Chapter 323: Not Good, the Son-in-law is Dying! (Requesting Monthly Tickets)

Chapter 323: Oh No, Uncle Xiao Is Unconscious! (Please Vote for the Monthly Ticket)

Late at night, the air is still.

When Chen Yì returned to Chunhe Garden, the area outside was already somewhat noisy.

Ministers and doctors, accompanied by a few physicians, moved from the main prison outward to the surrounding compounds, inquiring about each individual, urging them to prepare medicinal soups.

In truth, there was no need for such a fuss.

Those infected with the plague would fall into a stupor within a single watch, their bodies turning ashen and purplish, like victims of poisoning.

Yet the Xiao family, being a grand clan, had countless visitors and servants in their manor, making it difficult to ensure no oversight.

Chen Yì did not dwell on it, allowing the patriarch to worry.

After changing into a light robe, he made his way directly to the study to wait, without waking Xiao Wugo and Xiao Xiao Die.

The candles flickered as oil was poured, water was drawn, and ink was ground.

Chen Yì sat at the desk, his features illuminated by the candlelight, a trace of contemplation in his gaze.

This time, Liu Hong and the Five Poison Sect’s intervention, though it stirred unrest within and beyond the manor, also revealed more clues.

Refugees gathered, grain prices rose, the plague, the Confucian Retreat, the Liu family’s strife in Jingzhou, the King of the Phoenix, and the barbarian tribes…

These incidents, when strung together, led Chen Yì to form certain deductions.

—To set Shuzhou into chaos!

In some ways, Liu Hong’s schemes aligned with the White Tiger Guard’s strategic aims in Shuzhou—both sought to unleash disorder.

Yet the former was bolder, more reckless, and more ruthless.

The latter moved subtly, like a shadow, orchestrating through seemingly trivial matters, advancing step by step.

It was as if a chess player, treating the realm as his board, had made his first move in Shuzhou, shifting the course of the game.

This made Chen Yì feel a strange familiarity.

He, too, acted thus—deciding before acting, others calculating three steps ahead, he ten.

Even if he occasionally stumbled, as with Du Cang, or the Five Poison Sect’s sudden betrayal, his plans generally succeeded.

“White Tiger Guard… Your Excellency?”

Chen Yì could not help but recall the enigmatic leader of the White Tiger Guard.

Many of the Guard’s actions left no obvious traces, yet some people were too careless.

Like Liu Si’er, who tested the Guard at Tonglin Town with crude force.

Ge Lao San hid most deeply, yet fled out of necessity for silver.

Xiao Dongchen’s personal motives were heavy; he merely exploited the White Tiger Guard for his second wife’s benefit.

Cui Qingwu clearly lacked ambition for the Guard, his affinity for noble daughters being too pronounced, listening to strategies but not directives.

If Chen Yì were the Guard’s leader, he likely would not have entrusted Cui Qingwu with such a high office.

Comparing all who had come to his attention, only three in the White Tiger Guard were truly qualified.

One was the noble uncle, who died by accident, concealed most deeply, never making a show.

Next was Yu Xue.

She had taken refuge in the Bright Moon Tower, accomplishing many deeds for the White Tiger Guard; otherwise, she could not have risen to a golden banner official.

The third was “General Star.”

Though Chen Yì did not know how many golden banner officials were within the White Tiger Guard, from General Star’s bearing, he could discern the caliber of the others.

Their poise, skill, intellect, and cultivation were all commendable, with no obvious flaws.

Without Chen Yì’s grasp of insider information and his preemptive strikes, with the White Tiger Guard’s strength, he would likely never have risen.

He could only be a puppet, dragged forward by the White Tiger Guard, his fledgling self unlikely to fare well.

From this, Chen Yì understood the White Tiger Guard’s leader’s prowess.

“Chess… Perhaps he, too, is a master of strategy?”

Chen Yì speculated, his mental chessboard stirring anew.

Beneath the illusory mist and light of his imagined board, the lands of the nine provinces of Dali emerged.

