Chapter 206: As If It Never Happened

Huang Hu, as if struck hard, his massive frame swayed and with a booming crash he knelt to the ground.

His forehead banged heavily against the cold, hard bricks, emitting a dull thud.

He could no longer restrain himself, wailing hoarsely, his cries ragged and mournful, filled with endless self‑reproach and remorse:

"Duke! It is my incompetence!"

"I failed to protect the lady..."

Xu Yanchuan stood aside, his gaze as gloomy as an abyss, his clenched fists trembling slightly.

Wan Tang forced back her tears and stepped forward.

She gently steadied Huang Hu's shaking shoulder: "Grandpa Huang, get up quickly. This is not your fault, truly not your fault..."

Huang Hu jerked his head up, old tears streaming, and seized Wan Tang's arm.

Like a dying man clutching a floating log: "Back then the situation was too perilous, the Mo Family collapsed in an instant, and countless eyes were watching."

"I gave my all, yet could only barely secure a lifeline for your mother; I have failed the Duke's trust!"

"I understand, Grandpa Huang, you have done your best," Wan Tang's voice choked, yet she tried to stay composed, "Mother never blamed you."

"Tell me, what actually happened later? The lady, how..." Huang Hu's voice shattered.

Wan Tang inhaled deeply and recounted the painful past that had been buried for years.

How Mother concealed her name and met Xu Chengyuan, then a poor scholar.

How Xu Chengyuan swore to clear the Mo Family's name after attaining official rank.

How Mother worked night and day crafting to support his studies.

Yet after becoming the top martial scholar in high school, he broke his oath, married a Wang family daughter, and kept Mother hidden as an unseen concubine, enduring endless humiliation...

Huang Hu's eyes seemed to burst as he slammed a fist into the ground, shattering bricks: "Xu Chengyuan, that ungrateful beast!"

When he heard Wan Tang recount how Wang Jingyi was schemed out of existence, Huang Hu gritted his teeth and growled: "Well done! That poisonous woman, her death is no loss!"

Wan Tang's tone grew cold as she continued, saying Xu Chengyuan later died of illness.

Their brother and sister seemed to have escaped control, but the danger was even greater.

The Emperor was suspicious, the court politics tangled; she could only enter the Imperial Palace as an orphaned girl, treading on thin ice.

And Xu Yanchuan's lineage was completely buried; no one knew he bore Mo Family blood, assuming he was a legitimate son of the Xu Family.

Huang Hu, after listening, felt the great sorrow gradually suppressed by cold anger.

He wiped the tear tracks from his face, his gaze regaining a veteran's sharpness and solemnity: "What about the Empress? How much does she know from that note in her hand?"

"She knows my identity, but not that Yanchuan is my brother, nor... Grandpa Huang, your connection to the Mo Family."

Huang Hu pondered briefly, then declared resolutely: "Fine! Keep it hidden!"

"Yanchuan's identity must never be revealed to the Fourth Person again!"

"As for the Empress... I have my own calculations!"

Huang Hu snapped his head around, his eyes blazing at Wan Tang and Xu Yanchuan.

His voice still carried a lingering hoarseness: "The military strategy scrolls in that tavern are exquisitely marvelous; even I am deeply entangled in them."

"Who exactly authored them? Could it be..."

His gaze fell on Xu Yanchuan, bearing scrutiny and a hint of incredulous expectation.

The martial skill Xu Yanchuan now displays has already impressed him; if his strategies are equally outstanding...

Xu Yanchuan gave a wry smile, shook his head, looked at Wan Tang, his tone laced with unabashed respect and helplessness: "Grandpa Huang, you hold me in too high regard."

"If I possessed such ability, I would have already helped my sister clear obstacles. This is not my doing."

He paused, his gaze shifting to Wan Tang, stating clearly: "All the military strategies in those scrolls originated from my sister's hand."

"I... merely acted on orders and learned alongside."

"What?!" Huang Hu's pupils contracted sharply; the massive shock left him speechless, staring intently at Wan Tang.

After a long pause, he exhaled a long breath of foul air, his tone exceedingly complex, both immensely gratified and deeply regretful: "Good... good! Truly worthy of the Duke's bloodline!"

"This strategic foresight and harmonious odd‑even military talent is no different from your maternal grandfather's back then! Truly... a heaven‑born prodigy!"

He kept praising, yet couldn't help a heavy sigh, his gaze landing on Wan Tang.

Filled with an indescribable regret: "What a pity... pity that you are a woman..."

If you were a man, you'd surely be a talent capable of stirring the world!

Immediately, he turned to Xu Yanchuan, his expression becoming exceedingly solemn.

Even with a hint of entrustment: "Yanchuan, because you are Xu Chengyuan's son, I have long held bias against you."

"But your deeds, those achievements, I have also heard of, indeed impressive!"

"You have not tarnished the Mo Family Army's reputation!"

He shifted his tone, becoming even more solemn, bearing an elder's earnest expectation: "But you must remember, your sister's talent far surpasses yours!"

"In the future, you must frequently seek instruction from your sister."

"She possesses the Duke's wisdom, as well as resilience and scheming beyond ordinary people."

"With her careful guidance, given time, your achievements will surely surpass those of the Duke in his prime!"

Xu Yanchuan met Huang Hu's gaze, without any hesitation, solemnly nodding: "Grandpa Huang, rest assured, Yanchuan understands."

"I have never doubted my sister's ability. I will not betray her teaching, nor the reputation of my maternal grandfather."

After his sigh, Huang Hu's expression hardened, looking at Wan Tang: "Girl, what are your plans now?"

