The newly rebuilt long embankment stood like a battle-weathered sword across the river waters.
Indeed, when united, people can build an impregnable fortress.
People climbed up onto the embankment in droves. Many fell asleep halfway up in the muddy water. Tie Ci had people drag them further away to prevent them from being trampled in the mud pile where you couldn’t even tell if someone was buried underneath.
Dan Shuang dragged Eighth Master Xiao up and gave Tie Ci a meaningful look.
This person couldn’t be returned to the Xiao family. The best approach was to capture him and send him to the capital, find a secret place to hide him, and keep him for future use against the Xiao family.
Tie Ci understood in her heart, but at this moment her vision was blurred, her internal organs felt hollow, and she couldn’t think clearly. She could barely stand, let alone respond accurately and promptly to Dan Shuang.
Countless teleportations had drained all her physical strength and spiritual energy.
Someone gripped her hand tightly. Feiyu’s voice sounded by her ear, “Rest now, I’ll handle things here. This person can’t be released—he’ll be useful to keep.”
Tie Ci was just thinking how perfectly they understood each other when she heard the ground shaking with galloping hoofbeats. Behind them, people in the crowd cried out in alarm. She forced herself to turn around and saw a large group of people in bright clothing rushing up the long embankment. Leading them appeared to be a middle-aged man, followed by many household servants. Some carried food, others lifted boxes, and many burly men took positions along the embankment edge, densely surrounding everyone on the embankment.
Tie Ci frowned as she watched.
Over there, the bedraggled Xiao family servants saw the arrivals and rushed over joyfully, “Fourth Master!” They immediately began chattering complaints, pointing toward Tie Ci’s group: “Fourth Master, thank goodness you’ve come! These people inexplicably kidnapped Eighth Master, forced us to repair the embankment, and spread rumors among the villagers…”
The Fourth Master listened quietly throughout, then suddenly his brows shot up and he slapped the speaker, “A bunch of unruly slaves!”
The man was stunned by the blow, covering his face and staring at Fourth Master in bewilderment. The surrounding common folk, who had been angry before, now looked equally confused.
Tie Ci’s spine slowly tensed.
She knew this man—Fourth Master Xiao, the younger brother of Assistant Minister Xiao and Empress Dowager Xiao. He hadn’t entered government service but remained in the Dongming ancestral home as the steward of the Xiao family’s old estate.
This man was reportedly extremely clever in his studies and skilled in business management. For unknown reasons, he hadn’t pursued the imperial examination path, but over the years he had managed the Xiao family’s reputation well, with their enterprises thriving. He had also recruited many talents for Assistant Minister Xiao in the capital. When Shen Mi had gathered intelligence about Xiao family stewards for Tie Ci, this Fourth Master Xiao was mentioned many times—most of those people had been arranged and recommended by Fourth Master Xiao. After all, Assistant Minister Xiao was far away in the capital and couldn’t personally handle such matters.
Now he had come aggressively, but his actions were unexpected. She couldn’t help but be alert.
Eighth Master Xiao suddenly struggled and called out, “Fourth Uncle! Fourth Uncle! Come save me quickly! These people kidnapped me and want to frame and kill me—”
Fourth Master Xiao didn’t even glance at him. Looking around in all directions, he made a full bow and sighed, “Fellow villagers and elders, I truly apologize. This foolish nephew was entrusted with managing the family’s farmlands. Recently seeing the upstream water levels rising daily, knowing it would soon flood our ancestral fields, this boy feared disappointing our ancestors. Being influenced by others, he actually secretly found people to help dig up Sanbai Embankment, committing such a catastrophic crime… The family was completely kept in the dark, not knowing he could be so utterly heartless. How could our Xiao family’s few ancestral fields and old estate compare to the livelihoods of millions of people downstream! After hearing the news, I rushed here through the night. Fortunately, Sanbai Embankment was sealed in time, otherwise our Xiao family would have become eternal sinners…”
With that, he bowed deeply.
The young man who had first brought the warning stared at him dumbfounded, opening his mouth to say something but failing to speak.
If they weren’t enemies, Tie Ci would almost want to applaud this Fourth Master.
His reputation was truly well-deserved.
