Decisive and Efficient
Upon hearing that "however," the Ma Family father and son felt hope that their heads might remain on their shoulders. They hurriedly flattered: "Chancellor Evans, we’re willing to atone for our crimes! As long as you spare us, we’ll do anything you say!"
Lily Evans smiled faintly at the Ma Family father and son and said, "Alright, since you’re willing to make amends, I’ll give you a chance. Write down everything you know about the corruption and misconduct of Kingston’s officials. Also, write out all the shady dealings you and the Qians have done in secret. The more you confess, the safer your heads will be."
"We’ll write, we’ll write right now!" Martin Ma and his father were so scared they nearly wet themselves. They grabbed paper and pen and wracked their brains to start writing.
These two were from the wealthiest family in Kingston, had plenty of dealings with the local officials, and had done quite a few things with the Qians—so they knew plenty of dirt.
About half an hour later, they finished writing out all the dirt and handed it to Lily Evans.
Whoa, with this list of dirt, nearly eighty percent of Kingston’s officials would be ousted!
Most of those officials were under the Qians’ influence, so this was a perfect chance to wipe out the Qian Family’s power in Kingston once and for all.
Martin Ma and his father watched Lily Evans’s expression and forced a smile, saying, "Chancellor Evans, we’ve confessed everything just as you asked. Please keep your word and spare our miserable lives!"
Lily Evans snorted, "Now write some invitations and invite all the officials of Kingston to the Ma Family’s house tomorrow to celebrate Martin Ma’s appointment as mayor."
"Alright, alright, we’ll write!" The Ma Family father and son started writing invitations again.
The stack of invitations was thick—at least a hundred. By the time they finished, the Ma Family father and son were so terrified that their clothes were soaked through.
Lily Evans took the invitations, quite satisfied.
The Ma Family father and son pleaded, "Chancellor Evans, we'll do whatever you say. Can you keep your promise and let us go now?"
"Let you go?" Lily Evans chuckled coldly, looking at the Ma Family father and son. "You two have committed countless crimes and already violated royal law—the punishment is beheading."
"Please spare us, Chancellor Evans! You just promised to save our lives, how can you go back on your word?" Martin Ma was so scared his face turned ghostly pale.
"So what if I go back on my word? When you and your father did business with me and Uncle Arthur Yuan, didn't you also break your word? Now I'll let you taste what it feels like when someone goes back on theirs. Guards, execute the Ma Family father and son on the spot, according to the law!" Lily Evans commanded sternly.
"Yes, ma'am!"
With two swift chops, the blades fell, and two heads hit the ground—clean and decisive.
Jonathan King and Samuel King stared wide-eyed as the Ma Family father and son's heads rolled to the ground, as if they were dreaming.
The Ma Family father and son, who once ruled Kingston like tyrants, died just like that—quick and merciless.
Samuel King looked up at Lily Evans, this woman who wasn’t particularly tall. He remembered what Lily had said before: she promised to clean up Kingston.
Back then, Samuel King hadn’t believed a woman could have the guts to uproot the Qians’ influence in Kingston.
But now, staring at the two heads rolling on the ground, Samuel King suddenly understood—this female Chancellor was nothing like the other officials.
If she says it, she’ll do it.
And the Ma Family father and son’s heads rolling in Kingston—this was just the beginning...
The real show would begin tomorrow, at the Ma Family’s estate, when all those corrupt officials who came to congratulate Martin Ma on becoming mayor would get their turn...
Suddenly, Samuel King felt a surge of excitement; his youthful passion was completely ignited. He decided he would follow Chancellor Evans for the rest of his life—and make a splash in Kingston.