Chapter 312: Madam is Too Kind-hearted (Requesting Monthly Tickets)

Chapter 312: The Lady Is Too Kind (Please Vote for the Monthly Ticket)

How Chen Yunfan would choose.

Chen Yifan had not carefully calculated; there were but two outcomes.

Either he would hold the evidence of the crimes of the commander-in-chief, Zhuao, and present it to the court, trading it for a smooth path to advancement.

Or he would ignore it, becoming a scholar-official who treated power as something as trivial as earth.

Regardless of which outcome, Chen Yifan could accept it.

But in the days to come, he would have to labor a little more—if Chen Yunfan became the blade that struck at the Xiao family in the court, then he would strike that very hand.

As for who that person might be… Chen Yifan had his suspicions.

Either the head of the White Tiger Guard, the Chen family of Jiangnan Prefecture, or the Sacred Emperor himself, seated upon the throne.

Fortunately, there was still time, for he remained in Shu Zhou.

He merely needed to wait until his schemes in the mind were fully formed, and then the lands of Shu Zhou would, not to mention a single slab of iron, ensure that anyone who dared to lay a hand upon them would find no place to hide.

Round and round.

As evening fell.

Chen Yifan had just returned to the Xiao residence.

At the threshold, Xiao Wan’er’s carriage entered the mansion gates.

Chen Yifan saw the carriage and stopped, standing by the side.

While waiting for Xiao Wan’er to dismount and return to the inner chambers, he looked toward the gate guard and, pretending ignorance, asked the three household managers, Lu Guan and Wang Liheng, and others:

“Has your lord not been seen here these days?”

Lu Guan wore a bitter smile and replied, “The Second Uncle has not been seen since the day the Young Mistress was involved in an incident, after he returned to the mansion.”

Wang Liheng nodded and said, “We have searched every corner of the mansion, yet found no trace of him.”

“It was only known that after he returned that day, he went to the courtyard…”

The man beside them, Liu Si’er, glanced at the others, his gaze falling upon Chen Yifan, and chimed in:

“As for this, we also searched his residence, yet found no trace of him either. We do not know where he went.”

“Perhaps, perhaps he happened to meet Du Cang…”

Liu Si’er, being the one who knew his lord best among them, could not help but speculate that the White Tiger Guard had made new arrangements for his lord.

Thus he spoke, attempting to make amends for his lord.

Chen Yifan sighed, shaking his head, “Your lord… what a pitiable fellow.”

A pitiable person must have a wicked one.

Ignoring the old master’s kindness, his lord had become Du Cang’s puppet, crushed to death by Chen Yifan’s gun, his body splintered.

How horribly he died.

Upon hearing this, Liu Si’er felt a pang of sorrow, a feeling akin to “killing a rabbit and roasting a dog.”

Thinking back to just a few months ago, there had still been two Silver Flag generals and several Iron Flag generals in the Xiao family.

Now they were dead, or had vanished.

He wondered when he had taken to the grave.

In idle conversation.

When Xiao Wan’er dismounted from her carriage, Chen Yifan greeted Lu Guan and the others, then hurried forward to the front of the carriage.

“My Lady, has the discussion with Miss Cui gone smoothly today?”

Xiao Wan’er saw him smiling as usual, and frowned slightly at him.

She wanted to ask: had he also been listening to the rain in the evening? He must have known.

But Xiao Wan’er merely thought these things in her heart, and still had to smooth things over for Chen Yifan.

“It went all right.”

“The Duchess’s younger sister will soon have several physicians come. As for the director of the academy, the choice has not yet been settled, but the rest of the matters can now be pursued.”

Chen Yifan understood her meaning, and smiled knowingly.

“Master Kang at the Academy has been keeping an eye on it. The remaining tasks are to draft the Academy’s ‘Medical Canon’ and ‘Regulations,’ and so forth.”

Xiao Wan’er nodded lightly, and walked ahead.

“As the Duchess’s younger sister said, those physicians have excellent character, but it is hard to find a suitable one to lead the compilation of the ‘Medical Canon.’ It is likely…”

Chen Yifan understood this fully.

