Chapter 1134 – Attacking Xu Pei, the First Kill of the Lords (Part Four)
Old Minister Xu Pei showed a look of disbelief, but he couldn’t act tough against Xu Yansiao.
If Xu Yansiao were forced to walk to Shanweng City from here, what would the world say?
Forcing the whole family to death was one thing; now, they were to mistreat their only daughter?
If he didn’t allow it, the rumors outside might spread even worse!
Old Minister Xu Pei carefully studied Xu Yansiao’s face; seeing her determined gaze, he understood there was no room for negotiation.
“The time has come; let’s go.”
Xu Yansiao led the procession, clutching the tokens of Xu Fei and her deceased mother in both hands.
Her mourning clothes were very oversized, and the long, wide white cloth on her head emphasized her thin figure.
According to mourning customs, she wore only coarse stockings and straw sandals.
The road was uneven, littered with gravel; it had rained last night, leaving many puddles and mud.
It’s easy to imagine how much hardship Xu Yansiao would endure if she insisted on walking.
Seeing her stubbornness, Old Minister Xu Pei angrily flung his sleeves, his face dark as he paved the way.
“Lift—”
With a call from the guide, seven coffins were raised one by one.
According to rank, Xu Fei’s coffin led the procession, followed closely by the coffin of the First Wife.
The remaining five coffins were arranged by the age of the bastard sons, with the two bastard daughters following last.
Dressed in white silk, high white banners fluttered, and paper money scattered while the soul-calling bells rang all the way.
Qin Gong rode to a high point, watching the funeral procession grow distant until Xu Yansiao’s figure turned into a white dot in his sight.
“Are you worried about that young lady’s safety, Captain Qin?”
Yang Si saw him return, a worried look on his brow as he asked with a smile.
Qin Gong honestly nodded, “I am indeed a bit worried.”
To Xu Yansiao, Xu Pei was no longer an uncle; he was the one who drove her father to his death and indirectly caused her mother’s demise.
How could Qin Gong feel at ease sending an eleven-year-old girl alone into such a malicious environment?
“But Lady Xu is still young; her wits are sharp. Compared to her, Captain Qin is the one I’m more concerned about,” Yang Si remarked.
Qin Gong’s expression froze, his heart drumming within him.
Yang Si in some way represented the new master, Liu Xi; if he became dissatisfied, there would be trouble on that front.
Qin Gong didn’t know where he had annoyed Yang Si, his mind racing as he clasped his hands in a bow.
“Young and ignorant, I ask for your guidance, sir.”
Seeing his pale face, Yang Si felt a delightful sense of mischief in his heart.
He helped Qin Gong up, “Captain Qin, what are you doing? I just had a sudden feeling; I meant no harm.”
But his sudden words were quite intimidating.
Qin Gong’s heart was still pounding as he couldn’t help but wonder if his recent actions had offended Yang Si.
Yang Si smiled with his eyes narrowed; his attitude towards Qin Gong seemed unchanged, putting the latter somewhat at ease.
The funeral procession set off in the morning, and by the time the sun set in the west, they finally arrived at Shanweng City.
Shanweng City had changed hands; the current lord was Xu Pei.
Xu Yansiao walked slowly to the city gate, her eyes coldly surveying the slightly charred entrance.
Images of the fiery chaos from the day of their escape flooded her mind—the scorched traces silently recounted the brutal battle of that night.
Xu Pei waited in vain all day, having even eaten dinner before receiving word of Xu Yansiao’s arrival.
Suppressing his inner fury, he donned a carefully prepared expression, dressed in plain white, and sincerely mourned for Xu Fei.
To spite Xu Fei, he even prepared a flowery eulogy that was absolutely extravagant.
After shedding tears for some time, his subordinates had reddened their eyes as well.
Only Xu Yansiao remained indifferent, as if watching a monkey show.
“Uncle, please do not grieve too much. Don’t cry; otherwise, my father wouldn’t rest in peace,” Xu Yansiao said flatly, her voice dry. “You and my father shared a deep bond; unfortunately, the times are such that we are forced to engage in conflict. After my father’s defeat, he succumbed to despair and hanged himself, and my mother, wishing to leave with him, passed away first… It’s all fate, uncle; you don’t need to be too sad.”
Xu Pei replied, “I didn’t kill Bo Ren, but he died because of me. I cannot escape my guilt over the matter with Ling Wen.”
Saying this, he began to cry again.
Xu Pei played the role of a grieving uncle who would do anything for his niece.
Unbeknownst to him, Xu Yansiao was digging a pit for him at that moment.
She appeared to accompany Xu Pei into the city, occasionally comforting him and playing along with his act.
Until—
“Ah, the blood on the ground—”
With the previous dim vision fading, the well-lit discussion hall revealed many faint bloody footprints on the floor.
Looking around, they finally noticed Xu Yansiao wearing a pair of long-tattered straw sandals, her stockings soaked in blood and mud.
Everyone winced at the sight while she acted as if nothing were the matter.
Old Minister Xu Pei’s heart jolted.
Xu Yansiao hung her head in shame, “Uncle is lost in pain, unaware of the outside world; I didn’t want to trouble you with such trivial matters…”
As the candlelight flickered, Old Minister Xu Pei felt embarrassed.
If he truly cared about his niece, how could he be oblivious to her barefoot journey that had worn her soles raw?
In short, it was all just a show.
If Xu Yansiao merely annoyed him, then the letter from Jiang Pengji made him explode with anger on the spot.
Days after Xu Fei’s burial, Xu Pei finally received the long-anticipated reply.
Xu Pei took the secret letter from the messenger, opening it to examine closely.
Beside him, Han Yu and Cheng Xun exchanged glances; the latter looked puzzled while the former wore a serious expression.
The time for the messenger to go back and forth was too short.
Unless the messenger foresaw Jiang Pengji on the way!
Han Yu frowned deeply, already anticipating the outcome.
Sure enough—
Xu Pei’s fury was heavier than expected as he slapped the table, his shoulders shaking with rage.
“What is this—Liu Xi is truly arrogant beyond belief—”
Xu Pei exploded, throwing the letter aside, overturning the table.
Han Yu retrieved the letter, stealing a glance at its content.
“In the Nine Provinces and Four Seas, I want it all!”
A mere eight characters encapsulated her ambition, the arrogance, and rebellious spirit hitting hard.
This was not just her goal; it was a declaration of war against Xu Pei—his territory lay within the Nine Provinces and Four Seas.
She wanted it all; Xu Pei was left with nothing.
Xu Pei wrote to seek peace, yet she returned such a letter that felt like a slap to the face.
“Ninety provinces and four seas, she wants it all? Who in history has dared to say such a thing? Isn’t she afraid the wind might snap her tongue!”
Xu Pei’s anger did not diminish.
Cheng Xun also leaned in to read the letter.
Frowning, he remarked, “Just a ploy for attention; even the previous dynasty’s Emperor Taizu wouldn’t dare to be this arrogant.”
Xu Pei wanted to share the cake, but she aimed to devour the whole thing in one mouthful; didn’t she fear choking to death?
Han Yu remained silent.
While Cheng Xun’s words helped ease Xu Pei’s mood somewhat, thinking about how the idea of peace was originally Cheng Xun’s, his expression darkened again.
