Chapter 586 - 332: The Emperor’s Mind Is Hard to Guess!
Chapter 586: Chapter 332: The Emperor’s Mind Is Hard to Guess!
"Whether Eunuch Feng speaks of it or not, it will not affect the Holy Emperor’s view of Shu State or my Xiao Family."
Seeing Elder Master Xiao remain silent, she softened her tone and continued. "Forgive me, Grandfather. I misspoke.
"However, it is an undeniable fact that I have been hindered at every turn within the Dingyuan Army over the years. It is also a fact that the Holy Emperor and the court officials have remained entirely indifferent."
Hearing this, Elder Master Xiao looked at her with a slightly complex expression.
After a long silence, he retracted his gaze, relaxed his posture, and leaned back in his chair. A gratified smile returned to his face. "Jinghong, you have grown so much over these years."
Xiao Jinghong lowered her head slightly and said softly, "I just do not want to fail the spirits of my father and mother in heaven."
If Xiao Fengchun and Fu Wanqing hadn’t died in battle, why would she have enlisted in the army to prop up the massive Xiao Family?
After all, a person’s actions and thoughts were dictated by their position.
Since Xiao Jinghong had become the Commander-in-Chief of the Dingyuan Army, she could not afford to treat her duties like child’s play.
In the past, out of consideration for Elder Master Xiao’s feelings toward the Imperial Court and the Holy Emperor, she had made far too many concessions.
Now, she realized that doing so only encouraged outsiders to push their luck. Therefore, she was no longer willing to yield.
Moreover, even if not for herself, she had to consider the future of the Xiao Family, the Dingyuan Army, and Shu State.
Elder Master Xiao naturally understood all of this. Smiling, he shook his head. "Liu Wu was right earlier. I have stayed secluded in the mansion for too long, always seeking compromise and stability. In doing so, I’ve chilled the hearts of many old comrades."
Xiao Jinghong looked at him. "Grandfather, I didn’t—"
Raising a hand to interrupt her, Elder Master Xiao said, "I am not blaming you. On the contrary, you did the right thing.
"In truth, when I had your second uncle take the memorial to the Capital Prefecture this time, aside from dealing with Liu Hong and Zhu Hao, it was also to test the Holy Emperor’s attitude toward our Xiao Family. And now..."
His smile widened as he continued. "Now, it seems the Holy Emperor has not forgotten our Xiao Family."
Xiao Jinghong paused. She wanted to say something, but upon seeing the look on her grandfather’s face, she simply nodded in silence.
Seeing this, Elder Master Xiao sighed inwardly.
How could he not know what Xiao Jinghong was thinking? How could he not understand the root cause of the Xiao Family’s current predicament?
But the Holy Emperor’s heart was difficult to fathom.
Often, the more one did, the more mistakes one made, ultimately leading to even more troublesome situations.
This was especially true now that their Xiao Family was steadily declining—at least compared to those in the north.
Instead, he hoped the Holy Emperor would remember the Xiao Family’s two centuries of toil in guarding the nation’s borders. He hoped the emperor would consider the family’s decline and the emptiness of Shu State, and shift his gaze toward the north.
Otherwise, even if the entire Xiao Family sacrificed themselves, how far beyond Mengshui Pass could they possibly conquer?
Were the Barbarian Race really that easy to kill?
His thoughts swirling, Elder Master Xiao kept his expression neutral and asked, "What about Liu Hong?"
Xiao Jinghong replied with a slightly heavy tone, "Tomorrow afternoon, after Eunuch Feng’s carriage arrives at the Prefecture City, he will read the decree and apprehend him."
A hint of relief flashed through Elder Master Xiao’s eyes. "That is good.
"Once Liu Hong falls, the network of people he has gathered will lose their core. They will scatter and disperse, never to pose a real threat again.
"It’s just that..."
Elder Master Xiao looked toward the north and sighed. "I wonder who the Holy Emperor will appoint to the position of Governor of Shu State."
Xiao Jinghong nodded, though she could not guess the candidate either.
Of course, in her opinion, the best candidate was Yang Ye.
That way, the Xiao Family would enjoy at least a year or two of peace.
Xiao Jinghong exhaled softly. She was just about to stand and announce her return to Feng Erbao’s carriage when she heard urgent footsteps approaching from outside the hall.
She immediately settled back into her seat.
A moment later, Xiao Jing’s figure appeared in the hall. Upon seeing Xiao Jinghong sitting to the side, he only paused for a second before dropping to one knee to report. "Marquis, General. Something has happened in the Prefecture City tonight."
Elder Master Xiao exchanged a glance with Xiao Jinghong and asked deeply, "What happened?"
"The White Tiger Guard has appeared. They are leading men from the Imprisonment Department to arrest people all over the city."
"The White Tiger Guard? Who are they arresting?"
"The Sun Family, the Zhu Family..."
Xiao Jing rattled off a few names in quick succession, unable to suppress his excitement. "Even Ye Jingxiao, the Vice Inspector General of the Inspectorate Office, was taken down by someone wearing a golden mask!"
Xiao Jinghong nodded in realization. "The White Tiger Guard. A Golden Banner Officer."
