Chapter 179 |
Fifth Prince's Manor.
Chen Jian reported to the Fifth Prince the situation he had just encountered at the Second Prince's manor.
"Tang Yisu is Second Brother's man?"
The Fifth Prince was still ill, having just recovered somewhat. Upon hearing this, he sat straight up in bed. "Are you certain?"
"Certain."
Chen Jian said in a low voice, "Unless he already knows I am Your Highness's man, he wouldn't mislead me like this."
"And even if he did know I serve you, this kind of misleading makes no sense. Everyone in the imperial family avoids any matter related to the Seventh Prince like the plague. Why would he deliberately associate himself with it?"
Fifth Prince: "Why did he summon you? What does he want you to do?"
Chen Jian: "If Tang Yisu cannot clear himself of suspicion, to kill him when necessary."
The Fifth Prince's gaze turned heavy.
Before delivering a fatal blow to the Sixth Prince in court, he had asked Second Brother if he had anything to do with Seventh Brother's matter. Second Brother had said no.
Although he had his doubts, he understood that given Second Brother's current influence, he couldn't have reached into the Northern Frontier.
Later, when the three prefectures of Xiang River offered grain, and the Waterway Transport Commissioner was sent to the Northern Frontier to transport provisions, he worried that this Second Brother's father-in-law might secretly hinder Little Seven. He even specifically took on the role of Capital Supervising Transport Commissioner to oversee the entire grain shipment.
Unexpectedly, the Waterway Transport Commissioner fell ill, and his deputy took over.
Reports said heavy rain at Shanming Pass delayed the grain by a few days, but it all arrived safely in the end. The subsequent two shipments also proceeded without issue until the war concluded, everything went smoothly.
But now, since it's confirmed Tang Yisu is Second Brother's man, the fact that he didn't use his own father-in-law but instead sent this deeply concealed agent is highly suspicious.
Fifth Prince: "Did he say anything else?"
Chen Jian: "No, only what I just mentioned. I didn't press further. Asking too many questions would surely arouse his suspicion given his temperament."
"I must go to the Eastern Depot." The Fifth Prince got out of bed.
"You must not."
Chen Jian hurriedly stopped him. "The Seventh Prince's case is entirely under Chief Eunuch Wen's supervision. He has ordered that no one is to enter the Eastern Depot without permission, nor approach Tang Yisu. Even if you go, you won't be able to see him."
"What do you suggest then?"
Chen Jian thought for a moment, hesitantly saying, "Actually, that old steward might be hiding something... Your Highness could question him further, see if you can pry an opening."
-
After more than a day of recuperation, Emperor Chongzhao's condition stabilized.
After Imperial Physician Yang examined him, he finally nodded, allowing the Emperor to receive slightly more stimulating information.
Qu Dubian organized the evidence in his possession, entered the palace, and presented it before Emperor Chongzhao.
All relevant documents and records, including Tang Yisu's background and his recent connections to the Second Prince, were compiled in the dossier.
After reading it, Emperor Chongzhao propped his head with one hand, closing his eyes deeply.
Qu Dubian: "Father, how do you intend to proceed?"
Eldest Brother went to Lingbei before the war with Great Zhou erupted in the Northern Frontier. Sixth Brother, convicted of treason during wartime, had his maternal family executed and was demoted to commoner status, sentenced to farm at Zhennan Pass for twenty years.
Fifth Brother betrayed Sixth Brother, shattered the court's balance, is despised and ostracized by Sixth Prince's faction, and is also the son Emperor Chongzhao likes the least.
Fourth Brother never properly engaged in court affairs, idling his time away, possessing no power base of his own and no interest in the throne.
Surveying the court, the only one remaining who still commands recognition from the ministers is the Second Prince.
If he too falls, who would be left for the position of Crown Prince?
The fact that the First, Second, Third, and Sixth Princes could form a situation of mutual confrontation and balance involved no small effort from Emperor Chongzhao in mediating and nurturing them. He had also invested thought, wanting to select the best, most suitable person to inherit the throne.
Yet over more than a decade, they have been demoted, injured, or deposed, one after another.
Emperor Chongzhao sent Qu Dubian back, then summoned the Second Prince alone.
The moment the Second Prince arrived, he sensed the atmosphere was off.
He performed the ritual salute respectfully.
"Your son pays respects to Father Emperor."
Emperor Chongzhao: "We summoned you to ask just two things."
