[Wuxia] The Duan Family Women Generals (Complete) - 40 Chapters (Complete)

Chapter 41 – Emperor Feng Qing's Abuse of Power: The Carefree Swordsman Enters the Forbidden City at Night.

It is reported that Xu Youliang and Guan Yuqing returned from gathering information, their faces ashen, their anger palpable. Lingfeng and the others rushed over to inquire.
Guan Yuqing angrily said, "This Feng Qing is becoming increasingly tyrannical. I heard from people in other villages that the imperial court has issued a secret decree to all local governments to exterminate seven surnames."
"Which seven surnames?" "
The Xu, Yu, Duan, Huang, Kan, Feng, and He surnames. The government has received the secret order that all those with these seven surnames, regardless of rank, must be exterminated along with their entire families, leaving no one alive."
Duan Lingfeng immediately understood. Feng Qing knew that his clan in Nanling was not completely wiped out, so he wanted to eliminate them completely, but this implicated other people with the same surname. She just didn't know what connection the Yu surname had with her.
Lingfeng said, "This Feng Qing is going too far. There are so many families with the same surname. Even if we hadn't fought with him, how could we have united based on our surnames? Such bloodshed goes against the will of Heaven."
"Indeed, Heaven and Earth have the virtue of cherishing life. I cannot sit idly by," Youliang added. "
What are your plans, Xiaoyao?"
"You all return to White Horse Mountain. I'm going to the Forbidden City."
"I'll go with you," Lingfeng said.
"I'll go too," Fengjuan and the other three also wanted to go.
“You can’t go. Your martial arts skills aren’t good enough for the Forbidden City.”
Yu Qing said, “I’ll go.”
“You shouldn’t go either. What will happen to them if you go?”
Ling Feng said, “Xiao Yao is right. We’re not going to kill anyone, nor do we need a large group. We’re going to persuade Feng Qing to retract his order and stop indiscriminately killing innocent people. A large group won’t help. General Guan, why don’t we two escort you through the pass first, and then you can take the sisters into the mountains? Xiao Yao and I will be traveling the world, doing chivalrous deeds.”
“No, we want to follow the cave master. Otherwise, we won’t see him for years while you’re in the Central Plains.” Feng Juan and the other three girls pleaded.
“Alright, the four of you can come with us. Yu Qing will escort the rest of the sisters into the mountains. Once they’re settled, Yu Qing can come back to the Central Plains to find us.”
“Yu Qing obeys.”
“General Guan, since I’m not here, I’ll entrust the arrangements for the sisters’ future to Madam Yu Shuang.” Ling Feng also said.
"Yes."
The group hurried forward and soon arrived at Xuanwu Pass. The women's lightness skills had greatly improved, and coupled with their long-standing habit of climbing mountains, they leaped and scrambled, barely needing the help of You Liang and Duan Lingfeng, and all made it out of Xuanwu Pass.
You Liang then led his five wives and concubines southward.
It is true that the extermination of the seven clans was the work of Feng Qing. Previously, Xu You Liang had stormed the execution ground and rescued Feng Juan and her two companions; later,
he had abducted more than forty people from Nanling at Zhennan Pass. Feng Qing had long suspected that Xu You Liang was responsible. Tao Xiuying shared the same suspicion. Both of them believed without hesitation that the Nanling people had not been completely wiped out, and that a large portion had surely infiltrated the Central Plains, posing a threat to the court sooner or later. Therefore, they issued this secret edict, ordering all provinces to eliminate the seven clans.
Reports of massacres from various provinces kept arriving, yet Feng Qing remained uneasy. None of the reports indicated that the victims were from Nanling, and there was no news of Xu Youliang. This unease weighed heavily on his mind, causing him restlessness and agitation. He lost all interest in sex that evening,
spending his time alone in the imperial study. Suddenly, a chill ran down his spine, and his scalp tightened, as if some danger was approaching—a sensitivity unique to soldiers who had survived life-threatening situations.
He looked up from his book and saw two figures seated in black night clothes, their heads wrapped in black turbans, calmly observing him.
Feng Qing recognized them immediately—Xu Youliang and Duan Lingfeng. He leaped from his throne, reaching for the sword hanging on a pillar.
"It's no use, you can't kill us," Xu Youliang said, without even moving from their seats.
Feng Qing's hand, already reaching for the sword, froze. He knew very well that if he could kill them, they would have already struck first.
Feng Qing withdrew his hand and said, "How did you get in? There are hordes of warriors outside my palace. If I shouted, would you even be able to leave?"
"Ah, you'll see when you go out," Xu Youliang said slowly and deliberately.
Feng Qing walked to the door, pushed it open, and saw two guards standing there, stiff and motionless, not even blinking.
Feng Qing understood that all the guards around the imperial study must have been immobilized like this. He wondered what method Xu Youliang had used; was there really such a thing as a magic spell to freeze someone in place? He felt a chill run down his spine, making him want to escape. But the leg he had raised to step forward pulled back, and he turned and closed the door.
He had made a very wise decision, because he knew that if he could run away, the other side wouldn't be sitting there motionless.
"How is it, Your Majesty?" "Impressive.
I never imagined that you would become an immortal after only three years." Feng Qing tried his best to flatter him, even though he didn't believe that the other party could really become an immortal.
"What's so strange about that? Everyone has their own destiny." Feng Qing didn't expect that Xu Youliang would not deny the claim of becoming an immortal, which made him feel a chill again.
"I wonder what brings you two here?"
"I dare not presume to offer advice. Your Majesty, I have come to seek a way out for the people. I have heard that you have issued a secret decree ordering local officials to exterminate the Seven Clans. Is this true?"
"No, no, no."
"That's for the best. If it were true, I advise you to immediately rescind the order. For the sake of your empire, what good would such an action do, other than inciting widespread resentment? You think this matter won't leak out? Don't you know that if you don't want people to know, you shouldn't do it in the first place! Think carefully, if the Seven Clans knew about this, wouldn't they change their names and surnames? When the Song emperors exterminated the Xue and Huyan families and other ministers, did they ever try to wipe them out completely, and when did they ever actually succeed? In the end, didn't the descendants of the Xue and Huyan families rise again? Each family had only three or four hundred members, yet they couldn't be wiped out. How much more so these seven families, spread throughout the land, numbering in the thousands and tens of thousands. How can you possibly exterminate them all?"
"..."
"You can't kill them all, but won't their descendants come to avenge us today?"
"..."
"Even if you really kill them all, Heaven and Earth cherish life, do you think the Imperial Household Department will let you do as you please?"
"..."
"Xu Youliang surrendered to the Great Flood back then so that the people of the world would no longer suffer from the ravages of war. Now the world is at peace, and the people should be living in peace and contentment. This is a blessing for the world, and it is enough to comfort Youliang's heart. Youliang has no interest in the throne now, so why do you judge a gentleman with the mind of a petty person and insist on killing everyone related to Youliang? Do you think that just because you live deep in the palace and are surrounded by guards, you can rest easy? It would be easy for me to kill you. Look at the dragon desk in front of you, is your head harder than it?"
Xu Youliang pointed his finger, drew it downwards, then turned his finger into a palm and pressed it down. Although it was four or five feet away, the dragon desk broke cleanly in two in the middle, almost hitting Feng Qing's feet.
The dragon-shaped table was made of sandalwood, as hard as iron and over an inch thick. Ordinary swords and knives couldn't cut it, yet Xu Youliang effortlessly sliced it in two in mid-air, as easily as cutting tofu. How could Feng Qing not be terrified? If Youliang had added even a little magic to his finger, he would have been disemboweled. Feng Qing trembled all over.
"Youliang has said all you need to say. Whether you live or die is up to you. Remember, Youliang sees the Forbidden City as nothing. Killing you would be as easy as turning his hand. Take your leave. Farewell."
After speaking, the two men stood up and walked out. Before they reached the door, it opened by itself, and after they left, the door closed again.
Feng Qing sat there, speechless for a long time. After a long while, he finally stood up, trembling, and went to the door. When he opened it, Xu Youliang was nowhere to be seen. Looking at the guards, some were standing guard in the courtyard, others were patrolling, as if nothing had happened.
Feng Qing called over the head guard on duty and asked, "Did you see anything just now?"
"I didn't see anything."
"What about the others?"
"Let me ask them." He returned a moment later and said, "They didn't see anything either."
Feng Qing told the head guard to go to the study to check. Upon seeing the dragon-patterned desk, the head guard was so frightened that he collapsed to the ground, crying out for death. The desk had been broken, which would have made a huge noise, yet none of the guards had heard it. Such dereliction of duty was enough to warrant their execution.
Feng Qing told him to get up, then said to him, "I don't blame you for this, but once you leave this place, you mustn't utter a single word, or I'll have your entire family executed."
"Yes, Your Majesty, I dare not."
"Go, dismiss all the guards for tonight and replace them with others. Also, secretly summon the Left Prime Minister to the palace."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Why call Tao Xiuying again? She should be the one to draft the decree.
Upon seeing Tao Xiuying, Feng Qing instructed her to draft an imperial edict, stating that officials in various regions had misread the edict and wrongly killed innocent people, and this decree was to clarify the matter. The Emperor had no intention of executing the seven clans, and ordered the members of the seven clans to live in peace and not believe the rumors. The officials who had misread the edict were each fined one year's salary and demoted one rank.
Tao Xiuying also found it strange; the decree had just been issued to kill people, how could it be reversed so quickly? But Feng Qing wouldn't say, and Tao Xiuying dared not press him further, so she could only return to draft the edict without mentioning it.
Feng Qing dismissed Tao Xiuying, but his heart sank into fear. He dared not confide in anyone, and soon fell ill and never recovered.
What happens next? Stay tuned for the next chapter.

Chapter 42 – Emperor Shui Taizong Falls Ill from Fear, Empress Qi Seizes the Opportunity to Seize

Power. Last time, we talked about Xu Youliang and Duan Lingfeng sneaking into the Forbidden City at night. They met Emperor Shui Taizong, Feng Qing, and frightened him, intending to make him retract his decree to exterminate his clan and focus on governing the country.
In reality, Xu Youliang and Duan Lingfeng were only slightly skilled in martial arts. While their skills were considered miraculous, they were far from divine. They simply used their abilities and worked together to create a charade, but it genuinely frightened Feng Qing.
Feng Qing pondered this deeply, filled with fear, yet dared not confide in anyone. Over time, he fell ill and became bedridden, his mind in turmoil. All the imperial physicians were summoned, but they could only diagnose him with a fright, unable to prescribe any remedy. Thus, the reins of power in the court fell into the hands of Empress Qi. However,
Empress Qi was, after all, a concubine; though she wielded great power, it was useless without someone to support her. Fortunately, there was Princess Feng Xiaoyu, and the two conspired to seize control of the court, ignoring Tao Xiuying's advice.
Not only did they ignore her, but women are always prone to jealousy. For this intelligent, young, and beautiful female prime minister, Empress Qi undoubtedly felt a tremendous threat. Feng Xiaoyu, already feeling that Tao Xiuying always held her back, was further displeased by Fan Lingyun's marriage to Hua Rong and the Nanling war. Therefore, Feng Xiaoyu joined forces with Empress Qi to begin ostracizing Tao Xiuying. While it
's traditionally believed that concubines shouldn't interfere in politics, there has never been a dynasty where concubines truly refrained from it, especially while the emperor was still alive. However, ministers generally did not want empresses and concubines to hold power. Therefore, there were many instances where Empress Qi's edicts were rejected by ministers, especially the founding veterans such as Wang Ke and Shi Yunqing, who mostly did not respect Empress Qi.
Throughout history, there has been no shortage of schemers, and women were no exception. Empress Qi and Feng Xiaoyu were among the most notable. While they lacked the ability to lead troops and govern the country, they were adept at intrigue and scheming.
Not long after Emperor Taizong fell ill, the two women devised a wicked plan.
One day, Empress Qi summoned all the civil and military officials to the palace and said, "My dear ministers, His Majesty is currently unwell, and the imperial physicians are helpless. I wish to issue an imperial edict seeking talented individuals. Anyone who can cure His Majesty's illness, whether official, commoner, monk, or Taoist, will be richly rewarded. What do you think?"
No one could refuse such a proposal.
Sure enough, after the notice was posted, many renowned physicians answered the call and entered the palace, but none of them were able to cure the emperor's illness.
The imperial edict for medicine was a death sentence; failing to cure the emperor meant execution. Thus, several heads appeared outside the Meridian Gate. Seeing that even such a renowned physician couldn't cure the emperor, others dared not approach.
For three days, no one answered the edict, and Empress Qi sighed in the court every day.
Suddenly, one day, a report came that a Taoist priest had answered the edict, and Empress Qi hurriedly summoned him.
The Taoist priest entered the palace and bowed.
Empress Qi asked, "May I ask your name, Taoist priest?"
"My Dharma name is Wu Zhenzi, and I became a monk in Zhongnan Mountain."
"How old are you, Taoist priest?"
"I don't know, I only know that I became a monk in the first year of the Dazhen era."
"Oh?" Everyone was astonished. This Taoist priest looked only in his forties, but had actually been a monk for nearly two hundred years.
"My apologies, my apologies, so you are a deity."
"I dare not claim to be a deity, I have only lived a few years longer than ordinary people."
"Taoist Master, please do not be so modest. May I ask, Taoist Master, how do you intend to treat this illness?"
"No need for treatment, His Majesty is possessed by evil spirits, medicine is useless."
"Bold sorcerer, how dare you speak such nonsense!" Feng Xiaoyu shouted angrily from the side.
"Who is this?"
"This is the Princess."
"So it is Your Highness, I have been disrespectful. How did Your Highness know that I was speaking nonsense?"
"I see you are only in your forties, yet you claim to be from the first year of the Great Zhen era. Isn't that nonsense? Clearly, you are spreading heresy and misleading the public. Empress, such a person should be beheaded immediately."
"Princess, do not be hasty, let's hear what he has to say?" Empress Qi said, her tone clearly showing disbelief.
"Princess, you are not from the first year of the Great Zhen Dynasty, so how could you know I'm talking nonsense?"
"Hmph, since you are already over two hundred years old, you should know about events from a hundred years ago, right?"
"Of course."
"I ask you, how many times did the sun eclipse occur during Duan Yu's reign?" Feng Xiaoyu asked this because in ancient times, the fate of the nation was hidden in the stars, so observing the stars was a privilege reserved for the royal family, and only the Minister of the Imperial Observatory could do so. All astronomical records were kept in the palace, and outsiders were not allowed to know them. Anyone who dared to observe the stars privately would be punished with the extermination of their entire family for treason. Therefore, events from two hundred years ago could not be known to ordinary people unless they experienced them firsthand.
"This is difficult for me. Once, on the first day of the ninth month of the seventh year of the Great Zhen Dynasty, the eclipse began at the end of the Si hour, reached its maximum at noon, and returned to fullness at the beginning of the end of the Si hour." "
Where is the Minister of the Imperial Observatory?" Empress Qi asked.
"Your subject is here," Liu Shicun of the Imperial Observatory stepped forward and replied.
"Go and check the Great Zhen Dynasty's Celestial Records."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
A short while later, Liu Shicun arrived in the hall and reported, "Your Majesty, the Daoist priest's words are absolutely correct."
Tao Xiuying, standing nearby, said, "Your Majesty, it is clear that the Imperial Observatory colluded with outsiders to leak state secrets; they should be executed."
"This must be Prime Minister Tao," Wu Zhenzi said.
"So what if he is?"
"May I ask, Prime Minister Tao's birth date?"
"Why ask this?" Because people were superstitious at that time, believing that possessing someone's birth date and time allowed them to use magic to harm others, everyone's birth date and time were kept secret. Besides parents, only spouses would share this information; how could anyone openly reveal it in the imperial court?
"Your Majesty, may I borrow your writing materials?"
"The writing materials are at your service."
The Taoist priest took a piece of paper from the table, turned his back to everyone, secretly wrote a few lines, folded it, and handed it to Tao Xiuying, saying, "Prime Minister, please examine it yourself."
Tao Xiuying took it and was greatly surprised.
It turned out that it contained her own birth date and time.
"Prime Minister Tao, is this not the skill of the Imperial Observatory? Your Majesty, since you do not believe me, please let me leave the palace. Do not behead me."
"Wait, Daoist, do not be angry." Empress Qi said, "Treating the Emperor is a matter of utmost importance, and we must be careful. There are many charlatans in the world these days, so it is only right that the Princess and the Prime Minister be cautious. Daoist, you are an outsider, please do not lower yourself to my level."
"I dare not."
"I can see that you are truly skilled. I wonder how the Emperor's illness should be treated?"
What Wu Zhenzi said next, we shall find out in the next chapter.

