Chapter 152: Little Known
Xue Yueying tore down the silk curtains in her residence and smashed everything breakable in the main room of Sang Liu Courtyard, crying and wailing, demanding to return to her maternal home.
Madam Chun, fearing she might miscarry and suffer a double tragedy, had no choice but to personally escort her back to the Xue Mansion.
Coincidentally, Xue Sui was visiting the Old Madam and, upon stepping through the manor gate, ran into Madam Chun.
Madam Chun’s face was filled with sorrow, her expression conveying exhaustion and helplessness. As soon as she saw Xue Sui, she grabbed her hand, her eyes red, and tearfully poured out her woes.
“My husband and I harbored good intentions and never wished harm upon anyone, how could we have ended up in such a desolate situation…”
The decline of Marquis Jingyuan’s family and his desolate later years filled Madam Chun with guilt and unease towards the Marquis’s Mansion, making her appear haggard and much older.
Xue Sui gently comforted her, “Aunt Chun, please don’t grieve too much. Kind souls are always protected by heaven. You and the Marquis have performed good deeds and acts of righteousness year after year; you will surely overcome misfortune in the future.”
Madam Chun looked at her, as if tears would stream down her face at any moment, “Ah Sui, how wonderful it would be if you were my daughter-in-law…”
Xue Sui softly called out, “Aunt Chun…”
“Let’s not mention it, it shouldn’t be mentioned.”
Madam Chun smiled bitterly and shook her head, “Lately, I’ve been so restless. Wu Lang, who was perfectly fine, is now entangled with Ping Le. To be honest, I dreamt of him last night, standing on the Bridge of Helplessness covered in blood, calling for me to save him…”
Her voice was filled with worry and fear.
Xue Sui patted her hand, her gaze complex.
What merit did Gu Jie possess to have such a background?
In any other family, Xue Yueying would have suffered immensely, perhaps not dying but certainly being stripped bare of her pride…
Yet Madam Chun, apart from neglecting her, did not mistreat Xue Yueying in the slightest. Nor did she intentionally harm her because the child was not Gu family’s, but continued to raise her with good food and drink…
This was not solely due to the Empress Dowager and Prince Wei’s coercion, nor out of consideration for the Marquis’s Mansion’s future, but also because Madam Chun and Marquis Jingyuan were inherently kind-hearted…
It was their kindness that accumulated virtue for their son.
As long as Gu Jie could truly repent, she could spare his wretched life.
Xue Sui escorted Madam Chun to the carriage and watched her depart before turning back into the mansion.
As soon as she entered the inner chamber of Shou An Courtyard, she heard the Old Madam cursing Xue Yueying.
“…That suicidal little slut, does she really think the Xue family’s ancestral hall enshrines Bodhisattvas?! Carrying a bastard and still daring to cause such a scene, hasn’t she embarrassed the Xue family enough? It’s a good thing Madam Chun is kind-hearted, otherwise, she’d have a taste of her suffering…”
Madam Qian comforted her softly from the side.
“Mother, please calm down. Be careful not to aggravate your headache.”
Xue Sui paid her respects at the doorway. Old Madam Cui’s gaze fell upon her, and her face instantly broke into a kind smile. She patted the brocade mattress beside her and beckoned.
“Sixth Girl, come quickly, sit by Grandmother’s side.”
Xue Sui sat down as requested and said gently, “Grandmother looks very well today. Have you used the calming incense newly concocted by Doctor Shu?”
The Old Madam smiled broadly, “Indeed. Why else would they say Doctor Shu is an immortal reborn? I even dreamt of a Bodhisattva descending on auspicious clouds to guide me. I, this old woman, don’t know how much virtue I’ve accumulated to have regained my life…”
Xue Sui’s lips curved slightly, “You say that, it’s because you are blessed with great fortune…”
She chatted with the Old Madam with a smiling demeanor.
As if remembering something, the Old Madam suddenly grabbed her, her throat catching slightly.
“My dear granddaughter, has there been any news from the Duke of Zheng’s Mansion?”
Xue Sui smiled, “Yesterday, I sent an incense token to Master Jingkong of Pu Ji Temple and arranged to meet Madam Luo and Third Miss Guo for a meditation session. I will certainly speak well of Eighth Sister then.”
“Good, good, good.”
