Chapter 335: Liu Wu is Light (Requesting Monthly Tickets)

Chapter 335 Liu Wu Is Light... (Seeking Monthly Votes)

Boom!

The hall resonated with a single, thunderous crack.

The entire courtyard fell into an unnatural stillness.

Even the autumn rain, cold and sharp as a blade, seemed to lose its voice, silently seeping into the earth.

Chen Yi stood beneath his oil-paper umbrella, his steps unhurried, his expression calm as though no sound had disturbed him.

Not even the crimson letters scorching the air before him—

[ witnessed Xiao Youtian of Shu Zhou slaying Governor Liu Hong via fist. Reward: *The Essentials of Rural Governance*, fate bonus +42.]

[Note: The man arrived, heard of the deed, yet the spectacle itself remained unseen...]

Chen Yi glanced away, a smile playing on his lips instead of anger.

"A clever fellow, Liu Hong—dare to condemn Xiao’s family to a dilemma even in death. Truly, a mind sharp as a blade."

"Now, the Patriarch and Madam... they’ll surely fret."

Outside the hall,

Feng Erbao stood in a crimson silk robe with a round collar, his chest emblazoned with a soaring crane, his waist adorned with a jade-inlaid belt, his hand resting on a *fuzhuan*—a martial arts staff—pointed toward the hall’s entrance.

Beside him, Xiao Jinghong wore simple clothes: a green long-sleeved tunic, her hair tied back with a sash, her familiar sword *Qingfeng* sheathed at her side.

Her eyes held surprise, yet her face remained steady as she surveyed the scene within.

The imperial envoys, eunuchs, and palace guards who accompanied her mirrored Feng Erbao’s composed demeanor.

They stood stunned, some blinking in disbelief, others shifting uncomfortably.

Inside the hall,

Xiao Fuyu’s face still bore the fury of the punch that had shattered Liu Hong’s skull. After a few labored breaths, his rage began to ebb.

When he finally steadied himself, he cast Liu Hong’s corpse aside, letting it tumble to the ground at Feng Erbao’s feet.

Feng Erbao regarded the blood-splattered figure of Xiao Fuyu, then the lifeless form of Liu Hong, his fingers tightening around the *fuzhuan* as if to steady himself. His face paled to the color of iron.

"Lord Xiao, Liu Hong was personally summoned by the Emperor to return to the capital. Your recklessness in dealing with him has left us in a bind."

Xiao Fuyu turned, his gaze lingering on Feng Erbao for a moment. Then, with deliberate care, he drew a handkerchief from his sleeve and wiped the blood from his hand. His voice, when he spoke, was low and measured:

"Liu Hong betrayed his country and conspired with enemies. He died with grave sins. Yet..."

He paused, as though weighing his words.

"Old Feng and I have protected Shu Zhou these many years. I owed him a debt. I granted him mercy, sparing him the shame of dying in disgrace."

Feng Erbao’s lips trembled as he tried to speak, his voice thick with frustration.

"Lord Xiao, we shall report this matter in full to the Emperor. You must face the consequences yourself!"

He turned sharply, adjusting his sleeve with a hiss of silk, and strode away from the hall.

Behind him, the other eunuchs hastened forward, lifting Liu Hong’s body to follow.

Even the blood-stained wall within the hall saw attendants carefully scraping away fragments of flesh and bone from its surface.

In moments, the hall stood empty save for Xiao Fuyu, Xiao Shen, Xiao Jinghong, and the bewildered Li Huigu.

Outside, the Xiao family surged toward the hall, only to be halted by the imperial guards.

Silence stretched like a held breath.

Li Huigu regained his composure, bowing deeply to Xiao Fuyu and Xiao Jinghong.

"My lord, the Patriarch, the Princess, I bid you farewell."

As he exited the hall, he hesitated slightly, glancing at Xiao Jinghong.

"If needed, I am ready to vouch for your lord’s words."

Xiao Jinghong inclined her head, beckoning Lu Guan, who led Li Huigu away.

She then entered the hall, her gaze sweeping over the crimson-stained floor, settling on Xiao Shen.

