After a few more heartfelt words, Ye Jiu finally asked, "Escorting sweet potatoes shouldn’t be such a significant task, right? Couldn’t father have just sent someone else? Why come in person?"
With a tone of complaint, Jing King started, "I knew it. You ungrateful girl do not welcome this king."
Embarrassed by her transparency, Ye Jiu chuckled awkwardly, "Not at all. Isn’t it just that the journey is long? Even riding fast would take almost half a month, and I was worried father would get too worn out along the way."
"Then your worry is unnecessary. I am young and strong; such a journey is nothing to me," Jing King replied.
In reality, how could he not see that the child simply did not welcome him?
But still, he wanted to come.
Whatever Jing King wanted to do, not even the current emperor could necessarily stop him, so why should he care about others’ thoughts?
Yet, seeing Ye Jiu’s repeated excuses, his heart couldn’t help feeling somewhat pained.
After some laughter and teasing, Jing King suddenly became serene and serious, "Girl, those who have harmed you have already paid with their blood. You should find peace now. How about taking this opportunity to return to the capital with this king?"
For Dongyue, the sweet potato yield might be a big deal; however, it truly wasn’t so important as to make him trek back and forth repeatedly.
His desire to come was entirely for Ye Jiu.
He knew that Ye Jiu’s refusal to go to the capital last time was firm, but he still couldn’t reconcile himself to leaving his only biological daughter, the only Commandery Princess of Jing King’s Residence, in some remote corner of the mountains.
However, even when he brought up the topic once more, Ye Jiu was still very determined. "I am quite content here, cherished by my parents, protected by elder brothers, and surrounded by a host of nephews and nieces. Father need not worry about my living conditions."
Jing King’s Residence does not lack for a little Commandery Princess; even without me these years, it has remained honorable and esteemed."
But her parents cannot be without her, nor can the Ye Family. Although they lack everything, it is only here that she can feel truly satisfied.
After a long silence, Jing King, the weight heavy upon his handsome face, managed to put on a smile again, "Alright, I won’t pressure you, but I still hope you will earnestly consider my suggestion. Even if you go to the capital, this king will not force you to sever ties with the Ye Family."
No matter how persuasively Jing King spoke, Ye Jiu never fully engaged in the conversation.
The perfunctory tone in her voice, they both knew in their hearts.
Jing King did not stay long, but from his words, Ye Jiu learned much.
From the New Year till now, barely two months had passed, but for the capital city, it had seen no small amount of turmoil.
Just as Sikong Mo had foreseen, the property of the Yue Family and the Liu Family was completely confiscated. However, by confessing his crimes in advance and offering up all his property, the Family Head of the Liu Family managed to save the lives of his family -- even better than what Sikong Mo had predicted.
The Liu Family was not exiled; in fact, they were not even driven out of the capital city and were allowed to keep their ancestral home.
However, the Liu Family now found themselves destitute, their former splendor gone.
And the Mo Family suffered the worst fate of all, with the entire family beheaded on the fifth day of the second lunar month -- over a hundred members, none left alive.
The reason for choosing that day was because Ye Jiu’s birthday was on the second day of the second lunar month, and Jing King did not wish to add to the killing on her special day.
She had long known that human life was cheap in ancient times, but it was only when she heard it from Jing King’s casual tone that she truly realized just how worthless a life could be.