Chapter 111: The court in an uproar, resentment gathers again, Gu Jin Nian sees off the hardship [Seeking monthly ticket]

Not a single one survived.

Just four simple words, yet they left everyone present dumbfounded.

Over six thousand lives!

Exactly over six thousand lives!

Even this is only what was seen.

And there are those not seen.

And there are those that cannot be seen.

This means over six thousand families are torn apart.

"Damn bastard!"

"Damn bastard!"

At this moment, an official not lacking in courage spoke up; his eyes were about to burst, he looked at the officials who had not yet been beheaded, pointing at their noses and loudly roared.

Not far away, Gu Ningya also took a deep breath.

He had become the Commandant of the Suspension Lamp Office; over the years, what unjust and tragic cases had he not experienced? But this kind of case, he had never heard of before, never even heard of it; I fear this may be one of the greatest unjust cases of the Yongsheng Era.

Over six thousand children died unjust deaths, not a single one survived.

A surge of blood rushed from his chest to his head.

Wails, sorrowful cries, those sounds echoed throughout this street at this moment.

When the people heard that their children had no hope of survival.

The hope in their eyes was utterly extinguished.

The expectation in their eyes also vanished at this moment.

Some wailed madly, some knelt on the ground, some were in tattered clothes, some had disheveled hair.

The weeping sounded like thunder.

Some cried out but could not shed tears, for they had wept too long and too many times.

Each time they saw hope, they would recklessly search for their children.

No matter if it was the ends of the earth or the farthest corners.

Wherever their legs could carry them, they would go search, for those were their children.

The children they had raised through hardship.

The children they had borne after ten months of pregnancy.

But now, Gu Jin Nian has told them the truth.

Leaving them in despair.

Such despair is unbearable for ordinary people.

Gu Jin Nian never dared to raise his head, for he feared facing these people, feared facing those full of hope yet ultimately driven to despair by his own hand.

At this moment.

Gu Jin Nian felt a sourness in his nose.

His eye sockets instantly moistened, tears fell, and the people's weeping filled his ears.

But in his mind was the image of these children dying in a spider's web.

Gu Jin Nian drew a deep breath, yet his body trembled uncontrollably.

Were these children related to him? No.

But Gu Jin Nian is a person, a normal person; he cannot bear to see the people's suffering, nor could he endure such a human tragedy—if only he had come earlier.

If only he could have rushed here immediately after seeing the files.

Perhaps he could not save all the children.

But he could save some.

Even if only a small part, surely better than none surviving? 'My child!'

"How could you suffer so much fate? It's Mother's fault for letting you down, Mother's fault for letting you down."

"My daughter, is she really dead? Sir, please help me, please help me, I only have this one daughter, please help me."

"Please, sir, let us see them one last time; please, sir."

The weeping sounded like thunder.

At a glance, who knows how many people knelt on the ground, begging Gu Jin Nian for aid.

They did not believe their children were dead.

They still harbored fantasies, believing their children were still alive, hoping Gu Jin Nian would continue the investigation until he found their children.

But, but, more of it was weeping.

More of it was numbness.

More of it was despair.

More of it was grief-stricken despair.

In fact, many people already knew their children might no longer be among the living.

Many also knew their children might have been sold abroad as slaves.

But this was only the worst-case scenario, at the moment when the matter had not yet been settled.

They still held hope.

They still clung to the last shred of hope.

But, now.

Gu Jin Nian gave them despair, gave them the utmost cruelty.

This is a burden too heavy for anyone to bear.

This is also a pain too great for anyone to endure.

Listening to the people's wails.

Gu Jin Nian's tears kept falling.

He could not raise his head.

He could not face these folk.

He harbored hatred, an endless hatred.

He hated! He hated these officials who concealed and failed to report, he hated their collusion.

If only.

If only they had informed the court sooner.

If only.

If someone had stood up and spoken out.

If only.

If the world had just a little less darkness, so many children would not have suffered such cruel fates.

But.

No matter what is said, everything has already been decided.

At this moment.

Gu Jin Nian could not hold back his emotions; he bowed his head, but his voice roared like a beast.

"Xu Jin, hear my order!"

"Execute all the chief officials of Jiangling Commandery by slow slicing, at the Heir Apparent's command."

"Execute all the chief officials of Bailu Prefecture by slow slicing, at the Heir Apparent's command."

"Execute all the monks of Qingyuan Temple by slow slicing, at the Heir Apparent's command."

"I, the Heir Apparent, will bear this alone."

"The heavens have fallen; I, Gu Jin Nian, will bear it alone."

"Anyone who dares to obstruct will be slain by the Heir Apparent."

Gu Jin Nian spoke, his voice roaring with anger.

"Your humble subordinate!"

"I obey!"

At this moment, Xu Jin's voice rang through the streets.

He is a man of iron will; at this moment he could not help but tear up, for he too has children and can feel the people's suffering.

If one's child vanished suddenly, and after years of desperate search the result—even if sold—could be accepted, for at least someday they might meet again.

But death, they cannot accept, nor can I.

