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Chen Feng didn’t want to hear anymore. She didn’t want to know too much. Knowing too many secrets of others was not good, and knowing too many private matters of a prominent family like theirs was even worse. It might even cost her her life.
She quickly shook her head and said, “Please, don’t say any more. If even your third aunt doesn’t know, it must be a colossal secret. I’m still an outsider, and I don’t want to know too much.”
Seeing her nervous demeanor, Chu Lingxuan chuckled softly and said, “You’re panicking. I can tell you this because it’s been carefully considered and approved by the elders, and because you’re involved. I believe in my judgment, and the elders believe that Master Wu would not misjudge anyone. We all trust you, so what are you afraid of?”
“Involved?” Chen Feng was somewhat surprised. She hadn’t married into the Chu family, so how could there be such a deep connection? She continued, “Alright, go ahead, I’m listening.”
Chu Lingxuan paused, his expression turning serious. He held her hand even tighter, causing her some discomfort, and said in a low voice, “Feng, there’s a person in this world whom I’ve always admired.”
“Hmm?” Chen Feng was puzzled. Admiration seemed to be a term more grand than reverence, respect, or esteem. This topic didn’t seem quite appropriate for the current situation. She looked up and asked, “The person you admire the most, is it your grandfather?” When he shook his head, she followed up, “Is it your third uncle?”
“No, my grandfather and my third uncle are the people I respect the most.” Chu Lingxuan replied.
“Then it must be the Emperor.” Chen Feng suggested. She thought that many people in ancient times worshipped the Emperor.
Chu Lingxuan shook his head and said, “No, I am loyal to the Emperor.”
“Then who is it? It can’t be your father-in-law, can it?” Chen Feng asked in surprise. She remembered him complaining about his father-in-law.
Chu Lingxuan shook his head again and said, “No, it’s not him. The person I admire the most is also revered by my grandfather, my father, my third uncle, and many generals and scholars. He is the war god from decades ago—Yuan Daren, Yuan Marshal.”
Chen Feng was taken aback. What connection did such a prominent figure have with her? She shook her head, indicating she had never heard of him and didn’t know there was such a great figure in history.
Chu Lingxuan sighed heavily, his voice growing hoarse as he continued, “Twenty-seven years ago, during the reign of the late emperor, a grave injustice occurred. General Yuan, known for his exceptional military prowess, suffered a major defeat while battling the Northern Liao Kingdom at the border. Several cities were inexplicably lost, and our provisions were burned, leading to significant casualties among our soldiers. Upon hearing the advice of the peace faction, the late emperor signed a truce agreement, compensating the enemy with over a million taels of silver and countless livestock. When General Yuan returned to the capital, he was arrested and accused of treason. The entire Yuan family—men, women, and children—was executed, and General Yuan was sentenced to death by dismemberment. I heard that he endured three hundred strikes without a single cry.”
Chu Lingxuan’s eyes revealed profound sorrow as he looked at her and added, “General Yuan was the father of the current Crown Princess.”
That despicable emperor!
Chen Feng looked at Chu Lingxuan in astonishment and said, “Given General Yuan’s status as a war god and the father of the Crown Princess, he couldn’t have committed treason.”
Without hesitation, Chu Lingxuan affirmed, “Of course, he couldn’t have committed treason. Even if others were willing to betray the country, General Yuan never would have! Throughout his life, he led troops into battle four times, expanding our territory for the Dachun dynasty, repelling invaders, and striking fear into our enemies. A man of such unwavering resolve—how could he have betrayed his country? He was framed by traitors!”
Due to his fervor, Chu Lingxuan’s voice unintentionally grew louder, and as he finished speaking, he began to cough.
Chen Feng couldn’t help but feel a deep sense of respect for General Yuan. She said, “Given General Yuan’s unwavering loyalty and his significant contributions to the Dachun dynasty, the late emperor should have never believed or investigated the matter thoroughly before taking action. Moreover, to ruthlessly exterminate his entire family and sentence General Yuan to such a… punishment.”
She couldn’t bring herself to say the word “dismemberment.” It was simply too cruel and barbaric.
“The late emperor was once a very wise ruler in his younger years, managing Dachun with peace and stability. However, as he grew older, he became increasingly suspicious, convinced that someone was plotting a rebellion to usurp the Li family’s rule. By then, the late emperor’s health had deteriorated significantly. He had the entire Yuan family exterminated—perhaps because he truly believed General Yuan had committed treason and wanted to overthrow the Li dynasty. Another reason was to prevent any future threats. Regardless of General Yuan’s guilt, the late emperor was determined to eliminate him, fearing he might become an influential figure in the state and endanger their Family’s position.”
That despicable emperor! Chen Feng cursed inwardly. She continued, “If the late emperor feared General Yuan’s influence, he should never have allowed the Yuan family’s daughter to become the Crown Princess. After all, the Crown Prince’s wives are subject to his authority.”
Chu Lingxuan sighed, “At that time, the current emperor, when he was the young prince, fell deeply in love with the former Crown Princess at first sight. The late emperor cherished him deeply. After repeated requests from the crown prince, the marriage was granted. It’s said that General Yuan was initially reluctant and tried to delay the marriage, suggesting that another young woman from his clan should marry the crown prince instead. However, the former Crown Princess had developed feelings for the crown prince and insisted on marrying him. Helpless, General Yuan agreed to her wishes. After General Yuan’s death, the former Crown Princess felt responsible for the annihilation of the Yuan family and took her own life…”
Six months later, the late emperor passed away. With the staunch support of the Wang family, the Empress Mother’s clan, and the Zhou family, the current emperor ascended the throne smoothly.
The first thing the emperor did upon ascending the throne was to thoroughly investigate the “Yuan family treason case.” It was ultimately revealed that the younger brother of the emperor, Prince Li Shi, in collusion with the Northern Liao Kingdom, had falsely accused General Yuan to seize the throne. They had hoped to overthrow the Crown Prince, not anticipating that the late emperor’s actions would result in the downfall of the Yuan family, while still allowing the Crown Prince to ascend the throne. Even after an attempted coup, they failed to overthrow the emperor.
The emperor cleared General Yuan’s name, subsequently honored the former Crown Princess as Empress Dowager Yuan, and appointed the former Crown Princess’s biological son, the emperor’s eldest son, as the Crown Prince. However, just two days after being appointed as Crown Prince, the young prince tragically fell into water and died. He was only seven years old. It seemed that with his death, the last bloodline of the Yuan family came to an end.
Chu Lingxuan finished speaking, his eyes red and his expression solemn.
Chen Feng felt a deep sense of sorrow. It seemed that in her previous life’s history, most national heroes met similar fates.
How unjust fate was!
They were entrusted with the mission to save the people, yet they were denied a peaceful end, and even their families couldn’t escape unscathed.
However, the Yuan family, which had ceased to exist over twenty years ago, had nothing to do with her, Chen Feng, right?
***This story revolves around the female lead, and while it involves court matters, it won’t delve too deeply into them. After providing some background, the focus will remain on the female lead managing her household and raising her children, while the major national affairs will be handled by the men.