Second Prince: "Father Emperor, please speak."
Emperor Chongzhao: "Did you, or did you not, interfere during the grain transport to the border?"
The Second Prince's heart skipped a beat. "I did not."
Emperor Chongzhao: "Is Tang Yisu your man?"
The Second Prince fell silent.
He countered, "Why does Father Emperor ask this? Has Tang Yisu's arrest implicated your son?"
Emperor Chongzhao gave an affirmative hum. "It does, somewhat, relate to you."
Second Prince: "Your son—"
"Enough."
Emperor Chongzhao said, "You may return."
The Second Prince halted, deep furrows forming between his brows, but could only bow in assent and turn to leave.
A few steps later, Emperor Chongzhao said, "In three days the case of the Prince of Yong will be heard. You and your brothers are to attend the hearing at the Dali Si courtroom."
-
Fang Manor.
Xi Zixing: "They're proceeding with the trial already? Did the Eastern Depot find crucial evidence? After summoning the Seventh Prince, His Majesty summoned the Second Prince, but no one knows what was said."
Apart from Qu Dubian, Emperor Chongzhao, Eunuch Yu, Imperial Physician Yang, and Ye Xiaoyuan, none of them yet knew that the Seventh Prince's taking poison was actually forced by the grain supply issue.
"Summoning all the princes, and since he said 'try,' it seems His Majesty likely has an idea in mind."
Grand Tutor Fang pondered: "However, he only said 'try,' but not how it will be tried."
"There's a great deal of nuance in that."
He deliberated with Xi Zixing for a long time. After leaving the Fang Manor, Xi Zixing went straight to the Seventh Prince's manor to find Qu Dubian.
Qu Dubian was in the small courtyard training dogs.
The pack of "woof-woof team" were all over a year old, a mix inheriting the strengths or weaknesses of the Five Black Dogs and Iron-wrap-gold breeds. Some were exceptionally handsome, others uniquely ugly.
He was squatting on the ground, instructing the puppies: "Turn around."
"Shake."
"Sit."
"Good dog."
Xi Zixing stood at the courtyard entrance, watching for a long time.
Unclear how this guy, blindfolded and seemingly blind, could tell if the puppies performed the actions correctly.
"You're quite at ease, as if you're not worried in the slightest."
Hearing the voice, Qu Dubian said, "Here for my fried pancakes?"
That time, Xi Zixing had placed copper coins in his money-collecting basket, saying he'd come for pancakes, but never showed up. Qu Dubian had waited in vain for several days.
Xi Zixing was silent for a moment. "You didn't tell me what happened at the border. Did you think I couldn't be of help?"
Qu Dubian stroked a dog's head.
"No. I just didn't want to drag you all into it."
Xi Zixing's ears perked up, accurately catching the word 'you all.' A bit of his pent-up frustration dissipated. So, it wasn't just him; that fellow Xia Fuyang had been kept in the dark too.
Initially, he truly thought Little Seven had been accidentally injured on the battlefield, leading to his current state. He never imagined the truth, once revealed, would be that someone had schemed against him to this extent.
Xi Zixing walked over and squatted down in front of him.
After a while, Qu Dubian still didn't hear the expected questioning, accusations, or any of the various other questions he'd heard countless times during that period.
Qu Dubian pushed a puppy toward him: "Here, pet this—"
"After this matter is concluded, can I go with you to your fief?" Xi Zixing asked quietly.
"..." Qu Dubian's finger paused for a moment before he finally said, "You have a boundless future at court."
Xi Zixing: "The court isn't lacking one top scholar."
He reached out and scooped the puppy from Qu Dubian's hands.
Qu Dubian: "We will always be friends. If this is your heart's desire, there will always be a place for you to rest within my fiefdom."
Xi Zixing smiled freely, his mood visibly brightening.
"Good."
He stayed and ate the jianbing and hand-pulled pancakes Qu Dubian made. After returning, as discussed with Grand Tutor Fang, he wrote a letter to the border, smuggling in some personal news.
Meanwhile, Qu Dubian sat in his study, a half-written letter before him, and stopped.
"Banban, am I too distant with my friends?"
Ye Xiaoyuan thought for a moment. "Somewhat."
Qu Dubian: "Such distance can hurt people."
Ye Xiaoyuan, sensing something, said with a smile, "It depends. For ordinary friends, you not asking for their help might make them feel at ease. For very important friends, never seeking their help would probably make them feel left out."