At this moment his voice thundered; the order was as firm as a mountain, but more importantly it was the anger in his heart.

All the troops were stirred; they gripped their weapons tight, eyes brimming with tears, hatred, and immense anger.

Even the onlookers, each hearing the voice, shed tears; they had originally come to watch the spectacle.

But seeing that someone nearby had also experienced this, they naturally felt emotion; yet when they saw the parents who had lost their children wailing loudly,

They too could not help but tear up; each person knelt on the ground, some clutching their children tightly.

"Please, Heir Apparent, uphold justice for us commoners and return justice to us."

The people all knelt down together, of their own accord.

This kneeling,

not because of Gu Jin Nian's authority,

This kneeling,

not because of fear or dread,

but rather a sincere hope that Gu Jin Nian would redress the people's grievances, would redress the commoners' grievances.

A tragic case,

This is a human tragedy.

"Your Highness the Heir Apparent, Zhou He and the others must be dealt with by the Emperor; you must not do this. I know you are wholeheartedly for the people, but the state has its laws, the family its rules—this must not be handled rashly."

An official from the Ministry of Justice spoke, he too shed tears, he too pitied the parents, but before the law no one may trample.

But as soon as these words were spoken,

Gu Jin Nian was unmoved.

Xu Jin and the others were even more overbearing, directly detaining Zhou He and the others on the spot, intending to execute them.

"Gu Jin Nian."

"No matter what, Da Xia has its laws; this is the foundation of the state, you cannot act thus."

"Today, with this Prince present, you cannot kill these people."

The voice of Prince Qilin rang out.

At this critical moment, Prince Qilin still sought to protect Zhou He and the others.

Whether it is a human tragedy or not, he cannot attend to it.

Those who have reached this position have long been hearts of iron and stone.

He must protect Zhou He and the others.

The reason for his protection, no one knows.

But it was this sentence that struck Gu Jin Nian's hidden dragon scale.

This moment.

Gu Jin Nian lifted his head; flames seemed about to burst from his eyes as he stared fixedly at Prince Qi Lin.

"Prince Qi Lin."

"You are not a son of a man."

"The White Heron Residence suffered such a mortal tragedy; it's one thing that you were not alert beforehand, but today you still dare to shield these officials."

"Did you take part in this matter?"

"Prince Qi Lin, widen your dog eyes and look—these people, can you answer for them?"

"You, as a Da Xia non‑royal king, enjoy Da Xia's grace, yet you prey on the common folk and do nothing for them; you truly are a beast."

Gu Jin Nian could no longer endure.

This Prince Qi Lin, from the start, openly intended to favor these corrupt officials.

Gu Jin Nian held his tongue.

His restraint was not due to Prince Qi Lin's status, but because he wanted to rescue those children.

But what he didn't expect was.

Not a single one survived.

Not a single one survived.

At this point, Prince Qi Lin still speaks like this—does he still count as a human? Does he still count as a human?

Hearing Gu Jin Nian's insult, Prince Qi Lin's face turned cold.

He replied coldly.

"The law of the state is supreme."

It was the simplest answer, and also the most forceful.

Indeed.

No matter what occurs, the court must handle it; the higher the official rank, the more it must be dealt with by the court.

Gu Jin Nian has no authority.

"Fuck the law of the state."

"Today, I, Gu Jin Nian, will defy the state law and the imperial decree."

"No one can stop me."

"All generals, obey the command."

"The troop talisman and the Dragon Talisman are in my hand; a matter of great magnitude shall be shouldered by this Crown Prince."

"If any of you still have a drop of bloodlust, if any of you have even a hint of compassion, kill for me!"

"Wang Peng, this Crown Prince will grant you an additional thirty thousand troops; we will investigate and punish severely. In Jiangling County, many officials are involved."

"Anyone who conceals or fails to report, regardless of rank, shall be beheaded on the spot!"

"If anyone participated, regardless of rank, their entire family shall be executed, and they shall be subjected to lingchi death!"

Gu Jin Nian produced the Dragon Talisman and the Mountain Chief troop talisman.

Today,

he will defy the state law and the imperial decree.

If this resolve is swallowed,

is he still a human?

Or a son of a man? Human hearts are flesh; Gu Jin Nian is not here to be a hero, nor to flaunt his might.

He.

Acts according to his conscience.

He.

Follows the way of the scholar.

To do good.

To uphold the justice within his heart.

With these words,

Wang Peng took the troop talisman, his face resolutely firm, his eyes moist, clutching the talisman tightly, and roared loudly.

"The junior general obeys the command."

"Crown Prince, rest assured; I, Wang Peng, will handle my part of this matter."

"If the Crown Prince is punished for this, the junior general is willing to follow him, to the Yellow Springs together, for the righteousness in his heart."

Wang Peng was a rough man, never having read books, yet at this moment he was infected by Gu Jin Nian.

In his gaze lay incomparable resolve.

He himself took part in this matter: first, because of Gu Jin Nian's military order; second, because he himself could not endure it.

As Wang Peng spoke, Xu Jin's voice also rang out at this moment.

"If the Crown Prince is punished for this, the junior general is willing to follow him, to the Yellow Springs together."

