Chapter 290: The Fourteenth of September Is Auspicious for Travel (Seeking Monthly Tickets)

Chapter 290: September 14th Should Set Out (Seeking a Monthly Pass)

Though Liu Hong did not wish for the machinations of the unseen forces—“Dragon Gun” Liu Five—to succeed, he left Xuatou behind, who could either advance or retreat as he saw fit.

Yet the arrival of Du Cang forced him to suppress all personal inclinations.

“Sixian, bring Xuatou here.”

“Yes, sir.”

Du Cang, upon hearing this, smiled faintly, his gaze lingering on the fair-haired guard captain, Jin Dao, seated across from him.

The waiting time.

Liu Hong slowly closed the unfinished dispatches on the table, his head slightly bowed, his eyes cold and calculating within.

“Du General, what do you intend to do? Liu himself would not interfere, but Liu has only one suggestion.”

Du Cang scoffed. “Does Liu worry I will harm Xiao Xuanxing’s life?”

Liu nodded, his eyes brightening instantly as he lifted his gaze.

“If Xiao Xuanxing were here, he could still restrain the bloodthirsty elements within the Qingduan Army, and Xiao Jinghong would have reason to be cautious.”

“If he died unexpectedly, do you suppose Xiao Jinghong would lead troops to the Tea Horse Road?”

“Moreover, the Qingduan Army, recently devastated by the barbarian raids, has begun to regain some vigor, and is precisely in need of a time for bloodshed.”

“My lord’s Quannixu Flag, though not close to the front, is stronger than the Baohe Suo Kingdom and the barbarian forces, making it just the right choice.”

Point made.

Du Cang’s smile dimmed slightly, nodding. “Liu has spoken wisely.”

“Though Xiao Xuanxing, that old man, holds a grudge against the Baohe Suo Kingdom, bringing his head back would surely please the King. Yet it would also bring calamity.”

Pausing, he regarded Liu Hong. “What say you, Liu?”

“I have come to Shu for a rare occasion, naturally bringing some trophies back.”

“Chen Yi.”

“Chen Yi?”

“The husband of Xiao Jinghong, the celebrated master of light vessels in all of Dali—does that ring a bell?”

“It is he.”

Du Cang’s pupils shrank to crimson slits, smiling. “Why choose him?”

Liu Hong’s expression grew solemn. “The reason is simple: Chen Yi is the most suitable.”

“Though he has gained renown in Dali through his mastery of the Six Arts, Poetry, and Calligraphy, within the Xiao family he remains a mere son-in-law, one they do not truly esteem.”

“Yet his position is uniquely significant—he is both Xiao Jinghong’s husband and a scion of the Chen family of Jiangnan Prefecture.”

“Killing him would not only bring shame upon the Xiao family but also shake the heartland of the Central Plains. How do you find that, Du General?”

Du Cang raised an eyebrow, pondering briefly, then nodded. “It can work.”

For him, aside from “Liu Five,” all others were merely matters to be resolved incidentally.

After all, the Xiao family had long since lost their former prosperity, propped up only by Xiao Jinghong herself.

Why not take advantage of him as he pleased?

When Liu Hong saw Du Cang agree, he said no more, sitting quietly as Zhao Liuan brought Xuatou in.

In truth, Liu Hong more wished for Xiao Xuanxing to die by Du Cang’s hand.

Yet he was keenly aware that Xiao Xuanxing’s death would be more harmful than beneficial.

Not only would it remove Xiao Jinghong’s restraint, but it would also send shockwaves across the realm, drawing the attention of the Sage Emperor and the Nine High Priests.

At such a time, every wind and movement in all of Shu would be magnified infinitely.

This would hinder his own schemes.

By contrast, selecting Chen Yi as the target eliminated such concerns.

In fact, Chen Yi’s death could allow him to gauge some activity from the capital and the various prefectures.

Especially the Chen family of Jiangnan Prefecture.

Chen Xuanqi was no longer in Dali, and some of Chen Xuan’s responses could reveal the Chen family’s stance toward Shu.

A double gain.

Liu Hong thought these things, smirking coldly in his heart.