Qu Dubian picked up his brush again. "I understand."
-
The Border.
Xia Fuyang received the letter.
It detailed recent events in the capital—
Xiao Qi had indeed been framed. His Majesty had already agreed to investigate the matter.
Xia Fuyang: "What a fool..."
Not wanting the Xia family to get involved, he silently shouldered everything alone.
Only after the Eastern Depot intervened, and he conducted his own secret investigation, with the truth now mostly uncovered, did the news finally reach him here.
And it was Xi Zixing who told him.
Suppressing the ache in his heart, he lowered his head to continue reading.
The fact that Xi Zixing had also been kept in the dark initially, with Xiao Qi treating everyone equally, made him feel slightly better.
This letter was concise and to the point, with a clear purpose. So far, he hadn't seen any of that rascal's usual provocation.
—Until he reached the end.
"...The matters explained in the letter are all clear. Once this affair is settled, I will resign from my post and accompany His Highness on his tour outside the capital, settling in his fiefdom. I don't know where the fief is or if the food will suit my taste. However, since I'll be by His Highness's side from now on, even if I'm unaccustomed at first, I'll surely grow used to it in time."
Xia Fuyang: "..."
He thought of all his responsibilities at the border.
The newly established Northern Protectorate, the resettlement of disabled soldiers, the pensions for families of the deceased, the conflicts needing mediation with the remaining Northern tribes after the annexation... all of it fell on his and Prince Ming's shoulders.
He was even busier than during the war, his eyes opening only to handle official duties. It would take at least two or three years to sort everything out.
He clenched the letter tightly and cursed fiercely.
After taking several deep breaths, he got up to find Xu Jin.
Unexpectedly, Xu Jin was also coming to find him. The old man's face was grim, his entire body radiating a fierce, barely-contained anger that made people keep their distance.
"Marquis Xu?"
Xu Jin: "Xia, come here. I have something to tell you."
"Then it's probably the same thing I wanted to discuss," Xia Fuyang waved the letter in his hand. "Xi Zixing wants us to submit a memorial, in the name of all border soldiers, requesting Xiao Qi's case be tried openly in court."
"The memorial needs the seal of the commanding general. You are Xiao Qi's grandfather, your weight is even greater. It's very fitting for you to speak now."
Xu Jin: "I came to find you because Xiao Qi wrote to me, specifically instructing that your name must also be on it. He needs your help."
The corners of Xia Fuyang's mouth subconsciously turned up, a slight gleam appearing in his eyes. "He really wrote that?"
"Would I lie to you?" Xu Jin directly handed him the letter to see.
Xia Fuyang's mood, soured by Xi Zixing, instantly improved considerably. He muttered, "That's more like it. Always making me feel like an outsider..."
Xu Jin: "What did you say?"
"Nothing, nothing."
Xu Jin: "Then let's write it together."
No wonder his good grandson didn't tell him earlier. So the truth was like this. If he had known from the start, he, Xu Jin, would have gone to the capital even if it killed him, dragged out the villain behind this, and chopped him into a hundred and eight pieces.
Fortunately, his grandson had a plan and wasn't truly harmed by the villain.
Another day passed.
Emperor Chongzhao received memorials from the border and Zhennanguan almost simultaneously.
The border soldiers were filled with righteous indignation. All the commanding generals had affixed their seals to the memorial, requesting an open trial for the Seventh Prince's case.
Xu Tingfeng, commander of Zhennanguan, submitted a memorial to the court in his official capacity, also requesting an open trial for the Seventh Prince's case.
During the morning court assembly.
Grand Tutor Fang, along with his disciples and many other ministers of significant influence at court, requested an open trial for the Seventh Prince's case.
Emperor Chongzhao declared publicly: "The court shall be open! I myself will preside over this trial!"
Tomorrow at noon, the Dali Temple will try the case of His Highness the Prince of Yong.
With the Son of Heaven presiding in court, the announcement was made to all under heaven.
The gaze of civil and military officials, the common people, and border soldiers alike converged on the capital.
-
The Second Prince returned to his residence.
He stopped at the gate, hands clasped behind his back, looking up at the glittering golden characters 'Second Prince's Residence' on the steps above, his expression placid.
After a moment, he entered.
