Chapter 437: Great Kindness and Virtue

Chapter 437: The Great Virtue of Great Benevolence

Its meaning is self-evident.

Fengchuan Xiuqiu would never go to take his own shame, quietly following behind the other person.

Similarly, how deep are the halls and pavilions along the way? Fengchuan Xiuqiu had no intention of contemplating them.

When he entered the flower hall, used for welcoming guests, the attendant bowed and departed, leaving only a few words of polite farewell for Fengchuan Xiuqiu to linger a moment longer.

True luxury springs from the original.

Fengchuan Xiuqiu forgot to remember that he had heard these words, and he was unsure whether they were true or false.

But at least at this moment, he looked around and saw that the entire hall was free from the cold, mechanical light, and no relics befitting the age were visible.

Fengchuan Xiuqiu, believing himself to have seen much in the three-chamber factory, even the room of the envoy from the Yue district, could not claim mastery over the imperial culture—let alone be called a learned man.

But now, the furniture in this hall seemed to belong to a time long before the Ming dynasty.

Suddenly, a wave of disappointment washed over him.

His proud back bent slightly, and he looked up at the plaque above the altar, inscribed with the four characters “Fengchuan Xiuqiu has studied the calligraphy of the Emperor.”

“Mr. Xiuqiu, have you ever studied the calligraphy of the Ming Emperor?”

Fengchuan Xiuqiu gasped, lowering his head in a rueful smile. “I have no knowledge of it, but the four characters strike me as deeply meaningful.”

“You have known for many years that the Yue district has been under imperial control. You are no longer merely an object of this ‘Fengchuan Xiuqiu’.”

An elderly man in a black robe sat at the altar, his eyes soft and kind. Though Fengchuan Xiuqiu could see only a projection, he sensed the weight of the man’s gaze.

“Fengchuan family, you have willingly dedicated all your enterprises to the Emperor, becoming a court attendant in Wuchang. If you had only listened to the Emperor’s words, you would have been spared.”

“He was just a traveling envoy.”

The man exhaled slowly, his tone heavy with regret. “It is only when the Emperor’s strategy begins to unravel that the Xiuqiu family may soon become his pawns.”

Fengchuan Xiuqiu’s voice trembled as he rose, his face pale.

“May I beg for your pardon? The Emperor’s court is gathering for a grand assembly on April 1st. All registered households must attend unless there are special matters.”

The old man smiled gently and raised his hand. “Come, let us proceed. Your presence is welcome.”

Fengchuan Xiuqiu bowed deeply, his chest heaving.

“My lord, I am honored. It is a matter of great honor to serve you.”

The old man stood, his steps measured, and walked away.

Fengchuan Xiuqiu felt a pang of disappointment.

“My lord, you have always been a man of great disdain. But if you wish to expose the treachery of the strategist, you must sacrifice everything you hold dear.”

“What a bold move!”

The old man sighed, his expression heavy with sorrow. “Indeed, the strategist was but a humble servant of the Yue district. Yet, only when the Emperor’s plan unravels will the Xiuqiu family be reduced to nothing but pawns.”

Fengchuan Xiuqiu sank to his knees, the weight of his words pressing down on him.

“Forgive me, my lord. Even now, I see the shadows of my past. If only I could have listened to the Emperor’s words, perhaps I would have been spared.”

The old man nodded solemnly. “Then let us hope your suffering brings you some measure of redemption.”

Li Hui offered a slight smile: “Another new guest is coming, isn’t it?”