Chapter 399: Son-in-law, Lowly Status, Blood-washing the Past, Xie Guan Must Die!

Third floor of Yaoxian Tower.

"Hong'er, why go to this extent?"

Old Matriarch Xie was overcome with grief, her aged face covered in tears, supporting Xie Hong with one hand, unable to stop sobbing.

Xie Hong's expression was composed, his meaning firm: "Mother, the family has encountered such a disaster; how can I stay out of it?"

Lady Zhao's face was pale, her beautiful eyes containing tears, crying out like a pear blossom in the rain: "Master, if you leave, how will we orphans and widows survive?"

Xie Hong turned around decisively, "I am only going to the Academy to study; Mother and Lady need not worry too much."

Hearing these words, Old Matriarch Xie could not suppress her grief, "Going to the Academy, I fear you will never return?"

Xie Hong comforted, "Second Brother will return to Above Bianjing soon; Mother, rest assured."

Beside her, Lady Yuan, although pretending to be sorrowful, could not hide the joy in her eyes.

The reason was!

News had just come from the Great Qi army, and the third floor was also shaken.

Xie Ling had taken advantage of the Flower Banquet in the western frontier to defeat the Great Sui enemy army in Zhuya County.

In one battle, he beheaded one hundred thousand enemies and recovered the lost territory.

With such good news, Prime Minister Su was extremely happy, directly restoring Xie Ling's title—Marquis of Dingyuan.

He issued an imperial decree that he would return to the capital at the beginning of the year.

The people of the Nine Great Surnames on the third floor heard this news, all with complex expressions.

Some were shocked, some happy, their expressions different.

It was originally a happy event, but the Suspended Mirror Division had a secret report stating that the Xie family was colluding with the Sanzhen Sect.

A heaven-shaking disaster after great joy.

Finally, Xie Hong went to the fourth floor to settle this matter.

Prime Minister Su had already ordered the Xie family to let this matter pass and not pursue it.

The Third Master invited Xie Hong to study in the Academy.

The Nine Great Surnames all knew that while it was called studying, it was a form of imprisonment.

Both Xie family brothers only had one person active in the court.

Since Xie Ling was returning, Xie Hong had to hide.

That was why there was joy on Lady Zhao's face.

The Third Master went downstairs, and Xie Hong followed him away.

Lady Zhao's eyes were tearful, looking at Xie Hong's departing back, her heart full of reluctance.

Old Matriarch Xie's gaze turned cold:

"It was all caused by that evil obstacle."

"Bringing misfortune to the family and implicating Hong'er, Prime Minister Su and the Third Master are magnanimous and do not pursue it, but the Xie family cannot forgive him."

The mistress of the second courtyard, Lady Zhao, also said, "Mother, you must make the decision for us."

"This young master of the big courtyard has harmed our master so bitterly."

After speaking, Lady Zhao burst into tears.

Old Matriarch Xie's gaze turned to Lady Yuan of the big courtyard.

Lady Yuan also hurriedly said, "Old Matriarch, although Xie Guan is a disciple of the big courtyard, his mother was a lowly servant, and he was never enlightened since childhood, so he cannot be counted as a Xie family disciple."

"This matter is entirely up to the Old Matriarch!"

A Xie Guan naturally could not be protected by Lady Yuan; she had seen clearly today that although Xie Hong had been away from the court for many years, the Great Qi court still held him in high regard, and Prime Minister Su and the Third Master valued him just as much.

Every time she thought of the days when Xie Ling was in the military and Xie Hong was at home caring for the elderly mother and managing the household, Lady Yuan felt wary of him.

Old Matriarch Xie said coldly, "After tomorrow, it is decided that Xie Guan will be married into the Li family as a son-in-law, and his household registration will be sent to the Ministry of Rites in the court; Xie Guan will not be recorded in the Xie family, and will be classified as a commoner with lowly status."

Lady Zhao's eyes were full of doubt and unwillingness: "Old Matriarch, why not directly expel Xie Guan from the Xie residence, but instead let him marry in? Wouldn't that be letting him off easily?"

