Jiang An knelt outside the entrance in white robes, his hair hanging loose and disheveled, looking terribly old.
Every so often, he wiped his face with his sleeve, looking like an aging man battered by all the trials of life.
The commoners gathered around pointed and whispered.
"What happened? Did Lord Jiang offend the Marquisate of Southern Pacification? The midday sun is scorching, and he's been kneeling for nearly an hour."
"Exactly. Lord Jiang was caught up in a bit of a scandal recently, but the Liu Family didn't pursue it. I reckon it was all slander. That shows he's a decent man."
"I heard he was deceived, too. Today, it seems he upset his daughter, so Lord Jiang is kneeling here to beg the Marchioness of Zhennan for forgiveness."
The spectators gasped in shock, one after another.
"Heavens, she's his own daughter! What kind of hatred could make her force her own father to kneel here and humiliate himself? How unfilial!"
"I thought she was a good person. Who knew she was like this!"
Someone kindly brought Jiang An some tea.
He politely declined it with a smile. "My friend, I appreciate your kindness, but this is my own affair. I did wrong, so I deserve to be punished. Please take the water back."
"Lord Jiang, you're all family. Why not go inside and talk things through? Why bake out here in the sun?"
"Yes, the sun is so fierce. What if you fall ill from the heat? Some people might not care, but your wife and mother would be heartbroken!"
Jiang An pretended to have grievances he could not voice. Trembling, he shed a few more tears and waved for them to step back.
Huahua: [Impressive. Silence speaks louder than words here. He hasn't said anything, yet he's