The Old Madam patted her hand, immensely pleased.
“Look at my clever and obedient granddaughter…”
The maids and old women burst into laughter.
The atmosphere in the room was relaxed and joyful.
After Xue Sui served the Old Madam some bird’s nest porridge, Tianshu entered.
“It’s time to take your pulse, Old Madam Cui.”
Old Madam Cui thanked him and obediently extended her wrist.
Xue Sui sat to the side, watching her Senior Brother’s focused and serious expression as he took the pulse. Suddenly, she felt that amidst the scent of medicine filling the room, there seemed to be countless connections – Madam Chun’s tears, Xue Yueying’s suffering, the Old Madam’s schemes, all like a spider web, tightly binding everyone within it.
She too was suspended precariously on this web, one wrong decision away from losing everything and failing completely.
After the diagnosis, Tianshu confirmed that the Old Madam’s condition had improved, and Xue Sui breathed a sigh of relief.
Although she had no attachment to the Xue family, in this world, lacking family support was not a good thing.
She still needed the Xue family, especially an Old Madam Cui who trusted her…
–
Leaving the Minister’s Mansion, Tianshu did not bid her farewell as he had last time. Instead, he leaned closer and said softly:
“Go to the medicinal hut.”
Xue Sui knew he had something to say. She immediately instructed Jinshu and Ru Yi to return to the mansion to report her whereabouts, and she, taking Xiao Zhao with her, detoured to Sang Liu Courtyard.
“Young Lady, please be seated. I will bring the pastries prepared by the Eldest Young Master right away…”
Qing Feng respectfully served tea and addressed Xue Sui.
Candied plums, date paste pastries, and walnut crispy pastries were laid out on the table.
The medicinal aroma in Sang Liu Courtyard always smelled better than elsewhere.
Xue Sui ate with a pleasant mood.
“Senior Brother always treats me like a child…”
Qing Feng and Yun Hai exchanged a smile.
“Indeed, the Eldest Young Master has always doted on the Young Lady.”
Tianshu entered the inner chamber and emerged after a while, his expression indifferent, his eyes deep. The hem of his snow-white robe brushed past the slightly worn corridor pillars, unstained, carrying only the scent of bitter wormwood.
“Ping An, thank you for waiting.”
“Why be so formal?”
Xue Sui smiled and winked, looking at the distinguished Senior Brother. Her gaze slowly shifted to his hand.
He was holding the Ling Qiong Flute.
Years ago, when she first arrived at Old Mausoleum Swamp, Tianshu had used this Ling Qiong Flute to shatter the skull of a ruffian who was bullying her…
But today, her Senior Brother’s expression was unusual.
“Is something the matter?” she asked.
Tianshu did not answer, slowly walking towards the hundred-compartment medicine cabinet.
The hundred-compartment medicine cabinet towered towards the beams, like a silent fortress. It contained various medicinal materials, each compartment labeled with a different name…
Tianshu’s fingertips traced the compartments, then he took the Ling Qiong Flute from his waist and inserted it diagonally into the keyhole of a dark iron medicine cabinet above, turning it slightly…
*Click!* The candlelight flickered abruptly.
The dark iron box opened.
A brass seal engraved with a ferocious skull pattern fell into his palm.
The skull opened its gaping maw in the dim light, surrounded by scales like patterns of dark green – just like dried blood.
“Take it.”
Tianshu placed the brass seal on the table, his voice low but firm.
Xue Sui froze, her eyes filled with shock.
This was what Li Huan had been searching for everywhere…
This was what Ping Le desired but could not obtain…
This was what Li Zhao also yearned for…
The seal of the Imperial Envoy of Old Mausoleum Swamp.
The smile on Xue Sui’s lips slowly faded.
“Master, I already returned the Imperial Envoy’s token to you. This is…”
Tianshu said, “Master said that your performance these past few days has demonstrated the capabilities of an Imperial Envoy, making you highly useful. This Imperial Envoy’s token is now officially entrusted to you.”
So it was now officially entrusted…
And before? Informal tests?
Xue Sui’s mind seemed to be lost in a fog, with questions flooding in…
Back then, Master was unwilling for Old Mausoleum Swamp to be involved in court disputes and had always warned his disciples to abide by the rules, stay out of it, and absolutely not get caught in the vortex of imperial power struggles…
Tianshu’s eyes were as deep as an ancient well.
