Reborn as the Crippled King's Beloved
Chapter 445: Decapitating Chen Honglian in the Afternoon

Chapter 445: Chapter 445: Decapitating Chen Honglian in the Afternoon

No matter what these ministers were thinking in their hearts, in the palace, if they were to discuss, they could only agree with the Emperor.

Although the Young Prince was still in swaddling clothes, and although Consort Yun came from an ordinary family, the person supporting them was the Emperor.

Even if they looked down on them, they dared not voice it.

Not only that, but if they wanted to be close confidants of the Emperor, they also needed to convey the Emperor’s thoughts to the other ministers in the Imperial Court.

...

Continuously, good news had returned to the Capital City from the south.

Before the year’s end, the leaders of the rebellion in the Southern Ridge had been completely eradicated.

However, the officials of Great Yan did not have a good year.

Because that group of "knight-errants" appeared unpredictably, showing up in one place one day, still murdering and looting, distributing all the gold and wealth among the local people.

The officials were all trembling with fear, afraid that the next one to be sacrificed would be themselves.

Only those locals who benefited truly had a good year.

Therefore, in the eyes of the people, the "knight-errants" were the good guys—they killed only corrupt officials, never a good person.

This caused great difficulty for the local soldiers in catching the knight-errants because even if people saw their whereabouts, they would protect them by pretending ignorance.

If the group was really caught, it was even more difficult to handle, directly killing them would certainly provoke public outrage.

In the Imperial Court, some officials raised this issue, believing the most appropriate method was to offer them amnesty and at that time give them minor official positions, providing peace for both the people and the Imperial Court.

The Emperor did not care about the lives of a few great bandits, as long as it could quell the public’s anger, it was perfectly acceptable.

The Imperial Court issued an amnesty decree.

Half a month later, the group of knight-errants accepted the court’s amnesty.

Everyone was greatly pleased.

Meanwhile, General Fu, Prince Ling, and others had already led their troops back to the Capital City.

By this time, even the Lantern Festival on January 15th had already passed.

Murong Jiu was waiting on top of the city wall with two children, waiting for Jun Yuyan and her father and brothers to return.

From afar, she saw a long procession coming towards the Capital City.

Among them, one person sped up his horse, separating from the group at a fast pace.

Murong Jiu smiled and said to the two children:

"Zhijin, Zhiyu, do you see? That’s your dad, he has come back safely!"

"Daddy!"

"Daddy!"

The two children, a little over a year old, could now clearly shout out ’daddy’ and ’mommy’.

They were jumping up and down, their little faces flushed with excitement.

One man on a horse, getting closer and closer.

Jun Yuyan suddenly stopped, looking at Murong Jiu from a distance, the two of them exchanged smiles.

"Let’s go, go down to find daddy."

Murong Jiu and Hong Yi, each carrying a child, descended the stairs from the city wall, and just as they went down, she and Zhiyu suddenly collided into a chilly yet broad embrace.

"Ah Jiu, your husband has missed you so much."

Jun Yuyan never kept his feelings of longing to himself; he was bold in expressing his love.

Murong Jiu’s eyes rimmed with red.

They had not expected that this departure would last for over two months.

They had hoped to return before the New Year but were delayed.

"Daddy! Mommy! Hug!"

Zhijin in Hong Yi’s arms was not pleased, wondering why mommy and daddy were only hugging his sister; he wanted a hug too.

Jun Yuyan laughed and took Zhijin over, then also took Zhiyu, holding one with each hand, with Murong Jiu in the middle, all of them were embraced once again in his arms.

Many people around had been casting friendly glances, and someone commented that Prince Ling and Princess Consort Ling were so affectionate with each other. Murong Jiu blushed at these words, but indeed, the sense of fulfillment that came from being with family was incomparable.

It was not appropriate to show too much affection in public, so as soon as they boarded the carriage, Jun Yuyan embraced Murong Jiu, kissing her forehead, cheeks, and the top of her head several times.

"Ah Jiu, I missed you so much."

After days of bumpy travel, his heart had not been at ease until he saw his wife and child; only then did he realize how important they were to him.

It was as if a ship that had been drifting finally returned to the harbor.

"I missed you too, and so did the child," she replied.

Murong Jiu’s voice was gentle as she nestled in his embrace.

Zhijin and Zhiyu were very smart and remembered people well. They were not at all shy with their father, climbing onto him one after another, competing with their mother for his attention.

Jun Yuyan also held them and kissed their little faces. His face was stubbled with short blue bristles, making the two little ones giggle and hide in their mother’s arms.

They then eagerly put their faces forward again to be kissed, before hiding once more. The two little ones seemed to enjoy this game endlessly.

"Prince, Princess Consort, General Fu has entered the city," said a guard outside the carriage.

Jun Yuyan’s lone horse had been too fast, and the rest following the large army were still behind. They had only just arrived, having waited in the carriage a short while ago.

Since they were to enter the palace for an audience, Murong Jiu had only spoken a few words with her father and brothers before they were separated.

The Emperor commended Prince Ling, General Fu, and others; he even issued a self-critical decree on that day, admonishing himself to reflect and be vigilant.

The courtiers were shocked for a moment.

When the issue with Consort Jing had just arisen and Great Yan had just experienced turmoil, a senior minister had suggested this.

By issuing a self-critical decree, the Emperor could show the people his sincerity.

Yet the Emperor had refused this without hesitation, and for that, that minister had been demoted.

Little did anyone expect that on the day of Prince Ling’s successful triumphant return, the Emperor would issue such a decree.

But soon, everyone knew the reason behind the Emperor’s actions.

Issuing the self-critical decree was merely a prelude to what was to come.

He intended to elevate Consort Yun to become the Noble Consort!

As soon as this news was made known, it naturally met with opposition in the court.

But since before the year’s end, Prime Minister Li and others had already discussed this with most of the courtiers, so everyone knew what to expect, and the opponents were in the minority.

With the Emperor’s mind made up, opposition was futile.

Moreover, the Emperor was only making Consort Yun a Noble Consort, not the Empress; nor was he announcing the Young Prince as the Crown Prince.

The Emperor immediately ordered the announcement to be made public and decreed that Consort Jing, the calamitous seductress, be beheaded in public as a warning to others, to quell public anger.

People had long been hoping for Consort Jing to be decapitated. With this satisfying news, who still cared about who became the Noble Consort in the palace?

The tumult on the court was something the common folks could hardly perceive.

"Consort Jing will be beheaded tomorrow at noon at the Market Entrance!"

"I heard there will be a parade too!"

"Folks, get your rotten eggs and spoiled vegetables ready!"

The commoners were ecstatic.

Consort Jing, Chen Honglian, in pursuit of luxury and riches, had caused destruction and death to many, a true modern-day Pan Jinlian, denounced by everyone.

If not for this, how could there have been so many riots and uprisings in the south?

This was a true disaster for the nation and its people.

Many people wanted to see what Consort Jing looked like.

Many commoners, lying in their beds at night, were talking about Consort Jing with their partners.

The Emperor, the original instigator, had cunningly concealed himself.

Murong Jiu’s disdain for the Emperor grew, not that she meant Consort Jing was innocent, but the Emperor himself was at fault too. If he hadn’t been enamored with Chen Honglian, how could the parents of Mei Yuzong have been killed?

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