Chapter 186: Ah, What Dropped?

Chapter 186 Oh, What Has Fallen?

As Chen Yi’s spirit drifted into the depths of cultivation,

Liu Lang, having changed his attire, once again slipped into the courtyard on Kangning Street, heading straight for the western garden.

—Where Liu Zhaoqing resided.

This time, Liu Lang was far more cautious than before.

Not only because of Chen Yi’s warnings and Liu Wen’s presence, but also due to a certain wariness toward the people of the Poison Sect.

Though the Poison Sect had long remained absent from the world, some rumors spoke of their ruthless methods.

Especially the infamous poison techniques and elixirs that still bore their notorious reputations in the world.

After confirming there were no guards nearby and that the wooden structure remained silent,

Liu Lang quietly approached the side of the wooden building.

Having hidden himself in the corner, he pressed his ear to the wall, listening intently to the sounds within.

The moment he heard the first words from inside, he suddenly widened his eyes.

“This ambition of Liu Zhaoqing’s… quite vast!”

Inside, Liu Zhaoqing’s voice came through, slightly cold.

“…For the position of head of the Liu family, if there is even a hint of possibility, I will not abandon it.”

Then the voice of the Poison Sect member laughed, “Miss Zhaoqing, having ambition is good.”

“If not for that, would the Poison Sect not come from afar? Or to come to this sorrowful place of Shu?”

“Forgotten, you Poison Sect were destroyed by the mountain clans before. Do you dare to act here without fearing that old mountain witch?”

The Poison Sect member sneered coldly, “Why should we fear?”

“The mountain clans now ally with the Xiao family, making their own safety uncertain.”

“Even if the Poison Sect does not act, someone else will deal with them.”

Liu Zhaoqing seemed somewhat surprised, asking, “Do you know of the Xiao family’s affairs?”

The Poison Sect member replied, “How could we not know?”

“Now, the old lord is ill, the young lord is but a child, only Xiao Jinghong supports the Tianluo Army, and many are plotting against the Xiao family.”

“Just as your Liu family in Jingzhou allowed Liu Wen to marry Xiao Wanyue, harboring thoughts of usurping the nest.”

Liu Zhaoqing nodded, “Indeed so.”

“Now the Xiao family is surrounded on all sides, even the court brings difficulties here, inevitably drawing other sects to intervene.”

She paused, continuing, “To speak of it another way…”

“Yue Fushasha, or shall I say, how do you plan to help me achieve this?”

“Of course…”

Yue Fushasha?

Liu Lang recalled for a moment, confirming he had never heard this name in the world, and calmly continued his eavesdropping.

Then he heard the Poison Sect member, Yue Fushasha, deliberately lowering his voice and speaking in hushed fragments:

“To achieve a great endeavor, Liu Wen must die, your elder brother…”

“As long as the operation is proper, framing Liu Wen’s death on the Xiao family is not difficult.”

“No! Your younger brother and Liu Jing are different. If Liu Jing dies in Shu, the family will surely investigate thoroughly!”

“Rest assured, Miss Zhaoqing, I have my arrangements…”

Liu Lang slightly raised an eyebrow, murmuring to himself about how ruthless this woman was.

Though he knew Chen Yi also harbored killing intent toward Liu Wen, Chen Yi and Liu Wen were from opposing sides, their enmity natural.

But Liu Zhaoqing only sought a certain family head position, daring to strike down her own blood brother, her heart was indeed merciless.

“No wonder the boss earlier lured Liu Wen with the promise of the Liu family’s head position.”

“It seems they all have such thoughts.”

Liu Lang muttered a few thoughts, then quietly slipped away.

His mission had been accomplished.

The details of Yue Fushasha and Liu Zhaoqing’s plan to kill Liu Wen, he would no longer eavesdrop on.

As he was about to return to the courtyard on Xiyi Street to check if the boss had left, he heard some voices in conversation nearby.

“…Liu Wu? A relative of the second prince? I’ve never heard of him.”

“Think again, that person is handsome, tall, and skilled in medicine.”

“Never heard of him either. Perhaps a disciple of the Saint Master of Xinglin Pavilion, which is normal for us to not have encountered.”

Liu Wu?

Liu Lang’s heart stirred, and immediately he quietly approached and concealed himself behind the two.

Seeing they were both guards in Liu’s blue attire, he slightly raised an eyebrow.

“It seems the boss did mention it after all, the Black Gang will come to inquire about him.”

After some thought, Liu Lang calculated in his heart, a faint smile flickering across his features.

