The Old Madam's accumulated authority still held sway, so Aunt Du had no choice but to comply.
She truly had her ways. Before long, Ye Bingshang appeared gracefully at the entrance of the Ye residence.
The Great Xia soldiers dared not allow anyone from the Ye family to leave, yet none dared to stop Ye Bingshang.
Dressed entirely in mourning white, Ye Bingshang entered and curtsied to Old Madam Ye.
With her delicate, pointed chin, she carried a fragile beauty reminiscent of the legendary Xizi, the sickly pallor adding an inexplicable charm to her demeanor. The saying "to look charming, wear mourning white" truly held water.
The Old Madam watched her coldly, not a trace of warmth in her eyes.
"Everyone out! Only Xiwu and Bingshang stay."
Aunt Du glanced worriedly at her daughter. Ye Bingshang nodded slightly, and only then did Aunt Du carry the Fourth Young Master out.
The Old Madam closed her eyes briefly. "Eldest girl, this old woman never knew when you became involved with His Majesty Dantai. Over all these years, I've searched my conscience and believe I've never treated you unfairly. You are a capable person. I don't expect you to support your younger siblings after you rise to prominence, but I beg one thing of you."
Ye Bingshang pressed her lips together, her back straight as a ramrod. "Grandmother, you exaggerate."
"You'll naturally take care of Aunt Du and Little Fourth yourself, no need for this old woman to say more. Third girl is young and ignorant. She once offended His Majesty Dantai. Liuzhou is a bitter, cold land. Third girl isn't even eighteen yet. If she goes to Liuzhou, her entire life will be ruined. This old woman shamelessly begs you to plead with the Zhou Kingdom's Emperor to spare Third girl." The Old Madam spoke sorrowfully. "Whether she marries a commoner or remains in the capital as an ordinary person, just don't send her to Liuzhou."
What kind of place was Liuzhou? It was overrun with starving refugees.
Not enough to eat, not enough to wear—the most terrifying thing was what might happen to a beautiful young girl in such a place. No one could predict.
Su Su had never imagined that at this moment, Old Madam Ye would still hope to protect her.
Her eyes stung with unshed tears. The hand holding hers felt like dried orange peel.
Grandmother had aged, but she had once been a general's fierce daughter. She had probably never bowed her head to beg anyone in her life, yet now she lowered herself to plead with her own illegitimate granddaughter.
Ye Bingshang glanced at the Old Madam, then at Su Su, and said calmly, "Bingshang will do her best."
The Old Madam nodded and actually began to rise to bow to her.
Su Su stopped the old woman.
"Xiwu?"
Su Su said, "There's no need. I'll accompany Grandmother to Liuzhou. Eldest Sister, I wish you a splendid future and hope you soon become Empress."
Su Su's gaze was clear and penetrating as she lightly glanced at Ye Bingshang. Ye Bingshang suddenly felt a pang of irritation, as if she had been both offended and seen through.
"Third Sister, Grandmother means well for you. Why are you still being unreasonable..."
"I've always been this unreasonable. If you truly have the intention and the capability, plead with him to spare Grandmother instead. Grandmother can no longer wield a sword, nor can she shake his empire."
Ye Bingshang remained silent.
Su Su stopped looking at her and said with a smile, "Let's go, Grandmother. Xiwu promises you, this will be the last time I act willfully in this lifetime."
As they walked away, Ye Bingshang clenched her handkerchet tightly.
At the end of January, Ye Bingshang was enfeoffed as Princess Zhaohua and sent to the Zhou Kingdom for a political marriage.
A few days later, the Ye family was exiled.
The men and women were separated and sent to Liuzhou.
On the day Su Su departed, many commoners came to see them off. Every citizen of Great Xia knew what kind of heroes the Ye family had produced.
Yet all they could do was watch them with sorrowful eyes.The decline of the Ye family prevented the flames of war from spreading to the capital. From then on, the Xia Kingdom became a vassal state of the Zhou Kingdom. The legend of General Ye ceased to exist.
Every member of the Ye family wore shackles on their hands and feet.
Concubine Lian’s face was haggard. The moment her son died in battle, it was as if all her energy had been drained, leaving her a walking corpse.
Su Su looked around and saw several young girls she didn’t even recognize. The youngest, only five or six years old, was crying in her mother’s arms.
Even the collateral branches of the family were implicated.
In the crowd, there was no sign of Concubine Yun. She had been taken away by Ye Bingshang and brought to the Zhou Kingdom. Whether Ye Bingshang had not attempted to plead for her or had been refused, Old Madam Ye had not been pardoned.
Once they left the capital, the soldiers roughly pushed the women along: "Hurry up, stop dawdling!"
Some, accustomed to throwing their weight around, even tried to use whips.
A soldier nearby advised, "Think of how many people General Ye protected! Remember your own mother!"
The man paused, and did not press further.
Old Madam was in poor health and collapsed after walking only a short distance. Su Su caught her and, without a word, carried the elderly woman on her back.
