A Flight of Clouds Dispersed in the Wind
Su Caiyun confessed to all her crimes. Magistrate Han Wenqing, adhering to the law, sentenced Su to execution in ten days.
"Your Honor, no!" cried Di Yun, Lian Heng, and Lian Zheng in unison.
"Your Honor," Di Yun knelt, his tone earnest, "though Su's crimes are grave, her circumstances are pitiable. Could you show leniency in her sentencing?"
Lian Heng was surprised by Di Yun's plea but quickly followed suit. Pulling Lian Zheng and Yu Luoying to kneel with her, she begged, "We implore Your Honor to show mercy!"
Lian Zheng, overcome with mixed emotions, glanced at Su Caiyun, then beseeched Han Wenqing, "Your Honor, I acknowledge my negligence towards Caiyun, which led to her resentment and these tragic events. I am willing to compensate the Xiaoge family with 1,000 taels of silver and donate an additional 1,000 taels to support local education, provided Your Honor spares her life!"
"Please, spare Caiyun's life!" Yu Luoying added with a sorrowful plea.
Su Caiyun silently observed the four kneeling before her. Her lips curled in a cold smile, yet tears slipped down her cheeks. Ultimately, her death sentence was commuted. Instead, she was sentenced to lifelong servitude in a labor camp at Heishidian, fifty li away, to begin in three days.
The Heavenly Elegance Pavilion was sealed, and Mo Xiaotian, the secret boss behind the illicit drug trade, became a fugitive. Several accomplices received appropriate punishments according to their crimes.
As for Yuzhong, she was condemned to serve in the official brothel for life, with no chance of redemption. Upon learning she was spared hard labor, her previously blank expression brightened with relief. Regaining her composure, she hastily smoothed her disheveled hair and garments before following the brothel madam away.
Thus concluded the stormy power struggle among the Lian family's wives and concubines. The first wife was poisoned, leaving her with chronic respiratory issues. The second wife schemed ruthlessly but was ensnared by justice. The third wife, in grief over her lost child, departed in despair. The maid, Xiaoge, was the most pitiful victim—a tragic casualty of the chaos.
Outside the courthouse, Lian Heng's heart felt heavy as she rebuked her father, "Father! Why did you marry so many wives?"
Lian Zheng was taken aback but quickly looked embarrassed. "I…"
Before he could explain, their carriage arrived. Seizing the moment, he patted Lian Heng's shoulder and coaxed, "Ah Heng, let's head home first. We can talk later, alright?"
Yu Luoying sighed at her husband's flustered demeanor, gently pulling Lian Heng into the carriage.
Suddenly, a voice rang out:
"Lian Zheng!"
A dashing young man emerged from the side of the road, blocking the carriage.
Lian Zheng recognized the newcomer: a young man in blue, exuding righteousness and severity—it was none other than the rising star of the constabulary, Di Yun. At the sight of him, beads of cold sweat formed on Lian Zheng's forehead.
"Lian Zheng! A man should stand tall and take responsibility for his actions. Can you truly claim no blame for today's consequences?" Di Yun's cold gaze cut through the air as he reproached.
"Ah Yun, must you scold me here?" Lian Zheng tried to placate him. "I know I was wrong—I let your aunt down. I'm even sending people everywhere to find her…"
"I'm not here to quarrel," Di Yun said firmly. "I will find my aunt myself. As for you, know this: every sin committed today stems from you. You have failed my aunt, your wife, and Su Caiyun alike. I hope you will abandon your frivolous ways and live responsibly with your family."
With that, he turned on his heel and strode away.
Lian Zheng shook his head, muttering as he climbed into the carriage, "That boy…"
But Lian Heng, peering out from the carriage window, seemed lost in thought as she watched Di Yun's upright figure disappear into the distance.
Three Days Later
Su Caiyun and a few other female convicts were being escorted to Heishidian.
Dressed in men's clothing, Lian Heng accompanied her father, with Xiaofeng disguised as her attendant. Together, they followed Su Caiyun on foot, their carriage trailing far behind.
The bailiffs, having accepted Lian Zheng's silver, allowed the family to accompany Su Caiyun and treated her with uncharacteristic kindness.
By the time they reached the city outskirts, the autumn wind had picked up. Leaves rustled as they fell, geese flew south in a lonely formation, and frost began to glisten on the yellowing grass.
Su Caiyun, who had been silent the entire journey, suddenly stopped and turned to Lian Heng. "Ah Heng, you should go back. No matter where I'm taken, we part ways here."
A bucktoothed bailiff chimed in, "Yes, please return, sir and miss. We'll take good care of the second madam!"
Lian Heng nodded and handed the man a silver ingot. "Treat yourselves to some wine along the way."
The bailiff accepted it with glee.
Lian Zheng, feeling conflicted, looked at Su Caiyun in her chains and spoke softly, "I've made arrangements at Heishidian. Take care of yourself."
Su Caiyun gazed down at the fallen leaves, saying nothing.
"A day as husband and wife is worth a hundred days of kindness," Lian Zheng sighed. Though their relationship had grown distant over the past decade, he still saw Su Caiyun as family and had no intention of abandoning her. Her current predicament filled him with deep regret. "Then… we'll be going," he said, voice tinged with sorrow.
Su Caiyun remained silent.
Lian Heng approached her, holding back tears. "Second Mother, you'll always be my second mother. I'll find a way to shorten your sentence."
Su Caiyun's eyes reddened. Gently prying Lian Heng's hand away, she whispered, "Go back. The wind is cold, and you're not strong…" With that, she turned and strode resolutely forward.
The bailiffs nodded at Lian Zheng and continued escorting the prisoners.
Lian Heng watched Su Caiyun's figure grow smaller in the distance until her tears finally fell.
Suddenly, a horse's whinny pierced the air. Dust rose in the distance as a dozen gray-clad riders galloped toward them.
The leader was a robust man in a wide-brimmed hat and a face-covering scarf. Wielding a massive bow, he loosed an arrow that struck the foremost bailiff.
Arrows rained down as chaos erupted.
The escort, lightly armed and untrained for combat, was quickly overwhelmed. Prisoners screamed and scattered.
The masked leader rode up to Su Caiyun and grabbed her, hoisting her onto his horse.
"Save her!" Lian Zheng shouted to his guard, Qiao Zhennan.
But the gray-clad riders turned their bows on Qiao, forcing him into a fierce battle.
The leader shouted, "Yongfu! Grab the one dressed as a young scholar!"
A younger rider leapt forward and seized Lian Heng.
"Save the miss!" Lian Zheng yelled, panicked.
Qiao Zhennan, surrounded, struggled to fend off his attackers.
The leader sneered. "Lian Zheng, dream on! You'll never see your daughter again! Yongfu, let's go!" He spurred his horse, carrying Su Caiyun with him.
"Xiaotian! Is it you?" Su Caiyun turned, staring at the leader's obscured face.