The thin-skinned Second Young Master Xu glanced at his big brother, then at his father, his mouth twitching several times involuntarily.

In the scalp-tingling awkward atmosphere, Xu Qi An cleared his throat and said:

“Something smells good. I think I can smell Sister Ling Yue’s cooking.”

“Second Uncle, we won’t stop drinking until we’re drunk tonight.”

The awkward atmosphere broke, and the three men tacitly hid their bags of green tangerines at their sides, pretending not to see them.

During this process, Xu Qi An glanced at the Second Young Master, seeing that his expression remained unchanged, already having masked his earlier embarrassment.

In these two years, Second Young Master had grown much. Thinking back to when he had tried hanging himself while reciting poetry at the old residence, discovered by the family, and wishing he could die of embarrassment right there… Xu Qi An recalled those times with emotion.

The three men entered the manor and headed straight for the inner hall…

The inner hall was bright with candlelight, with several icicles hanging from the eaves, and the aroma of food wafting through the open doors.

Many servants bustled about the inner courtyard, including several pretty new maids.

During his month-plus absence from the capital, the Xu Manor had acquired many new servants.

“Many common people in the capital were freezing to death too. The household needed more servants, so your aunt had the steward buy some from the slave dealers. At least it gave them a way to survive,” Second Uncle Xu said.

Xu Qi An nodded. Though his aunt was petty, concerned with face, and deluded herself as a fairy with numerous flaws, a woman raised in comfort and leisure, free from worry and the need to scheme for a favor, couldn’t have a truly bad heart.

Lin An was another example. It was thanks to Emperor Yuan Jing’s years of cultivation that the palace lacked the soil for scheming. If she had lived long-term in such an atmosphere, Lin An might not be as innocent and kind as she is now.

“In years of great disaster, there’s no choice in such matters.” Xu Qi An turned his head to examine Xu Xin Nian and smiled: “So why hasn’t Aunt bought Second Brother a personal maid?”

Second Uncle Xu laughed heartily: “Second Young Master will be engaged to the Prime Minister’s daughter in two months. Your aunt wouldn’t dare offend the Prime Minister’s daughter.”

Xu Ci Jiu frowned, somewhat displeased with his brother and father’s teasing.

As they spoke, the three entered the inner hall, where charcoal braziers sat in each corner for warmth. The dining table was laden with sumptuous dishes, mountains of delicacies, and seafood—not the manor’s usual dinner fare.

Aunt and Ling Yue sat by the tea table, while Ling Yin and Li Na crowded near the dining table, staring eagerly at the food.

“Ling Yin, don’t think about sneaking any food. Wait for your Big Brother to return before we eat.”

Aunt warned.

“Oh~~”

Ling Yin knelt on the chair, her small hands propped on the table edge, reluctantly withdrawing her gaze to look outside the hall, just in time to see the three men return.

“Big Brother!”

The little bean shouted with full force, leaping down from her chair, hands placed at her waist, head lowered, charging over fiercely.

Xu Ping Zhi and Xu Xin Nian simultaneously stepped aside.

The little bean crashed into Xu Qi An’s embrace.

Such great strength… he was inwardly startled as he examined his sister. Though they hadn’t seen each other for just a month, there was barely any change—well, if anything, her face was rounder.

Like a plump red apple.

This indicated that the little bean’s qi and blood were very vigorous.

Based on that collision, Xu Qi An estimated that her strength had reached the Ninth Rank Muscle Refinement realm.

“This is too terrifying. At her age, I was still trembling while holding horse stance…” Xu Qi An was shocked inside.

He patted Ling Yin’s head and swept his gaze over the three women in the hall.

He had already seen Ling Yue earlier. Li Na’s skin had become somewhat fairer. The biggest change was in his aunt—her features were beautifully delicate, her skin clear and fair. Looking at her face alone, one would never guess she was a mother of three children.

Must be the age-preserving pills from Chu Cai Wei? The effect is amazing. If this was in my previous life, I would’ve made a fortune, but unfortunately, there’s no going back… he thought regretfully.

Aunt and Ling Yue came forward to greet them. The former looked over her nephew, confirming he hadn’t lost any limbs, then slightly raised her chin and said with dignity:

“So you’re back!”

She suddenly twitched her nose and frowned her delicate brows: “Green tangerine scent again, and so strong?”

Second Uncle Xu hurriedly brought out his green tangerines, saying with an unchanged expression:

“Green tangerines can cure coughs. I bought them for Ling Yin. I ate one on the way, that’s why there’s a scent.”

Hearing this, Ling Yin’s little face immediately fell.

Second Uncle Xu glared: “Why are you standing there stupidly? Come take them quickly.”

