Zhan Yi stepped forward and knelt.
Patriarch Xiang led the others in hastily kneeling, while Ye Qianning slipped back behind the main gate.
The townspeople all knelt in unison. Old Mrs. Xiang lay prostrate on the ground, clutching Xiang Mingli. Mrs. Wang knelt beside them, wiping away her tears.
"By order of the Emperor! The matriarch of the Xiang family, having shown no regard for law or discipline and having committed the heinous crime of attempting to assassinate the General, is hereby banished to a country estate, never to return to the Capital City. The second branch of the Xiang family, whose wickedness knows no bounds, is guilty of premeditated murder. They are to be exiled to the northern mines, and their sentence begins today." After reading, Mr. Li folded the imperial edict. "General Xiang is severely injured. Let the Clan Leader accept this decree on his behalf."
"This humble servant accepts the decree." The old Clan Leader knelt forward to receive it.
