, he suddenly lowered his voice: "Sun Qing, do you think... it's possible that they're transferring our family back?"

"Actually, our family watched the current emperor grow up, so he cares about our family. Besides, before the late emperor passed away, he told him to trust us." He paused halfway through his sentence, his hand unconsciously clenching into a fist.

"Eunuch, you should think this through carefully." Sun Qing's voice was very deep: "The imperial edict is outside the city. Open the city gates, and accept it no matter what it says."

"If the city gates remain closed..."

Sun Qing's words came to an abrupt halt. That was a true rebellion.

How could Emperor Chongzhen not know his attitude towards Wei Zhongxian? He just didn't want to admit it.

Now that the imperial edict has arrived at the door, what good could it possibly be?

Wei Zhongxian took a deep breath, straightened his clothes, smoothed out the front of his dragon robe, and stepped out.

He paused again as he reached the courtyard gate: "Sun Qing, you come with me. You stand here and say something for me... say something for me."

Sun Qing sneered inwardly.

He had already packed everything and was about to leave. Why was Wei Zhongxian sending him now? He knew perfectly well!

Isn't the point to drag him down with them?

But Wei Zhongxian ultimately underestimated himself.

Yang Qingqing's eyes clearly showed worry as she softly called out, "Husband."

Sun Qing ignored him, coldly turned her face away, and followed him out.

A group of people were already kneeling in the front yard.

Officials, servants, and imperial guards of Hejian Prefecture lay prostrate on the ground in a dense, dark mass.

Three eunuchs dressed in flying fish robes stood before the steps, the one in the middle holding a yellow silk scroll, his face ashen.

Upon seeing Wei Zhongxian emerge, the man didn't even lift his eyelids, but simply held the imperial edict forward: "Wei Zhongxian, receive the edict."

Wei Zhongxian slowly walked to the steps, bent his knees slightly, but did not kneel down immediately.

"Esteemed official, may I ask what His Majesty's... decree is it? I am serving the court in Hejian Prefecture, and the affairs of the city are numerous and complicated, so I am truly unable to leave. If it is a general decree, perhaps I should..."

The eunuch carrying the imperial edict finally raised his eyes and gave him a cold look: "Wei Zhongxian, kneel down."

Wei Zhongxian was startled.

The last trace of color drained from that plump, white face.

She knelt down with a thud, her face upturned, her lips moving, waiting for the last glimmer of hope.

"By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: The treacherous eunuch Wei Zhongxian has deceived the Emperor, formed cliques for personal gain, and his crimes are unforgivable. Now it has been discovered that he recruited soldiers and horses in Hejian Prefecture, privately built city defenses, and plotted rebellion, which is an even greater crime. He is hereby arrested and brought to the capital for joint trial by the three judicial departments, to be punished according to the law. This is the imperial decree."

Wei Zhongxian was stunned. Just moments ago, Sun Qing had told him about this outcome, but unexpectedly, the imperial edict arrived so quickly.

He turned around and slowly glanced at Sun Qing.

Then his body trembled, and he struggled to say, "My family has served the Ming Dynasty for forty years, made countless contributions, and shed countless blood."

"What do you know? How could His Majesty believe those slanderous words from the Donglin faction?"

"I must personally tell His Majesty that he must not forget the late Emperor's words!"

He became more and more anxious as he spoke, crawling forward on his knees, his hands almost grabbing the eunuch's robe.

The eunuch carrying the imperial edict took a step back and coldly looked down at him: "Wei Zhongxian, don't rush to cry foul."

"This is only the first imperial edict. There's still one more."

Wei Zhongxian's hand froze in mid-air.

The eunuch slowly pulled out a second roll of yellow silk from his sleeve, unfolded it, and cleared his throat.

"Upon further investigation, the traitorous eunuch Wei Zhongxian was found to be old and I originally intended to pardon him, but instead allowed him to be sent to Fengyang for resettlement."

