Madam, don't do this!

Chapter 485 The Corpse in the Prince of Fu's Mansion (5,000 words)
The heavy rain was still drizzling down.

The courtyard of the Prince Fu's Mansion has also started to flood.

The rain came suddenly and lasted a long time; large raindrops pounded on the yard, splashing up water droplets.

The backyard of the Prince Fu's Mansion was very quiet.

Whether it was due to the torrential rain, the servants and maids were all resting in their rooms, or perhaps there was no one at all. In any case, apart from that white figure, no one else could be seen.

When you touch the water with your toes, the water surface will gently sink down.

The pure white embroidered shoes were spotless, without a single stain.

Luo Tianxuan frowned slightly.

She came looking for her mother.

Ever since learning that her mother might have been captured, Luo Tianxuan had been very worried. She left Hua Lianyue to protect her husband and left the group, arriving in Dongling two days ago. Her mother had a graceful figure and was extremely beautiful; such a person would naturally leave a deep impression. It wouldn't be difficult to find out anything about her.

Qunyu Garden, Chang'an Street, the Wang family ancestral home, the Princess's residence... most of these places bear traces of my mother, and the last place she appeared was near the Prince Fu's residence... But now, the vast Prince Fu's residence is completely empty.

Although the torrential rain obscured our vision and hearing.

But how sharp are the senses of a grandmaster-level martial artist? If there were still people living in the Prince Fu's mansion, it's impossible that she wouldn't hear even the slightest breath.

She pursed her lips and walked forward, her toes leaving ripples on the water's surface.

Before long, Luo Tianxuan arrived at a door, and with a light wave of her hand, pushed it open.

Squeak.

With a dry sound, the door was pushed open.

A strong, pungent smell of blood wafted over.

Looking up, Luo Tianxuan's pupils contracted slightly, only to see more than a dozen corpses lying haphazardly in the room. These people seemed to have been dead for a day or two. The hot and humid summer weather made it easy for the corpses to decompose, and some of the bodies had already begun to swell, presenting a nauseatingly gigantic appearance.

Some flies were crawling on the corpse, and when the door was opened, they buzzed and took off, flapping their wings haphazardly in the room.

The ground, once covered in blood, had long since dried, turning a dark color.

Dead body.

Dead body.

They were all corpses.

Who made this?
Luo Tianxuan became a little nervous. Her mother had been to the Prince Fu's mansion, but now that the mansion had become like this, wasn't her mother in a very dangerous situation?
With a light tap of her toes, Luo Tianxuan's body swept through the rain, and with a gentle wave of her hand, a gust of wind shattered the door.

What met the eye was a field strewn with corpses.

……

Rumble, rumble.

Thunder rumbled outside the palace's golden hall.

Occasionally, a flash of lightning would illuminate a series of pale faces.

boom!
boom!
boom!
The dull thuds still echoed in the hall, each sound like a hammer slamming into everyone's hearts.

Liang Ju's head was already covered in blood.

Thick liquid gushed from his forehead, falling to the ground and spreading out like brightly blooming plum blossoms.

He wasn't dead yet; he was still alive, but he no longer had the strength to scream or beg for mercy.

A faint, suppressed groan could be heard coming from Liang Ju's nostrils. His eyes rolled in a strange way, his pupils bloodshot, and deep in his eyes seemed to be a longing, a longing for someone to save him, a longing for Song Yan to spare his life.

A sense of regret surfaced in Liang Ju's hazy consciousness. He regretted it... Of course, he didn't regret the many heinous acts of murder he had committed, nor did he regret taking another man's wife and driving his nephew to his death, much less accepting bribes, leaking exam questions, and allowing fools and incompetent people to fill the court... In Liang Ju's heart, those lowly people were probably never even considered human beings. Their lives were naturally not worth caring about, and as for such trivial matters as taking another man's wife and accepting bribes, Liang Ju wouldn't even give them a second thought, since everyone did it anyway.

His only regret was that he shouldn't have messed with a butcher like Song Yan.

Wei Xiao was a bit more perceptive than Wei Zhong. Seeing that Song Yan was standing quietly in the middle of the Golden Hall, he sent someone to find a chair for Song Yan to sit down.

They even brought a cup of fragrant tea.

Song Yan didn't stand on ceremony. He held the teacup, swirled it as usual, and took a small sip to moisten his chapped lips and throat.

Just then, the four silver-armored guards increased their strength slightly.