The Way of Medicine, after all, unlike the Ways of the Sword, Music, Scholarship, and Painting, is meant to heal the sick and save lives, and cannot afford the slightest carelessness.

The Academy’s ‘Medical Canon’ was the same.

First and foremost, it must be rigorous.

Secondly, it must integrate the finest elements of all schools, compiling formulas, herbs, pharmacology, and cases.

Even a minor master of the medical arts would likely be unable to assume the role of Academy Director.

Chen Yifan thought of these things, and muttered to himself, estimating that he would have to take it upon himself.

“I have already asked Ma Liangcai; once the Academy is established, he can serve as a teacher there.”

“Ma… the divine physician?”

Xiao Wan’er smiled slightly, turned her head, and nodded at him: “If Master Ma can come, that would be ideal.”

She knew that behind Ma Liangcai stood Chen Yifan, and if Ma Liangcai were to take a post at the medical academy, it would mean Chen Yifan would also be involved in the Academy’s affairs.

By heart.

Xiao Wan’er’s ideal candidate for Academy Director was Chen Yifan.

But she knew that Chen Yifan had no intention of revealing his true talents in the near future; secrets remained secrets.

In that case, Ma Liangcai serving as a teacher at the Academy was the best outcome.

Yet Xiao Wan’er could not help but feel a little pleased.

Chen Yifan, for her, first established the Bai Caotang, then devised plans to establish the medical academy.

Now, with the candidate for Academy Director still undecided, he still needed to assist behind the scenes.

Xiao Wan’er, feeling at ease, also felt grateful toward Chen Yifan.

“Thank you… my husband.”

Chen Yifan glanced at her sideways, guessing her thoughts, and smiled, shaking his head:

“A family should not speak ill of each other.”

“Besides, Ma Liangcai was the physician of the herb hall; his being willing to accept the post as a teacher at the medical academy is his own destiny.”

Xiao Wan’er realized she had gone too far, and merely nodded, pulling her face back into the carriage.

Warmth streamed from her chest through every vein of her body, not only dispelling the biting chill but also painting her cheeks with two rosy hues.

To meet a worthy partner, one might indeed find such moments.

Xie Tingyun and Shen Huatang trailed behind them, then hesitated, though they had found nothing of note at present.

They could never have guessed that within a medical academy, so many winding paths and hidden secrets lay concealed.

Within moments, the four of them passed through the central courtyard garden, walking past the Qingming Residence.

Xiao Wan’er stood at the threshold, unsure whether to pay respects to the old master, when Chen Yi stepped beside her.

She followed him in, “Brother, shall we go together to greet Grandfather?”

Before she could finish speaking, Xie Tingyun and Shen Huatang suddenly glanced skyward, whispering urgently:

“Your Highness, the Youngest Mistress has returned.”

“The Youngest?”

Xiao Wan’er blinked, turning her gaze to Chen Yi and Xiao Jinghong.

There, Xiao Jinghong strode forward, her foot tapping a long sword, one hand supporting a man whose head was wrapped in a cloth sack, and planted herself firmly in the central courtyard.

Xiao Jinghong had already spotted them, nodding slightly to the group: “Elder Sister, Husband.”

Xiao Wan’er gasped, “You’re back, Xiao Meng?”

Chen Yi feigned surprise, “My Lady, how swiftly you’ve returned!”

As he spoke, his eyes swept over the hooded figure with deliberate intent.

No need to guess—he must be Li Sanyuan of the Ji Zhou Trading House.

Xiao Jinghong replied, “I must visit the Governor’s Office in Guangyuan County, but I’ve paused for a moment.”

Then she handed the man over to Xie Tingyun and Shen Huatang, commanding,

“Take him to the prison cell in the detention hall. Guard him strictly. Under no circumstances may anyone investigate or interrogate him without my orders or Grandfather’s.”

“Understood.”

