The Hangzhou Prefecture Magistrate, Zhu Shilian, came from a military background and had made significant contributions. He was once a close aide to the previous emperor. However, due to his advancing age and deteriorating health, he gradually had no military power left. Eventually, he used his ties to the Zhao family and obtained his position as the Hangzhou Prefecture Magistrate to enjoy a peaceful old age.
At this moment, Zhu Shilian was kneeling in the Prefecture Mansion's Court, with sparse white hair. His forehead was deeply bowed to the ground. He was not in his official robe but was wearing simple, coarse white clothes.
Behind him was a bundle of thorny branches. It was unknown whether it was to make his situation look even worse or because the branches were too sharp.
An old man with white hair, dressed in white clothes as thin as paper. Blood seeped through the fabric on his back, like ink on paper, dotting across his back like plum blossoms. Dots of vivid red.
