Chapter 1794: Hou Junjis Final Destination! (1/2)
Translated by: Hypersheep325
Edited by: Michyrr
The scene suddenly changed, and Hou Junji now saw himself kneeling in Taiji Palace, his hair disheveled. Standing not far in front of him was the man he had served his entire life and respected with all his being, the man known by all the foreigners as the 'Heavenly Khagan', His Majesty Taizong. He was wearing a dragon robe, and had his back turned.
”I didn't think that you would betray me. You've deeply disappointed me!”
The figure's back seemed extremely lonely and sorrowful.
”Your Majesty, it's all my fault, all my fault! I offended Your Majesty, and if Your Majesty chooses to execute or torture me, Hou Junji will have no complaint. But Yue'er and Tai'er are innocent. Your Majesty, out of consideration for my many years following Your Majesty on the battlefield, please spare their lives. Even when Hou Junji is down in the netherworld, he will still thank Your Majesty for your benevolence!”
Hou Junji watched as he kneeled on the floor and madly began to kowtow, splattering the glossy surface with his blood and turning both his forehead and hair into a mess.
”Go! We agree to this!”
That man finally turned around, a sharp light in his eyes.
”Thank you, Your Majesty! Thank you!”
……
In the cold and empty confines of the palace, Hou Junji saw himself weeping with joy, lying prostrate on the floor for ages.
Countless images flashed past his eyes, and Hou Junji suddenly returned to that moment.
”Acceding to the will of the heavens, the Emperor declares:
”Army-Shattering War God Hou Junji colluded with Crown Prince Li Chengqian, plotting rebellion. This matter was confirmed by investigation of the Court of Judicial Review and the Three Departments. This wicked crime cannot be forgiven, and by law, he is to be executed! His execution is scheduled to be at the western marketplace in ten days!”
Hou Junji could hear the white-whiskered Inner Court Eunuch Director announcing the decree from atop the white jade steps.
Hou Junji was also in front of Taiji Palace, dressed in a prisoner's clothes, his hair a filthy mess. He saw the familiar figure of Tai'er, her face soaked in tears and grief.
”Husband, we can only meet again in our next life!”
”Daddy! I don't want Daddy to go!”
A young child, only three or four years old, was being held by his wife. He suddenly seemed to sense something, shook off the hold of the woman, and rushed into Hou Junji's chest and loudly cried.
As he embraced that young life, Hou Junji felt like ten thousand arrows had penetrated through his heart.
This was his last meeting with Yue'er and Tai'er. But even though he had been waiting for death, Hou Junji had not felt much regret.
The victor was king and the loser scorned. He had brought all this on himself. What was most important was that the man in Taiji Palace had finally agreed to his request.
”Go in peace. Your wife and son, as family of a criminal, will be sent to Lingnan, their descendants to never leave that place or set foot in the Central Plains again. This is the greatest leniency We can give you!”
”Thank you, Your Majesty! Thank you!”
Hou Junji kowtowed repeatedly in gratitude.
Even though they were being sent to Lingnan, he had left behind enough money for them. Even if they were no longer nobles and stripped of their fame and status, they could live out the rest of their lives in peace as ordinary people.
He had no more regrets.
……
”Traitor!”
”Rebel!”
”Kill him!”
On the day of execution, he stood in the prisoner cage as the packed crowds lining the street threw vegetables and eggs at him to vent their anger.
Hou Junji gave a miserable smile, right up until the moment that the cage was shattered and those people took him away from the execution ground.
Hou Junji had struggled at the start, but then, those people told him that nightmarish piece of news.
”Hou Junji, let me tell you something. I hope you can bear it. Not long ago, we learned that when your wife and son were crossing through Lingnan Circuit, they were killed by the man escorting them, Feng Zheng. In the end, the Imperial Court still decided to kill them to completely pull out the roots.”
Shock!
Disbelief!
How could a man of his word like Taizong betray his promise? Only when he saw Yue'er's jade bracelet and Tai'er's body did he finally believe, and grief immediately stabbed through his heart.
As he stared at the child's body and caressed that familiar jade bracelet, he began to wail and weep.
Countless memories began to flood through his mind.
”Husband!”
Hou Junji recalled the day he had welcomed her into his household, when he had used the golden weighing rod to lift her veil, her blushing face, her eyes as beautiful as plum flowers.
”Yue'er! You won't hate me because I'm older than you, will you?”
Hou Junji recalled how he had teased her, a smile on his face.
He was ten-some years older than Yue'er, but in response to this tease, his wife solemnly and properly bowed.
”In Yue'er's eyes, Husband will always be the youngest. No matter what happens in the future, Yue'er will always stand by your side!”
Hou Junji's heart thumped, and he could only stare speechlessly at his wife.
……
A maple leaf drifted into the study while he was reviewing memorials from the border. As he was gradually growing tired, he suddenly smelled a thick fragrance. The door creaked open, and that familiar and slender figure softly walked over with a plate.
”Husband, you must be tired. Your wife made this for you. It's getting late! You should rest soon!”