Chapter 579: The Xu Family

The night has not faded.

Dawn mist is like gauze.

On the official road in the northeast outskirts of Chang'an.

Hooves shatter the morning silence; six ebony carriages, wrapped in cold air, speed forward, their wheels crushing the Qingshi Shiban road, splashing fine mud specks that melt into the spreading thin mist.

Inside the front carriage, a thick fox‑fur cushion lies, yet it cannot suppress the surrounding chill.

Xu Youwen sits upright there, his posture slightly straight, near forty years old, his temples already tinged with frost‑white, a lingering melancholy gathering in his brows, his hands unconsciously clenching the cuffs of his sleeves.

Beside him, Chi Yilan, draped in a plain Brothel, has blood‑shot eyes; a night of sleepless fatigue spreads across her face, her brows knit into a river‑shaped knot, her fingertips absent‑mindedly tracing the hidden pattern on her collar, her mind unsettled.

She gazes at her husband's taut profile, replaying the recent abnormalities over and over in her mind…

First, Xu Youwen concealed from her that he sold the fertile fields on the city's outskirts at low price, and quietly transferred all the gold and silver items, silk and brocade accumulated in the manor for years to the Outside City village.

Last night he said nothing in detail, only ordered Xun Bo to ready the carriage and horses, and before dawn urged the whole family to set out from the village.

Even the personal maid was limited to two; all other nonessential servants were dismissed, such haste truly odd.

Xu Youwen suddenly lifted his hand, pulling aside a corner of the Cheli, and the bone‑piercing morning wind, laden with mist, surged in.

Instantly, his sharp gaze swept the roadside, a flashing Qingshi stele; the characters "Chang'an Boundary" blurred in the morning mist, and in an instant the carriage left it behind.

His Adam's apple rolled slightly, his voice low and hoarse, murmuring, "We've already left Chang'an's jurisdiction…".

As the words fell, his taut spine relaxed a little, the heavy stone hanging over his heart seemed lighter, yet the chill at his fingertips persisted; he turned and shouted toward the outside, "Faster, faster!"

"Don't delay!"

From outside, the crisp crack of the Horse Whip slicing the air rang, and Xun Bo's deep voice pierced the morning mist, "Yes, sir!"

The hoofbeats grew more urgent, the carriage jolted even harder, and the ornaments inside the carriage swayed gently, emitting fine clattering sounds.

Chi Yilan could no longer suppress her doubts, speaking softly, her tone full of unease, "Sir, where exactly are we racing to?"

"How much farther must we go?"

She had been married to Xu Youwen for nearly twenty years, never having seen him so frantic…

Now, this hasty escape‑like demeanor made her even more anxious.

Xu Youwen's eyes flickered, his Adam's apple moved, and he blurted out, "Once we reach Qi State's territory…"

The words slipped, then he abruptly corrected himself, his tone a bit harsh, "No! As soon as we reach the border, we're basically safe!"

Having said that, he turned his face away, gazing at the fleeting shadows of trees outside the carriage window.

The melancholy between his brows deepened, faintly revealing an unmaskable worry.

His fingertips clenched tighter, causing the sleeves of his robe to wrinkle.

Chi Yilan, ever perceptive, sensed the abnormality in his words at once; the clouds of doubt in her mind grew heavier, clearly he was hiding something, and it was no trivial matter.

She didn't expose him then, but followed up, her voice adding urgency, "Are we heading to Qi State?"

"Sir, you still hold an office in the court; abandoning it like this, what will become of you later?"

As the words fell, he suddenly recalled their son Xu You left in Chang'an City, his heart tightened, and he quickly asked, "And You'er, why isn't he coming with us?"

"You left him in the city alone; if something happens, what then?"

Xu Youwen heard this, his complexion darkened, a trace of pain flashing in his eyes, yet he said little, only raising a hand to rub his brow, his tone a bit impatient, deliberately shifting the subject, "Madam, the journey is still long and terribly bumpy…"

"You haven't slept all night; rest a bit, and don't let your thoughts wander!"

Chi Yilan, seeing her husband unwilling to speak further, though full of doubts, could only suppress her unease and obediently replied, "Hmm…".

She gathered the Brothel around her, closed her eyes, but her mind was flooded with chaotic thoughts, unable to settle.

Only the interweaving sounds of hooves and wheels filled her ears, making her increasingly restless.

The carriage fell silent for a moment, with only the continual wind outside.

At that moment, a crisp "Huh—" suddenly rang out.

Immediately after, the speeding carriage abruptly halted, the massive inertia causing Xu Youwen and Chi Yilan to lurch, nearly crashing into the carriage wall.

