She Holds the World After Being Reborn
Chapter 511 - 510 - s Scholar-officials illustrate their resolve through death

Chapter 511: 510 Chapters Scholar-officials illustrate their resolve through death

Earlier at court.

The oppressive atmosphere in the hall was terrifyingly low.

Xiao Pingfeng heard that Qin family’s people were still guarding the entrance to Dali Temple with Qin Jun’s corpse.

At this moment, his rage was beyond containment.

Especially now, facing the group of ministers kneeling on the ground, refusing to stand up, he slammed his hand down onto the dragon throne.

"You won’t stand, will you? Then remain kneeling!"

There was dead silence.

Ding Dang stepped forward cautiously, "If there is something to report, report it; if not, court is dismissed—!"

"Your subject has a petition!"

"Your subject also has a petition!"

"Your subject has..."

One after another, the voices echoed in the great hall.

Xiao Pingfeng held a cold sneer, "Good, let’s hear them."

Listening to those petitions that were inseparable from the Qin family and the Crown Princess Consort, he narrowed his dark eyes, speaking not a word.

They were without exception demanding that he deal with Yan Wanqing immediately, and with the Yan family.

"Your Highness, taking advantage of the protection afforded by the Crown Princess Consort, the Yan family has, over the years in the Capital City, secretly hoarded weapons, raised dead soldiers, opened private banks, formed cliques, colluded with the underworld, treating human lives like dirt, involved in an extensive network that nearly monopolizes Dawei’s lifelines! Their intentions are evil and must be guarded against! Last night, tragically, the old Master Qin was enticed out by the Crown Princess Consort under the pretext of an antidote, and both master and servant were brutally murdered. If she dares to act against your own teacher, this woman has a heart of stone; Your Highness mustn’t keep this tigress by your side as a danger!"

Every word resonated like a gem.

Every word wept blood.

The old minister, with tears in his eyes, petitioned, trying to recall the conscience of the ruler who had been dazzled by beauty, hoping for the prodigal son to return, lost but then enlightened.

But Xiao Pingfeng, sitting high on the dais, was fixed in gaze and carried an indifferent air.

"Your Highness—," seeing the ruler’s heart as hard as rock, the old minister shouted, "I am willing to die as a testament! As long as the Yan family exists, Dawei cannot be at peace, and the world cannot be at peace! Eliminate the enchantress, protect our Monarch, we, your subjects, will not regret a thousand deaths for this cause. Master Qin, go in peace; I will soon follow you!"

As he spoke, the old minister staggered to his feet and violently charged head-first into a pillar in the hall, before anyone could react.

His forehead and the pillar made a thunderous collision, a sound that echoed deafeningly, followed by his crimson official robe falling to the floor.

"Minister Song!" Xiao Pingfeng abruptly stood up and called out.

Who could have imagined that the man who had been clamoring for death each day to pressure him into compliance would truly crash to his death in the Golden Throne Hall today?

Xiao Pingfeng felt a chill in his limbs and a cold sweat on his back.

Scholar-officials, dying to demonstrate their resolve.

For a Monarch intent on protecting his beloved woman, how malicious this act was?

"Quick, summon the Imperial Physician!"

"It’s no use... Minister Song is already gone."

Oh, the sorrow.

In just two days, Dawei had lost two pillars of state.

Although Minister Song was obstinate, his devotion to the Imperial Court was known to all.

He has now, unexpectedly, taken his own life, following in the footsteps of Master Qin.

Many had bloodshot eyes, weeping openly.

"Your Highness! If Minister Song’s death to demonstrate his resolve cannot awaken your conscience, then I, your humble subject, am at a loss for words. From the moment I entered officialdom, I entrusted my life and fortune to the state. Now that the state has been blinded by the enchantress, I have nothing else, but a heart loyal to the core!"

"Minister Zhang, stop! Don’t do it, I beg you!"

The young man called Minister Zhang, who had been a student of Qin Jun and recommended for early service, was now only a low-ranking fifth-grade official.

