In the end, Hwangbi was also found guilty of the murder of the Anthony Viscount family.
Although she could receive a reduction in sentence for confessing, Lady Milé could not escape punishment entirely either.
Hwangbi mocked her while watching Lady Milé being dragged away by the knights.
However, it was evident that someone’s future would be even more tragic.
As everyone grew tired of the lengthy trial, the judge spoke.
“Now, lastly… the testimony regarding the assassination plan and rebellion involving Viscount Siren.”
Renév slowly stood up and walked towards the witness stand.
Despite Lucius’s repeated requests to meet the Emperor, the Emperor had refused several times. However, Lucius did not give up.
Only if given the opportunity to meet the Emperor, he believed that he could resolve the misunderstandings.
And now, as the execution ceremony for Hwangbi was approaching, the Emperor finally granted Lucius’s request.
“I greet Your Majesty.”
Lucius, sitting in the gilded throne, greeted the Emperor courteously, tilting his wine glass.
“So, you wanted to see me?”
The Emperor asked casually, as if there had been no numerous rejections of meeting requests.
As it was a hard-won meeting, Lucius went straight to the point without unnecessary complaints.
“First of all, thank you for giving me your time… I heard that Your Majesty has misunderstandings about me.”
…
The Emperor, without any response, simply stared at Lucius.
Seeing that he did not ask what the misunderstanding was, Lucius was convinced. The Emperor had not abandoned his doubts about Lucius’s lineage.
“Before I explain the misunderstanding, there is something I’d like to show Your Majesty.”
Lucius first presented an old book.
When the Emperor glanced at it, the court painter approached, took the book from Lucius, and placed it on the table in front of the Emperor.
“What is this?”
The Emperor glanced briefly at the table and asked.
“It is evidence that supports my claim to be of your bloodline, a legitimate member of the Paradisium imperial family.”
The Emperor gestured, and the court painter began examining the contents of the book.
“As recorded in ancient texts, there are examples of specific traits passing down through generations. As you can see in this old book, there is a record that going back through many generations, there is mention of an Emperor with blue eyes.”
Lucius ordered his subordinates to bring evidence that would favor him.
And now, facing the Emperor, he was determined to get straight to the point.
“Judging by the ancient traits, there is proof that an Emperor with blue eyes exists in our lineage.”
The Emperor raised his eyebrows, indicating that the court painter should inspect the book’s contents.
“Since you have the time, Your Majesty, would you mind looking into this matter? Perhaps the doubt about my lineage has not been completely dispelled.”
Lucius spoke respectfully but firmly. He had to clear up the misunderstandings about his heritage to survive and plan for the future.
The Emperor spoke, watching the court painter carefully examine the ancient book.
“Lucius, even if you prove that you are my son, what will change?”
Lucius clenched his fist, looking down.
“Do you know what judgment has been passed on your mother?”
“Yes…”
“I have no intention of reversing the decision already made. So step back.”
“…Excuse me.”
After courteously greeting the Emperor, Lucius left the audience room.
Walking swiftly through the corridor, he brushed back his disheveled bangs.
Veins bulged on his perfectly smooth forehead.
Perhaps due to the stubborn mindset and ingrained prejudice, communication with the Emperor was impossible.
In this situation, finding another way to survive was the only option.
In the central square of the capital, a crowd gathered to witness the execution of Hwangbi and her allies, who had been the center of power in Paradisium.
Renév stood at the end of the procession, observing the current situation.
“Wow, miss. I… I’m scared. People seem a bit out of their minds…”
Amber shivered, brushing her arm, seemingly confirming the truth of Amber’s words.
Today was particularly warm.
However, the psychology of the crowd was undoubtedly terrifying.
“Yeah, you’re right.”
Renév wasn’t at ease like Amber.
She, too, had been the target of blame, expressing accumulated anger. She had stood there and directly experienced being the subject of criticism.
“Wow!”
As Hwangbi and her maids climbed onto the platform, the crowd’s cheers soared into the sky.
“Miss, these people have absolutely no connection with Lady Hwangbi. Why are they so excited as if it were their affair?”
Amber asked, looking around.
Renév glanced around at the distant people for a moment.
Whether it was someone constantly cursing and mocking Hwangbi and her maids as if extremely angry or those repeatedly shouting the same slogan, the crowd seemed divided.
“Mobilizing a rebellion, despising the Paradisium imperial family, execute Lady Hwangbi and her maids, execute the Duke and the southern nobles!”
The cheers grew louder.
“Execute Hwangbi!”
And soon, a single voice merged into a chorus.
“Execute her!”
“Execute Hwangbi!”
Renév couldn’t even respond to Amber right next to her.
It wouldn’t be conveyed clearly in this noise anyway.
‘Life has become bitter; someone needed to throw stones, and Hwangbi was given as the prey.’
Renév thought so.
She, too, until her neck was severed from above, had received the love and respect of the people of Paradisium.
They were proud of her.
But as soon as the label of collaborating with the enemy and being a traitor was attached, people turned away from her.
So the anger of the crowd towards Hwangbi was somewhat inevitable.
Hwangbi knelt in front of the guillotine first.
Her appearance from afar was pitiful.
She continued to scream, shouting endlessly for mercy.
But the shouts of the enraged crowd only grew louder.
“Execute Hwangbi!”
The Male lead Always Seduces Her with His Beauty (Matriarchy)
Xin Jiao Zhou is the leader of the world’s premier sect. She has just experienced betrayal from all sides, was poisoned in an assassination attempt, and faced death squad attacks while the poison was taking effect. After finally clearing out the scum from her sect, she was drugged again while trying to detoxify.
After waking up from a night of unconsciousness, she gained a “beautiful and kind-hearted” husband.
Xin Jiao Zhou: “???”
He fell ill.
She came to see him, bringing breakfast.
As she put down the breakfast and was about to leave, his hand slipped while holding the spoon. “Clank!”
She turned around upon hearing the noise.
He looked up at her, his eyebrows drooping: “My hand… has no strength.”
“Shall I… feed you?” she asked tentatively.
He opened his mouth cheerfully: “Ah—”
Thinking she was drowning, he jumped in without hesitation to save her, but nearly drowned himself. In the end, it was she who swam over to rescue him, giving him air underwater.
After emerging from the water, his ear tips turned red. He lightly brushed his cheek, tucking his sideburns behind his ear, revealing delicate, pink-tinged ear tips. He lowered his gaze, too embarrassed to look at her.
Xin Jiao Zhou: He’s truly beautiful, kind-hearted, and adorable.
A certain someone when disciplining subordinates behind the scenes: “If they don’t obey, just kill them.”
What’s that? She might already have someone she cares about in her heart? A certain someone: Find out who it is, kill them, and then there won’t be anyone.
What? She met a man by the riverside? What? That man even hurt her? A certain someone: Whichever hand hurt her, chop off his entire arm.
Love at first sight without realizing it, gradually falling in love, slowly getting closer…
Family and national grudges, schemes and desires, good and evil, crime and punishment, she and he face the future together, seeking justice with passion!
A naturally dark female lead who could accidentally destroy the world but is actually an honest person VS a weak, pitiful, and helpless but skilled fighter, beautiful white-cut black male lead
My heart is not of stone, how steadfast is your love? — Tao Yuanming “Imitating the Ancients (No. 3)”
— Reading Guide —
Cold female lead & dramatic black lotus with hidden yandere traits male lead