"Third brother, ask the guests outside to disperse."

Xiao Shen clutched his chest, words unsaid on his lips. He nodded toward his father and hurried from the hall.

Though he served as the household manager of the third branch, true authority in the Xiao household lay solely with Xiao Fuyu and Xiao Jinghong.

Some matters, some words, were not his to know or share.

Soon, the courtyard outside fell silent.

Xiao Jinghong rose, supporting her father to a seat beside her. She sat upright, her posture as straight as Liu Hong’s had been.

"Father, you killed Liu Hong. I slew Zhuao. The Emperor has demanded the deaths of two traitors—now both are dead. What comes next may bring chaos."

She did not inquire into Xiao Fuyu’s motives for killing Liu Hong.

In truth, Xiao Jinghong had felt the blade of wrath in her heart when she heard Liu Hong speak of her parents’ fate at the hands of the barbarians.

She never imagined the conspiracy with the barbarians and the corrupt Kingdom of Huashi had begun five years ago, in the great battle that had claimed her parents’ lives.

Even if Xiao Fuyu had spared Liu Hong, she would have found another way to end him.

But Liu Hong was already dead.

Xiao Jinghong’s chance to erase him from history was lost.

Xiao Fuyu sat motionless, his expression unreadable.

"Chaos... it will come, then."

He understood the weight of his actions. Killing Liu Hong would plunge the Xiao family into peril.

But he had no choice.

The death of his son and daughter—Xiao Fuyu and Xiao Jinghong—at the hands of Liu Hong was but one reason.

Liu Hong’s intent to reveal that Xiao Jinghong’s mother still lived beyond the barbarian lands was what sealed his decision.

Had Xiao Jinghong learned her mother was still alive, the consequences would have been tenfold, a hundredfold worse.

Xiao Fuyu stared at the crimson smears still clinging to his hands, then spoke in a low voice:

"How long until the post station at Wuyan is completed?"

Xiao Jinghong paused, then replied calmly:

"Ten days at the shortest, half a month at the longest."

"Good."

"The post station there won’t require your presence. I shall send Younger Third to oversee it. You may depart shortly to inspect the three towns."

Xiao Jinghong was no one to hesitate. She nodded.

"The new military commissioner is already overseeing the border towns. Your visit to the Iron Wall, Xuanjia, and Canglang would be timely."

Xiao Fuyu’s shoulders relaxed slightly, though his voice grew stern. He turned to face her.

"Liu Hong died by my hand. You slew Zhuao. Whether the Emperor will punish us remains unknown. But the Xiao family will never again be what it once was."

"Regardless of who we were before today, in the eyes of Shu Zhou—and all nine provinces—this family has spent the past five years in plain sight, pretending."

“After Feng Erbao knows the old man is in good health, they can never look at the Xiao family the way they did before.”

The elder sighed deeply. “I do hope the Sacred One will show mercy.”

Just as the old saying goes, even a biting dog won’t bark.

If the Xiao family slays Zhu Hao and Liu Hong in succession, it will make other noble houses and court officials believe the Xiao family is biding its time, feigning weakness.

Those who had previously scorned or pitied the Xiao family will surely change their attitudes.

Xiao Jinghong understood his meaning. “The Sacred Will’s judgments are hard to fathom. Grandfather, rest assured—my granddaughter will not place her hopes on that.”

If the Sacred One were to reduce their penalties, it would mean the Xiao family still has a chance.

But if the Sacred One were to say, “They fought well,” or show no reaction at all, that would be a grave crisis for the Xiao family.

Xiao the Elder nodded, his expression easing as he watched the torrential rain pouring outside the hall, his fingers tracing the armrest of his chair.

“What comes next—thunder, rain, and storms—we must weather it all. The Xiao family… has no path left to retreat.”

Not merely a matter of enduring, nor showing weakness as before, but must stand firm.

Just as the Xiao family had been five years ago—a family of dual marquises, with several top-tier martial artists stationed as guardians.

Within Shu Region, aside from the mountain clans, no one dared to cross the Xiao family’s authority.

