Chapter 695: The Xie Clan

Grandmatriarch Xie slowly sat in the main seat, her aged fingers gently stroking the sandalwood armrest, her brow radiating silent authority.

All the clan members present held their breath, the rustle of silk fabrics clearly audible.

No one in the hall dared utter a sound.

Two figures in dark robes had already surrounded Xie Guan from front and back.

Li Nantian was preparing to rise and leave; what followed was Xie Guan’s torture, nothing left worth watching.

Let his own sister witness such clan methods—enough to make her understand the dark currents of the Nine Surnames; once unveiled, it’s not scalp bleeding, but total annihilation.

“Qinlan, let’s go. Shuwan is still waiting at home.”

Li Qinlan’s face was shadowed with sorrow; she stared at the cold glint of the python whip in the executioner’s hand, then at the slender, upright figure standing in the hall.

What could she do? She was just a junior, with no voice.

Li Qinlan knew full well: if the clan’s survival were at stake, her elder brother would charge through fire and blades. But to harm the clan’s interests for a worthless bastard son? Unthinkable. Yet…

If Xie Guan died right before her eyes, how could she not feel guilt? After all, it was she who broke off the engagement—and she who had helped push the boy into the abyss.

Xie Yu, seeing this, felt an inexplicable pang of regret; among this generation of the Xie clan, talent was exceedingly rare.

Xie Guan, after all, had real ability—otherwise he wouldn’t have stirred up such a scene.

But he lacked the wisdom to read the situation, and now this was his end.

Madam Yuan leisurely stirred the tea lid, steam rising from the tea within.

A smile curled her lips as her gaze settled on Xie Guan: a lowborn boy who didn’t know his place—what fate could be more fitting, to serve as a warning to others?

The two warriors advanced, front and back, iron-clad hands poised to seize Xie Guan’s vital points—

Xie Ling was also preparing to take her leave; Xie Guan had no hope left.

Outside the courtyard, where rain poured in torrents, a sudden roar shattered the air: “Stop!”

Xie Qi’s taut shoulders finally relaxed; she exhaled in relief.

Xie Yuan had finally arrived.

The two warriors halted, glancing toward Grandmatriarch Xie on the high seat. Her aged eyes narrowed slightly, then she gave a faint nod.

Without further hesitation, their blood qi surged like a collapsing snow mountain, claws slicing through air—left and right, they lunged for Xie Guan’s shoulder blades and life gate!

But in the next instant—

The boy slipped like a fish, evading their encirclement entirely!

Both warriors froze, still stunned, when a deep, resonant voice rang out: “This place forbids preternatural cultivators!”

Before the words faded, their dantians froze as if sealed by ice—their true qi instantly stagnated. Fortunately, these two were battle-hardened; they remained calm, violently trembling their meridians to forcibly shatter the invisible chains.

Xie Yu’s pupils contracted: “Words become law”—this was the method of a Confucian Primordial Spirit cultivator!

Xie Yuan strode into the main hall, followed by three others—Zhuge Jian, Zhang Shi, Zhang Yunzhi.

The Confucian who had just acted was Zhuge Jian, Xie Yuan’s maternal uncle. This reclusive scholar, long ago ignited his divine flame, and since entering court service, perfectly embodied the Confucian ideal of “cultivating oneself, governing the state, and bringing peace to the world”—his cultivation advanced further, now having broken through to the Ninth Realm: “Purple Microcosm Constellation.”

The technique he wielded, “Mouth Holds Heavenly Mandate,” was a unique masterpiece created by the Third Master of the Academy, unparalleled in Confucian circles.

The two warriors now dared not move, for another sharp, murderous aura had locked onto them like a blade.

Standing beside Zhuge Jian was Zhang Shi. Though dressed as a scholar, he cultivated the path of slaughter. Formerly Chief Commander of the Demon-Slaying Bureau, his refined exterior concealed a chilling, murderous aura.