Ling Yin’s thin brows furrowed tightly as she hugged the bag of tangerines.

She looked at her father, then at the tangerines in her arms, her stubby fingers counting them—only four, feeling that this was still acceptable.

Her thin brows relaxed.

“Ahem!”

Second Young Master cleared his throat and brought out the oilpaper bag hidden behind him, offering it to Ling Yin: “Second Brother is also worried about your cough…”

Ling Yin froze. Xu Qi An could almost see the string of question marks above her head.

Having passed the hot potato to the child, Xu Ping Zhi and Xu Xin Nian sat at the table in good spirits.

Ling Yin looked ready to burst into tears.

Seeing this, Xu Qi An felt somewhat guilty and said:

“Ling Yin, Big Brother brought you a gift upon returning.”

The little bean immediately broke into a sunny smile, like clouds parting to reveal snow, forgetting all her unhappiness as she said sweetly:

“Where’s the gift, where’s the gift, Big Brother?”

Xu Qi An immediately brought out the green tangerines hidden behind his back and placed them in the little bean’s arms.

Ling Yin—Obtained [Green Tangerines ×3].

The poor little child froze completely, never imagining that her father, big brother, and second brother would treat her this way.

The little bean suddenly burst out crying with a “Waaah!”:

“I don’t want to eat tangerines, I don’t want to eat tangerines…”

Having already passed off the responsibility, Second Young Master said relaxedly:

“If you don’t want to eat them, just throw them away.”

Throw them away… hearing this, the little bean “Waaah” -ed even more sadly.

She couldn’t bear to throw them away… Second Young Master picked up some winter bamboo shoots with his chopsticks.

No matter how bad they taste, she’ll eat them all… Second Uncle slurped his wine.

Second Uncle and Second Brother are truly heartless, hmph… Xu Qi An picked up some food for Aunt and said: “Remember to have her brush her teeth properly.”

…

After several rounds of drinks, Second Uncle Xu picked up some head meat, chewed it slowly, then poured his son a cup of wine and said gravely:

“Everyone outside is saying you proposed the donation policy to His Majesty?”

Xu Xin Nian grunted in affirmation and explained:

“The best solution would be confiscation, but Emperor Yong Xing just ascended the throne and his position isn’t secure yet. So we can only take a more moderate approach.”

“Originally he didn’t agree to call for donations, because, during his ascension period, any action would be magnified and over-interpreted by the officials below.”

“To secure the throne, it’s best to do nothing and wait until his wings are fully grown before making bold moves.”

“Unfortunately, heaven doesn’t fulfill all wishes.”

Xu Ping Zhi shook his head, staring at his second son: “Father doesn’t understand these things. But today, Father heard a colleague say something.”

He paused, then said heavily: “Whoever makes me spend money, I’ll chop their mother… Second Son, he said that for Father to hear.”

“If this isn’t handled well, your future is ruined. Well, with Prime Minister Wang as your backing, it won’t be that bad, but you’ll be sidelined for many years.”

Xu Xin Nian’s expression was solemn: “I know.”

Aunt and Xu Ling Yue rarely went out and had no channels for gathering news, so they didn’t know what had happened.

It wasn’t appropriate to ask too much about official matters, so mother and daughter exchanged glances, eating with furrowed brows while perking up their ears to listen.

Xu Xin Nian continued: “But isn’t Big Brother back now? With Big Brother here, what does Father have to worry about?”

Aunt and Xu Ling Yue’s brows relaxed as they focused on eating.

Xu Qi An asked: “What’s the current situation at court?”

Xu Xin Nian chose his words carefully before slowly saying:

“The Wang faction dominates. The Wei faction is now led by Left Censor Liu Hong, who manages the Night Watchmen’s Office. Other factions remain as they were.”

“To stabilize the situation, the Prime Minister didn’t take advantage of the new emperor’s ascension to eliminate opposition on a large scale. Fortunately he didn’t, otherwise both the court and the common people would be in chaos now.”

“Moreover, though Emperor Yong Xing relies heavily on the Prime Minister, he’s no fool. If the Prime Minister tried to eliminate opposition, Emperor Yong Xing would become unsettled.”

Xu Qi An teased: “Why aren’t you calling him Father-in-law yet?”

Xu Xin Nian countered: “Because I’m proper, unlike Big Brother.”

The brothers glanced at the green tangerines in front of Ling Yin and tacitly ended this topic.

Xu Qi An continued by asking: “How has the court reacted to this donation matter?”

“I’ve incurred widespread anger,” Xu Xin Nian sneered. “Few support it, many are waiting to see what happens. Those denouncing it are everywhere.”

Second Uncle added: “Second Son has become like a street rat now—everyone who sees him must curse at him.”

