Warning: Contains graphic torture and forcing children to drink poison.

***

When the Emperor heard that the Empress died due to poison, he became blinded with rage. He had the guards to bring the servant who were responsible to test for the poison over to him so he could ask the servant who paid them himself. So when he saw that it was one of his former concubines, the Emperor had a look of regret. “Why is it you?” was all Qin WuZhen could ask.

“Why can’t it be me?” attendant Xing asked. “Because of the Empress and the fourth prince, I have lost everything. So why can’t I simply collect my debt and take everything away from the Empress?!”

It might be because she knew that she will not survive that she didn’t even show an ounce of respect for the Emperor. This action of hers only made Qin WuZhen become more livid. “Zhen has been too kind in the past. Since you do not appreciate the kindness Zhen have given you, then accept Zhen’s ruthlessness instead!” Qin WuZhen hissed out at attendant Xing and then he gave out his order to one of his personal guard. “Go and get the Crimson Guard! Round up every single member of Xing family. There are no exceptions! Every single one of them will face Zhen’s wrath!”

Despite hearing this, attendant Xing was very calm. At first, Qin WuZhen thought it was because she had already gone crazy but when the Crimson Guards returned with every single family member of Xing family that they could find few days later, he immediately noticed one missing person.

“Where is Xing ChenJi?” Qin WuZhen asked out loud, but none of the member of Xing family answered. “Very good! Not only do you plan to kill the Empress, you also planned to rise up a rebellion?! Do you think that Xing ChenJi has the qualification to the throne?”

Once again, the member of Xing family continued to stay quiet and Qin WuZhen lost all patience. “Throw them all into the dungeon! Make sure they live through tonight. Tomorrow, execute them in public and let their corpse be hanged on the wall of the Imperial City for three months so others can see their ugly sight!”

The entirety of Xing family was hauled to the dungeon and though some had tried to commit suicide, because of the Emperor’s order, they were stopped in time by the guards responsible. The next morning came and they were dragged out one by one. The gate to the outer palace was opened to the public. At the centre of the vast area of the outer court were wooden stage that were made overnight. The stage itself was huge, and above it were several wooden pillars.

The adult men of Xing family were first brought up and tied to the pillars. After that, everyone waited for the Emperor to arrive. It didn’t take long for the Emperor to arrive with his Crimson Guards in tow.

“Your loyal subject sees the Emperor! WanSui! WanSui! WanWanSui!” the citizens who were present all bowed down to the Emperor as they chanted all at the same time. The scene was, in the eye of public, can only be described as magnificent. Yet the Emperor did not show a pleased expression. All they could see were the sorrow within their Emperor’s gaze.

Qin WuZhen kept his eyes cold, and he looked at the Xing family who are now waiting to be executed. “Steward Wong, read the decree,” Qin WuZhen ordered the head eunuch. The head eunuch then bowed his head and went down the marble stairs before going up to the stage. In his hand is a scroll of which he started to read.

“All of you now gathered to witness the execution of the Xing family. Their crime consists of murdering Her Royal Highness, Empress Zhuan XiuYing as well as planning a rebellion against the Emperor. Among other crime includes bribery, having a hand in the salt trades, the weapon trades, trafficking human…” the list of crimes goes on. This was all the crime that the Xing family had accumulated throughout the years but Qin WuZhen turns blind eye on it before. Now that he no longer feels obligated to protect them, he simply laid it out for the public to see. “With all of these crimes, the member of Xing family will be punished by lingchi,” the lists finally end and Steward Wong rolled up the scrolls he has been reading.

After the steward finished, the executioners came up to the stage. They each carried their tools of trade and took their place. Then, they bowed to the Emperor and with a wave of the Emperor’s hand, they finally began their execution. It did not take long for the outer court to be filled with pained scream. Those who came to witness, some could only pity the Xing family, while some chastised them in their heart for daring to go against the throne. Those with weaker heart were pale faced and some even fainted.

One can try imagining the pain of being flayed alive. But none that is present can relate to the pain that the member of Xing family is experiencing. When one is dead, another one replaced them. It was a gruesome three hours before the men of Xing family is all dead. By now, the stage is covered in blood; some of the blood had already fallen to the marble ground, spreading towards the spectator.

The executions were stopped for a while as the soldiers brought up the chopping blocks. There were eight blocks altogether and thus, eight women were brought up to the stage and forced down on the chopping block. The executioner by now had already changed their tools into that of a giant axe. One could see how heavy it is by its size alone.

This time, there were barely any scream as the women were beheaded. This time, it didn’t take long and when only attendant Xing was left, the Emperor suddenly stopped the execution. “Let the children drink the poison first. Zhen wants her to see the end of her family.”

The children were powerless to fight against the adult as they were forced to drink the poison. Some of the innocent one only requires a little coaxing and they drank the poison on their own. This scene was enough to cause pain to everyone, and also instil fear within their heart. One by one, the children slowly fell unconscious and then, there is only attendant Xing that is left.

“Qin WuZhen! You said I will see the end of my family! But I did not see ChenJi anywhere!” attendant Xiang screamed out at the Emperor. “As long as ChenJi is alive, my family will live on!”

“It is unfortunate. The former first prince, Xing ChenJi, died during his pursuit,” Qin WuZhen simply said before he gestured at one of his general. The general went forward and lifted up a bloodied shirt belonging to Xing ChenJi. Seeing this, attendant Xiang’s eyes finally lost all life and by the time she had her head on the chopping block she could only scream out in a crazed manner.

The axe fell and her head wobbled down the stage. With that, the executions finally came to an end. “Clean everything up,” Qin WuZhen gave out his order.

“Your Majesty, what about the children?” the one who asked was one of his eight general, General Wu.

“Make sure no one else know they only took a sleeping drug. Divide them up and send them to an orphanage far away from the Imperial City,” the Emperor replied. In the end, Qin WuZhen was not cold hearted enough to kill them so he just had them drink sleeping drug. “As for Xing ChenJi, make sure to find him no matter what!” Qin WuZhen replied. The Emperor had even mobilized his army to find Xing ChenJi but it was to no avail. The young boy is nowhere to be found at all.

“Your Majesty!!” a female servant came running in panic. “His Highness the Crown Prince is locking himself in his room!”