I Am Truly Not a Treacherous Minister Your Majesty

Chapter 86: Late Summer

Although the verdict was to execute after autumn, Xia Yuxiao did not really intend to kill King Rongsheng after autumn.

If she really issued the order to execute after autumn and actually carried it out, some literati would inevitably still have some criticism of her.

Although she was not a glory-seeking emperor who liked others to praise her, at least, letting those literati criticize her all over the country was not a good thing. This would affect her future governance.

Since this was the case, she had to make King Rongsheng’s death as unrelated to her decision as possible.

So, half a month later, Xia Yuxiao secretly ordered Qin Ji to accompany her to the courtyard where King Rongsheng was imprisoned at night.

In the courtyard, the lights were still on. The servant guarding the door saw the emperor coming and was about to salute but was stopped by Xia Yuxiao.

She walked straight into the fifth prince’s courtyard. Although this courtyard had not been inhabited for a long time, it was kept clean. After Xia Yun was imprisoned here, besides writing some things for his own amusement, he spent the rest of his time tidying up the courtyard.

In the house, the lights were still on. A figure was bent over the desk, writing something. Xia Yuxiao knocked on the door.

The person inside was startled for a moment, then seemed to understand something: “Please come in.”

Xia Yuxiao pushed the door open and entered.

The house was still as familiar as before. The layout of the fifth prince’s home had not changed at all. The whole house was filled with the poems and writings of the once ambitious fifth prince. The antique house was filled with scrolls of ancient books. At this moment, the fifth prince, dressed in his royal attire, was writing something at the desk.

“Your Majesty.”

Seeing her enter, Xia Yun stood up and saluted.

“Mm.” Xia Yuxiao nodded, then looked around at her brother’s courtyard.

This courtyard was full of memories for her. At that time, she and Xia Yun were not particularly favored. Every time they got something delicious, they would have a little feast in this small courtyard. It became the “secret base” for the siblings.

But now, this place had also become a place of sorrow.

“Qin Ji, you…” Xia Yuxiao was about to say something but hesitated.

However, she finally made up her mind and said firmly, “Qin Ji, please step aside for a moment.”

“Yes.”

Qin Ji knew that it was not appropriate for him to eavesdrop on the upcoming conversation, so he decisively chose to leave.

Seeing Qin Ji leave, Xia Yuxiao sighed deeply, then closed the door. She sat down by the table, then looked up at the ceiling.

“I wonder what business His Majesty has with this sinner today?” Xia Yun asked.

“Nothing much, just wanted to tell you,” Xia Yuxiao didn’t look at him, but spoke as if talking to herself, “Now within the empire, the people of the world despise your rebellion.”

“That’s normal, Your Majesty. What this sinner did indeed goes against the rites and laws,” Xia Yun said.

He was very clear about this matter, but he just wanted to make one last gamble, and he lost. If he could do it again, he would still make the same choice.

“However, although the world despises it, there will always be people who think that I have gone too far,” she continued, “I’m afraid that after the autumn execution, many people will use this as an excuse to make trouble. After all, in their eyes, I am someone who disregards kinship and your merits.”

“Your Majesty has done nothing wrong.”

At this point, what else could Xia Yun say? He could only smile bitterly and agree.

Xia Yuxiao nodded, then continued, “To be honest, I am not afraid of the world’s criticism. No matter what I do, it won’t be taken to my grave. Once I’m dead, I’m dead. Let future generations judge my deeds. However, I don’t want these comments to affect the current political situation.”

When she said this, Xia Yun understood something.

“Your Majesty…” His voice trembled a bit, but he eventually calmed down, “Rest assured, Your Majesty, I have my ways to ensure you need not worry.”

A brief silence.

Xia Yuxiao stood up, walked to Xia Yun, then reached out and gently stroked his head.

Ten years ago, this was something she often did. But ever since they grew up, this action had never happened again.

“Thank you, brother.”

She was the emperor, and sometimes the emperor had to make ruthless decisions. But in the end, she was still a person, and a young one at that.

No one wants to kill their once most beloved relative, or rather, even now, her emotions made it hard for her to accept that she had to personally decide his death. But reason told her that this was something that had to be done.

Xia Yuxiao took out a white silk ribbon from a small box she carried with her.

Looking at the ribbon, Xia Yun paused for a moment, then took it.

“Your Majesty, do you need my help?” Qin Ji’s voice came from outside.

“No need to trouble the Grand Marshal, also, I asked you to step aside so you wouldn’t hear my conversation with my brother, not just to leave the room,” Xia Yuxiao reminded him.

“No problem, Your Majesty should know that my lips are sealed.”

To this, Qin Ji replied. Xia Yuxiao could only smile bitterly, then looked at her brother.

“Sister.”

“Hmm?”

Xia Yuxiao thought Xia Yun wanted to say something, but he said nothing. That call of “sister” seemed to be just a simple call. He climbed onto the chair, then threw the ribbon over the beam.

With the knot tied, Xia Yun stood on the chair, looking down at Xia Yuxiao.

The two of them looked at each other, not knowing how much time had passed.

Outside the window, the summer insects were chirping, but their calls had become somewhat hoarse. Summer was about to end, and autumn would follow. The summer insects were likely nearing the end of their season.

“Sister, I… I’m scared.”

After a long time, a slightly trembling voice was heard.

Xia Yuxiao’s lips twitched slightly. She looked at her younger brother and then gently grasped his hand:

“I’m here.”

She gently caressed his delicate hand. This hand belonged to royalty, but judging by the articles and handwriting produced by this hand, its owner had always longed to rescue the countless rough hands of Da Xia.

However, overly delicate hands, without sufficient support, could not truly achieve this.

The chair was kicked away by Xia Yun.

In an instant, Xia Yun’s entire weight, deprived of support, was concentrated on the silk. His body instinctively struggled desperately, his legs kicking vigorously, and painful gurgling sounds came from his mouth.

At this moment, the strength of a person’s struggle was terrifyingly immense. Xia Yun’s face turned red, and he instinctively tried to pull his hand away from Xia Yuxiao’s to grasp the white silk around his neck, almost toppling Xia Yuxiao.

Xia Yuxiao had never seen anyone struggle like that, like a wild beast.

She had ordered the execution of many people, but had never been so close to someone in the throes of death. It was no longer a matter of reason, but a completely instinctive reaction.

Xia Yun’s pain continued, and she was about to be thrown off by her brother.

At this moment, Qin Ji strode in.

He walked straight to Xia Yun, then grabbed the prince’s legs with both hands and pulled down hard.

Accompanied by a not-so-loud “crack” sound, there was a brief convulsion.

A few seconds later, Xia Yun’s struggle ceased completely.

In the late summer of the 558th year of the Xia calendar, Prince Rongsheng of the Da Xia Empire, Xia Yun, was arrested for treason. After being confined for half a month, he hanged himself out of fear of punishment.

This is how the historian recorded it.