Chapter 1253 – War Is Approaching (Fourteen)
Upon hearing of the Old Matriarch’s passing, Feng Jue and Cheng Jing’s thoughts aligned perfectly—
Time to stir things up!
There’s a lot to gain from this situation!
Unfortunately, Liu Ji was shrewder than anticipated, already foreseeing this possibility, and had sealed Old Matriarch’s fate before anyone else could act.
If they had waited any longer, the rumors of “The unfilial granddaughter splitting the clan, causing her wise grandmother to pass away from anger” would’ve circulated like wildfire.
Feng Jue sneered, “Looks like the Liu Clan’s survival in Hejian County isn’t just luck after all.”
Cheng Jing tucked his hands into his sleeves, calmly glancing at Feng Jue.
“Being a noble family, seeking benefits and avoiding harm is second nature…”
This was some crisis management done well; Liu Clan’s response to this incident was commendable.
Feng Jue smirked with a hint of sarcasm, “Now that this has happened, the Liu Clan is entirely safe.”
The Old Matriarch held significant meaning for the entire clan, and her funeral was a collective affair for them all.
Huang Song, not wanting to face ridicule from the world or scorn from historians, absolutely couldn’t afford for the Liu Clan to mess up during the Old Matriarch’s mourning period.
This was like a disguised get-out-of-jail-free card.
Cheng Jing’s eyelids drooped. He coldly remarked, “Just some cleverness.”
Handling a bereavement crisis well not only hit Huang Song indirectly but also protected themselves while showing goodwill to Jiang Pengji, giving her a reason to mobilize troops.
Once this was over, even if Jiang Pengji didn’t actively utilize the Liu Clan, she couldn’t completely push them aside to rot.
Realizing this, Huang Song immediately wore a pained expression.
After a moment, he sighed heavily and instructed his wife, Qiqi, to prepare a light gift for the mourning tribute.
Lady Qiqi asked him, “What’s this for? Did someone senior pass away in the family?”
Huang Song replied, “Not a senior family member, but Lan Ting’s grandmother has passed. As a friend to Lan Ting, I’m naturally considered a descendant of this old lady. Given my relationship with Lan Ting, it’s only right for me to attend the tribute.”
Lady Qiqi’s eyes flashed with surprise, mixed with helplessness and amusement.
Huang Song and Jiang Pengji genuinely had a good relationship, but both had plotted against each other; such friendship was rather odd.
“That old lady is Lan Ting’s grandmother, considering her age, it should be a joyous occasion,” Lady Qiqi thought to herself, gradually piecing together what to prepare. She hesitantly asked Huang Song, “At this crucial time, doesn’t this make the Young Master passive?”
Huang Song shrugged, rolling his eyes in exasperation, appearing utterly disheartened.
“Isn’t everyone saying I seized Hejian County and imprisoned the Liu Clan members, scaring the old lady to death?”
Logically, it made sense, but Huang Song felt it was an unjust accusation.
If Liu Ji hadn’t sealed the deal so fast, he could’ve easily shifted the blame onto his dear friend Jiang Pengji.
Who knows, maybe it was Jiang Pengji’s split that caused the stubborn and traditional elder to have a stroke!
Alas, Huang Song had already been splashed with this bucket of dirt; if he ignored it and splashed it back, it would only worsen his reputation.
Rather than that, it was better to be forthright, using his junior status to actively pay tribute, which in turn could clear his name.
After all, he only indirectly “angered” the old lady; it wasn’t intentional.
Lady Qiqi raised her eyebrows in anger, “Are there really people outside who can’t tell right from wrong?”
Huang Song replied, “Just a bunch of foolish commoners; their nasty words can’t harm me.”
Lady Qiqi felt uncomfortable inside.
“So, you still wish to pay tribute?”
If it were her, she’d be sickened.
“Lan Ting is in Wanzhou, she certainly can’t make it for the seventh-day mourning. Given our friendship, I should support her. Even if it’s not for Lan Ting, I should make a stance; hiding only makes me look guilty.”
Lady Qiqi’s expression softened a bit.
The Liu Clan’s ancestral ground was draped in white banners; the mourning hall was cold and solemn. Family members, whether sincere or fake, were required to show their sorrow. The Old Matriarch’s children, sons-in-law, daughters, and daughters-in-law, along with various grandchildren, all donned mourning garments, weeping quietly as their sorrowful cries drifted outside the walls…
Huang Song’s visit to pay tribute made many feel he was really pushing it.
However, the situation weighed heavily, and with Huang Song currently holding Hejian County, no one dared to confront him directly.
In just a few days, Liu Ji’s hair had turned completely gray, losing all vitality and luster, his whole being hunched over as if aging more than a year. Upon Huang Song’s arrival, Liu Ji, supported by Liu Heng, approached to greet him, forcing a smile to carry on small talk.
Huang Song maintained a demeanor of a junior, moving accordingly, which made some unaware Liu Clan members feel frustrated with nowhere to vent.
His visit for mourning wasn’t just superficial; he had even written a eulogy for the Old Matriarch.
Of course, he didn’t write it himself; he had Nie Xun ghostwrite it, ensuring the prose was no less impressive than that of renowned scholars.
Once read aloud, many were touched, with the Old Matriarch’s daughters and daughters-in-law weeping, unable to contain their sorrow.
With this, Huang Song boosted his favor and cleared much of the blame he had been wrongly carrying.
Any malicious words from others were avoided, as they found it hard to speak ill openly.
Since the fall of Hejian County, Jiang Pengji had dispatched troops to the front lines.
Upon learning of the Old Matriarch’s death, she was momentarily stunned.
She had no impression of this grandmother, rummaging through Liu Xi’s memories and barely finding fragmented recollections in the corners.
According to Liu Xi’s memory, this grandmother had been exceptionally harsh and cold, harboring a deep-seated disdain for Liu Xi.
If not for the people around her, she would’ve really said, “Why should I care?”
Despite her thoughts, she presented a horrified and sorrowful expression, teetering as if about to collapse.
“Lord—”
“May you be at peace, my Lord!”
Jiang Pengji’s acting was so superb that no one noticed the cracks.
They couldn’t fathom how their lord could remain so calm at the death of her grandmother.
Oh, it wasn’t truly her grandmother; no one else knew about that.
Jiang Pengji’s color drained from her face, her eyes reddened and glimmered with tears.
She grabbed Wei Ci’s hand tightly, seemingly drawing strength from his presence.
Her lips moved slightly; her eyes rolled back, and she fainted.
It wasn’t that Jiang Pengji’s acting was poor; she simply lacked common experience and was afraid she wouldn’t pull it off convincingly. In her past life, she didn’t even know who her biological parents were, being sent to a special military academy as a gene warrior since childhood. Jiang Pengji’s rationality was on point, but her emotional side had many gaps. Portraying a dutiful granddaughter mourning for her lost grandmother was something she genuinely couldn’t manage!
Suddenly struck by inspiration, Jiang Pengji deployed her tried-and-true fainting act.
And this faint was enough to scare everyone to death!
In the commotion, Qi Guanrang discreetly checked Jiang Pengji’s pulse, confirming her condition before subtly releasing his grip.
Perfect, it wasn’t a slippery pulse!
Although Qi Guanrang had always hoped for a glimpse of the Young Master, if the Lord happened to be pregnant at this critical time, he’d truly be in a bind.
As long as she wasn’t pregnant, that’d be just fine!
Jiang Pengji’s heart was pounding with worry: “…”
Would anyone catch on that she was faking it?