Xie Yuan hurried to your side, scanning you with concern: “Brother Guan, are you injured?”

“I’m fine!”

Zhang Yunzhi beside him watched with deep concern, her crimson lips parting as if to speak, yet she only pressed them shut, silent.

Madam Yuan had risen, her brow furrowed, voice stern: “Xie Yuan, what are you doing?”

Her gaze swept over Zhuge Jian and Zhang Shi behind him, tone edged with accusation: “Master Jingyue, Master Zhang—what is the meaning of your actions?”

Xie Yuan stepped forward, bowing respectfully: “Greetings, Grandmatriarch, Lady.”

He straightened, eyes firm: “I have come because I find this matter unjust—this punishment is unwarranted!”

Grandmatriarch Xie growled: “This matter has nothing to do with you. Step down!”

But Xie Yuan stood tall: “Grandmatriarch, permit me to speak: I am not acting capriciously. Xie Guan may have erred, but Xie Renfeng set a trap to assassinate him at the Gathering of Beauties—this is fact. If punishment is due, it must be equal!”

Xie Renfeng’s face turned ashen; he cried out: “Xie Yuan! Don’t you dare slander me!”

Madam Zhao leapt to her feet: “Xie Yuan, to protect Xie Guan, you dare publicly defame my son? If you have no proof, don’t speak nonsense!”

Grandmatriarch Xie ignored Xie Yuan, her gaze fixed on Zhuge Jian and Zhang Shi, her brow slightly furrowed.

“You two have come to my Xie household—what do you wish to instruct me in?”

Li Nantian, who had been preparing to leave, slowly sat back down, a flicker of surprise in his eyes.

It seems this drama has not yet reached its end.

Zhang Shi stepped forward, bowing respectfully, his tone earnest: “Grandmatriarch, your household’s discipline is renowned throughout court and realm. Though I cannot fully grasp the intricacies of today’s matter, Xie Guan, as a Xie clan member, has always been virtuous and learned—a rare talent. I humbly beg you, Grandmatriarch, to consider blood ties and show leniency.”

Madam Zhao immediately countered: “This is the Xie family’s internal affair—how dare outsiders meddle?”

Grandmatriarch Xie’s brow twitched imperceptibly; she knew well that Zhang Shi was not only a direct heir of the Zhang clan among the Nine Surnames, but also a former high official of the Demon-Slaying Bureau and former Governor of Longxi Province, deeply beloved by the people. Renowned for his incorruptibility, his three public rebukes of Prime Minister Su were still celebrated in scholarly circles—he held immense prestige, both in court and beyond.

As tension thickened—

Zhuge Jian suddenly smiled, like spring rain melting frost: “I have come today, in fact, to offer congratulations to Grandmatriarch and Madam Yuan.”

Madam Yuan blinked, “Congratulations?”

Zhuge Jian smiled gently, continuing: “All know the Xie clan produced the Marquis of Dingyuan, famed far and wide. Yet few know that the Marquis earned his title not through family influence, but through glorious military exploits—hailed as the greatest hero among the Nine Surnames.”

“Master Hong, in his youth, rose to fame in Bianjing with his essays, causing paper prices to soar; the Second Master humbled himself to be his close friend, even nearly becoming a disciple of the Master himself; the Third Master once praised him: ‘Like jade in its raw stone’—holding ten thousand thunderclaps within, yet showing none; harboring brocade rivers and mountains in his belly.”

“Some in Bianjing even called them the Twin Pillars of the Xie clan.”

Madam Yuan listened, stunned, unsure of his intent.

Everyone in the hall held their breath—even Madam Zhao forgot to rebut.

Zhuge Jian suddenly shifted tone: “A towering tree must have roots; a mighty river must have its source. How did the Xie clan produce such celestial talents?”

He bowed deeply to Grandmatriarch Xie: “Only today do I realize—it is because of your wise household management that the clan prospers.”