She carried a sword with her. The soldiers had intended to confiscate it, but someone later said, "Forget it. She’s the only direct descendant of the Ye family left. Who knows how long she’ll survive in Liuzhou?"
Su Su gazed at the gloomy sky, the sound of shackles echoing in her ears, and for the first time felt the desolation of dynastic change in the mortal world.
The curved jade watched her with concern. The situation had deteriorated so badly—could there truly be a turning point?
The surrender document was sent to the Zhou Kingdom along with Ye Bingshang.
On the day Ye Bingshang arrived in the Zhou Kingdom, she was dressed in lavish attire. The accompanying matron fawned, "Young lady, you look truly magnificent in these robes. Everyone knows the Zhou Emperor’s harem is empty. Once you arrive, you will surely enjoy boundless favor."
Ye Bingshang replied softly, "Do not say such things."
"However," the matron added, "you must no longer wear those ill-omened clothes from before. It would be unfortunate if His Majesty saw them and grew angry." After all, Ye Bingshang had been married before, and her former husband was the renowned Prince Xuan. Wearing those clothes would be inauspicious. Emperor Tantai Jin’s temperament was already unpredictable, so it was best for Ye Bingshang to conceal her past.
Ye Bingshang nodded. "I understand."
A trace of melancholy lingered between her brows, evoking pity. The matron thought to herself that this was also a pitiable woman.
Ye Bingshang traveled to the Zhou Kingdom alongside hundreds of cartloads of jewels and jade artifacts. Though they were called her dowry, everyone knew they were tributes sent with the surrender.
On the day she arrived at the Zhou imperial palace, Ye Bingshang lifted the carriage curtain and saw the young man in black robes seated on the imperial chariot.
He wore a golden Jade Crown and black dragon robes embroidered with silver thread, exuding an air of audacity.
Tantai Jin studied her as Ye Bingshang bowed with the others.
Her heart fluttered with nervousness. The seeds of kindness sown in her youth had now taken root, blossomed, and borne fruit. Tantai Jin had not been her first choice, but he had ultimately emerged victorious, standing at the pinnacle of power.
She wondered whether this emperor, notorious for his harsh reputation, would cherish and protect her as Xiao Lin had.
Tantai Jin stepped down from the chariot and personally helped her rise.
Overwhelmed by the favor, Ye Bingshang lifted her eyes and saw a face of breathtaking beauty. Only then did she realize that this young, ruthless emperor was so strikingly handsome.
Feeling the chill of his palm, her heart raced. "Your Majesty, this humble concubine dares to beg Your Majesty to pardon my mother."Tantai Jin helped her up, smiling as he said, "As long as Chang'er is happy."
Ye Bingshang hadn't expected him to be so cheerful and accommodating, feeling somewhat surprised for a moment.
Just as she was about to ponder his attitude, Tantai Jin had already withdrawn his hand, speaking in a gentle tone, "Escort the princess to Jade Lotus Palace."
As soon as these words were spoken, Yang Ji immediately winked at Nian Baiyu.
Nian Baiyu's expression remained unchanged.
Before Ye Bingshang arrived, they had made a bet on whether His Majesty would favor this "princess sent for marriage alliance." Yang Ji bet he would, while Nian Baiyu said he wouldn't.
Jade Lotus Palace was previously the residence of the imperial consort, symbolizing boundless honor and favor. Tantai Jin personally came to receive her and arranged for her to stay there, clearly demonstrating his regard for Ye Bingshang.
Yang Ji thought cheerfully that after tonight, there would be one more imperial consort in the palace.
Night deepened, and the eunuch outside came to inquire where Tantai Jin would rest for the night.
With "Princess Zhaohua" here, the young and vigorous emperor naturally had a destination.
Even Tantai Jin himself thought so.
He had been looking forward to this moment for many years.
The displeasure he felt when Ye Bingshang married back then had now completely turned to dust.
In his youth, that beautiful and moving woman who smiled as she helped him up, applied medicine for him, and secretly sought protective talismans for him remained vivid in his memory.
He was naturally incapable of empathy and had never felt kindness from others, but that was the first time he experienced the feeling of a stirring heart. His eyes stared at her dazedly, unable to look away.
Now she was not far away—close enough to reach out and touch, and he could even do anything he wanted.
He took a few steps, but a terrible sense of restlessness arose in his heart.
He took out the Soul Devouring Banner and released the old Taoist priest from within.
The old Taoist was now terrified of him, trembling as he asked, "What does Your Majesty require?"
Tantai Jin said coldly, "You once drew a teleportation array for Tantai Minglang."
The old Taoist: "Y-yes..."
"Make one for me."
The old Taoist said, "But drawing the array requires a large amount of Your Majesty's blood. Your Majesty's body is precious..."
Before he could finish speaking, the man before him extended his hand: "Draw the blood."
The old Taoist had no choice but to begin talisman drawing.
