Chapter 129: Retribution for Good and Evil

Under Luo Wushuang’s deliberate guidance, the scandalous affairs of the Shangguan family became the talk of the town within a mere two days.

At that time, Shangguan Qingyun was still unconscious from his recent flogging. He had no idea that the Shangguan family had already become the primary source of gossip for the entire Imperial Capital.

Seeing that the situation was dire, his concubines and illegitimate children no longer bothered to curry favor with the old man. They each packed their most valuable belongings and attempted to bribe the soldiers guarding the manor, desperate to flee this sinking ship.

Following Luo Wushuang’s instructions, anyone who had never been in conflict with her sister was allowed to leave without paying a single cent. As for those who had once clung to Madam Shangguan or whose children had joined the legitimate heirs in bullying Liqian, they weren’t allowed out regardless of how much they offered.

Soon, the side gate of the Shangguan Manor became the most crowded place in the household.

Groups of middle-aged women, some dressed flamboyantly and others plainly, shoved their children forward with all their might.

You can imagine the scene of grandmas fighting over discounted eggs at a supermarket.

“General, please take this small token of my appreciation and let us out.”

“General, this is for you! We don’t want to stay here and wait for death. Please, let us go!”

“Us too…”

Amidst the cacophony, the general in charge—under the watchful eyes of the Secret Guards—treated the money like dirt. He held the “little notebook” sent by Yuechen, checking names off one by one.

The expressions of those with guilty consciences shifted instantly. They pushed forward even more frantically, trying to talk their way out or seize a chance to rush through the gate.

Fear gave them desperate strength, but they were easily shoved back by the soldiers at the entrance.

“Silence!”

The lead general barked, drawing his sword. He scanned the chaotic crowd and said coldly, “Anyone else who causes a disturbance will be executed on the spot.”

The scene fell silent instantly. At the general’s signal, the soldiers forced the crowd into a line and began calling names.

[Xiaobai: Doesn’t this look like the King of Hell calling the roll? q(≧▽≦q)]

Those who were released left with profound gratitude, while those who hadn’t been called craned their necks, terrified of missing their names…

Until the last person was let out of the manor, those remaining watched the gate slam shut before them. Desperate howls tore from their throats.

The Shangguan family was finished; they didn’t want to stay and die!

When the Shangguan family was at its peak, they hadn’t enjoyed much wealth or honor. Now that the family was falling, why should they have to die with it?

Resentment burned in their hearts, but the malice they had once shown Shangguan Liqian had become the very stumbling block preventing them from a new life. No matter how loudly they screamed, it was useless.

Seeing no hope of escape, they tried to band together to force their way out.

However…

Under the iron-fisted suppression of the soldiers outside, not a single person escaped. Instead, they were all given a sound thrashing.

Utterly hopeless, the crowd retreated to their own courtyards in tears.

On their way back, they happened to cross paths with Shangguan Chi. Upon learning of their actions, the former Eldest Young Master of the Chancellor’s Manor tried to use his status to scold them as he usually did.

Drowning in fear and despair, the crowd had no patience for his posturing. Malice born of desperation took hold, and they swarmed forward, beating Shangguan Chi senseless.

It was only after they had beaten Shangguan Chi into a state similar to his bedridden, incapacitated mother that they realized what they had done.

But what was done was done; it was too late for regrets. They decided to go all the way, venting their rage on all the legitimate children who had once lorded it over them.

Still unsatisfied, the mob burst into Madam Shangguan’s room in the Main Courtyard. They dragged her directly off her bed and dumped her outside to bake under the sun.

It was noon in the middle of summer. Madam Shangguan shrieked as the sun scorched her. Soon, a concubine who had long despised her stuffed her mouth with a foul-smelling sock.

Having vented their grievances, these people were like birds released from a cage, completely losing all inhibitions.

They began to settle every old debt and grudge.

For a time, the entire Shangguan Manor fell into absolute chaos. Blood was everywhere, and the constant threat of death triggered the dormant evil in their hearts, turning many of them frenzied.

Some even grew bold enough to try and beat Shangguan Qingyun…

When they arrived at his room, they found that others were already at it, so they eagerly joined in.

The unconscious Shangguan Qingyun was literally beaten awake by his illegitimate sons.

Enduring the agonizing pain, he struggled to open his eyes. Seeing the demonic chaos before him, he initially thought he was still dreaming.

It wasn’t until the sharp pain from the blows registered that he realized the people punching and kicking him were the very children who had once been so submissive and humble in his presence…

Bastards! Scoundrels! Every last one of them!

He was their father! How did they dare?

The battered Shangguan Qingyun tried to exert his authority to stabilize the situation, but it was futile.

The concubines and children no longer felt any reverence for him. Each took the stance of a victim, accusing him of failing in his duties as a father.

They claimed they had only clung to Madam Shangguan for survival, and that they had ended up in this mess solely because he was an incompetent father…

Aching in every inch of his body, Shangguan Qingyun looked at the chaotic scene and listened to the accusations of his children. He erupted in a fit of powerless rage, but when he realized that no one cared, he was so consumed by fury that he passed out again.

As for the rest of the Shangguan family, after nearly provoking Shangguan Qingyun to death, they went truly mad.

Vases and paintings that had once been too expensive to even look at were smashed and torn apart at whim. Those they disliked were targeted with lethal intent.

The ones who suffered the most were those who had relied on their status to bully others in the past…

The power they relied on had collapsed, and their fate was nothing short of miserable.

At this moment, the Shangguan Manor had become a den of sin within the prosperous Imperial Capital, with the scent of blood permeating every corner.

The Secret Guards reported the news to the palace as quickly as possible. Upon hearing it, Luo Wushuang curled her lips into a cold smile and looked at Shangguan Liqian, praising her, “Sister truly has divine foresight.”

Shangguan Liqian’s movements as she ate didn’t falter for a second. She merely spoke calmly, “They committed many injustices; they are simply reaping what they sowed.”

Luo Wushuang nodded and echoed, “They deserve it!”

Then, she hopped back over to Liqian to keep seeking her attention.

As expected, the next day, the voices in the court impeaching the Shangguan family were loud enough to blow the roof off the Hall of Diligent Government.

Luo Wushuang decided the time was right and ordered a thorough investigation into the Shangguan family.

Within three days, through the combined efforts of the Governor of the Capital and the Court of Judicial Review, the Shangguan family’s crimes were fully listed.

Confiscation of property, extermination of the house, and execution of three generations!

Hearing this conclusion, which was so similar to her previous life, Shangguan Liqian felt a wave of emotion.

Good is rewarded and evil is punished; the ancients did not lie to me.

Having lived again, the Shangguan family still failed to escape the fate of her past life. This… was truly wonderful!