Lady Yuan smiled slightly, her tone carrying a hint of profound meaning: "Sister, you don't need to worry too much. If it were before yesterday, it wouldn't matter; we could just drive Xie Guan out of the Xie family. But today, Xie Guan showed off at the Flower Banquet, his poetry stunning the audience, and he is already famous. If we expel him from the Xie family at this time, it will only make people feel that our Xie family cannot tolerate others, and we will be labeled as jealous women."

Lady Zhao heard this, her gaze scanning the surroundings, and sure enough, she saw many people still whispering about Xie Guan's poetry, their eyes full of admiration.

Her heart sank, knowing that Lady Yuan's words were not false. If they expelled Xie Guan from the Xie family at this time, not only would it ruin the Xie family's reputation, but it might also invite more criticism.

Moreover, the Xie family could not make public the matter of Xie Guan colluding with the Sanzhen Sect.

After all, this matter involved a wide range of issues, and a slight carelessness would lead to self-immolation and harm the Xie family.

Although the big courtyard and the second courtyard were in constant conflict, they were also prosperous together and damaged together.

Lady Zhao bit her silver teeth almost to pieces, indignantly saying: "He is a bastard, what right does he have! Xie Renfeng has studied hard for many years, reading every day until he forgets to eat and sleep; why is this world so unfair!"

Lady Yuan patted Lady Zhao's hand gently, her tone gentle but carrying a hint of comfort: "Sister, don't be anxious. Although Xie Guan is proud for a moment, he is ultimately just a concubine's son and cannot make any big waves; no matter how he tosses, it is just a flash in the pan."

Lady Zhao heard this, her face slightly relaxed, but her eyes still carried a hint of unwillingness: "But I just can't swallow this breath! Why can a lowly person like him also show off!"

Lady Yuan smiled slightly, whispering: "Sister, this matter cannot be rushed. Xie Guan is currently in the limelight; let's endure it for now. When the limelight passes, it won't be too late to slowly deal with him."

Old Matriarch's eyelids drooped, her deer-head cane gripped tightly, her knuckles turning white from the force.

"Do not let an evil obstacle tarnish the thousand-year-old gate of the Xie family."

Lady Zhao took a deep breath, barely calming the anger in her chest, nodding in agreement: "Old Matriarch and Sister's words are reasonable; I was too impatient."

Lady Yuan's mouth curled up, a flash of triumph in her eyes, her words carrying comfort: "Sister, rest assured, after the Flower Banquet, Xie Guan will marry into the Li family and will have no relationship with the Xie family. We have already made arrangements with the Li family; they will postpone the wedding date and refuse to recognize the door, making Xie Guan a great humiliation."

She paused, her voice becoming increasingly low, revealing a hint of coldness: "The status of a son-in-law is lowly; he has neither the right to take the imperial examination nor the ability to be an official. When he leaves the Xie family, there will be ways to deal with him, letting him follow the fate of that lowly embryo of his mother."

Lady Zhao heard this, her face cleared slightly, a flash of ruthlessness in her eyes: "Then everything will be according to Sister's arrangements."

Lady Yuan's smile became increasingly obvious, as if she had regained the honor of the mistress.

With Xie Hong invited into the Academy and Xie Ling about to return to the capital to regain his title, she deeply felt that she had regained control of the Xie family's overall situation.

As for the life or death of a Xie Guan, who cares!

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"Sixth Brother, the Flower Banquet is over, and the rankings for the Flower Queen have come out."

The Second Prince, Chen Feng, turned around by the window and asked slowly, "The Lady Lady Gongsun you supported is in the top three; why don't I see you happy? You made a big profit again today."

The Sixth Prince, Chen Ting, did not answer immediately.

His gaze was fixed on the troops outside the Flower Banquet, his expression as cold as ice.

The Hidden God, the Demon-Slaughtering Division, the Suspended Mirror Division, and the Imperial Guard—these forces that rarely appeared together on weekdays were now surrounding the Flower Banquet tightly.