He understood that this matter couldn’t be denied. The flood release had been witnessed by countless people, and Eighth Master Xiao’s actions had been too sloppy, leaving too many loose ends. Rather than deny and wrangle, making the matter bigger and bringing bad influence to Assistant Minister Xiao and the Empress Dowager, it was better to simply acknowledge it and pull out a scapegoat—this was the fastest way to minimize losses.
But such decisiveness, combined with such ruthlessness, was chilling.
Feiyu suddenly said, “Fourth Master speaks so righteously, shifting all blame so cleanly.”
Fourth Master Xiao’s expression didn’t change. “If the young lady has doubts, I cannot argue. But please, fellow villagers and elders, think about it—if our Xiao family wanted to breach the embankment, we could have sent a few household servants to do it secretly without anyone knowing. Why would we involve outsiders passing through, making it easier to leak information? This clearly shows that Eighth Master Xiao, lacking family support and manpower, could only act on his own!”
Tie Ci smiled slightly.
This was precisely the Xiao family’s cleverness.
This had also been the point she found most puzzling initially, but later she figured it out.
Outsiders had their conveniences. After all, others didn’t know how they selected these passing strangers. Now it was clear that choosing outsiders added another reason: it provided an excuse to deflect blame if things went wrong.
Feiyu didn’t seem surprised and responded quickly.
“But if that’s the case, your nephew alone bears all the guilt. You’re quite willing to sacrifice him.”
She smiled, but her eyes were sinister.
Some people in the crowd changed color and lowered their heads.
This remark was extremely vicious, instantly sowing discord in the Xiao family estate—in large wealthy households with multiple branches and intertwined interests, unity was impossible.
Fourth Master Xiao maintained his composed demeanor, frowning with worry. “This foolish nephew has been spoiled by us, acting absurdly without considering consequences. But today he has caused great disaster, harmed the people, and damaged our Xiao family’s reputation. No matter how much we care for him, whatever he, I, and the family should bear, we will accept without question…” He then had people carry Eighth Master Xiao over, patted his shoulder with tears flowing, “Fool! Acting like this, where does it leave the Xiao family’s century-old reputation? Where does it leave the people downstream? Where does it leave the Empress Dowager and Assistant Minister?”
Eighth Master Xiao stared at his tearful face and suddenly began trembling all over. Despite his pain, he struggled to crawl away on hands and knees, “Quick, quick, quick, take me to find my parents—”
Fourth Master Xiao, tears still hanging on his beard, suddenly reached out and took a wooden club from a follower’s hand, swinging it down.
Crack, crack—two sounds of bones breaking like twigs!
He had broken both of Eighth Master Xiao’s legs!
The screams almost pierced everyone’s eardrums. Eighth Master Xiao collapsed in the muddy water, trembling as if his entire body would shatter.
The embankment fell silent. The common people were naturally shocked senseless, and even Tie Ci was greatly surprised, her heart skipping a beat.
Only Feiyu’s eyes narrowed, showing a mixture of admiration and wariness.
Fourth Master Xiao’s shocking performance wasn’t over. The iron rod bounced up and swung toward his own arm as he shouted, “My nephew committed this monstrous crime and should have all four limbs broken and be expelled from the family. But he is young and ignorant, and I cannot bear it. As the clan leader, I failed to teach and manage properly, leading to his arrogant actions. I shall bear his remaining guilt and offer one arm in compensation!”
Before he finished speaking, those around him were terrified and desperately threw themselves forward to grab his arm.
“Fourth Master, no!”
“Fourth Master, there’s absolutely no need!”
“Fourth Master, you knew nothing about it, why do this!”
“Fourth Master is taking punishment for his nephew!”
In the chaos, that club finally struck the ground with a thud, splashing mud high into the air.
Common people had never seen such drama and stood gaping in shock.
Tie Ci’s pupils constricted again and again.
Brilliant.
This man was truly both ruthless and brilliant.
Without a word, he broke his nephew’s legs, then staged this bitter scheme to dissolve Feiyu’s instigation. When the Second Branch couple returned, they would only feel grateful and apologetic.
She had seen many people who were ruthless to others—they weren’t worth worrying about. But those who were ruthless to themselves always demanded vigilance.
Fourth Master Xiao’s performance shocked the common people, gradually turning their anger to doubt. When he raised the club toward himself, even that doubt dissipated. Common people are always kind-hearted—they all came forward to dissuade him, and the iron rod was naturally seized and thrown into the river.
