It's all ruined, who cares about the chastity arch

However, even indoors, the deafening sound of the fireworks was still like thunder in his ears, as if even the solid ground beneath his feet was shaking. The vibration in the air seemed to invade his heart directly, making him uneasy and unable to find a moment of peace.

Time seemed to freeze at this moment, and the air was filled with an extremely oppressive silence, until the servant's cautious call at the side barely broke the silence and made everything flow again.

"Second Young Master, hurry to the front yard, Eunuch Jiang has arrived!"

The servant's voice penetrated the tranquility of the early morning, with a hint of haste and panic. His steps were disordered, and he almost shouted this sentence while running. Fine beads of sweat on his forehead gleamed slightly in the morning light, and the panic in his expression was like dark clouds, foreshadowing the coming storm.

Zheng Chengyan's heart suddenly twitched, as if an invisible hand was gripping his heart, and an indescribable sense of tension instantly spread throughout his body.

He didn't have time to think, his body was as nimble as a rabbit, he jumped up from the chair in a flash, and rushed to the door. His clothes fluttered in the wind, and the dust was raised under his feet, showing his inner urgency and anxiety.

In the front yard, the scene was extremely solemn and depressing.

Eunuch Jiang, a thin but sharp-eyed old eunuch, was dressed in gorgeous brocade official uniform. Behind him was a row of guards in distinctive armor and holding spears. Each of their faces had unquestionable majesty, as if they were the arrival of a messenger from heaven.

The imperial edict was wrapped in golden silk, shining with an awe-inspiring light, refracting a dazzling glow in the sunlight, becoming the focus of this sudden change.

As Eunuch Jiang slowly unfolded the imperial edict that symbolized imperial power, the entire Zheng Mansion seemed to hold its breath and wait, with an indescribable heaviness in the air.

Although his voice was not loud, it was clear and powerful, and every word was like a heavy hammer hitting everyone's heart: "Duke Xuan Zheng Wenfu, while serving in Huzhou, broke the law knowingly and embezzled military rations. His crime is unforgivable. In view of the outstanding contributions of the Changping Marquisate to the country throughout the ages, Zheng Wenfu will be pardoned from death, but his title will be stripped, all official positions will be revoked, and his entire family will be exiled to the remote Chuanping as a severe punishment!"

After he finished speaking, the entire front yard fell into deathly silence, with only the rustling of leaves in the breeze as the only sound between heaven and earth.

The ominous premonition that was surging in Zheng Chengyan's heart turned into cold reality at this moment, making him feel like he was struck by lightning.

He looked up suddenly, his eyes full of disbelief and shock, but deep down his heart was already cold.

Gu Linjun, the senior official in the court who had personally promised to forgive his father, was undoubtedly shocked by his decision at this moment.

Kapira, that remote and desolate place, once you set foot there, it will undoubtedly be the beginning of separation of life and death.

What is even more chilling is that losing the title means that the Zheng family will fall from the clouds, their mansions will be confiscated, and their family members will be reduced from aristocrats to common people. Zheng Chengyan, the second son who once enjoyed great glory, will be burdened with the reputation of being the descendant of a traitor. His future path to the imperial examinations and even the most basic security of life will become an unattainable dream.

Gu Linjun's move would undoubtedly push him and his family into the abyss of despair.

As the night deepened, the fireworks that suddenly burst into life over the capital were dazzling, but they became extremely glaring in the eyes of the Zheng family. The brilliant light seemed to be mocking their misfortune, like the flames of hell trying to devour this historic family and burn it to ashes.

"This is impossible! How could Gu Linjun treat us like this! Our old Duke has made great contributions to the late emperor, how could he betray us just like that!"

Old Madam Zheng almost used up all her strength to shout out these words. As the mistress of the Zheng residence who had been in charge of internal affairs for many years, she found it difficult to accept this sudden blow. The tenacity and despair mixed in her eyes were unbearable to watch.

Facing Madam Zheng's questioning, Eunuch Jiang's face was as cold as ice, with a cold smile on his lips, and his voice was flat and without any emotion: "Second Master Zheng, are you going to disobey the imperial edict?"

Zheng Chengyan lowered his head, his slender fingers clenched into fists, his knuckles whitening. He seemed to be struggling with his inner struggle. His usually handsome face was now twisted by anger, tears welled up in his eyes but did not fall. He muttered to himself, "It was him, he deceived me..."

Eunuch Jiang did not give more time. He waved his hand and gave a cold order: "Execute it."

When the guards received the order, they responded in unison, which was so frightening that everyone was terrified. Then they rushed into the Zheng Mansion like a tide.

The women in the family fell to their knees, their cries and wails mixed together, they were heartbroken.

Madam Zheng was even more overwhelmed. She slumped on the ground helplessly, trying to block it all with her frail body. Her hoarse voice was filled with despair: "No, you can't do this! How can you trample on our Changping Marquis Mansion at will!"

However, under the iron hoofs of the guards, all resistance seemed so pale and powerless.

They ignored Madam Zheng's attempts to stop them, pushed their way into the mansion, and began a brutal raid on the once glorious family.

The former glory and splendor, at this moment, are reduced to nothing but crying and chaos in the yard, as if all the good things have quietly disappeared with the last rays of light of sunset.

Madam Zheng collapsed on the ground, her limbs spread out weakly. The rough floor tiles gave off a chill, which formed a sharp contrast with the pain in her chest that was like a raging fire.

She gritted her teeth and tried to stand up again, using the last of her strength to stop the catastrophe, but she only felt a sweetness in her throat, and a warm liquid rushed to her throat, turning into a mouthful of bright red blood, which spilled into the dust, dyeing the ground red and breaking her last line of defense.

She tried her best to turn sideways, and her thin fingers, trembling like dead branches, hooked onto the corner of the exquisite and luxurious robe of Zheng Chengyan who was standing not far away. There was a silent begging flashing in her eyes, which was the desire for survival and the last attachment to her family.

Zheng Chengyan knelt there, his figure like a stone statue carved by time, silent and indifferent. Facing his mother's almost desperate grasp, there was no ripple on his face, and the silence was suffocating, as if all this had nothing to do with him, and his soul had long since left his body and abandoned outside the precarious Zheng Mansion.

Madam Zheng's fingers struggled in vain in the air, trying to pull out even the slightest response, but the cold corner of the clothes finally slipped mercilessly from her fingertips, just like the last glimmer of hope in her heart, silently dissipating in the wind.

Her eyes gradually dimmed, as if the whole world was collapsing at this moment.

Guo, who was in the crowd, had an imperceptible sneer on her lips, and her eyes were flashing with the pleasure of revenge. Years of humiliation and unwillingness finally ushered in this moment of reckoning.