Chapter 3: Rescue

Xuan served as an official for thirty years, working seamlessly with Emperor Ding’an and becoming his most trusted confidant. Together, they started the prosperous Tianyuan era., marking the peak of Great Chu’s prosperity. Later, Xuan was promoted to Grand Tutor, one of the three highest-ranking officials, and elevated from Marquis of Pacification to Duke, granted three imperial pardons, enjoying unparalleled favor.

In the past, Xuan had declined the invitation of the Northern Jiangsu governor. During the northern crisis, the governor deliberately sent Xuan’s father to a dangerous place. Later, when Xuan held military power in the north, he ignored the governor. After the national crisis was resolved, Xuan gathered evidence of the governor’s abuse of power and personally sentenced him to exile a thousand miles away.

In the thirtieth year of Emperor Ding’an’s reign, Xuan requested to resign, saying, “The promise I made back then has now been fulfilled. I wish to travel with my wife to see this beautiful land on behalf of Your Majesty.”

The emperor hesitated for three days before approving: “Granted.”

Afterward, Xuan traveled the world with his wife, eventually returning to his ancestral land in Suyue, living a semi-reclusive life.

The ups and downs of officialdom were not what Xuan desired. He sought true love, which was his greatest fortune, hoping his descendants could live freely and happily.

Xuan’s family teachings were:

First, the descendants of the Xie family must not forget the nation’s concerns.

Second, they must not be unfaithful.

Third, they may live freely as long as they do not overstep boundaries.

The descendants of the Xie family, familiar with this family history, all admired him. Yet, despite the shared bloodline, personalities differed, and among thousands, there was only one Xie Xuan.

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In the thirteenth year of the Qiyuan era of Great Chu, over three hundred years had passed since Emperor Ding’an’s time, and the Xie family had become the foremost family in Chu.

***

Under the scorching sun, the three execution supervisors at the execution ground glanced at the sun. The small-eyed official with a goatee on the left said to the square-faced official in the middle, “Lord Zhang, the time has come. It’s time to execute.”

Urged, Lord Zhang’s face showed reluctance. He glanced at the main street opposite, then at the people below the platform who were crying out for justice for the person on the platform. Finally, he looked at the scholar kneeling on the platform, his back straight, shook his head, and drew a command arrow, raising it high.

All eyes in the capital were on the execution platform.

The scholar said to his wife and children kneeling below, “We of the Xie family do not fear life or death. Do not harbor unending resentment. Live well and follow your heart. Xun’er, Yu’er, take care of your mother.” With deep emotion in his eyes, he gritted his teeth and said, “My dear, take care.” After speaking, he glanced into the distance behind him, filled with heavy longing.

The woman and children below did not wail but clenched their teeth, letting tears fall like rain. Dressed in white mourning clothes, their hearts were cut like knives upon hearing these words. The woman stifled her sobs, holding her son and daughter close. After a pause, as if gathering strength, she said with a choked voice, “Husband, rest assured.” Despite the myriad emotions in her heart, she could not express them.

Seeing this, Lord Zhang’s hand trembled slightly. The two officials beside him urged him as if the person on the platform were a heinous criminal. Lord Zhang raised the command arrow high, turning his head slightly to the side. In a deep voice, he said,

“Execute.”

At the same time, he threw the command arrow, which felt unbearably heavy, with force.

The executioner raised the butcher’s knife high.

Inside a tavern, a man disdainfully said to the person behind him, “The Xie family is no different from other noble families, sacrificing pawns to protect the carriage. It’s a pity our meticulously planned scheme was wasted.” The person behind him remained silent.

Just as he finished speaking, the sound of horse hooves approached from the direction of the main street. Lord Zhang shouted loudly, “Stop!” Simultaneously, a flash of white light whistled overhead, colliding with the butcher’s knife just six inches from the neck. The force was so great that the strong executioner couldn’t hold the knife, which flew out and embedded itself ten steps away.