Master Deng was frantic with anxiety. "Your Highness, Second Prince, you must think of a plan! The public trial is tomorrow, you..."
Second Prince: "Tang Yisu cannot die."
Master Deng paused. "But his connection to you?"
Second Prince: "Judging from Father's tone earlier, my relationship with Tang Yisu is likely exposed. Since we are already implicated, we cannot escape cleanly without shedding some blood."
"Then I'll have Chen Jian again..."
"Chen Jian is no longer usable."
Master Deng was shocked.
The Second Prince said, "After ordering him to kill Tang Yisu last time, and his failure to succeed to this day, I knew he could no longer be used."
"There are still a few usable pawns in the Eastern Depot. Find the most trustworthy one. Tomorrow, on Tang Yisu's way from prison to the Dali Temple, tell him..." The Second Prince whispered a few instructions.
Master Deng: "I understand."
He left in a hurry.
The Second Prince pushed open the window and stood by it alone for a long time.
"Scheming, and counter-scheming."
He gazed into the courtyard.
Today, carved beams and painted rafters. Tomorrow, who knows if they will remain.
-
The next day.
Eastern Depot.
Inside the prison cell.
Tang Yisu lay on a narrow bed, his entire body restrained. A water clock dripped water onto his forehead from above.
The droplets did not fall at a constant speed. Drops falling at a steady rhythm allow a person some time for meditation. Drops falling irregularly can drive an ordinary person to anxiety, depression, and the brink of mental collapse within ten hours.
The dripping water torture. It sheds no blood, but it kills.
He hadn't closed his eyes for a very long time. His eyes were a terrifying crimson, as if suffused with blood.
Wen Xiaochun grabbed him by the collar and tied him up.
Tang Yisu shuddered instinctively at the sight of him, fearfully saying, "I didn't harm anyone, I didn't harm His Highness the Prince of Yong, I have no connection to the Second Prince..."
Wen Xiaochun paid him no mind, hauling him off to the Dali Temple.
-
Outside the Dali Temple, imperial guards stood in dense formation.
The Son of Heaven sat high in the public court.
Qu Dubian and the Fourth Prince sat on the left; the Second, Third, and Fifth Princes sat on the right.
The three assisting ministers, Fang Hechuan, Xi Shiqiu, and Lin Zongping, were also positioned on both sides. Additionally present were the supervising secretaries of the Six Ministries, including Xi Zixing, officials from the Censorate, and others.
The hall was solemn and utterly silent.
Guards brought Tang Yisu in from outside, forcing him to kneel in the center of the court.
Tang Yisu, looking utterly haggard, knelt and kowtowed. "Your guilty servant greets Your Majesty."
Emperor Chongzhao asked him, "We ask you, did you commit any wrongdoing while transporting grain to the border?"
Tang Yisu glanced in the Second Prince's direction.
The Second Prince imperceptibly adjusted his teacup.
Tang Yisu said, "I, your servant, did not."
Emperor Chongzhao: "Are you acquainted with the Second Prince?"
Tang Yisu: "No."
Chen Jian interjected, "If you are not acquainted, why would the Second Prince privately seek me out and ask me to find an opportunity to kill you?"
Tang Yisu's face changed dramatically. "Kill me?!"
Chen Jian: "I am the Deputy Supervisor of the Eastern Depot. Would I lie to you?" He cupped his hands and addressed the Emperor, "I beg to report to Your Majesty, every word I have spoken is true."
"Tang Yisu, why do you not confess immediately!"
"Your Highness, you actually wanted to kill me," Tang Yisu seemed to despair, crawling forward half a step in grief and indignation. "This guilty servant admits his wrongs, I truly admit my wrongs! I... I did have dealings with the Second Prince. He ordered me to do one thing..."
The Second Prince set down his teacup and sternly rebuked, "What are you saying!"
Emperor Chongzhao: "Second Son."
Tang Yisu: "It was during the grain transport. The Second Prince instructed me to fabricate evidence framing the Fifth Prince for embezzling the grain," he said, closing his eyes in pain. "But aside from that, there was nothing else. I beg Your Majesty to investigate clearly!"
Emperor Chongzhao: "Is what he says true?"
The Second Prince clenched his fists tightly, then finally stood up and knelt before the hall.
His eyes instantly reddened, his tone full of remorse and regret.