“If that’s how it works, then I’ll simply have to let you escape with your life… no, I can’t spare you either!”

Not long after.

Zhao Liuan led Xuatou to the door, whispering softly. “Master, the person has been brought here.”

Liu Hong nodded, rising to greet Du Cang. “General Du, please, I shall escort you myself.”

Du Cang glanced at him meaningfully. “Liu, rest assured, I will see that your message reaches the King personally.”

“Hah, General Du is too kind.”

Liu Hong smiled thinly, his lips curving without warmth, then watched him leave, his face darkening.

King Lan and Du Cang!

Outside, Du Cang paid no heed to Liu Hong’s thoughts, holding the reins firmly in his hands, untroubled.

At this moment, he scrutinized Xuatou, forcing a smile onto his face, bowing slightly.

“Du Cang of the Quannixu Guard has honored the Younger Brother of the Palace.”

Xuatou, towering above him, regarded him with a slight flush on his stern face, his eyes carrying a flicker of resentment.

He had naturally heard the name “Quannixu Guard” many times since arriving in Shu from the barbarians.

In the bandit circles of Baohe Suo, the “Quannixu Guard” was the most powerful force on the Tea Horse Road.

Yet in his eyes, the Quannixu Guard was the root of all evil that had abducted him and his people.

Even though this time, it was another bandit force infiltrating the barbarians.

Du Cang saw Xuatou saying nothing, a hint of derision flickering in his eyes, and without further words, he released a swirl of black mist.

Xuatou stared at him, standing motionless, then collapsed to the ground.

Du Cang sneered coldly. “Younger Brother, perhaps you should rest first. When you wake, we can send you back to the barbarians.”

Having said this, he paid no mind to Zhao Liuan beside him, slinging Xuatou over his back and fleeing.

After he had gone.

Zhao Liuan cleared his throat, turning to retreat into the chamber.

“My lord…”

Liu Hong raised his hand to interrupt him, his face suddenly revealing a ferocious intensity, then he swept the items on the table to the floor with a sudden motion.

Thud. Thud.

Zhao Liu’an hastened to kneel down, sweat beading on his forehead.

He had been following Liu Hong for three years, yet this was the first time he had seen Liu Hong in such a state of agitation.

After a long while.

Liu Hong’s breathing had steadied, yet he sat back down, his expression regaining its calm composure.

“Let us send someone to find ‘Liu Wu’ wherever he is. If found, inform Du Cang as soon as possible.”

“Also, I need to stay in the government office for a while. If anyone comes to visit, tell them I’m busy with official matters.”

“Tell Erye not to show up either.”

“Yes…”

…

The next day.

A drizzly day, the light dim and the air heavy.

The fourth hour of the day.

Xiao Huoge rose early, and under the care of Xiao E, he washed and dressed.

He wore a short jacket of brocade, his waistband tightened.

With a simple hairpin in place, his appearance was refined yet carried a certain sharpness.

After these days of martial arts practice, Xiao Huoge had grown accustomed to this life.

He rose to practice in the morning, studied in the afternoon, and in the evening he either fished, played Go, or stayed in the study with his uncle Chen Yi.

A routine life, full and purposeful.

Though sometimes he envied the children of the residence, playing and frolicking, he could not indulge.

The time with his uncle had taught him the meaning of “A gentleman must be cautious in his judgments,” and what it meant to be “A great task has been bestowed upon this person by Heaven.”

He had already endured the “sufferings of the mind.”

Like the deaths of Xiao Fengchun and Fu Wnqing, or the humiliation of the Xiao family at the hands of the Liu family of Jingzhou, and so on.

He saw these things with his own eyes, remembered them in his heart.

There was no resentment.

More than anything, he treated these events as his training, thinking that one day he might become like his grandfather Xiao Yuan, his father Xiao Fengchun—guardians of the people in the frontier regions.

The Weishou frontier, protecting a region’s populace.

So Xiao Huoge willingly accepted this life.

No matter how exhausted or weary, he would bite his teeth and persevere.