Chapter 43 - Using the Imperial Observatory to Host a Banquet for the Emperor's Wedding, Burying Gunpowder and Bombing the Meritorious Officials.

It is said that Empress Qi asked about Wu Zhenzi's treatment of the Emperor in court.
Wu Zhenzi said, “Previously, His Majesty sent troops south to Zhennan Pass, annihilating the Nanling barbarians, including over 80,000 women and children. The restless spirits of these women and children haunt His Majesty's dreams day and night, causing him great distress and illness. If we build a platform in front of the Meridian Gate and hold a grand banquet for the founding heroes to bring good fortune, evil will always prevail over good. Those old ministers are all unparalleled heroes, righteous and upright. The spirits of the Nanling barbarians, being mostly the elderly, weak, women, and children, dare not face us directly and will naturally flee the Forbidden City. At that time, we can perform rituals to help their souls find peace, allowing them to be reborn and cease their torment. His Majesty's illness will then be cured without medicine.”
“That's not difficult. But how should this platform be built?”
"I have already drawn up the plans and dimensions here. Your Majesty only needs to send someone to supervise the construction. Here are two talismans: one to be placed in the foundation stone, and the other to be placed at the highest point after completion."
With that, the old Taoist handed a plan and two talismans to Empress Qi.
Empress Qi asked, "Who is capable of supervising the construction?"
"Prime Minister Tao is a heroine among women, corresponding to the celestial signs, and is suitable for this task."
"Prime Minister Tao?" Empress Qi turned to look at Tao Xiuying.
"This humble subject would gladly die for her."
"Taoist Master, how should we thank you?" "
Amitabha! What use are worldly things to a person beyond this realm? I am merely following the will of Heaven and doing good deeds for the world. To offer thanks would go against Heaven's will. I will take my leave now."
Having said this, he chanted his Taoist name again, turned, and left.
Seeing the Taoist leave, the officials all bowed and congratulated Empress Qi.
Empress Qi then issued an imperial edict, appointing Tao Xiuying to oversee the construction of the Mirror Platform. She also ordered the Ministry of Works to allocate hundreds of thousands of taels of silver and to transfer timber intended for the construction of her own palace to Tao Xiuying, setting a two-month deadline for completion. Another imperial edict was issued, dispatched by courier services to various regions, ordering all senior officials to arrive in the capital within fifty days to offer their blessings to the Emperor.
Tao Xiuying observed the Mirror Platform, which was five zhang (approximately 10 meters) high, divided into nine tiers, symbolizing the Emperor's supreme status. The base was made of brick and stone, while the upper structure was entirely wooden. From the outside, it appeared to have nine layers of eaves, but from the inside, only three layers were actually usable. This was because the height of the inner halls had to be accommodated, so only the top three layers had two layers of eaves on each side. Although the lower six layers were divided into six sections, only two layers had one layer of eaves, meaning people inside had to bend over. The low wooden frames were used for support. The frames were covered with wooden planks, fitted with screens and painted decorations, making it appear as if it were a single-story building, but in reality, it was completely uninhabitable. The platform wasn't a permanent structure anyway; as long as it was sturdy and aesthetically pleasing, that was enough. After the banquet, the timber would be dismantled and used for repairs in the inner palace.
Tao Xiuying, having received the imperial decree, dared not delay. She worked day and night at the construction site, and within two months, the platform was completed.
At this time, all the founding heroes had arrived to celebrate the emperor's good fortune; even Hua Rong, from years past, dared not ask for leave.
On the day of completion, Empress Qi came to inspect it, praising Tao Xiuying's dedication and rewarding her with countless red flowers and colorful silks. Tao Xiuying was overjoyed, thinking that with the emperor's recovery and her great contribution, becoming a concubine was practically guaranteed.
The next day at court, the empress ordered the Imperial Astronomical Bureau to select an auspicious day for the grand banquet for the officials and again instructed Tao Xiuying to oversee the arrangements.
Tao Xiuying worked diligently until the eve of the banquet. After ensuring everything was in order and arranging for guards to keep watch, she finally returned home to rest.
The next morning, Tao Xiuying dressed in her court attire and arrived early at the Meridian Gate. Looking at the towering platform, she was quite pleased with its magnificence.
At dawn, three whips cracked in the palace, signaling the Empress's arrival for court. Tao Xiuying, as the Left Chancellor, led the civil and military officials into the palace to pay homage to Empress Qi.
Empress Qi was delighted. After the audience, she ordered Tao Xiuying to lead the officials to the viewing platform according to pre-arranged seating.
The platform had three tiers and could seat over a hundred people, all of whom were founding heroes. Wang Ke and Shi Yunqing, whose contributions were the greatest, sat on the ninth tier, with the rest arranged in order.
The younger officials were seated separately on the Meridian Gate tower. Empress Qi then hosted a banquet in the inner palace for the ladies of the court, with Feng Xiaoyu acting as the wine supervisor.
Those ministers who were not qualified to sit on the viewing platform watched with envy as the older officials ascended the high platform.
Empress Qi personally ascended the viewing platform to bestow wine upon the assembled ministers. Tao Xiuying, ranked first among the three ranks, was even more pleased to receive praise from Empress Qi.
After bestowing the wine, Empress Qi went to the Meridian Gate to bestow more wine before returning to the inner palace.
Tao Xiuying was delighted and exchanged toasts with the senior ministers. After a few drinks, a palace maid entered and whispered in her ear, "The Empress sent me to say that since there are only men here, and the Prime Minister is present, they are not enjoying their meal. She requests that you find an opportunity to go to the inner palace to drink with the ladies."
Xiuying replied, "Indeed, indeed. Go and tell Her Majesty that I will be there shortly."
After two more rounds of wine, Xiuying rose and said, "My lords, you are not enjoying yourselves here. I will go to the inner palace to drink with Her Majesty the Empress and the ladies." She then took her leave and went downstairs.
Just as she entered the Meridian Gate, she suddenly heard a deafening roar behind her. Xiuying turned around and was terrified.
The examination platform had collapsed and was engulfed in flames, thick smoke billowing and heat waves rising into the air.
Tao Xiuying rushed back to the platform to direct firefighting efforts, but the fire was too intense, and the building, being entirely made of wood, was utterly useless.
All around her were mangled human remains, clearly the result of an explosion. Xiuying felt puzzled; the platform catching fire was plausible, but nothing could cause an explosion. Looking at the guards fighting the fire, shouting for help but none genuinely trying to save anyone, she suddenly realized!
Ah! This was Empress Qi's scheme to eliminate the founding ministers!
Thinking this, Tao Xiuying secretly rejoiced that she hadn't fallen into a trap, but upon further reflection, she realized she had stumbled into an even greater one.
"Why did Empress Qi send someone to summon me to the palace? Was she trying to save my life? She's been jealous of me for a long time, repeatedly preventing me from becoming a concubine. Why has she suddenly shown kindness today? No! Why did she specifically order me to supervise the construction of the platform? And why did she summon me before the explosion? Clearly, she wants to pin the blame for the bombing of all the meritorious officials on me, Tao Xiuying!"
Realizing this, Tao Xiuying understood that she was in a situation she couldn't clear her name even if she jumped into the Yellow River.
Only then did Tao Xiuying regret not heeding Wang Ruowang's earnest advice, instead focusing solely on wealth and indulging in worldly pleasures, leading to this predicament.
"Fortunately, I knew when to leave; it might not be too late." Thinking this, Xiuying glanced around, noticing everyone was busy putting out the fire and no one was paying attention to her. She quietly left the palace gates, spotted some military horses, grabbed one, mounted it, and, not daring to return to the Prime Minister's residence, galloped towards the south gate.
Chaos erupted in the city streets as everyone stopped to watch and whisper among themselves in the direction of the palace.
Fearing people would see her in her court robes and be shocked, Xiuying removed them. She found a clothes seller, bought some old clothes and shoes, tossed a tael of silver to the shopkeeper, and rode off again.
Seeing the city gates wide open and soldiers craning their necks to look at the palace, Xiuying thought, "I've escaped this time; I'll never return to this world."
In the blink of an eye, she reached the city gates, still a hundred paces away. It was too late to close them now.
Suddenly, a shout rang out, and a warhorse blocked her path: "Tao Xiuying, where do you think you're going?!"
Upon seeing this, Tao Xiuying thought to herself, "My life is over!"
Who was this person? We'll find out in the next chapter.

Chapter Forty-Four—Feng Xiaoyu Captures the Female Prime Minister at the City Gate, Tao Xiuying Suffers Torture in the Punishment Hall

