Chapter 417: Great Change

Hearing the imperial edict announced, everyone in the courtyard looked towards the main gate, murmuring among themselves:

"Why is there an imperial edict all of a sudden at this time?"

"Are you daft? Master Sang is a confidant of the Emperor and Empress. So, an edict congratulating his son on his marriage is probably being issued. Perhaps Miss Zheng will even gain a noble title directly."

"Tsk, tsk, the Zheng family has always been a prominent family in Mingyue City, but they are merchants after all, with no real status. This is truly a meteoric rise for them."

"What good is envy? If you're capable, you can also give birth to a beautiful daughter like Miss Zheng, and perhaps you'll also have a chance to change your social class."

Hearing the murmurs around him, Sang Qian was both surprised and delighted. "Father, the Emperor actually sent someone to congratulate us! This is a tremendous surprise!"

Sang Hong did not reply; instead, his expression grew serious. From what he knew of the Emperor, his son's wedding was not significant enough to warrant such an elaborate gesture. An imperial edict arriving at such a moment was truly unpredictable, whether for good or ill.

Soon, a team of warriors filed in from outside. Each warrior appeared tall and robust, their eyes exuding an air of arrogant confidence. Clearly, their constant presence in the capital gave them a natural sense of superiority upon arriving in Mingyue City. This group of warriors neatly spread out into two rows, and then an elderly man in a python robe slowly walked in, holding a bright yellow scroll high in one hand.

The old man's hair was white, yet he didn't appear old overall; instead, he looked vigorous and full of spirit. His sharp gaze swept across the entire scene. Zu An's heart skipped a beat; the oppressive aura emanating from this man was even stronger than Liu Yao's!

"It's a Prince!" Xie Daoyun, standing nearby, gasped softly, clearly having recognized his identity from the python robe he wore.

"A Prince?" Zu An's eyes narrowed. He knew that in this world, being of imperial blood wasn't enough to be granted a princely title; it was merely a prerequisite. One also had to reach the Grandmaster realm to be officially enfeoffed as a prince. He's a Grandmaster! He wondered who was stronger or weaker compared to Old Man Mi and Wei Dan. The main reason was that the difference in cultivation between him and these individuals was too vast; any of them could crush him, so he couldn't discern their individual strengths.

"Prince Liang!" Sang Hong hurriedly went to greet him. As they both served as officials in the capital, he naturally recognized the man. Prince Liang, Zhao Yi, was the current Emperor's uncle and the most senior and revered figure in the imperial clan. After recognizing him, Sang Hong's unease intensified. He knew very well that even for his own wedding, it would be impossible to invite Prince Liang for an award, let alone for his son's marriage.

Prince Liang Zhao Yi nodded to him in acknowledgment, then announced loudly, "Linchuan Prefect Sang Hong and Mingyue City River Defense Camp Commander Sang Qian, receive the imperial edict!"

"Long live the Emperor, long live, long long live!" Sang Hong and Sang Qian were startled and immediately knelt to receive the edict.

With a cold expression, Prince Liang unrolled the imperial edict and began to read: "By the Mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees... The Sang father and son, having gravely betrayed Our grace, fabricated evidence to slander local high-ranking officials and important court ministers, causing unrest in the imperial court. Therefore, We hereby strip them of their official positions, and they are to be escorted back to the capital for trial starting today. Respect this!"

Zu An didn't understand some of the obscure terms in the middle of the edict, but he grasped the most important sentence. A faint smile appeared on his face; his wife Chu Yan was indeed reliable. A new decree had come down so quickly! He had initially worried it would be delayed by a few days, in which case Zheng Dan would have already married Sang Qian, and then what would be the point?

At this moment, others also understood the content of the imperial edict, and a commotion immediately broke out in the courtyard. What's going on?! Weren't the Sang father and son the Emperor's confidantes? One moment everyone thought they had boundless futures, and the next they were dismissed from office and being investigated?

The most shocked was undoubtedly Sang Qian. He had been smiling, waiting for some imperial reward, planning to boast about it later in his circles. Who knew that such terrible news awaited him instead? The enormous contrast instantly stunned him. "No, this is impossible! It must be fake, fake!" By the end, he could no longer control his emotions and roared hoarsely.

Prince Liang's face darkened, and he said displeasedly, "What? Are you implying that I am delivering a false imperial edict?"

