Chapter 434: The Xie Family

【Old Matriarch Xie slowly settled into the main seat, her aged fingers stroking the sandalwood armrests. Even without anger, her brow carried a natural air of authority.】

【The entire clan gathered in the hall held their breath, the sound of fabric rubbing against fabric clearly audible.】

【Not a single person in the hall dared to make a sound.】

【Two martial artists in dark robes had already surrounded Xie Guan from front and back.】

【Li Nantian was already preparing to rise and leave; what followed would be Xie Guan's torture, and there was no need to watch any further.】

【He felt that letting his younger sister witness the methods of such a great family was enough; she should know that the undercurrents of the Nine Great Surnames, once exposed, would not just lead to bloodshed, but to the total annihilation of one's remains.】

【"Qinlan, let's go. Shuwan is still waiting at home."】

【Li Qinlan's face held a look of desolation. She looked at the python whip shimmering with cold light in the hands of the hall's martial artists, then looked at the thin, straight figure standing in the center of the hall.】

【What could she do? As a junior, she had no say.】

【How could Li Qinlan not know that if it concerned the survival of the family, her eldest brother would dare to charge through a mountain of blades and a sea of fire? But to damage the family's interests for an irrelevant illegitimate son was absolutely out of the question. However...】

【Xie Guan, dying right before her eyes like this—how could she not feel guilty? After all, it was she who had broken off the engagement, and she had played a part in pushing the youth into the abyss.】

【Seeing this, Xie Yu felt an inexplicable sense of regret. Among this generation of the Xie family, those who could truly amount to something were few and far between.】

【This Xie Guan, when all was said and done, had some ability; otherwise, he wouldn't have stirred up such a grand scene.】

【But, failing to judge the situation, he was destined for such an end.】

【Lady Yuan leisurely stirred the tea lid; steam rose from the tea within.】

【A smile played on her lips as her gaze rested on Xie Guan. An illegitimate son who didn't know the immensity of heaven and earth—this was the fate he deserved, to teach others a lesson.】

【The two martial artists approached from front and back, their iron-pincer-like palms about to seize Xie Guan's vital points—】

【Xie Ling was also preparing to bid his mother farewell and leave; there was no turning back for Xie Guan.】

【Outside the courtyard, where rain poured down in torrents, a sudden shout exploded: "Stop!"】

【Xie Qiyue's tense shoulders finally relaxed, and she let out a breath.】

【Xie Yuan had finally arrived.】

【The two martial artists paused, their eyes seeking instruction from the Old Matriarch on the high seat. The Old Matriarch's aged eyes narrowed, and she gave a slight nod.】

【The two hesitated no longer, their Qi and blood surging like a collapsing snow mountain, their claw-winds fierce as they lunged to seize Xie Guan's shoulders and vital gates!】

【But the next instant—】

【The youth's figure slid away like a swimming fish, actually escaping from their encirclement!】

【The two were stunned, and before they could recover, a deep, thick voice rang out: "Martial artists of the Primordial Realm are forbidden here!"】

【Before the words faded, their dantian felt as if frozen, their true Qi instantly stagnating! Fortunately, both were veterans of the battlefield; calm and composed, they violently shook the meridians within their bodies, forcibly shattering this invisible shackle.】

【Xie Yu's pupils constricted. "Words following the law"—this was the method of a Confucian Primordial Spirit cultivator!】

【Xie Yuan strode into the main hall, followed by three people—Zhuge Jian, Zhang Shizai, and Zhang Yunzhi.】

【The Confucian scholar who had just acted was none other than Xie Yuan's uncle, Zhuge Jian. This great scholar, who had lived in seclusion for many years and had long since ignited his divine fire, had perfectly aligned himself with the Confucian ideal of "cultivating oneself, regulating the family, governing the state, and bringing peace to the world" after entering the imperial court. His cultivation had advanced further, having already broken through to the Ninth Realm, the "Ziwei Hengjie".】

【The "Mouth Containing Heavenly Constitution" he employed was a unique technique created by the Third Master of the Academy, standing out uniquely within the Confucian school.】

【The two martial artists dared not act rashly now, because another fierce, blade-like murderous aura had locked onto them firmly.】

【Standing beside Zhuge Jian was none other than Zhang Shizai. Although dressed as a Confucian scholar, he cultivated the path of slaughter. Having once served as a Battalion Commander in the Demon-Slaughtering Division, a chilling, murderous aura was hidden beneath his seemingly refined exterior.】

