Chapter 506 - Chapter 506: Chapter 513: Whats to Fear, Even in Death (1/2)
Chapter 506: Chapter 513: What’s to Fear, Even in Death
“Father, can elder cousin really think of a way to get us out?” Su Hengjing, the youngest of the Marquis Bei’an’s sons, was after all not enough experienced. He felt fearful and unwilling to face the impending fate, so learning that Su Hengyi had sent a message in stirred some excitement in him. Yet after the excitement waned, a sense of disheartenment set in. While he harbored the hope that Su Hengyi could indeed find a way to save him, the prison’s guards were so tightly arrayed, and they were serious criminals specifically designated by Wang Mang—there was simply no possibility of escaping. Moreover, because of the Marquis Mansion’s circumstances, the Second branch of the Su Family hadn’t really expanded into Chang’an, and they hardly had any connections there, let alone any hope of rescue.”
“Jing’er, are you afraid?” Marquis Bei’an looked deeply at his youngest son. Because he didn’t have to inherit the responsibilities of the Marquis Bei’an Mansion and was the youngest child, both he and his wife had spoiled their youngest son quite a bit, unlike the stricter approach they took with his brothers, spoiling him rotten in the end.
“I, Father, I’m not afraid; I’m just somewhat resentful—resigned to be so unjustly framed and killed by that Wang Mang scoundrel. It’s so not worth it.” Su Hengjing might not be as successful as his brother and was a bit more problematic on an average day, but he too had his own pride and didn’t stoop so low as to disgrace the Marquis Bei’an Mansion.
Marquis Bei’an was not completely satisfied with Su Hengjing’s reply, but it was passable. He spoke with a voice of sternness, “Good that you are not afraid, for the sons of Marquis Bei’an should not be cowards who cling to life and fear death. Even if one has to face the executioners’ block, never should one bow to the likes of treacherous dogs. A true man stands tall and proud under the heavens, with no shame before all under heaven, fearing not even death!”
“Father is right. I have learned my lesson. Even if that dog Wang Mang actually kills us, what’s there to fear? In eighteen years, we’ll be men again!” Stirred by his father’s words, Su Hengjing felt a mix of shame and burgeoning heroism in his heart, and death no longer seemed so frightening.
Marquis Bei’an nodded, for this was indeed his son—spoiled somewhat, perhaps, but the true mettle inherited in his bones, something that began early on and couldn’t be undone, would not disgrace the name of Marquis Bei’an Mansion.
“What worries me is not how that scoundrel Wang Mang will deal with us, but the safety of Hengyi. Our Bei’an Mansion may have fallen, but the Su Family has not. As long as the Second branch exists, our family can continue to thrive. Now, Hengyi as the heir of the Second branch is coming to Chang’an to take risks, traveling under Wang Mang’s watchful eye—it’s just not a wise move.”
As the Crown Prince of Beian, Su Hengyuan was raised as the heir to the mansion from a young age. At such a time, he was not worried about his own safety but rather the future prosperity of the Su Family.
Seeing his eldest son like this, Marquis Bei’an felt even more reassured: “Hengyuan’s concerns are valid, but things have come to this point, and worrying is futile. We can’t send any messages out, so we can only take things one step at a time. Hengyi is cautious and experienced; as long as he’s careful, he should avoid falling into Wang Mang’s traps.”
“Father is right. Now we can only wait for news from outside and act accordingly when the time comes. Even at the cost of our own lives, we cannot let Hengyi come to harm,” Su Hengyuan agreed, nodding; the approval on everyone’s faces was evident—they all shared the same view.
The appointed day soon arrived, and Marquis Bei’an and his sons waited anxiously and with concern. Indeed, someone came on time, who switched them out. It was nighttime, and with heads lowered, they didn’t clearly see their surroundings. They simply followed the Servant through a long journey that seemed to take them out of Prison and then boarded a horse carriage. After a jumble of noises, they finally stopped in front of a Small Courtyard.