Xu Jin's voice also sounded.

The aura of the two generals infected countless people; in an instant, all the Mountain Chief troops' soldiers spoke in unison.

"If the Crown Prince is punished for this, we are willing to follow him, to the Yellow Springs together."

Voices rose one after another.

This moment.

Gu Jin Nian is no longer a single person.

Rather, a group of people.

A group of soldiers.

A group of soldiers whose hearts burn with passion and justice.

Soldiers.

Iron‑bony and resolute.

They fear no death.

Only fear! To die without purpose.

In an instant, the troops moved like thunder and wind, capturing those who should be captured, killing those who should be killed.

Zhou He was bound tightly in a five‑flower knot; no matter how he shouted or struggled, it was of no avail.

Qi Lin Wang stared silently.

At this moment, he said nothing more.

Because.

Gu Jin Nian not only won the people's hearts.

More importantly, he won the soldiers' hearts.

Gaining the soldiers' loyalty is what astonishes him.

Those who win the people's hearts simply serve the people.

But winning the soldiers' hearts is far too difficult.

A general, who must face life and death, be brave and skilled in battle, needs ten years, even decades, to earn the soldiers' approval.

But Gu Jin Nian.

Has obtained that recognition.

If Gu Jin Nian can still survive, then in the future he will not merely succeed the Marquis's position.

This matter will inevitably spread, and by then all Da Xia soldiers will know a man named Gu Jin Nian.

He would rather sacrifice his title, even his life, to avenge the people and bring them blessings.

Most soldiers have no official rank; their parents are commoners, and their children are also ordinary civilians.

One who wins the people's hearts.

Gains everything.

Gu Jin Nian cannot live.

He must not survive.

At this moment, Qi Lin Wang deeply knows that if Gu Jin Nian does not die, the Da Xia Dynasty will inevitably give rise to a godlike being.

He will not allow it.

He does not want such a person to appear.

He will spare no effort, mobilize all his power, pressure the court, and have Gu Jin Nian executed.

Soon.

A horribly piercing scream rang out.

A slow execution is the most dreadful punishment.

But the executioners are few; Gu Jin Nian directly let the soldiers act, slicing his flesh with knives piece by piece, then using spiritual elixir to suspend his life, lest he die too quickly.

"Lord Gu, please quickly persuade the Crown Prince; if you stand down now, you can still offset merits and faults."

"If this continues, the various feudal princes will pressure the court, and even a Marquis won't be able to protect the Crown Prince."

Someone from the Execution Department spoke up, urging Gu Leng to go and persuade Gu Jin Nian.

However, upon hearing this.

Gu Leng's gaze was utterly calm.

"The Gu Family has always been one."

"We bear the greatest calamities."

"Jin Nian, there is no mistake."

Gu Leng spoke.

In three simple sentences, he expressed his intention.

If, before the incident occurred, he would have persuaded Gu Jin Nian.

Because this concerns the greater Gu cause.

But after Gu Jin Nian did so much, Gu Leng became more open‑minded.

No matter how huge the matter, the Gu Family can bear it.

If they cannot bear it.

Then they will go to the Yellow Springs together.

In the Gu Family, none are cowardly.

Only, Gu Leng did not expect that his own nephew would have such a spirit.

Well! Truly a Gu Family son.

The eldest has a fine son.

He has given the Gu Family a good son.

Gu Leng clenched his fists; his joy and anger did not show on his face, but now he could not help cheering for Gu Jin Nian in his heart.

Cheering for his own nephew.

In the distance, the Gentle Cloud Fairy stood on the pavilion, taking in all this with her eyes, and she remained silent.

In her eyes, a strange emotion appeared.

As for the Jade Pool Fairy, she also stood on the roof, silently watching all this.

Gu Jin Nian's every move entered her sight and was forever etched in her heart.

Only because.

Everything Gu Jin Nian did and every word he spoke truly came from the heart.

But just then.

After the order was given.

In an instant, Gu Jin Nian's vision went black and he fainted outright.

"Crown Prince, Crown Prince."

"Jin Nian, Jin Nian, what's wrong with you?"

Many people rushed forward to support Gu Jin Nian, especially Gu Ningya, who appeared extremely anxious.

Meanwhile, Su Huaiyu did a brief check and then let out a long breath.

"Nothing serious, but the Crown Prince needs rest; he has been through too much."

Su Huaiyu spoke, and everyone breathed a sigh of relief.

Thus.

Gu Jin Nian was also sent to rest.

Wei Xian approached Gu Ningya and said.

"Sir Gu, this servant must first return to the capital to report; this matter must be made known to the emperor quickly, otherwise if someone interferes, trouble may arise."

Wei Xian spoke, he could not wait to return to the capital.

Gu Jin Nian repeatedly violated regulations, provoked the state; this is no small matter, although there were reasons, indeed the state has its laws and the family its rules.

If the emperor is not informed early, fear that petty people will slander and cause trouble.

"Good."

"Thank you for the trouble, eunuch."

Gu Ningya nodded and slipped a banknote to him, hoping he would say a few good words.