“In the end, we can’t let the boss be exposed.”

…

At the hour of Yin, just passed.

In the gloomy rain, the sky remained dim.

The rain further obscured visibility, and most early risers had to rely on lantern light to see around.

In most cities and counties, the streets and alleys were lit by ever-burning lanterns.

But far from the prefecture city of Shu, in the dense forest where Xiao Jinghong and the mountain clans had named it “Wu Mountain Market,” visibility was far lower.

Fortunately, the stalls had fires burning around their foundations, providing at least some light within the market.

Early in the morning, a group of Han men in short tunics and pants, wearing cloches, emerged from the wooden huts, receiving their morning meals under the foreman’s calls.

Though it was a rainy day, the market was of great importance, with both the Xiao family and the mountain clans having strict requirements.

—To construct two streets, a warehouse, and five hundred residences within three months.

Time was tight.

Thus, after eating their morning meals, these dark-skinned Han men all began to work busily.

Not long after,

[The translation ends here as per the provided text.]

The entire site of the Wushan market was alive with a cacophony of clamor and confusion, as if a furnace had erupted into flame.

Yet when the laborers toiled, Xiao Hong did not idle.

She dressed as she always did—neatly attired in a simple, light blue robe, her face shielded by a half-mask, unadorned save for that. She resembled a wandering swordsman of the realm.

Compared to her, Su Zhimeng, in her flowing gown, carried a certain daughterly grace.

The two shared a morning meal.

Xiao Hong glanced toward the window, where the sky darkened with rain, and mused, “The tribal people from the mountains arrive today. I would have you accompany them in inspecting the market’s progress, if you would.”

Su Zhimeng nodded, setting a scroll before her.

“General, these letters from the commanders of the three towns mention the new army’s training.”

Xiao Hong skimmed the documents, then commanded, “Send a unified reply, urging them to prepare. After the Mid-Autumn Festival, I shall visit the three towns to inspect their troops myself.”

She paused, then inquired, “Has any word arrived from the Office of the Governor?”

Su Zhimeng replied, “No message has reached us yet.”

Xiao Hong inclined her head, her rain-streaked eyes flashing with resolve:

“The three towns ought to pay their grain taxes, but the tenth levy is excessive. If the Office of the Governor fails to act this time, I shall not hesitate to seek redress myself.”

Su Zhimeng hesitated, then said, “Lord Zhou had informed us in his previous dispatch that he would address this matter.”

Xiao Hong glanced at her, coolly declaring, “Two sides to this. The Civil Affairs Office pressured the three towns due to the disputes between Xiao and Liu’s families, yet that does not mean the Office of the Governor is absolved.”

“The harvest was delayed, leaving the granaries sparse. The Office of the Governor could not secure imperial funds for relief. I bear them no ill will.”

“After all, this affair bears the Emperor’s and the Nine Cousins’ blessing.”

“But now the granaries of the three towns brim with supplies. To squander what they have hoarded is no mere matter for the Office of the Governor to dismiss with a word.”

Upon hearing this, Su Zhimeng understood her resolve and ceased her protests.

She then retrieved three more scrolls, about to speak, when a steady tinkling of bells grew loud.

In an instant, the wooden hut was pushed open.

A figure stepped through the doorway—Pei Wanglu, who had ridden through the storm from Shu Prefecture.

She entered with a joyous smile, her bare feet pattering merrily.

“Xiao Hong, Su Zhimeng—how long it’s been! Have you been thinking of me?”

Xiao Hong studied her, slightly taken aback. “You’ve returned?”

“I came back… to see Ama and the others.”

Pei Wanglu, ever diligent, had not forgotten Chen Yi’s charge. She settled herself, eyes darting twice, then said, “The Mid-Autumn Festival is near. I’ve brought so much… so many gifts for Ama and the village folk.”

Xiao Hong, noting her solemnity, nodded. “Very well. I shall send someone to escort you back to the tribal lands.”

Pei Wanglu waved her off. “No need—Madam Weng has prepared a cart for me. They’ll see me home.”

She feigned recollection, rummaging through the bells at her waist.

“Oh, and Madam Weng brought a letter for you, Xiao Hong.”

“And one for your brother.”

Xiao Hong noticed her furtive gesture, a twitch at her lips.

“You hid the letters in your sleeves?”

Pei Wanglu straightened, retrieving the missives, then said, “I feared the rain might dampen them.”

