Meng Xiangyang was released before long, but the Marshal had ordered him to remain home and reflect on his conduct.

After returning to the Meng family’s mansion, Meng Xiangyang fell ill. The First Madam Meng and several concubines kept vigil at his bedside, and the Meng family’s second son, Meng Xiangchen, also arrived with Meng family’s Second Madam to visit the sick.

After Meng Xiangyang’s brother’s fall from grace, the Meng family suffered an unprecedented, devastating blow. The Meng family, which had always sailed smoothly, had never before met such disaster.

“He only killed two people,” Meng Xiangchen said, visibly indignant. “The Marshal should have locked Third Brother up for a few days and found a reason to release him — why make it known to the whole world?”

Meng Xiangyang half-reclined against the headboard, while the Fourth Concubine had just finished feeding him his medicine and was now wiping away the traces from the corners of his mouth.

“Don’t you understand yet?” Meng Xiangyang shot his second brother a look. “The Marshal was deliberately targeting our Meng family this time.”

“Elder Brother, you mean the Marshal suspects us?”

“Not suspects — he can no longer tolerate us.” In the days he had been detained, Meng Xiangyang had long since worked out the full picture.

“The Marshal would actually—” Meng Xiangchen slammed a furious fist on the table, sending the medicine bowl on it ringing. “Our Meng family has followed the Shi family patriarch since Father’s time, fighting to build this dominion — saving his life on the battlefield more than once. Now his son sits on the throne, and he wants to destroy us, his own meritorious subjects.”

After Meng Xiangchen’s outburst, everyone in the room fell silent, as though a dark cloud had settled over the Meng family — a low pressure that made it nearly impossible to breathe.

“Elder Brother.” Meng Xiangchen was silent for a long moment, and a vicious glint flickered in his eyes. “Since the Marshal no longer wants us Mengs, why should we still follow him?”

Meng Xiangyang started. “What are you saying?”

“The Marshal is cracking down on us precisely because he fears we will revolt. Since that is his wish, why not give him what he wants?” Meng Xiangchen clenched his teeth, and the more he spoke, the more excited he became. “Elder Brother, you command heavy troops, and I have some men as well. Why not seize this opportunity and take Shun Cheng? This land of Bei Di has borne the Shi name for far too long — it is time for it to change hands.”

Meng Xiangchen’s words were like a stone dropped into still water; everyone stared at him in stunned disbelief.

The First Madam Meng’s eyes went wide. “Second Brother, what are you saying? You truly mean to revolt?”

“Sister-in-Law, it is not we who are revolting — it is the Marshal forcing us to.”

Off to one side, the Third Madam was doing nothing but pressing a handkerchief to her eyes. Since Meng Xiangyang’s brother had been taken in, her eyes had been swollen from weeping.

“Third Sister-in-Law, this is the only way to save Third Brother — or would you rather watch him face a firing squad?”

Third Madam dried her tears. “Since Third Brother is already inside, for me this family is already as good as scattered. Better to strike first than wait to die. I agree with Second Brother.”

Meng Xiangyang sighed. “Do not forget — Meng Qiu is still in the Shi household.”

“That is simple — we’ll find an excuse to bring Little Sister home.”

“And what of Shi Guang?”

Meng Xiangchen thought about it. “I think he will understand.”

“If we truly revolt against the Shi family and change the master of Bei Di, do you think Shi Guang would stand on our side? He may be Meng Qiu’s son, but his surname is Shi.”

“Then we support Shi Guang as Marshal — and our Meng family becomes his backing.”

As they were speaking, a servant suddenly announced from outside that Shi Guang had arrived.

Shi Guang’s timing could not have been worse. Everyone was caught off guard, and Meng Xiangyang said in a low, urgent voice, “This matter stays within the family — not a word of it before Shi Guang.”

Everyone agreed with a nod.

When Shi Guang entered, he immediately sensed the heavy, oppressive atmosphere in the room. He had already heard about what happened to Meng Xiangyang’s brother, though by then it was too late to do anything — for everyone had guessed that Meng Xiangyang’s brother was nothing more than the Marshal’s warning shot to the Meng family.

“Grand Uncle, how are you feeling?” Shi Guang set the gift box he had brought on the table. “I had someone buy a century-old ginseng root — the quality is excellent.”

“Weizhuo is thoughtful.” Meng Xiangyang showed a feeble smile.

“Grand Uncle, Second Grand Uncle — I went to appeal to the Marshal about Third Grand Uncle’s situation, but he was very firm this time and refused to even see me.” Shi Guang sighed. “I will think of another way. As long as he agrees to meet me, I will certainly persuade him to grant Third Grand Uncle a pardon.”

“Weizhuo, you are a good child, but Third Grand Uncle’s matter is beyond your ability to manage. Do not get involved. Right now your elder brother’s whereabouts are unknown and his fate uncertain. All of our Meng family’s hopes rest on you.” Meng Xiangyang accepted a sip of water from the Fourth Concubine to moisten his dry throat. “No matter what comes, the Meng family will do everything in its power to help you secure the position of Young Marshal — this land of Bei Di will belong to no one else.”

“I understand your intentions well, Grand Uncle.” Shi Guang lowered his gaze slightly. “About the assassination attempt on Seventh Brother — although it was ultimately confirmed to have been Elder Brother’s doing, the Marshal now has a bias against me because of it. Lately, on matters large and small, he always prefers to consult Seventh Brother. Whenever I try to put in a word, he just looks impatient.”