Xu Youwen steadied himself, his heart sinking sharply, and shouted outward, "Xun Bo, why did we stop all of a sudden?"

"Keep moving forward quickly!"

"Didn't I already instruct that we must keep the horses moving without pause, no delays midway!"

His tone was full of urgency, even a hint of scolding.

Before departure, Xu Youwen had made it crystal clear: apart from feeding the horses, we must not stop…

After all, lives are paramount!

Once safe, we can rest however we wish…

Outside, Xun Bo's voice carried a hint of panic and helplessness as he hurriedly explained, "Sir, it's not that I don't want to go…"

"At the upcoming junction there's a massive army brandishing steel and sharp weapons, blocking our path completely, we can't get through!"

"An army?" Xu Youwen murmured the two words, his brows instantly knitting, his face turning grave, his eyes full of confusion and shock.

He lowered his head, pondering briefly, muttering softly, "I haven't heard of any large‑scale drills around Chang'an lately…"

Inside the carriage, Chi Yilan heard the words "army", her eyes snapped open, her face turning pale, she clutched Xu Youwen's sleeve tightly, her voice trembling, "Sir, what… what is happening?"

The morning mist thinned, dawn light barely appeared, and the figures at the end of the official road grew clearer.

Eight hundred garrison soldiers formed a line, their dark‑blue armor glinting cold, sharp light in the faint morning glow.

As the armor plates clanged, a chorus of sharp, deadly clatter rang out.

Chang Qiang spears angled toward the sky, their Spear Tips catching a glimmer.

Like an insurmountable iron wall, they completely blocked the road ahead.

In front of the formation, two fine horses reared and whinnied, the two riders atop them wore matching armor, Horizontal Blades at their waists, each in their forties, standing as upright as pines.

They were Feng Heng and Liang Guan, recently appointed as Left Martial Guard Generals.

Feng Heng's face was resolute, his brows and eyes bearing a sharp edge; his gaze swept over the six halted carriages ahead, a cold smile curling his lips, his tone light yet edged, he said to Liang Guan beside him, "Brother Liang, we finally have this rabbit we've been waiting for…"

The words fell, his fingertips lightly tapped the saddle, a teasing glint flickered in his eyes.

Liang Guan raised an eyebrow, excitement flashing in his eyes, and said in a deep voice, "Let's go ahead and take a look!"

Having said so, he squeezed his legs against the horse's belly and shouted loudly, "Whoa!"

The fine horse lifted its hooves and galloped toward the carriage.

Feng Heng followed closely, his horse kicking up clouds of dust.

Eight Hundred Provincial Soldiers moved in perfect unison, their steps causing the ground to tremble slightly, a murderous aura bearing down, making the surrounding air feel heavier.

Inside the carriage, Xu Youwen heard the commotion, his heart growing more frantic, yet he knew there was no escape. He inhaled deeply to steady himself and whispered to Chi Yilan in the carriage, "Madam, don't panic. Let me go out and see; they're ordinary soldiers, a few Silver Notes should get us through…"

Having said that, he smoothed his robes, pulled back the curtain, and hurried out.

He jogged over to the horses of Feng Heng and Liang Guan, bending his waist extremely low, his face plastered with a flattering smile, fearing any hint of neglect, and said reverently, "Commander! Commander!"

"I am traveling with my family, urgently returning home for a funeral. The journey is pressing; may I ask you and your troops to grant us a favor and let us pass?"

Liang Guan, astride his horse, looked down at Xu Youwen, a half‑smile curling his mouth, and in a cold tone blurted, "Not very convenient!"

Xu Youwen's heart tightened; he thought, indeed they came to extort, as ordinary provincial soldiers or local troops often intercept travelers in the outskirts, demanding money…

He was already accustomed to such things and dared not speak further; he quickly reached into his chest, produced a Silver Note, held it aloft with both hands, and handed it to Liang Guan, saying even more respectfully, "Commander, this modest token is not enough for my respect; please accept it!"

"Consider it an invitation for you two and your brothers to share a drink; I hope you, Commander, will raise your noble hand and grant us a favor!"

Liang Guan lowered his gaze, glanced at the Silver Note, took it, pinched a corner with his fingertip, scanned the amount, and suddenly exclaimed, "Yo!"

Having said that, he turned and handed the Silver Note to Feng Heng beside him, smiling, "Brother Feng, take a look; this is a thousand taels!"

Feng Heng took the Silver Note, his eyes scanning the amount, a teasing smile curling his mouth, and said with a hint of mockery, "That's quite a hefty sum!"