But Wei Xian directly refused; if it were usual, he would have accepted.

But now, he refused.

"Please rest assured, Sir Gu, I will answer this matter truthfully."

"The Crown Prince's actions, this servant deeply admires and feels ashamed; I will fulfill my duty in this matter, considering it as helping these poor people one last time."

"Following one's true heart."

Wei Xian refused.

Gu Jin Nian's actions moved him; this money must not be taken, acting according to one's true heart is enough.

"Many thanks, eunuch."

Gu Ningya expressed thanks, and at the same time assigned five hundred elite guards from the Lantern Office to protect the way.

Then Wei Xian hurriedly left, but just as he was leaving, Su Huaiyu handed him a memorial and said.

"Hand it to the emperor."

"Secret order."

Su Huaiyu spoke lightly.

Wei Xian glanced at him, said nothing more, and left directly.

Thus.

Prince Qilin also left the scene.

The matter had come to this point, which he could not control; he wanted to leave and do many things.

Soon.

Apart from the anguished cries of Zhou He and others, all that remained were the wails of the people, the people's wails.

Until the next day.

Wei Xian almost nonstop rode at top speed to the capital, running dozens of warhorses to death, almost a desperate dash.

That night.

Wei Xian entered the palace.

He rushed into the hall.

Then he reported to the emperor, item by item, what had happened at White Egret Manor.

Inside the Hall of Nurturing Heart.

Upon hearing Wei Xian's words, Emperor Yongsheng rose to his feet.

His face showed shock and disbelief.

"Not a single one survived?"

"You mean, in Jiangling Prefecture, the missing children—none survived?"

Emperor Yongsheng could not believe it.

He knew that many children had gone missing in Jiangling Prefecture, but he never expected that not a single one would survive.

"Your Majesty, this is the memorial that Su Huaiyu entrusted to this servant; please review it."

Wei Xian spoke.

He handed the memorial to Emperor Yongsheng.

The Yongsheng Emperor received the memorial.

Then, under the candlelight, he examined it carefully.

After finishing reading, the Yongsheng Emperor's eyes blazed with fury, a tremendous fury.

"Beast."

"Beast."

"Beast!"

The Yongsheng Emperor clenched his fists, and Su Huaiyu wrote everything down in the memorial, including his conjectures and various matters.

Very thoroughly.

Thus, after reading the memorial, the Yongsheng Emperor trembled with anger.

He had thought it was merely officials covering for each other, trafficking children for profit, but he never imagined that behind it lay a tremendous matter.

The very foundation of the state might be destroyed.

But at that very moment, Liu Yan came rushing over.

"Your Majesty."

"All the commandery governors, prefects, the Northwest Two Regions, all feudal princes, and marquises have jointly submitted a memorial."

Liu Yan appeared, bringing a large number of memorials.

The Yongsheng Emperor took the memorials and examined them one by one.

The more he read, the worse his expression became.

The more he read, the grimmer his countenance grew.

The contents of all the memorials were almost identical.

Gu Jin Nian disregarded the law, ignored state statutes, repeatedly provoked, and they begged that he be put to death.

Some of the more fervent ones even listed Gu Jin Nian's ten major crimes.

Put bluntly, they believed that no matter what happened, it should be handled by the Ministry of Punishments, by Your Majesty—whether execution or exile, even death by a thousand cuts.

Yet no matter what, it was not Gu Jin Nian's place to point fingers here.

What Gu Jin Nian did was trample the Da Xia royal law underfoot; if this were left unchecked, the Da Xia Dynasty would cease to exist.

A state without law,

has no root.

If it has no root,

it will surely perish.

These were still the milder ones; some feudal princes, Prince Zhou, and Prince Qilin went further, directly questioning him: did Gu Jin Nian's actions constitute usurpation? Clearly, they meant that if it did not, then they would act likewise in the future, to see whether the Da Xia Dynasty could endure it; but if it did, then Gu Jin Nian must be punished, and certainly with the death penalty.

This is applying pressure.

Pressuring the imperial court.

The Yongsheng Emperor understood at a glance.

"A pack of beasts."

The Yongsheng Emperor gripped the memorial in his hand, realizing that among this group there must be someone who knows why Gu Jin Nian acted this way.

But what he understood even more clearly was that, precisely because they knew, they had to have him order Gu Jin Nian's execution.

But, is that possible?

That is impossible.

Gu Jin Nian wholeheartedly serves the people; even if he were not the grandson of the State-Protecting Duke, it would still be impossible to kill him.

However.

The present situation has become extremely complex, and now he faces a dilemma before him.

To protect Gu Jin Nian,

would mean losing the foundation of the state, having the law trampled at will, which is unacceptable.

Not protecting Gu Jin Nian,

is absolutely impossible.

The real trouble has arrived.

It stems from Gu Jin Nian's greatest trouble.

"Please summon Mr. Wenjing at once."

The Yongsheng Emperor did not look at the later memorials, but instead had Liu Yan go fetch Mr. Wenjing.

Half an hour later.

Su Wenjing hurried over.

He seemed to have learned much; upon entering the imperial hall, he first paid his respects.

