Women dressed as men: powerful officials

"The Xu family has the merit of following the emperor. The friendship between the Bei and Xu families is as long as the history of Tianqi. The Bei family governs the world and the Xu family stands firm. That's why they have this imperial sword that can strike down tyrants and cut off corrupt officials."

The carriage swayed slowly towards the palace.

Sun Wenjie looked at the sword box in Xu Wenxian's hand, swallowed his saliva, and asked in a low voice: "Mr. Xu, junior, can I take a look at it?"

It is true that Tianqi has an imperial sword.

But in the hundreds of years of history, no one has ever taken it out, so much so that at one point some people wondered whether this thing did not exist.

But today, the sword box was right in front of him.

Unlike Sun Wenjie's surprise, Xu Yuan frowned and asked, "Father, when did you find this sword?"

If you have it, why didn't you take it out at the beginning?

If it was lost, why didn't you tell her so she could find this sword.

That’s not right. If there was, why didn’t her grandfather take it out when he was exiled?

"Don't worry, this sword is real."

Sun Wenjie's eyes widened. "If that's the case, why didn't you take it out before?"

"Because before, I hadn't decided whether to use it or not."

Xu Wenxian lowered his eyes and said calmly, "Yuan'er, you must listen carefully to every word your father says next. Only in this way can you live up to your family name."

Hearing Xu Wenxian's words, Xu Yuan immediately sat up straight.

She had a hunch that Xu Wenxian's next words would be the truth that she had been seeking for in both lifetimes.

"When the Xu family was in trouble, I was still young, about your age, but at that time, I was naive and fearless."

"When the Xu family was in trouble, my eldest brother and second brother were both mediating. I was the only one who did nothing, holding on to the belief that nothing would happen to the Xu family. In fact, at that time, everything had signs, but we all ignored them."

Xu Wenxian sighed as he spoke and looked outside the carriage.

The city is bustling with traffic, and people live a simple and happy life.

"In the past few years in Sishui County, I have always wondered whether my father had already willingly sacrificed himself for the sake of unification. Meeting the emperor that day further solidified my thoughts."

Sun Wenjie disagreed: "No matter what, it is a fact that the Xu family was wronged. Since it is a fact, we should seek justice and let the deceased rest in peace."

The Xu family died in such a tragic way.

The blood flowed like a river, it was not fake.

This is the case with Xu’s residence in the capital city alone.

Sun Wenjie couldn't imagine the despair that the elderly Mr. Xu felt when he took his family to the place of exile, thinking that the suffering of traveling was about to end, but ended up meeting someone who wanted to silence them.

And Xu Wenxian was an eyewitness.

He should understand better than anyone.

"Then do you know that this sword is actually hidden in the Xu family's inner courtyard, under the ancient tree planted by the Xu family's ancestor and great-grandfather?"

Xu Wenxian lowered his eyes and looked at the sword case in his hand, his eyes dark.

"Everyone in the Xu family knows about the Imperial Sword. I also know that as long as the Imperial Sword is produced, not only can the Xu family clear their grievances, but the late emperor can also abdicate. So, I have never worried about anything happening to the Xu family, until my father was imprisoned and my sister came home to discuss countermeasures with my eldest brother, hoping that he could produce the Imperial Sword. But he refused."

"That day, I hid behind the door and eavesdropped. I heard my eldest brother slowly say that the Xu family was indeed powerful and it was no coincidence that they were envied by others. The Imperial Sword could protect the Xu family for a while, but it could not protect the Xu family in the future. It was then that I learned that my father was willing to die to prove his will and buy a glimmer of hope for the Xu family."

"I have wondered countless times why my father and elder brother took a step back, until I stood under that tree."

Xu Yuan pursed his lips and said nothing.

Sun Wenjie also fell silent, which was unusual.

No wonder, no wonder Xu Wenxian was so silent.

It's not that he is naturally silent, but that the past days and nights have tortured him and smoothed out all the edges of the young man.

"The late emperor did give the Xu family a glimmer of hope. I don't know if it was because of my eldest sister, but even my father was not punished. Just like that, the Xu family embarked on the road of exile. It was at that time that I truly understood this secret."

"What is it?"

"What secret?"

Xu Yuan and Sun Wenjie asked at the same time.

After Sun Wenjie finished speaking, he suddenly realized that he might be an outsider.

He had heard about what happened before, but he might not be able to hear about what happened after this secret.

Thinking of this, Sun Wenjie made an excuse and said, "I'd better get off the carriage and walk."

"It's okay. Lord Sun is my daughter's best friend. I can tell from your features that you are a good official. It's okay to listen. Anyway, the truth will eventually be made public."

Xu Wenxian's voice was flat and a little sad.

He just kept exerting force with his fingers, tightening the sword case in his hand step by step.

"Let's start with Qi Chengen's petition."