He somehow procured a dagger and stabbed it straight into his own chest; then, in front of everyone, he gouged out his heart!

Bloody and steaming, his heart lay in the palm of his hand.

Minister Zhang had tears in his eyes as he stared at the noble man seated high above: "...I seek nothing else but the prosperity and peace of Dawei, free from the petty treachery of the Yan Family!"

As he fell, his eyes were wide open, as if he wished to bore a hole through the Golden Throne Hall!

Another one dead!

This time, not only were the court officials panicked, but even the usually composed Xiao Pingfeng’s complexion turned to chaos.

He stood with his heel against the edge of the dragon throne, one hand resting on the dragon’s head.

Gazing down at the eagerness in the eyes of the ministers below him, he spoke with a heavy tone.

"If anyone dares to die in remonstration again, their entire family will be executed!"

"If it can awaken the Crown Prince’s conscience, what is the execution of our nine generations to us!" Even after such a statement, there were still those unafraid of death.

"You dare!" Xiao Pingfeng raised his hand and swept his sleeve, "Where are the Imperial Secret Police! Bind them all!"

The Imperial Secret Police led by Yan Hongzhao quickly entered the court hall and bound every court official.

Some officials, upon seeing Yan Hongzhao, were extremely uncooperative and even spit at her after being bound.

Yan Hongzhao endured all these.

The thick blood on the great hall’s floor continued to spread, and the fleeting glance she shared with the heart-sliced Magistrate Zhang chilled her heart unawares.

Such a man, his loyalty and bravery were unparalleled.

But why... why target the Yan Family like this?

Xiao Pingfeng slowly descended the steps from above, standing amidst the pool of blood, with turmoil swirling in his dark pupils.

"Bring someone to give the two officials a grand burial."

His head ached unbearably; this was the first time in his life he felt helpless.

"Your Highness..." At that moment, Ding Dang approached Xiao Pingfeng, "Xie Qun from Dali Temple secretly met with the Crown Princess Consort."

...

Xie Qun rushed without concern for the palace rule that no man may enter the inner palace without summons, using Yan Wanqing’s token, he went directly into the inner palace.

At that time, Yan Wanqing was sitting upright in the pavilion, surrounded by curtains, with only the shadowy figures visible through the gauze.

She tossed fish food into the pond.

"Your servant pays respects to the Crown Princess Consort!" Xie Qun knelt on both knees.

"Dispense with the formalities." Yan Wanqing dried her hands and pushed a cup of hot tea in front of him.

As Xie Qun stood up, he noticed there were two cups.

"Does the Crown Princess Consort know of your servant’s visit today?"

Yan Wanqing nodded, "Yes, Magistrate Xie, please sit."

Xie Qun sat down, "The Qin Family has been pounding the drum at the Dali Temple’s doorstep until now; if we do not deal with this soon, I’m afraid they will strike the Gong of Appeal before the palace."

"Qin Huai is capable of doing it."

"Your Highness..." Xie Qun saw her expression was quite indifferent, "Aren’t you afraid?"

Afraid?

"What use is fear?" Yan Wanqing smiled faintly, bringing the hot tea to her lips and took a sip.

The person who kept the night appointment was her.

The person who personally killed Zhang Quanzhong was also her.

After all, these are indisputable facts.

"If the skill is inferior, whom can one blame?" she sighed softly, "I appreciate Magistrate Xie’s good intentions for coming this early morning. Please go back and uphold justice impartially. The crimes I should confess, I will acknowledge, and those I should not..."

She paused, not continuing any further.

"There is something I would like to ask the Crown Princess Consort," Xie Qun couldn’t hold back.

"Oh?"

"What exactly did you say to that old man Qin Jun last night?" This must be what everyone was curious about.

More curious than whether Qin Jun was really murdered by Yan Wanqing.

Yan Wanqing’s gaze swept over Xie Qun and settled on a man who was quickly walking over from the corridor, as she slowly spoke.

"What do you think?"