In truth, she had been anxious lest Chen Yi’s letter to Xiao Hong grow soggy, so she carried all the letters herself. And to ensure Xiao Hong saw that one first, she had placed it atop the stack.

When she withdrew the papers, she did not immediately lay the letter before Xiao Hong. Instead, she pretended to stumble, letting the parchment slip to the floor.

“Oh! What’s this that’s fallen?”

Pei Wanglu bent to pick it up, her bright eyes sparkling with a sly smile. Then, feigning surprise, she said, “Hmm? This letter… it doesn’t look like one your brother sent.”

Xiao Hong and Su Zhimeng exchanged glances, seeing through her act.

Xiao Hong extended her hand. “Give it to me.”

Pei Wanglu handed over the two letters, then unfolded the solitary sheet.

“I’ll read it first—lest it be your brother’s attempt to write me a poem.”

Before she could decipher the familiar script, the letter landed in Xiao Hong’s palm.

Pei Wanglu’s lips puffed out in indignation. “Xiao Hong, you’re so stern!”

Yet her eyes remained fixed on Xiao Hong’s, her heart whispering, *She frowned—oh, how she frowned.*

*Shock… where is it?*

*Look at me, look at me—Xiao Hong, you should ask me.*

*Ask, ask—your brother has already made arrangements. I couldn’t possibly have any fault to answer for.*

Poor Wanglu had plotted well, but Xiao Hong’s first words nearly unseated her.

“Tell me plainly—is this letter yours?”

“Pei Wanglu, matters of the army are no jest. If you do not confess, I shall have you arrested on the spot!”

“What?!”

Pei Wanglu gasped, nearly leaping in place.

Yet she had practiced this scene countless times. Now, steadier, she feigned bewilderment. “Yours? Me?”

“Xiao Hong, I’ve returned here, and you accuse me of writing letters?”

“Honestly, your brother meant well delivering them, but I cannot be held responsible for such a thing!”

“You wait—later I’ll report this to Ama.Hmph.”

Xiao Hong stared, her brow furrowed. “You do not deny it?”

“I have no idea what it says up there…”

Pei Manlu flashed a smile, leaning closer to say, “Let me see what it says. Why so nervous?”

“Could it actually be a poem written by your brother-in-law? Is there anything better than what he wrote for you?”

Xiao Jinghong reached out to pat her head, pondered for a moment, then handed the letter to Su Zhenyu beside him, “Take a look.”

Su Zhenyu glanced at it, then suddenly widened her eyes, leapt to her feet, and shouted angrily:

“These people have the audacity!”

The words barely settled before Su Zhenyu turned her head toward the bustling Pei Manlu, her expression grave as she asked:

“Miss Pei, is this letter truly not written by you?”

“I told you, it’s not mine.”

“Then how did it end up with you?”

“I… I don’t know…”

Despite Xiao Jinghong and Su Zhenyu’s relentless interrogation, Pei Manlu clung to Chen Yi’s orders, biting her tongue to deny ever seeing the letter.

After a long pause.

Xiao Jinghong released her, took the letter again, scrutinized it twice over, then spoke:

“I’ll believe you—for now.”

“If I ever catch you lying in the future, even if Grandmother Shan protects you, I won’t let you off that easily!”

Pei Manlu pouted and muttered under her breath, her mind racing.

How strange.

It was nothing like what she had first imagined.

Xiao Jinghong hadn’t been startled by the letter, nor had she rushed out the door immediately. Instead, she’d interrogated me first…

Damn it.

But at that moment, Xiao Jinghong and Su Zhenyu seemed too preoccupied to bother her further.

A moment of silence.

Su Zhenyu finally broke it, her voice soft: “General, when ‘Knife Crazy’ left earlier, he said he’d repay your mercy—could it be…?”

Xiao Jinghong nodded slightly, as if remembering the incident: “Better to believe it than doubt it.”

“General, what do you plan to do? Should I send a message to the three towns now?”

“No need.”

“You…”

Before Su Zhenyu could finish, Xiao Jinghong stood, her voice firm: “I’ll go myself.”

“The letter doesn’t name anyone hiding among the troops in the three towns. I can’t rule out the possibility that the three commanders are involved. I need to confirm this before making any moves.”

“For the time being, you stay here in my place. Remember to act as me—don’t let anyone suspect I’ve left.”

In that moment, she’d grown suspicious of everyone in the three towns—even those at Xiao Family Manor.

She decided against sending a message there, fearing it might stir up trouble.

Su Zhenyu understood the urgency and wouldn’t dare dissuade her.

