Chapter 9 - Execution (1/2)
Execution
When the Emperor heard that the Empress died due to poison, he became blinded with rage. He had the guards to bring the servant who were responsible to test for the poison over to him so he could ask the servant who paid them himself. So when he saw that it was one of his former concubines, the Emperor had a look of regret. “Why is it you?” was all Qin WuZhen could ask.
“Why can’t it be me?” attendant Xing asked. “Because of the Empress and the fourth prince, I have lost everything. So why can’t I simply collect my debt and take everything away from the Empress?!”
It might be because she knew that she will not survive that she didn’t even show an ounce of respect for the Emperor. This action of hers only made Qin WuZhen become more livid. “Zhen has been too kind in the past. Since you do not appreciate the kindness Zhen have given you, then accept Zhen’s ruthlessness instead!” Qin WuZhen hissed out at attendant Xing and then he gave out his order to one of his personal guard. “Go and get the Crimson Guard! Round up every single member of Xing family. There are no exceptions! Every single one of them will face Zhen’s wrath!”
Despite hearing this, attendant Xing was very calm. At first, Qin WuZhen thought it was because she had already gone crazy but when the Crimson Guards returned with every single family member of Xing family that they could find, he immediately noticed one missing person.
“Where is Xing Xing ChenJi?” Qin WuZhen asked out loud, but none of the member of Xing family answered. “Very good! Not only do you plan to kill the Empress, you also planned to rise up a rebellion?! Do you think that Xing Xing ChenJi has the qualification to the throne?”
Once again, the member of Xing family continued to stay quiet and Qin WuZhen lost all patience. “Throw them all into the dungeon! Make sure they live through tonight. Tomorrow, execute them in public and let their corpse be hanged on the wall of the Imperial City for three months so others can see their ugly sight!”
The entirety of Xing family was hauled to the dungeon and though some had tried to commit suicide, because of the Emperor’s order, they were stopped in time by the guards responsible. The next morning came and they were dragged out one by one. The gate to the outer palace was opened to the public. At the centre of the vast area of the outer court were wooden stage that were made overnight. The stage itself was huge, and above it were several wooden pillars.
The adult men of Xing family were first brought up and tied to the pillars. After that, everyone waited for the Emperor to arrive. It didn’t take long for the Emperor to arrive with his Crimson Guards in tow.
“Your loyal subject sees the Emperor! WanSui! WanSui! WanWanSui!” the citizens who were present all bowed down to the Emperor as they chanted all at the same time. The scene was, in the eye of public, can only be described as magnificent. Yet the Emperor did not show a pleased expression. All they could see were the sorrow within their Emperor’s gaze.
Qin WuZhen kept his eyes cold, and he looked at the Xing family who are now waiting to be executed. “Steward Wong, read the decree,” Qin WuZhen ordered the head eunuch. The head eunuch then bowed his head and went down the marble stairs before going up to the stage. In his hand is a scroll of which he started to read.
“All of you now gathered to witness the execution of the Xing family. Their crime consists of murdering Her Royal Highness, Empress Zhuan XiuYing as well as planning a rebellion against the Emperor. Among other crime includes bribery, having a hand in the salt trades, the weapon trades, trafficking human…” the list of crimes goes on. This was all the crime that the Xing family had accumulated throughout the years but Qin WuZhen turns blind eye on it before. Now that he no longer feels obligated to protect them, he simply laid it out for the public to see. “With all of these crimes, the member of Xing family will be punished by lingchi,” the lists finally end and Steward Wong rolled up the scrolls he has been reading.