Chapter 191 - Die in His Place

"Yes, back then, your senior brother had yet to become the External Prime Minister, and you hadn’t yet confined yourself to that tower." Lady Qin’s expression dimmed as she looked at Sikong Yan. "Tell me, why do you have to make things so hard on yourself? Look at you now, so thin and pale like a skeleton, it's almost as if you’ve powdered your face. Your senior brother didn’t even tell me anything about you... But it’s fine now. Since you’ve left that place, stay here from now on; this is your home."

Sikong Yan chuckled softly, avoiding Lady Qin’s gaze as he said, "Sister-in-law, don’t worry. The reason I came out today... is to bring you urgent news."

A strange unease gripped Lady Qin’s heart.

"What news?"

The smile on Sikong Yan’s face gradually faded, his gaze slowly rising to rest on Lady Qin’s face.

"It concerns my senior brother..."

"Your senior brother..." Lady Qin’s smile also disappeared, and unconsciously, she clutched Sikong Yan’s sleeve as she asked, "What happened to him?"

Sikong Yan drew a folded piece of paper from his sleeve and handed it over.

"A major defeat at the border, with four cities lost... Senior Brother may have to bear the responsibility for this catastrophe..."

Lady Qin gasped and unconsciously stepped back two paces as she stammered, "Responsibility... what kind of responsibility?"

Sikong Yan sighed. "This is a grave matter... especially with the Emperor’s recent passing. To pacify the people, I fear, I fear—"

"Fear what?"

"There will be a public execution, to deter any potential schemes." Sikong Yan shook his head. "That is the best outcome I can foresee."

Thud—

Lady Qin’s legs gave way, and she slumped to the ground, the slip of paper tumbling from her hands.

"Will... will that truly happen..." Lady Qin muttered blankly.

Sikong Yan nodded despondently.

Lady Qin slowly raised her head, looking at Sikong Yan.

"But why... why did it come to this... Where did it go wrong? Wasn’t the plan yours? How was there a problem? You’re so clever..."

"Man proposes heaven disposes..." Sikong Yan sighed deeply. "I think something happened at the border that my Senior Brother couldn’t anticipate. Had I known... I would have gone with him..."

"Is there no way..." Lady Qin looked at the ground as silent tears began to fall.

"A way..." Sikong Yan narrowed his eyes slightly. "There is."

Lady Qin jerked her head up, staring at Sikong Yan. "What way?"

Sikong Yan stared at Lady Qin for a long time, his expression changed several times before he slowly spoke, "That is why I was willing to leave the tower today... May I ask, sister-in-law, how much are you willing to sacrifice for my senior brother?"

"What are you trying to say?"

"My senior brother has grand ambitions, and is wholeheartedly devoted to the Ruen Dynasty. If he were to die at this time... he would surely be unwilling for his plans to be unfinished, wouldn’t he?" Sikong Yan’s voice was distant yet burrowed deep into Lady Qin’s ears like a persistent pest. "All he needs is merely a chance to redeem himself. If he could turn things around, he would be seen as a great merit instead, and by then, even the Emperor couldn’t easily take his life. However..."

"However, what? Speak quickly!" Lady Qin grabbed Sikong Yan’s trouser leg, "Brother-in-law, you’re so brilliant! Surely you have a way, don’t you?"

Sikong Yan looked down at her, his gaze profound. "That depends on you, sister-in-law... Sister-in-law, my senior brother needs you to buy him some time..."

"How can I do that?! Just tell me!"

"Sister-in-law... you must die in his place."

Lady Qin’s hand slipped from Sikong Yan’s clothes, her gaze vacant. "I... if I do this, will it work?"

"A wife sacrificing herself to give her husband a chance... such a story would be widely admired." Sikong Yan tilted his head as he examined her and continued, "Only with such an event could you delay the court from taking action against him..."

Sikong Yan took two steps back and bowed deeply to Lady Qin.

"Sister-in-law, do it for my senior brother... I will now take my leave."

***

The court was in an uproar the next day, as news of a distressing event swept through the palatial halls like a storm.

Qi Zongbi’s wife, Qin Qin, hanged herself in her home, leaving behind a letter written in blood.

The letter read:

I know my husband bears heavy crimes, but his heart is devoted to the Ruen Dynasty; his loyalty is sincere. With my life, I pray to secure a chance for my husband to atone for his sins.