. Tao Xiuying galloped towards the south gate, trying to escape the troublesome capital city as quickly as possible.
Suddenly, a warhorse blocked her way, carrying a female general—Princess Feng Xiaoyu.
"Tao Xiuying, you've committed such a heinous act, and you still want to run?" Feng Xiaoyu said.
"Your Highness, what have I done?"
"You used the construction of the Mirror Platform as an excuse to secretly plant explosives, burning over a hundred founding ministers alive. Do you still dare to deny it?"
"Xiuying has not committed such a heinous act. Your Highness, you cannot falsely accuse an innocent person."
"Faulting an innocent person? You were the one who built the platform, you were the one who arranged the banquet, who else could have done such a thing? You say it wasn't you, so why did you abandon everyone and leave the banquet alone? You say it wasn't you, so why did the platform explode and catch fire as soon as you left? You say it wasn't you, so why didn't you go to put out the fire, but instead
disguised yourself and fled?" Tao Xiuying now realized what it meant to make things worse by explaining herself, so she could only lie and say, "Princess, at the scene of the fire, I saw a figure flash by, it seemed to be that Taoist Wu Zhenzi. Suddenly I realized that this was all Wu Zhenzi's doing, so I was about to have someone capture him. He saw me and left, so I had to find a horse to chase after him. To prevent him from recognizing me, I changed my clothes. Just now, that evil Taoist had already run away from here. If it weren't for the princess stopping me, I'm afraid that evil Taoist would have been captured."
"Hmph! Utter nonsense. Someone, go to the city gate and ask if any Taoists have left the city?"
After a short while, the person who asked returned: "Reporting to the princess, no Taoists left the city today."
"Tao Xiuying, what do you have to say?"
"This..." Tao Xiuying thought for a moment, realizing that saying anything was useless, escaping was the priority, so she pointed and said, "Isn't that the sorcerer Wu Zhenzi?"
Taking advantage of Feng Xiaoyu turning her head, Tao Xiuying turned her horse around and fled west.
"Good for you, Tao Xiuying, let's see where you can run to!" Feng Xiaoyu chased closely behind.
Reaching the west gate, she found it closed, so Tao Xiuying had to run north. Reaching the north gate, she found it closed as well, and her horse couldn't run anymore. Fortunately, Feng Xiaoyu's horse was probably exhausted too. Tao Xiuying tried her best to spur her horse eastward. When she reached the east gate, she saw Feng Xiaoyu on a different horse blocking her way.
Tao Xiuying knew she couldn't escape, but seeing that the gate wasn't closed, she had no choice but to take it one step at a time. She spurred her horse and charged towards Feng Xiaoyu, trying to force her way past her.
Unfortunately, although Tao Xiuying was resourceful, she had never learned martial arts. As the two horses passed each other, Feng Xiaoyu reached out, grabbed the silk sash at her waist, and pulled her onto the horse, casting her across its back. He laughed, "Tao Xiuying, you can't escape my grasp!"
"Hmph, Feng Xiaoyu, don't think I don't know this fire at the Imperial Academy was your doing and that Empress Qi's doing. Don't try to pin it on me!"
"Then let's see."
Tao Xiuying was pinned to the horse by Feng Xiaoyu and taken back to the city, heading straight for the Meridian Gate. The fire was still raging; there was no way anyone could escape.
At the Meridian Gate, Empress Qi and her officials were watching the fire, most of them kneeling on the ground, wailing.
Feng Xiaoyu approached, threw Tao Xiuying to the ground, and reported to Empress Qi, "Your Majesty, the arsonist has been caught."
Upon hearing this, the officials' families rushed forward without a word, trying to tear Tao Xiuying to pieces. The guards on both sides tried their best to protect her, but their clothes were torn and their flesh scratched.
Tao Xiuying, tears streaming down her face, cried out that she was innocent.
Seeing that they couldn't subdue Tao Xiuying, the women knelt before Empress Qi, pleading, "Your Majesty, you must do us justice! This vile woman cannot be let off lightly!"
Empress Qi ordered everyone to rise, saying, "My beloved ministers, listen to this. This is a heinous crime, no small matter. We need to interrogate her carefully, and I will give you an explanation." She then said, "Feng Xiaoyu, listen to my decree."
"Your subject is here."
"Take Tao Xiuying back to the Princess's residence for me to interrogate her thoroughly."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
The guards dragged Tao Xiuying up, bound her tightly with ropes, and carried her towards the Princess's residence. The common people on both sides, hearing that Tao Xiuying had killed a hundred old ministers with explosives, pointed and cursed incessantly.
Tao Xiuying, with tears in her eyes, cried out, "Fellow elders, Xiuying is innocent! This was all a treacherous scheme devised by Empress Qi and that vile woman Feng Xiaoyu!" Upon hearing this, Feng Xiaoyu was enraged. She ordered Tao Xiuying's old shoes to be removed, her white socks to be pulled off, and stuffed into her mouth.
Even if Tao Xiuying's grievances were profound, she had no way to defend herself.
Upon arriving at the princess's residence, Feng Xiaoyu immediately held court and ordered Tao Xiuying to be brought before her.
Tao Xiuying refused to confess. Feng Xiaoyu ordered the handcuffs to be brought, clamped them between Tao Xiuying's hands, and shouted, "Close them!"
Tao Xiuying was drenched in sweat from the pain, screaming incessantly, but still refused to confess. The handcuffs were tightened a couple more times, until Tao Xiuying's almond-shaped eyes rolled back, and she fainted in the courtroom.
Cold water was poured over her to
revive her, and Feng Xiaoyu demanded, "Will you confess or not?" "Innocent, I will not confess!" Tao Xiuying knew she was doomed here, but she would rather be beaten to death than be executed by slow slicing as a treacherous minister and rebellious son in the marketplace.
"Very well, bring on the torture."
Soon the clamps were in place, and Xiuying's trouser legs were rolled up to her knees, her slender white legs placed in the clamps, which were then tightened.
"Ah—!" Tao Xiuying screamed, her eyes rolled back, and she fainted again.
She was splashed awake again, the clamps were tightened once more, and she fainted again, still refusing to confess.
Seeing that this torture was ineffective, Feng Xiaoyu ordered a fire pot to be brought.
The fire pot was a large bronze urn with three legs, resembling a tripod. The person was placed inside, a fire was lit underneath, and they were slowly roasted and tortured—a very cruel method. A personal eunuch whispered, "Your Majesty, this torture should not be used."
"Why?"
"Tao Xiuying is a weak woman, unlike the thick-skinned warriors. If she's placed in the urn, she might melt before she confesses, which would be undesirable."
"As you wish."
"This servant has three methods of torture available."
"Tell me quickly."
What tortures did the young eunuch reveal? We'll find out in the next chapter.

Chapter 45 – Seeking a Quick Death, Tao Xiuying Confesses Under duress; The Female Prime Minister, Traveling Through the Capital, Riding a Wooden Donkey

, Reports that Feng Xiaoyu was about to subject Tao Xiuying to the torture of the fire urn when a young eunuch intervened, mentioning three other forms of torture.
Feng Xiaoyu was overjoyed and ordered Tao Xiuying to be temporarily imprisoned, given good food and drink, and allowed to rest overnight before being interrogated again the next day.
The next day, Tao Xiuying was taken from prison and escorted to the back garden, where a wooden cross-shaped frame stood.
Feng Xiaoyu said, "Tao Xiuying, if you confess, you'll only suffer the torment of a thousand cuts at the execution ground. If you don't confess, you'll still suffer a thousand cuts, but you'll endure even more torture. Why bother?"
"Feng Xiaoyu, you colluded with Empress Qi to frame Xiuying. One day when His Majesty finds out, you too will suffer the calamity of a thousand cuts."
"You shameless woman, you dare to curse me? I'll show you my power! Come on, strip this shameless woman barefoot and tie her to the frame!"
The warriors on both sides, secretly delighted, came over, seized Xiuying, and began to strip her.
Xiuying cried out, "Feng Xiaoyu, don't you know the Emperor will want me to accompany him sooner or later? How dare you let these vulgar men see my body? You have such audacity!"
Feng Xiaoyu replied, "If the Emperor had already favored you, I wouldn't need to interrogate you. I'd just drag you to the Cold Palace and have you skinned alive. You've already been defiled by the Emperor, haven't you? Once these vulgar men have seen you, even if the Emperor likes you, he'll never want you again. Take it off!"
Xiuying jumped and cursed, but she was no match for the strong warrior beside her. With a tearing sound, her upper garment and bodice were ripped off, revealing her slender, fragrant shoulders and her two jade-like breasts.
The warrior dragged her to the wooden frame, tied her arms outstretched to the crossbar, and tied her hair to the iron ring at the top of the post.
Xiuying's shoes and socks were already off; the warrior simply untied the slipknot on her belt, and her trousers fell down, leaving her completely naked.
Feng Xiaoyu approached and whispered, "Tao Xiuying, after this incident, you can forget about becoming a concubine. Even if the Emperor knows you've been wronged, he would never depose the Empress for a woman whose body has been seen by others."
"Feng Xiaoyu, you slut! If I get away, I'll never let you get away with this!"
"You still want to get away? Men, hang her legs!"
Hearing this, the warriors came over and tied one of Tao Xiuying's feet to a pillar. Then, they took another rope, tied her other leg to her knee, and pulled her up, suspending her on a horizontal bar.
Below her snow-white belly, a small tuft of black hair adorned her round mound. At the point where her leg was raised, a few black hairs also clung to her labia. Between her labia, a wet, pinkish opening was revealed, along with her snow-white buttocks and tightly closed anus.
Upon seeing this, Feng Xiaoyu approached and whispered, "Look at this beautiful vulva. If she were to enter the palace, would the Emperor still allow anyone else to serve him? How could my 'Great Water Court's incense continue?"
She then ordered her warriors, "Apply honey to her."
The warriors hurriedly took the honey and began applying it from her upright, beautiful feet, down her thighs to her groin, and then into her vulva.
"Tao Xiuying, this is because you are too flamboyant and ambitious. Don't blame me for being ruthless."
A moment later, Tao Xiuying felt an itch on her feet. Looking down, she saw a black ant the size of a bean crawling up her foot. Women are most afraid of insects crawling on them. Xiuying felt her whole body tense and screamed, but she couldn't struggle.
An hour later, the ant had covered her from her feet to her private parts, turning her entire leg black.
Xiuying screamed and cursed, but refused to confess. By the afternoon, she was covered in red rashes and breathing rapidly. Seeing this, Feng Xiaoyu quickly ordered her to be taken down, swept away the ants, washed her with warm water, and administered medicine to counteract the burning sensation.
Seeing this torture was ineffective, Feng Xiaoyu used a second method the next day. He placed Tao Xiuying in a large cauldron filled with water and poured in about a hundred eels, then lit a fire underneath.
Tao Xiuying screamed and struggled in the cauldron, the eels burrowing into her genitals. She pleaded repeatedly, but refused to confess. After a while, Tao Xiuying suffered heatstroke from the burns, and Feng Xiaoyu had to stop.
On the third day, Feng Xiaoyu had no other choice but to use a final method: if Tao Xiuying still didn't confess, he might have to use a fire pit.
Feng Xiaoyu ordered Tao Xiuying to be tied face up to a wooden stool, her legs spread wide to expose her vulva. Then she ordered three things to be brought in: a mastiff, a donkey, and a white horse.
Feng Xiaoyu touched Tao Xiuying's vulva and said, "Such a beautiful door, it's a pity it's not meant for a human."
Then she ordered the mastiff to be brought over.
Xiuying understood what she was going to do. Seeing the long, thick thing hanging from the donkey and horse's bellies, she was terrified. She was not only afraid of its size, but also of it raping her. Even if she lost her virginity to a beggar, she was still human; if she were raped by these beasts, she would never be able to escape.
Tao Xiuying cried, her eyes blurred with tears, and cursed Feng Xiaoyu.
Feng Xiaoyu remained unmoved and ordered the mastiff to be brought onto the stool.
Seeing the mastiff's appearance, Tao Xiuying was truly in heat. It leaped forward, and the thought of its manhood touching her made her scream, "I confess! I confess! Feng Xiaoyu, you slut, you win! I confess!"
"You're clever!" Feng Xiaoyu heard this and ordered the dog to be led away, but it continued barking and refused to leave.
"You've confessed?"
"I confess."
"Do you know what the crime is?"
"I admit it."
"That's more like Tao Xiuying."
After saying this, Feng Xiaoyu ordered the pre-written confession to be brought over. The warriors untied Tao Xiuying's hands, made her sit on a stool, and wrote her confession.
Feng Xiaoyu took the confession and saw that it clearly listed each crime. She also looked at the drawn confession, which stated, "Every word of the above confession is true." Only then did she say, "If I had known this would happen, why did I have to endure such torture?" She ordered Xiuying to be taken back to prison and took the confession to the palace to report. Empress
Qi, upon seeing the confession, hastily issued an imperial edict sentencing Tao Xiuying to death by a thousand cuts.
Tao Xiuying confessed, knowing she was doomed, and felt relieved, sleeping peacefully through the night. Before dawn, the guards arrived, fed Tao Xiuying meat and wine, and since she was already naked, they didn't need to remove her clothes. They washed her clean of mud and grime, bound her tightly, and, with a scabbing marker, carried her out of the prison.
At this time, as dawn broke, the people who had heard the news came to the streets to watch the spectacle.
The guards carried Tao Xiuying out of the princess's residence, where they saw a large wooden pestle standing on a wooden donkey.
"Poor Tao Xiuying, she has kept herself pure for over twenty years, yet her body has never received a drop of His Majesty's favor, only to be defiled by this wooden donkey. Heaven is truly unjust!"
With a sigh, the warrior lifted her high, aligned her vulva with the wooden pestle, and pressed down.
Xiuying felt a tearing pain as the wooden pestle penetrated her, and she couldn't help but scream. Cheers erupted all around.
Tao Xiuying was a wanted criminal, bound with yellow silk ropes, escorted by soldiers in front and behind, with warriors following on both sides. Three gongs were struck, pushing the wooden donkey. She felt the wooden pestle going in and out of her orifice, the friction causing her discomfort, and she couldn't help but cry out.
After a while, vaginal fluid flowed out, and the pain lessened. After a while more, the friction became unbearably itchy, and she ejaculated. Then no more vaginal fluid flowed out, and the pain returned. A warrior saw this and ordered her to be lifted up, a piece of lard was smeared on the pestle, and it was inserted again.
Poor Tao Xiuying, unworthy of the title "Female Marquis of Liu," knew no bounds and suffered this most lewd punishment in the land.
She was paraded through the five streets and three markets, thoroughly observed by people of all walks of life, before finally arriving at the execution ground.
Warriors lifted her from the wooden donkey and dragged her onto a high platform. There stood two wooden stakes, four large, cold nails, rough hemp ropes, and rows of gleaming sharp knives.
Tao Xiuying, her face ashen, swayed as if drunk, completely losing the dignity of a prime minister. The warriors lifted her up and bound her to the stakes for public display.
Xiuying lay there, her beautiful eyes closed, awaiting the blows.
How Tao Xiuying was executed remains to be seen; let us find out in the next chapter.

