Chapter Sixteen: The Imperial Edict

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Amidst her frantic shouting, Li Wenxin happened to catch a glimpse of Chaochao’s carefree and contented expression, and suddenly, a thought struck her.
“It’s you, you wretched girl! You’re the one behind this, deliberately taking revenge on me, aren’t you?”
She was sharp enough to sense it! But would the child admit it? Not a chance! Chaochao rolled her eyes.
Li Wenxin’s fury only grew at this dismissive attitude. She stamped her feet, ignoring her mother’s attempts to restrain her, flailing her arms wildly in a fit of madness. “Ah! I’ll kill you, I’m going to kill you...”
“Enough, Xin’er, stop this nonsense!”
The family had fallen into ruin; their entire household imprisoned, and her maternal family remained utterly silent. Xiao Luo’s heart was exhausted; her daughter was a constant source of worry.
How could the foolish child not understand? There were countless ways to deal with some people without getting your own hands dirty. How stupid!
Since everyone was present, it was inappropriate to scold her daughter in secret. Xiao Luo could only clutch her struggling, hysterical daughter tightly, her eyes burning with hatred.
She glared viciously at Chaochao, the true culprit who feigned innocence, then turned away and coldly ordered a few concubines to clean up the scattered rats.
Just as Zhou’s family struggled with nausea and fear, cautiously clearing away the dead rats, a sudden wail of sorrow echoed from the corridor’s end, instantly capturing everyone’s attention, even Chaochao’s ears perked up.
“The court is unjust! Our Qi family suffers from treacherous plots...”
“We are wronged! We are wronged!”
“Move it, hurry up! Quit dawdling and crying; if you waste time, I’ll whip you till you’re dead.”
As the voices grew closer, those peering through the barred gaps saw numerous shadowy figures inside the dark dungeon.
“Ning, the Qi family from the Duke of Ning’s mansion? Minister Zhang from the Zhang family? And General Liu, the Defender of the Realm, plus the Qin family, the Ministry of Revenue’s household? What on earth is going on?”
What was happening? Those already imprisoned in the imperial dungeon were in the dark, and the escorting Jinyiwei guards offered no explanation.
Familiar or unfamiliar faces bore wounds and tears, stripped bare of all belongings, clad only in thin undergarments, driven forward by whips. Those who resisted, shouting their innocence, were mercilessly struck down by the sword hilts of the guards.
The members of the Wen Ding household trembled, shrinking back in fear, no longer daring to look outside.

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Since their imprisonment, even hopeful Old Luo’s face paled at the sight. “It’s over, it’s over... the house is about to collapse, no one will be spared...”
Xiao Luo regarded the scene coldly, understanding the gravity of the situation. The worse it became, the harsher her resolve grew.
She gripped her crazed daughter tightly, forcing her face to turn outward, her voice colder than ever. “Xin’er, do you see the misery outside? Do you want to end up like them?”
Li Wenxin shrank back, her pupils dilating wildly, tears streaming as she shook her head frantically. “Mother, mother...”
“Silence! Calling me mother won’t help! Look clearly outside—are you scared now? Still want to make a scene?”
“No, I won’t, I won’t cause trouble anymore.”
Seeing her daughter truly frightened, Xiao Luo finally released her grip.
Li Wenxin regained her freedom, curling into a ball by the wall, retreating from the horror in the corridor and her mother alike. Rats, cockroaches, spoiled food—none of those compared to what was unfolding before her.
She sobbed bitterly, clutching herself like a frightened little animal.
Xiao Luo’s heart ached at the sight. Resigned, she sighed, then gently pulled her frightened daughter into her arms, stroking her back softly. Her voice was low and soothing.
“My child, you must obey and be good. Now is not the time for rebellion. We have to stay alive first; nothing else matters. If we have a future, everything will be fine. I will be here—just live freely and happily as before...”
Whatever the other filthy, foul children dislike, their mother is here. What’s the fuss about? Just a fool—fall, drown, or die, it’s all the same, isn’t it?
Li Wenxin couldn’t grasp her mother’s intentions or thoughts. Her mind was filled only with memories of her mother’s harshness and severity.
No matter how much she rebelled, at twelve years old she was still a frightened child, wary of her mother’s sudden change in demeanor. Naturally, she became obedient. “Yes, yes, I will listen to you, mother... sob...”
“Good!” Xiao Luo was pleased to see her daughter’s submission. A rare trace of relief softened her face. She stroked the girl’s hair tenderly. “That’s my good daughter.”
The sudden arrival of new prisoners made everyone fully aware of the Jinyiwei’s notorious cruelty. No one dared cause trouble anymore. They even avoided speaking to the newly arrived inmates, fearing that a single word might expose them and turn them into scapegoats.
From that day on, Chaochao could no longer sneak food to her foolish father. From that day on, the imperial dungeon echoed endlessly with cries from the interrogation chambers, as prisoners were dragged out one by one, beaten and bleeding, then returned.

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Through the gaps, they watched the bloodstains left along the corridor floor, smelled the lingering coppery scent of blood, and listened to the desperate pleas for mercy. Terror gripped them all.
Each time the iron chains of the adjacent cell clattered shut, Li Wenxin would dive into her mother’s arms, quietly sobbing.
“Mother, I’m scared... Mother, why haven’t grandfather and uncle come to visit us? Sob...”
Xiao Luo’s hand paused as she stroked her daughter’s back. Thinking of her father and brothers, she glanced toward the wall where her mother-in-law sat, eyes closed, her face pale and drawn. Xiao Luo forced a bitter smile.
Her father and brothers had been spoiled by that woman. In the past, her husband had been capable and the Wen Ding household prosperous; they were used to having the upper hand and growing arrogant.
No matter how much she denied it, she knew her family was unreliable. They might bully others with power, but when it came to shouldering responsibilities or offering help in dire times? Impossible.
Though the Wen Ding household had not been physically punished, living in such an atmosphere was torture. One by one, they grew thinner, except for a certain someone who secretly indulged in luxuries.
Days of darkness, fear, and uncertainty continued for about ten more days. One morning, as sunlight streamed through the skylight, a commotion arose in the corridor. This time, the visitors stood right before their cell.
The messenger had a pale face, no beard, and held a feather duster. He unfurled a bright yellow imperial edict, and a treacherous voice echoed down the corridor.
“By the mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: Wen Ding Bo has formed factions for personal gain, misjudged cases unjustly, wronged the loyal and righteous, breached court protocol, and struck at the sovereign’s fury. For the sake of fairness and to cleanse the court, fearing past wrongs will cause further harm, those responsible shall be executed to uphold justice.
However, considering their ancestors’ loyalty—four generations of devoted service, the honored minister of the late Emperor, and contributions to the state—mercy shall be granted. Their titles shall be revoked, arms branded, and they shall be exiled on foot for a thousand miles to the northernmost frontier, with a date set for departure. So it is ordered.”
The ornate words of the edict confused Chaochao, who knelt at the back of the group. She finally broke their mutual silence and whispered to the little servant for translation.
Those around her clutched their children tightly, wailing in despair.
Old Luo, still kneeling upright, suddenly collapsed to the ground, staring at the departing messenger with a haggard expression.
The Wen Ding household would never see the hoped-for turning point.