Wan Tang's gaze swept over Xu Yanchuan, then hardened: "At first, I only wanted to survive with Yanchuan. But now..."

Her voice lowered, "I will uncover the Mo Family's truth from back then, to avenge my maternal grandfather and the entire Mo Family... to restore justice and clear their name."

Huang Hu's complexion changed subtly, his eyes flickering away.

His tone grew vague: "The events of those years have long settled, the entanglements are too vast, the waters too deep."

"Being able to survive is already a great fortune; some things… might as well let them pass."

"Living is more important than anything."

He shifted his tone, looking at Wan Tang with approval: "But your wine shop is cleverly set!"

"Only when one is strong enough, possessing a power that others cannot ignore, can one truly stand firm and survive."

"You did well." He stroked his beard, a glint flashing in his eyes, "It seems this 'Forget‑Worry Wine Shop', you little clever imp, was set up specifically as a trap for me?"

Wan Tang showed a faint embarrassed smile and tacitly agreed.

Huang Hu laughed heartily, his laughter tinged with immense appreciation: "Excellent! Excellent tactics!"

"Those military strategy manuals truly have me unable to attend to anything else! Truly impressive!"

"If Grandfather Huang likes it, that's fine," Wan Tang continued, "I will have someone organize the full sequel and deliver it personally to your residence."

Huang Hu heard this and was overjoyed: "Is that true? Good! That's wonderful!"

He turned his gaze to the ever‑silent Xu Yanchuan, his eyes sharpening: "Kid, you see my position… do you also wish to vie for it?"

Xu Yanchuan nodded without hesitation, his gaze calm yet resolute as he looked at Wan Tang: "Yes. My current strength is still insufficient to protect my sister fully."

Huang Hu stared at him for a moment, sighed heavily, and asked a crucial question: "Tell me, in your view, what is most important for a commander?"

Xu Yanchuan showed no hesitation, his voice deep and powerful: "It is neither the martial bravery of conquering cities nor the strategic cunning of planning."

"The most important thing is clarity. To be clear about why you fight, and for whom you fight."

"And after victory, how to safeguard this peace bought with blood, without betraying the lives and trust of every soldier under your command."

A startling brilliance flashed in Huang Hu's eyes as he slapped his thigh hard: "Good! Well said!"

"The Duke's heir is now present!" he laughed heartily, his laughter full of satisfaction.

After laughing, he looked toward the moonlit window, his expression gradually returning to calm, even bearing a hint of heaviness.

He stood up, his tone becoming unusually solemn: "What happened tonight never occurred."

"You siblings have never seen me, and I have never heard any words I shouldn't have."

He walked toward the doorway, paused briefly, turned his back to them, his voice regaining its usual booming tone, as if truly only commenting on the wine: "Virtuous Consort, the wine from your wine shop… is excellent!"

"From now on, I will often come to 'look after' the business."

He turned half his face aside, finally admonishing: "Outside there are many eyes, Your Majesty's status is noble; henceforth you must never again take such risks, personally entering places like this."

Wan Tang bowed deeply: "Thank you, General, for the reminder; I have noted it."

Huang Hu said no more, strode away, and his figure quickly vanished into the night.

Inside Yangxin Hall.

Ouyang Qing and Wan Tang knelt on the icy golden‑brick floor.

Although Ouyang Qing had changed clothes, his whole body still exuded lingering wine scent.

His complexion pale, he bowed his head to plead guilt: "I am incompetent, drunkenness caused the mistake, Your Majesty, please punish me!"

Wan Tang knelt beside him, her face showing bitterness, and softly said: "Your Majesty, when I arrived, Lord Ouyang was already like this… indeed delayed."

"Fortunately, it was not entirely without gain." She drew a thin dossier from her sleeve, presenting it with both hands, "I have secretly investigated, and all the information obtained is here."

"According to the investigation, the mastermind behind this wine shop is extremely mysterious, known as the 'Qilin Zi', whose movements are fleeting, full of clever schemes, truly a prodigy."

Li Defu took the dossier and handed it to Chu Yunzheng.

Chu Yunzheng skimmed quickly; the pages contained mostly vague rumors and conjectures, pointing to an ethereal codename.

He set down the dossier, rubbed his brow, his tone tinged with deep regret: "Qilin Zi truly has the bearing of a prodigy."

"Unfortunately, such a person cannot be employed by me."

Ouyang Qing immediately kowtowed: "I have failed my duty! I will spare no effort to find this person!"

Chu Yunzheng, however, waved his hand disinterestedly, his gaze distant: "Never mind, such extraordinary individuals often rely on their talent and look down on others; they cannot be forced."

"Let everything go with fate."

"You go down and sober up."

"Thank you for Your Majesty's grace." Ouyang Qing, as if pardoned, bowed and stepped out.

Inside the hall, only Chu Yunzheng and Wan Tang remained.

Chu Yunzheng leaned back into the Dragon Throne, waved at Wan Tang, his tone seemingly softened: "Tangtang, come here."

Wan Tang rose as instructed, gently approaching, intending to lean on him as usual, and with a hint of coquettishness said, "Your Majesty, are you tired today?"

However, before she could get close, Chu Yunzheng suddenly extended his hand, the icy fingertips gripping her chin.

The force was light yet carried undeniable compulsion, forcing her to lift her face to meet his bottomless, profound eyes.

His face showed little warmth, instead a solemnity, his voice low and slow, bearing an oppressive sense of omniscience:

"Tangtang, tell me… do you have something you are hiding from me?"

His thumb gently stroked her jaw, his gaze sharp as a blade, as if trying to see into the depths of her soul:

"In this world, if you cannot even trust me… then whom can you trust?"