Chapter 46 – Xu Youliang's Righteousness in Rescuing Tao Xiuying from the Prison, Cursing His Benefactor for Not Recognizing a Kind

Heart. Last time, Tao Xiuying was bound to the execution ground, awaiting slow slicing. However, after noon, the executioner was nowhere to be seen. Instead, a warrior fed her a bowl of ginseng soup, removed her from the wooden stake, and pushed her back onto the wooden donkey. She was paraded through the streets for another half day before being returned to the prison.
Tao Xiuying was bewildered, wondering what was going on. A jailer brought her food, and during their conversation, she learned the reason.
It turned out that Empress Qi, to quell the anger of the families of the deceased ministers, extended Tao Xiuying's execution by two days. The original half-day parade through the streets was changed to two separate events. The first day, she was paraded through the streets for one day. The second day, she was bound to a door panel, and the families of the victims were ordered to take it as a living sacrifice to the deceased. The third morning, she was paraded through the streets again on the wooden donkey, and the execution was carried out at noon. After the slow slicing, her heart and liver were offered as a second sacrifice.
In truth, the human sacrifice wasn't more painful than the wooden donkey, but seeing the resentful faces of the victims was probably no less terrifying than the slow slicing.
Hearing this, Tao Xiuying thought of those angry faces and felt her muscles twitching, an urge to urinate rising within her.
After dinner, she drank ginseng soup, bathed again, then took a door panel, placed it face up on it, and bound her hands and feet at the four corners, waiting for the victims to come and take her away at dawn.
That night, Tao Xiuying lay there, unable to move or sleep, only weeping. Just after midnight, suddenly two figures flashed in, both dressed in black, their faces covered with black cloths; their figures clearly indicated a man and a woman.
The jailer on duty sat motionless on a wooden bench, completely unaware.
Tao Xiuying, seeing this, didn't know whether it was good or bad, and asked, "Who comes?"
The woman put her finger to her lips and shushed her, saying, "Keep your voice down, I'm here to save you." Then, she swung her sword, cutting the ropes, and placed a set of clothes before her. Tao Xiuying didn't have time to ask any more questions and hurriedly put on the clothes. She saw the man place a letter on the ground; the handwriting on the envelope indicated it was for Empress Qi to open personally. After
Tao Xiuying finished dressing, the woman said, "Let's go, but don't make a sound."
The woman went first, the man followed, and Tao Xiuying walked in the middle. They passed through a long corridor, passing many gates, and saw that the jailers and jailers were all frozen in place, silent and motionless.
Upon entering the courtyard, Tao Xiuying saw soldiers patrolling outside. She thought, "How can I escape?"
Just then, the man behind her whispered in her ear, "Don't make a sound." With that, he wrapped his arms around her waist, leaped silently onto the roof like a large bird, and landed several times. They were on the street, then leaped onto the opposite roof. She felt the wind rushing past her ears, and soon reached the city walls. They leaped onto the walls again, completely unaware that the guards had escaped. Meanwhile, Empress Qi
was in the palace visiting Feng Qing. Feng Qing had been in a coma for many days, but that night he suddenly opened his eyes, looked around, and then closed them again. When she called him, he seemed to respond, suggesting his condition might be improving. Empress Qi,
fearing something might happen if he woke up, quickly summoned Feng Xiaoyu, instructing her to convey the imperial decree: the human sacrifice would be shortened to half a day, and the execution would take place at noon.
Before Feng Xiaoyu could even leave the palace after receiving the imperial decree, Yao Kun, the Minister of Justice, rushed in to report that Tao Xiuying had been kidnapped from prison.
Empress Qi immediately summoned Yao Kun. Yao Kun entered the palace, knelt outside the curtain, and repeatedly cried out, "I deserve to die!" He recounted Tao Xiuying's disappearance, describing the kidnapper as a divine being descending to earth, and presented a letter he had left for Empress Qi.
When Empress Qi opened the letter, she saw that it read: "To cure the Emperor's illness, simply shout three times at his bedside: 'Xu Youliang is dead,' and his illness will immediately disappear. Use this prescription to save Tao Xiuying's life." Empress Qi didn't know who this savior was, nor whether the prescription would work. Desperate, she went to Feng Qing's bedchamber and shouted, "Xu Youliang is dead!"
Strangely enough, Feng Qing's tightly closed eyes twitched.
Seeing that there was hope, Empress Qi shouted again, and Feng Qing opened his eyes.
After being called three times, Feng Qing suddenly sat up, coughed for a while, spat out a mouthful of phlegm, and then asked, "Who did you say died?"
"Xu Youliang died," Empress Qi repeated.
Feng Qing actually jumped off the bed and grasped Empress Qi's hands, saying, "Really?"
"Really."
"That's good." Feng Qing said, repeatedly saying he was hungry, and Empress Qi hurriedly ordered food to be served.
After eating some food, Feng Qing regained his strength and then asked, "Empress, how did Xu Youliang die?"
Empress Qi had no idea and made up some stories. Feng Qing shook his head repeatedly, saying, "My dear minister, don't hide it from me, tell me quickly."
Empress Qi dared not conceal anything and recounted the story of Tao Xiuying being rescued from the imperial prison and someone leaving a letter. Feng Qing hurriedly asked to see the letter and sighed, "I didn't expect it was him who saved me."
"Your Majesty said who saved you?"
"An old friend," Feng Qing replied. He understood that his life had been saved, and Xu Youliang truly had no intention of overthrowing his empire, so he also owed him a debt of gratitude. Actually, there was nothing he could do about it; he truly lacked the ability to capture him.
After thinking for a moment, Feng Qing asked again, "What crime did Tao Xiuying commit? Why is she imprisoned in the imperial jail?"
Empress Qi then recounted Wu Zhenzi's suggestion, Tao Xiuying's grand banquet for the old ministers at the Jiantai Terrace, and the subsequent bombing of the Jiantai Terrace.
Feng Qing, being the kind of person he was, immediately recognized that it was a scheme orchestrated by Empress Qi. Tao Xiuying, with all her audacity, would never have dared to commit such a monstrous act without Empress Qi's permission. Empress
Qi's plan had rounded up all the founding ministers and made Tao Xiuying a scapegoat, effectively eliminating her rival in love—truly killing two birds with one stone.
Feng Qing, after all, was Feng Qing. The deaths of the old ministers relieved him of a major worry, something he had been eagerly anticipating. Although he was unwilling to make Tao Xiuying a scapegoat, the die was cast, and further discussion was pointless. Therefore, he simply nodded without uttering a word.
After much deliberation, Feng Qing finally said, "Draft an edict to all prefectures and counties in the capital, ordering the arrest of Tao Xiuying. All the families and children of the veteran officials will receive generous compensation."
Feng Qing's delivery of the edict was quite skillful. Since the order was to capture Tao Xiuying, a nationwide manhunt would naturally have been issued, yet he only ordered the arrest in the prefectures and counties of the capital, clearly intending to spare her life. This also showed that Feng Qing still felt guilty towards Tao Xiuying and was unwilling to completely destroy her, hence letting her go. The families of those officials were merely women and children; even if they guessed the true purpose of the bombing of the Imperial Mirror Platform, they were helpless. Would they dare to ask the emperor to thoroughly investigate the real culprit? They could only take the opportunity to demand more compensation.
With everyone dismissed, he focused on governing the country, and over time, he forgot about Xu Youliang and Tao Xiuying.
Meanwhile, Tao Xiuying, carried by the man in black under his arm, left the capital and entered a dense pine forest. In the darkness, she saw a building standing there. Upon reaching the entrance, the man in black stopped and placed Tao Xiuying on the ground.
The woman in black arrived behind her. Tao Xiuying looked up and saw that it was a Medicine King Temple.
"My two benefactors, what are your names? I, Tao Xiuying, will repay you in the future," Tao Xiuying said, kneeling down.
"Prime Minister Tao, please don't be so polite," the woman said. Tao Xiuying felt a strong force supporting her from behind, preventing her from kneeling down.
The man stepped forward and gently knocked on the temple door. The door opened, and someone said, "The cave master has returned? Has the person been rescued?"
The man answered and stood waiting by the door.
The woman in black gestured for her to enter, saying, "Prime Minister Tao, please come in."
Tao Xiuying declined several times before finally entering the temple.
In the courtyard, she saw four beautiful young women, each holding a lantern, standing on either side of the gate. Upon seeing Tao Xiuying, their faces showed resentment.
Upon seeing the four young women, Tao Xiuying felt a chill run down her spine. She recognized them all: Feng Juan, He Lizhen, Huang Mingyu, and Kan Caijiao, all female generals from Nanling.
Upon seeing the four women, Tao Xiuying thought to herself, "I've escaped one danger only to fall into another. My life is over." Three of these women had suffered horrific abuse on the way to the capital, and Tao Xiuying, then a military officer, was the culprit. Now, in their hands, she feared they would skin her alive.
Reaching the abbot's quarters, she saw the hall brightly lit. The woman in black pointed to the kang (heated brick bed) and said, "Prime Minister Tao, please sit."
"No need to sit," Tao Xiuying replied. "If you want to skin me or eat my flesh, just bring a knife. I'm going to die sooner or later anyway, why torture me?"
"Prime Minister Tao, what are you saying? Why would we skin you and eat your flesh?" Turning around, Xiuying saw that the woman in black had removed her black headscarf, revealing her face. Tao Xiuying was utterly astonished. Although the woman appeared to be a few years older than her, her beauty was beyond description; even Hua Rong in her prime couldn't compare.
"May I ask your honorable name, madam?" It turned out that Duan Lingfeng had already been released by Xu Youliang when Tao Xiuying was born, so she had never seen her before.
"She is Duan Lingfeng, the former imperial sister of the Great Zhen Dynasty, who once served as the Grand Marshal of the Army." It was Xu Youliang who answered, and he also removed his veil to show his true face.
Upon seeing Xu Youliang, Tao Xiuying felt a chill run from her perineum to the top of her head: "So it's the carefree Prince Xu Qiansui. Now that you're in my hands, kill me or torture me, just do it."
"Prime Minister Tao is joking. It's Empress Qi who should be killed or tortured. If I wanted to kill you, why would I bother rescuing her from the Heavenly Prison?"
"It was I who advised His Majesty to hunt you down, and it was I who advised the annihilation of Nanling. You and I have a deep-seated hatred; don't you want revenge?"
"As the saying goes, when two countries are at war, each serves its own master. Your actions are merely fulfilling your duty as a subject. A grievance has its source, a debt its debtor. Even if you have hatred, you should seek revenge on Feng Qing. What does it have to do with you?"
"If you didn't want revenge, why did you bring me here?"
"The bombing of the Imperial Observatory might be a secret from others, but could it be a secret from me? Even though you are the Prime Minister, without the Emperor's intervention, setting up such a massive trap would be incredibly difficult. Ensuring that none of the officials on the platform escaped wouldn't have been possible with just a few pounds of gunpowder; it would have required at least a thousand pounds. And to conceal such a large quantity of gunpowder from the numerous craftsmen would have been no easy feat. It must have been planted under cover of night after the platform was built. The platform was heavily guarded, and someone among the guards must have known. According to me, the guards on the platform were sent by the Empress and the Princess's residence. Therefore, I conclude that the person who bombed the platform was either Empress Qi or Feng Xiaoyu; you are merely a scapegoat. Seeing you suffer such injustice, I felt deeply sorry for you and, out of consideration for our past service as court officials, I intervened to save you. It was nothing more than a small favor."
"I see, Xiuying, I understand now."
"What does the Prime Minister understand?"
“Back when we were both officials, I devised a plan to eliminate you and the Nanling people to stabilize the dynasty. Now you've escaped with your lives, while I've become a wanted criminal. You must be overjoyed. You saved me, only to mock me to my face.”
“We saved you because you were wronged. As I just said, your past actions were merely fulfilling your duty as a subject. Why would I hold it against you? Prime Minister, your words are like a dog biting Lü Dongbin, ungrateful for kindness!” Feng Juan retorted angrily, only to be stopped by Xu Youliang's gaze.
“Even if I am ungrateful, now that you've saved me, how should I thank you?”
“Saving a life is better than building a seven-story pagoda. Why thank me?” Youliang said.
"Really?"
"Of course it's true. Xu Youliang was once a powerful figure; how could he speak falsely?"
"In that case, Xiuying thanks you for your kindness. I'll take my leave."
"Where is the Prime Minister going?"
"The world is so vast; where can't I go?"
"Now that you are a wanted criminal and an enemy of those hundred old ministers, even though the world is vast, I'm afraid there will be nowhere for you to hide. You don't know martial arts; once you leave this place, you'll find it difficult to move an inch."
"Then what do you suggest?"
"Lingfeng has an idea; I wonder what Prime Minister Tao thinks?"
"Please speak, Sister Duan."
"My wife and I, a total of six people, are all skilled in martial arts; we can ensure the Prime Minister's safety. Why don't you travel with us?"
"No need," Tao Xiuying thought to herself. "Traveling with you all? Wherever we go, you can tell your friends: 'Look, this is the famous Lady Liu, Tao Xiuying! Don't be fooled by her past glory; look at her now, she still relies on our family for protection!' I, a first-rank prime minister, have become the subject of your gossip. How clever of you!'"
Thinking this, Tao Xiuying said, "Thank you for your kind offer. Victory and defeat are common in war. Although I, Tao Xiuying, fell into the trap of Empress Qi, even the most meticulous plans can have oversights. With my wisdom, even if I cannot rise again, protecting myself is not difficult. There's no need for you six to worry. If you don't want revenge on me, then let me go."
Tao Xiuying wasn't unaware that what Xu Youliang and Duan Lingfeng said was true, but she was a person who refused to admit defeat. She would rather die than live under someone else's roof, so no matter how Xu Youliang and Duan Lingfeng tried to persuade her, she wouldn't listen, and instead uttered some indifferent and aloof remarks.
Xu Youliang was helpless and had no choice but to let her have her way. After much persuasion, Tao Xiuying finally agreed to send her away from the capital region, and then they went their separate ways.
The next day, Xu Youliang's family, along with Tao Xiuying, left the Medicine King Temple, choosing deserted paths and heading south.
As soon as they left Yecheng's jurisdiction, Tao Xiuying insisted on going on her own. Duan Lingfeng handed Tao Xiuying a packet of silver rain, saying, "Take care of yourself. If you are arrested by the authorities, try to bribe the jailer to send a message, and I will come to your rescue. If you encounter any trouble from the martial arts world, just say you are a friend of Xiaoyao Xia. They might let you go out of consideration for our marriage. Please remember this!"
"Thank you, I have my reasons,"
Tao Xiuying said, and left.
Xu Youliang and Duan Lingfeng watched Tao Xiuying's retreating figure and said, "Alas! Why did she do this?" What will happen
next? Let's find out in the next chapter.