At the fifth hour, Xiao E watched as Xiao Huoge followed the arriving Wang Li to leave the Spring Lotus Garden, then began to busy herself.

She swept and cleaned, making the Spring Lotus Garden spotless inside and out.

After finishing these tasks, she went to the study, lit a stick of fragrant plum incense.

The cool, refreshing, and melancholy scent of the plum, mixed with sandalwood, agarwood, and benzoin, drifted through the entire room.

Then she lifted the hanging imperial calendar from the side:

September 14th.

Auspicious for travel, marriage, and seeking medical treatment. Inauspicious for trading, displaying signs, and entering homes.

Three lines of red seals.

Xiao E noted the content, tore off the previous page, and smiled.

“Auspicious for travel—how fitting.”

The little maid, aside from loving to gossip about the affairs of the Hou family, occasionally enjoyed reading ghost and spirit tales.

Over time, she grew particularly attentive to the auspicious and inauspicious days noted in the imperial calendar.

She would only leave the Hou residence when the calendar marked a day auspicious for travel.

Mostly these were her own private matters.

For the tasks assigned by Uncle Chen, she chose to forget the auspicious and inauspicious days noted in the calendar.

Like the time, long ago, when Uncle Chen had asked her to mount and frame a painting or calligraphy that she happened to meet Zhou Ming Master—on that day, it was an inauspicious day for travel.

Sure enough, she was “harmed” into tears by Zhou Ming Master that day.

All arrangements were complete.

Xiao E looked out at the weather outside the window, then listened carefully for any sounds from the upper floors, finding none.

She wiped the sweat from her brow and hurried to the back kitchen.

Just as she stepped out of the Spring Lotus Garden, she met Shen Huatang with her attendants Cui’er and Juan’er, carrying a tray of various dishes.

Pastries, congee, soup, and steamed buns, all steaming hot.

Xiao E smiled and bowed politely. “Sister Shen, Cui’er, Juan’er, good morning.”

Shen Huatang nodded, knowing Xiao E was going to the back kitchen, and reminded her:

“The lady has prepared chicken soup for the second uncle in the back kitchen. Do not forget to bring it.”

Xiao E blinked her eyes, smiled, and noted it, then hurried to the back kitchen.

She drank the hot chicken soup, making sure not to delay.

After she ran off, Shen Huatang, one hand supporting her umbrella, the other holding a tray, looked at the plants and flowers on the courtyard wall of the Spring Lotus Garden, and returned to the Xiaoxing Manor.

Zhu Tingyun was waiting at the entrance.

Taking advantage of Shen Huatang’s inattention, she took two buns, and slipped one into her mouth.

“Sister Shen, I need to visit my younger brother Xiao and sister-in-law Liu. I’ll be leaving now.”

Just as he was about to use his skills to leave quickly, he saw Shen Huatang step in front of him.

Zhu Tingyun stopped, smiled awkwardly. “Sister Shen, is there something?”

Shen Huatang stared coldly. “Has the young lady been told?”

“Of course. I’m most meticulous.”

“When will you return?”

“Before the fifth watch… no, before the sixth watch.”

Zhu Tingyun rarely left the Hou family residence, and always stayed a while longer with his younger siblings.

Shen Huaotang clearly understood her elder sister’s intentions and continued, “How are Xue Shixi and the others lately?”

“They’re fine, everything’s as usual.”

“Then please ask your elder sister to pass this along—I’ll be going to their school tomorrow morning to check on their martial arts.”

Xue Zongyu paused, then managed a weak smile: “Yes, I’ll tell them.”

Oh dear, oh dear.

Sisters and brothers-in-law, it’s not that I don’t help you—it’s just that I’m afraid of your Shen Elder Sister.

You only ask for trouble yourselves.

After Xue Zongyu left.

Shen Huaotang glanced at her twice more, then carried the morning meal to the living room, arranging it neatly.

Xiao Wanyue entered gracefully.

She wore something different today—though still draped in her outer garment, it was noticeably brighter than before.

Inside, a pale blue thin dress, with a jade pendant at her waist marking Xiao family status.

