February, the Court of Judicial Review was bustling.

Xu Yin, Lian Yang, and others who had been detained in the Heavenly Prison for months finally faced their ultimate verdict.

Their case could have been concluded long ago. All witness testimonies and physical evidence were present, conclusive and beyond doubt.

However, after resolving Xu Yin and Prince Rong’s Mansion’s case, it uncovered Lian Rong and Lian Yang. Subsequently, the court was busy with the appointment of the Crown Prince, and there was also contact with Dongzi. The Three Judiciaries’ verdict was kept pending on the Emperor’s desk for a long time, and it wasn’t until now that the Emperor issued a red-inked approval.

Before the execution, the streets once again buzzed with the discussion of this case. Especially Xu Yin, who was initially viewed by all as an extraordinarily talented Assistant Minister, suddenly fell from grace into the mire, hiding a most vicious heart. Such a drastic contrast could not help but shock people. 𝒻𝑟𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝑛𝘰𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝘤𝘰𝘮

Thus, the story of Miss Liang of the Liang Family, who was killed, was also unearthed again.

On the day of execution, Fu Zhen also arrived at the street in a carriage.

After months of absence, Xu Yin in the prisoner’s cart appeared disheveled and thin, his eye sockets deeply sunken. To verify his identity, his beard had been shaven clean before he was brought out.

Fu Zhen’s carriage was amidst the crowd and not placed in an exceptionally conspicuous position. However, as the prisoner’s cart passed in front of her, Xu Yin surprisingly lifted his head to look in this direction. Then he called out to stop the leading Government Official escorting the cart and steadfastly looked at Fu Zhen, who sat calmly by the window.

Fu Zhen simply hung the curtain up and propped her elbow on the window frame.

Xu Yin’s throat moved a few times, but in the end, he withdrew his gaze. The impatient escorting official barked sharply and pressed the cart to move forward without further ado.

From Fu Zhen’s position, she could clearly see the high execution platform.

As the executioner’s blade fell, Xu Yin was beheaded, and blood spurted a yard or two.

The head rolled on the ground several times, eyes wide open, stopping just in the direction where Fu Zhen was.

Fu Zhen lifted her hand just as the crowd began to throw rotten eggs and vegetable leaves. She casually tossed the two chess pieces she had been fondling, striking precisely the pair of those wide-open dog eyes—thus, he finally closed his eyes in peace.

Dozens were executed this time, including Lian Yang, Lian Rong, and the generals and guards who followed Lian Yang. The execution site outside the marketplace was soiled with blood, taking two or three days to clean.

Prince Rong and his son confessed much useful information at the crucial moment, accusing the deposed Crown Prince and Xu Yin, ultimately escaping death. The entire Prince Rong’s Mansion was reduced to commoners, and Prince Rong and his sons, including several illegitimate sons of the Prince Manor, were all exiled to the northwest, leaving only the women and children in the capital city.

The day after Xu Yin and others were executed, Fu Zhen was eating bird’s nest soup in Wanbin Building when Yang Tong walked in with an oil-paper package:

"Someone sent this to the Young Madam, but I don’t know what it is."

The oil-paper package was made of coarse paper, commonly seen on the streets.

Fu Zhen wanted to open it, but Yang Tong hurriedly stopped her: "Let me do it, be careful there might be a trick!"

He carefully opened the paper package, only to find a dagger wrapped inside a kerchief.

As soon as Fu Zhen saw the dagger, she gasped: "Who came by? Where is the person who delivered it? Where?"

Yang Tong pointed outside in surprise: "It was a little beggar, already gone."

Without saying another word, Fu Zhen stepped across the threshold, pursued to the door, and found indeed no one was around.

She glanced down at the knife in her hand, then looked at the sides of the street, and saw someone standing under the tea stall across the street, watching from afar.

Fu Zhen hesitated only for a moment, then walked over.

The person before her was in plain clothes and wooden hairpin, washed of adornments, softly smiled at her.

"Long time no see."

Fu Zhen took a deep breath: "Princely Heir’s Consort."

Mrs. Zhang smiled with pressed lips: "Do you think this title still suits me?"

Fu Zhen also smiled, looking at the dagger in her hand, then pointed towards Wanbin Building: "Long time no see. I’d like to invite you for a cup of tea, would you grant me the honor?"

Mrs. Zhang glanced at the luxurious tavern filled with guests and said slowly: "If you don’t mind losing your status, how can I refuse your hospitality?"

Fu Zhen nodded, leading her across the street.

She led her all the way to the back courtyard.

Jin Zhu came up, probably meant to say something to Fu Zhen, but upon seeing Mrs. Zhang behind her, was immediately stunned on the spot.