Once they departed, beneath her armor mask, Xiao Jinghong’s lips curled into a faint smile as she turned to Chen Yi and Xiao Wan’er:

“Elder Sister, Husband, I must see Grandfather. Will you accompany me?”

Upon hearing this, Xiao Wan’er suppressed the ripple of unease in her heart, smiling gently:

“The matter is urgent. I shall visit Grandfather tomorrow for an audience.”

Chen Yi echoed her, “My Lady, I must study for the imperial exams. I need to prepare.”

Xiao Jinghong glanced at the two, unwilling to press further. After a brief exchange of pleasantries, she departed alone toward Qingming Residence.

Chen Yi and Xiao Wan’er watched her vanish into the distance, exchanged a glance, and silently retraced their steps to the inner courtyard.

Xiao Wan’er felt a flush of shame.

Had it not been for her body’s unnatural chill, her pallor would already have drawn attention.

Chen Yi, however, remained composed. First, he escorted Xiao Wan’er to the Xiaoxing Courtyard, then returned to the Spring Lotus Garden.

His arrival was nearly as swift as expected.

Xiao Jinghong had successfully met Li Sanyuan, securing the evidence of the crime involving Ji Zhou Trading House and Prince Lan.

Whether such evidence could implicate Liu Hong would depend on Xiao Jinghong and the old master’s cunning.

Yet two matters had caught Chen Fei unawares.

First, Xiao Jinghong had just mentioned Guangyuan County—her purpose there could only be to see Zhu Hao, the deputy governor of the Governor’s Office.

This aligned precisely with the “evidence” Chen Yunfan had obtained, targeting Zhu Hao.

If Xiao Jinghong secured Zhu Hao directly in Guangyuan, the White Tiger Guard’s scheme to elevate Chen Yunfan through Zhu Hao would collapse.

The outcome hinged on who acted first.

As for the second matter…

Chen Fei glanced toward the detention hall, exhaling a sigh:

“My Lady, you are far too kind-hearted.”

For someone like Li Sanyuan, merely extracting the secrets of Ji Zhou Trading House would suffice to pin Liu Hong—or Zhu Hao—as the culprit?

Wasting such an opportunity would be a shame.

After a moment’s thought, Chen Fei smiled:

“A person unaware of household matters need not know the value of grain and salt.”

“My Lady, I am not one to be kind.”

He made up his mind, issuing a few commands to the steward for the evening meal, then led Xiao Wuhou to the study to read.

“Brother, the Youngest Sister has returned?”

“Yes, she’s back.”

“Will she not leave again?”

“I suppose not… perhaps.”

Chen Fei could not be certain.

Given Xiao Jinghong’s temperament, she might have already left for Guangyuan County that very night.

“All one can do is wait and hope…”

Inside Qingming Residence, the old master, Xiao Jinghong, and Xiao Jingzhi sat in the main hall.

The old master, having heard Xiao Jinghong’s account, though he had long known Liu Hong and Zhu Hao’s transgressions, now roared with fury.

“How dare they commit such a grievous violation of righteousness?”

“Do they not uphold the trust of a million souls in Shu Zhou, or wear those robes with honor?”

The old master’s rage boiled over:

“That Liu, that traitor… years ago, he nearly perished at Mengshui Pass.”

“He was rescued by soldiers who risked their lives to save him, yet he repays the people of Shu Zhou with such ingratitude?”

“And Zhu Hao! That scoundrel!”

“Skimming funds from the distant army’s supplies, all while… all while… he deserves nothing but death!”

Xiao Jinghong sat silently, her eyes lowered, listening as the old master vented his fury.

Xiao Jingzhi remained equally still.

After a long pause, the old master’s voice ceased. He slammed his palm against the table, the wood splintering, and gasped for breath. His bloodshot eyes fixed upon Xiao Jinghong:

“—”

“What do you intend to do next?”

Xiao Jinghong had anticipated this, his voice calm as he replied, “Liu Hong’s secrets are concealed deeply.”

“Even if Li San Yuan dared to claim he could ensnare Liu’s younger brother, securing direct evidence to topple Liu Hong would still be nearly impossible.”

