"This matter is simple. To cure Prince Xiao Jingyun's poison, you must find the person with the most yin and coldest nature. Administer her blood to Prince Xiao Jingyun, and the poison will be resolved."
Liu Xiangnan nodded, believing that Zhu Meng was telling the truth this time. If Zhu Meng had intended to deceive, he could have said these words in court, gaining more favor from Xiao An than from himself.
"Zhu Meng, why are you telling me this?" Liu Xiangnan asked.
Zhu Meng's expression became much more respectful. "Marquis, Zhu Meng has an impudent request."
Liu Xiangnan did not speak but merely nodded. Zhu Meng continued, "I know I have committed a crime punishable by extermination of nine generations of my kin."
"I am too ashamed to enter the family graves."
"I do not dare to hope that the Zhu family graves will accept me!" As he spoke, tears welled up in Zhu Meng's eyes.
"Zhu Meng implores the Old Marquis, considering I have provided the antidote, please send someone to discreetly collect my remains and bury them in an unmarked place."
Hearing this, Liu Xiangnan understood. Zhu Meng was now concerned about his posthumous affairs. As a traitor, he would naturally be despised, and it would be normal for his grave to be desecrated if its location were known.
With this thought, Liu Xiangnan nodded slightly and said, "The Emperor has decreed that your head will be displayed for forty-nine days before your remains are permitted to be collected. If the method you spoke of proves effective in saving the Crown Prince's life, I will naturally plead for you before the Emperor."
Hearing Liu Xiangnan's words, a flicker of gratitude flashed in Zhu Meng's eyes. "Thank you, Marquis Liu, for fulfilling my wish."
"Zhu Meng knows his sins are grave. If the Marquis would show leniency, considering Zhu's small contributions to the Great Cang Kingdom, I beg the Marquis to plead with the Emperor to spare the soldiers who rebelled with me. They were forced to follow me."
Liu Xiangnan remained silent regarding this proposal, as it was not within his sole discretion; it depended on the Emperor's decision. He sighed, "Zhu Meng, I will inform the Emperor of this matter, but whether they will receive clemency depends on the Emperor's decision."
"It is already a great honor for Zhu Meng that the Marquis would speak favorably of me before the Emperor," Zhu Meng said, bowing to Liu Xiangnan once more.
"Zhu Meng is bound and his limbs are inconvenient, making it impossible to kowtow to the Marquis. I beg your understanding."
Liu Xiangnan waved his hand and stepped back, gesturing to Bai Han. Bai Han immediately acted, and two soldiers stepped forward, escorting Zhu Meng to the execution ground. A specific spot was marked with lime on the platform, and the two soldiers pushed Zhu Meng down onto it.
Once everything was prepared, Bai Han stepped forward and loudly addressed the crowd, "Fellow villagers, please pay attention. This man is Zhu Meng, formerly the Grand Marshal of our Great Cang Kingdom."
"Yet, despite his high position, instead of easing the Emperor's burdens and contributing to the court, he colluded with the National Preceptor Sun Yuliang and plotted rebellion."
"Later, he recognized an enemy as his father and defected to the Great Earth Kingdom, leading their soldiers to attack our Wan Nian City."
At this point, someone from the crowd suddenly shouted, "Kill him!"
"Yes, kill him!"
"Execute him!"
Instantly, the prepared cabbage leaves, various garbage, and even women's foot bindings were hurled towards Zhu Meng. In moments, he looked as though he had rolled in a pile of refuse. Witnessing Zhu Meng's pathetic state, Liu Xiangnan on the side sighed again. One wrong step leads to such a fate; it is truly tragic.
Bai Han waited until the crowd's emotions had somewhat calmed before continuing, "Fortunately, Marquis Liu intervened in time, defeating the Great Earth Kingdom and preserving our peace!"
The crowd erupted again, "Long live Marquis Liu!"
"Marquis Liu is our savior!"
Hearing the cheers, Liu Xiangnan, who was standing behind, felt a bit embarrassed. He stepped forward and waved his hand to the crowd in greeting. The cheers, however, did not cease, with shouts of "Long live the Marquis!" growing louder and louder.
Suddenly, from somewhere in the crowd, someone inexplicably shouted, "Long live Marquis Liu forever!"
At this declaration, the scene fell into an instant silence. Bai Han was also startled and looked around nervously. Marquis Liu, Liu Xiangnan, had also heard it but had to pretend he hadn't, standing still and composed.
After a moment, the crowd burst into laughter. The immense laughter covered the awkwardness of the moment, and Bai Han quickly signaled to the assembled villagers.
"Alright, time has come, everyone quiet down." With a wave of his hand, the executioner appeared with a gleaming executioner's sword. Despite it being deep winter, the executioner was bare-chested, his muscles and chest hair visible. His appearance once again stirred the crowd's cheers.
Bai Han waved his hand, and a guard stepped forward to grab Zhu Meng's hair, yanking his head forward. Meanwhile, the executioner slowly raised the gleaming sword. With a gasp, the sword fell, and a head rolled, a splash of blood erupting. The crowd's cheers, whistles, and calls of approval mingled, reaching the heavens.
Meanwhile, in the imperial palace, Emperor Xiao An heard the earth-shattering roar from outside and knew that Zhu Meng's head had been severed. The matter here was finally concluded.
Soon, Bai Han returned to report. After hearing his account, Xiao An nodded. "Since it was a private conversation with Liu Xiangnan, I will not pry. They have served together in court for many years. A few private words are understandable."
"By the way, is there any news regarding Liu Rumai?"
Bai Han shook his head. "I just asked Marquis Liu. His latest intelligence is that Liu Rumai will continue to advance, and after one day, will retreat. During their retreat, it will be difficult for us to receive news from them, perhaps only after they have established camp."
Hearing this, Xiao An nodded slightly. "So be it. I hope they return safely."
"Also, immediately issue a proclamation offering a reward. Whoever can cure Jingyun's poison, I will reward ten thousand taels of gold."
The bounty proclamation was quickly posted. Liu Xiangnan, upon hearing Liu Kai's report, felt his heart sink. Zhu Meng's method of detoxifying the poison echoed in his mind, but should he reveal it? Liu Xiangnan hesitated. Under the current circumstances, if he spoke up, the Emperor would undoubtedly question how he obtained the information, which would be difficult to explain. After much deliberation, Liu Xiangnan decided to conceal this information for the time being and reveal it a couple of days later.
Thousands of miles away, in the Great Earth Kingdom.