Chapter Fourteen: Case Closed, Captured

"No..." Yani shook her head, the beads of blood at her throat flowing faster.

Her tears streamed down even more urgently, yet she uttered no sound.

"Zhenyao, I was born to a poor family. My parents sold me to a brothel when I was a child, and I became one of the 'thin horses' of Yangzhou..."

"Don't say anymore! I know, I know it all. You were purchased and arranged by my ruthless stepmother especially for me—she wanted to ruin my future, sever my roots, destroy the Meng family legacy. I know everything!" Meng Zhenyao interrupted her.

He didn't want his wife to dwell on those agonizing memories; he only wanted her to know that he had never blamed her. Never!

"Who would have thought my stepmother's schemes would be undone by fate? Her own son, Meng Shicheng, was bewitched by your beauty and I ended up beating him to death. When I was imprisoned in the death cell, she visited me—she told me everything. She wanted me to suffer, to despair. But I won't! Yani, believe me, I truly won't. We've been husband and wife for so many years, living together day and night—do you really not know the kind of man I am?

I love you, and that means I love everything about you. Whether you are poor or wealthy, beautiful or plain, flaws and virtues alike—once my heart is set, it is truly set, and I can accept it all.

Now, my stepmother no longer has any power over you. I've secretly reclaimed your deed of sale. As soon as these troubles are resolved, I'll exchange it for your good citizenship. Yani, you are free. We can finally be together. Once I pass the imperial exams, I promise you peace and prosperity—trust me!"

In his urgency, Meng Zhenyao poured out everything he knew, revealing the depths of his heart.

He never expected her response would be...

Yani slit her own throat.

"Yani!"

Meng Zhenyao lunged forward, shouting as he held her tightly in his arms.

Di Ying was also startled, quickly pulling out a packet of golden needles from his chest, shaking one out to staunch Yani's bleeding.

This girl—so fiercely passionate.

"Don't save me..."

Collapsed in Meng Zhenyao's embrace, Yani pressed her throat, her voice barely a whisper but her gaze unwavering, stopping Di Ying.

"Ayao, to have your love in this life is fulfillment enough. Your future shines bright; I cannot let my love drag you down. To bear the name of your first wife is fortune enough for three lifetimes.

Ayao...

Thank you...

For my soul to rest in peace, remember to marry, to have children. In the next life, may I meet you pure and untainted, and stay by your side..."

"Yani!!"

Watching the light fade from his wife's eyes, Meng Zhenyao was utterly shattered.

Di Ying slowly withdrew his needle case.

He took a deep breath, closed his eyes tightly, squatted down, and placed a hand on Meng Zhenyao's shoulder, gazing into those bloodshot eyes brimming with agony and rage.

Word by word, he spoke: "Your father has fallen, and your stepmother is reduced to dust, living a fate worse than death.

Don't think of killing her, trading her life for yours—it's not worth it.

Yani left because she wished you well. Don't let her down.

I await your success in the imperial examinations, to come aid me.

There are more Yanis in this world, waiting for you to save them.

And the embankment—I have no time to deal with it. You must gather people and dismantle it slowly, letting the water out gently so the canal can return south to find the River of Uncertainty.

Also: the two embankments facing the Fen River can easily be breached—they've surely been tampered with. They must be rebuilt.

Countless lives and property are at stake. Remember to guard them, or else if evil men exploit it again, all our efforts will have been in vain. I entrust this to you."

With that, he patted Meng Zhenyao and stood up, leaving.

He walked to the mouth of the alley and looked outside.

By now, the area around the prison wagons was packed with furious townsfolk, making movement impossible.

Rotten eggs, spoiled vegetable leaves, filth, stones—all hurled at Ma Guangjin and the other criminals.

Di Ying could faintly hear their shouts, now unrestrained since the gags had been removed after they were locked in the wagons.

"Di Ying, I won't let you off!"

"Di Ying, you're despicable! You incited the people—your crimes are unforgivable!"

"Di Ying, even as a ghost, I won't let you off!"

There were pleas for mercy as well.

"Di Ying, kill me, I confess, I accept my punishment—just kill me, cut me down!"

"Di Ying, so savage, so vile—if you dare, kill me! You damned soul, I beg you, kill me!"

"..."

With their curses and shouting, more filth was thrown into their mouths, choking them silent.

The townsfolk answered with even angrier shouts and—voices defending Lord Di. That was their Lord Di, their own.

Listening and watching, Chen Jun and his soldiers stood at a distance from the prison wagons.

Some soldiers, not content to stand idle, furtively picked up stones from their feet and hurled them at the wagons as well.

They aimed not for vital spots, but at mouths, legs, arms.

Chen Jun wanted to throw too, but he was too conspicuous, so he refrained.

Before, Ma Guangjin and She Jianhong were towering forces over him, crushing him, a lowly city defense chief, into insignificance.

He had to run errands and labor for them, never recognized, used like a house dog.

Now, seeing their miserable state, he felt all the years of frustration and resentment finally vented.

Hearing their curses at Lord Di, he couldn't help himself—he flicked his foot, sending a small stone flying into Ma Guangjin's mouth.

Knocked out several teeth, blood spurted forth, silencing him.

Di Ying saw this and his lips twitched slightly.

He didn't mind the curses from these villains.

It was their fear, their regret, their pain.

Let them curse. Di Ying mourned only the passing of the good, ignoring the rage of the wicked.

Some people live without understanding, and even in death know not how to be human.

Some live with too much understanding, and at the end, think only of those they love...

Dong Yani, so wise, yet so foolish...

A broken body never means a broken will; you should have trusted others more, trusted yourself more.

Alas...

The world is unjust, but we must strive to survive. Only by living does hope remain.

Di Ying sighed deeply, bowed his head, and squeezed his way out of the crowd.

He had to go.

He must enter the capital, report this case in person.

He did not know what judgment awaited him.

Alas, before he could fully escape the crowd, darkness overtook him, and he lost consciousness.

...

When Di Ying awoke again, he found himself tightly bound.

He moved his hands and feet.

From their numbness, he could tell he'd been tied up for at least an hour.

He looked around, felt the jolt beneath him.

He was on a carriage—a fast-moving carriage.

His eyes rolled a few times, and immediately he felt the blunt edge of a knife slap his face.

"Lord Di, you're awake? Now stay still. We don't want to kill you here."

A rough, somewhat hoarse voice accompanied the knife's slap, sounding above Di Ying's head.