My low-key cultivation of immortality was discovered by the emperor in my diary.

The next day.

Before dawn breaks, frost still clings to the branches.

An unusually large crowd gathered in front of the palace, creating a sea of ​​people.

The Prefect of the Capital, dressed in his official robes, hurried along, leading his officials to the palace gate.

His gaze was solemn as he surveyed the makeshift execution ground that had just been set up the night before, his heart filled with mixed emotions.

Thinking of the person to be executed today, the Prefect of the Capital couldn't help but raise his hand to wipe the sweat from his forehead.

Since the founding of the Great Xia Dynasty, this is the first duke to be executed!

Today's events are of utmost importance. The thought that the history of the Four Kings and Eight Dukes was about to end before his eyes made his heart pound with excitement. Despite the harsh winter weather, his face was rosy, as if his blood was still hot and he felt no cold at all.

Because it was not yet fully light, the yamen runners were still holding torches to illuminate the scene, their red glow reflecting on the simple, honest faces below the stage.

He looked up into the distance, where the first rays of dawn seemed to herald the arrival of a new era.

"Sir, look, the people have arrived so early!" the junior official beside him said softly, his tone tinged with surprise.

Upon hearing this, the Prefect of the Capital turned his gaze to the palace gate, where he saw a surging crowd, a dense mass of people who had come to hear the news.

They whispered among themselves, filled with anticipation for what was about to happen.

"Wow, is this for real today?"

"With so many imperial guards, will His Majesty the Emperor come in person today?"

"Being able to see this scene makes my life worthwhile."

"Well done! These powerful and wealthy families should have been killed long ago!"

"The Chu family has committed numerous evils. The Prefect of the Capital is acting on behalf of Heaven. Well done!"

Amid the public discussion, many applauded the move.

The Prefect of the Capital listened to all these words and said to the minor official with emotion, "Indeed, the will of the people is what they desire, and their wishes cannot be defied."

Before him, the position of Prefect of the Capital was frequently rotated, sometimes changing every few months. He was the one who held the position for the longest time.

He was worldly and shrewd, and although he knew he had no choice, he sometimes felt ashamed.

Who wouldn't want to be a good official loved by all the people?

Now that the emperor is backing him up, he can finally hold his head high for once. The Prefect of the Capital thought to himself: No, I should thank Miss Chu. Without her, His Majesty would not have made up his mind.

He looked around but couldn't find that unforgettable figure. He felt a little disappointed, but he believed that Miss Chu would come.

From the crowd, an old man, leaning on a cane, stepped forward shakily and said loudly, "Although I am old, I must witness this gratifying moment with my own eyes today! This is retribution!"

As soon as these words were spoken, a chorus of agreement immediately arose from all around. Some applauded and cheered, while others angrily denounced the Chu family's evil deeds, and the atmosphere reached a climax.

Seeing this, the Prefect of the Capital nodded inwardly, knowing that his actions today had won the hearts of the people.

He lifted his official robe and sat down in the presiding judge's seat, with towering palace walls behind him and a surging sea of ​​people in front of him.

His expression was solemn, and his eyes were resolute, making him look like a completely different person compared to his usual self.

He raised his hand to signal the constables to step forward, and ordered in a deep voice, "The time has come, bring the criminal forward!"

The constables moved at the command, and the people quieted down. Only the clanging of iron chains could be heard echoing in the silent air.

Chu Wenchen and Song were escorted out, their faces appearing particularly pale and haggard in the firelight.

Chu Wenchen's face was ashen, his eyes vacant, as if he had lost all hope and given up the struggle.

Song Shi, on the other hand, looked utterly despairing, tears streaming down her face, making her appear exceptionally pitiful. Her once bright and sparkling eyes were now filled with nothing but despair.

She gazed at the road leading to the execution ground, her heart filled with resentment and struggle, yet ultimately powerless to change her fate.

Although they had only been imprisoned for a few days, the feeling of suddenly falling from the clouds to the bottom was not pleasant, especially after they learned that the emperor's mind was made up and that they were doomed.

Chu Wenchen walked like a zombie, seemingly oblivious to the accusations and curses of the people.

While in prison, he repeatedly recalled his past glories, the days when he held immense power, and the moments when he was admired and envied by countless people. But those memories were like a mirage, easily shattered, leaving only endless emptiness and pain.

His former power and status had all vanished, and now he couldn't even save his own life. How could Chu Wenchen possibly have the energy to pay attention to the people's accusations and curses?

With tears in her eyes, Song still refuses to believe that she has reached the end of her road.

She appeared so weak and powerless in front of the people, but no one would sympathize with such a vicious woman.

The people cursed and even threw things onto the execution ground.

Whether it was the Prefect of the Capital, the yamen runners, or the Imperial Guards, they all remained expressionless, tacitly choosing to remain silent and observe without intervening.

As dawn broke, a dozen or so carriages slowly approached and stopped outside the crowd.

One official sighed in a low voice, "The situation here and now is so different from what it was back then. It's truly heartbreaking."

In the past, when Chu Wenchen inherited the title, he was also very successful.

Unexpectedly, less than three years later, he has become a death row inmate.

The emperor deliberately chose to set up the execution ground in front of the palace gates, and then chose it when everyone was entering the palace for the morning court session, so that all the civil and military officials had to witness the fate of the Chu couple. It was truly the ultimate act of killing someone and destroying their spirit!

More and more people gathered here, and all the officials were blocked outside the surging crowd, but no one dared to cause trouble and could only wait quietly.

The Prefect of the Capital stood up, picked up the indictment, and solemnly announced the crimes of the Chu couple. The people below the stage listened quietly, their indignation, disgust, and hatred growing stronger.

Their gazes, like sharp blades, were constantly cast at Chu Wenchen and Song Shi, as if they wished they could tear them to pieces right now.

Finally, the Prefect of the Capital presented the imperial edict and read it aloud:

"I have heard that all matters under heaven must be based on justice and benevolence. Now, Chu Wenchen and his wife have defied the way of heaven and disregarded the law. Their crimes are heinous and must be punished."

"Chu Wenchen was once an important minister of the court, who received the Emperor's great favor. Instead of repaying the favor, he harbored disloyal intentions. He deceived the Emperor, abused his power, and was corrupt and lawless, enriching himself and oppressing the people, causing widespread resentment. Such behavior is intolerable to Heaven and unforgivable under the law."

"His wife, Song, was also no good person. She aided and abetted the wicked, colluded with the corrupt, flattered superiors and bullied inferiors, and ruined the family's reputation. In addition, she was jealous of the virtuous and capable, and she would do anything to frame the loyal and good people."

"The husband and wife colluded to bring disaster to the country and its people; their crimes are unforgivable."

"Considering the suffering of the people, I hereby issue this decree, ordering the relevant officials to immediately arrest Chu Wenchen and his wife and bring them to justice, to serve as a warning to others. Their property shall be confiscated and added to the national treasury. All their associates shall be investigated and punished without exception."

"I know that once this decree is issued, there will be people who will cry out for justice. However, my mind is made up, so say no more."

"May all subjects of the world take this as a lesson, abide by their duties, be loyal to the emperor and love their country, and work together to achieve peace."

"Appreciate this!"