BDSMST -Chapter 100 Dust Settles, the Truth Revealed

The Emperor’s thunderous wrath swept through the capital with astonishing speed.

That day, the citizens of the capital witnessed a spectacle they had never seen in their lifetimes.

Large contingents of Imperial Guards and officers from the Prefecture stormed into once untouchable mansions like ravenous wolves. The Marquis of Anyuan’s residence, the Ministry of War’s manor, and over a dozen other powerful noble households were raided and sealed simultaneously.

Cries, wails for mercy, and the shattering of gold and jade vessels echoed across half the city.

The once-arrogant Marquis of Anyuan was dragged from his opulent estate like a dead dog and thrown onto a prison cart. All his former dignity and prestige had vanished.

Citizens lining the streets pointed and whispered.

“So that’s the traitor, the Marquis of Anyuan? Retribution at last!”

“I heard he sold grain meant for the frontier troops to the Beiman! How many of our brave sons died because of him?”

“And Censor Xie—such an upright official—destroyed by that whole family! Heaven truly has eyes!”

Alongside the arrests and confiscations, imperial proclamations were posted throughout the city.

In clear, uncompromising words, they announced to the realm the crimes of the Marquis of Anyuan and his faction—and fully exonerated the Xie family after three years of injustice.

When Xie Zi’an, dressed in plain white mourning robes, stood before the proclamation and read the posthumous title “Duke of Loyal Martyrdom” granted to his father—read the lines that cleared his name—he could no longer stand. He fell to his knees, tears pouring like rain.

The blood-deep grievance suppressed for three years was finally redressed.

He kowtowed three times toward the direction of the palace, then turned toward the Marquis of Yongning’s residence and bowed deeply once more.

He knew that without Gu Yan and Jiang Suisui, he might have spent his entire life lingering in darkness, watching his enemies roam free.

The sweeping case that shook the court lasted half a month before it concluded.

In the end, Wu Zhengqing, the Marquis of Anyuan, and his principal accomplices were sentenced to immediate execution. The remaining officials involved were either exiled or stripped of office—none escaped punishment. The Marquis’s sister, Noble Consort Wu, was stripped of her title and cast into the Cold Palace.

A vast political network that had dominated court and capital alike was reduced to ashes.

With numerous positions left vacant, the Emperor seized the opportunity to promote a group of pragmatic officials led by Sun Chuanyan. The entire bureaucratic atmosphere was transformed.

Meanwhile, the Marquis of Yongning’s residence, which had rendered unparalleled service during the storm, entered its most glorious period.

Imperial rewards flowed into the manor like running water.

Gold, jewels, fertile lands, fine estates—countless treasures.

Gu Yan was entrusted with formal command of one of the Three Grand Camps of the capital—the Shenji Camp—holding real military power in his hands. His influence now surpassed even what it had been three years ago on the northern frontier.

For a time, the threshold of the Yongning residence was nearly worn down.

Officials came in endless streams to pay respects, offer congratulations, and forge connections.

As mistress of the household, Jiang Suisui received guests daily without rest. Her title as “First-Rank Lady Who Protects the Nation,” combined with the prestige she had gained during the flower banquet and the epidemic crisis, secured her an unrivaled position among the noblewomen of the capital.

No one dared mock her “rustic origins” anymore. The eyes turned toward her now held only awe and flattery.

Everything seemed to have reached the most perfect conclusion.

On the seventh day after the Xie family’s formal exoneration, Xie Zi’an rebuilt the graves of over a hundred wronged members of his clan outside the city, erecting the imperial plaque bearing the words “Loyal Martyrdom.”

Gu Yan and Jiang Suisui went to pay their respects as well.

Gazing at the cold rows of tombstones, Jiang Suisui felt countless emotions stirring in her heart.

After the ceremony, Xie Zi’an invited the couple aside.

Straightening his robes, he solemnly knelt once more in a full ceremonial bow.

“Your Lordship, Madam. Great kindness cannot be repaid with mere thanks. My life was given back to me by you. The Xie family’s honor was restored by you.”

His voice was grave and resolute.

“From this day forth, my life belongs to you both. Through blades or flames, I shall not hesitate.”

Jiang Suisui quickly helped him to his feet.

“Sir, please rise. You mustn’t.”

Looking at the man before her—his former gloom shed, his scholarly grace restored—she spoke gently.

“Your life is not ours. It is your own. The injustice against the Xie family has been cleared. Your father’s spirit can finally rest. Let the past remain in the past.”

She paused before continuing.

“His Majesty has decreed your appointment to the Hanlin Academy. This was your father’s lifelong wish—and it marks the beginning of your own path. Everything before has ended.”

“Now, you should think about your future.”

Xie Zi’an looked at her, eyes reddened.

He understood.

His life could not remain forever bound by vengeance or gratitude. He had his own road to walk.

He bowed deeply once more.

“Madam’s guidance—I shall remember for life.”

He lifted his gaze toward the horizon.

The sky was high and clear, a gentle breeze drifting across the open land.

A new beginning awaited him.

And awaited everyone in the Marquis of Yongning’s household.

But was this truly the beginning they desired?

As Jiang Suisui gazed at the familiar yet faintly alien splendor of the capital, she felt—for the first time—a flicker of uncertainty stirring in her heart.