Chapter 47 – Tao Xiuying Disguised as a Man, Wang Jiabao Uses

a Tactic Against Her. Tao Xiuying, having left Xu Youliang and his wife, walked two or three miles before looking back. Seeing that Xu Youliang and his family were no longer in sight, she sat down by the roadside and began to sob softly.
“I, Tao Xiuying, have a heart higher than the sky, but a life as thin as paper. From birth, I have devoted myself wholeheartedly, achieving great merit, hoping only to be taken into the palace by the emperor and rewarded for my service. Who knew I would be betrayed and framed, leaving me with nowhere to turn? My life is so bitter.” After weeping for a while, she was helpless. Returning to the capital was impossible, and she could no longer see the emperor. Where could she go? Perhaps
she should find a secluded mountain and become a nun. Becoming a nun was indeed a nobility, but even a small temple in a remote mountain felt beneath her. After much thought, she realized that the famous temples outside Qinglong Pass were the most numerous; perhaps she should go there.
But as a lone woman, traveling a long distance with so much silver, wouldn't she arouse suspicion?
After some thought, she arrived at the next town and bought a set of men's clothing. Once out of town and in a secluded spot, she changed into it, disguising herself as a young scholar, swaying and posing with affected, pretentious mannerisms, and quite convincingly portraying the role.
She hadn't walked more than five li when she saw a small teahouse. She went in and ordered a pot of fragrant tea to quench her thirst. At the opposite table, she noticed a scholar, only about twenty-seven or twenty-eight years old, with a handsome appearance, who kept staring at her.
Tao Xiuying felt uneasy, wondering if he had seen through her.
The scholar looked at her for a while, then approached and bowed, saying, "Brother at the opposite table, I am Wang Jiabao. Where are you going?"
"I am Ying Xiutao. Having nothing to do, I wish to travel the world and make friends through literature."
"How coincidental! How coincidental! I am also about to travel. May I ask where you are going, Brother Ying?"
"As I please, I have no fixed abode."
"Do you have any close friends?"
"This is my first time traveling, and I know very few people."
"We are all disciples of the sage, so we are all one family. I do know a few friends, so why don't we travel together?"
"That's exactly what I was thinking. Let's be companions." Tao Xiuying thought to herself that traveling alone would be extremely dangerous, and having a companion would be perfect for protection.
The two traveled south, composing and exchanging poems along the way, which kept them from being lonely. Occasionally, when they stopped at inns, Wang Jiabao would want to stay with Xiuying, but she always declined with excuses.
After traveling for seven or eight days, they passed Nanling Pass. Wang Jiabao said, "Forty li to the east is the home of a classmate of mine. Why don't we visit him there and invite him to travel with us?"
"As you wish, Brother Wang."
The two traveled for another day before finally arriving.
Upon seeing a large manor house nestled on the sunny side of a small hill, Wang Jiabao stepped forward and gently knocked on the door,
saying, "Open the door, open the door." An old man inside opened the door and said, "So it's Master Wang."
Wang Jiabao said, "I've brought a friend with me. Is Brother Shi there?"
"Yes, yes, and there are about a hundred gentlemen waiting here."
"Very good." Wang Jiabao turned around and said, "Brother Ying, please come in."
Tao Xiuying thought to herself, "This Wang Jiabao is truly a remarkable person, with hundreds of friends." She followed him inside, past the main hall, and straight to the back courtyard.
Xiuying said, "This is the inner courtyard. We men might find it inconvenient."
"No problem, no problem, just come in."
After entering the back courtyard, she saw that the courtyard was very large, with a central courtyard and about a hundred people sitting on the surrounding corridors, men and women, young and old. Xiuying thought to herself, "What kind of scene is this? Are they going to open a women's clinic?"
Just then, Wang Jiabao said from behind, "Gentlemen, Wang Jiabao has fulfilled his mission and brought the person here." He pushed Tao Xiuying forcefully, placing her in the center of the courtyard.
"Brother Wang, what is the meaning of this?"
"What is the meaning? Humph! Tao Xiuying, do you think I won't recognize you just because you're dressed as a man?" Wang Jiabao said, already approaching, grabbing Tao Xiuying's hair with one hand and tearing at her clothes with the other.
"Who are you? Stop it at once."
"Tao Xiuying, don't you recognize me either?" said a middle-aged woman sitting at the head of the table.
Tao Xiuying looked up and immediately knew something was wrong. The beautiful woman was none other than Liu, the wife of Wang Ke, a noblewoman. Looking around, she saw that most of the women were wives and daughters of the murdered officials, and most of the men were their descendants. They all glared angrily, as if they wanted to devour Tao Xiuying alive.
Although Feng Qing's imperial edict only reached the capital's jurisdiction, the aggrieved families were not about to let it go.
These were all powerful families who couldn't afford to offend the emperor, but they still wielded considerable influence. They had already planted spies and offered a large reward for Tao Xiuying's capture. So, as soon as Tao Xiuying arrived in the town where she bought clothes, she was discovered. These officials were all military men, and their families were accustomed to martial arts, so capturing Tao Xiuying would be a piece of cake. They originally intended to take her by force. However, seeing that she was disguised as a man, they sent the talented Wang Jiabao to lure her away, while the rest of the families rode ahead to wait for her at the estate Wang Ke had bought in the countryside.
Upon seeing these people, Tao Xiuying immediately wilted, knowing she was doomed. She didn't struggle, and in the blink of an eye, Wang Jiabao stripped her naked. A servant dressed as a maid placed a door panel on the ground and helped Wang Jiabao spread Xiuying's limbs across it.
Liu said, "You are all suffering victims. How will you deal with this wretched woman today?"
The crowd offered various suggestions: some would skin her alive, some would roast her, some would boil her, some would fry her in oil, and some would pour hot oil into her vagina. Hearing this, Tao Xiuying trembled and screamed, begging for a quick death.
After some discussion, the suggestion to pour oil into her vagina won out.
Liu then ordered her servants, "Quickly prepare a pot, stove, and soybean oil." She added, "Also, prepare a tin funnel."
The servants agreed and left.
Before long, the family returned, bringing a large tin funnel, an oil drum, an iron pot, an iron ladle, and a lit charcoal brazier, which they placed in the courtyard.
"Lift this wretched woman up,"
the family responded, propping the door panel against a pillar. Tao Xiuying was now upside down.
Wang Jiabao came over, parted her labia with one hand, and with the other, inserted the tin funnel into her vulva. Tao Xiuying felt the funnel's icy coldness and shivered involuntarily.
Wang Jiabao stroked her pubic hair, saying, "It's cold now, but it will warm up after the oil is applied."
A family member brought over a mangy dog, chained it to another pillar, and poured a ladle of boiling oil over it. A puff of smoke rose from the dog's body, it howled miserably, and leaped high into the air, rattling the chain. Where the oil had fallen, its fur fell off. Several more spoonfuls were poured on, and each time the dog barked and jumped, until it died from exhaustion.
Seeing the dog's gruesome state, Tao Xiuying was terrified, her body trembling like a leaf, screaming and writhing like a snake, spitting out excrement and urine.
Wang Jiabao quickly ordered his family to wash Tao Xiuying clean with water, and then ordered a hard-boiled egg to be inserted into her anus, which she managed to avoid breaking.
Wang Jiabao then ordered a spoonful of oil to be brought. Tao Xiuying's throat was already hoarse from screaming, and when the oil arrived, her screams grew even more agonizing.
What did the oil look like inside? We'll find out in the next chapter.

Chapter Forty-Eight – Wang Ruowang meticulously explains the injustice, Xu Youliang appears to protect the emperor.

The memorial stated that Tao Xiuying had been captured by the relatives of the bombed officials and tied up in Wang Ke's rural residence, where they were going to pour boiling oil on her private parts.
Tao Xiuying screamed in terror, her body writhing wildly, like a pig being slaughtered. Wang Jiabao, holding a ladle of boiling oil, was about to pour it into the funnel when he heard someone say, "Wait."
Wang Jiabao stopped and turned around to see an old man with an air of otherworldly wisdom.
Others didn't recognize him, but Liu recognized him and quickly rose from her seat, saying, "Oh dear, I didn't know it was the old strategist! Please forgive my lack of hospitality."
It turned out to be Wang Ruowang, Wang Bingzheng's strategist in his prime.
Upon hearing it was Wang Ruowang, everyone quickly rose from their seats, offering the old hermit a seat and asking, "What brings the old strategist
here?" "I've come to rescue some old friends."
"Which old friends?" Everyone knew from Wang Ruowang's words that he was rescuing Tao Xiuying. If the old man had directly said he was rescuing Tao Xiuying, they probably wouldn't have agreed; hearing it was about rescuing old friends only piqued their curiosity.
"It is you all."
"Old strategist, you jest. We are unharmed, why would we need to save you?"
"You are indeed unharmed, but the wrongful killing of innocent people may bring calamity soon."
"Who is the innocent one?"
"Naturally, it is this Prime Minister Tao."
"Old strategist, you are getting old and senile. How can you say such things?"
"Although I am old, I am not senile."
"If you are not senile, how can you say that Tao Xiuying is innocent?"
"I ask you all, what is the status of the old ministers who were bombed in the court?"
"A prominent position." "
What is your relationship with Tao Xiuying like?"
"It's all amicable."
"I ask you all again, between Tao Xiuying and Empress Qi, which one would you, the old ministers, be willing to help?"
"Naturally, Tao Xiuying."
"Wow! Tao Xiuying is fighting with Empress Qi and needs to rely on the old ministers. Why would she kill those who helped her?"
"This... we don't know." "
Tao Xiuying has no conflict of interest with the old ministers and relies on them. She would never harm her own brothers."
"But she supervised the construction of the Observation Platform."
"It's true that she supervised the construction of the Observation Platform, but she didn't plant the explosives. Although she has been in the army for a long time, she was only a strategist. Could a weak woman with no strength carry thousands of pounds of gunpowder into the building without being discovered?"
"Then why was she the only one who escaped from the Observation Platform? At least she was in cahoots with Empress Qi."
"I left the Observation Platform because Empress Qi sent someone to the platform to summon me," Xiuying said.
"Why call you specifically?"
"It's precisely to frame her!" Wang Ruowang continued, "If she also dies, the ministers will inevitably suspect Empress Qi; if she lives, she'll be the scapegoat. Even a child can't be fooled
by this logic. You all have studied military strategy with the old ministers; surely no one has figured it out?" "As the old strategist says, she's just a scapegoat?" Actually, these ministers and their families weren't fools either; who didn't understand such simple logic? They just didn't have the courage to confront Empress Qi, so they could only vent their anger on Tao Xiuying.
"What do you all think?"
"Then why did she confess to it?"
"If you were handed over to Feng Xiaoyu, you would probably confess too. Since ancient times, many have been forced to confess under torture, let alone in the imperial prison. How could she not confess? Gentlemen, I have now made my words clear: whether you choose to kill or release her is entirely up to you. Since ancient times, justice resides in the hearts of the people. If you kill Tao Xiuying, you will be ridiculed by the world. You are all descendants of heroes and valiant men; do not bring shame upon the deceased."
Wang Ruowang explained his words, and although the crowd was still unwilling, they could no longer pretend not to know and kill.
Liu said, "What the old strategist said may make sense. What do you all think?" In fact, she hoped that someone would stand up and say, "I will not speculate about whether I am innocent or not; I only accept a confession." But looking around, no one was willing to be the bad guy, yet they were all unwilling to give up, so they all remained silent.
Wang Ruowang then asked each person in turn, "Madam Wang, do you want to kill or release her?"
"I'm willing to release her, but one person's decision isn't enough."
"So, Madam Shi wants to kill Tao Xiuying?"
"No, no, no, I have no intention of killing her; I just want to see what everyone plans."
After asking around and seeing that no one openly declared they wanted to kill Tao Xiuying, Wang Ruowang asked, "Since no one else wants to kill her, why are you still binding her here?"
Wang Jiabao had no choice but to untie Tao Xiuying from the door panel.
Tao Xiuying went to get her clothes and put them on.
Wang Ruowang said, "If no one objects, I will ask Prime Minister Tao to leave."
At this moment, a young man, finally unwilling to give up, stepped forward and asked, "Senior Wang, you say Tao Xiuying is innocent, but that's just speculation. Why not produce some evidence?"
"I've said before, if Tao Xiuying planted explosives, the guards would have seen it. Why didn't anyone come forward to testify? Young man, if you insist that Tao Xiuying committed murder, why not ask the Emperor to summon those guards for questioning? I've already said that if you want to commit murder, I will spare the person. If your father knew this in the afterlife, he would be proud to have a son like you!"
The young man, having been rebuked, fell silent. In fact, if they really wanted to deny it, Tao Xiuying's confession would be irrefutable evidence. However, their status was different. If they wanted to deny it, they could simply kill Tao Xiuying, and Wang Ruowang wouldn't be able to do anything about it. But if this matter got out, their family would truly lose face.
Just then, Liu suddenly had a wicked thought: "If we kill Wang Ruowang to silence him, who will know that we knowingly killed Tao Xiuying out of spite, even though we were innocent?" Thinking this, she said, "Wait. Old Strategist Wang, you really shouldn't be meddling here. Our masters have been murdered without cause, and someone must take their place. What you just said is true, but now that we want Tao Xiuying to avenge herself, we might have to spare your life."
"You want to kill me too to silence me?"
"I'm sorry, we have no choice but to offend you."
Upon hearing this, everyone's hope was rekindled.
Upon hearing this, Wang Ruowang laughed loudly and said, "Ladies, young ladies, gentlemen, and misses, I considered you all reasonable people, which is why I spoke up for Tao Xiuying. I never expected you would try to kill me to silence me. Who am I, Wang Ruowang? If I weren't absolutely certain, how could I dare to venture into Wang Family Village alone?"
Wang Jiabao said, "Aunt Wang, he's trying to use a feint to escape. Don't be intimidated by him."
After saying this, he was about to make his move.
Suddenly, a voice was heard from the rooftop: "What a pity! What heroes you old ministers are, yet your wives and children are so disdainful! If you could know this in the afterlife, you would surely feel ashamed!"
Upon hearing this, Wang Jiabao drew a knife from a servant and pointed at the rooftop, saying, "Who's meddling here? Are you tired of living?" Before he finished speaking, the man leaped from the rooftop into the courtyard, saying, "Young man, don't spout such arrogance! Even if your seniors were here, they wouldn't be a match for me, the Carefree Hero."
With that, he pointed, and with a "bang," a piece the size of a fingernail broke off from the tip of Wang Jiabao's steel knife, startling everyone.
The man, dressed in black and of medium age, was recognized by Madam Liu as Xu Youliang. Knowing things were going badly, she said, "Lord Xu, are you here to stop us?"
"No," Xu Youliang replied. "You know she's innocent, yet you insist that Tao Xiuying killed your family. I can't do anything about that. She confessed under torture, and no one else could save her. But if you want to kill Old Master Wang to silence him, I, Xu Xiaoyao, will have to intervene. Old Master Wang, just leave. Anyone who dares to stop you, I, Xu, will be here."
Wang Ruowang, without a word, turned and left.
Two young martial arts students at the door tried to stop him, but intimidated by Xu Youliang's imposing presence, they dared not act.
"Young Madam Wang, as for Tao Xiuying, you can kill her or torture her as you please. But you know she's innocent, yet you deliberately killed her. Such a secret cannot be kept forever." With that, he too turned and left.
Tao Xiuying stood in the courtyard, unsure whether to leave or stay.
Seeing this, Liu dared not cause any more trouble and could only say dejectedly, "Miss Tao, I'm sorry. The grievance has its source, the debt its debtor. You may leave."
Hearing this, Tao Xiuying turned and left the courtyard.
What happens next? Stay tuned for the next chapter.