【Xie Yuan walked quickly to your side, looking you up and down with concern: "Brother Guan, are you injured?"】

【"It is nothing!"】

【Beside them, Zhang Yunzhi's eyes were full of concern; her vermilion lips parted as if to say something, but in the end, she only pressed her lips together and remained silent.】

【Lady Yuan had already risen, her brows tightly furrowed as she said in a deep voice: "Xie Yuan, what are you doing?"】

【Her gaze swept over Zhuge Jian and Zhang Shizai behind Xie Yuan, her tone carrying a hint of interrogation: "Master Jingyue, Master Zhang, what is the meaning of this?"】

【Xie Yuan stepped forward and bowed respectfully: "Greetings, Old Matriarch, Aunt."】

【He straightened his back, his gaze firm: "Xie Yuan comes here only because I feel this matter is unjust and should not be handled this way!"】

【The Old Matriarch said in a deep voice: "Today's matter has nothing to do with you. Step back!"】

【Xie Yuan stood tall: "Old Matriarch, please listen. Your grandson is not being unreasonable. Even if Xie Guan has faults, Xie Renfeng set a trap to assassinate him at the Flower Banquet first; this matter is absolutely true. If there is to be punishment, it should be applied equally!"】

【Hearing this, Xie Renfeng's face changed drastically, and he cried out involuntarily: "Xie Yuan! Do not spout nonsense!"】

【Lady Zhao stood up abruptly: "Xie Yuan, to shield Xie Guan, you dare to slander my son in public? If you have no concrete evidence, do not talk nonsense."】

【The Old Matriarch ignored Xie Yuan, her gaze falling on Zhuge Jian and his companion, her brows slightly furrowed.】

【"The two of you have come to my Xie family; I wonder what instruction you have for me?"】

【Li Nantian, who had been preparing to leave, saw this and slowly sat back down, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes.】

【It seems this play has not yet reached its finale.】

【Zhang Shizai stepped forward, bowed, and spoke with earnest words: "Old Matriarch, please be discerning. The Xie family's strict governance is known to all, both in court and among the people. Regarding today's matter, although I, Zhang, do not know all the twists and turns, Xie Guan, as a member of the Xie family, has always been possessed of both virtue and talent; he is truly a rare talent. I hope the Old Matriarch can consider the ties of blood and deal with him leniently."】

【Hearing this, Lady Zhao immediately interjected: "This is my Xie family's private business; how can outsiders interfere?"】

【The Old Matriarch's brows furrowed imperceptibly. She knew deeply that this Zhang Shizai before her was not only a direct descendant of the Zhang family of the Nine Great Surnames but had also served in important positions in the Demon-Slaughtering Division and had even served as the Governor of Longxi Province, deeply loved by the people. He was known for his integrity; his three confrontations with Su Xiang in the past were still praised by the literati to this day. Whether in court or among the people, he enjoyed extremely high prestige.】

【Just as the atmosphere grew heavy!】

【Zhuge Jian suddenly smiled, as gentle as a spring breeze: "I have come here today, in truth, to offer congratulations to the Old Matriarch and Lady Yuan."】

【Lady Yuan was stunned: "Congratulations?"】

【Zhuge Jian smiled slightly and continued: "The world knows that the Xie family produced the Marquis of Dingyuan, whose fame is illustrious. However, few know that the Marquis of Dingyuan did not rely on the Xie family name back then, but relied on his own brilliant military achievements to be enfeoffed as a Marquis, hailed as the number one hero among the Nine Great Surnames."】

【"Master Hong, who rose to fame in Above Bianjing with his essays, causing paper prices to soar, was treated as a bosom friend by the Second Master, and even nearly entered the Master's school. The Third Master once personally praised him as 'like jade in the rough,' possessing ten thousand thunderbolts in his chest without showing them, and magnificent landscapes in his belly."】

【"In Above Bianjing, some also called them the 'Two Walls of the Xie Family'."】

【Lady Yuan listened, dazed, not understanding his meaning.】

【Everyone in the hall also held their breath, and even Lady Zhao forgot to refute.】

【Zhuge Jian suddenly changed the subject: "A towering ancient tree must have its roots; a mighty river must have its source. Since the Xie family can produce such talents who can manage the world, where is the root?"】

【He bowed deeply to the Old Matriarch: "Only today do I know that it is because the Old Matriarch manages the family well, and the family is prosperous."】

