508 All Dead
However, as soon as the child was born, there was no sound of crying. She heard the midwife mutter in horror. “Why aren’t you crying? Why aren’t you crying…”
She struggled to get up to take a look at the child. The little child’s entire body was bruised and pale. No matter how the midwife patted the child’s feet, the child would not cry. Her heart was about to break. She got out of bed with difficulty and walked over to pick the child up. She stroked the child’s back again and again, praying for him to cry.
It hadn’t been easy for her to keep him alive. It hadn’t been easy for her to give birth to him. She wanted him to live, even if she had to trade her life for his.
It was unknown if the heavens had heard her pitiful plea, but a weak cry sounded in the room. The infant’s entire body was tense. He clenched his fists and cried. Even though his voice was weak, he was crying hard.
She named him Xu Lin.
Initially, she thought that the child was still young and it was normal for him to be weak and sick. He would be fine when he grew up. However, as Xu Lin grew up, he was seriously ill countless times, which scared Madam Xu out of her wits.
Her mother-in-law had passed away, and she had to struggle to protect the Xu family alone. She hoped to raise the child up. It did not matter if he could not become a civil or military official. As long as he lived well, he would eventually get married and have children. The Xu family had been loyal for generations and had shed too much blood for the royal family.
It was time for this generation to recuperate and strengthen their bloodline.
However, Xu Lin’s body was extraordinarily weak. Every time he was on the verge of death, she would go to Jingen Temple to offer incense and pray, and it worked every time.
She thought that her prayers were answered, but she had never thought that all of this was a lie.
At this moment, Madam Xu finally understood the true meaning of the mother was saving while the father was killing.
It turned out that it was not a coincidence that Xu Lin fell so critically ill.
Liu Sanniang pulled her back. Madam Xu’s tears had already dried up. Her eyes were filled with despair as she looked at Liu Sanniang.
“Miss Liu, I’m sorry. Even if I know the truth, I can’t make it known now.”
She avoided Liu Sanniang’s gaze and lowered her eyes.
Liu Sanniang said faintly, “It’s ok.”
Xu Lin had already completely turned into a beast. There was no need for her to say anything.
Madam Xu slowly stood up, wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes, and left without looking back.
The sun was already setting outside. When Wu Changxian saw Madam Xu coming out, his expression was the same as before. He called out. “Madam Xu.”
Madam Xu ignored him and left the Ministry of War.
Wu Changxian quickly entered the cell and looked at Liu Sanniang. “Miss Liu, Madam Xu…”
Liu Sanniang said, “Lord Wu, take people to Jingen Temple tomorrow morning with some women clothing.”
Wu Changxian was puzzled. He heard Liu Sanniang sigh as if she was regretting something.
Wu Changxian felt that this case was getting more and more mysterious.
When Madam Xu returned home, she asked the servants to prepare a table of food and asked them to bring Xu Lin over.
Xu Lin’s expression was as usual, as if what happened last night did not occur at all. After sitting down, he smiled. “Is there anything special about today? The meal is so sumptuous.”
Madam Xu did not say anything. She picked up some food for Xu Lin. He did not touch his chopsticks, but Madam Xu did not mind. She ate slowly. After eating, she said to Xu Lin, “Lin, go back.”
Xu Lin stood up and returned to his courtyard.
Madam Xu called the old butler over and asked him to chase all the servants out.
It had been a long time since she had picked up a pen and written something. She could not bring herself to say such a scandalous thing out loud. She had no choice but to write down what had happened.
Then, she left home and walked out of the city. In the dark night, she headed somewhere.
She stopped when she saw the vermillion door. In the past, this was her hope. Every time she came, she would offer incense and pray. Every time, it was extremely effective.
Now, she only felt disgust.
She took off her clothes and tied them into a knot. She hung her clothes on the high beam of the door and pulled her hair to cover her face. She hung herself up silently and did not even struggle, leaning tightly against the vermillion door.
At this moment, a ray of sunlight shone on her body.
When the novice monk woke up in the morning, he opened the door and saw a slightly swaying body without any clothes on. The monk immediately screamed in fear.
Before dawn, Wu Changxian had just led his men to Jingen Temple when he heard the monk’s scream from afar. He quickened his pace. When he saw the unclothed corpse, he suddenly realized something. Wu Changxian shouted. “Turn your face around and give me the clothes.”
He carried the stiff corpse down and wrapped it in the clothes he had brought along. He pushed aside the long hair that covered the face. Even though he was mentally prepared, Wu Changxian was still shocked when he saw her face. He never expected that Madam Xu would commit suicide in this holy land of Buddist sect and in such a manner.
The monks of Jingen Temple also came out very quickly. When they saw the corpse, they were extremely shocked.
They quickly went to inform the abbot.
Yuan Hui had already felt that the life force that he had lost had returned to his body. His old face had become younger. When the monk came to inform, he thought that he had heard wrongly. “Wh-what did you say?”
The monk lowered his head and repeated in panic. “Abbot, Madam Xu committed suicide in front of our temple.”
Yuan Hui felt dumbstruck.
He said expressionlessly, “Got it. I’ll go with you to take a look.”
He didn’t believe it at first, but when he saw Madam Xu’s corpse, he had no choice but to believe it.
Wu Changxian looked at Yuan Hui and said, “Master Yuan Hui, Madam Xu committed suicide here. Please come to the Ministry of War with me for the investigation.”
Yuan Hui put his palms together and chanted. “Amitabha.”
Wu Changxian stared at Yuan Hui, afraid that he would run away.
Yuan Hui did not run away. He lowered his eyes and said in a deep voice, “I will go with you.”
Wu Changxian looked at Yuan Hui and felt that he suddenly became a little strange. He was a little like Madam Xu from before. It was as if he had given up on life.
Madam Xu’s body naturally had to be brought back. Before getting into the carriage, Yuan Hui suddenly asked. “Can you let me stay with her for a while?”
Wu Changxian frowned. Yuan Hui’s words undoubtedly proved that he had an affair with Madam Xu. No matter what, this request was unreasonable. Wu Changxian answered calmly. “I’m sorry, I can’t.”
He thought that Yuan Hui would ask again, but he just got into the carriage in silence.
When they returned to the Ministry of War, Yi Zilan immediately came to report. “Sir, Xu Lin went berserk last night and injured several people. He almost killed Young Marquis Su, but he was subdued by Miss Liu’s dog. Most strangely, he died about an hour ago.”