The difference was that she had taken care to groom herself thoroughly—her front hair styled in a coiled bun, a brilliant red ruby resting above her brow.

It made her already exquisite face even more refined and elegant.

She sat at the table, gesturing for Shen Huaotang and the others to join her, then smiled:

“Has Xiao Duo settled things with Xiao Duo?”

“Just on the way back, I happened to meet Xiao Duo and told her the matter about the chicken soup.”

Shen Huaotang muttered reluctantly: “I also specifically followed your orders to tell her.”

Xiao Wanyue paused, a faint blush rising on her cheeks, the ruby at her brow catching the light, making her beauty even more striking.

“My husband-in-law has been diligently studying—he ought to take a break.”

You’re right, as always.

Shen Huaotang bowed his head silently, eating without a word, his thoughts impenetrable.

Xiao Wanyue perhaps felt that explaining further would be needless, so instead she added:

“Later I must go see Rain Pavilion—Chunhu has invited me to discuss matters concerning the Medical Arts Academy. After we eat, we’ll set off.”

“It’ll probably be later than expected when we return, so bring the gifts we prepared earlier.”

Shen Huaotang nodded.

“On the way back, Huaotang, remember to remind me to buy some cloth. The weather’s turning cool—Grandfather… they should prepare some thicker garments.”

“And…”

Shen Huaotang noticed her speaking at length—unusual for her—he knew it must be because of his earlier words that had unsettled her, so he said:

“Miss, perhaps we should ask Brother-in-law if he’ll visit Rain Pavilion?”

“I recall that the earlier Chen Participant said he’d like to invite him for a meal.”

Xiao Wanyue looked toward Chunhe Garden, hesitated, then shook her head: “Not this time.”

“With the imperial examination less than half a month away, let him spend more time studying here in the mansion.”

When she finished, her earlier agitation had settled, and she said no more.

After finishing their meal, she rose and led everyone away.

At that moment, across the wall in Chunhe Garden.

Chen Yi had just sat down to eat when he heard the sound of carriages in the distance.

He knew Xiao Wanyue was going to visit Cui Qingyun, so he didn’t dwell on it, eating his breakfast in peace.

Beside him, Xiao Duo glanced at him, her eyes fixed on the bowl of chicken soup.

“Brother-in-law, the princess today prepared chicken soup for you.”

“Oh, quite right.”

“Brother-in-law, drink it while it’s hot.”

Chen Yi turned his head, noticing her tongue sticking out in delight, and smiled: “Then I’ll divide it—here, eat some too.”

Xiao Duo fidgeted: “Brother-in-law, this is the princess’s soup for you—Xiao Duo, Xiao Duo can’t eat it.”

“Can’t, or won’t?”

“Both, both…”

“No need to hold back, Brother-in-law—I could use more myself.”

“Don’t, don’t…”

Seeing Xiao Duo hurriedly take the bowl and drink the soup, Chen Yi laughed:

“In the future, just tell me what you want—I’d still find a way to stop you.”

After drinking, Xiao Duo wiped her mouth and smiled: “Brother-in-law is kind to me—I mustn’t forget my place.”

“If others in the academy hear about it, they’ll gossip.”

“You this little one… clever girl…”

As they finished their meal, Xiao Duo tidied up while asking: “Brother-in-law, are you going out today?”

“Probably not.”

“Then may I go out for a bit?”

“In a few days, before the start of winter, I’d like to prepare some clothes.”

“But Xiao Duo isn’t skilled at it—I’d need to learn from the sisters here. Then I could practice making my own garments…”

After she rambled on, Chen Yi nodded with a smile: “Go ahead, but make sure to have one of the mansion’s skilled people with you.”

“Yes, yes, don’t worry, Brother-in-law…”

Not long after.

In Chunhe Garden, only Chen Yi remained.

Even the adjacent Jiaxing Garden was empty.

Chen Yi stared at the books, but couldn’t focus—those contents now seemed tasteless and dull.

Looking outside, he decided to rise and step into the garden with his oil-paper umbrella.

“It’s good to take a walk—see what’s happening with that… body disposal for the father…”

(Chapter End)