Chapter 491: Chapter 488: How Can There Be No Rest Even Underground?

The old man cursed in anger, "A slap is too light, I feel like beating you to death!"

He grabbed the collar of the man’s shirt.

"Where is this place?"

"Do you know why this is a hillside?"

"The ground you stand on, beneath lies the bones of tens of thousands!"

"Back then, so many people died of famine, and the mass graves were too far away. Not to mention other places, just what I, an old man, know, there are multiple mass burial pits in the four nearby cities! This is one of them, every day carts full of bodies were brought here, the deep pit was gradually filled up. But bodies kept coming, eventually forming this mound."

"What imperial envoy Zhou Qian, he’s clearly a despicable villain."

The old man was furious, spitting as he spoke. Yet he was both hungry and anxious, vision going black with dizziness.

The Wei Family Army hurriedly stuffed another handful of beans into his mouth.

The old man wanted to spit them out.

At his age, what a waste of food, better for the young man himself to keep and eat it!

But the beans were too fragrant.

He couldn’t help but chew and swallow them.

After swallowing, he realized what he’d done, but it was too late to vomit it back up.

He could only continue scolding the person in front of him.

"If he hadn’t embezzled, and instead used the relief silver to buy the cheapest coarse grain and make porridge, the people’s demands weren’t high. If they could eat to three-tenths full each day, they wouldn’t starve to death. Do you know how many could have survived, how many wouldn’t be skin and bones at their last breath?"

"You little beast! Have you forgotten? Your grandparents starved to death, the couple not sparing a bite for themselves, saving their rations all for you! That’s why you are alive."

"Now you tell me Zhou Qian is Zhou Qian and the Fifth Prince is the Fifth Prince? Ha, what a big joke."

His voice echoed over the hillside.

"Remember this well, anyone related to Zhou Qian is your enemy, the enemy of the four cities that suffered through the famine years!"

The rushing water and howling wind seemed to wail like the cries of the departed.

Everyone who experienced the famine looked mournful.

Not far beneath a tree, an old woman beside her rescued grandson.

She knelt on the ground, digging a shallow pit with her bare hands.

Her fingers cracked, mixed with mud and blood.

The old woman was completely unaware.

After digging deep enough, she placed the nameless bones she had gathered earlier into the pit, then covered them with soil.

"Grandma, what is this?"

Chang was ignorant and confused.

The old woman’s voice trembled, "It’s someone like us."

She sighed deeply.

"How come they still cannot rest in peace even underground?"

The river at the foot of the slope roared, the bones washed out likely weren’t the only ones.

She murmured, "After so many years, do you still remain restless?"

————

With the Wei Family Army intervening, all sorts of rumors spread among the people, and public opinion overwhelmingly questioned the Royal Family.

Emperor Ying decisively rearranged the officials, fully prepared.

He finally had a chance to catch his breath.

Li Pin massaged his shoulders from behind, "The Holy Emperor has labored tirelessly for Da Jin, once this matter is resolved, the people will surely admire you with gratitude."

Emperor Ying enjoyed the praise.

He too felt worthy of being called an enlightened ruler.

Nevertheless, he softly scolded.

"What nonsense are you saying?"

"I reside in the nine-layered palace, heart tied to the dawn, the people first, is that not expected?"

Li Pin hurriedly replied, "It’s me who misspoke."

She said, "To be supreme and yet keep awe, to be in the court yet not forget the gutters, no ruler’s virtue exceeds this."

Emperor Ying smiled, pulling her to his side, raising a hand to touch her belly.

"Lately I’ve been neglectful, is the prince behaving well?"

Li Pin giggled, "He’s been quite restless these days, perhaps worried about the Holy Emperor and concerned for the innocent citizens."

Emperor Ying sneered.

What could he understand in the womb?

However, he would not blame Li Pin for her careful thoughts.

"Holy Emperor."

Black Shadow entered from outside.

"General Wei requests an audience."

He added.

"Heir Xiao is here too."

Emperor Ying’s eyes filled with emotion, hand on Li Pin’s belly slightly tightened.

Li Pin winced.

He withdrew his hand, gently asking, "What is it?"

Li Pin was momentarily confused, meeting Emperor Ying’s seemingly caring gaze, yet her heart chilled inexplicably, she quickly lowered her head, "Nothing... nothing."

Emperor Ying nodded, "That’s good. Gui Zhi is here; if you are free, you may leave."

After Li Pin left, Wei Zhao entered.

Emperor Ying couldn’t discern the reason for his visit, but seeing not only Wei Zhao and Xiao Huaian but another person, his face showed clear emotional change.

He stood up, as usual, to greet.

"Why has Gui Zhi come?"

Xiao Huaian, ever the dandy, spoke up: "Holy Emperor, I’m standing right here, yet you only have eyes for Wei Zhao."

Emperor Ying looked at him with annoyance.

"Seeing you gives me a headache, what good could it be?"

Xiao Huaian grumbled in dissatisfaction.

"If I hadn’t run into him on the road, if my father hadn’t learned of him coming to the palace and insisted I come along, I wouldn’t have cared to bother."

Emperor Ying wasn’t surprised.

Xiao Huaian was already married, and Duke Zhongyong had only this son, how could he not make plans for him?

No doubt wanting his son to appear more before him, say good words, securing a position would be ideal.

He knew this well.

Duke Zhongyong had always compared Wei Zhao and Xiao Huaian, Xiao Huaian always seemed to pursue pleasure and fall short, getting beaten not only for his deserving but also due to Duke Zhongyong’s perception after comparison.

Their fathers’ relationship played a role, and they had a childhood friendship. Interactions were consistent, yet Xiao Huaian harbored some jealousy towards Wei Zhao.

Human nature, base, something Emperor Ying understood.

Otherwise, why would Xiao Huaian prefer to mingle with his rowdy friends daily?

As expected, Xiao Huaian was quite dissatisfied, "What good does he even have, always sickly, can he compare to my health? In terms of time spent, I’ve accompanied you longer than he has."

These words pleased Emperor Ying.

Wasn’t it suggesting that Wei Zhao wouldn’t live long?

But he wore a stern look.

"Silence!"

Xiao Huaian hushed up.

Wei Zhao, with a medicine box on his knees, as Emperor Ying approached, dropped it directly to the ground.

No, that’s not right.

It slipped from his unsteady grasp, his hands trembling, failing health causing it to fall.

With a crash, the box hit the ground, the medicines, medical tools, and glazed porcelains containing various pills scattered.

The porcelain shattered across the floor.

Pills of all sizes littered the ground, with a few stopping by Emperor Ying’s feet, halting his path.

Wei Zhao, weakly said, "Oh dear."

"I hope it didn’t frighten the Holy Emperor."

Xiao Huaian started yelling again, "What’s wrong with you? If anything happened to the Emperor, could you bear the responsibility?"

Emperor Ying paused, scrutinizing Wei Zhao.

"It did not."

Wei Zhao continued, "Then it scared me, your minister."

"Blame my lack of stability, seeing your exhausted appearance now, looking as if aged several years since our last encounter, with those burns especially..."

Unbearable to look at.

Truly nauseating.

He shifted, expressing sincerity.

"Since you were injured, your minister has been deeply worried."

Xiao Huaian, aiming to please, "I feel the same way."

Undeterred, Wei Zhao continued with concern, "Sleepless nights, I wish I could suffer in your stead."

Xiao Huaian added, "I’ve been even more restless than he has."

Wei Zhao, "Your minister..."

Yet to finish.

Xiao Huaian, impatient with his slowness, clapped, "Yes, yes, he’s voicing my sentiments too!"