Though only Shuzhou was clear at present, he felt the weight of Zhuge Liang’s era in the mid-Song period.

This realm, the Wei dynasty reigning supreme, stretched north to barbarians, south to savages, east to bandit Wei, west to the Buddhist kingdom.

Surrounded by wolves, with currents of treachery surging within.

In short, chaos was about to erupt across the land.

After a moment of thought, Chen Yì withdrew several black stones from the board, crushing them into ash, his gaze fixed solely on the few black pieces representing Shuzhou.

Liu Hong, Zhu Ao, and others.

“Liu Hong’s schemes, aligning with the White Tiger Guard’s goals… merely a brief coincidence, like two travelers walking ten li together before parting ways.”

“Their destination must be the same, so the court…”

Chen Yì gradually grasped the implication—something grand was being planned in the Capital Prefecture, which is why so many were drawn into the fray.

Various factions maneuvered, their schemes intricate, the players in the game, like the Xiao family, likely unable to discern the full picture.

“Now this must be the overture, perhaps a trial? Or… something to test the waters?”

“Success or failure may affect the outcome of that grand scheme?”

Chen Yì could not know for sure, but one thing was clear—Shuzhou would not fall into chaos, nor could it be allowed to!

“Shuzhou must not fall into chaos; the Xiao family must become the stabilizing force, the only ones capable of doing so.”

“The patriarch must decide soon; if he does not act, Liu Hong’s achievements may be erased.”

“In that case… the White Tiger Guard’s leader’s long-term strategy remains unparalleled…”

Chen Yì shook his head, unfurled a cloud pine paper, and with fluid strokes wrote a few words.

“Liu Hong, after all, is merely a chess piece, a pawn who believes himself clever, clinging to a corner.”

“Yet he, in truth, has indeed brought the Xiao family much trouble.”

Sometimes, grudges arise without rhyme or reason.

When the Xiao family flourished for two centuries, their decline began with a single blow—Tiger Falls at Pingyang.

Surrounded by wolves, naturally, they became a target.

Without the Xiao family…

The Lingyuan Army would have others to shoulder the burden.

Or perhaps it was the Liu family, or the illustrious clan of Shu Zhou, or another influential figure from the dynasty of Dai Wei. Regardless of right or wrong, they were all driven by human nature and interests.

Thinking this, Chen Yi set down his brush, gazing at the two lines written in cursive script on the cloud and pine paper: "When they rise, they rebel; when they fall, they vanish."

He did not connect the Mandate of Heaven to these words, yet those ten characters still resonated with enduring grace. But the weight carried in their meaning surpassed even the character "bi," which stood for uprising and downfall—the eternal cycle of rise and fall, the way of all things.

Chen Yi studied the words at length, then lifted his wolf-hair brush with a quiet smile: "After all these years, I suppose I deserve a rest."

He dipped the brush, and with a sharp *tap*, ink splattered across the scroll, ruining half of it.

Thereafter, Chen Yi leaned back into the chair, his breath shallow, his lips tinged with a faint purple. Hmph, now who will dare say he's "Liu Five" anymore!

Not long after, outside the Spring Lotus Garden, voices rose. Wang Li-xing arrived at the wooden pavilion and called out a few times.

The dreamless sleep of Xiao Wa-pao was shallow, and upon hearing the voices below, she quickly dressed and arranged herself. Then she hurried to Chen Yi's chamber, finding no one there, and rushed to wake Xiao Wu-ge.

Upon hearing the news of the pestilence, Xiao Wu-ge awoke instantly and dressed hurriedly.

Xiao Wa-pao quickly arranged him, saying, "My husband isn't in the chamber; he must be in the study. I'll send someone to inform him."

Xiao Wu-ge scowled and waved her away: "Go quickly, go quickly. My brother was out of town yesterday—he's probably fine, isn't he?"

Xiao Wa-pao didn't wait for a reply. She ran downstairs and, upon seeing the candlelight in the study, sighed in relief.

