Extra Chapter: Unfolding the Chen Clan's Past
During the 16th Century, there exists a noble family with prestigious and exquisite lineage. Down the history, they produced countless Military Generals and Imperial Scholars that provided aid to the Empire. Despite having enormous power that rivals that of their monarchs, they remained fastidious and loyal throughout the years.
This time, the Clan was headed by the 21st Patriarch of the Family, Chen Guo. Chen Guo is the oldest amongst his siblings and naturally, he has been trained to inherit the mantle of the Clan Head. He also inherited the undying loyalty that his ancestors prided themselves with. While he was in the process of assuming official duties and title, a new Emperor was also crowned. The new Emperor this time is not like other benevolent Emperors that the Empire had in the past, he had a deep mind that is very difficult to fathom, so much so that his retainers all feel like they walk on a thin ridge of ice, about to thaw in every mistake they made. Despite the retainers reservations, they still served the Emperor with all they had, this naturally included the newly appointed Patriarch of the Chen Clan, Chen Guo.
Under Chem Guo's lead, the clan ushered into a prosperous era. Several of the Chen Clansmen held important positions in the Empire such as the Ministry of Rights, Ministry of Justice, Head Maid of the Palace, 1st Class Military General, and Chen Guo himself held the Right Prime Minister position. The eventual gain of power soon garnered the attention of the Emperor, with unknown thoughts swirling in his head.
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On a certain day during the winter weather, Chen Guo was tasked to follow up a case of delayed construction plan with speculations of corruption. After receiving the Imperial Edict and the Token, he departed immediately not knowing the fate that awaited him.
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Chen Family's loyalty is imbued in their bones and despite the rampant popularity of Concubinage, all Chen Clansmen promoted Monogamy. This was also the case for Chen Guo, he met his loved one very late, at the age of 37 and they managed to give birth to a beautiful and kind boy which was declared as the Heir of the Clan.
The young boy was raised in a beautiful home with a loving family so he naturally grew to be very kind and compassionate to all creatures, humans and animals alike.
He was 12 years old when his father departed for the mission issued by the Emperor. His father promised him a gift when he returned, and due to the unfortunate incident that happened, his father failed to keep his promise to his one and only child.
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One month after the departure of Chen Clan's Patriarch, he returned, but as a dead, cold corpse.
The whole family grieved the passing of their excellent patriarch and everyone gathered in the main house to mourn.
Maybe the most afflicted one during this incident was the mother and child that was left behind. The wife of Chen Guo grieved so hard that it eventually affected her health and it deteriorated as time went by.
Not long after the burial of his father, his mother soon followed, the once cheerful and sunny child no longer smiled at all. The child was forced to mature early as he assumed the position of the Chan Clan's new Patriarch.
But that was just the beginning of the tragedy, soon after, several Chen Clansmen who held positions in the Empire were convicted for several sins that they did not even commit. They were dismissed from their positions and managed to offset capital punishment by means of presenting the merits of the whole family.
The people of the clan finally noticed something off and they began to discuss the matter in secret.
They came to the conclusion that the Emperor is purging their clan for possessing too much power. And maybe the death of their former patriarch was also a work of the Emperor. Unknown to them, the son of the late patriarch overheard this and anger boiled violently in his heart.
"Why?! What did we even do wrong?!"
But despite his uncontrollable anger, he is simply a powerless teen with no real threat or influence.
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The whole family moved more cautiously during this time to avoid further conflict with the Emperor. They also let go of all their guards and maids in fear of implicating them. But the ruthless Emperor just won't stop tormenting this family as if he won't rest until they cease to exist!
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On a certain gloomy day, several guards marched to the Chen Clan's Ancestral House holding an Imperial Edict proclaiming the sins that the family committed. But how could that be? This family is loyal to the bone that even though the Emperor basically abandoned and betrayed them, they still didn't entertain a mere thought about revenge or acts of disloyalty! This must be an evil ploy!
"Your family committed acts of treachery by colluding with the nearby nations in an attempt to seize the throne for yourselves! You are punished up to the 9th Generation of Familial ties. Accept your fate and repent in the otherworld!" - the Head Eunuch single handedly proclaimed without even listening to the cries and appeals of the Chen Clan.
"Burn the House! Kill the ones who try to escape!" - he further instructed the guards.
All the Chen Clansmen could choose to put up a fight but seeing the battalion of 300 armed soldiers surrounding them, they became powerless and simply accepted their fate.
"Why?! What did we even do wrong?!"
"We dedicated all our lives for the Empire but all we get is this treachery!"
"Our Family did not deserve this injustice!"
These thoughts swirled across their minds as their tears and anguish continued to flow while the fire burned their home and their loved ones one by one.
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For a full day, the cries and agony of the Chen Family was heard throughout the Empire's land. The sound was so eerie that many people remained sleepless all throughout the night.
But just as the whole house and the clansmen turned to dust a loud shriek of a child was heard as if voicing out his anger.
"AHHHHHHHHH!"
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After the tragedy happened, some of the maids and guards came back to tend to their remains. All the ashes were gathered and put into an exquisite Urn, and put into an elegant mausoleum, a shadow of their once prosperous life.
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Note: Actually I was really thinking it through for a while. I don't want it to end just like that and I don't want them to seem like cannon fodders who exist just for the sake of it so I shed a light out of their stories. Nothing really happens for no reason so I want to provide a reason for their situation in the arc. Also it is a little tribute to their passing. What do you think about Chen Clan's Story? Hope you enjoyed it!