A smile spread across Elder Master Xiao’s face. "If the White Tiger Guard is making a move, they must have received word from the Capital Prefecture.
"Liu Hong, Liu Gongmo—this time, you are doomed!"
As soon as he finished speaking, he raised his hand slightly and ordered, "Xiao Jing, go back out and continue monitoring the situation. Make absolutely sure to find out the specific identities and reasons behind these arrests.
"This time, I will make every single one of those families cough up what they’ve swallowed."
Although he normally disdained kicking a man while he was down, the people surrounding Liu Hong were all scheming villains who wanted to tear the Xiao Family apart.
Toward such people, Elder Master Xiao naturally wouldn’t show any mercy.
Xiao Jing accepted the order and departed.
Xiao Jinghong then stood up to take her leave. "Before nightfall, Eunuch Feng sent word that he has matters to discuss early tomorrow morning. I shall return first and enter the city with them."
Elder Master Xiao smiled and nodded. "Very well.
"Tomorrow, when Feng Erbao reads the decree condemning Liu Hong, your presence by his side will further intimidate anyone harboring malicious intentions toward our Xiao Family."
Xiao Jinghong bowed in respect before vanishing, leaving the Xiao Family mansion once again.
However, as she flew near the edge of the Prefecture City, her eyes subconsciously drifted toward the Spring Lotus Garden.
It was as if she could pierce through the heavy curtains of rain and the obstructing houses to see a figure with a gentle face.
She figured that once the dust settled on Liu Hong’s matter, Shu State would find peace...
Before she could finish her thought, Xiao Jinghong frowned, suddenly remembering something else—another pressing matter was fast approaching.
She wondered if it would bring trouble.
But after a moment of careful thought, her brow relaxed. Tearing through the curtain of rain, she headed straight toward the North City.
With Immortal Bai present, even if there was trouble, she was confident she could resolve it.
Elder Master Xiao, of course, was unaware of all this.
However, having received several pieces of good news tonight, he was smiling more joyously than he had in a long time.
Coupled with his recently robust health, he summoned the servants and ordered them to prepare some wine, meat, and dishes.
He then began to drink and eat by himself.
Meanwhile, in the Spring Lotus Garden, Chen Yi quietly opened his eyes. Looking toward the north, a helpless expression crossed his face.
His Madam leaping about high in the sky was truly a bit startling.
He had thought that since it was already late into the night, Xiao Jinghong wouldn’t return. He hadn’t expected her to come back so quickly.
If his Cultivation hadn’t reached the Fourth Grade, allowing him to comprehend the wondrous uses of "God", he really might not have been able to detect Xiao Jinghong’s arrival in advance.
Thinking this, Chen Yi rolled over, closed his eyes, and went to sleep.
Cultivation was out of the question now.
Who knew if his Madam would pull a surprise return?
The next morning.
The rain had lessened significantly, but the sky remained densely packed with dark clouds.
A chilling wind blew fiercely, filling the air with a howling WHOOSH.
Perhaps the cold wind was too clamorous, carrying the rumors within the Prefecture City to every corner along with it.
In the streets and alleys, most people were discussing last night’s events.
Things like who from which family was arrested by the Government Office, who was an official, and who was connected to whom.
Even the Wandering Martial Artists who had just arrived in Shu State joined in the commotion, cursing the corrupt officials to death with great interest.
Amidst the hubbub, some people asked for the reasons behind the arrests, but no one could provide a clear explanation.
Because of this, some people became agitated.
"Mr. Lingchuan from Guiyun Academy was also arrested?"
"Why would he be arrested? Is it because of his older brother?"
"It’s highly likely."
"Although the Zhu Family is a prestigious clan, Mr. Lingchuan has never involved himself in the family’s internal affairs. He only teaches at the academy."
"He must have been implicated..."
If the common folk believed this, how could the scholars of Guiyun Academy think otherwise?
Therefore, early in the morning, many scholars rushed to the academy to seek verification or ask for help.
Mr. Yue Ming was equally alarmed.
However, having weathered many storms, he wasn’t about to be swept up by the students’ panic. His attitude remained relatively cautious.
Mr. Zhuo Ying initially planned to do the same, but upon seeing an increasing number of students arriving, he had no choice but to visit Mr. Yue Ming’s residence.
"Dean, this matter is of grave importance. It’s best if we clarify the reasons as soon as possible.
"Moreover, with the Annual Examination approaching, it’s truly detrimental to disturb the students’ Heart Spirit at this critical juncture."
Mr. Yue Ming hummed in agreement and pondered, "We definitely need to clarify things, but who should we ask..."
Pausing for a moment, he came up with an idea. "I will go find Lord Yang. As the Governor, he should have some information."
Mr. Zhuo Ying’s expression relaxed. "Then I’ll make a trip to the Prefectural Magistrate’s Office."
Standing up, Mr. Yue Ming said, "The Imprisonment Department is indeed worth visiting. Also..."
He looked at a few of the students gathered outside the door and added, "Have someone go look for Qingzhou as well."
"Qingzhou?" Mr. Zhuo Ying asked.
"He has been studying at the Marquis’s Mansion recently. I fear he might be unaware of this matter.
"Even if he doesn’t know, that old fool Xiao Yuan definitely will..."