And the Yongsheng Emperor handed the memorial to Su Wenjing to examine.

Su Wenjing merely glanced at it casually.

Then he spoke slowly.

"Your Majesty."

"The state's foundation comes first; punish Jin Nian, escort him back to the capital, and decide the sentence as appropriate."

Su Wenjing spoke, his face calm.

Upon hearing this, the Yongsheng Emperor could not help but frown.

"Mr. Wenjing, what do you mean by this?"

He did not understand; to punish Gu Jin Nian, escort him back to the capital—given Gu Jin Nian's deeds, it would surely be a death sentence.

"Send him to prison."

"Your Majesty, you cannot protect him in this matter; only the people's hearts can keep him safe."

"Only in this way, we neither disrupt the state foundation nor fail to complete the plan."

"After this, Gu Jin Nian can truly transform, gaining a saintly foundation."

"Su Wenjing was very indifferent."

"All of this was the plan of him, Emperor Yongsheng, and the Duke of Zhen Guo."

"The dossiers selected from the Ministry of Punishments."

"And everything up to the present."

"Although there were some discrepancies, Gu Jin Nian has settled down."

"Without hardship, how can one grow."

"He intends to make Gu Jin Nian grow."

"A true metamorphosis."

"Upon receiving this answer, Emperor Yongsheng nodded, seeming to understand what Su Wenjing intended to do."

"Very well."

"Emperor Yongsheng took a deep breath, then spoke slowly."

"Convey my decree."

"Court of Judicial Review, Ministry of Punishments, Suspended Lamp Office, continue a thorough investigation of this case; all implicated officials shall be severely punished without mercy."

"Although Gu Jin Nian is a commoner, he has provoked the state foundation and trampled the law; within seven days, he shall be escorted back to the capital and handed over to the Ministry of Punishments for sentencing."

"Emperor Yongsheng spoke."

"He issued this decree."

"When the decree was transmitted, it instantly alarmed many within the palace."

"No one expected such a result."

"They did not know what had happened, and instinctively thought that the Emperor would sentence Gu Jin Nian to death."

"But."

"In the deep of night."

"Gu Jin Nian remained in a comatose state."

"Inside the room—utterly quiet."

"At this moment."

"Streams of resentment surged into Gu Jin Nian's body."

"Like during the flood in Jiangning Commandery."

"A massive tide of resentment reappeared."

"Ordinary people cannot see it."

"As the terrifying resentment merged into Gu Jin Nian's body."

"The ancient tree at that moment also emitted an uncanny glow."

"And Gu Jin Nian's consciousness."

"Gradually sank deeper."

"Night."

"The sky was as black as ink."

"When Gu Jin Nian's consciousness began to awaken."

"A figure appeared not far away."

"It was a woman."

"She walked through the forest, holding a torch, and spoke in a hushed voice."

"Ping Er."

"Ping Er."

"Ping Er."

"The shout echoed; the woman seemed to be searching for someone, and she walked for a very long time."

"All the way until dawn."

"Sweat dotted the woman's forehead; she searched all night but did not find her child."

"But dawn arrived."

"She did not return to rest, but headed toward the county yamen."

"She arrived at the county yamen."

"The woman, as usual, was exceedingly humble, asking the officials whether her daughter had been found."

"However, the response was one of impatience."

"\"Your daughter has been missing for two months; you come to the office every day. We will inform you as soon as there is news. \""

"\"You come every day; aren't you a nuisance? \""

"The clerk handling the case was somewhat displeased, scolding loudly."

"Hearing this, the woman snickered twice and repeatedly apologized."

"\"Officer, please keep looking; if you find her, I will make myself a cow or a horse for you in my next life. \""

"\"Officer, keep this handful of silver for yourself. \""

"The woman was exceedingly humble."

Moreover, they gave the little silver they had on them to the other party.

The other party glanced at the silver, somewhat disdainful, but still accepted it, waving a hand impatiently.

"All right, all right, I'll let you know if there's any news."

With just that sentence, they were simply brushed off.

Thus, the woman slowly left the county office, her face full of fatigue, but her eyes filled with hope, hoping that one day her daughter would be found.

But she still didn't sleep; instead, she went to a wealthy household to ask for some clothes, then went to the riverbank to wash them.

She washed them for over two hours.

The woman returned the clothes, and incidentally asked for a bowl of water; the steward, feeling somewhat pitiful, had a servant bring some leftover food and gave her twenty cash coins.

After receiving the copper coins, the woman thanked them, then found a quiet place and slowly fell asleep.

Two hours later.

The woman, just as yesterday, continued to begin searching.

Just like that.

Day after day.

Month after month.

The money she earned was taken to bribe the officials.

She endured wind and dew, having no lodging; to smooth relations, she sold her only dwelling.

But every day she would return home to look, fearing her daughter might come back, only to find the home gone.

Her husband had died years earlier.

However, she had a daughter, but just a few days ago, the daughter suddenly went missing.

During this time, she has been searching.

But this day.

The woman inadvertently heard that after the officials took the money, they didn't go look for anyone at all, and moreover spoke some cold-hearted remarks.

