On the wedding day, my wife was abnormal

Chapter 1373 Bloodbath in the Capital, So Satisfying!

After listening to the man's confession, Zhang Jianzhi turned and walked out.

"Arrest them immediately."

Several officials followed behind him, walking hurriedly.

Wang Ming, the Vice Minister of Revenue, was drinking tea in his residence when he heard a rapid knocking at the door.

"Lord Wang, the Ministry of Justice has arrived!" The steward rushed in in a panic.

Wang Ming's hand trembled, and the teacup fell to the ground and shattered.

How many people came?

"There were at least a hundred people who completely surrounded the mansion."

Wang Ming slumped into a chair, his face deathly pale.

"It's over..."

Zhang Jianzhi led his men to break down the door and rush into the main hall.

"Wang Ming, you are suspected of colluding with the Prince of Cheng to commit treason. Come with us."

Wang Ming wanted to defend himself, but found himself unable to utter a single word.

"Guards, confiscate their property."

The Ministry of Justice officials began searching the residence and soon found a stack of letters in a hidden compartment in the study.

Zhang Jianzhi opened the letter, his face growing increasingly grim.

"Well, you people, on the surface you are loyal to the emperor and love your country, but behind the scenes you do this kind of thing."

The letters detailed the interactions between King Cheng and these officials, and even contained some classified information related to military affairs.

"take away."

Wang Ming was put into a prison cart, and his family members were also taken away.

The same scene was playing out in various parts of the capital.

Minister of Rites Li Wen was hosting a banquet at his residence when men from the Ministry of Justice stormed in and arrested him in front of all the guests.

Zhao Gang, a senior official in the Ministry of War, tried to escape, but was caught by soldiers guarding the outside as soon as he climbed over the back wall.

In less than half an hour, all of Cheng Wang's henchmen were captured.

……

In the imperial study room.

Murong Yan sat at the desk, listening to Zhang Jianzhi's report.

Today, she wore no wedding robes, only the black and gold phoenix-embroidered gown. The five-foot-long train stretched casually on the ground, and the golden phoenix on the hem gleamed faintly in the candlelight.

"Is the evidence against these people conclusive?"

“Absolutely certain.” Zhang Jianzhi handed over the letters. “These were all found during a search of their residence.”

Murong Yan flipped through the letters, her brows furrowing deeper and deeper.

"What a courage."

Lin Zhen stood by the window, her voice calm.

“These people have been cultivating their influence in the court for many years and have deep roots.”

"So what?" Murong Yan looked up at him. "Those who deserve to die should still be killed."

Lin Zhen turned around and walked to her side.

"What are your plans to do?"

"Confiscate their property, execute them, leave no one alive." Murong Yan's voice was utterly unwavering.

Zhang Jianzhi bowed.

"The minister obeys the order."

"Wait a minute," Lin Zhen suddenly spoke up, "Is there any news from Prince Cheng?"

Zhang Jianzhi shook his head.

"Not yet. He ran very fast and should have already left the capital region by now."

"Send people to the border to investigate." Lin Zhen's eyes narrowed slightly. "He will definitely go looking for those people in the northern desert."

Murong Yan looked at him.

"You mean, he'll defect to the enemy?"

“It’s not defection, it’s cooperation.” Lin Zhen walked to the map. “Li Jing’s death is too suspicious. Those so-called monsters are definitely not ordinary troops. Since Prince Cheng dared to rebel, he must have something to rely on.”

Murong Yan stood up and walked to his side.

"You mean he already had contact with the people of the Northern Desert?"

“Very likely.” Lin Zhen pointed to the border line on the map. “The place where Li Jing died in battle is right outside Yumen Pass, which is the border between the northern desert and the western regions. If Prince Cheng really colluded with them, then this matter is not simple.”

Murong Yan remained silent for a moment.

"Pass down the order to Yue Fei to speed up and stop Prince Cheng before he reaches the border."

"I will take care of it immediately." Zhang Jianzhi withdrew.

