Chapter 1133 – Attack Xu Pei, The First Kill of the Lords (Part 3)
No matter how clever and mature Xu Yansiao was, her age remained, making it impossible for her to match up against Yang Si.
With just a few words, Yang Si had already grasped Xu Yansiao’s weak point, completely taking control of the conversation.
“Does he… does he know about this?”
Xu Yansiao reflected on her earlier words and thoughts, feeling an overwhelming sense of shame, not knowing what to do.
“Of course, Commander Qin has no idea,” Yang Si smiled. “Madam Xu, why not put yourself in Lord Wen’s shoes? Would you allow Commander Qin to know how this army of ten thousand was ‘borrowed’? Based on Commander Qin’s temperament, if it weren’t for Lord Wen’s underhanded scheming, how could he have switched allegiance? Commander Qin has also said that he wishes to emulate his father and brothers, shedding every last drop of blood for his old master, Lord Wen.”
The more loyal Commander Qin was, the more Xu Fei’s treacherous schemes stood out.
Both Commander Qin and the Qin family owed Xu Fei or the Xu family nothing from the very start.
With the deaths of his father and brothers, Commander Qin was sold for a high price by Xu Fei without knowing it, in exchange for ten thousand reinforcements.
If not for Xu Pei’s reckless attack, Xu Fei’s careful calculations would have succeeded long ago, letting him escape with his entire family intact.
Now that he’s fallen into such a predicament, he can blame no one but himself, merely lacking a touch of fortune amidst all his plotting.
Yang Si pinched the right moment, “Commander Qin has been exceedingly kind to Madam Xu, wouldn’t you say?”
Xu Yansiao’s eyes fell despondently, staring blankly at the several coffins that had been brought to the mortuary.
After a long pause, Xu Yansiao softly asked Yang Si, “Will you tell him about this?”
“I am not a gossipy rogue, why would I spread this rumor far and wide?” Yang Si replied. “However, there’s no wall that doesn’t let the wind through. If Commander Qin finds out or understands it, who can say? By then, Commander Qin should have accepted reality and wouldn’t have fallen into despair simply because his old master abandoned him. My lord Liu Xi is very enlightened; she will cherish someone as talented as Commander Qin.”
Xu Yansiao picked up on Yang Si’s sullen undertone and contempt.
Commander Qin was talented and loyal; which lord wouldn’t admire that?
Yet Xu Fei had deceived Commander Qin, tricking him into Wanzhou and using him as a bargaining chip for ten thousand reinforcements—could that be called cherishing?
Xu Yansiao revealed a forced smile, hesitantly saying, “Thank you for your words, sir.”
Yang Si’s comments perfectly assuaged Xu Yansiao’s suspicions.
What right did she have to doubt Commander Qin?
Commander Qin switching his allegiance was not his own choice; for the sake of Xu Fei’s branch, he had nearly lost everything and everyone he held dear.
Poor Commander Qin, still unaware and lingering on the arrival of matters too late.
Thinking of this, Xu Yansiao couldn’t help but cover her face, as if doing so could lighten the guilt in her heart.
She hadn’t noticed when Yang Si left; by the time she returned to her senses, night had fallen, the cold air creeping in through the gaps in the tent, adding a sense of eeriness to the mortuary. Xu Yansiao raised a hand to touch her face, composed herself, and sincerely burned paper offerings for her deceased mother.
Half an hour later—
“Madam Xu?”
Was that Commander Qin’s voice?
A flash of panic crossed Xu Yansiao’s heart, unsure how to face Commander Qin with her shame.
This shame was not only about Xu Fei’s schemes against Commander Qin but also her earlier bluntness that unintentionally hurt him.
“Madam Xu?”
Commander Qin called out again, his voice rising slightly, sounding a bit more anxious.
“Please, come in.” Only then did Xu Yansiao remember that due to her recent experiences, she had come to fear men like a tiger; the young soldier who had first delivered her meals was considered a monstrous threat. Since then, it was Commander Qin who brought her meals.
With permission, Commander Qin lifted the tent flap and entered, the other hand holding a food box.
Xu Yansiao glanced outside at the sky and casually asked, “Has it gotten this late already?”
Commander Qin, feeling somewhat embarrassed, replied, “There have been many military affairs today; I took a bit longer which caused the meal to be delayed.”
“That’s not what I meant.” Xu Yansiao lowered her head; initially, she was just surprised by how fast time had flown, but with Commander Qin’s explanation, it sounded as if she were blaming him for being late. “Military matters are crucial; how can they be neglected for personal reasons? This is merely a small matter, it doesn’t hurt to eat a little later.”
Though it was late, the food was still steaming, four plates of vegetarian dishes along with a bowl of mushroom egg soup.
Xu Yansiao, who had little appetite, found herself startled by Commander Qin’s concerned gaze and tried to finish every last bit.
“Madam Xu.”
Seeing Xu Yansiao about to say something, Commander Qin cleared away the remnants of food and indicated with his eyes for her to speak.
Xu Yansiao whispered, “Earlier… you mentioned that you would come to pick me up after defeating the enemy; is that true?”
Commander Qin first trembled in surprise, then solemnly said, “Of course it’s true. Even if I have to risk my life, I will ensure Madam Xu’s safety.”
Hearing this, Xu Yansiao felt a mix of emotions in her heart.
“Your current master is no longer my father; you must be more cautious in your words and actions,” she stated, “Commander Qin needs to consider himself as well.”
Commander Qin understood that she was concerned for him and couldn’t help but feel a surge of joy. “Even if you hadn’t mentioned it, I would understand the importance of discretion. My lord is not a narrow-minded person; she would not hold this against you. Lord Wen treated me well; even in death, the kindness remains. How could I turn my back on relationships and neglect the safety of my old lord’s lineage? As long as I don’t cross the line, my lord will be accommodating.”
It would be truly disheartening if one were to fawn over a new lord right after the old one’s passing and even push the old lord’s family down the well.
Xu Yansiao noticed that Commander Qin was unaffected by her previous words, letting out a sigh of relief.
With Commander Qin’s company, her fears for the future lessened.
The next morning, as dawn broke, the sound of hooves echoed from afar and grew nearer.
This was Xu Pei sending someone to welcome Xu Yansiao, Xu Fei, and the other corpses.
Xu Yansiao washed her face with clean water, still dressed in mourning garments, and raised her hands to cradle her deceased parents’ spirit tablets.
To show respect, Xu Pei also sent an old minister from his service to greet them.
“Madam Xu, please—”
The old minister was a middle-aged man in his forties, with wide sleeves and a graceful demeanor, sporting a clean beard that exuded an air of celestial demeanor.
Xu Yansiao glanced at him expressionlessly, then shifted her gaze to the horse-drawn cart.
“No, as a daughter, I must remember every day the grace of my deceased parents. Alas, they have passed, and this unfilial daughter cannot do more for them, but this journey cannot be shortchanged.” She looked at the old minister, “Please allow this unfilial daughter to express her heartfelt filial piety.”
The old minister’s expression froze as he attempted to dissuade her, “Madam Xu, you—”
“My mind is set; please honor this act of filial piety.”
Xu Yansiao was determined to walk step by step to Shanweng City!
She wanted the whole world to know how Xu Pei forced her entire family to their deaths!
