Chapter 9 (1/2)

We’re almost at the end of the first arc/ execution arc

Chapter Nine

An Unutterable Secret

'Your Excellency, it is time'

Lin Sizheng nodded 'Guards! Restrain the criminal!'

A few guards approached, only to see Jingying's fingers tighten around her whip as she strode forward to stand protectively before Xuanji

As Duan Yuhuan was the couards which had been approaching quickly faltered at the sight of Madam Duan

A crease appeared between Lin Sizheng's brows as he snarled, 'Useless things! Which is more important - the Emperor's decree or this woman before you?'

Dozens of iuards immediately rushed forward One of theive us!'

'Jingying, let go ofher head Her lips were ashen

A stab of sadness filled Jingying Engulfing Xuanji into a tight hug, she cried, 'I will not allow them to touch you, unless I’m dead!'

Xuanji, whose stance was unsteady, could only borrow Jingying's strength to regain her balance Yet she only shook her head, her eyes rerounds

At the sight of Xuanji's de's heart deepened

The cries of the corounds swelled in a crescendo

Furious, Lin Sizheng brandished a hand Several iuards immediately surrounded the tomen

At this moment, Xuanji suddenly exclaimed, 'Yuhuan is here?'

'No, he entered the palace -' Jingying said as she turned her head in the direction of Xuanji's glance

Clenching her jaw, Xuanji i away fro moved to resist, but Xuanji had already crossed the path to stand before execution table

'No!' Jingying shouted, her voice hoarse

Dozens of iuards swarht circle Xuanji was surrounded within the iuards

'Jingying, it isn't that I am brave… I am scared… extremely scared,' Xuanji said softly

Tre, she reached into her robes to retrieve a sers She had kept this ite Fei-li, he had not discovered it

Her shoulders were held within the tight restrains of two guards

Without warning, a swift force speared through the air and the two guards fell to the ground in a muted thump

Shocked, Lin Sizheng immediately turned towards the direction of the sudden force

At the entrance to the execution grounds, the crystalline clear voice of a Eunuch reverberated 'The Emperor and the Empress have arrived'

The resplendent golden of his croas reflected in the sunlight

All the coreeted the Emperor

Two horses entered, their hooves clattering against the grounds, paving way for the imperial palanquin Immediately, two people leapt off their horses, one of whom quickly strode over

At the sight of this newcoave them a short nod and directly hness'

Xuanji knew at once that this was the uards '

But Jingying had already hurried over to stand before Xuanji Duan Yuhuan sighed faintly as he extended his hand to pull his wife into his arms

The Euards At the forefront of the ie stood Xu Xi

A cold stare fell upon her Xuanji s to be oblivious of the presence of the other

Xuanji was not aware of what happened next Her entire ht: he was here

He actually came!

The silence which enveloped the grounds suddenly became overboard

Slowly, she lifted her head

Everyone was kneeling

The snow fell gently in the wind, blanketing the grounds

That e with his hand clasped behind his back, his gaze austere Beside hiant and refined

'Audacious cri before the E's furious voice sounded

Quietly, Xuanji said, 'What happens if I refuse to kneel?'

Lin Sizheng sneered, 'The punish is death'

Xuanji sotten, but I am about to die No matter what I do, I will be dead in moments Why should I kneel? Unless a person can die, twice? If it isn’t so, then you can crush my body and scatter my ashes after I am dead'

Lin Sizheng started

Xuanji could not help the tremble of her voice at her last words Her eyes flickered towards Long Fei-li and she said softly, 'Can I not kneel?'

Long Fei-li's gaze fell upon her He did not say anything, his face blank

With a tinge of regret, the Empress said, 'Xuanji, were it not for your audacity to escape the palace and collude with the Xiongnu, you would not have landed in this state today'

Xuanji smiled, 'Thank you for your kind words of wisdom As for my audacity, I can only say I've been spoilt rotten by His Majesty'

Yu Mixiu flushed 'You -'

The Emperor, who had been silent all these while, smiled faintly and said, 'You may all rise'

In a flurry ofimmediately moved forward and said, 'Your Majesty, it is ti over the execution?'

'You are the presiding official There is no reason to consult me'

Having received the Euards Swiftly, two of the her towards the execution table

Duan Yuhuan and Jingying exchanged a horrified glance Jingying immediately knelt and cried, 'Your Majesty, please be merciful! She cannot die!'