Liang Ju's head slammed into the pillar again.

Bang... Crack.

Two voices sounded almost at the same time.

Liang Ju's already fractured skull could no longer withstand the impact and shattered completely.

Scarlet and thick white stains were splattered everywhere.

His head drooped completely.

On one side, someone was leisurely sipping tea in a chair, while on the other side, blood was flowing freely and brains were splattered everywhere.

The bizarre contrast makes the scene appear even more sinister and terrifying.

The instant Liang Ju died, all the officials in the court, especially those kneeling on the ground, trembled violently, their faces turned deathly pale, and large beads of sweat rolled down their faces. No one could be sure who would be next.

Even the Xiongnu and Jurchen envoys, such as Huyan Tu and Talkabu, remained silent. They only knew that Song Yan was extremely cruel to foreign tribes, but they did not know that he was just as ruthless when facing his own people.

Only Emperor Ninghe, seated on the dragon throne, had a slight smile on his face. Song Yan had done what he had always wanted to do but dared not and could not do. There were many people he had wanted to get rid of for a long time, but he had too many concerns and could not act as freely as Song Yan.

He had never felt so happy in his entire life.

Song Yan slowly put down his teacup, glanced at Liang Ju's corpse, and said with slight disgust, "Throw him out."

Two silver-armored guards then gripped their spears, stabbed Liang Ju in the chest, and dragged his corpse through the hall, leaving a trail of crimson blood.

The body was carelessly left outside, and the heavy rain fell on it, quickly washing away the blood.

“Remember his name. I’ll confiscate his house and his entire family, including his nine generations of relatives… I promised him that his whole family must be wiped out. I always keep my word and never break my promise.”

"Next……"

Upon hearing those three words, the officials kneeling on the ground instinctively tensed up and trembled uncontrollably.

It's like the King of Hell calling roll call; whoever's name is called dies.

No one knew whose name would come out of Song Yan's mouth. The anxious feeling of waiting for judgment and death was simply the most agonizing torture in the world.

A few short breaths felt like several years had passed.

"Lu Yuanzheng."

call.

In that instant, a heavy sigh could be heard. Some even lost their kneeling position, collapsing to the ground, panting heavily, their pale faces flushed with an unnatural redness.

Only the middle-aged man at the very front trembled slightly, then slowly got up from the ground and turned around to face Song Yan directly.

Song Yan had long heard of Lu Yuanzheng. According to Fang Shan, the prefect of Dongling Prefecture, Lu Yuanzheng was an upright and loyal official, unafraid of powerful figures, and dared to speak out for the people. Such virtues were rare in the current Ningguo officialdom. Lu Yuanzheng had even once gathered a large number of constables and constables, attempting to enter the Dongling underground ditch and completely wipe out the Ghost Cave entrenched there. However, due to the Ghost Cave's cunning and the intricate network of the underground ditch, the attempt ultimately failed.

However, regardless of the circumstances, their courage in confronting the Ghost Cave is commendable.

After all, when Song Yan eliminated the Ghost Cave, as many as two hundred officials were implicated, which shows how powerful this force was.

All things considered, this was the first time Song Yan had ever met Lu Yuanzheng... At first glance, he seemed to have the appearance of a good official, with a square and upright figure and a resolute face... Song Yan really couldn't believe that such a person would appear in the ranks of those demanding his execution, let alone be the leader.

For some reason, I felt a little disappointed.

He sighed and looked at Lu Yuanzheng: "I once thought you were a good official."

Lu Yuanzheng's expression remained unchanged; unlike the others, he showed no fear throughout: "I am indeed a good official."

"During my tenure as the Prefect of Dongling, I adjudicated cases fairly and upheld justice for the people."

"I cracked down on the powerful and influential. During my three years as the Prefect of Dongling, the city enjoyed the best public order. Even though I was retaliated against by the sons of the powerful and influential for this, I never flinched. Does that mean I am not a good official?"

Song Yan chuckled and said, "Indeed, you are a good official. I'm just curious, why would a good official like you want to kill me?"

Lu Yuanzheng's eyes flickered, and he fell into a brief silence. After a few breaths, he spoke again: "I only want Ningguo to continue to exist. Marquis of Champion, do you really think you can withstand the 400,000-strong army of the Xiongnu and Jurchen? Don't dream. That's a military force that can completely annihilate the entire Ningguo." "In my opinion, as long as Ningguo can be preserved, the sacrifice of a Marquis of Champion and two princesses is completely worthwhile."