He hadn't finished explaining—not only would it consume Tantai Jin's blood, but it would also deplete his own cultivation. He had painstakingly accumulated some cultivation energy, and now it would all be used for this, making his heart ache just thinking about it.
But he didn't dare refuse Tantai Jin.
The array was completed.
The old Taoist said—
"Your Majesty only needs to stand within the magic array and think of the place you wish to go."
Having lost too much blood, the black-robed young man looked pale. Tantai Jin paused for a moment before commanding, "Nian Baiyu, Nian Muning."
The Nian siblings appeared silently, accompanied by several Night Shadow Guards.
Tantai Jin put away the Soul Devouring Banner and stepped into the array with the Nian siblings. Soon, their figures vanished.
The night they went to Liuzhou was bitterly cold.
The Ye family women, now reduced to prisoners, wore thin clothing. Even at night, they still had to continue their journey.
Nian Muning initially didn't know where His Majesty was taking them until she saw that young girl—
The girl carrying an old woman on her back.
Su Su's lips were chapped, her hair and dress disheveled. Her outer robe was draped over the old woman, and her shoes were covered in mud.
Even her small face was dirty.
But her eyes were so clean and bright they were dazzling. In such a hopeless environment, Nian Muning saw her still smiling and saying something to the old woman on her back.
The old woman's lifeless face softened slightly.For some reason, Nian Muning suddenly felt a pang in her heart.
The Ye family had been loyal and heroic for generations, yet they had come to such an end. She instinctively glanced secretly at His Majesty.
There was none of the cheerfulness he had shown when facing Ye Bingshang during the day in his eyes. Instead, they carried a morbid gloom as he stared at Su Su.
Tantai Jin subconsciously brought his fingers to his lips and bit down hard.
Nian Muning vaguely felt that His Majesty’s gaze was like sticky spider silk, lingering on Su Su—wanting to approach, yet afraid of something.
Tantai Jin watched for a while, then stepped forward.
The soldiers escorting the Ye family women did not notice him at first. By the time they did, the Night Shadow Guard had already pressed a blade to their necks.
Su Su stopped and looked up at the black-clad youth approaching slowly.
He wore an aloof and noble expression, his eyes filled with mockery as he looked at her.
She adjusted her hold on her grandmother. Old Madam’s eyesight was poor at night, and she asked in a hoarse voice, “What’s wrong?”
Su Su comforted her gently, “It’s nothing, just an annoying person has arrived.”
Tantai Jin’s expression darkened instantly. “Ye Xi Wu, you’re nothing but a prisoner now.”
Yes, she was nothing but a lowly prisoner! How dare she still look at him with such disgust in her eyes.
Su Su asked, “What does Your Majesty want?”
“This sovereign is giving you one last chance,” he said, glancing at her. “If you beg this sovereign, you won’t have to go to Liuzhou.”
Su Su thought to herself how he was clearly afraid she might kill him if he got too close, yet he insisted on speaking in such a condescending tone. She felt irritated, but she understood that despite her careful care along the journey, Old Madam’s health was deteriorating. If they reached Liuzhou, Old Madam would die.
She gently released Old Madam, but the old woman gripped her hand tightly and said sharply, “Xi Wu!”
“Grandmother, it’s alright.”
Su Su stepped forward.
Only then did Tantai Jin notice that her wrists and ankles were red and raw from the iron chains. He pursed his lips tightly as he heard her say, “May we speak in private?”
Before he knew it, he had followed her to a spot away from the Ye family.
The young woman in front of him wiped her face with the back of her hand and looked up at him. “How do you want me to beg you?”
H-how to beg?
He froze, wondering if he had misheard.
The young woman shook her head expressionlessly. “You heard correctly. I’ve lost. As long as you spare my grandmother and promise to find her a place to receive treatment and live out her years, I’ll beg you however you want—kneeling, kowtowing, pleading? Or does Your Majesty prefer some other way?”
He stared intently at her and instinctively replied, “If you think I’ll spare Old Madam Ye just because of you, you overestimate yourself.”
The young woman met his gaze. “Oh, then forget it.”
She turned to leave, but someone grabbed her arm. He held on so tightly that Su Su instinctively wanted to hit him again.
Su Su turned back and saw Tantai Jin’s cold, tense expression as he spoke rapidly, “What’s the hurry? This sovereign is considering it!”
He spoke so quickly that Su Su almost thought he was afraid she would leave just like that.
“Have you finished considering it?”
Tantai Jin’s expression turned icy as he threatened, “If you disobey, this sovereign will still kill her.”
Su Su nodded.
His expression relaxed slightly, and a faint, satisfied smile even appeared in his eyes. “Come with this sovereign to Zhou Kingdom.”
Seeing Su Su quietly watching him, he added, “As a slave!”
The Soul-Extinguishing Pearl Tears in Su Su’s embrace began to burn.
It was no longer just warm—it was scalding.She stared at him until he couldn't bear it and turned away first.
Su Su suddenly nodded and said, "Alright."
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