"However, he was still accompanied by imperial guards along the way, and his arrogance was so great that some people in the prefectures and cities along the way knelt to welcome him. His domineering attitude was truly disrespectful to the emperor. Such an incorrigible person must not be allowed to live."

"By imperial decree: The traitorous eunuch Wei Zhongxian shall be captured en route and escorted to the capital for public execution. All his personal guards shall be imprisoned. Anyone who dares to provide aid or escort him along the way shall be treated as an accomplice and shall be punished without leniency. This is the imperial decree."

When the final imperial edict was issued, Wei Zhongxian's face turned completely pale.

He did indeed initially head to Fengyang. He tried hard to portray himself as greedy, hoping to lower the emperor's guard.

Do not!

Zhu Youjian never intended to let him go!

The eunuch put away the imperial edict and looked down at him condescendingly: "Wei Zhongxian, His Majesty says you still led your imperial guards along the way, acting arrogantly. Examine your conscience; have you ever behaved yourself since you fled from Fengyang to Hejian?"

"What His Majesty has given you is the last shred of dignity."

The courtyard was deathly silent. No one moved, no one dared to make a sound.

This imperial edict sealed the fate of the eunuch faction.

Wei Zhongxian's back stiffened slightly, and he slowly said, "Alright, I know I was wrong."

"Our granddaughter is pregnant now, and we know that going back to Beijing with you might be our last farewell. So let us go and say our final words to her!"

The eunuch naturally refused.

But the guards suddenly stepped forward.

In this Hejian Prefecture, there are still nearly two thousand Imperial Guards.

The eunuch's expression changed, and he dared not make things difficult any further. He knew that if he were truly pushed to the limit, the eunuch might not return alive.

So he could only say, "I only have fifteen minutes."

Wei Zhongxian gave Sun Qing a wink, his face grim, and went back to the backyard.

Yang Qingqing waited inside.

Sun Qing then walked in.

Yang Qingqing saw Wei Zhongxian stagger in and was about to speak when Wei Zhongxian suddenly knelt down on the ground with a thud.

Yang Qingqing was startled and quickly stood up: "Grandpa, get up quickly, what are you doing?"

Wei Zhongxian didn't look at her.

He knelt on the ground, looked up at Sun Qing, his eyes red and swollen: "Sun Qing... we were wrong."

"You said that Hejian Prefecture could save our lives. As long as you spare our lives, we'll do anything!"

As he spoke, his voice lowered.

Yang Qingqing stood to the side, covered her mouth, and tears welled up silently.

Sun Qing remained calm; this step was within his expectations.

"Master," Sun Qing began, "you just said in the courtyard that I'm as timid as a mouse. You're right, I am indeed timid."

"If I use Hejian Prefecture to protect you, not only will I die, but Qingqing will also die, and everyone in Hejian Prefecture who trusts me will die as well."

"I have already tried to persuade you with kind words, but you have pressed on relentlessly. Now, why should I take action? As long as the Grand Eunuch returns, Hejian Prefecture will still be Hejian Prefecture."

Wei Zhongxian suddenly looked up and stared fiercely at Sun Qing.

The curtain was suddenly flung open, and a guard poked his head in: "The time has come."

Wei Zhongxian slowly stood up, his legs still trembling, and turned to look at Yang Qingqing.

Yang Qingqing was already sobbing uncontrollably, and she rushed over to hug him. He raised his hand and gently patted her back, once, then again.

"Don't cry," he said, his voice hoarse. "Grandpa...Grandpa can still hold on."

But the more this happened, the more heartbroken Yang Qingqing felt.

He turned and knelt before Sun Qing, kowtowing repeatedly, "Please, save my ancestor, save him!"

"My husband, I know you can do it."

As she spoke, she placed her hand on her stomach.

Sun Qing's face grew even colder.

The voice was full of sarcasm: "So, you're going to use the child to blackmail me again?"

Yang Qingqing suddenly looked up, her face deathly pale.

"Heh," Sun Qing's voice was terribly cold, "You keep saying you want me to help you, then I'd like to ask you that."

"Master Eunuch, I saved your life this time, what will I get in return?"