"Master, master, the officials in the mansion..."

As soon as the door opened, Xiao Wa-pao saw Chen Yi lying on his side in the chair and froze in terror. Then she fled out the door.

"Master! Master! He's ill!"

Wang Li-xing and others paused, then rushed into the pavilion. "What happened to Master?"

"Master... Master... he's been infected with the pestilence..."

In the Pure Abode Mansion, Xiao Laotai sat upright on the dais, his jade-handled golden sword resting on the ceremonial chair. One hand supported his knee, the other leaned on the chair's back. His eyes, now restored to their sharpness, fixed on the door beyond.

Since "Liu Five" had arrived, he had remained like this—never daring to relax, his thoughts heavier still than when Xiao Yan'er was taken by others.

Yes, it was heavy—not with worry or disturbance, but with inscrutability. Xiao Laotai could not fathom why this had befallen them.

Even though the Xiao family's decline was their own fault, those who had wronged them could have easily exploited, harmed, or marginalized them. Why involve the people of the mansion and the city?

The pestilence, the pestilence!

Beside him, Xiao Zhen gasped audibly. He hadn't seen his elder in such a state in years.

It felt as though it had only been five years ago, at Meng Shui Pass.

Xiao Xuan-hao sat upright in his wheelchair, his hands naturally resting on the chair's back, his face flushed with anger.

After a long silence, he finally spoke: "Father, how long will you let this go on?"

Xiao Laotai's figure stilled. "Wait."

Just one word, needing no further explanation.

Xiao Xuan-hao's cheeks bulged as though he were biting down hard: "If 'Dragon Tiger' hadn't reported last night, your granddaughter and brother would have been in mortal danger."

"The pestilence, the pestilence!"

He'd served in the military and had seen fields strewn with corpses. But those were battles of conquest, where the dead fell standing, having fought and died valiantly.

The pestilence was different.

One death could spread a brood.

A brood could spread a multitude.

Without a cure, not even the dozens of thousands in the mansion would be safe—let alone the villages and towns nearby.

Xiao Laotai cast a glance at his son's eyes, then said quietly: "Liu Five has already revealed the method to cure the pestilence."

"For now, we must prioritize saving the people. Time is pressing. The civil affairs office and the guards cannot act recklessly."

Even knowing the pestilence might have been orchestrated by Liu Hong, at this moment, for the sake of the people, they could only endure.

The civil affairs official in charge of Shu Zhou's grain and funds—if Liu Hong were removed, the court could arrange another solution. It would take at least five days.

Time could not be spared.

Moreover, he wasn't just doing this for the people—he also had to consider himself and the Xiao family.

Xiao Laotai's thoughts weighed heavily, and he hesitated.

Xiao Zhen sighed, then silently pushed his wheelchair toward the door, clearly disappointed.

But before he could leave, Xiao Laotai suddenly spoke: "Xuan-hao, you go to the capital's mansion!"

Xiao Zhen paused, then beamed with joy: "Father, you've finally made up your mind!"

Xiao Laotai nodded, looking at him: "Later, I'll write a letter myself. You must deliver it to the Son of Heaven, and let him decide."

Though he lacked concrete evidence to overthrow Liu Hong, with the clues at hand, he could take action. Even if it merely sowed doubt in the Son of Heaven's mind, prompting him to dispatch an imperial envoy to investigate—or the White Tiger Guard to dig deeper—surely they could uncover his crimes.

The King of the Condor Crown, the prince of the Man tribe, the Five Poison Sect, the Ji Zhou merchant guild...

No matter which one of them could make Liu Hong take off that black cloth cap.

Xiao Xuan Hua immediately agreed, asking, "Which way is it in this part of Shu Province?"

Xiao Elder glared at him and huffed, "My old self is still alive. A few gusts of wind won't topple the great ship of Shu Province."

With Liu Wu's telegram and the method to dispel the plague, if they still couldn't keep Shu Province peaceful, then his duchy of Tongyuan would be better off dead early.

