Chapter 9 - Execution (2/2)

After the steward finished, the executioners came up to the stage. They each carried their tools of trade and took their place. Then, they bowed to the Emperor and with a wave of the Emperor’s hand, they finally began their execution. It did not take long for the outer court to be filled with pained scream. Those who came to witness, some could only pity the Xing family, while some chastised them in their heart for daring to go against the throne. Those with weaker heart were pale faced and some even fainted.

One can try imagining the pain of being flayed alive. But none that is present can relate to the pain that the member of Xing family is experiencing. When one is dead, another one replaced them. It was a gruesome three hours before the men of Xing family is all dead. By now, the stage is covered in blood; some of the blood had already fallen to the marble ground, spreading towards the spectator.

The executions were stopped for a while as the soldiers brought up the chopping blocks. There were eight blocks altogether and thus, eight women were brought up to the stage and forced down on the chopping block. The executioner by now had already changed their tools into that of a giant axe. One could see how heavy it is by its size alone.

This time, there were barely any scream as the women were beheaded. This time, it didn’t take long and when only attendant Xing was left, the Emperor suddenly stopped the execution. “Let the children drink the poison first. Zhen wants her to see the end of her family.”

The children were powerless to fight against the adult as they were forced to drink the poison. Some of the innocent one only requires a little coaxing and they drank the poison on their own. This scene was enough to cause pain to everyone, and also instil fear within their heart. One by one, the children slowly fell unconscious and then, there is only attendant Xing that is left.

“Qin WuZhen! You said I will see the end of my family! But I did not see ChenJi anywhere!” attendant Xiang screamed out at the Emperor. “As long as ChenJi is alive, my family will live on!”

“It is unfortunate. The former first prince, Xing ChenJi, died during his pursuit,” Qin WuZhen simply said before he gestured at one of his general. The general went forward and lifted up a bloodied shirt belonging to Xing ChenJi. Seeing this, attendant Xiang’s eyes finally lost all life and by the time she had her head on the chopping block she could only scream out in a crazed manner.

The axe fell and her head wobbled down the stage. With that, the executions finally came to an end. “Clean everything up,” Qin WuZhen gave out his order.

“Your Majesty, what about the children?” the one who asked was one of his eight general, General Wu.

“Make sure no one else know they only took a sleeping drug. Divide them up and send them to an orphanage far away from the Imperial City,” the Emperor replied. In the end, Qin WuZhen was not cold hearted enough to kill them so he just had them drink sleeping drug. “As for Xing ChenJi, make sure to find him no matter what!” Qin WuZhen replied. The Emperor had even mobilized his army to find Xing ChenJi but it was to no avail. The young boy is nowhere to be found at all.

“Your Majesty!!” a female servant came running in panic. “His Highness the Crown Prince is locking himself in his room!”