novelraw Chapter 253: Xie Family (Previous Life)
Chapter 253: Xie Family (Previous Life)
The Xie Family of Duke Ping Mansion has produced three Empresses, and Duke Ping holds military power in his hands. The Xie Family is noble and holds the foremost position among the noble families in the Capital City. If truly compared, only the Pei Family of the past can rival them.
Under the influence of his father, Xie Xun learned martial arts from a young age. Since childhood, he admired the Great Generals who fought on the battlefield, defending the country, hoping that when he grew up, he could wield a spear in battle and protect the country.
He did not neglect either his literary or martial skills. His initial teacher praised him endlessly, and later he was also very diligent in his studies. Only Liu Xuan and Cai Yi could compare with him.
At the age of ten, the three made a vow that when they grew up, they would either serve the court for the benefit of the people or guard the borders to protect the nation and its people.
But in that same year, Duke Ping made numerous enemies, and many watched from the shadows, waiting for an opportunity. The young Xie Xun, incited by others, spoke some words in defense of the Pei Family.
Liu Xuan and Cai Yi stopped him just in time, pulling Xie Xun away, fearing that his words might cause great trouble.
The accusation of treason against the Pei Family was already a settled matter. Even if there were suspicions in one’s heart, they could not be voiced. Many had intentionally targeted them, especially the Xie Family, which was constantly watched by countless eyes.
But even though the two dissuaded him in time, it was to no avail.
Xie Xun’s words were quickly exaggerated by those with intentions, resulting in the infamy of supporting the rebel faction. These rumors reached the Emperor’s ears, leading to Duke Ping being impeached, and targeted by many courtiers, who regularly sent petitions to the Emperor. The Empress pleaded for more than half a month.
The Emperor, being benevolent, considered Xie Xun’s young age and impulsiveness, and ordered him to reflect on his mistakes in the mansion for three months. Duke Ping, for not educating his son properly, was fined three years’ salary.
At the age of ten, in just three short months, Xie Xun understood many things. The Pei Family was loyal but couldn’t withstand the machinations of treacherous officials and the Emperor’s suspicion.
The Xie Family was able to establish itself in the Capital not only due to its illustrious military accomplishments but also because the Empress, who deeply received the current Emperor’s favor, was in the palace. The current Emperor’s benevolence played a significant role.
However, favor does not last forever; treacherous officials still hold power. How long can the Emperor’s benevolence and trust be maintained? By then, the Xie Family might end up with the same fate as the Pei Family.
At the Emperor’s wrath, blood would flow for miles.
Understanding the stakes, Xie Xun, having tasted the bitterness, no longer dared to stand out; one wrong move would lead to the downfall of his entire family.
Liu Xuan often came to see him, wanting to take him to the academy. Not standing out was one thing, but he still had to attend the academy. Without education, how would he understand reason in the future?
Yet Xie Xun continued to avoid it and befriended many wealthy young men in the Capital City, often arm in arm wandering by the lakes.
Cai Yi also tried persuading him twice, but Xie Xun wouldn’t listen to a single word, determined to hide his talents.
In hiding his talents, seven or eight years passed, and indeed, he became ordinary.
Originally destined to grow into a paragon like Liu Xuan and Cai Yi, he was concerned about the Emperor’s suspicion and wary of treacherous machinations. Xie Xun no longer attended the academy, spending his days indulging in leisure, turning into a true spendthrift and braggart, causing even his own father to clench his fists in frustration: incorrigibly mischievous.
When people in the Capital City mentioned Xie Xun, they would sigh for Duke Ping. In such a grand Duke Mansion, they had produced a useless spendthrift, bound to ruin the family. Poor Duke Ping, who had spent a lifetime in battle, would eventually have no one to carry on his legacy.
After all, such a son is better than having none.
The tales of Xie Xun’s prodigality were known throughout Capital City, so much so that no one mentioned the incident of that year anymore.
...
Even without ambitions, Xie Xun lived wantonly: listening to music one day, drinking the next. He knew every building in the Capital, which had what kind of girl, and which girl played which tune beautifully.
Although Duke Ping often reprimanded him for it, Xie Xun paid it no mind at all.
The power struggles within the parties were fierce. He thought that as long as he continued like this, no one would target the Duke Mansion, and the Xie Family would remain safe.
However, the current Emperor had no heirs and would eventually choose someone from the Imperial Family to appoint as Crown Prince.
The three Princes, Han, Heng, and Jing, fought each other fiercely. The Duke Ping Mansion maintained a neutral stance, loyal only to the Jin Dynasty’s ruler, not favoring any side, but as a result, they thoroughly offended everyone.
Unexpectedly, all three Princes died, and the one who ascended was Prince Jing’s heir, Song Qianfan. Although the courtiers had doubts, Song Qianfan was still supported by the Forbidden Army led by Yu Ting to ascend the throne.
Once the new Emperor ascended, he revealed his true nature, favoring treacherous ministers, implementing tyrannical rule, and increasing taxes, leaving the people in misery and despair.
The court was in chaos, with foreign enemies invading. The ministers advocated for peace, insisting on ceding land under the threat of the Southern Country, leading to the deaths of many loyal ministers who advised against the tyrant.
Until the Southern Country was about to invade the Capital, the great Jin Dynasty had no capable warriors to lead troops into battle.
The Xie Family ultimately met a fate similar to the Pei Family of the past. However, as the Empress Dowager was still present, Song Qianfan was cautious and did not dare to act harshly against the Xie Family, only sentencing them to exile.
In his youth, filled with aspirations, he now faced the outcome of his whole family being exiled. Xie Xun knew that at least they were still alive, which was a small mercy amid great misfortune.
After all, at this time, only Liu Xuan remained in the Liu Family, and Cai Yi had died a violent death in the Golden Hall, posthumously suffering a fate of being dismembered.
The people resented the tyrant and feared his actions, living in misery and suffering, angry but unable to speak, while Song Qianfan still sat high on the throne in the Golden Hall, able to decide others’ life and death with a flick of his fingers.
On the day of leaving the Capital, Xie Xun, shackled hand and foot, did not look back at the Capital behind him. This place had long become a place of corruption, devoid of any past glory.
He did not understand how the late Emperor, so wise, could choose someone like Song Qianfan, nor understand how noble and straightforward Prince Jing had been in life, yet raised a son of such character.
But he had no chance to think about it, and even if he did, it would be to no avail.
...
Due to the intentional hardships imposed by the escorts, Duke Ping died on the way to exile. A meritorious official of a lifetime, who once wielded a long spear to slay countless enemies and made many enemy soldiers fear him, ultimately died at the hands of unknown petty men.
Xie Xun, heartbroken, suffered from persistent high fever, nearly losing his life.
Of the scattered Xie Family members, only a few survived the journey of exile. The struggling Xie Xun took them and fled back to Huai State, the closest place to the Capital. By then, Huai State was the last line of defense outside the Capital.
Even with his current hands still able to fight, the fortune of the Jin Dynasty had come to an end.
Xie Xun often wondered, had he not been cowardly at ten, would things have been different? But even if he racked his brain, there was no definitive answer.
The Xie clan, to their death, maintained their true heart, loyal to the country, refusing to be traitors.
On the day the enemy breached Huai State City, the Southern Country invaders plundered, burned, and slaughtered in the city, committing atrocities against the people.
Xie Xun died under several blades and spears, sacrificing himself for the country, fulfilling the Xie clan’s loyalty and righteousness.
In this world, there was nothing left for him to hold dear.