Under the illumination of the lamps, the atmosphere of the originally lively Flower Banquet was oppressive.

Chen Ting revealed a cold smile; he looked up at Chen Feng, his voice low and carrying sarcasm: "How ridiculous!"

"I am a prince with deep-rooted power in the military, yet I didn't know there would be such a scene at the Flower Banquet today."

Chen Feng heard these words, his face also sinking slightly, a flash of coldness in his eyes: "Prime Minister Su's move is indeed chilling."

"It seems Prime Minister Su has never been at ease with the Chen family."

Chen Ting did not answer, but looked up at the sky, recalling the scene just now—the Second Master slashing open the Heavenly Gate with his sword, strange phenomena appearing one after another, heaven and earth shaking because of it.

He muttered in a low voice, his tone carrying a hint of yearning and unwillingness: "In the end, I am too weak myself. If I had the power of the Second Master, what need would I have for any schemes or means?"

"Forget about what power is overwhelming, what ten thousand calculations; I would just punch, and who would dare to stop me!"

Chen Feng heard this, but smiled indifferently, his tone carrying a hint of calmness and pragmatism: "But there is only one immortal figure like the Second Master in the world? I, Chen Feng, pride myself on not being able to do it, nor can I ask for it."

"I only love this country and beauty; the matter of ascension is ultimately not to be forced."

"It is precisely because these big figures are focused on ascension that we people can calmly layout and plan for this world."

Chen Ting suddenly thought of something, "What do you think of this Xie Guan? He went down the fourth floor just now, which counts as escaping with his life."

Chen Feng heard this, a look of hesitation appearing on his face. He pondered for a moment, speaking slowly: "This Xie Guan is indeed not simple. He could rush down the fourth floor from a life-and-death situation and write such brilliant poetry, but he is ultimately a... hidden danger."

If someone were to fan the flames behind the scenes and take Xie Guan into their mansion, it would be no different from inviting fire to burn oneself.

Chen Ting laughed, "Since you, Second Brother, are unwilling to take Xie Guan into your command, then I will take his life."

The Second Prince, Chen Feng, frowned, "Why must you put him to death?"

Chen Ting said indifferently: "The Xie family wants him dead; I am just doing a favor. Now that the Xie family has that Marquis of Dingyuan returning, it is like having a pillar supporting the sky, plus that Mr. Hong, the Xie family is already ranked at the forefront of the Nine Great Surnames. Why should we offend the Xie family for a concubine's son?"

He paused, his gaze carrying a hint of coldness: "Although Xie Guan is famous today, a few poems are ultimately like duckweed without roots; what can they do?"

"Moreover, the two ladies of the Xie family's big courtyard, the Yuan family, the Zhao family—the Nine Great Surnames have already offended three families... He is just a concubine's son; if he causes trouble, he must burn himself like a moth to a flame."

Chen Feng heard this, his brows furrowed, but there was still hesitation in his heart.

He recalled the "Cloud Mist Dragon Head Picture" that Xie Guan painted at the Flower Banquet; although he didn't paint the dragon's eyes, it was quite miraculous.

And that sentence, "Seeing the dragon in the field, a small test of the ox knife."

Chen Feng still felt a trace of regret in his heart; he originally wanted to take Xie Guan into his mansion as a guest, or even as a confidant.

He thought over and over, a trace of irritability added to his heart, always feeling that he had lost something important.

Chen Feng could not help but ask: "Then how do you plan to deal with him?"

Chen Ting sneered: "Does a concubine's son like this deserve me spending effort to layout?"

Chen Feng heard this and understood.

Chen Ting's meaning was that there was no need for cumbersome layouts; just act secretly and solve Xie Guan quietly. Although this method was simple and crude, it was often the most effective.

Chen Feng just lowered his head and stared at the poetry in his hand, which Xie Guan wrote for the Yaoxian Tower: "Bai Yu Capital in the sky, twelve towers and five cities. The immortal strokes my head, tying my hair to receive eternal life."

Every word is a pearl, the artistic conception is extraordinary, as if visiting an immortal realm.