But outsiders did not know that Xiao the Elder was well aware that the Xiao family today had indeed lost its former strength.

It was a case of outer strength masking inner weakness.

Xiao Jinghong herself understood this too.

So the elder had her proceed immediately to the three cities. She had no hesitation in agreeing.

“If Grandfather needs anything, he should send word.”

“I know.”

Xiao the Elder seemed to recall something, his words shifting. “What about those people you mentioned wanting to find? How did it go?”

Xiao Jinghong shook her head. “My granddaughter hasn’t found an opportunity yet, but… the 15th of next month, there should be a chance.”

“The 15th?”

“Yes. The ‘Snow Sword Lord’ has arranged a duel with Bai Da Xian on the upper reaches of Chi Shui River. My granddaughter will go to witness it.”

“The ‘Snow Sword Lord’… Ye Genxian?”

Xiao the Elder knew this name, recognizing him as one of the top swordsmen in the martial world.

He knew Bai Da Xian all too well. When he first assumed the title of Duke of Dingyuan, he had even met Bai Da Xian in person.

“These two individuals have been renowned throughout the kingdom for years. Their confrontation would inevitably draw the attention of those in the martial world.”

Even as he said this, the elder harbored little goodwill toward Bai Da Xian and his kind.

A hero who violates the law is no empty boast.

Xiao Jinghong thought of the martial experts she had encountered on her journey, and spoke:

“In today’s Shu Region, where all kinds of people mingle, the capital needs more high-ranking martial artists to guard it. My granddaughter will first requisition some from the army.”

Xiao the Elder, hearing this, instinctively brushed the bloodstains on his sleeve, and bowed his head.

“Not many.”

“My granddaughter understands.”

Xiao Jinghong recalled a small matter. “Grandfather, there’s something else—my mother…”

Before she could finish, Xiao the Elder’s expression darkened. “Don’t listen to outsiders’ nonsense!”

Xiao Jinghong hesitated, confused. “Grandfather, the Bai family is currently in dire straits. My granddaughter only wishes to entrust them with matters concerning the Bai Caotang in Guangyuan County.”

Xiao the Elder paused, then coughed and turned away.

“This… ah… I had already planned that way. Just now, I had thought you were going to say something else.”

“Something else?”

“Nothing…”

Xiao the Elder deflected the topic.

Xiao Jinghong didn’t press further. She hadn’t heard clearly what Liu Hong had said, so naturally she hadn’t considered Bai Wanqing.

The meeting concluded.

As Xiao Jinghong was about to rise and head to the three cities, Xiao the Elder spoke: “Not yet. We should eat lunch first; it won’t be late.”

“What?”

“Your husband is currently dining in the garden of Wanhui Courtyard. Go join him, eat together, and then depart.”

Xiao Jinghong saw the earnestness in his tone. Though puzzled, she nodded and followed him to the courtyard.

After everyone had left,

Xiao the Elder sat quietly for a moment, then rolled up his sleeve and examined the bloodstained characters.

“Liu Wu… is light… zhou?”

Even though the final character “zhou” was unfinished, the elder easily discerned its shape.

Light boat, Chen Zhou, Chen Yi.

The elder hesitated to confirm.

He carefully recalled Chen Yi’s actions since joining the Xiao family, and his daily behavior, finding nothing amiss.

If Chen Yi were truly Liu Wu, how could he have achieved mastery in literature, martial arts, medicine, and boxing?

To call him “versed in both the civil and martial arts” would be a slight understatement.

Even if he had achieved all four disciplines, how could the Chen family of Jiangnan Prefecture let Chen Yi marry into the Xiao family?

“Are there such remarkable talents in the world?”

The elder thought back to the recent incident where Chen Yi had been infected with a poisonous virus, and his certainty grew that this was another scheme by Liu Hong.

By killing Liu Hong, he had fallen into Liu Hong’s trap, forced to bear the burden of the Xiao family’s resurgence, unable to rest and recuperate as before.

After much thought,

Though certain that Chen Yi and Chen Yu were not the same person, the elder still intended to investigate.