“Unless the ‘Longhu’ message transmission is true—Zhu Lingchuan indeed holds proof of Liu Hong’s treason.”

“Thus, my granddaughter plans to head to Guangyuan first, to prevent Zhu Haoyang from acting rashly.”

When Xiao Laotaiye heard this, his expression eased slightly. After a moment of contemplation, he instructed Xiao Jing:

“In recent times, our secret agents must closely monitor those connected to Liu Hong—wealthy families and officials in the bureaucracy.”

Xiao Jing bowed in acknowledgment: “Lately, due to the imperial examination, those closest to Liu Hong—wealthy families and officials—have all been recorded in the archives.”

After a pause, he inquired, “How is Liu Hong faring?”

Xiao Laotaiye’s face showed a trace of sorrow as he shook his head: “That man is shrewd beyond measure; he must have safeguards in place.”

“Since Jinghong is absent, our agents cannot act directly.”

Xiao Jinghong nodded: “My granddaughter isn’t moving Zhu Lingchuan yet, to avoid alerting the enemy prematurely.”

Xiao Laotaiye sighed, his spirit steadying.

“When Jinghong returns, I shall petition the court myself—this time… even if Shu Province’s garrison changes hands, I will see Liu Hong executed!”

Xiao Jinghong understood his grandfather’s meaning of “changing the wind.”

Once Liu Hong’s guilt is proven, the provincial governorship of Shu will be vacant, and the court will naturally appoint a successor. Whether the situation will improve or worsen remains uncertain.

“Grandfather, my granddaughter suspects—‘Longhu’ was correct after all. Only after a thousand days of being a thief can one truly know how to guard against one.”

“If our Xiao family appears too weak to outsiders, those people will only see us as easy prey.”

Xiao Laotaiye paused, a flicker of darkness crossing his eyes, yet he nodded:

“Very well. Do as you say.”

Xiao Jinghong rose and bowed. “My granddaughter urges caution. We shall depart for Guangyuan County first.”

“Why?”

“You’ve just returned—won’t you accompany me for a modest meal with Xiao Shou?”

“This…”

Xiao Laotaiye waved dismissively: “It’s no great matter. Take the day; return home.”

Xiao Jinghong hesitated, then nodded. “Very well. I shall go.”

When she departed, the courtyard fell silent.

Xiao Laotaiye turned to Xiao Jing: “You go as well, and oversee the arrangements. Be vigilant.”

“Yes, Lord Xiao!”

Soon, the halls of Clear Paradise Villa fell utterly still.

Xiao Laotaiye sat quietly, glanced at the shattered table beside him, and sighed as he rose.

“Shu Province… Shu Province…”

“The Emperor holds deep suspicions toward our Xiao family…”

…

Xiao Jinghong returned to Spring Lotus Garden, where Xiao Wuge’s mood brightened instantly. She pulled her along, chattering incessantly—first recounting tales of his martial arts practice, then offering guidance on her recent gains. Loud laughter and joy filled the air.

Though Xiao Jinghong did not show it, Chen Yi sensed her contentment. Yet such happiness, like all fleeting things, could not last.

After a light meal, Xiao Jinghong changed into simple robes, packing her belongings with care. Chen Yi, noticing her intent, nodded.

“My lord, when venturing abroad, remember to guard your safety.”

Xiao Jinghong met his gaze, hesitated, then removed half her helmet, revealing her unblemished, exquisite beauty beneath.

“Your concern warms my heart.”

Chen Yi smiled gently as he beheld her eyes: “Nonsense. As commander of the distant army, you ought to be busier still.”

“Indeed…”

They exchanged a brief, tender farewell. Xiao Jinghong donned her mask and departed into the night.

Chen Yi watched her vanish into darkness, murmuring, “My lord… such days must be wearying.”

“My husband should share the burden.”

Chen Yi chuckled softly, stretched lazily, and returned to his chambers.

“It is time to cultivate again…”

(Chapter Complete)