Chapter 1132 – Defeating Xu Pei, The First Kill Among The Lords (2)
In ancient times, people matured and became sensible quite early; at eleven years old, one was already considered half an adult.
Xu Yansiao was naturally intelligent. She began learning the ways of managing a household and the intrigues of the inner residence beside her mother at the tender age of six. Having witnessed countless schemes and power plays, her mind could not be measured by the standards of an average eleven-year-old girl. She understood her situation—
Her uncle was the root cause of her father’s death, and her mother had also met with indirect misfortune, leading to her demise.
In short, Xu Pei was not only her uncle; he was the enemy who had killed her father and mother.
Who could feel at ease with a foe looking after them?
Xu Yansiao harbored such concerns.
Qin Gong sat upright, observing the girl before him in plain clothing, mourning garb, and a headscarf, internally filled with hesitation.
“Lord Xin Zhao wouldn’t dare treat you poorly. If something happens, he will do his utmost to protect you.”
Xu Yansiao’s pale, bloodless face revealed a hint of sarcasm. “The enemy who killed my father and mother? He will protect me with all his might?”
“You are now equivalent to his reputation; Lord Xin Zhao would not dare neglect you,” Qin Gong replied. “If he fails to take care of the only daughter of Lingwen Gong, and you meet with any misfortune, not just the people of the world, but even the elders of the Xu clan will be the first to hold him accountable—”
Xu Yansiao lowered her head, revealing skeletal hands that resembled dried chicken claws, a far cry from the delicate and graceful fingers that played the piano and painted in the past. She clenched her fists tightly, her nails digging into her palms, leaving deep red crescent-shaped imprints.
“But—Qin Gong—”
Xu Yansiao endured for a long time before finally speaking her innermost thoughts.
“But I’m scared.”
Qin Gong did not interrupt. Xu Yansiao envisioned the scene of that day, her emaciated body trembling uncontrollably.
She had thought she could survive, but in the stillness of the night, her nightmares were filled with the grotesque smiles of the thugs.
They surrounded her and her mother, violently separating the two, tearing at their clothes while beating them.
Her mother lay unblinking, her eyes wide open, with cracks in the corners from the strain, blood bubbling forth and drying up.
Through the gaps among the thugs, she witnessed her mother being humiliated, and those thugs did not spare her either—
In her dreams, she was more desperate than in reality, struggling to wake up but only receiving harsher treatment from the thugs.
As the dream progressed, the thugs transformed into vengeful spirits, each one scalped, their bloody skulls exposed, with gory blood dripping from their groins—one by one, they crawled towards her, chanting death curses.
If it weren’t for Xu Yansiao’s relatively strong mindset, she would have already gone mad from those nightmares.
Once awake, she couldn’t help but overthink, even developing heart-scaring thoughts—
Why hadn’t Qin Gong arrived in time?
If only he had come a few hours earlier, all the tragedies could have been prevented.
Why, of all times, did he choose to show up after everyone was dead?
Xu Yansiao’s rational self told her that such thoughts were treacherous, but she couldn’t help it.
When she regained her composure, she felt that her current self was no different from a devil, uglier than her father’s concubines in the rear courtyard.
Qin Gong remained silent for a moment before softly asking, “Lady Xu, what are you afraid of? Can you share your worries with me?”
“I always feel—” Xu Yansiao forced a faint smile, “I fear I’m destined to be a wandering soul.”
“No matter how well Xu Pei treats me, can it compare to a biological daughter? Though I’m a girl of the boudoir, I’m aware that the world is in chaos, and every lord is insatiable; who would be satisfied with what they have? If I go to Xu Pei, how long can I live in peace? Just a few years? Or merely a few months? Wouldn’t it eventually repeat the scene of enemies attacking the city, me being captured by thugs? At that point—would there be a second Qin Gong to arrive in time and save me from peril?”
Is this the fate awaiting women in a chaotic world?
As a woman, should she accept such a drifting and helpless destiny?
Must she bend and compromise, breaking all her pride just to survive in the turmoil?
In the end—
Xu Yansiao hesitated but still asked him.