Xu Youwen quickly forced a smile, bowed his head, and said, "Showing respect to the Commander is my duty; if I gave less, it would seem I lack sincerity!"

Seeing the two take the Silver Note without granting passage, he thought they might find it insufficient, and without hesitation reached again, pulling out a five‑hundred‑tael Silver Note, and, maintaining his previous posture, handed it up with both hands, his tone even more earnest, "I still have five hundred taels, which I also present to you both!"

"Please, Commander, be lenient a bit and let us set off sooner; the funeral of our elder at home cannot be delayed!"

Having said that, he lowered his head, his heart pounding, hoping this one‑thousand‑five‑hundred‑tael Silver Note could buy off these people and let him leave this place of trouble sooner.

Liang Guan pinched the five‑hundred‑tael Silver Note between his fingertips, gave it a light flick into his palm, and the paper emitted a crisp sound.

A smiling curve lingered on his mouth, but his eyes held no warmth as he leisurely praised, "Not bad, not bad—such a swift hand!"

Before the words finished, his expression darkened abruptly, the smile vanished, replaced by a chilling murderous intent, and he barked loudly at the soldiers behind him, "Come!"

"Seize Xu Youwen, along with these several carriages of family and belongings, capture them all!"

"Don't let a single one slip!"

"As you command!" The Eight Hundred Provincial Soldiers answered in unison, their shouts shaking the surrounding foliage.

The soldiers, who had been standing in formation, sprang into action, brandishing Chang Qiang and hurrying forward with swift, decisive movements, encircling the six carriages.

The front‑line soldiers charged straight at Xu Youwen.

The others positioned themselves around the wagons, Chang Qiang pointed at the carriage, an imposing pressure that completely trapped the convoy in the center, leaving no escape.

Seeing this, Xu Youwen panicked, his legs going weak, nearly collapsing, he raised his hand toward Liang Guan, his voice trembling with alarm, "Commander! What are you doing?"

"Didn't you already take my Silver Notes?"

"One thousand five hundred taels, not a tael less, I gave you; why are you still seizing people?"

Ordinary extortion would let you go once the money is paid…

But today these men clearly have another plot; the prior flattery and respect vanished instantly, leaving only dread and unease.

Liang Guan, still on his horse, looked down at the frantic Xu Youwen, his gaze icy, and declared with righteous confidence, "Lord, I took your Silver Notes, but I never said I'd let you go!"

The words "Lord" were deliberately emphasized, his tone dripping with contempt, shattering Xu Youwen's last hope.

Beside him, Feng Heng looked at Xu Youwen with a half‑smile and slowly said, directly exposing his identity, his tone tinged with playful sarcasm, "Physician Xu, do you truly think the Xu clan, guilty of treason against the state, could still escort family and wealth and safely escape Chang'an?"

Having said that, he raised his hand, pointing at the orderly Eight Hundred Provincial Soldiers, murderous intent in his eyes, "Lord, I have so many brothers here, waiting especially for you!"

"Lord?" Xu Youwen murmured the two words, his heart jolting, his gaze subconsciously scanning the armor on the nearby soldiers.

The dark‑colored Armor bore clear patterns, unlike those of ordinary soldiers.

In the next instant, two soldiers stepped forward, one on each side, gripping Xu Youwen's arms, slamming him onto the ground, their knees pressing his back, immobilizing him.

A bone‑chilling cold spread from his spine to his whole body, the dread shooting up to his Heavenly Spirit Cover; Xu Youwen realized something, jerked his head up, eyes filled with shock and despair, and shouted, "Are you the Left Martial Marquis Guard?!"

Inside the carriage, Chi Yilan heard the commotion outside, trembling in fear, yet she dared not pull back the curtain to look, only feeling dread.

Soon, the soldiers knocked on the carriage door, shouting harshly for those inside to come out.

Chi Yilan, helpless, stepped down slowly, and as soon as she appeared she was seized by the soldiers.

She held back tears, powerless to resist, watching helplessly as her family members were taken one by one.

The gold and silver aboard the carriage were individually counted, moved, and confiscated by the soldiers.

A moment later, all personnel and assets were fully secured.

The Left Martial Marquis Guard's Colonel Hua Lu hurried to the side of Feng Heng and Liang Guan, respectfully asking, "General, how should we deal with these people?"

Liang Guan lifted his eyes to the sky; the morning light brightened, the mist had long cleared, the official road's view was clear, and he said in a deep voice, "Detain them on the spot!"

"Wait for General Chen to arrive for judgment!"