Cheng Yao had no idea what he meant by “something else.” The moment they left, she immediately activated her telekinetic power. “Into the space—all of you!”
Her consciousness trembled within the space. The black soil churned as if it were alive, and ripples spread across the spiritual spring. Everything flew into the space. In less than three breaths, the secret vault was so empty that one could see their own reflection in it.
Cheng Yao licked her lips. “Enjoy your haul, bastard emperor.”
Once she was done, Zhao Chongan brought his guards downstairs. She quickly retreated outside, pulled out a handkerchief to cover her face, and curled up in a corner, pretending to be terrified and on the verge of tears.
Another group of officials arrived from outside. Their leader had a cold, severe face and sharp eyes. His name was Zhou Yan, and he was one of the emperor’s personal guards, notorious for his harshness and ruthlessness.
He held the emperor’s edict aloft and read it in a frigid voice. “By the emperor’s decree: Zhan Haoting, Prince of a Different Surname, has plotted rebellion and committed grave crimes. His estate is to be confiscated immediately, and all members of his family are to be exiled to the bitterly cold frontier, in order to uphold the laws of the empire. So decreed!”
When the people of the Zhan household heard the edict, it was as though thunder had struck them. The entire residence erupted in an uproar.
Old Madam Zhan had already been frightened when Zhao Chongan barged in. Upon hearing this devastating news, her body swayed, and she nearly fainted.
Feng Xianxian hurriedly supported her. Her eyes were filled with disbelief and grief. “This… this is slander! My grandson Haoting has always been loyal. How could he have plotted rebellion? Someone must have framed him!”
Second Master Zhan’s face turned livid. Clenching his fists, he said furiously, “How could His Majesty believe slander and treat the Zhan family this way? Our family has served the imperial court for generations and has never harbored the slightest disloyalty!”
Lady Zhan’s face went deathly pale with fear. She shielded Zhan Qingrou behind her, tears glistening in her eyes, yet she forced herself not to make a sound.
Seeing the reaction of everyone in the residence, Zhou Yan let out a cold snort. “Hmph. The imperial edict has already been issued, yet you still dare to argue? Men, search the place!”
The soldiers charged into every room of the residence like ravenous wolves and began ransacking it.
In an instant, the Zhan estate descended into chaos. Cries, curses, and the sounds of things being smashed blended into one another.
Watching the disorder unfold, Lady Zhan was both furious and frantic.
She knew full well that all of this was aimed at her son.
Holding back her tears, she stepped before Zhou Yan and said righteously, “Lord Zhou, there is still no conclusive evidence that the War King plotted rebellion. Don’t you fear that your actions will lead to a wrongful conviction?”
Zhou Yan cast her a sidelong glance and said disdainfully, “Madam, you would do well to stop wasting your breath. His Majesty is wise and mighty. How could he wrong an innocent man? The crimes committed by Zhan Haoting are proven beyond doubt and leave no room for question.”
Lady Zhan gritted her teeth. “Lord Zhou, I advise you to leave yourself some room to maneuver. Otherwise, you will answer for your actions one day.”
Zhou Yan was enraged. His expression changed as he shouted, “How dare you insult an official of the imperial court! Men, teach her a lesson!”
Two soldiers immediately stepped forward, preparing to strike.
Two of Zhan Haoting’s guards stepped in front of Lady Zhan and glared furiously at the soldiers. “Go ahead and try touching Madam!”
Zhou Yan sneered when he saw this. “Just a pair of lowly guards, yet you dare act so arrogantly? Seize them as well!”
The two guards showed no fear and charged forward, prepared to die. Unfortunately, they were hopelessly outnumbered and were stabbed to death.
“Ah!”
After witnessing the deaths, the members of the Zhan family trembled and did not dare move.
Cheng Yao lowered her eyes, concealing the murderous intent within them.
Zhan Haoting’s men had all been utterly loyal—every one of them a brave veteran of the battlefield. Yet they had died at the hands of these scum. How unfair could Heaven be?