Chapter Forty-Nine—The Capture of the Down-on-Hand Woman at Qingyun Ridge, Tao Xiuying's Three Rescues at Lishu Village. Last time

, we recounted how Wang Ruowang, at Wangjia Village, carefully explained Tao Xiuying's injustice to the families of the bombed official. With Xu Youliang protecting her, the officials' families dared not act rashly and had no choice but to release Tao Xiuying. As
Tao Xiuying left the village, Wang Ruowang was waiting for her at the gate.
Seeing Tao Xiuying emerge, Wang Ruowang said to her, "That was close. Prime Minister Tao, this world is incredibly dangerous. You were traveling alone; without a highly skilled martial artist by your side, you would have been in trouble sooner or later. Today, I was merely fortunate to be there. If Xu Xiaoyao hadn't been there, who could have protected you?"
In truth, Wang Ruowang spoke the truth, but Tao Xiuying misunderstood. She had gone from a position second only to the emperor to a state of being surrounded by enemies and desperate. The closer the people were to her, the more she felt they were mocking her, even seeing her being saved as a way of ridiculing her.
"Old Mr. Wang, you saved my life today. Tao Xiuying thanks you. I, a dignified prime minister, have finally fallen to the point of needing your help. Are you happy now?"
Wang Ruowang was stunned. He hadn't expected Tao Xiuying to be so sarcastic, even towards an elderly person.
"Prime Minister Tao, what are you saying? I saved someone not to show off. Even if we were old acquaintances, I would still help an ordinary person who had been wronged and whom I encountered. What ulterior motive could I possibly have?"
"Whether you have ulterior motives or not, you know it yourself, sir. You and Xu Youliang conspired to mock me, don't you think?"
"Prime Minister Tao, you are mistaken. I was merely trying to intimidate those shameless officials' wives in the courtyard. I didn't know Xu Xiaoyao was there. What conspiratorial nonsense? Why would we conspire?"
"Why conspire? You two conspired, and you ask me why? Tell Xu Youliang, whether he wants to mock me or has ulterior motives, I will not accept his help."
"Did we make a mistake in saving him?"
"Life and death are predestined, wealth and honor are determined by fate. Whether I live or die is my own business, Tao Xiuying's. Who cares about your three nostrils urging me to speak? From now on, we will go our separate ways. Tao Xiuying's life or death is none of your concern." After saying this, she turned and left without looking back.
Wang Ruowang watched from behind, helpless. He calculated with his fingers and knew the truth. He shook his head and said, "This is the will of Heaven. How can human power change it?" He had no choice but to turn and leave.
As for Tao Xiuying, after leaving Wang Ruowang, she continued to travel east, still dressed as a man, to leave Qinglong Pass.
After traveling for several days, suddenly a dozen men armed with knives and spears blocked her way. These men were all disabled, and she didn't know why.
Tao Xiuying thought they were bandits trying to rob her, so she stepped forward and said, "Friends, I suppose you are short of money and need some silver. I am just a scholar, and I only have a few taels of loose silver with me. Please give it all to you."
As she spoke, she took out a silver pouch from her bosom and handed it over.
The leader of the bandits, who only had one arm, handed the knife to his henchmen behind him and stepped forward to take the silver purse. Suddenly, he attacked, grabbing Tao Xiuying's wrist and dragging her away.
Tao Xiuying cried out, "Friend, what does this mean?"
The man twisted Tao Xiuying's hand. Xiuying was a weak woman, and although the man only had one hand, he twisted her arm behind her back, holding her tightly to the chest. He laughed and rubbed his chest against hers, saying, "Young master, why is this place so soft?"
Seeing that her disguise had been seen through, Xiuying could only say, "Since you've seen through me, I won't hide it from you. We're all from the underworld. It's inconvenient for women to go out, so I disguised myself as a man. Now that I've given you the money, don't break the rules of the underworld."
The man laughed, "Tao Xiuying, do you think we're really robbing you?"
Tao Xiuying exclaimed, "Oh no, I've run into my enemies again. Where have I, Tao Xiuying, gotten so many enemies?"
"How do you know I'm Tao Xiuying?"
"You'll know soon enough."
As the man spoke, several men came up from both sides, stripped Tao Xiuying of her upper clothes, tied her up, and took her up the mountain.
Upon arriving at the Hall of Gathering Righteousness, they saw over thirty women already standing before it, half of whom were beautiful young women around twenty years old. Their eyes reddened at the sight of Tao Xiuying.
The leader, seated at the head of the hall, ordered Tao Xiuying to be pushed in, saying, "Tao Xiuying, today we'll let you die knowing why! We are the Nanling tribespeople who escaped by sheer luck. Today we've brought you up the mountain specifically to avenge the wronged souls of those who died unjustly in Nanling!"
Tao Xiuying knew then that this was truly the end for her.
"Tao Xiuying, you advised Feng Qing to exterminate our tribe's incense, and you personally served as a military advisor, attacking Nanling and slaughtering tens of thousands of our women and children. We have an irreconcilable hatred for you. Today you've fallen into our hands, what do you have to say?"
"Since we are enemies, Tao Xiuying has nothing to say. Just kill her." Thinking of the tragic deaths of the Nanling barbarian women, Tao Xiuying knew she would die at their hands without any right to protest.
"Gentlemen, how should we kill this vile woman?" the leader asked.
Outside the hall, a barbarian woman cried out, "Fifth Brother, when the government troops were in Nanling, they had all the sisters of Nanling executed by piercing their genitals with bamboo poles, then skinned them, tanned them, and sent them to the capital for public display. To this day, the genital skins of over ten thousand sisters from Nanling are scattered throughout the world, bought by some despicable scoundrels, destined to be forever shamed. Now that we have this slut, why not repay her in kind? In my opinion, let her also experience the pain of being pierced by bamboo poles, then skin her genitals, tan them into a fur coat, and embroider her own hair with her name, then auction it off in the market, so she can suffer eternal humiliation."
"Exactly." "That's exactly right." "..." A chorus of approval erupted from outside.
Fifth Brother, upon hearing this, said, "As you all say, brothers and sisters, drag this slut out of the hall and 'wear' her."
Two disabled men grabbed Tao Xiuying. Tao Xiuying was frightened, but knew she deserved her fate, so she did not struggle.
The men pulled down her pants, exposing her lower body, and dragged it outside.
Another barbarian woman found a stool, placed it in the courtyard, and tied Tao Xiuying face down on it, her round, plump buttocks sticking out.
Then, the remaining thirty-odd barbarian women each retrieved feather dusters from their own houses, intending to beat Tao Xiuying's buttocks. Suddenly, someone shouted, "Stop! This is the chieftain!"
Xu Youliang, leading five wives and concubines, came running up from the foot of the mountain.
The barbarians were greatly surprised to see Xu Youliang and rushed forward to kneel: "Greetings, Chieftain! We've been waiting for this day for so long, we never dared to imagine we would meet you!"
They also recognized Xu Youliang's four concubines as the female generals of Nanling and quickly paid their respects.
Xu Youliang then introduced Duan Lingfeng, who, upon learning she was the chieftain's wife, also kowtowed.
Duan Lingfeng hurriedly came over, untied Tao Xiuying, helped her up, found her trousers to wear, and then told the barbarian women to find her a top.
Upon seeing this, Fifth Brother and the barbarian women knelt down in unison, saying, "Cave Master, she is the enemy who wiped out our Nanling tribe! We cannot let her go!"
Youliang said, "I know she was the one who devised strategies for Feng Qing. However, as a subject, she should be loyal to her ruler. Devising strategies is her duty; is that wrong? Our Nanling enemy is Feng Qing, not Tao Xiuying. She is loyal to her duty and is a role model. How can Nanling be so petty?"
The four concubines also came to persuade the others on Xu Youliang's behalf, and finally convinced the barbarians.
It turned out that after Xu Youliang and Duan Lingfeng entered the palace at night, the family left the capital and traveled around doing chivalrous deeds, punishing several corrupt officials and eliminating several gangsters. The name of the carefree knight quickly spread.
When the cannons were used to bomb the meritorious officials, the group happened to return to the vicinity of the capital. Upon hearing the news, they rushed to the capital, just in time to rescue Tao Xiuying.
Neither Xu Youliang nor his four concubines had originally intended to rescue Tao Xiuying. However, Duan Lingfeng believed Tao Xiuying was an invaluable talent, and if she could be brought under their wing, she would be indispensable for achieving great things. Besides, although Tao Xiuying had a grudge against Nanling, it was merely a matter of duty for a subject, something she should do, and shouldn't be blamed on her. If the Xu family wanted to unite more forces, wouldn't forgiving their enemy be a way to enhance their reputation?
After much consideration, Xu Youliang and his group of five agreed with Duan Lingfeng's reasoning, and thus decided to break into the prison in the dead of night. Xu Youliang also knew that now was not the time to overthrow the Feng family dynasty; for the
sake of the people, he also incidentally saved Feng Qing's life. Unexpectedly, Tao Xiuying didn't appreciate their good intentions and mistook their kindness for ulterior motives. Duan Lingfeng felt it was good for her to suffer a few more losses, so she separated from Tao Xiuying and prepared to rescue her at Wangjiazhuang. However, Wang Ruowang arrived first.
Leaving Wangjiazhuang, they followed Tao Xiuying all the way to Qingyun Ridge, where she was captured by the escaped Nanling tribesmen.
What will Xiuying do this time? Let's find out in the next chapter.

Chapter 50—Tao Xiuying is trapped on Black Stone Mountain, Xu Youliang rescues her four times.

Xu Youliang persuaded everyone, and Tao Xiuying, dressed, returned to the Hall of Gathering Righteousness.
Upon seeing Xu Youliang and the others, she didn't thank them, but instead held her head high, saying, "Xu Youliang, you're just feigning compassion. Don't think I'll be grateful to you. You're merely using Tao Xiuying's life or death to gain fame and reputation; do you think I don't know that? What do you want today? Will you release me, or will you keep me here?"
"Whether you stay or leave is entirely up to the Prime Minister; Xu Youliang has no intention of making things difficult for me,"
Tao Xiuying said, and actually turned and went down the mountain.
Xu Youliang watched Tao Xiuying's retreating figure and couldn't help but shake his head, saying, "Let her go."
As Tao Xiuying left Qingyun Ridge, she thought to herself, "They're using these tricks to lure me again. Who am I, Tao Xiuying? How could I be bewitched by you? You all suffered defeat at my hands and harbor hatred for me. Now that I'm down on my luck, you feign compassion, just to see me make a fool of myself. Humph! I'll hide in the mountains for now. The emperor will need me again someday, and then I'll rise again. I'll capture you all and release you, to avenge this humiliation."
You see, she didn't see being saved as a favor, but rather as hatred! This is what they call "Heaven's sins can be forgiven, but self-inflicted sins cannot be escaped."
You see, after taking a few steps, she stopped and turned west, intending to find a secluded mountain forest near the capital to temporarily reside in, so she could gather information about the court and perhaps stage a comeback. However, the Empress's position was probably out of the question; how could the Emperor accept a woman who had ridden the wooden donkey in front of so many people?
Passing by Qingyun Ridge, she secretly went up the mountain to check, only to find the place deserted.
Xu Youliang naturally wouldn't allow his clansmen to hide there, so he led them away from Qingyun Ridge, to the contact point left by Guan Yuqing, and arranged for them to go up Baima Mountain.
Tao Xiuying was a clever woman, which was why she dared to return. There were still many items she couldn't take with her, enough to sustain her for a while.
After living in the mountains for over a month, when the remaining food was almost gone, Tao Xiuying decided to go down the mountain to gather information and buy some food.
After some time, thinking that people had forgotten her, she secretly left the mountain, disguised as a man again, and headed towards the capital.
She had no idea that her enemies had never forgotten her. The moment she appeared, she was being followed.
This time, it was not far from the Wang Family Village, near a mountain called Black Stone Mountain, and on that mountain a stronghold called Revenge Stronghold, home to a band of bandits.
Though called bandits, they didn't actually rob people, and they weren't江湖人士 (jianghu figures, referring to people from the martial arts world). Their reason for being there was very simple: revenge, and Tao Xiuying was one of their targets.
People are a mixed bag, some are magnanimous, some are petty, but there are always plenty who scheme and plot.
After Wang Ruowang and Xu Youliang rescued Tao Xiuying at the Wang Family Village, the families of the old officials weren't entirely satisfied. Some of them secretly followed Tao Xiuying and tried to leak information to her enemies through various channels, hoping to use them to kill her.
Tao Xiuying's sudden return to Qingyun Ridge caught them off guard, and they lost track of her for a moment. But they cast a wide net, patiently waiting, and finally caught up with Tao Xiuying.
Xu Youliang also learned of the news. They knew that if Tao Xiuying fell into the hands of these people, they would be powerless to help her. So, the six of them headed south again and intercepted Tao Xiuying on the road.
Tao Xiuying was shocked to see Xu Youliang and his men openly blocking her way. She said, "What, do you regret letting me go?" "
Prime Minister Tao, now that your whereabouts have been exposed, you are surrounded by enemies. If you want to live, you must come with us. We will protect you."
"Forget it, Xu Youliang. Don't think I don't know what you're up to. You're jealous of me and want to see me make a fool of myself. When you didn't get to see it, you made up some enemies to scare me. Among my enemies, who hates me more than you people from Nanling? If you people from Nanling don't hate me, who else will?" "
Things are urgent. If you don't come with us and really fall into those people's hands, we can no longer save you!"
"I don't need your help! Whether I live or die is none of your business!"
Tao Xiuying said as she walked forward.
After walking no more than three miles, Tao Xiuying realized she was truly surrounded.
Xu Youliang hurriedly caught up, saying, "Aren't you coming with me? Do you really want to die?"
Tao Xiuying replied, "I'd rather die than have you save me."
As they argued, the group surrounded them. One of the young men, about fifteen or sixteen years old, asked, "Who is this great hero? May I ask your name?"
"The Carefree Hero."
"Ah? So it's the Carefree Hero! My apologies for
not recognizing you sooner." "I wouldn't dare. What brings you here?"
"What connection do you have with this woman, Carefree Hero?"
"No, I have no connection with him!" Tao Xiuying said before Xu Youliang could speak.
"Since we have no connection, Great Hero, we have a grudge against this woman and wish to settle our past grievances here. If you are of the same ilk, we welcome you. If you wish to cause trouble, we admit we are no match for you. However, we are not members of the martial world, so you wouldn't be so arrogant, would you?"
"Of course not."
"Very well, please stand aside and observe."
Duan Lingfeng said from behind, "May I ask your backgrounds?"
"Backgrounds? I'm not afraid you ladies to know. I am Hua Fang, the younger brother of Hua Rong, the Northern Azure Dragon King. These are the descendants and relatives of officials implicated in my sister's case, and we want to kill Tao Xiuying to avenge the victims."
Tao Xiuying then realized who they were and knew that if no one came to her rescue today, she would surely die.
"Gentlemen, I have something to say, but I'm not sure if I should."
"Please speak, heroine." "
While it was Tao Xiuying who murdered Prince Hua and all the officials, she was acting on orders. Once you enter public service, you have no choice in the matter. You all..."
"Enough, heroine, no need to say more. I know your nonsense about officials having no choice in the matter. We only know that it was Tao Xiuying who came up with the idea, Tao Xiuying who drafted the decree, Tao Xiuying who orchestrated the whole thing, and Tao Xiuying who set up the trap to capture my sister. We are not江湖人士 (jianghu figures), nor are we heroes; we have no reason to provoke the current emperor. Tell me, Master Xu, when you were a general, would you have refrained from ordering the killing of enemy soldiers simply because they had no choice? Although the current emperor intended to kill my sister, it was Tao Xiuying who repeatedly slandered him. How could we not avenge her just because she was acting on orders?"
“Even so, please be merciful. She is just a pitiful woman in distress. Please be tolerant.” You Liang said.
“Master Xu, as I just said, we are not heroes, nor do we want to be. We only want to avenge our enemies. If Master Xu wants to cause trouble, we know we are not as skilled as you, but for the sake of revenge, we may have to offend you. We just don’t know what excuse Master Xu has for getting involved in this mess.”
“I am only trying to persuade Young Master Hua with the benevolence of heaven and earth.”
“What if we don’t listen? Will you kill us to save Tao Xiuying?”
“This… I don’t need to kill to save people.” Tao Xiuying knew that as long as he tucked her under his arm and ran away, no one could catch him.
"It's not that simple! Master Xu, let me make this clear to you today. We are determined to have Tao Xiuying, and we know Master Xu's abilities. If you save her, we will commit suicide here, since it will be you, Master Xu, who kills us anyway."
"What do you mean by that?" You Liang asked, perplexed.
Tao Xiuying hadn't expected these people to be so dishonest.
"Young Master Hua, what if my Xiaoyao is related to Tao Xiuying?"
"If they are related, and Master Xu wants to save her, we have no choice but to accept our bad luck. However, Master Xu just said he has no connection with Tao Xiuying." "
Now that they are, Master Xu wants to take Tao Xiuying as his sixth concubine. Does that count as being related?"
"Miss Duan, how can you renege on your promise?"
"I don't want anyone to die."
Xu Youliang and Tao Xiuying were both surprised. Xu Youliang hesitated for a moment, then thought about it. It was indeed an idea; at least he could legitimately have Tao Xiuying with him, and no one would dare to make a move on her.
But Tao Xiuying thought completely differently. She thought, "Ah—I understand now, Duan Lingfeng, so you wanted to force me to become Xu Youliang's concubine by threatening my life. I, a first-rank Duke, even if I can't become an Imperial Noble Consort, I can't stoop to being some martial arts hero's sixth concubine! Bah! Don't even think about it. So what if I die? I'll die then."
Tao Xiuying hardened her heart and said, "Nonsense! I will never become his concubine. It's just revenge! Kill me or torture me, do as you please. I have nothing to do with Xu Youliang!"
After saying that, she simply ripped off her clothes and stripped naked, facing Hua Fang and saying, "Well? Kill me if you want, just do it!"
"Great Hero Xu, what do you say?" Hua Fang looked at Xu Youliang.
What will Xu Youliang do next? Let's find out in the next chapter.