Chen Feng shook his head, unable to help but sigh; Xie Guan is indeed talented, but unfortunately...

Chen Ting's gaze looked complexly toward the bottom of the Yaoxian Tower, only to see troops standing like a forest, killing intent permeating.

The Yaoxian Tower had been surrounded tightly, and no one was allowed to leave without permission.

Chen Ting knew deeply that Xie Guan's fate was already doomed and could not be changed.

Even him!

As the Sixth Prince of Great Qi with a respected status, he could not control his own fate, let alone this mere Xie Guan!

Just at this moment!

A burst of footsteps came from the fourth floor.

The crowd looked up, only to see the Third Master walking down slowly, followed by Xie Hong and a group of Academy students.

The people on the second floor bowed one after another, and even the two princes, Chen Ting and Chen Feng, did not dare to be negligent, all bowing to show respect.

The Academy people walked down to the first floor.

A burst of noise came from the entrance of the Yaoxian Tower, attracting everyone's gaze.

Chen Ting and Chen Feng turned to look, only to see at the entrance of the first floor, several Confucian scholars holding long swords or carrying sword scabbards, their faces full of grief.

One of the Confucian scholars with a high crown was the person seen by the black donkey in front of the Academy's Cultivation Building earlier.

His expression was dim, his spirit lost, his voice trembling as he reported to the Third Master: "Third Master, the Master has left! We... failed to guard the Master!"

The Third Master's gaze swept over these few Confucian scholars, a flash of complexity in his eyes.

He gently pulled his sleeve, an invisible force lifting the few people up, saying in a deep voice, "Why must you be sad? Yu'an ascended from this realm, completing the Master's lifelong wish. You should be happy for him."

The high-crowned Confucian scholar heard this, tears in his eyes even more, his voice choked: "But... but the Master... we will never see him again!"

The Third Master patted his shoulder gently, comforting him.

"With your Master's talent, if he were trapped in this realm, that would be the pity. You should be happy for him."

"Parting is not death; perhaps there will be a time to meet again."

The few Confucian scholars heard this, although still grieving, their emotions had calmed down slightly.

One of the Confucian scholars reported: "Third Master, ever since the Master swung that sword, the originally stable Cultivation Building collapsed shortly after."

As soon as these words were spoken, the dignitaries and people of the Nine Great Surnames on the Yaoxian Tower all showed expressions of disbelief.

The Cultivation Building had experienced a thousand years, being the place where the Master cultivated his body and mind and studied the classics; how could it collapse suddenly!

The Third Master's expression was solemn, asking: "On the fifth floor of the Cultivation Building, were any other items discovered?"

The few thought for a moment and answered: "We only found two low white beds and a wooden table in the collapsed building, nothing else!"

"Nothing else?" The Third Master pondered.

Xie Hong stood to the side, hearing this, although there was no surprise in his eyes, he could not hide his deep worry.

The high-crowned Confucian scholar's expression was solemn, seemingly having words left unsaid, yet hesitating.

The Third Master saw this, his sleeves flicking, and the Academy crowd, including Xie Hong, was instantly moved to the front of the collapsed Cultivation Building.

The Academy crowd was not surprised by this; this was the "Carefree Wandering" divine ability of the First Master, and the Third Master seemed to have mastered this technique as well, only not as freely as the First Master, and could only be performed within the Above Bianjing range.

The high-crowned Confucian scholar then said in a low voice: "Third Master, we found some handwriting on the wooden table in the Cultivation Building."

The Third Master's figure flashed, already at the somewhat incomplete wooden table.

Originally, his broken sword should have been placed on the table, but now only mottled handwriting remained, clearly newly carved, seemingly written with fingers.

Written on the tabletop!

"Five years later, blood-wash the past."

The Third Master stared at the handwriting; he was all too familiar with this handwriting, exactly what the Master had left behind.

And below it, there was another line of words, revealing a sinister intent:

"Xie Guan must die!"

(End of Chapter) ===== CHAPTER 400 =====