【Zhuge Jian smiled brightly and continued: "So I have come today specifically to offer congratulations; the Xie family has now added another fledgling phoenix. The poems written by Young Master Xie Guan at the Flower Banquet have now spread throughout the world; not only are they recited by everyone in the West Chamber Building, but even in the Great Sui, ten thousand miles away, scholars are scrambling to study them."】

【"The various masters of the Hanlin Academy and the Academy in the court all praise Young Master Xie Guan highly, calling him 'startlingly talented and brilliant,' a title well-deserved."】

【"Some time ago, I had the honor of seeing Young Master Xie Guan's scholarship; his brushwork fully displayed the style of a master, which was breathtaking."】

【Saying this, Zhuge Jian bowed again, his tone full of respect: "That is why I said I came today specifically to offer congratulations. After the Two Walls of the Xie family, another fledgling phoenix has been gained; why would the Xie family not be prosperous?"】

【Lady Yuan's face grew uglier, but hindered by Zhuge Jian's status and prestige, she could not refute.】

【This Zhuge Jian also came from the Zhuge family among the Nine Great Surnames and was a direct disciple of the Third Master, a great scholar of the Academy, and now an official in the court, reaching the rank of a Second-Rank official. His influence and status were by no means comparable to ordinary people.】

【Xie Yu's face darkened slightly. He had always prided himself on being the most outstanding disciple of this generation of the Xie family, believing that one day he would rival the fame of his father and uncle. But today, he had been preempted by a Xie Guan he had never taken seriously.】

【Zhuge Jian continued: "As the saying goes, family harmony brings prosperity to all things. Confucianism says, the two words for passing on a family lie in daily reading and farming; the two words for flourishing a family lie in daily frugality and diligence; the two words for settling a family lie in daily concession and forbearance."】

【"A family that accumulates goodness will surely have surplus blessings; a mother exhausts her heart and strength for her children; alas, the hearts of parents in the world."】

【"Although Xie Guan has faults, they do not go so far as this."】

【"In troubled times, one pities the child; in a poor family, one looks up to the mother's kindness; the lingering kindness of a mother."】

【"Although Xie Guan has no birth mother in the hall, he has the teachings of his legal mother, and even more, the pity and protection of the Old Matriarch."】

【These words were like spring breeze and rain, containing both the ultimate truths of Confucianism and the warmth of human relationships. Lady Zhao opened her mouth, but was speechless for a moment.】

【The people in the hall had different expressions, some nodding thoughtfully.】

【Xie Renfeng showed an anxious expression; at this moment, he absolutely could not let Xie Guan escape this disaster.】

【Just at this moment, an aged but resolute voice suddenly rang out:】

【"The family rules of the ancestors cannot be abandoned! Without rules, there is no square." The Old Matriarch struck the ground heavily with her deer-head staff. "Although I am a woman who has not read books, I understand this principle—if you make a mistake, you must be punished!"】

【Zhuge Jian and Zhang Shizai frowned at the same time.】

【Li Nantian, however, heard the subtext and shook his head secretly: The Old Matriarch is determined to punish Xie Guan; even if two heavyweights of the court come forward, it is difficult to change the Xie family's private business. After all, blood is thicker than water, and it is ultimately inconvenient for outsiders to interfere too much.】

【However, Li Nantian could not help but feel curious: what kind of ability does Xie Guan, an illegitimate son, have to make two court heavyweights help him so much? This Xie Guan, it seems, really has some ability!】

【The Old Matriarch changed the subject, her tone slightly softer: "However... since the two masters have personally pleaded, I cannot fail to give this face. The originally scheduled three hundred lashes will be reduced to two hundred."】

【The aged voice carried an unquestionable majesty: "If the two of you insist on interfering in my Xie family's private business."】

【Her turbid eyes suddenly turned sharp: "Then do not blame me for not being polite."】

【These words also carried a warning; the face had been given, and what followed would be tearing off the mask.】

【"Carry out the punishment!" The Old Matriarch's tone was firm.】

【Xie Yuan's face was anxious, blocking in front of you.】

【The Old Matriarch said: "Xie Yuan, you are making trouble today; someone, drag Xie Yuan down."】

【Xie Xuan's pupils moved; he already understood in his heart that even if he called Su Yun today, it would be difficult to change this iron-clad situation.】

【The two dark-robed martial artists had already approached.】

【The atmosphere in the hall suddenly solidified!】

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 435 =====