Chapter 51 – The Founding Chancellor's Body Was Sliced and Cooked, the Marquis of Liu's Bones Were Buried

in a Righteous Manner. However, Tao Xiuying claimed she wanted to die, leaving Xu Youliang in a difficult position. At this moment, Wang Ruowang reappeared, but despite his best efforts, Tao Xiuying and Hua Fang showed no further intention of reconciliation, leaving Xu Youliang helpless.
Wang Ruowang, having exhausted all other options, said to Youliang, "Master Xu, we have already done our utmost. She chose to jump into the fire pit;
there's nothing we can do but let her go." Youliang, equally helpless, said sadly, "Alas! Since that's the case, I, Xu, cannot break the rules of the martial world. However, Young Master Hua, I have one more thing to say: show mercy where you can. Let her die a quick death, don't let her suffer."
Hua Fang said, "We originally intended to skin her alive and cook her into meat soup to offer as a sacrifice to the deceased. Since Master Xu has pleaded for her, we cannot refuse. Very well, we will give her a quick death." With
that, he stepped forward, grabbed Tao Xiuying's jade-like hand, and walked towards the mountain path.
Tao Xiuying felt that everyone in the world was against her, and life held no joy. Therefore, she was determined to die and did not struggle, following him up the mountain.
It turned out that Xu Youliang, now a martial arts master, had to abide by the rules of the martial world and could not casually attack those whose martial arts were inferior to his, unless the other party had committed a heinous crime. Moreover, in the martial world, grudges and debts are clearly defined. It's only natural for Hua Fang and his companions to seek revenge against those who killed their loved ones. No one with whom they have no connection should interfere. That's why Duan Lingfeng wanted Xu Youliang to take Tao Xiuying as a concubine, making their rescue perfectly justifiable.
However, Tao Xiuying refused to accept any more favors, even unto death, so everyone could only watch helplessly.
After traveling three or five miles into the mountains, they arrived at the Revenge Village.
They found many men, women, and children in the village, all victims, all shouting that they wanted to torture Tao Xiuying.
Tao Xiuying, having given up all other thoughts, could only close her eyes and await death.
Upon reaching the main hall, they saw a row of memorial tablets in the open space, a large cauldron in front of them, two wooden stakes beside them, a long bench, and several ropes. Tables and chairs were placed on both sides of the open space.
Hua Fang went to sit down, and then ordered all the men and women in the village to sit as well. He then ordered Tao Xiuying to be bound.
Two burly men came over, pushed Tao Xiuying onto a long bench, removed her shoes and socks, leaving her completely naked. They took ropes and bound her upside down.
Hua Fang said, "Tao Xiuying, look at all the poor folks in this village. If it weren't for that chivalrous hero pleading for you, someone as wicked as you would have been skinned alive. Now, you're being rewarded with a slit in the throat; consider yourself lucky to have met such a benefactor. Come on, let's cut."
At the word "cut," one of the burly men grabbed a sharp, ox-ear-shaped knife, grabbed her hair, and lifted her head, stretching her neck out.
Tao Xiuying saw the knife at her and instinctively tried to dodge, but there was no way to escape. She closed her eyes, and the ox-ear-shaped knife slashed her, leaving a two-inch-long gash. Tao Xiuying cried out, and blood gushed out like a fountain, making a series of "splashing" sounds.
The executioner loosened Tao Xiuying's hair. She opened her eyes, trying to lift her head, but what was she thinking?
She struggled for a moment, then lowered her head, then struggled to lift it again, tears welling in her eyes, a renewed will to live. But it was too late; her head finally drooped limply.
She lay there stiffly, motionless, until the bleeding subsided, then her body trembled violently before falling silent again.
The two men, seeing that she had bled out, came over, cut off her head, and placed it on a vermilion lacquered plate. They untied her hands and feet, then grabbed her feet and tied them upside down between the two wooden stakes.
They poured boiling water over her groin, shaved off her pubic hair with a knife, and then
plunged the knife into her vagina, cutting open her abdomen, spilling out her internal organs.
They then removed the heart and liver, placing them together with the head before the memorial tablet as offerings. The head remained on a plate, while the heart and liver were thrown into the cauldron.
The remaining organs were removed and set aside, and water was used to wash away the blood.
Hua Fang then stepped down, took a knife, and cut a thumb-sized piece of flesh from Tao Xiuying's buttocks, throwing it into the cauldron. He said, "Whoever still harbors hatred, take revenge!
Before he finished speaking, men, women, and children rushed forward, each taking a small knife and cutting a small piece of flesh from Tao Xiuying's body, throwing it into the cauldron.
In a short time, the once beautiful body was reduced to a skeleton, which was also cut into pieces and placed in the cauldron, along with water, oil, and salt, and then cooked over a fire.
These people, filled with deep hatred, ate and drank the flesh and broth, then wept and made a ruckus as they offered sacrifices again before dispersing in all directions.
As relatives of the victims, Xu Youliang and his descendants were magnanimous and forgiving, earning the respect of the world. They later gathered talented people from all over the country and eventually made a comeback, seizing power from the Feng family. Hua Fang and
his ilk, however, were narrow-minded. Although they vented their anger temporarily, they could not achieve great things in the end. It was pitiful that Tao Xiuying, who worked so hard to help Feng Qing establish his empire and removed all the thorns in his side, could not protect herself and ultimately became a scapegoat, turning into excrement. It was truly lamentable!
Youliang and Wang Ruowang waited at the foot of the mountain until everyone had dispersed before slowly walking up. They saw Tao Xiuying's broken bones scattered everywhere in front of the hall, and a bloody human head still lying on the ground.
Xu Youliang stepped forward, picked up the severed head, and sighed, "Alas, Tao Xiuying, if you had listened to my wise words, you wouldn't have perished here. Why did you do this?"
Wang Ruowang also sighed, "You possessed the talent of Zhuge Liang, yet you didn't understand the ways of Heaven. Today you've fallen to such a state; you truly deserve the title of 'Female Marquis of Liu'!"
Duan Lingfeng said, "Xiaoyao, she took her own life. Our sighs are useless. Let's do some good and bury her."
"Indeed, let her rest in peace."
Xu Youliang's family and Wang Ruowang collected Tao Xiuying's head and bones, built a tomb on the hillside, and buried her.
They also hired stonemasons to erect a tombstone for her. On the front, Xu Youliang personally inscribed, "Tomb of Tao Xiuying, Founding Duke and Left Chancellor of the Great Flood Dynasty," and on the back, Wang Ruowang wrote the epitaph, clearly describing Tao Xiuying's life.
Later, someone traveled here and learned about Tao Xiuying's life. Overwhelmed with emotion, they left a couplet on the memorial archway in front of her tomb: "Her repeated meritorious deeds rivaled Zhuge Liang's; She knew not when to advance or retreat, a mere title of Marquis of Liu. " Meanwhile,
Xu Youliang and his companions collected Tao Xiuying's remains, buried her, and descended
the mountain. They bid farewell to Wang Ruowang and went their separate ways. Wang Ruowang continued to find solace in nature, while Xu Youliang and his family traveled to Honghu, upholding justice.
One day, Youliang and his six companions crossed Nanyang Pass northward and arrived at the Qinglong Formation in Hulangyu. Xu Youliang and Duan Lingfeng had fought here years before. Looking at the battlefield, the couple couldn't help but feel moved.
Further north, they exited the mountain pass, and then eastward lay the road to Tongzhen. To the north, they saw a lush green forest nestled in a mountain valley.
Lingfeng said, "When I was here, I didn't see such a scene."
Youliang said, "I buried Fengyi and Zhao Fengzhu there. Perhaps her spirit still lingers in the afterlife, hence the lush forest. It's been a long time since I've been here; I should go and sweep their graves." Hearing
that it was the grave of Fengyi and Zhao Fengzhu, Lingfeng said, "I, as her wife, will also go and pay my respects."
What will happen when they sweep the graves of Fengyi and Zhao Fengzhu? Let's find out in the next chapter.

Chapter Fifty-Two—Youliang at Chaofeng Slope Pays Respects to His First Wife, Lingfeng at the Flower Shrine Honors the Heroine.