Zhuge Jian smiled warmly, continuing: “That is why I have come today to offer congratulations: the Xie clan now has another fledgling phoenix. Xie Guan’s poems from the Gathering of Beauties have spread across the land—recited in every corner of the West Chamber Pavilion, even studied by scholars ten thousand miles away in Great Sui.”

“The Hanlin Academy and Academy Masters all praise Xie Guan with the words ‘astonishing genius’—well deserved.”

“Earlier, I had the honor of observing Xie Guan’s studies; his brushwork revealed the grandeur of a true master—truly breathtaking.”

Here, Zhuge Jian bowed again, his tone brimming with reverence: “That is why I say—I have come today to offer congratulations. After the Twin Pillars of the Xie clan, another fledgling phoenix has emerged. How could the Xie clan not flourish?”

Madam Yuan’s face darkened further, yet she could not rebut, bound by Zhuge Jian’s status and prestige.

Zhuge Jian himself hailed from the Zhuge clan among the Nine Surnames, and was the direct disciple of the Third Master, a great Confucian scholar now serving in court at the rank of Second-Rank Official—his influence and standing far surpassed ordinary men.

Xie Yu’s expression darkened; he had always considered himself the most outstanding of this generation, certain he would one day rival his father and uncle’s fame. Yet today, a boy he had never regarded had stolen the spotlight.

Zhuge Jian continued: “As the saying goes, harmony brings prosperity. Confucianism teaches: to pass on a family, two words matter—daily reading and farming; to prosper a family, two words matter—daily frugality and diligence; to secure a family, two words matter—daily yielding and forbearance.”

“A family that accumulates virtue will have abundant blessings; a mother exhausts her strength for her child—such is the boundless heart of a parent.”

“Xie Guan may bear guilt, but not to this extent.”

“In chaotic times, we pity the small; in poverty, we rely on a mother’s kindness—such is the enduring heart of a mother.”

“Though Xie Guan has no living birth mother, he has been guided by his lawful mother and protected by Grandmatriarch Xie.”

This speech, like spring rain, wove Confucian truth with human warmth. Madam Zhao opened her mouth, yet found herself speechless.

The hall’s occupants wore varied expressions; some nodded thoughtfully.

Xie Renfeng’s face showed panic—he could not let Xie Guan escape this punishment.

At that moment, a voice, aged yet ironclad, rang out:

“Ancestral law cannot be abandoned! Without rules, there is no order.” Grandmatriarch Xie slammed her deer-head cane hard on the ground: “Though I am an uneducated woman, I know this truth—those who break the law must be punished!”

Zhuge Jian and Zhang Shi both frowned.

Li Nantian caught the subtext and silently shook his head: Grandmatriarch Xie was determined to punish Xie Guan—even with two high-ranking officials intervening, the Xie family’s internal affairs would not be overturned. After all, blood ties bind; outsiders cannot interfere too deeply.

Yet Li Nantian could not help but wonder: what power did this lowborn son possess, to earn such backing from two court heavyweights? Xie Guan, it seems, truly has some ability.

Grandmatriarch Xie softened slightly: “Yet… since you two have personally pleaded, I cannot refuse you this face. The original sentence of three hundred lashes is reduced to two hundred.”

Her aged voice carried unyielding authority: “But if you insist on meddling in Xie family affairs—”

Her cloudy eyes suddenly sharpened: “do not blame me for showing no mercy.”

This was a warning: the face has been given—now comes the tearing of masks.

“Carry out the punishment!” Grandmatriarch Xie declared firmly.

Xie Yuan stepped forward, blocking your path, his face anxious.

Grandmatriarch Xie said: “Xie Yuan, you are acting foolishly today. Take him away!”

Xie Xuan’s pupils flickered—he now understood: even if he had summoned Su Yun, the outcome was sealed.

The two dark-robed warriors drew near.

The atmosphere in the hall froze solid!

(End of Chapter)