Only two people remained in the room.

Murong Yan leaned on Lin Zhen's shoulder, her voice filled with exhaustion.

"These people are a real headache."

Lin Zhen reached out and put his arm around her waist.

"Don't overthink it, it'll be over soon."

"I hope so."

……

Three days later.

The border, Yumen Pass.

Yue Fei led 50,000 elite troops, traveling day and night to reach this place.

"General, suspicious persons have been spotted ahead."

A scout rushed over to report.

"How many people?"

"About twenty or so, they are heading north."

Yue Fei's eyes sharpened.

"Take me to see it."

He mounted his horse and, with a few guards, followed the scouts forward.

In less than fifteen minutes, a group of people could be seen hurrying along in the distance.

Yue Fei observed carefully.

"It is King Cheng."

He put down his binoculars and turned to his adjutant beside him.

"Pass down the order: surround them, and don't let a single one escape."

"Yes."

The 50,000-strong army quickly deployed and surrounded the group.

When King Cheng saw the soldiers suddenly appearing all around him, his expression changed drastically.

"how come……"

Yue Fei rode forward, his voice icy cold.

"King Cheng, you can't escape now."

King Cheng gritted his teeth.

"Yue Fei, you think capturing me is the end of it? Let me tell you, the army from the northern desert will soon march south, and then none of you will escape!"

"Is that so?" Yue Fei sneered. "Then I'll see if they have the ability."

He waved his hand.

"Take it."

The soldiers rushed forward and captured King Cheng and all his confidants.

King Cheng tried to resist, but a soldier slashed his leg with a knife, causing him to fall to his knees.

“Take him back to the capital.”

Yue Fei turned and left without giving him another glance.

King Cheng was tied to his horse, looking at the distant sky with resentment in his eyes.

"Lin Zhen... Murong Yan, I will not let you get away with this!"

……

Outside the Meridian Gate in the capital city.

Officials gathered, and onlookers were everywhere.

Murong Yan sat on the high platform, dressed in a black and gold phoenix-emerging dress, with a shawl draped over her shoulders. The five-zhang-long continuous train stretched across the steps, shimmering dazzlingly in the sunlight.

Lin Zhen stood beside her, expressionless.

Zhang Jianzhi held the imperial edict in his hands and read it aloud.

"By the grace of Heaven, the Empress decrees: Prince Cheng, Murong Zhao, colluded with foreign enemies, intending to overthrow the state; his crimes are heinous. He shall be beheaded outside the Meridian Gate as a warning to others. So be it!"

King Cheng was led to the execution platform. He looked up at Murong Yan on the platform, his eyes filled with resentment and venom.

"Murong Yan, you'll regret this!"

Murong Yan looked at him, her voice calm.

"My only regret is that I didn't kill you sooner."

She raised her hand.

"Execution."

The executioner raised his executioner's blade and brought it down.

King Cheng's head rolled to the ground, and blood gushed out.

The onlookers erupted in cheers.

Murong Yan stood up and glanced at the officials below the stage.

"Gentlemen, I hope that what happened today will be the last time. Anyone who dares to harbor disloyal thoughts again will suffer this fate."

All the officials responded in unison.

"Your Majesty, we will keep this in mind."

Murong Yan turned and left, with Lin Zhen following behind her.

The two walked through the palace gates, and the cheers behind them gradually faded away.

"Are you tired?" Lin Zhen asked.

"It's alright." Murong Yan leaned on his shoulder. "It's just that I feel like, when will this ever end?"

"That day will come." Lin Zhen held her hand. "Once all the troubles are resolved, we can live a peaceful life."

Murong Yan smiled and asked, "What kind of peaceful life are you talking about?"

Lin Zhen said thoughtfully, "It's about sleeping until you naturally wake up every day and doing whatever you want."

Murong Yan's eyes held this longing, "That would be wonderful."

The two walked side by side on the palace path, the setting sun casting long shadows of them.