It is said that Xu Youliang and his group arrived at the main road outside Tiger Wolf Valley and saw the lush trees in the northern mountain valley. Youliang wanted to sweep Fengyi's grave, and Duan Lingfeng and the others, knowing it was Youliang's first wife, also wanted to pay their respects.
The group of six took incense, paper money, and paper horses to the graves of Fengyi and Zhao Fengzhu at Chaofeng Slope, burned incense and paper money, and knelt down to pay their respects.
Remembering his five wives and concubines, all of whom had perished tragically during the ten years of war, Xu Youliang burst into tears, and Lingfeng and the others joined him in weeping.
After the memorial service, as they left Chaofeng Slope, Duan Lingfeng remained lost in thought. Youliang asked, "What are you thinking about?"
Lingguan sighed, "Since the three families raised their armies to oversee the country, how many female generals have risked their lives, fighting valiantly on the battlefield? Which one didn't want fame and fortune? Which one didn't want wealth and glory? And which one donned the armor to sacrifice their life? It's a pity that in the end, how many can truly enjoy that wealth and glory? In these ten years, only Feng Xiaoyu has been able to enjoy wealth and glory. It's truly lamentable!"
"Madam is right! One general's success is built on the bones of ten thousand. In ten years of war, countless heroes from all walks of life have died, and why should only female generals be spared?" Xu Youliang echoed this sentiment.
“Xiaoyao, I also served as a general in the army. Although I never met most of those deceased female generals, it felt as if I had spent every day with them. They died on the battlefield, and some of their bodies were never found. I intend to build a flower shrine for them, so that they may receive incense offerings in all four seasons and have a place for their souls to rest.”
The four concubines agreed in unison.
A bright light appeared, and Duan Lingfeng said, "Madam is right. I think the feng shui here is excellent; why not build a shrine here?"
A day later, the shrine was completed. Duan Lingfeng set up memorial tablets for the female generals whose names she knew, according to the order of their deaths: Xu Shi – Empress of Emperor Zhenwen, ordered to hang herself; Huang Shi – Consort of Emperor Zhenwen, ordered to commit suicide by poison; Jiang Shi – Consort of Emperor Zhenwen, ordered to commit suicide by poison; Feng Le – Consort of Xu Youliang, Princess of Nanling, hung naked at the gate of the camp after dying in battle at Nanling; Feng Yun – Consort of Xu Youliang, Princess of Nanling, hung naked at the gate of the camp after dying in battle at Nanling; Cao Yunfeng – General before Emperor Zhenwen, Cao... Yunlong's younger sister, captured in Nanling, gang-raped and then defiled on the city tower of Nanling Military Town; Hu Qiaoyun - a general in front of Emperor Zhenwen, captured in Nanling, gang-raped and then defiled on the city tower of Nanling Military Town; Qi Shi - a concubine of Zhenchen Wang Keji, drugged and raped by Emperor Zhenwen, then mutilated her genitals with scissors before committing suicide in the court; Jingyue - Duan Lingfeng's senior sister, captured by the Hong sisters in Hulangyu, first kissed herself, then hung naked in public; Fengyi - Xu Youliang's wife, a princess of Nanling, captured after exhaustion in Hulangyu, gang-raped and then hung naked in public, later killed by an arrow piercing her genitals; Jingxiu - Duan Lingfeng's fellow disciple, captured after being injured in Hulangyu, gang-raped to death, then hung naked in public.
Lin Fengwu - Duan Lingfeng's fellow disciple, captured in Tiger Wolf Valley, gang-raped, beheaded, and her naked corpse displayed publicly; Yu Fengjiao - Duan Lingfeng's fellow disciple, captured in Tiger Wolf Valley, gang-raped, beheaded, and her naked corpse displayed publicly; Hong Si Niang - Xu Youliang's general, cut in half at the waist in front of the enemy at Hundred Flowers City, impaled and then displayed on a flagpole; Hong San Niang - Hong Si Niang's elder sister, Xu Youliang's general, strangled to death in Hundred Flowers City, impaled and then displayed on a flagpole; He Xiu Ying - Xu Youliang's general, Baihua City was surrounded while protecting Xu Youliang, and after kissing herself, she was impaled on a flagpole as a warning; Wuli Feng - Grand Tutor Hu Da's adopted daughter, the eldest of four sisters, skilled in water escape, drowned during an assassination attempt and was cured into salted meat; Wuli Xue - the third sister of the four Wuli sisters, skilled in wood escape, hanged during an assassination attempt and was cured into salted meat; Wuli Hua - the second sister of the four Wuli sisters, skilled in earth escape, captured during an assassination attempt, poisoned, and cured into salted meat; Wu Li Yue – the fourth of the four Wuli sisters, skilled in fire escape techniques, was captured during an assassination attempt, poisoned, and then cured into salted meat; Qi Qiaoyun – a general under Wang Bingzheng, captured in the Seven Star Formation, was gang-raped along with her female bodyguards, strangled, and then hung naked in public; Hua Mingyu – another general under Wang Bingzheng, captured in the Seven Star Formation, gang-raped to death, then impaled and hung naked in public; Wang Huimei – Wang Bingzheng's niece, captured during an assassination attempt on Emperor Zhenwen, raped, impaled, then disemboweled, and fed to tigers and leopards. Zhang Mudan - a general of the True Dynasty, was cut in half at the waist while defending the Tian Shu Formation, and then impaled and displayed publicly; Wang Juhua - a general of the True Dynasty, was struck in the back of the heart by a hammer while defending the Tian Shu Formation, and then impaled and displayed publicly; Zhu Mei - a general of Feng Qing, was impaled to death by a spear while attacking the Tian Xuan Formation, and then impaled and displayed publicly; Qi Lan - a general of Feng Qing, was impaled to death by a spear while attacking the Tian Xuan Formation, and then impaled and displayed publicly; Li Yueji - a general of the True Dynasty, committed suicide by kissing herself at Fengcheng Pass, and then impaled and displayed publicly; Wang Shuixian - a general of the True Dynasty, committed suicide by kissing herself at Fengcheng Pass. Pierced and displayed publicly; Feng Meiyu - General Wang Bingzheng, a rock climbing expert, was ambushed and strangled in Nanyang Pass, her naked body with her orifices plugged before being smashed into a pulp; Han Sumei - Wang Bingzheng's concubine, was ambushed and kissed in Nanyang Pass, then pierced and displayed publicly; Liu Zhu - General Feng Qing, was speared to death in Fengjun, then pierced and displayed publicly; Yue Ling - General Feng Qing, was captured in Fengjun, gang-raped, and then pierced to death; Huyan Feng - General Wang Bingzheng, was beheaded in front of the enemy at Huangshi, then pierced and displayed publicly; Qin Ju General Feng Qing was captured at Shangsi City, gang-raped, and then stabbed to death; Wang Xiaojiao, the second daughter of Wang Bingzheng, drowned at Hutou Mountain, her naked body displayed before Baihu Pass; Yuchi Ling, a general of Wang Bingzheng, committed suicide on the battlefield, her body pierced and displayed; He Shi, a descendant of Emperor Zhenwu, was strangled to death; Yunxia, the third sister of four siblings of General Wang Bingzheng, was beheaded at Hulangyu and her skin was used as a flag; Yunluan, the second sister of four siblings of General Wang Bingzheng, was beheaded at Hulangyu and her skin was used as a flag. Flag bearers; Zhao Fengzhu - Xu Youliang's concubine, kissed herself at Panlong River, then pierced and displayed to the public; Hu Yanling - General Wang Bingzheng, captured at Tongzhen, gang-raped and hanged at the gate; Shui Yunu - General Xu Youliang, killed by hammer at Xiliang Ridge; Yunfeng - General Wang Bingzheng, eldest of four siblings, cleaved in two by a knife at Xiliang Ridge; Gong Sanniang - General Wang Bingzheng, captured at Tongzhen, raped, then had her throat slit and hung naked in public; Liu Xiurong - Deputy General Wang Bingzheng, killed in action at Nanling Pass, hung naked in public. Publicly displayed; Yan Jiumei - General Wang Bingzheng, captured and defiled at Dafangshan; Gong Hongyu - General Pang Qi, beheaded first in Fengjun, then cleaved in two; Song Caijiao - General Cao Yunlong, stabbed to death at Nanlingguan, then hung naked in public; Ma Cuihong - Deputy General Wang Bingzheng, betrayed by her subordinates at Nanlingguan, gang-raped and then stabbed to death; Zhao Chan - Consort of Zhenzhen Duan Qiao, later remarried to the illegitimate son of Emperor Zhenwen as empress, then remarried to Wang Bingzheng as a concubine, captured in Yecheng, and executed by slow slicing in the marketplace.
Xu Rong'er - daughter of Xu Zhi, strategist of Hua Rong, falsely accused of adultery and plotting against her husband, executed by slow slicing; Ge Xiancao - leader of the Guoting rebel army, betrayed by her subordinates, raped and then had her breasts cut off and her abdomen disemboweled to death; Liu Yue'e - leader of the Guoting rebel army, captured during the uprising, raped and then paraded through the streets on a wooden donkey, and then executed by slow slicing; Zheng Mingzhen - general Xu Youliang, wife of Guan Yuqing, captured at Dafangshan, and repeatedly gang-raped to death; Cao Fengxi - general Xu Youliang, concubine of Guan Yuqing, joined the suicide squad to atone for her sins, and died in battle at Zhiziling; Wang Ziyi - general Feng Qing, died at Zhiziling. The following characters are listed: Quan Zhong committed suicide; Liu Yuge – General Xu Youliang, concubine of Guan Yuqing, betrayed by her subordinates and repeatedly gang-raped to death; Zhuang Cai'er – Junior officer under Liu Yuge, who framed Liu Yuge and was bestially raped and skinned to death; Deng Xiufu – General Feng Qing, captured after being poisoned while guarding Zhizi Ridge and beheaded; Wang Yinping – Eldest daughter of Wang Bingzheng, later General Feng Qing, shot to death by a poisoned crossbow and impaled; Xu Xiaoyao – General Xu Youliang, the second of the four Xu sisters, killed by a bull in the abdomen and hung naked in public; Xu Xiaojing – General Xu Youliang… The youngest of the four Xu sisters, Da Jiang, was killed by a bull piercing her anus and then by a spear stabbing her throat; she was then hung naked in public. Princess Jinling, the eldest princess of the Western Rong, was captured by war elephants, gang-raped, and then thrown into the city by a stone cannon, where she fell to her death. Kan Meiying, Xu Youliang's grain officer and a female general from Nanling, was killed by a spear and hung naked in public. Princess Yinling, the second princess of the Western Rong, was captured by Qiu Longlin and impaled. Princess Yuling, the third princess of the Western Rong, was captured by Qiu Longlin and impaled. Fengling, Xu Youliang's concubine and a princess of Nanling, was betrayed by Pingling and killed daily. Riding a wooden donkey, he was gang-raped at night and later shot to death by Wang Ke's repeated arrows; Consort Hui - Consort Feng Qing, Xu Youliang's undercover agent, was stabbed in the heart by a loyal servant in Feng Qing's palace and died; Xiao Hong - Consort Hui's maid, Xu Youliang's undercover agent, was beheaded after stabbing Consort Hui to death; Xu Xiaoyang - Xu Youliang's general, the eldest of the four Xu sisters, died from an arrow wound, her naked body displayed in public; Xu Xiaoyue - Xu Youliang's general, the third of the four Xu sisters, died calmly in battle, her naked body displayed in public; Zhang Ping - Xu Youliang's general, protected Youliang to the death, was cut in half at the waist, humiliated, and then stabbed to death in the heart, her naked body displayed in public.
Hu Yue (Jingyun Daoist nun) - Former general of Xu Youliang, captured while trying to save Youliang, taken to Yecheng, and executed by sawing; Hua Rong - General of Feng Qing, the Northern Azure Dragon King, falsely accused of treason, and hanged; He Aduo - One of the female generals of Nanling, captured and gang-raped to death to ensure the success of the seduction plan; He Aman - One of the female generals of Nanling, captured and gang-raped to death to ensure the success of the seduction plan; Feng Mingyue - One of the female generals of Nanling, to ensure the success of the seduction plan... The seduction plan succeeded, and he was cleaved in two and died; Kan Meiyun - a female general of Nanling, willingly used her beauty to lure the enemy and perish together with Cao Yunlong to protect Nanling; Kan Meizhen - one of the female generals of Nanling, willingly used her beauty to lure the enemy and perish together with them to protect Nanling; Valya - the chief female bodyguard of the Western Rong King, leader of the camel army, captured by Cao Yunlong, later became Cao Yunlong's concubine, and died of poisoning along with Cao Yunlong; Feng Aguo - Nanling One of the twelve female generals, she died in battle when Nanling was captured and was cured into salted meat and sent to the capital; Feng Axue, one of the twelve female generals of Nanling, was captured after exhausting her strength when Nanling was captured, raped and killed by a sorcerer, and cured into salted meat before being sent to the capital for public display; He Axiu, one of the twelve female generals of Nanling, guarded the Jiudaogou Pass and was raped and killed by government troops along with other female soldiers; He Azhen, one of the twelve female generals of Nanling, was captured after exhausting her strength when Nanling was captured and presented as a prisoner of war to the capital. They were subjected to humiliation and their corpses were mutilated and displayed to the public. Kan Caiyun, one of the Twelve Female Generals of Nanling, was captured while guarding a path near Huanglong Cave, impaled and displayed to the public, then cured into salted meat and sent to the capital for public display. Kan Meitong, another of the Twelve Female Generals of Nanling, was captured after exhausting her strength while guarding Huanglong Cave, presented as a prisoner to the capital, and subjected to humiliation and her corpse was mutilated and displayed to the public. Tao Xiuying, the military advisor and Left Prime Minister of Feng Qing, was framed by Empress Qi and Feng Xiaoyu, and later captured and killed by Hua Rong's younger brother and others, and cooked into meat soup.
The aforementioned heroines, regardless of whether they were friend or foe, totaled eighty-eight. The memorial tablets of the female generals who followed him, as well as those of the female generals of Nanling and more than 11,000 female barbarian soldiers of Nanling, were placed in the main hall. The rest were placed in the east and west side halls. Each of them should have a type of fresh flower, and the female soldiers should have a variety of flowers.
Only the wicked concubine Zhao Chan, because of her licentiousness and reputation as a woman who brought ruin to the country, was spared the tarnishing of the reputation of the other heroines. She had a three-foot-tall stone tablet made, depicting her naked and bound, riding a wooden donkey through the streets, and placed in the courtyard to be exposed to the sun and rain.
After the tablet was properly placed, the couple, along with their six husbands, offered sacrifices. They then hired an elderly woman without children from a nearby village to perform the daily rituals before leaving Chaofeng Slope.
Later, people from nearby villages and towns, knowing that the Flower Goddess Shrine enshrined female heroes, came to offer incense and worship. Some even had their wishes fulfilled, all saying that the Flower Goddess was efficacious, and the incense offerings flourished. But poor Zhao Chan, no one burned incense for her, no one offered her sacrifices. Instead, lecherous men took the opportunity to grope her private parts, and over time, her breasts, buttocks, and groin became smooth and shiny.
After Xu Youliang and his wife built the Flower Shrine, they continued their chivalrous deeds in the Central Plains, gathering their old followers along the way. Later, all five wives and concubines had children.
Five thousand boys and girls who had entered the mountains from the Southern Ridge later settled in the mountains south of the Western Rong, where they quickly rose to power. Later, Xu Xia (Xu Youliang's courtesy name) returned to White Horse Mountain to find Xu Youliang and acknowledge his ancestry.
Feng Qing died of illness at the age of fifty-four. His grandson was incompetent and tyrannical, and with renewed strife, Xu Youliang's grandsons seized the opportunity to raise an army, destroying the Great Flood Dynasty and wiping out the entire Wu tribe. The tribe returned to the Southern Ridge.

[The End]

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