"Your son has long had conflicts with Sixth Brother in court, and Fifth Brother has always supported Sixth Brother. I was momentarily blinded and wanted to use this despicable trick to frame Fifth Brother, but I did not actually carry it out. I reined myself in at the last moment."
"Even so, your son is filled with unbearable regret, tossing and turning, unable to sleep. Now that it has been revealed to the world today, your son is willing to accept punishment!"
Chen Jian had indeed jumped out to accuse him at this moment.
Since his relationship with Tang Yisu was already exposed, he might as well bring it into the open directly.
Tang Yisu: "If not for Your Highness wanting to kill me, I would not have revealed this. However, Your Highness indeed did not actually succeed in framing the Fifth Prince."
Emperor Chongzhao: "Is that all?"
Qu Dubian spoke up: "I indeed have evidence here regarding Second Brother and Official Tang's plot against Fifth Brother." He presented a copied backup from the secret network.
Emperor Chongzhao read it and handed it to the Fifth Prince.
The Fifth Prince smiled faintly. "Second Brother, what skillful methods."
The Second Prince: "Second Brother has wronged you."
He kowtowed, not rising. "I beg Father to punish me."
Qu Dubian clapped his hands.
Yi Shier entered from outside, carrying a tray. On the tray was a small green vial containing a small amount of residual liquid. "This was found in Tang Yisu's luggage. There was also a Northern Border Sinew Grass flower inside, though it has already withered."
The small green vial was exclusive to the Eastern Depot's secret cabinet. It looked like an ordinary bottle one could buy anywhere, but in fact had minute marks in subtle places to record the time it entered the cabinet and verify its authenticity.
After examining it, Wen Xiaochun nodded to Emperor Chongzhao. "It's genuine. It's the very bottle missing from the Eastern Depot's secret cabinet."
Emperor Chongzhao: "Second Son, did you know that Official Tang beside you used grain at the border to force the Prince of Yong to take poison?"
The Second Prince suddenly looked up. "What?"
The entire hall was stunned.
After all, the widely known version was that someone had threatened Cui Rong, using His Majesty's name to force the Prince of Yong to take poison. How did the matter of grain come up now?
Eunuch Yu dutifully stepped forward and explained the whole story from beginning to end.
After hearing it, Grand Tutor Fang, furious, stood up from his chair, his trembling finger pointing at Tang Yisu. "Vicious! Utterly malicious!! That grain was even donated by the people of three prefectures for the Prince of Yong. How could it become a weapon for villains to frame him?"
"If the people of the three prefectures were to learn of this, would it not incite the wrath of all?"
Tang Yisu said plaintively, "This vial was given to me by Cui Rong. He said he wanted me to help bring it back and casually bury it in a temple as a prayer offering."
"Nonsense!" The steward, an old man, strode in from outside, lifted the hem of his robe, and knelt on the ground. "I beg to report to Your Majesty, this commoner concealed the truth from you a few days ago."
"When my master passed away, he told me that he had been threatened by Tang Yisu along the journey. If he did not comply with his demands, he would kill my master's daughter. Tang Yisu, don't play innocent. You are the lackey of the mastermind behind this!"
The Fifth Prince stood up and explained, "Previously, he did not tell the truth because he feared being assassinated in the capital by those with ill intentions. Your son repeatedly guaranteed the safety of him and Cui Rong's daughter, so he dared to speak."
Both witness and material evidence were now present.
The Second Prince slowly straightened his back, kneeling upright on the floor.
He turned his head and looked calmly at Tang Yisu. "Whose man are you, really?"
Xi Shiqiu couldn't help but say, "Has Your Highness not seen the evidence on the table? You admitted earlier that you instructed Tang Yisu to frame the Fifth Prince. Are you going back on your word now?"
The Second Prince: "I admit I acted against Fifth Brother. But the one who used military provisions to force Seventh Brother to take poison at the border was definitely not me."
Grand Tutor Fang: "Before Your Highness arrived, you were unaware that Cui Rong and the Seventh Prince had long since confessed and exposed Tang Yisu. If you had known, would you still have admitted your relationship with Tang Yisu? Did you confess to framing the Fifth Prince in an attempt to use a minor crime to shake off suspicion of a major one?"
The Second Prince said, word by word, "This matter was not done by me."
Under repeated questioning, Tang Yisu remained silent.
One stubbornly denied, the other refused to utter a word. Seeing the situation about to reach a stalemate, if this continued, the interrogation would drag into the second, then the third day.
