Zhan Yi stepped forward and knelt.

Patriarch Xiang led the others in hastily kneeling, while Ye Qianning slipped back behind the main gate.

The townspeople all knelt in unison. Old Mrs. Xiang lay prostrate on the ground, clutching Xiang Mingli. Mrs. Wang knelt beside them, wiping away her tears.

"By order of the Emperor! The matriarch of the Xiang family, having shown no regard for law or discipline and having committed the heinous crime of attempting to assassinate the General, is hereby banished to a country estate, never to return to the Capital City. The second branch of the Xiang family, whose wickedness knows no bounds, is guilty of premeditated murder. They are to be exiled to the northern mines, and their sentence begins today." After reading, Mr. Li folded the imperial edict. "General Xiang is severely injured. Let the Clan Leader accept this decree on his behalf."

"This humble servant accepts the decree." The old Clan Leader knelt forward to receive it.

Mr. Li handed over the imperial edict. "How is General Xiang?"

"The General is gravely wounded. I’m afraid he won’t be able to leave his bed for some time."

"The Emperor had me bring the finest golden sore medicine for General Xiang." Mr. Li produced a vial from within his robes.

"My thanks to the Emperor."

Mr. Li smiled and looked up at the crowd. "You may all disperse. The Emperor is fully aware of the events at the General’s estate and will absolutely not forgive the one who grievously wounded the General. When one is a minister of the court, one’s life belongs to the imperial family. Not even one’s own mother has the right to decide matters of life and death."

The Beili Emperor’s words also served as a warning to all the court officials. If everyone thought like the old matriarch of the Xiang family, wouldn’t the court devolve into utter chaos?

"A woman obeys her husband in marriage, and her son in widowhood. This has been the rule since ancient times," Mr. Li added, his voice raised.

The crowd fell silent. Everyone understood in their hearts: the realm belonged to the Emperor, and the General was a sword in the Emperor’s hand. This ignorant old woman had nearly broken that sword. How could the Emperor possibly tolerate it?

Banished to a country estate, she wouldn’t live for long.

This outcome quelled the anger in the people’s hearts.

Old Mrs. Xiang’s face was white with fright. A moment ago, she had been arguing defiantly, but upon hearing the decree, she fell silent. She lowered her head, cradling the unconscious Xiang Mingli. Leaning close, she stroked his hair with a large hand. "Be good, my second son. Second son is sleeping, be good..."

Mrs. Wang was so terrified she nearly fainted. Exile to the northern mines was a death sentence. Taking her children to a place like that... it would be a fate worse than death.

"Mother... Mother..." Already terrified, Mrs. Wang was thrown into a complete panic by her mother-in-law’s sudden change.

"Patriarch Xiang, the authorities will come for them tomorrow. Be sure to keep a close watch on them," Mr. Li instructed.

"Yes, yes. Rest assured, Mr. Li."

With his instructions delivered, Mr. Li boarded his carriage.

The old Patriarch Xiang glanced back at the matriarch’s state without a shred of pity. He raised a hand and beckoned to the servants. "Drag them to the woodshed. Watch them closely. Don’t let them escape, and don’t let them die."

"Yes, sir."

A servant stepped forward to pull the old matriarch to her feet. She didn’t struggle or move, a smile still fixed on her face.

"SHH, be quiet. My second son is sleeping. Be quiet."

The servants silently pulled her through the main gate, while a few others carried Xiang Mingli back into the estate as well.

When Mrs. Wang was pulled to her feet, she staggered, stumbling as if her soul had left her body.

Mrs. Zhan watched them go, a hint of surprise in her eyes. "Don’t tell me Old Mrs. Xiang has... gone mad."

"She’s faking it," Zhan Chi snorted. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝒆𝒘𝙚𝓫𝙣𝙤𝒗𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

"It doesn’t look that way to me."

"She could have gone mad at any time, but she just happens to lose it the moment the imperial decree arrives? She could only fool someone like you, Mother." Zhan Chi had never met anyone as mentally tough as the old Xiang matriarch; it would be a wonder if she were capable of going mad.

Mrs. Zhan pushed him lightly in disapproval. "Watch your tone."

"I just mean that you have a kind heart, Mother," Zhan Chi said with a grin.

"Such a sweet talker," Mrs. Zhan scoffed, then looked around. "Where’s Pangtuan?"

At her words, Zhan Chi also scanned the area but saw no one. "She probably went back to Yuehua Small Building."