Yet when she glanced at Pei Manlu, who was pouting nearby, she couldn’t help but ask: “What about her?”

Xiao Jinghong holstered her sword at her waist and ordered:

“Today, her brother came to visit. After inspecting the market, let her come back with me to the mountain clans.”

Pei Manlu instinctively shook her head: “I don’t want to. I need to go find my brother in Shu Zhou.”

“Huh? You said you’d return to the mountain clans for the Mid-Autumn Festival earlier.”

When Xiao Jinghong heard this, her brow furrowed. Her voice turned sharp: “One last time—do you know what’s in the letter?”

Pei Manlu felt the overwhelming force in her presence, shrank back, and lowered her head: “I… I mean, after the Mid-Autumn Festival, I’ll go back to find my brother then.”

Xiao Jinghong no longer trusted her.

After staring at her for a while longer, Xiao Jinghong huffed, “When I return, I’ll make you tell the truth!”

Before Pei Manlu could speak, Xiao Jinghong folded the letter and other papers into her sleeve, then stepped out of the wooden hut as a pale shadow, her whereabouts unknown.

Only after the sounds ceased did Pei Manlu dare lift her head, her eyes spinning wildly, finally meeting Su Zhenyu’s gaze.

Her chest eased slightly, she couldn’t help but show a pitiable expression and asked:

“Su Zhenyu, what did the letter really say? What made Xiao Jinghong so nervous?”

Su Zhenyu stared deeply into her eyes, said nothing, and rose to change into Xiao Jinghong’s clothes.

Pei Manlu noticed this and shrugged, too intimidated to speak further.

Yet her face bore a trace of worry.

What about my brother? It feels like I’ve been exposed.

Would Xiao Jinghong really interrogate me?

No, please don’t… I’m scared of getting hurt…

But Pei Manlu had her wits about her, eventually settling on a roundabout solution.

“Well, I could just go ask Grandmother Shan to help me.”

“Hmph. With her sharp mind, she’ll surely know how to get me past Xiao Jinghong’s interrogation.”

She was lucky Grandmother Shan didn’t know she’d been rated “sharp” in her granddaughter’s eyes, or else…

She figured the mountain clan’s rules might teach that tiger cub what pain felt like.

…

Shu Zhou, the estate of the Duke of Mingyuan, Spring Lotus Garden.

Chen Yi remained unaware that the tiger girl had been spotted by Xiao Jinghong as unusual.

After waking early, he led Xiao Wuoge and Little Butterfly to breakfast at Jiaxing Yard.

But that breakfast wasn’t peaceful.

Not because of Xiao Mian’er’s preaching, but because of the four letters delivered by courier during their meal.

Not to mention messages from the second and third wives’ attendants.

This made Chen Yi restless, pacing back and forth, feeling guilty about Xiao Mian’er bearing the blame.

Yet Xiao Mian’er acted as usual.

As per the customary protocol, I have received the dispatch.

When second, third, or other branches of the family arrived, she would handle them herself alone.

Even though Chen Yi was seated nearby, Xiao Wanz’ did not allow him to speak a word or seek his opinion.

After the meal was concluded and as Juan’er, Cuier, and Xiao Diao’ were clearing the table, Xiao Wanz’ finally smiled and spoke.

“Given the number of guests, most being close to the household, it would be improper to send them away directly. Thus, allowing them to visit the mansion for a while also provides an opportunity to inquire about their recent matters.”

Chen Yi perceived her casual demeanor yet recognized the issue originated from his actions.

After some thought, he reaffirmed his commitment: “I shall resolve this matter promptly.”

The present guests are those closely connected to the Xiao household; inevitably, those less acquainted will follow.

He could not very well allow Xiao Wanz’ to smile and receive those individuals with a cheerful face.

Xiao Wanz’ acquiesced, nodded with a smile, and turned to other matters.

The dispatch from the aforementioned Mr. Chen has been pending for several days. After careful consideration, I believe it necessary to approach him to convey my grandfather’s intentions.

If your schedule permits today, perhaps you could assist me in visiting Bai Caotang to inquire whether Mr. Chen is still in Shouzhou.

Chen Yi’s expression subtly shifted as he inquired, “Have you not been awaiting news from the Patriarch?”

I presumed Mr. Chen would have no difficulties.

Even should he indeed encounter challenges, it is merely the initial stages of preparation, not impeding subsequent arrangements.

In that case, I shall proceed to Bai Caotang later.

After all, Mr. Chen is certainly not in Shouzhou.

(Chapter Concluded)