The person who had just arrived was about to push the wet nurse aside when they were caught off guard by a slap that made their vision blur.
They stared at the person who had struck them, disbelief etched on their face.
Wang Siniang wiped her hands with a cloth. "What kind of creature are you to dare to lay hands on my people? Even if my Wang family has fallen, we are not to be insulted by the likes of you. General Feng, keep your subordinates in check. My Wang family's willingness to surrender is the last thing we can do for the people of Liancheng. Otherwise, do you think your mere two thousand Northern Army soldiers can leave Liancheng smoothly?"
Wang Siniang's gaze fell upon Feng Qirui, her innate Wang family pride displayed to its fullest.
"General Feng, you are not qualified to judge my Wang family. Since we have already been branded as rebels, is there any greater crime? Do your job properly, and we can all coexist peacefully. Otherwise, if my Wang family fights to the death, you will also have a difficult time explaining yourself."
Feng Qirui's eyes blazed with anger, and he stared fixedly at Wang Siniang, wishing he could tear her to pieces.
Wang Siniang showed no fear. The Wang family had reached this point due to a single misstep, and Heaven's favor had been withdrawn. They had lost, and there was nothing to regret. Would the Wang family have submitted if given a second chance?
Never!
No one would stand idly by and watch their family decline.
The Wang family mansion occupied a vast area. Every blade of grass and every tree within its grounds testified to the former glory of the Wang clan. Each dark green stone brick on the ground exuded an aura of heritage. With carved beams and painted pillars, pavilions and towers, it embodied the spiritual essence of Liancheng.
These were the achievements accumulated by their ancestors. Why should they be handed over to others?
"I admire your courage, to be so defiant when death is at your doorstep. It's a pity you will be a soul under the blade tomorrow."
Wang Siniang said coldly, "There's no need for admiration. I only hope your future career is smooth and that you never face such a day."
"You..." Feng Qirui clenched his fist and was about to speak when someone hurried over and whispered something rapidly in his ear.
Those people stopped five li away, and two other groups had already merged with them, not rushing towards Liancheng.
"Let them be. Dawn is less than an hour away," Feng Qirui's gaze swept over the Wang family members.
When dawn broke, they would first parade these pampered ladies and wives through the streets before taking them to the execution ground.
"Tell the brothers to sharpen their knives, lest they prove insufficient later," Feng Qirui said, a sense of vindictive pleasure in his voice.
The east gradually turned a fish-belly white. Daybreak had arrived.
The Wang family members, confined in the courtyard for hours, had their legs long gone numb. The fear of death was slowly eroding their will.
The younger children didn't understand, only knowing they were about to die, but they had no concept of what death was.
The adults were different. The July night was already cold, and now they were cold and hungry, their bodies trembling.
The Wang family retainers were also among them. Although they had received their letters of severance from Wang Siniang, thus exempting them from punishment, Feng Qirui had ordered them to witness the execution as a warning before they could leave.
The sky had completely brightened.
Feng Qirui roared, "Guards, escort them to the execution ground."
What about the unity of the five great clans? In the end, they had all become cowards, none daring to show up.
However, as long as there were no mistakes with the Wang family, this merit would still be his.
To ensure everything went smoothly, there was no need to wait until noon. They would be escorted to the execution ground and beheaded now.
As for the Wang family mansion... Feng Qirui gave a wicked smile. Let it burn as a funeral pyre for the Wang family.
Just as he was about to leave, he heard the sound of horses' hooves, followed by a deep male voice: "The Empress has arrived!"