More variables would arise.
The Fifth Prince recalled last night, when he learned the whole truth from the old steward—
The old steward had said one thing: "Speaking of which, your relationship with His Highness the Prince of Yong is truly good. After all, if he hadn't taken the poison, Tang Yisu would have ruined most of the grain and then pinned the blame entirely on you. The Prince of Yong probably didn't want you to be punished either..."
He found it utterly ironic.
What he thought was his protection of Little Seventh had instead become a handle for others to threaten him.
The Fifth Prince had already been half-mad for many years. The main reason he was still alive now was his desire to protect that golden little pig pendant.
That was the only thing sustaining him.
At that moment, he thought: Second Brother must die.
But what crime is heavy enough to kill a prince?
The Fifth Prince knelt and said in a deep voice, "Moved by Second Brother's voluntary confession of framing me, your son also has a few things he wishes to say."
Emperor Chongzhao's eyelids twitched.
Moved??
The Fifth Prince: "Third Brother's severed arm was the result of a conspiracy between me and Second Brother. Second Brother proposed it, and I carried out part of it. The Shu family's embezzlement of disaster relief funds was also secretly planned and plotted by Second Brother. All evidence is stored in the secret chamber of my residence. Although the Li clan actively trafficked weapons on their own, the idea was planted by words from Second Brother's subordinates."
He kowtowed heavily.
"Every word your son has spoken is true. If there is any falsehood, may my deceased mother find no peace in the Nine Springs!"
Emperor Chongzhao abruptly rose to his feet. "You—!"
Qu Dubian tightened his grip on the armrest: "Fifth Brother."
The Third Prince was stunned for a few seconds before a look of sheer ferocity and terror slowly crept across his face. He lunged madly towards the Second and Fifth Princes.
"Aaaaaah!!"
"I'll kill you! I'll kill you all!"
He fell to the floor with a thud, his single arm flailing wildly as he clawed and tore desperately at the Second and Fifth Princes.
"You made me a cripple for all these years, destroyed my family, made me a laughingstock! I'll kill you!"
The scene descended into utter chaos in an instant.
A large clump of the Second Prince's hair was torn out, his neatly combed and dignified appearance gone. His golden hair clasp and jade hairpin clattered to the floor.
The jade hairpin snapped into three pieces.
Eunuch Yu: "Guards, quickly separate Their Highnesses!"
Men from the Eastern Depot swiftly stepped forward and dragged the Third Prince away. His appearance was terrifying, his eyes filled with bone-deep hatred.
Emperor Chongzhao had never dreamed in his wildest nightmares that today's proceedings would devolve into this.
This truly served up the imperial family's disgrace for all to see.
He glanced at the Fifth Prince, clear disgust rising in his eyes.
Today's trial was for the case of the Prince of Yong. Even if there were other matters to discuss, they could have been raised privately. Bringing them up now was nothing but a loss of face for the entire imperial house!
The Fifth Prince looked up, meeting Emperor Chongzhao's gaze directly, reading the disgust and fury in his eyes with perfect clarity.
A sudden, immense sense of pleasure washed over him, making him want to burst out laughing.
"Your Highness," Tang Yisou wept, "do not slander His Highness. Place all the blame on me instead. I am willing to take the crime for His Highness. It was all my idea..."
He staggered to his feet.
Wen Xiaochun instantly became alert: "On your knees!"
Flames suddenly erupted on Tang Yisou's body, spreading over him and rapidly engulfing him entirely.
He began to dance in the middle of the hall.
Screams filled the room.
"Protect His Majesty! Protect His Majesty!"
Qu Dubian was quickly pulled to safety by Yi Shier. The Eastern Depot and Imperial Guards swiftly surrounded them, forming a tight protective circle around the princes and Emperor Chongzhao.
Tang Yisou looked towards the Second Prince, laughing excitedly through the flames: "As long as I die, Your Highness will not be implicated by me. Even though Your Highness wanted me dead... I remain loyal to you."
"As long as I die, you will be safe..."
His words, warped by pain, became disjointed. His face within the flames was contorted by the burning, a horrifying sight.
By the time water was brought in from outside, Tang Yisou was already lying on the ground, breathing his last.
He writhed in agony, murmuring an indistinct phrase from within the fire:
"I am loyal to my master, may my master live a thousand autumns, grafted to be born, the pitied wood meets spring..."
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