“In the end, we must check it out, to feel at peace…”

……

Xiao Jinghong arrived at the Garden of Xiaoxing, hearing the lively conversation between Chen Yi and Xiao Wanhui inside, her lips unconsciously curving into a smile.

Though her mood was not good due to the matter with Liu Hong, seeing the courtyard as calm as ever brought her some relief.

“Is this how Father felt when he returned home?”

Xiao Jinghong felt a sense of kinship, her steps light as she entered the hall.

“Young Mistress Xiao.”

“General.”

The women at the doorway—Juan Er, Xiao Die, Shen Huatang, and others—saw her first and stood to bow.

Xiao Jinghong waved them to sit, and before Xiao Wanyan and Chen Yi could rise, she took Chen Yi’s side, speaking in a slightly relaxed tone:

“My older sister, my lord, have I arrived in time?”

“Just in time—I was a bit hungry.”

Chen Yi turned his head to look at her, smiling and nodding: “Madam, please wait a moment.”

He then ordered Xiao Die to fetch a bowl and chopsticks, and served Xiao Jinghong a bowl of rice.

Taking the opportunity, Xiao Wanyan, as usual, chatted concernedly with Xiao Jinghong.

“Has the matter in Guangyuan been resolved?”

“Yes, it has.”

“Then you must have time to rest for a few days, not busy with going out.”

Xiao Jinghong took the bowl from Chen Yi’s hands and apologized:

“I must not disappoint my older sister; after eating, I’ll set off to tour the three towns to inspect the new army.”

Xiao Wanyan instinctively glanced at Chen Yi, seeing his gentle smile as he listened, so she said nothing more.

Chen Yi, aware of everything that had transpired, could only feign ignorance, chatting and laughing with Xiao Jinghong.

Mostly about his preparations for the upcoming imperial examination and several major events in the manor.

Intentionally or not, Chen Yi revealed his ailing condition—infected with a plague.

On the other side, Xiao Wanyan nodded in agreement: “Don’t worry, younger sister; my husband’s health is fine.”

Xiao Jinghong furrowed her brows first, and only after confirming Chen Yi’s healthy complexion did she relax.

“My lord is now a teacher at the prestigious academy; some matters need not be personally handled, they can be left to the servants in the manor.”

After a pause, she looked at Xiao Wanyan and reminded her: “You too.”

In her eyes, both beside her were people of frail health; a few more reminders wouldn’t hurt.

Chen Yi agreed wholeheartedly.

Xiao Wanyan, however, felt a slight turmoil in her heart.

On one hand, she was shielding Chen Yi, knowing it was a pretense, but couldn’t reveal that.

On the other hand, she felt a bit of guilt towards Xiao Jinghong, making her chest uneasy.

Fortunately, as Xiao Jinghong had said, after lunch, he left the Hou household without lingering.

Xiao Wanyan’s apologies eased her mood somewhat.

It was only now that someone from the manor reported the matter of the clean household.

Xiao Wanyan was slightly startled: “Grandfather killed... the Chancellor?”

“Or in front of the Viceroy? This...”

Chen Yi had anticipated this, so he comforted: “The Patriarch must have his reasons.”

After a pause, he continued: “Besides, if there were real trouble, the Lady would have warned us.”

Xiao Wanyan thought it over and hesitantly nodded.

Reason is reason, matter is matter; she could do little.

Rather than worrying, she should do her own affairs well.

Chatting a bit.

Chen Yi took Xiao Die back to the Spring Lotus Garden.

Xiao Die patted her chest, which was quite large for the first time, and said:

“My nephew, I never thought Liu... Liu Hong was so bad, he betrayed the enemy.”

Seeing Chen Yi’s calm demeanor, she then asked puzzled:

“He was so bad, why did Grandfather kill him? Why would the princess worry? Isn’t that a good thing?”

Chen Yi smiled: “Of course it’s a good thing, but we must be cautious...”

Liu Hong died at the Patriarch’s hands, making a great impact.

Yet, it couldn’t be considered a bad thing.

The Xiao family was indeed too weak.

(End of chapter)