Forgotten Legend of the Bloodied Flower

While Nan Hua was paying a visit to Empress Dowager Yan, Old Master Nan headed to the main hall directly.

He could see the guards there and also the people who had been prepared for this matter. In fact, he knew that the end result for what Nan Shu Cheng's trial would be. However, he still came here.

For what?

Even Old Master Nan didn't know.

"Great General Nan," Prime Minister Lan greeted Old Master Nan. He looked at Old Master Nan carefully. "Would you like to abstain from this trial?"

"Prime Minister Lan must be kidding. As part of the Nan Family, how can I be abstain from this trial?" Old Master Nan showed a faint smile. His aging face looked somewhat older when he looked at the other party.

Prime Minister Lan only sighed. "If it's too much, you can choose not to take a look."

When he was young, Prime Minister Lan was also a soldier and had even rose to the rank of a general. However, he was badly injured and knew that it was hard for him to stay on the battlefield any longer.

After some contemplation, he decided to give up on his position as a general. It was not impossible for him to return to the battlefield, but Prime Minister Lan decided to use his talent to help His Majesty through a different method.

In the political struggle, he spend many years building the foundation for His Majesty, Emperor Yang Zhou, to have stable footing.

But it was also because of his experience as a soldier that he knew how much Old Master Nan cared for his descendant. There were times when Old Master Nan brought his two children to the frontline and how much his face beamed up with happiness when introducing the two children.

Yet, the future was not as bright as how it all started.

Old Master Nan shook his head. "It's already His Majesty's kindness to postpone the trial. I can't possibly trouble him for more."

Without his status as a great general, there was no way the Emperor would care about Nan Family so much. In fact, today's trial was mostly a farce to deter the other officials who were stil having some other minds.

Scaring them by giving examples.

And Nan Family was unfortunately pulled in.

Perhaps, it was to make these officials who thought that because of their background, they could do anything. But in fact, if they were wrong, even the descendant of a powerful great general would not be exempted from punishment.

That was reality.

"His Majesty wants to promote the law above everyone for the sake of fairness." Prime Minister Lan sighed. "I'm not clear about his conversation with Prime Minister Xian, but this idea is quite good. That way, no one will be exempted from the law and no one will be able to escape punishment once they break it."

"Indeed." Old Master Nan chuckled. "But to truly implement it is not easy."

"At least, it had to have some effect." Prime Minister Lan looked into the distance as the soldiers brought in the members of Nan Family for the trial. "I hope that this will make Fei Yang Kingdom more peaceful for many years to come."

If it could help with the inner stability of the kingdom, Prime Minister Lan could only support the Emperor. Even though he knew that it wouldn't be easy for others to have this crime branded on their head, it was the best way.

Old Master Nan knew that Prime Minister Lan felt pity for him and so on. However, he knew very well that his son was stupidly being used by others and also willingly be used by others.

So stupid.

'How did I give birth to such a stupid son?'

Old Master Nan could faintly remember when Nan Shu Cheng was still a young brat and mischievous. At that time, he was hoping that this son of his could inherit his position and made his own name on the battlefield.

The young boy he used to love and proud of was now a criminal who would be hated by everone in the entire kingdom.

"You can keep his life if you plead for leniency," Prime Minister Lan reminded.

Old Master Nan shook his head. "What use would it be to keep his life?"

Prime Minister Lan was stunned and looked at Old Master Nan. He truly didn't understand what this old general was thinking. Wouldn't he wish that his son can get a chance to regret and make amend of his mistake?

As long as Nan Shu Cheng was still alive, it was not impossible for him to repent for his mistake and become a better person, right?

"Great General Nan…"

"A traitor does not worthy to be asked for leniency." Old Master Nan shook his head.

All words that Prime Minister Lan wanted to say stuck in his throat. He felt that there might be something that Old Master Nan implied from his careful words and action. Even though there were some unwillingness within Old Master Nan's posture, it was not to the point that he would ignore the blatant truth of Nan Shu Cheng's mistake.

Prime Minister Lan finally sighed. "I'll be taking my leave first. Please excuse me, Great General Nan."

"Do be careful, Prime Minister Lan." Old Master Nan cupped his fist in return.

Prime Minister Lan showed a bitter smile and turned around. No matter what the result of this trial would be, it was something that would definitely affect a lot of people in the future.

Thud!

Being dragged by the soldiers, Nan Shu Cheng felt his head was so dizzy. Due to the torture he experienced all night long, he felt that he had already walked one step on the death's door.

But every time he thought that he would die, he would realize that he was still alive.

And then…

He was pulled in by pain again.

It seemed to be giving him hope and despair at the same time, making him crazy.

Every time he thought it would be over, it would start again and again. He almost had a mental breakdown when it was finally truly over. The half a day's torture felt like years.

"Walk properly!" The commander who brought Nan Shu Cheng was displeased when he saw Nan Shu Cheng dragged his legs. Did this damn official was trying to make things difficult for them?

"Ugh."

Nan Shu Cheng looked up and saw his father standing not far from him as he dragged his legs to climb up the stairs. His eyes widened in surprise. "Father!"

Old Master Nan didn't reply and only looked at his son indifferently. He could faintly see the image of the young Nan Shu Cheng back then. But now, his son had grown up and became an unfamiliar person to him.

He had become a person whom Old Master Nan was not willing to take a look anymore.

"Great General Nan," the commander greeted carefully. In front of a person of high stature like Old Master Nan, all military commanders had to treat him with respect. After all, the safety of their kingdom could be maintained because of his presence and effort from a long time ago.

Old Master Nan nodded.

Seeing that Old Master Nan didn't seem to be wiling to speak, the commander said nothing and continued to pull Nan Shu Cheng into the main hall. In any case, it would not make any difference whatsoever.

"Father, help me!" Nan Shu Cheng finally yelled.

He was dizzy and felt so uncomfortable in his current position. Looking at how the commander was still respecting his father, he wanted his father to help him.

"Father!" Nan Shu Cheng yelled again when he received no response.

Old Master Nan took a deep breath and looked at Nan Shu Cheng coldly. "Haven't you already thought of this ending when you decided on your action back then?"

Nan Shu Cheng was stumped.

His father's question rang in his ears as he was dragged inside.

He knew that his father had already abandoned him.

No…

"Why is Father not being dragged with me? Isn't he part of the Nan Family and…"

Plak!

The commander looked at Nan Shu Cheng and felt that for the first time a human could be so digusting. "Great General Nan is a war hero with great contribution. How could he be lumped together with a traitor like you."

"I'm not…" Nan Shu Cheng could feel blood in his mouth. He wanted to refute, but what greeted him was another slap.

Slap!

Feeling dizzy, Nan Shu Cheng could no longer speak and could only let himself be dragged inside. Looking at the beautifully decorated main hall, he could see the sparkle but only knew that it was in this beautiful place that many people's blood were shed.

Outside, Old Master Nan sighed deeply and walked inside as the officials started to read out the crimes that Nan Shu Cheng had done and also many things that would be judged today.