Xiao Xuan Hua sneered and was about to speak when a rush of panicked footsteps came from outside the door.

The steward Liu Guan came rushing in, not bothering to bow, and shouted, "Master, Master is unwell!"

"My lord, the second lord, he, he—"

"What happened to him?"

"He seems to have contracted the plague, and right now, right now, he's lost all consciousness. Master, you—"

Xiao Elder's brow furrowed tightly. He immediately stood up and commanded, "Quick, seal off Spring Blossom Garden. Make sure Wanyan and the others don't leave the Jia Xing Estate. Absolutely no letting the plague spread!"

"Yes, yes—"

Liu Guan didn't dare hesitate, turned around and ran away.

After he left, Xiao Elder suddenly punched the table.

Bang.

Wood chips flew everywhere.

"Liu Hong the bandit, you, you're unforgivable!"

...

South Hill Street, Liu Family.

Compared to the bustling and noisy world outside, here it was indeed too quiet.

In the well-lit area, dozens to hundreds of guards in blue robes guarded the surrounding courtyards.

Deep in the backyard pavilion, Liu Hong looked up at the moonlit night sky, his face expressionless.

Behind him, Liu TaoYao sat like a wooden statue, staring intently at the wooden box on the table.

Inside the open box, scattered hundreds of papers, faintly visible were characters worth millions of taels.

"Impossible, father, this can't be possible..."

"My child, my child, this box I got from Lin ZhengHong, how, how could those silver notes be fake?"

Liu TaoYao clearly couldn't accept the result of ten million taels of silver turning into worthless paper.

He couldn't even fathom why this would be the outcome.

When Liu Hong heard this, he gave no response, his gaze shifting unpredictably.

More concerned with the changes in the city of Shu than those silver notes.

"Too early."

Liu TaoYao heard the voice, "What? What's too early?"

Liu Hong paused, glanced sideways, then sat down on the stone bench opposite him, his expression rarely seen seriousness.

"The plague."

"It was discovered too early."

"Almost just as it began to spread, the Xiao family noticed it, and quickly responded. The officials, city guards, people, and those in the martial world all knew of the matter."

"Father, with a plague like this, isn't discovering it earlier better?"

"Do you know who created this plague?"

"My child, my child doesn't know."

"It was me."

"Wh—"

Liu TaoYao stared at him, "Father, you, you did it?"

Even though he knew his father wasn't a good person, secretly colluding with the King of Birds and the barbarians, he hadn't known about the plague matter.

Liu Hong nodded, "It was me... and the Five Poison Sect."

He hadn't spoken because his plans, aiming at the Liu family in Jingzhou, were to avoid detection there.

He had been careful and cautious, hiding in the shadows.

But now he couldn't hide any longer.

Liu TaoYao asked in confusion, "You... why...?"

Liu Hong shook his head, "Reasons, my child, I can't tell you."

"But the next thing, you must remember in your heart."

"Father, you say."

"While the city is in chaos inside and outside, leave Shu Province tonight with your people."

Liu TaoYao was caught off guard, not thinking about those silver notes, and asked, "Father, what do you want me to do?"

"My child, take your people far away, as far as possible. Don't come back to the Great Wei Dynasty for the rest of your life!"

"Why?!"

Liu Hong looked at his eldest son, his face showing some smiles, sighing, "One mistake, and everything is lost."

If it was just the plague being discovered by the Xiao family, that's one thing.

The key was that the silver notes Liu TaoYao had were fake.

Liu Hong, even if he were foolish, clearly understood this time he had been tricked.

Not just him, perhaps the Five Poison Sect on the other side hadn't gained anything either.

The person hiding in the shadows had almost completely ruined all his plans.

How could he not think of an escape route?

Liu TaoYao still didn't understand, "But, but father..."

Liu Hong raised his hand to stop him, his voice serious, "Don't ask anything, just follow my words, go now!"

To their surprise, just as he finished speaking, a voice came from the side, "Lord Liu, where are you sending your son to go?"