"No, I didn't mean that, but..." Sang Qian's thoughts were utterly chaotic. "We just performed a great service for the Emperor, so why are we being punished like this? There must be some misunderstanding, yes, there must be some misunderstanding!"

Prince Liang sneered, "Are you questioning the Emperor's judgment?"

Sang Qian wanted to speak further but was stopped by his father. Sang Hong opened his mouth and asked, "From the very beginning, I had an ominous premonition, and unexpectedly, it has come true. But I am still very confused: where did I lose? What exactly went wrong?"

Prince Liang chuckled, "Master Sang will understand the specifics once he reaches the capital."

Sang Hong was secretly furious. Logically, as fellow officials, Prince Liang should have offered some assistance. It was clear Prince Liang was kicking them while they were down! He suddenly recalled an old case in the capital that involved Prince Liang's household servants. He had enforced the law impartially back then, without giving Prince Liang special consideration. He must have offended him on that occasion, and now Prince Liang was seizing the opportunity for revenge. The Emperor knew Prince Liang and I had a feud, yet he still sent him. Had he, Sang Hong, become a pawn to be discarded?

Watching Sang Hong's expression fluctuate, Prince Liang sneered, then waved his hand. "Seize all relevant individuals!" As soon as he finished speaking, a group of guards, fierce as wolves and tigers, rushed towards the Sang family members. Hearing the commotion, Sang Hong finally awoke from his daze. With a bitter smile, he said, "Today is my son's wedding day. Can you allow them to complete the final ritual first?"

"So Young Master Sang is married?" Prince Liang looked at Zheng Dan, who was not far away. Dressed in a bright and beautiful wedding gown, she was clearly the bride. He thought, "This bride has a good figure; Sang Hong certainly knows how to pick a daughter-in-law." Then he continued, "Since they are already married, she is now part of the Sang family. According to the edict, she is to be taken away with them."

Hearing this, Sang Hong felt as if a basin of cold water had been poured over his head. Even the newly wedded bride was to be arrested? Was this implying the execution of their entire family?

He knew the Emperor was always stingy with grace and often cruel. For years, Sang Hong had been a knife in his hand, specifically helping him handle matters that were inconvenient for the Emperor to address personally. Although he had become an isolated minister, he believed he had been loyal to the Emperor, and there were still many difficult issues that required his involvement. He was confident he could maintain his prestigious position for at least several more decades. As for a time when he would no longer be useful, he thought he could worry about that later. But he never expected this day to come so swiftly.

While he felt as if he had fallen into an ice cellar, the Zheng family members were even more terrified. They had believed they were hitching themselves to a powerful ally, eagerly awaiting their impending rise to prominence. Who knew that what came first was the threat of their family's destruction?

Zheng Yutang quickly stepped forward and said, "Your Highness, we are wronged! We had no part in the Sang family's schemes from beginning to end. Yes, we were completely unaware. Furthermore, our marriage alliance was forced upon us by the Sang family, who relied on their power. Truth be told, we are victims too!"

Sang Hong was utterly distraught, as if he hadn't heard. Sang Qian, however, was furious. "You scoundrel! Who was it that begged for a marriage alliance with our Sang family back then? And now you dare to say such things?"

Zheng Yutang hastily said, "Everyone, look! By right, I am his elder, yet he speaks to me so disrespectfully. You can imagine how unequal our daily interactions were. The Sang family coerced us with their power; how could our Zheng family refuse? Your Highness, please be our judge!"

As soon as he spoke, the surrounding guests' expressions turned peculiar. The Zheng family had been boasting to everyone they met about their marriage alliance with the Sang family for days. From the patriarch down to the gatekeepers, every member of the Zheng family had a joyful look on their face. Of course, while people felt disdain, they also understood that with the Sang family's sudden downfall, no one wanted to be associated with them anymore, putting themselves in the Zheng family's shoes.

"Enough!" Prince Liang snorted, clearly not bothering with the details. "Regardless, since they have already completed the wedding ceremony, she is now a member of the Sang family. Take them all back to the capital. As for the specific punishment, the Grand Judge and the Censorate will make their own judgments then."

Hearing this conclusion, the Zheng family members all turned pale. If it were just Zheng Dan alone, it might be manageable. But they feared the Sang family's transgressions were too severe, and if collective punishment extending to nine familial groups were to be imposed in the future, their Zheng family would also be implicated. But against a formidable Prince, a Grandmaster-level expert, how could a mere Zheng family possibly have the means to resist?

Several soldiers ran towards Zheng Dan, preparing to shackle her.