Volume One, Chapter 14: The Sinner Must Die

Lou Xianyue acted swiftly, and within three to five days, several carts of cotton-padded clothes were delivered.

Xiao Yuanyi had just recovered from a cold and was sensitive to the cold, so she wrapped herself tightly before stepping outside.

Standing at the door of the Lou residence, she felt a moment of dizziness. Many times, she had thought she would never walk out of this door again.

Shen Suyun passed by without so much as a glance, but Lou Xianyue hesitated, looking at her with a conflicted expression.

“Mother, my seventh brother’s wife is unfamiliar with this place. Let her come with me. The distribution of cotton clothes is more urgent; please take care of that side alone,” Lou Xianyue said.

“She’s coming with me,” Shen Suyun said coldly.

Lou Xianyue smiled faintly and said nothing further.

Thus, Xiao Yuanyi and Shen Suyun boarded a carriage. The atmosphere was oppressively heavy. Xiao Yuanyi kept her eyes lowered the entire time, yet even so, she could feel the hatred burning in Shen Suyun’s gaze.

Shen Suyun sneered at her delicate face.

Her son’s body was nowhere to be found. How could the family of the culprit live so well? If they could not kill her, they would at least make her suffer.

Just as Xiao Yuanyi had said, most people had gone to collect cotton, and though there were many at the ready-made clothing stall, it was clear how difficult their situation was.

When Shen Suyun got off the carriage, she seemed like a different person. She personally handed out cotton clothes to the townsfolk at the stalls. Some she even recognized and, disregarding their dirt and grime, took their hands as she spoke.

“Heaven is blind. Eighth Young Master was such a good man. After my son died under his command, he sent me gifts every year when he saw me alone. Why do good people receive no reward...” An old woman wiped her tears, and the Second Madam’s eyes reddened. “It’s all in the past now. Auntie, please find peace.”

She handed the cotton clothes to the woman and secretly slipped her some silver, which the old woman refused before limping away.

Next came another.

Xiao Yuanyi also helped at the stall. The people didn’t know her identity but still offered condolences.

Though they were poor and battered by the harsh winds and sands, their faces worn with age and hardship, they all mourned General Lou and Eighth Young Master, resenting the Northern barbarians and the unfairness of fate.

This showed how Lou family had, over more than twenty years in Dingzhou, poured their heart and soul into their work, earning the deep gratitude of the people.

She saw some men with broken limbs, likely wounded soldiers from the battlefield.

Her nose prickled with emotion.

The frontier she imagined through poets’ words was grand and heroic, but once the veil of pride was lifted, only bitter cold and peril remained.

No one loved this place, yet someone had to remain.

Without these people holding fast here, there would be no prosperity behind Dingzhou.

“Are these disabled soldiers not provided for by the court?” Xiao Yuanyi asked softly.

Shen Suyun glanced at her. “Do you even know how much that cloak you wear is worth?”

Xiao Yuanyi felt a sudden burning flush on her face.

Luxury was rampant in Yanjing; who cared about the struggles a thousand miles away?

“I... I can try to find a way to help.”

She had some connection with the emperor’s youngest princess; if she could get her to speak up, the emperor might not refuse.

Shen Suyun said nothing, only offering a sneering smile.

Four or five carts of cotton clothes were nearly distributed within an hour, though many more still waited in line.

Xiao Yuanyi took off her cloak and asked Yun Jin to pawn it in exchange for more cotton clothes.

Yun Jin cautiously scanned the surroundings. The commoners didn’t know Xiao Yuanyi’s identity, but the officials of Dingzhou cast unfriendly glances their way.

Even if she stayed, with only herself and Xiaguang, they could not hold the line.

She left reluctantly, thankfully without incident.

Shen Suyun’s eyes flickered with hesitation as she saw Xiao Yuanyi sell her cloak.

But it was only a moment before her mind was consumed entirely by vengeance, as if a voice whispered that only by torturing Xiao Yuanyi could her son rest in peace.

“That’s her! She is the sixth Miss of the Prince of Nan’an’s mansion. Were it not for her eldest brother, neither the General nor the Vice General would have died!”

“How dare she still live! If I were her, I would have long since taken my own life to atone before the two generals underground!”

“Yes, atone! She deserves to die!”

Suddenly, a commotion erupted from the crowd. Xiao Yuanyi’s blood chilled instantly. Yun Jin and Xiaguang exchanged worried looks and gripped her hands tightly.

“Will we die...?”

“No, no, the prince and princess are coming.”

Xiao Yuanyi pressed her lips tightly together, watching the grateful townsfolk who had just accepted her cotton clothes turn against her with faces twisted in hatred, as if they longed to tear her apart.

At first, the Lou family’s servants tried to hold them back, but as more people poured in, there was no stopping the surge. Had Shen Suyun not stood beside her, they would have already torn her to pieces.

“Traitor, die!”

Something was thrown, striking Xiao Yuanyi’s face painfully.

She endured it silently, but her eyes betrayed her and grew red.

More objects were hurled. Yun Jin and Xiaguang tried to shield her but soon had to fend for themselves.

“Miss, let’s go.” Yun Jin cried in fear.

But with so many people around, where could the three of them even escape?

Xiao Yuanyi glanced at Shen Suyun, who stood aloof. She understood her intent was to let the people humiliate her.

In the face of such overwhelming voices, no words could help.

If she fled, it would only deepen the townsfolk’s resentment toward the Prince of Nan’an’s mansion and even the imperial family—something the emperor would never want to see.

So she lifted her skirt and knelt straight down.

The grimy ground stained her pure white dress. Without the cloak to shield her, Xiao Yuanyi’s figure seemed even smaller, yet in the biting cold wind, she did not waver or retreat, her face void of fear or grievance.

She was but a young girl, once innocent and untainted, married into Dingzhou before the terrible news struck. Now she bore the insults and curses meant for her brothers.

The uproar gradually subsided, and this time Shen Suyun was truly surprised.

Only days ago, Xiao Yuanyi had boldly called her weak and incompetent—a cunning woman indeed!

Lou Xianyue ran over from a distance and frowned at the scene, feeling it had gone too far.

If Xiao Yuanyi lost her temper, it could ruin the Lou family.

She was about to help her up when suddenly, an arrow whistled through the air.