Cao Yang immediately stepped forward.
But the poison acted with terrifying speed. After writhing in agony on the ground for just a few moments, Imperial Son-in-law Cao suddenly stiffened and fell silent.
"Second Brother! Second Brother?!"
Cao Yang knelt in horror, only to find his brother's pupils dilated, a faint smile on his lips—but no breath from his nostrils.
"What a vicious poison!" Chu Huaishan exclaimed.
The magistrate from the Ministry of Justice, who had been lying in ambush inside, emerged and examined the body. His face paled. "It's 'Consort's Smile'!"
Everyone's expressions darkened.
"A single rider's dust brings the consort's smile"—this was a poison from the previous dynasty's inner court, reserved for imperial concubines chosen to accompany the deceased emperor in death.
A lethal blend of red toadstool and heartbreak grass, it killed instantly, leaving the victim with a serene smile—hence its name. The current dynasty had banned it for its cruelty.
"Imperial Son-in-law Cao frequently entered the inner court as Princess Ansheng's consort. It's no surprise he obtained this..." Chu Huaishan murmured.
Cao Yang staggered, and Chu Huaishan steadied him. "Old Cao, are you alright?"
Cao Yang shook his head, shutting his eyes in anguish as he gazed at his lifeless brother.
After a long silence, he said hoarsely, "Take him... take the body back to the Ministry."
"Yes, Your Honor!"
As the magistrate acknowledged, Cao Yang added bitterly, "Don't call me that anymore. After tonight, I... I am no longer your superior."
The magistrate trembled as Cao Yang walked away.
Under the moonlight, his silhouette seemed unbearably solitary.
Exchanging glances with his subordinates, the magistrate knelt with them. "The Ministry of Justice bids farewell to Lord Cao!"
Cao Yang paused slightly but strode on toward the main hall without looking back.
Chu Huaishan sighed. "What a loss. Great Xia has sacrificed another worthy official."
Chu Ruoyan couldn't help asking, "Father, is there truly no way to reverse this?"
Chu Huaishan shook his head grimly. "How? Recall the Marquis of Pingjing—executed for stealing city defense plans, his entire family exiled three thousand li. Imperial Son-in-law Cao's crimes go beyond theft: embezzling military provisions, trading weapons... His quick death is mercy. But the Cao family—especially Old Cao's lifelong work—is ruined."
Suddenly remembering, he asked, "Your aunt—"
Chu Ruoyan answered softly, "She already knows. She said, 'Having married him, I regret neither life nor death.'"
Chu Huaishan sighed deeply. "Fate, then. We can only hope His Majesty considers Old Cao's merit in capturing the traitor. Don't fret—I'll seek Grand Tutor Rong to plead for leniency."
As Chu Ruoyan nodded, a wail erupted from the hall, followed by panicked shouts.
"Old Madam Cao! Old Madam!"
"She's fainted—fetch a physician!"
By the time Chu Ruoyan arrived, chaos reigned.
The Cao brothers and Chu Jing clustered around Old Madam Cao, while Madam Kong, Madam Wang, and their fathers huddled nearby, whispering urgently.
Xue Ling rushed to Chu Ruoyan. "Cousin, is it true? Imperial Son-in-law Cao really—"
At her grim nod, Xue Ling gasped. Before she could speak further, Chu Ruoyan asked, "Where's Princess Ansheng? Why isn't she here?"
Xue Ling blinked. "Shortly after you left, a palace envoy came. Her Majesty the Dowager summoned the princess, so she excused herself to Old Madam and departed."
Departed?
A flicker of unease stirred in Chu Ruoyan.
Not suspicion—just the timing. Imperial Son-in-law Cao dies, and she leaves immediately?
But Old Madam Cao moaned, regaining consciousness.
"Where... where is my second son?"
Her quivering lips called for him. Cao Yang clasped her hand, voice breaking. "Mother, Second Brother... has left us."
For a moment, Old Madam Cao stared vacantly before silent sobs shook her.
No cruelty compares to a parent burying their child.
Then Madam Kong pushed forward. "Elder Brother, is it true? Did Imperial Son-in-law Cao really cause the Yan army's deaths?"
Third Master Cao tried pulling her aside, but Madam Kong shrieked, "Answer me! If it's true, won't our whole family be doomed?"
Old Madam Cao trembled violently. Third Master Cao roared, "Enough! Must you torment Mother now?"
"Now? How can we wait? Remember the Marquis of Pingjing's children—even toddlers were sent to the frontier! I won't suffer that!" Madam Kong clutched his sleeve. "Give me a divorce paper! Let me return to my family—cut ties with the Caos!"
Third Master Cao's eyes blazed. "Madam Kong!!"
She flinched but turned to Madam Wang. "Speak up! Do you want your Xian'er exiled too?"
Madam Wang hugged her daughter, looking pleadingly at Fourth Master Cao but remaining silent.
Madam Kong grew frantic. "I demand divorce papers! Now—"
Slap!
Third Master Cao struck her. "You reveled in Cao wealth—was there ever want? Now at our darkest hour, you'd flee without a second thought? Have you no heart?"
Stunned, Madam Kong whimpered as the Earl of Zhongyuan stepped in. "Son-in-law, must you resort to violence?"
Third Master Cao turned away, seething.
The earl bowed to Cao Yang. "My daughter is willful, but her fears aren't unfounded. As head of the Ministry of Justice, you know the consequences. Since doom is inevitable, why not release her? Rest assured, she'll erect memorial tablets at Guardian Temple—honoring your bond."
The polished words masked cold severance.
Cao Yang thought bitterly of how the earl had fawned over him moments ago. So swiftly does warmth vanish when power fades.
He turned to Censor Wang. "Do you also seek divorce papers?"
The censor sighed, addressing his foster daughter. "The choice is yours."
After hesitation, Madam Wang whispered, "Fourth Master, I'll stay... but Xian'er is so young. Please save her."
Fourth Master Cao shut his eyes—what power had he against imperial wrath?
Then Old Madam Cao spoke hoarsely. "Let them all go. Sons, write the papers. Remove the children from the family register. The Caos will bear this alone."
Madam Kong was overjoyed: "Many thanks to Mother—no, many thanks to Old Madam Cao, many thanks to Old Madam Cao!"
Her sudden shift in demeanor made the Cao family unwilling to spare her even a glance.
Yet at that moment, a calm voice spoke: "I'm not leaving."