Old Madam Zhan trembled as she walked up to Zhou Yan. “Lord Zhou, the Zhan family has been loyal for generations. How can you be so cruel as to wipe us out completely?”
Zhou Yan sneered repeatedly. “Old Madam, go ask your good grandson what he has done. Though whether he’ll return alive is another matter.”
The moment he finished speaking, Lady Zhan’s eyes rolled back, and she collapsed to the ground.
“Mother!”
Zhan Qingrou embraced Lady Zhan and burst into tears. Zhou Yan slapped her across the face. “What a racket.”
Five distinct finger marks immediately appeared on her fair cheek.
Her eyes filled with hatred. She spat at him. “You corrupt dog of an official!”
Zhou Yan kicked her in the chest. Then he raised his hand to slap her again, but Cheng Yao stepped in front of her.
“The War King has rendered outstanding military service and is the guardian deity of the borderlands. Lord, aren’t you afraid that treating his family this way will chill the hearts of the soldiers stationed at the frontier?”
Zhou Yan narrowed his eyes, but in the end, he did not strike again.
“Zhou Yan, something has changed. Send men to seal off every road immediately.” Zhao Chongan emerged with his saber in hand. The scar on his face twisted, resembling a snake.
“What happened?”
Zhao Chongan whispered something to him. Zhou Yan’s expression changed at once. He selected several men and hurried away.
Zhao Chongan stood over Cheng Yao, looking down at her. “Madam, perhaps you would care to explain where everything in that secret vault has gone?”
“I—I don’t know anything about a secret vault.” Cheng Yao shrank into a ball in panic.
“You dare refuse to tell the truth?” The tip of Zhao Chongan’s saber pressed against her throat.
With the slightest forward thrust, Cheng Yao’s life would end then and there.
“Please investigate carefully, my lord.” Her voice trembled as large tears rolled down her cheeks. “I have been in the residence for less than half a month. I’ve never even touched the keys to the household treasury. As for any secret vault or storeroom, I truly know nothing about them.”
“You’re quite convincing.” Zhao Chongan narrowed his eyes and tapped her face with the blade. The scar on his face twisted with the movement of his lips. “If you refuse to cooperate, you’ll have plenty of suffering waiting for you in the exile camp.”
He waved his hand. “Bind them all! Confiscate all property. They may wear only a single layer of clothing. At dawn tomorrow, send them to the exile camp. Do not give them any food along the way!”
The soldiers swarmed forward. Cries and wails erupted throughout the Zhan household. The sharp crash of overturned tables and chairs, along with the brittle shattering of porcelain, rang out one after another. The entire residence was like a hornet’s nest that had been stabbed open, thrown into utter chaos.
Amid the confusion, Cheng Yao brushed her fingertip across Lady Zhan’s lips, allowing a drop of spiritual spring water to slip into her mouth.
Before long, Lady Zhan slowly regained consciousness.
Zhao Chongan swung his saber and cut down two servants who tried to flee. Raising the bloodstained weapon, he shouted, “Anyone who dares resist will be killed without mercy!”
The scene fell silent for a brief moment.
…
In less than a quarter of an hour, everyone in the Zhan household had been bound tightly and driven out by the soldiers. They were loaded into prison carts.
“Madam, stay strong. We still have a chance.”
Xiao Fu passed by Cheng Yao and whispered those words to her.
Cheng Yao’s footsteps faltered. A soldier behind her roughly shoved her forward. “Move faster!”
She stumbled ahead and nearly fell.
“Stop!”
A handsome young man dressed in white strode toward them and kicked the soldier to the ground.
Another soldier nearby raised his saber to strike, but the young man’s eyes were cold and his bearing righteous. “Though we have unfortunately become prisoners, we will not be bullied by scum like you. Go ahead and strike. Let’s see what becomes of you in the future.”
The soldier raised his blade, then lowered it again. In the end, he did not dare bring it down. Zhan Haoting was a master strategist. Who knew whether he had some contingency plan? And what if the military commanders under him came to settle the score with them?
Cheng Yao’s eyes grew hot with emotion.
The young man was slender, yet he stood firmly before her, protecting her without the slightest hesitation.
