Chapter 506: 513: What's to Fear, Even in Death

“Father, can elder cousin really think of a way to get us out?” Su Hengjing, the youngest of the Marquis Bei’an’s sons, was after all not enough experienced. He felt fearful and unwilling to face the impending fate, so learning that Su Hengyi had sent a message in stirred some excitement in him. Yet after the excitement waned, a sense of disheartenment set in. While he harbored the hope that Su Hengyi could indeed find a way to save him, the prison’s guards were so tightly arrayed, and they were serious criminals specifically designated by Wang Mang—there was simply no possibility of escaping. Moreover, because of the Marquis Mansion’s circumstances, the Second branch of the Su Family hadn’t really expanded into Chang’an, and they hardly had any connections there, let alone any hope of rescue.”

“Jing’er, are you afraid?” Marquis Bei’an looked deeply at his youngest son. Because he didn’t have to inherit the responsibilities of the Marquis Bei’an Mansion and was the youngest child, both he and his wife had spoiled their youngest son quite a bit, unlike the stricter approach they took with his brothers, spoiling him rotten in the end.

“I, Father, I’m not afraid; I’m just somewhat resentful—resigned to be so unjustly framed and killed by that Wang Mang scoundrel. It’s so not worth it.” Su Hengjing might not be as successful as his brother and was a bit more problematic on an average day, but he too had his own pride and didn’t stoop so low as to disgrace the Marquis Bei’an Mansion.

Marquis Bei’an was not completely satisfied with Su Hengjing’s reply, but it was passable. He spoke with a voice of sternness, “Good that you are not afraid, for the sons of Marquis Bei’an should not be cowards who cling to life and fear death. Even if one has to face the executioners’ block, never should one bow to the likes of treacherous dogs. A true man stands tall and proud under the heavens, with no shame before all under heaven, fearing not even death!”

“Father is right. I have learned my lesson. Even if that dog Wang Mang actually kills us, what’s there to fear? In eighteen years, we’ll be men again!” Stirred by his father’s words, Su Hengjing felt a mix of shame and burgeoning heroism in his heart, and death no longer seemed so frightening.

Marquis Bei’an nodded, for this was indeed his son—spoiled somewhat, perhaps, but the true mettle inherited in his bones, something that began early on and couldn’t be undone, would not disgrace the name of Marquis Bei’an Mansion.

“What worries me is not how that scoundrel Wang Mang will deal with us, but the safety of Hengyi. Our Bei’an Mansion may have fallen, but the Su Family has not. As long as the Second branch exists, our family can continue to thrive. Now, Hengyi as the heir of the Second branch is coming to Chang’an to take risks, traveling under Wang Mang’s watchful eye—it’s just not a wise move.”

As the Crown Prince of Beian, Su Hengyuan was raised as the heir to the mansion from a young age. At such a time, he was not worried about his own safety but rather the future prosperity of the Su Family.

Seeing his eldest son like this, Marquis Bei’an felt even more reassured: “Hengyuan’s concerns are valid, but things have come to this point, and worrying is futile. We can’t send any messages out, so we can only take things one step at a time. Hengyi is cautious and experienced; as long as he’s careful, he should avoid falling into Wang Mang’s traps.”

“Father is right. Now we can only wait for news from outside and act accordingly when the time comes. Even at the cost of our own lives, we cannot let Hengyi come to harm,” Su Hengyuan agreed, nodding; the approval on everyone’s faces was evident—they all shared the same view.

The appointed day soon arrived, and Marquis Bei’an and his sons waited anxiously and with concern. Indeed, someone came on time, who switched them out. It was nighttime, and with heads lowered, they didn’t clearly see their surroundings. They simply followed the Servant through a long journey that seemed to take them out of Prison and then boarded a horse carriage. After a jumble of noises, they finally stopped in front of a Small Courtyard.

Marquis Bei’an and his sons disembarked from the horse carriage. Su Hengyi and his wife had been waiting there for them. Upon seeing Marquis Bei’an and his sons, they moved forward excitedly to greet them: “Hengyi pays his respects to eldest uncle. Uncle has suffered; I, your unfilial nephew, has only managed to rescue you and my cousins today.”

Seeing his uncle and cousins covered in bruises and looking aged and worn, though Su Hengyi had braced himself, he couldn’t help feeling sad and indignant, and even a bit of self-reproach took root.

Marquis Bei’an quickly helped Su Hengyi up: “Rise quickly, Hengyi. Wang Mang has thrown a dragnet over Chang’an, and the prison is under strict guard. It wasn’t easy for you to rescue us. Your uncle is not oblivious to this—how could I blame you? Moreover, thanks to your maneuvering these Days, our time in Prison wasn’t too unbearable. While we needed to suffer visibly to keep up appearances, it’s all superficial—mere flesh wounds and minor matters that will heal quickly with proper care.”

Marquis Bei’an waved his hand dismissively, speaking heartily, not minding the minor wounds he bore. His face was resolute and open-hearted. Even fallen into misfortune as he was, he retained the grandeur of his better days.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

After a closer inspection, Su Hengyi, seeing that his father and brother appeared to be in poorer condition but had good spirits, knew that Marquis Bei’an’s words held truth, and this eased some of his guilt.

“Husband, even though eldest uncle and the others have been rescued, we’re still within Chang’an City and not completely safe. I know you’re happy to see your uncle and his sons, but we’ve made arrangements already, and it’s about time; we really can’t delay any further. Any more hesitation could cause unforeseen issues—perhaps it’s best if the eldest uncle and the others change their Clothes. We can have further discussions after leaving the city,” Feng Ruolin reminded from the side.

Only then did Marquis Bei’an and his sons shift their gaze upon Feng Ruolin: “This must be Hengyi’s wife. Truly, a daughter from a Martial Arts Family is different from ordinary women. She dared to come to Chang’an with Hengyi to attempt this rescue, standing with Hengyi through thick and thin—indeed, it’s rare to find such backbone. Hengyi has done well to marry such a good Daughter-in-law.”

“Eldest uncle praises me too highly; I do not deserve such acclaim. In normal times, as your niece-in-law, I should kneel before you, but given that we’re still not out of danger and need to hurry out of the city, I must defer the proper courtesies for another day. Please forgive me, Uncle,” Feng Ruolin said, bowing to Marquis Bei’an with a respectful but not at all servile or timid demeanor, exuding the composure befitting the wife of the Second branch’s heir.

Su Hengyi was very pleased with his wife’s performance, knowing she was right—it really wasn’t the time to linger. He’d only gotten carried away upon seeing his uncle and cousins in such a state, but since his wife had reminded him, he began making arrangements immediately.

“Eldest uncle, my wife is correct. We can discuss everything in detail later—there’s plenty of time ahead. Right now, we need to quickly disguise ourselves and leave the city.”

It wouldn’t be long before dawn, and they had to reach the city gate before it opened, then leave at the first opportunity. Though there was cover at the prison, as soon as the guards changed shifts, their escape would be discovered. Upon hearing the news, Wang Mang was sure to respond immediately by locking down the city gates, denying them any chance of escape. They had to beat that narrow window of time by leaving the city before Wang Mang could react.

During the brief pause to change Clothes, Su Hengyi went over his plan with Marquis Bei’an and his sons in detail.