Xu Xin Nian snorted coldly:

“If it were just cursing, that would be fine. But some want to kick me while I’m down and impeach me. If the donation call yields no results, I, as the proposer, will be held accountable after the autumn harvest.”

“Then I might be sent to serve in the provinces.”

Aunt reacted strongly, immediately crying out:

“I’d rather you resign than leave the capital. The world is too chaotic now, I hear there are vagrants and bandits everywhere.”

This is the drawback of family rule—the court belongs to the royal family, the money belongs to me, today I might be in this position, tomorrow the emperor might behead me. Expecting me to give up my family fortune to fill the national treasury is a daydream… Xu Qi An suddenly felt emotional.

He pondered for a moment, then asked: “Are there specific guidelines?”

Xu Xin Nian nodded:

“Of course. Different ranks of officials have minimum donation standards, determined by their salaries. This prevents officials handling the process from blindly demanding money and lining their own pockets.”

“Additionally, I suggested His Majesty erect a merit stele at the Imperial Academy and various county schools for scholars throughout the land to admire.”

“Then…”

He went on and on until Xu Qi An waved his hand:

“Just tell me, what do I need to do?”

Xu Xin Nian said: “Later, let’s discuss it in the study.”

With business temporarily concluded, Xu Qi An turned to the dark-skinned southerner who was eating and drinking heartily:

“Li Na, how much do you know about the Seven Fatal Gu?”

Li Na’s cheeks were stuffed full as she struggled to swallow:

“The Seven Fatal Gu was left by Granny Heaven Gu’s husband, the Heaven Gu Elder. When the Heaven Gu Elder left the Gu tribe, the Seven Fatal Gu wasn’t completely refined yet, and Granny Heaven Gu finished it for him.”

“Then what?”

“Then Granny Heaven Gu gave it to me and told me to come to the capital to find someone with the right destiny.”

I already knew all this… Xu Qi thought for a moment and asked: “Besides this, what else do you know?”

Li Na started eating again: “Nothing else.”

Xu Qi An frowned: “The Seven Fatal Gu allows someone to possess seven types of Gu arts simultaneously. Don’t you find that strange? Did the Gu tribe have anything like this before?”

Li Na nodded seriously: “It is strange!”

Xu Qi An said: “Then why didn’t you investigate?”

Li Na looked at him and asked in return:

“Why should I investigate?”

“There are many, many things I don’t understand. If I had to investigate everything, wouldn’t that be too tiring?”

“Right, Ling Yin?”

Xu Qi An’s mind was full of retorts, yet he couldn’t refute her.

The little bean nodded vigorously: “Yes, Master!”

She took the opportunity to drag her master into it, helping share the pressure: “Master, help me eat the tangerines.”

Li Na shook her head repeatedly: “Go find Sister Cai Wei at the Imperial Observatory.”

“So do you think there’s any connection between the Seven Fatal Gu and the Gu God?” Xu Qi An brought the topic back.

“All Gu in the world are connected to the Gu God.”

Li Na rarely showed a serious expression: “The Gu God slumbers in the Extreme Abyss. Its power changed the Southern Borderlands—the creatures nearby absorbed the power that leaked from the Gu God and underwent mutations, thus creating Gu.”

Xu Qi An nodded: “I’ve heard you say this before. This is the origin of the seven great Gu arts.”

“Yes, different creatures absorbed different powers, producing different mutations. Occasionally there are creatures and Gu Masters with dual Gu arts, but only the Gu God possesses all seven great Gu arts,”

Li Na said.

Only the Gu God… Xu Qi An suddenly felt his scalp tingle.

…

At the same dusk, the setting sun was like blood.

A luxurious carriage made of golden nanmu wood entered the palace with the sound of creaking wheels.

Lin An, looking gloomy, stepped down using a small footstool, wrapped in a fox-fur cape, and followed the eunuch’s lead into the Imperial Study.

Emperor Yong Xing, buried in official business, said irritably:

“What is there at the Imperial Observatory that Princess Lin An finds so captivating?”

Lin An retorted: “Nothing is captivating. I just don’t want to return to the palace. I slept all day!”

Emperor Yong Xing raised his head, putting down the memorial, and said:

“We were waiting for your news.”

“He agreed,” Lin An replied concisely.

“We knew it. With you taking action, Lin An, he certainly wouldn’t refuse.” Emperor Yong Xing laughed heartily.

Lin An didn’t stay long, taking her leave.

Emperor Yong Xing watched her cross the threshold and walk down the steps into the distance. He took a deep breath and clenched his fist excitedly.

On the grand desk lay a thick stack of memorials impeaching Xu Xin Nian.