The Courtesan's Crown - Chapter 3
Though ruthless, Shen Huinian had prepared thoroughly. I left the capital smoothly.
The road was uneasy. Last year’s great drought in the south, inadequate government relief, led to countless deaths and an uprising, rebels rallying refugees.
The Jin dynasty’s rule was fragile.
“Have you heard? The Duke of Zhenguo’s household was charged with treason and thrown into prison. Soon, the whole family will be executed!”
“How could the Duke rebel? If not for Marshal Shen years ago, the sixteen prefectures of Youzhou would have been ceded to the barbarians! He wouldn’t rebel! It must be a frame-up!”
“Brother Li, hush! If overheard, we’ll be in trouble!”
Hearing this, my heart plunged into panic.
The Shen family-executed!
How could this be?
Wasn’t Shen Huinian marrying Princess Changle?
Chaotic thoughts swirled. I turned to run back to the capital, but then my dying mother’s words echoed: “An’an, live on!”
Live on. I promised Mother I would survive!
I must not be foolish.
Dazed, I traveled with a merchant caravan for two more days. I tried not to think of Shen Huinian, but the Shen family’s downfall was the talk of everywhere. Every day, different people discussed it.
That night, I had a nightmare: Shen Huinian covered in wounds, not a patch of good skin, his voice too hoarse to make sound. Lip-reading, I saw him say: “Jiangwan, goodbye.”
I woke in a cold sweat. In an instant, I grabbed my pack and ran towards the capital.
I had to see Shen Huinian again, dead or alive, regardless of the capital’s situation.
It took ten days to leave the capital, but only five to return-halved the time.
My hair was disheveled, clothes torn, face covered in dust-like a little beggar.
Just arriving, I saw crowds surging towards the execution grounds.
They said today was the day the Zhenguo Duke’s household would be beheaded.
So soon!
Pushing through the crowd, the thick smell of blood hit me. Nausea and tears welled up.
People were dead.
Using all my strength, I squeezed to the front.
The scene was hellish. Red blood pooled everywhere, severed heads with wide, dead eyes-men, women, old, young-all glaring blankly, sinister like demons from hell.
Another person was brought up. Someone read his name: “Shen Yongbei.”
Shen Huinian’s father!
“Crunch.” One stroke, his head rolled down, blood splattering my hem.
I looked towards the corner. Another person, covered in blood, barely recognizable.
But one glance told me it was Shen Huinian.
He had witnessed all his family’s deaths.
His usually straight spine was bent out of shape, his once bright, clear eyes utterly numb.
Guards dragged him staggering forward. A slight push, and he knelt obediently.
Seeing him like this, I struggled forward but was stopped by guards.
“Though the Shen family committed treason, His Majesty, mindful of their past merits defending the border, spares the youngest son, Shen Huinian. Exiled to the frontier, three thousand li! Shen Huinian, give thanks!”
Shen Huinian slowly, stiffly raised his head, facing me directly. I moved my lips: “Shen Huinian, live on!”
The noisy execution ground quieted instantly. All eyes fell on Shen Huinian. The supervising official sneered disdainfully, sipping tea calmly.
After a long moment, Shen Huinian finally spoke: “I thank His Majesty for his grace.”
“Louder! Can’t hear!”
They wanted to break his pride utterly!
My tears finally overflowed.
Too painful! Too hateful!
“I THANK HIS MAJESTY FOR HIS GRACE!” Shen Huinian shouted hoarsely, kowtowing heavily to the ground.
The official on the platform smiled.
Thus, the once-prominent Shen family became traitors, and the charming Shen Huinian embarked on his three-thousand-li exile to the frontier.
No one knew what I was thinking then.
