Chapter 643: Chapter 643: Take Her Away
The people didn’t leave; the streets became congested with onlookers gathering around.
After all, even living in the Capital City, it’s rare to encounter such a confiscation, so naturally, people wanted to witness the spectacle before leaving.
Qin Yao usually didn’t like to join in this kind of excitement, but the crowd was too dense for them to leave, forcing them to stay and watch the confiscation.
A few men dressed in Imperial City Department uniforms stepped down from the first two carriages, holding something that looked like a Holy Decree, and strode to the besieged mansion gate, directly ordering someone to break it open.
The people inside were caught completely off guard and were startled. When they saw the Imperial City Department uniforms, their faces turned pale all at once.
Without wasting a word, the black-faced man leading them waved his hand to command a search and confiscation while reading out the harsh decree.
The man’s voice wasn’t loud, and Qin Yao and others were standing a bit far away, only faintly catching phrases like collusion, inciting royal offspring to rebel, and offense to the Holy Emperor.
The last sentence was clear, as his booming voice declared:
"The Holy Emperor shows mercy: The entire Zhu Family, men and women, old and young, shall be exiled three thousand miles, and all property shall be confiscated and turned over to the state, to be executed immediately!"
The sound had barely dropped when wailing from women and children echoed from the mansion. Before long, all the Zhu Family women were driven out at such speed that they weren’t even given time to catch their breath. They were caught and forced out on the spot, and all their luxurious clothes and jewelry were confiscated. The onlookers were shocked.
"Never have I seen such a swift confiscation. The three Zhu men were merely in idle positions compiling books. How did they suddenly end up like this?"
In past confiscations and exiles, it would take at least one or two hours before anyone came out. They would at least give people time to gather some essentials, right?
After all, it’s not as severe as wiping out an entire family. No one could foresee the rise and fall of events in the Capital.
As long as people are alive, there is always a chance for a turnaround.
Over the past two years, the court in the Capital has been tumultuous, and most of the commoners aren’t surprised by much anymore. But today’s spectacle is truly rare.
An elderly man who claimed to be an insider whispered:
"You people know how fiercely those two at the top are competing. With the support of the State Preceptor, the Eastern Palace managed to barely overpower the Princess Mansion. As soon as the Eastern Palace got hold of something against the Princess Mansion, do you think they would be foolish? Of course, they want to strike swiftly to prevent any unforeseen interruptions..."
His words were interrupted by an angry female voice:
"Liu Qian! Being the Imperial City Chief, do you think it’s honorable to bully a group of women and children?!"
The crowd turned to look, seeing a tall woman in blue riding attire gallop toward them.
She swung a horsewhip in front of Imperial City Chief Liu Qian, attempting to knock away his hand holding the wooden restraint.
The unexpected turn of events made the black-faced chief Liu Qian swiftly retreat to avoid the whip.
His eyebrows, broken by scars, furrowed tightly as he coldly stared at the woman in blue attire.
The elderly insider, halfway through his previous comment, clicked his tongue again at the scene, "See, as I said, the Princess Mansion’s people have arrived."
The onlookers were suddenly energized, realizing this confiscation wasn’t straightforward.
Someone curiously asked, "Who is that woman, so fierce, daring to provoke these living King Yan of the Imperial City?"
The old man spoke again, "Who else could it be, the Guard from the Princess Mansion!"
The onlookers were instantly thrilled, realizing the Imperial City’s living King Yan were in trouble.
Meanwhile, Qin Yao, discreetly in the crowd, exchanged a glance with Liu Ji.
In a whisper, Liu Ji asked, "Wife, does that woman in blue look familiar to you?"
Qin Yao nodded and immediately stated a name she was very familiar with: "General Mu Ling."
Excited, Liu Ji patted the small leg of his daughter on his shoulder, "It’s her! It’s her!"
The daughter, Si Niang, yelped in protest, "Dad, why did you hit me?"
Realizing he had gotten carried away, Liu Ji quickly smiled apologetically and coaxed, "It was a mistake, just wanted to scratch my shoulder. I’ll buy you candied haws later~"
Si Niang snorted, "Two sticks!"
Liu Ji raised his large hand, and the little girl quickly extended her small palm for a high-five, reconciling.
After appeasing his angry daughter, Liu Ji looked back to see the Zhu Family ladies had put back on their luxurious clothes.
In front of Mu Ling, Liu Qian dared not speak even if irritated, for who would dare offend the powerful Princess?
But wasn’t the Princess afraid of implicating herself by obviously siding with her subordinates?
Collusion is the Holy Emperor’s most detested issue at the moment!
Mu Ling ordered those from the Imperial City Department, who were moving items outside, to let the Zhu Family women gather their essentials.
She apologized to the Old Madam Zhu in a soft voice, "There’s no way back from the exile, but Her Highness will not let those loyal to her lose hope. Arrangements have been made for Mr. Zhu and his sons; they will be cared for, so don’t give up. As long as people are alive, there is still hope!"
Emphasizing "hope," the demoralized face of the Old Madam Zhu brightened slightly.
In her fifties or sixties, she almost knelt in gratitude for the Princess’s benevolence.
Mu Ling hurriedly supported her and gave Liu Qian and others a dark, knowing glance, making the Old Madam realize it wasn’t wise to be overly expressive.
With this brief respite, the Zhu Family had more time to hide a few valuables and essentials for their 3,000-mile exile, offering a bit more hope along the way.
Thinking of this, the Zhu Family women felt even more grateful to the Princess.
Mu Ling stood at the Zhu Family’s gate with an imposing presence, blocking like one man against a thousand. The Imperial City Department’s men looked at each other, then at their leader.
Liu Qian’s face was as black as the bottom of a pot, but he remained calm, stepping forward to negotiate with Mu Ling.
Unexpectedly, she was steadfast, blocking the door and coldly demanding:
"It’s merely a quarter of an hour, Liu Qian; can’t you wait? Do you need Her Highness to come personally?"
Liu Qian took a deep breath and squeezed out, through gritted teeth, "Then forgive my impudence!"
He then reached out to grab Mu Ling’s arm, intending to drag her away.
But Mu Ling wasn’t one to be trifled with; after a dodge and retreat, the two stalemated again.
Seeing no break in the situation, the reinforcements Liu Qian had secretly sent for finally arrived.
"Make way, make way!"
A small team of guards suddenly rushed in, pushing through the crowd to the gate of the Zhu Mansion.
Bai He, casually dressed, stepped out from the guards, approaching Mu Ling blocking the gate. She stood her ground, disdainfully raising her chin to glance at him.
"Oh, it’s none other than Lord He, the State Preceptor’s top lapdog!"
Normally composed, Bai He’s eyebrow only twitched, directly showing the East Palace Token:
"We are acting on orders; take her away!"
With Bai He’s gesture, four guards rushed forward to drag Mu Ling out.
At that moment, a dignified voice of a woman rang out: "Lord He, let’s leave dealing with my own people to me."