Such as estimating that she had already been sold long ago, and that her daughter was still lovely, fearing she had become someone else's child bride, and so on.

Upon hearing this, the woman flew into a rage and got into a fight with those officials.

But the eventual result was that she was beaten twenty times with a rod, thrown into a cell, and endured two months of a life worse than death.

She wept in pain every day.

Not because of the beating and scolding.

Nor because she couldn't endure hardship.

But because being here prevented her from searching for her daughter; she feared that if her daughter returned, and she wasn't home, the daughter would go missing again.

After enduring two months, she was released from prison.

After leaving prison, she immediately went to ask the neighbors; the answer she got was still the same.

Therefore, as usual, she went day after day to search, day after day to search.

Until one day, she heard that a prominent figure from the capital was coming to White Egret Prefecture.

The woman paid attention to this information.

Waiting for the right moment, she disguised herself and went to the restaurant to deliver dishes.

Indeed.

She saw the prominent figure, she saw the capital's prominent figure.

But before she could finish speaking, the officials pressed her to the ground, her arms about to be twisted off.

Pain.

Heart-piercing pain.

Yet she still had to finish speaking, for she knew this might very well be her only hope.

The sole hope of finding her daughter.

And in the end, she was imprisoned once again.

But what surprised her was that this time she wasn't detained long—just one day—and then she was released.

For a moment, she thought this high official wanted to see her.

She was very eager, she was very excited, she seemed to see hope.

She could hardly fall asleep.

As if she could see her daughter tomorrow.

Finally.

Two days later.

One midnight.

When she woke up as usual.

Not far away, a bundle appeared.

The woman was curious and opened the bundle.

After she unpacked the bundle.

She stood there, stunned.

These were severed limbs.

Bloody.

Under the moonlight, she was frightened, her whole body trembling.

But when she looked closely, a familiar scar appeared on the arm—a burn scar from hot water, which she remembered very clearly.

It is her daughter's.

This moment.

The woman's whole body was icy cold.

She stared blankly at all of this.

Her daughter had died.

She had painfully searched for her daughter for such a long time.

Unexpectedly, she had died.

Moreover, she was even sent over dismembered.

Ah!!!!!!!

A mournful, sobbing sound rose up.

This kind of sound is like a ghost's wail; only when sorrow reaches its extreme can such a sound be produced.

Ping'er.

My Ping'er.

My Ping'er.

The woman sat on the ground, bending her waist.

Because of heartache.

The agonizing pain.

She suddenly couldn't cry out, her throat tightened, and she could only gasp for breath.

The person's entire spirit also collapsed completely at this moment.

Ah!!!!!!!!!!

She went mad.

She went mad.

Her gaze was completely empty, filled with fear, dread, and despair.

The crying pierced the night's silence.

It also pierced Gu Jin Nian's heart.

Watching all of this.

Gu Jin Nian also couldn't help but shed tears.

Gu Jin Nian knew this woman; she was the woman he had seen before.

At this moment, Gu Jin Nian could fully understand the woman's inner emotions.

Heart.

Painful to the point of being unable to breathe.

Gu Jin Nian bent over.

He shed tears, pain making him desperate, pain making his whole body tremble.

This is the greatest tragedy in the world.

She lost her husband early in life, and lost her son in middle age.

Gu Jin Nian regretted.

He regretted endlessly.

Why, at that time, did he not lend a hand?

Why, at that time, did he have to worry about so much?

But Gu Jin Nian also understood that even if he had intervened then, her child was already dead.

The next moment.

The scene vanished.

It was a man.

His name was Zhang Ming.

He was a soldier who had been on the battlefield.

He had now retired from service and returned home.

This day.

He returned home and shared a meal with his wife and children, filled with great joy.

Late at night, he further discussed with his wife, using the silver he had brought back, to let her open a porridge shop to earn a little money for a living, while he would go on to become a constable, also gaining some income.

Although they were poor.

Although it was bitterly cold,

But the couple, gazing at their daughter sleeping soundly on the bed, felt joy and affection in their eyes.

However.

Only a few days passed.

Their child disappeared.

They searched desperately for two days, yet found not a single clue.

They went to report to the authorities.

They then went to search themselves.

One day.

Ten days.

One month.

There were no clues.

In the end, the wife, unable to bear the pressure, hanged herself.

Zhang Ming was grief-stricken; he also wanted to follow his wife to the underworld, but he wanted more to find his own child.

After burying the wife,

Zhang Ming began searching for the child, but there was never any news, never any clue at all.

Even Zhang Ming went to Qingyuan Temple to pray for blessings.

This is ridiculous.

His child was right below, already dead.

But he was still here praying for blessings.

Later, Zhang Ming drank to forget his worries every day.

He constantly thought about suicide.

But because of the child, he still chose to persevere.

Until one day.

Wang Yuanwai suddenly found him and told him he could find his daughter, the condition being the deed.

Zhang Ming had no words, but he also feared being deceived.

As a result, Wang Yuanwai produced the child's silver bracelet; at that moment he was overjoyed, and he sold the deed to Wang Yuanwai for ten taels of silver.

