The Valued Lady is Truly Dominant

”Sir.”

Zhang Zhi knelt before Mr. Ning, who was dressed impeccably, his voice hoarse.

Mr. Ning, with his head full of silver hair and a face covered in wrinkles, stood straight and tall, looking down at the servant with a faint smile, and said, ”It’s nothing, just that you won’t be able to accompany me anymore.”

Tears rolled down Zhang Zhi’s face as he choked up, ”Sir...”

”After I leave, if you are willing, watch over Hong’er for me. If not, then the vast sea and sky await you to explore freely. Go ahead.”

Zhang Zhi shook his head, ”Sir.”

Mr. Ning slightly bent down, reached out, and patted his head, saying, ”Take care.”

After saying these words, he turned and walked out the door.

Zhang Zhi prostrated on the ground, raising his head only when the creaking sound of the courtyard gate faded, watching that aged back disappear.

...

On the twenty-fourth of the first lunar month, the day was particularly overcast. Many people gathered at the Meridian Gate, watching the oppressive mass of Ning Clan members being brought onto the platform, whispering amongst themselves.

Suddenly, snowflakes began to drift down from the sky, and someone cried out that it was unjust.

The murmuring and pointing did not cease.

On the platform, the Judge was reading out the charges of treason against the Ning Clan, and the cries of injustice grew louder, forcing the officers to call for silence.

After the sentence for immediate execution was announced, wails erupted from the platform.

The executioners took their positions.

”Do you believe it? There is going to be a traditional scene where someone is spared under the executioner’s knife next.”

Nanny coughed, helplessly looking at the old mistress, who was filled with interest, and said irritably, ”Believe it or not, I don’t want to say anything. I really don’t understand why you’re so interested in this and insist on watching such a scene?”

How unlucky.

Indeed, Song Ci, this old lady, doesn’t do anything proper. On a whim, she came to watch the execution at the Meridian Gate. She’s not even considering her age, still watching something so bloody. Isn’t she afraid of the ominous aura clinging to her and attracting unclean spirits?

Especially since, although the year has passed, it’s still the first month, how unlucky!

Song Ci said sulkily, ”I’m just curious about what kind of person that infamous minister of a fallen nation is and whether there will be such a scene. He’s quite the villain, after all.”

Normally, when the big villain is captured, it’s either the end with a perfect conclusion or leaving a loose end.

She probably wouldn’t see how it ends, so she’ll first take a look at what kind of person this villain is.

Nanny: ”...”

No ancestor was harder to handle than their own Madam.

While grandmas in other families stay home, pampering grandchildren and chanting prayers, she came unabashedly to watch executions at the Meridian Gate.

Truly something.

Seeing the executioner spit high liquor onto the big knife, Nanny took a step forward, preparing to cover Song Ci’s eyes, fearing she would have nightmares after watching.

”Spare him from the knife! The criminal Ning Hongde is here.” An old yet full-throated voice rang out from the crowd.

Nanny: ”...”

Song Ci’s eyes lit up, casting a smug glance at Nanny, with a look that said, ”Didn’t I tell you so?”

It’s just a cliché.

She looked down and saw amidst the falling snow, a person slowly making their way through the crowd, clad in a plain robe with a wooden hairpin instead of a crown, walking step by step through the automatically parting crowd to the front of the platform.

”The criminal Ning Hongde requests to see the Emperor.”

Song Ci looked over, as the silver-haired elder gazed in the direction of the Imperial City, his eyes calm, couldn’t help but say, ”This person won’t live long.”

That was the serenity of someone resolute in meeting death.