Song Yan chuckled.

So it wasn't you who sacrificed yourself, which is why you can speak so righteously?
Being generous with other people's money is nothing more than this.

Song Yan raised one hand, and Wei Xiao handed him a small booklet. The Imperial City Guard monitored all the officials in the court. Although the various forces were intertwined, it was difficult to judge, imprison, or even behead someone even if they knew who was guilty, because of the complex situation. However, the intelligence they collected was definitely a lot.

Before long, Song Yan turned to Lu Yuanzheng's page: "During your tenure as the Prefect of Dongling, you adjudicated more than a thousand cases, punished sixty-four sons of nobles and seventy-seven descendants of officials... Hundreds and thousands of people were given a new lease on life because of you."

Lu Yuanzheng raised his head slightly, a hint of pride on his face.

This is his capital.

But soon, the mockery on Song Yan's lips grew stronger: "But the nobles you punished were all below the rank of earl, and the descendants of the officials you punished were all of lower rank than you... Does that mean that all the marquises, dukes, and the families of the third, second, and even first-rank officials in Dongling City are law-abiding citizens?"

Lu Yuan's expression changed instantly.

Song Yan casually waved the booklet in his hand: "The eldest son of the Vice Minister of War accidentally killed someone in a drunken brawl and was imprisoned in the Eastern Mausoleum dungeon by you. Later, you found a beggar on the street and secretly released the Vice Minister of War's eldest son. The beggar was beheaded, but the beggar was raised in his hometown of Longzhou..."

"The young lady of the Chen family tortured and killed twenty-seven servants in the clan. One maid, unable to bear the abuse any longer, managed to escape and begged you to uphold justice. You outwardly comforted her but secretly notified the Duke of Chen to come and take her away. That girl, who was only fourteen years old, fell back into the hands of the young lady of the Chen family in despair and was tortured to death in a few days. She clearly regarded you as her hope in her desperate situation!"

"The son of Chu Licheng, the Attendant-in-Ordinary..."

"The Junior Son of the Chancellor of the Imperial Academy..."

"The eldest son of the Marquis of Zhenning..."

"Do you want me to continue reading about each and every one of these incidents?"

Before anyone knew it, Lu Yuanzheng's face had turned deathly pale, devoid of any color, and large beads of sweat rolled down his cheeks, his body trembling.

"A just and upright official? Hah, bullshit."

"You are truly the most shameless scoundrel in the Ning Kingdom!"

“If the sons of those of low rank and minor titles break the law, they are severely punished and dealt with under the guise of uprightness; if the descendants of those of high rank and merit suffer misfortune, they are secretly protected and favored by powerful families.”

"Although Liang Ju is despicable and I deeply loathe him, Lu Yuanzheng's demeanor is truly a filthy stream that makes me want to vomit!"

"To be a prostitute while pretending to be virtuous—that's all there is to it!"

A sharp shout made Lu Yuanzheng tremble all over. His eyes widened and his mouth opened, as if he wanted to explain something, but he found that he couldn't utter a word. Having been praised so much, he really thought he was a righteous and benevolent official who would stand up for the people. But Song Yan's words ruthlessly peeled away his disguise, revealing the bloody beast beneath.

The gazes coming from all directions made Lu Yuanzheng feel even more embarrassed, ashamed, and indignant.

"Cut off his limbs and chop him into human pigs."

"Get him out."

Song Yan waved his hand wearily and said in a cold voice.

The moment the voice fell, two silver-armored guards approached Lu Yuanzheng and, to Lu Yuanzheng's horror and despair, swung their steel blades down.

puff.

puff.

Both legs were severed instantly, and his body slammed straight to the ground. The pain from the wounds touching the ground must have been excruciating. Lu Yuanzheng's remaining half of his body convulsed violently, and blood gushed out wildly, turning the spot into a pool of crimson in a short time.

Before Lu Yuanzheng could react, two more blows slashed down, and both of his arms were chopped off.

Blood gushed out from the four cuts, and the body, which was perfectly healthy, was turned into a shriveled stick in an instant.

Ah ah ah ah ah ah ah……

It hurts.

The piercing screams seemed to tear at everyone's eardrums.

The bloody scene made many people gasp and desperately lower their heads.