“That day, why did you arrive so late?”
Qin Gong bowed his head, truthfully confessing.
His arrival that day wasn’t solely to save Xu Yansiao; it was for Xu Fei’s remains.
Had it not been for heaven’s intervention, he might never have found her.
“I’m asking—” Xu Yansiao took a deep breath, articulating each word, “Why did the army arrive late at Shanweng City?”
Qin Gong’s eyes showed a hint of confusion.
“But I’ve already explained—”
He had never considered doubting Jiang Pengji, nor had he questioned Xu Fei. But Xu Yansiao was different.
“I want to know why Liu Xi generously lent you ten thousand troops? With ten thousand troops, why was the timing so coincidental?”
Too many coincidences inevitably raise suspicion.
Ten thousand troops aren’t cabbages; you can’t just lend them out at will, can you?
Qin Gong was the most loyal subordinate under her late father; why would he change sides at such a crucial moment?
Why was the timing of this ten thousand troops’ assistance to Shanweng City so impeccable?
These days, Xu Yansiao had been preoccupied with maintaining vigil for her deceased parents, and the makeshift altar felt empty and quiet, causing her to overthink.
These doubts choked her like her nightmares.
Qin Gong did not hide anything and recounted what he knew in detail.
In the end, he added dejectedly.
“I am deeply sorry for failing to meet the expectations of Lingwen Gong’s trust and nurture.”
Xu Yansiao remained silent for a while after hearing this.
“Lady Xu, please take comfort for a while longer, remain in Zhejun, and wait for good news,” Qin Gong seemed a bit shy, averting his gaze, softly adding, “I foresee a conflict between the Lord and Lord Xin Zhao. When the army overcomes the enemy, I will take you away.”
Xu Yansiao did not respond. Qin Gong stayed with her for a while longer before rising to train and patrol.
Due to the need to prevent Xu Pei’s surprise attack, he had been busy these days, but Qin Gong was still worried about Xu Yansiao.
To balance both sides, he could only cut down on his sleep and rest.
Just after leaving the altar, he spotted Yang Si standing outside.
“Master Yang, what brings you here—”
“Tomorrow is the final deadline. Lady Xu must carry the remains of Lingwen Gong and others back,” Yang Si said with a bitter smile, “I have long admired Lingwen Gong, but alas, I cannot see him off. Since I had a moment to spare, I wanted to come and offer a few sticks of incense to pay my respects.”
Qin Gong was grateful, and his appreciation for Yang Si soared to new heights.
Little did he know, such flattering words were merely casual pleasantries for a strategist.
Once Qin Gong left, Yang Si entered the altar.
The makeshift altar was very simple; the air inside was somewhat oppressive, and it felt uncomfortable to linger.
Yang Si spoke a few comforting words to Xu Yansiao. While lighting incense, she asked him.
“How long have you been listening outside, sir?”
Yang Si replied, “Quite a while.”
Xu Yansiao frowned. “Sir, isn’t it rude to eavesdrop?”
Yang Si said, “Lady Xu, you should spare a thought for Qin Xiaowei.”
“What do you mean by that?”
Xu Yansiao felt a bit frightened of the man. When she saw Yang Si turn to face her, she instinctively took a step back.
“Lady Xu, do you know why our Lord lent ten thousand troops to Qin Xiaowei? Why did Qin Xiaowei end up in our Lord’s camp?” Yang Si suddenly smiled lightly, gesturing towards Xu Fei’s coffin, “Because Lingwen Gong traded Qin Xiaowei as a bargaining chip to obtain these ten thousand troops. The distance from Wanzhou to Hujun is exceedingly far; no amount of fast horses could cover it. The fact they could make it on that day means the soldiers were already exhausted.”
Xu Yansiao’s eyes widened in shock as she stumbled back a step.
“Father actually—”
Yang Si continued, “Qin Xiaowei is a man of pure loyalty, but he has always been devoted to his old master, and sooner or later, he will not be tolerated by his new master. If you still have the slightest bit of gratitude, then pity Qin Xiaowei—his old master is dead, and his new master remains—he deserves a better future.”