Afterward, he went to his wife's grave, loudly wailing with joy.

"Found it."

"Su Su, it's found—I found our daughter."

"Su Su, if only you had persevered."

"Su Su, it's my failure—I only found her now."

"Rest assured, when our daughter comes back, I will raise her to adulthood; after she marries, I will come to find you."

"Su Su, I miss you so much."

Zhang Ming, saying this, began to cry.

His wife did not disdain his hardship.

His wife did not disdain his serving as a soldier abroad.

But he himself failed to give his wife a decent life, even losing their daughter.

He felt guilty and sorrowful.

But everything eventually turned out well.

He returned home and waited for news.

One day.

Two days.

Three days.

Wang Yuanwai did not come to look for him.

At this moment, Zhang Ming went to Wang Yuanwai's home, but all he received was humiliation.

They simply couldn't be found; it was merely a ruse to obtain the deed.

Zhang Ming went mad.

He ran to the county office to sue Wang Yuanwai.

But he got a beating, was stripped of his official position, and was imprisoned.

During this time, his will sank.

But he persevered.

It went on for a long time.

Zhang Ming was released.

Under the moonlight.

He immediately went to Wang Yuanwai's home.

But he did not commit violence.

Instead, he came before Wang Yuanwai and directly kowtowed.

"Please, please, show mercy; just tell me where my child is, I can go look myself."

"Please, I would serve you as an ox or horse for the rest of my life; please help me find my daughter."

"Yuanwai sir, please show mercy."

Zhang Ming knelt on the ground, crying out.

However.

The response he got was indifference.

Besides indifference,

it was just indifference.

In the end, he was knocked unconscious.

When he woke up again, he was already in prison.

He was tortured into a false confession.

He signed and affixed his seal.

Eleven days later.

Rushing to the execution ground.

He looked at these officials, looked at all this, and let out an angry laugh.

He had devoted his best years to the Da Xia Dynasty, gone to the battlefield to kill enemies, yet never imagined he would end up like this.

He laughed.

He laughed at these officials, who had searched for his daughter for months without finding a single clue.

He laughed.

He laughed at how officials protected each other, killing him in just eleven days.

Hahahaha.

Su Su, it's my inadequacy; I couldn't retrieve our daughter.

Su Su, in the Yellow Springs, I have no face to meet you.

Carrying the final sorrow.

The great blade fell.

A head fell to the ground.

Gu Jin Nian stared blankly at all this.

He was in great pain.

He was extremely sorrowful.

He could feel all of Zhang Ming's pain.

He could feel the anger and resentment in Zhang Ming's heart.

Killing enemies for the country.

After returning, there was no honor, his child was lost, yet no one helped him.

His wife committed suicide, he was deceived, and wrongfully imprisoned.

Gu Jin Nian knew he still had an obsession; he didn't want to die, not because he was afraid.

But because his daughter had not been found.

Soon.

Scene after scene appeared before Gu Jin Nian.

One after another, people who had lost children crossed mountains and rivers.

Some sold their property to search for children.

Some walked a thousand li, because they heard news that a girl resembling his child existed a thousand li away.

Some washed their faces with tears day and night.

Others were heartbroken to the point of despair, foolish and dazed, mad and insane.

Bitter.

Bitter to the extreme.

All these bitterness, at this moment, were wholly bestowed upon Gu Jin Nian alone.

The people's suffering.

Is the greatest suffering in the world.

Soundless weeping.

Extreme pain.

Gu Jin Nian could not even stand upright; his discomfort reached the extreme.

At this moment.

A huge spiderweb appeared.

He saw that children were placed on the spiderweb by monks.

The children cried loudly, calling out their parents' names.

But the crying had no effect.

The spider silk condensed, directly piercing their foreheads, absorbing their blood.

And these children died on the spot.

Gu Jin Nian dared not look.

He closed his eyes.

But the image lingered in his mind, impossible to dispel.

He covered his ears.

Yet the crying penetrated his palms.

In the end.

Gu Jin Nian sat directly on the ground and burst into loud sobs.

He did not want to endure such pain.

He did not want to endure such suffering.

But he knew even more that the truly suffering ones were still those common folk.

Everything, everything.

At this moment, it slowly dissipated.

Turning into specks of light.

He opened his eyes.

The pillow had already been soaked with tears.

It felt like a nightmare.

Rumble rumble rumble.

Thunder sounded.

Heavy rain poured down from the sky.

Some cries and shouts also reached his ears from outside.

Gu Jin Nian rose to his feet; at this moment he felt somewhat weak, yet he forced himself to stand.

As he pushed open the door, the guards immediately supported Gu Jin Nian, informing him that he had been unconscious for three days.

The court had also issued an edict.

Gu Jin Nian did not listen; instead he went up to the attic and looked down at the figures below.

They were the common people.

They were the people who had lost their children.

They wore white clothes, walking in the rain, many carrying coffins.

After Gu Jin Nian fainted, these coffins had been brought from Clear Distant Temple, so that these people could have closure.

Today they mourn their own children, intending to bury them.