Fourth Master Xiao looked remorseful and bowed all around. “Thank you, fellow villagers, for still trusting the Xiao family. For this embankment break and flood that caused disaster downstream, we will compensate every affected family. The embankment will be jointly rebuilt and reinforced with the county office and river administration. Everyone worked hard tonight. The Xiao family has little to offer in return, but please take some rice, flour, and silver to quickly make hot soup to drink.”
With that, servants opened the boxes and distributed packages of rice and flour and strings of copper coins to everyone.
Receiving these gifts, people lost even their last bit of dissatisfaction.
Fourth Master Xiao then arranged for servants to escort people down from the embankment, quickly dispersing the crowd.
Tie Ci held her head, now suffering a splitting headache. Feiyu supported her and exchanged glances with their companions. Understanding the signal, they planned to quietly slip into the crowd—after all, everyone’s face was covered in mud and no one could recognize anyone.
Unexpectedly, those servants quickly blocked their path. Fourth Master Xiao strolled over, smiling, “I hear several young friends led everyone just now, turning the tide and saving the downstream areas of Sanbai River from flood disaster—a boundless merit and great kindness to our Xiao family. Seeing how exhausted and weary you all are, you should rest well. Within a hundred li radius, only our humble residence is suitable. If you don’t mind, please honor us by staying at our humble home. Everyone in the Xiao family will sweep the halls to welcome you.”
Tie Ci slowly turned her gaze. Everyone on their side was exhausted, while the other side was fresh and energetic, with countless dark figures covering the embankment.
Even if it was a Hongmen Feast, they had to go.
Besides, she was quite interested in the Xiao family.
Before she could respond, Feiyu had already scooped her up, saying, “Then please lead the way.”
Tie Ci laughed in alarm, struggling to get down. “What does this look like!”
Feiyu held her firmly, blowing a puff of air by her muddy, dripping temple. “This servant has plenty of strength.”
Tie Ci’s ear tickled, and she couldn’t help looking up at Feiyu.
In the dawn light, on her mud-covered face, her eyes were bright black and white, reflecting half the sky’s colors.
Feiyu winked at her, and for some reason, Tie Ci felt reassured.
This leading lady really did have quite the boyfriend power.
Under Fourth Master Xiao’s management, the Xiao family always acted smoothly on the surface. Carriages were prepared at the bottom of the embankment to take everyone to the estate. Tie Ci lay dazedly, feeling the carriage travel for quite a while. She vaguely heard Feiyu lift the carriage curtain to look out and say to a Xiao family servant riding alongside, “That forest and large lake outside are quite spectacular… How much further to your residence?”
The man outside replied, “We’ve already entered the estate. That forest and lake are all within our grounds.”
Hearing this, Tie Ci clicked her tongue inwardly. This scale was even more magnificent than the Taiye Pool in the imperial palace.
By the time they reached the vicinity of the Xiao estate, Tie Ci had recovered much of her strength.
Getting down from the carriage, she saw before her layered eaves and carved ridges, with endless connected buildings—truly a magnificent deep estate. Beside the great compound stretched a lake of jade water with light green willows swaying. In the distance, she could see vast building complexes, but Fourth Master Xiao was nowhere to be seen. Instead, there were many more people dressed as guards following behind. Tie Ci asked a steward-like person beside her, “Where is Fourth Master?”
The steward smiled, “Fourth Master returned to the main estate. This is Yipou Jiangyue Pavilion, specially for hosting distinguished guests. Please rest assured and recover here. I am Xiao San. If you honored guests need anything, you may summon the servants in the courtyard or myself at any time.”
Tie Ci glanced at the distant building complex. So this palace-like magnificent structure was merely one of their guest quarters, and she thought she had penetrated their inner sanctum, when their main estate was still far across the lake.
Xiao San enthusiastically led everyone inside. The courtyard had jade tiles and red eaves, with layered pavilions and terraces, exquisite decorations, and every flower and stone carefully designed. Tie Ci examined everything carefully as she passed through, surprised to discover that while the entire estate was luxurious, it nowhere exceeded proper regulations. The rooftops had plain ridges without ridge beasts, using regular tiles, and the halls had no partitions—all details showed great restraint.
Contemporary architecture had strict rules—palaces, princely mansions, official residences, and merchant homes each had their proper standards that couldn’t be exceeded. Yet some newly rich or powerful individuals inevitably exceeded boundaries in certain details. For instance, Tie Ci knew that Chief Minister Rong’s residence had large gold-inlaid bronze vessels that only imperial palaces should use, but the royal family generally didn’t bother with such matters.