“That Shi Xingzhi—” Meng Xiangyang slapped his bedding in anger twice, while the Fourth Concubine quickly patted his back gently.

“Seventh Brother has a far-sighted outlook and exceptional talent,” Shi Guang said with a light sigh. “Having cracked this case involving Third Grand Uncle on top of everything else, it is only natural the Marshal should hold him in higher esteem.”

Had Shi Guang not brought it up, Meng Xiangyang had nearly forgotten — the case of Meng Xiangyang’s brother had been personally solved by Shi Ting. Without the Marshal’s backing, how could he have cracked it so quickly? In Meng Xiangyang’s eyes, Shi Ting had now firmly aligned himself with the Marshal.

Meng Xiangchen said hatefully from one side, “That Shi Xingzhi has been a thorn in our side and in Weizhuo’s side more than once. It seems he has been living too comfortably.”

“Second Grand Uncle, you must absolutely not make another move against Seventh Brother. Elder Brother’s disaster was a painful lesson. Seventh Brother’s mind runs deep and his schemes are many — if you make a rash move against him, you will certainly come off worse.”

Meng Xiangyang patted his shoulder. “Do not worry — I know what I am doing.”

Shi Guang smiled. “Grand Uncle, Second Grand Uncle — there should still be room to turn things around for Third Grand Uncle. The Meng family are veterans of meritorious service, and I believe the Marshal will think of old ties and pardon Third Grand Uncle. Give him some time, and he will think it through.”

“I know.” Meng Xiangyang smiled as well. “Rest easy.”

Shi Guang comforted Meng Xiangyang for a little while longer, then rose and took his leave. Meng Xiangchen accompanied him all the way to the main gate.

After Meng Xiangchen returned, he asked anxiously, “Elder Brother, what did Weizhuo mean by coming here?”

“What could he mean? Nothing more than placating us — afraid we would abandon him.” Meng Xiangyang’s gaze fell on the gift box of century-old ginseng. Such a rare ginseng root was seldom found on the market; procuring it must have taken real effort. “He does not want us to revolt, because if we revolt, Bei Di becomes the Meng family’s, not the Shi family’s, and his position would become extremely awkward. Besides, for Weizhuo, there is only one goal — for he is not the sort to accept playing second fiddle to anyone.”

“Then what is Elder Brother’s thinking?”

“Second Brother, do not act rashly for now. Let us wait and see what the Marshal intends to do next. If he still cherishes old bonds, I will treat all of this as if it never happened, and will still spare no effort to support him. But if he continues to make moves against us — then do not blame me for showing no mercy.” Meng Xiangyang’s gaze held a thread of cold malice. “But before that, we must find a way to deal with Shi Xingzhi.”

At that, the Third Madam, seated to one side, suddenly spoke up. “I did hear Meng Qiu mention once that this Shi Xingzhi dotes on his wife immensely. If you want to deal with him, you can start with the Shi family’s Seventh Young Madam.”

“You mean Yan Qing?” The First Madam raised an eyebrow. “Meng Qiu paid the price for her — that is no soft persimmon to squeeze.”

Meng Xiangchen gave a cold snort. “Soft persimmon or hard, she is still just a woman. Elder Brother, leave this matter to me — I guarantee I will make Shi Xingzhi regret it.”

After a moment’s silence, Meng Xiangyang gave a quiet nod. “All right. Go and take care of it — but be extremely careful every step of the way. The Marshal has his eye on us now, and we cannot afford to hand him any more leverage.”

“Relax, Elder Brother.” Meng Xiangchen was brimming with confidence, exuding the certainty of one who has the outcome already in hand.

In mid-August, Shun Cheng welcomed the traditional festival of Xin Guo: the Double Evening Festival.

The so-called Double Evening Festival was similar to the present-day Qixi Festival. On that day, the Shun Cheng government would host a grand open-air garden night party.

On the night of the party, many young men and women gathered together to perform music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. These performances had no set form — free and open, with poets being the most sought-after of all. Every year, the Double Evening poetry gathering drew countless literary-minded young people.

“The Double Evening Festival?” Ling’ai sat in Yan Qing’s gazebo reading a book. Hearing Jing Zhi and Murong talking about the Double Evening Festival, she was immediately filled with curiosity.

Jing Zhi smiled. “It is basically a matchmaking festival. Our young mistress has even been invited to serve as a judge for the poetry competition.”

Murong added, “You could also call it a show-off festival — after all, everyone who goes to the night party has to be good at something. If you have no skills, you would be too embarrassed to attend.”

“Murong, you should go and perform your martial arts,” Ling’ai suggested cheerfully. “Your skills are formidable.”

Murong smiled. “I’m not looking for a partner, so I’ll skip the showing off.”

“Sister Murong is afraid that if she shows even a little of her abilities, she would immediately be claimed by multiple suitors at once, and the ensuing fight would be too hard to handle,” said Jing Zhi — then immediately jumped behind Yan Qing for cover.

Murong put her hands on her hips. “If you’ve got the nerve, stay behind our young mistress forever and see if she can protect you indefinitely.”

At that, Ling’ai grabbed Jing Zhi by the arm and shouted at Murong, “Quick — I’ve got her for you!”

Murong, seeing this, immediately rolled up her sleeves and walked over.

The four of them dissolved into laughter and playful noise — until a sharp voice cut through the air: “What are you all doing?”