My sister became the empress, but I'm still growing vegetables and raising chickens

Chapter 224 The imperial edict arrives

Chapter 224 The Imperial Edict Arrives

Si Xingzhi felt a chill run down his spine. Even though his daughter hadn't said what she was going to do the day she left, he knew exactly what she was going to do. He only hated himself for being incompetent and unable to keep his wife and children safe.

Now, is there really no room for maneuver?

Judge Luo Tong had to go to the execution ground today and could not stay long. He only told Si Xingzhi and his daughter to be careful when watching the execution, so as not to be seen by anyone with ulterior motives, otherwise they would be accused of leaving Fenghuang County at will, which would be a waste of time and effort.

Si Xingzhi waited for a long time before his second sister came out. He hurriedly went to greet her: "Second sister..."

"I've remembered what Lord Luo said," the second sister said calmly. "I'll go to the execution ground with Daddy later. Daddy, find a secluded place to hide."

Si Xingzhi asked, "What do you want to do?"

"Give it a try." The second sister hid the petition in her arms. "If I were asked to watch my eldest sister die and do nothing, I would never do it. Dad, I have written multiple copies of this petition, and a few are on my eldest sister's desk at home. If I fail today, please find a way to send this petition to Kyoto."

Si Xingzhi shook his head: "Second sister, the eldest sister is your sister and also my daughter. You can't watch her die, but can your father?"

The second sister quickly said, "Someone has to do this, and I can do it alone. Why bother Daddy? Dad, Mom, my younger brother, and Xiaoxia are still waiting for you to come back."

Si Xingzhi smiled and said, "They are waiting for us to go back. Second sister, let's go together. If we can't do it, we will be punished together. The worst that can happen is a few slaps and a change of exile. Now that your two brothers are gone, I don't know what their situation is like. I don't know if my eldest sister will still be alive after today. But the rest of us will be together in life and death."

The second sister nodded heavily, tears welling up in her eyes: "Dad is right, we are a family, we should stay together no matter what happens."

Mrs. Bi took her younger sister to the government office to look for Mr. Bi, but they didn't find him. After asking around, they found a clerk who usually followed Mr. Bi.

The clerk recognized Madam Bi and hurried over to greet her. "Madam, why are you here at this hour? Your Excellency is not on duty here today."

Mrs. Bi asked, "Are you going to the execution ground?"

The clerk shook his head in confusion. "Cases on the execution ground are not your business, sir. I seem to have heard someone from the palace arrive, and you went to greet them."

"In the palace?" Mrs. Bi was surprised.

Could it be that the Emperor had given His Excellency a secret order? But Madam Bi knew her master's character all too well. Since he had promised Miss Mu Wan that he would reexamine the case, he wouldn't let it go. Even if he truly couldn't resolve it, he would at least send someone back to the palace to let her know.

When my younger sister heard this, she was completely panicked. She grabbed Madam Bi's sleeve and burst into tears: "Madam, Madam..."

Mrs. Bi patted her hand comfortingly and said, "Let's send someone to find the master now. Don't worry. Let's go to the execution ground first."

When the clerk heard Madam Bi say they were going to the execution ground, his eyes rolled. He quickly stepped forward with a flattering smile and said in a low voice, "Madam, are you talking about the case of the young lady from the Si family? I'm afraid there's no room for further action in this matter."

Mrs. Bi shouted, "How dare you talk nonsense?"

"I would never dare to lie to you, Madam." The clerk apologized hastily, adding, "I know something. The Jin family promised the prefect thirty thousand taels of silver, as long as you quickly settle the case. So when the prefect learned that we wanted to re-examine the case, he immediately..."

"So that's how it is!" Mrs. Bi murmured, "Master's kindness turned out to be your sister's death warrant!"

The younger sister showed her hatred: "No, it's the Jin family that is despicable, it's the prefect who takes human life lightly!"

Mrs. Bi had no say in official affairs, so she asked her maid to reward the official and then took her younger sister to the execution ground.

At the execution ground, the prefect was personally in charge. Seeing Luo Tongpan coming, he couldn't help but sneer: "Master Luo is so arrogant."

Judge Luo Tong hurriedly bowed and said he dared not.

The deputy prefect beside him said sarcastically, "Lord Luo used to be arrogant in the countryside and didn't know the difference between high and low. I heard that Lord Luo has some connection with the girl who will be punished today, so the prisoner is in prison and is under the care of Lord Luo."

Judge Luo gritted his teeth. His position was low, so he couldn't argue. He only sighed and explained, "Please forgive me, my Lords. It's my fault. It's mainly because I was well-cared for by the prisoner's brother in the county. Since she's the sister of an old friend, I feel some sympathy for her."

The prefect remembered his concubine's words and said without further ado, "It's almost noon. Let's carry out the execution!"

Under the gallows, Si Muyan was already tied there, with the rope around her neck, just waiting for the execution order to come down. She would be hung up and would die soon.

At this moment, a clear female voice shouted, "Wait a minute, my sister has been wrongly accused, please understand!"

These words were like thunder, and several adults in the venue looked up. This one look made Luo Tongpan scared out of his wits. Who else could that be but Si Xingzhi and Si Mutong?

The younger sister who had just gotten off the car was also very nervous: "It's my second sister, she's seeking justice for my eldest sister! I want to go!"

Madam Bi grabbed her and said, "Mu Wan, don't forget, you are now a member of my Bi family. You can't go anywhere without my permission."

My younger sister had voluntarily followed Master Bi and had even stayed at his house for so many days. Even if Master Bi hadn't taken her as a concubine or made her sign a contract to sell herself, she was already helpless.

Seeing that she had calmed down a bit, Madam Bi said, "Just wait and see. If your second sister succeeds, then everything will be fine. If not, we can make plans later. There's nothing you can do if you go there now, right?"

My younger sister choked up and nodded, and followed Mrs. Bi. Mrs. Bi quickly sent someone to the front to inquire about the news.

On the day of the execution, there were already many people watching the excitement. With the second sister's shouting, even more people came to see what was happening. The place was crowded inside and outside, and Mrs. Bi and her younger sister couldn't get in at all.

The prefect inside the court had a dark look in his eyes. He summoned his men and, after a brief interrogation, immediately determined the identity of the troublemaker. He stood up and declared, "The Si family were originally exiled criminals, forbidden from leaving their place of exile. Now, you have the audacity to not only leave Fenghuang County but also interfere with the execution. Your crimes are truly unforgivable. Bring them here, give them ten strokes of the cane, and take them to the prison. I will report this to His Majesty and then proceed with the final decision!"

For a moment, Mrs. Bi didn't know what to do. She saw the yamen runners going forward to arrest Si Xingzhi and her second sister, but she heard a shrill voice singing.

"The imperial edict has arrived!"