The spear pierced Lu Yuanzheng's shoulder, and he was dragged, his body like a human stump, out into the torrential rain. His screams were gradually drowned out by the downpour. Occasionally, one could still see the two remaining arms and legs on the hall, and the writhing figure in the rain outside.

"Xiao Jie, Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites, was found guilty of cheating in the imperial examinations and accepting 130,000 taels of silver in bribes... He was cut in half at the waist... His entire clan was exterminated."

“Li Zhengyi, the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, colluded with Ma Zhifeng to embezzle 270,000 taels of grain and pay from the border troops, resulting in the border troops not receiving their pay for three years. They were so poorly clothed and hungry that they were unable to fight. They were chopped into human pigs and their entire clan was exterminated.”

"The Left Vice Censor-in-Chief abused his power in the Censorate to eliminate dissidents and frame loyal officials. He was executed by being cut in half at the waist... and his entire clan was exterminated."

One by one, names were read out, and figures were dragged away.

Fewer and fewer officials were kneeling on the ground.

More and more severed limbs and dismembered bodies were found outside the main hall.

Even in the pouring rain, the palace was still a striking crimson expanse.

The remaining people were terrified. Finally, one of them could no longer bear the torment and screamed as he rushed to Song Yan's side, grabbing Song Yan's legs and pleading, "My lord, spare my life!"

"Your humble servant... Your humble servant is the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice. Your humble servant is willing to serve you. From now on, your humble servant will be your dog. Whoever you tell me to bite, I will bite..."

The Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice, a third-rank official, is considered a high-ranking official.

Normally, he's probably the type who's arrogant and haughty.

But at this moment, in order to survive, he would even be willing to be a dog.

What dignity, what respect, it's all bullshit. He doesn't want to end up like Liang Ju, with his head smashed open, or like Lu Yuanzheng, with his limbs cut off. He wants to live.

Song Yan merely glanced at the booklet in his hand: "Chop him into human pigs."

He was so cold that he didn't seem like a normal person.

Neither screams nor pleas could elicit the slightest change in Song Yan's expression.

The remaining people were mostly in despair, knowing that their fate couldn't be any better than those who had come before them.

Some people collapsed to the ground, their faces blank, while others scrambled to their feet as if they had gone mad, glaring angrily at Song Yan and shouting insults. Some even rammed their heads into the pillars beside them... After all, this way they could at least die a little easier. Once they fell into Song Yan's hands, the first thing they would do was be cut in half at the waist.

Being cut in half at the waist hurts a lot.

The knife sliced ​​through the middle of the body.

The stomach and intestines are cut off, but the heart and brain are not damaged.

Seeing their internal organs scattered on the ground in the torrential rain, they wouldn't die anytime soon... just like those colleagues who had been cut in half at the waist, their bodies still slowly writhing, struggling, and screaming on the ground... just one look was enough to make their scalps tingle.

As for those whose limbs were chopped off, the fate was even worse.

Unfortunately, even if one wanted to commit suicide, it wouldn't work.

The silver-armored guards stopped them and dragged them outside the hall.

At some point, the atmosphere in the Golden Hall suddenly became more relaxed, and the thirty-six officials who had been kneeling on the ground pleading for Song Yan's execution had all disappeared.

Outside the Golden Palace, blood stained the rainwater red.

Cries of pain, groans, screams... the mangled limbs writhed like humble worms.

About fifteen minutes later, there was no sound outside the hall; most of the people were probably dead.

Inside the palace, apart from the sound of the torrential rain outside, there was only low, suppressed breathing. All the officials in the court kept their mouths tightly shut, afraid that they might accidentally make a sound and attract the attention of Song Yan, this wicked star. Even the envoys from the Xiongnu and Jurchen wished they could bury their heads in the ground, not wanting Song Yan's anger to spread to them.

The three members of the Chu Kingdom were also stunned. Chu Menglan's face was slightly pale, and her eyes were filled with deep fear. Lin Xue's dark eyes were filled with pity and sadness. She didn't know what had happened over the years to turn her well-behaved and sensible younger brother into the way he was now.

Lin Xue could see that Song Yan's eyes were filled with deep fatigue.

Song Yan finally stood up, slowly put down his teacup, and walked step by step toward the front of the officials' line.

Having just purged many of Qin Hui's corrupt officials from the court, they still left out the biggest ones.

Chu Licheng, Gao Hong!

And... Yang Hetong from the Yang family.

It's time to take stock of some things.

(End of this chapter)