“When one’s strength is insufficient, one can only evade. When the time is ripe, one can reveal their sharp edge. Currently, Xizi and Daliang are in a stalemate, and Old Mausoleum Swamp is hidden in the shadows, allowing for significant action.”
Xue Sui stared at him with a solemn gaze, utterly perplexed.
“I do not wish for the Old Mausoleum Swamp, which Master has painstakingly built, to suffer any setbacks, nor do I want to disrupt Master’s peaceful days. I am not an Imperial Envoy; using the power of Old Mausoleum Swamp was merely a transaction, not a violation of the subtle understanding between Old Mausoleum Swamp and the Daliang court… Once I accept this decree, the situation will be vastly different.”
After a moment of contemplation.
She added, “I will not allow those I cherish to make such a great sacrifice and pay such a heavy price for my selfish desires.”
Tianshu looked at her quietly.
“Ping An, your hatred may also be mine, and Master’s…”
Xue Sui was startled.
“Senior Brother?”
Her eyes were filled with disbelief, and she eagerly searched Tianshu’s face for more answers.
However, Tianshu looked directly at her, his expression solemn, his voice slow and deep, “Years ago, the Xiao family’s army was framed, and over a hundred thousand loyal souls were buried in the newly completed imperial mausoleum of the previous dynasty…”
He paused slightly and continued coldly, “Before his death, the Great General Who Guards the Nation, Xiao Chong, wrote the character for ‘grievance’ on the commander’s flag with his blood… At that time, he could no longer see or speak…”
A clap of thunder outside the window split the twilight.
A flash of light illuminated the quiet and desolate wooden hut.
Xue Sui’s fingertips trembled slightly.
It was as if she had touched a world-shattering secret…
But immediately, a greater mystery emerged.
“Senior Brother, why have you hidden this from me until now?”
Tianshu said, “We hid it from you to protect you. Ping An, the crisis is far from over, and the path of revenge has just begun. You only need to remember that everything you do is not just your personal vendetta… it also concerns the rise and fall of the entire Old Mausoleum Swamp…”
Xue Sui lowered her head in thought.
The flickering firelight reflected on her lowered eyelashes.
“Senior Brother, could it be that from the day I left Old Mausoleum Swamp, Master had this plan?”
Tianshu said slowly, “Perhaps even earlier, from when you first entered Old Mausoleum Swamp…”
Xue Sui raised her head, her dark eyes narrowing slightly.
“How many more secrets are you hiding from me?”
“My surname is also Xiao. The Great General Who Guards the Nation, Xiao Chong, is my ancestor,” Tianshu said slowly, opening the lapel of his robe.
The candlelight cast alternating shadows on his broad, firm chest. Several ugly scars crisscrossed like centipedes.
Memories surged like a tide—
On a torrential rainy night when she was ten, a young boy stood holding a flute. Rain mixed with blood soaked his coarse cloth clothes, his eyes as lonely as if abandoned by the entire world.
It turned out that the vague old memories had long been buried with the vengeful spirits of the Xiao family army.
Xue Sui looked at him with heartache.
Though she was eating candied plums, her mouth was filled with bitterness.
“What does Old Mausoleum Swamp have to do with the Xizi Kingdom?”
“…” Tianshu was speechless for a moment.
“And Master, what hidden circumstances does Master have?”
Tianshu looked at her sincerely, “After you have accomplished your task, let the three Masters tell you themselves, how about it?”
Xue Sui said, “No, I’m going back to Old Mausoleum Swamp right now to get a clear answer.”
Saying this, she prepared to get up.
“Ping An!” Tianshu called out to stop her.
“It is not yet time. If you return now, you will not only fail to get an answer but will also arouse suspicion from all sides, causing many inconveniences for your future actions…”
Xue Sui slowly sat back down.
“Senior Brother, how should I proceed from now on?”
Tianshu’s distant gaze passed over the swirling tea fragrance and settled on her fair face.
“Act according to your heart’s desire. I will be by your side.”
Xue Sui: With the Imperial Envoy’s token, let’s see who dares to provoke me…
Li Zhao: What do I fear? You have the Imperial Envoy’s token, I have the Love Silk Gu. Hmph!
Xue Sui: …