Thunder roared loudly.

The wailing echoed throughout the White Egret Manor.

Along this road, who knows how many common people were weeping; all the people of White Egret Manor came to see them off personally.

To send these poor children on their final journey.

"Someone come."

"Prepare a set of mourning garments for me."

Gu Jin Nian spoke, merely sounding very weak.

"Young Master, you cannot do this; you are the Young Master, and your body is so weak."

The guard spoke, thinking this inappropriate.

"Prepare it."

"This is a military order."

Gu Jin Nian spoke softly.

Upon hearing this, the latter said nothing more and immediately prepared a set of mourning garments.

Wearing the mourning garments.

Gu Jin Nian's steps staggered, but his gaze was firm as he walked toward outside the inn.

Some soldiers came forward, urging Gu Jin Nian to return, after all he had just awakened and his body was still weak.

Especially wearing this mourning attire, it is improper.

"Young Master, you should not wear such clothing; you have already done enough."

A soldier spoke, urging Gu Jin Nian.

But Gu Jin Nian said nothing.

Instead he walked outward.

He walked toward the crowd of people seeing off the dead.

Heavy rain fell.

It instantly soaked Gu Jin Nian's clothes, yet he ignored everything.

He stepped forward step by step.

In the end he quickened his pace, reaching the crowd and helping others lift the coffins.

But when the people saw Gu Jin Nian arrive,

For a moment everyone stopped.

Tens of thousands of common people all stopped, everyone turning to look.

When they saw Gu Jin Nian appear,

Some elders, in the heavy rain, involuntarily spoke out.

"Young Master, please return quickly; you have just awakened, hurry back to rest."

The elder spoke, asking Gu Jin Nian to return.

But Gu Jin Nian shook his head.

Rain struck his face, and in his eyes was an unprecedented determination.

"I wish to send them off on their final journey."

Gu Jin Nian spoke.

His voice was extremely weak.

Upon hearing this, countless common people burst into tears on the spot.

And some common people knelt on the ground, placing their hands on the coffins, gazing at Gu Jin Nian and wailing loudly.

"Child, take a look; the Young Master has come to see you off."

"Young Master, I kowtow to you for my unfortunate child."

This was a father.

He knelt on the ground and kowtowed heavily to Gu Jin Nian.

These words spoken.

In a moment, all the commoners knelt down.

They knew.

Gu Jin Nian had been helping them.

They understood.

Gu Jin Nian is a good person.

It's merely a pity that their own children lack this fortune, that they didn't meet Gu Jin Nian sooner.

Especially, when Gu Jin Nian wore mourning attire, it was a great sign of respect.

They saw it.

They witnessed it.

They saw Gu Jin Nian's sincere heart; they witnessed his heart for the people.

At this moment, the onlookers nearby also knelt down one after another.

Their children had not been lost.

But they knew that it was precisely because these children had gone missing, and precisely because there was someone like Gu Jin Nian, that their children would be safer in the future.

"Thank you, Your Highness, for seeing off my child."

"Your Highness, this commoner kowtows in place of my daughter."

Under the heavy rain.

Thunder roared.

The commoners knelt on the ground, they thanked Gu Jin Nian, they understood Gu Jin Nian, they knelt on the ground and kowtowed toward Gu Jin Nian.

But this crying still caused anguish in their hearts.

The commoners' weeping, their voices of thanks, turned into countless swords that nearly pierced Gu Jin Nian's heart.

At this moment.

Watching the surrounding commoners kneel.

Gu Jin Nian also knelt slowly.

He bowed to these commoners, his face mixed with rain and tears.

"Everyone."

"It is Gu's inadequacy."

"Please forgive us."

"Gu, I am sorry, everyone."

Gu Jin Nian spoke the words he most wanted to say.

He did not want one person to bear this.

But he had no choice but to endure all of this.

This kneeling of the commoners.

He feels unworthy of it.

Watching Gu Jin Nian kneel, these commoners cried even louder.

"Your Highness, you are not at fault; we know our children have suffered fate, please rise quickly, we cannot bear this."

"Your Highness, please do not kneel; this is not your fault, you have already helped us too much."

"Child, open your eyes and see—look at this Your Highness, what a bodhisattva's heart."

At this moment.

Inside the White Egret Manor, wailing filled the air; everyone was moved by Gu Jin Nian's conduct.

In the heavy rain.

Those soldiers also knelt down.

In the pavilion, the Ministry of Punishments, the Imperial Court of Justice, the Office of the Hanging Lamps—everyone was moved.

Even the Ministry of Punishments, accustomed to wrongful cases and human tragedies, now shed tears at this moment.

Even Fairy Yunrou and the Jade Pond Fairy, such cultivators, could not help but tear up at this moment.

Then.

The Ministry of Punishments, the Imperial Court of Justice, the Office of the Hanging Lamps, and others stepped back a pace.

They also knelt slowly.

They bowed deeply three times toward the direction where Gu Jin Nian stood.

This bow was for Gu Jin Nian's great righteousness.

This bow was for these pitiful children.

This bow was for the righteous spirit within the heart.