Qin Zhenzhen carefully arranged the dishes in front of Chen Lin'er, who appeared perplexed.
"Is this my final meal?" Chen Lin'er questioned, uncertainty clouding her expression. Was she about to face her fate before the autumn leaves descended? Was this the toll for her outspokenness, or was the new governor intending to make an example of one to warn many?
The notion of partaking in a satisfying meal before departing evoked conflicting emotions. On one hand, the prospect of freedom brought joy; she could finally reunite with her family—parents, in-laws, and her child. Yet, the shadow of sorrow loomed, casting a pall over her wretched existence.
Her life had been an odyssey of hardships, prompting introspection. If it were karmic retribution, she pondered whether her past deeds warranted such profound suffering. She wished fervently that the pain she endured would spare her in the next life.