For the Xiao family’s old estate, far away in Dongming, to maintain such caution even in their private compound showed the character of whoever was in charge.
Tie Ci sighed somewhat. What formidable opponents they faced.
This guest quarter had three courtyards, with the final one featuring an elegant wooden pavilion built beside the lake, surrounded by lush flowers and trees—clearly the source of the name “Yipou Jiangyue Pavilion.” For safety, everyone stayed in the final courtyard. Regarding room arrangements, Second Senior Brother wanted the main hall and planned to put Feiyu in the side room closest to him, but Feiyu insisted on the west wing, saying that “Romance of the West Chamber” had been sung for a century, she was the charming Yingying and would wait in the west wing for her Zhang Sheng. Second Senior Brother then wanted to move to the west wing, but Feiyu had already moved Tie Ci’s luggage in. Gu Xiaoxiao rolled her eyes and went to the east wing herself.
Just after settling in, servants flowed in like water, bringing hot water, clothes, and snacks. After everyone washed up and was eating refreshments, the corridors filled with people. Gu Xiaoxiao sat uncomfortably on the soft couch, lifted the curtain to peek out, then quickly dropped it and rubbed her temples, feeling she couldn’t even eat.
With just that one movement, the corridor people immediately withdrew, and soon the courtyard appeared empty, but the wind didn’t blow yet flowers moved, with dark shadows lurking in corners—clearly many eyes were still watching.
This feeling wasn’t much better than before.
Feiyu changed clothes but didn’t immediately eat or drink. She walked around the room, tapping the floor, tapping the walls, pressing the bed boards, lifting paintings from the walls. Finally she stopped before the incense burner, first breaking apart incense pieces in the nearby box to check for abnormalities, but didn’t stop there. She picked up the entire incense burner, sniffed it, opened the window, and slowly poured out the thin layer of ash from the burner in full view of countless watching eyes outside.
The courtyard fell silent.
Inside the room, everyone’s expressions varied.
After a while, the window opened and a decorative wooden sword was thrown out.
A while later, a spittoon was tossed out.
Then a curtain hook was thrown out.
…
In the Xiao family’s main estate across the lake, in a side room next to the main hall, Fourth Master Xiao sat with a cup of precious Minghu Chuxue tea steaming beside his hand. He held the cup lightly, appearing to listen casually to continuous reports.
“…The Dameng residual incense in the burner was poured out. Xiao Thirty-Seven was right under the window and got doused. He was secretly dragged away to be doused with cold water.”
“The wooden sword with Zuihaitang was also thrown out. When it came out, it hit Xiao Eighteen’s head, and the Zuihaitang juice seeped into his wound—he’s probably useless now.”
“The spittoon was thrown out. The underground mechanism connected to the spittoon should also be destroyed.”
“The curtain hook was cut off. The hidden compartment behind the bed should have been discovered.”
…
Waves of people shuttled back and forth like a revolving lantern. Fourth Master Xiao listened calmly while several men of various ages sitting below changed color repeatedly.
Someone exclaimed, “What’s the background of these people? It’s not unusual to see through one or two arrangements, but how did they break everything in such a short time?”
Someone said, “Fourth Brother, I say these people shouldn’t have been brought in. They’ve ruined our plans. Better let them go and quietly deal with them on the road—we can blame bandits and robbers!”
Someone disagreed, “Second Brother, that’s rash talk. Since these people are so capable, we should keep them. Otherwise what if they talk nonsense on the road? What if assassination attempts fail? Keeping them in our hands, in our own deep estate—whatever happens stays on our own territory!”
Others worried, “About last night’s events, I had people ask in detail. These people were mistakenly captured by Eighth Master to help with work. From the beginning they were different from others, and last night they led people to seal the embankment. Their various actions and knowledge don’t seem like ordinary travelers. I heard that Yueli Academy closed early for practical training, with many students coming to Dongming…”
“Hah, what are students? Those powerless, unworldly students—how could they have the ability to identify so many unusual items!”
“Speaking of students, you’ve forgotten—Xiao Chang sent word that after the Crown Princess revealed her identity at the academy, she disappeared again. It’s suspected she either went to Yongping or Dongming. You think, could it be…”