Xiao Dingfei.

The Xiao clan, Heir Apparent Dingfei.

What an exalted name?

Bearing it, everyone up and down the Heavenly Doctrine treated him with respectful deference. In the future it would have indescribable wonderful uses.

Only unfortunately, someone detested it.

Would rather cast off this old name and old surname and return to common status, enduring untold hardships and dangers, than want any glory and riches.

Compared to Xie Wei, Xiao Dingfei had always been the complete opposite type of person.

But undeniably, he had received this person’s favor.

Therefore when facing Xie Wei, he never dared be too presumptuous, much less dared to be as unruly and unbridled as with other members of the Heavenly Doctrine—even though the doctrine leader had handled things cleanly, and those who knew the truth back then had successively died in “accidents.”

To his words that faintly contained mockery, Xie Wei made no comment, only saying: “I once sent someone to Zuile Pavilion to find you. The girls at Zuile Pavilion said you went to Ten Year Brew to buy wine. When they found Ten Year Brew, they learned you hadn’t gone there at all.”

Xiao Dingfei leaned against his pillow: “Wasn’t I just frightened?”

Xie Wei stared at him.

He laughed in a dissolute manner: “Hearing that Mister Gongyi lost contact really scared me badly.”

Xie Wei said calmly: “Mister Gongyi was by the doctrine leader’s side for a long time. When he went to the capital, I naturally couldn’t stop him. I also don’t know what he did, but unexpectedly died under the court’s arrows during the Shuntian Prefecture raid. I was also shocked upon suddenly hearing the news. Only the incident occurred urgently, and the court had plans as well. We couldn’t even see Mister Gongyi’s corpse. I’m afraid when the news reaches Jinling, the doctrine leader will be heartbroken.”

Just heartbroken?

More likely furious.

Gongyi Cheng had always offered him counsel and strategies, truly being his right and left arms. Going once to the capital only to inexplicably disappear—who would believe that?

Xiao Dingfei extended his hand toward Jianshu: “Tea.”

Jianshu gave him a look but still poured tea for him.

When the tea was handed to him, he rambled to Jianshu about “you’re really a good person,” then turned his head back and muttered: “The capital is your territory. Naturally whatever you say goes. I wouldn’t dare suspect that you killed Gongyi Cheng.”

Xie Wei smiled: “I didn’t know when you grew a brain.”

Xiao Dingfei took a sip of tea, rarely feeling proud: “What a pity I didn’t escape. But anyway, trying costs nothing. What if it had succeeded?”

Xie Wei said: “But it didn’t.”

Xiao Dingfei grinned shamelessly: “Well, that… Teacher can’t be so heartless. After all, this time I also managed to accomplish something!”

Xie Wei raised an eyebrow: “Oh?”

While Xiao Dingfei pretended to drink tea, he was actually secretly observing Xie Wei’s expression. His face showed no fear at all, but his heart was beating like a drum.

Everything that had happened these past few days surfaced in his mind.

He thought again of those Heavenly Doctrine members he’d once been familiar with, shot dead in the mountain valley during the day. He racked his brains pondering how to win himself a lifeline in this seemingly calm yet secretly crisis-laden situation.

He said: “I was the one who exposed Zhang Zhe’s identity!”

Xie Wei said: “Is that so?”

Xiao Dingfei said: “Really, and not a moment too soon or too late—just today. What kind of person am I? How obedient am I? Don’t you know, Teacher? All these years, guaranteed no mistakes. From the very beginning when they said they’d raid the prison, I felt something wasn’t quite right. Then when I saw that man surnamed Zhang appear at the temple with a young lady, even saying ‘the mountain hermit lives in the mountains’—this dog official was definitely lying. But seeing Xiaobao there at the time, I didn’t raise the alarm, thinking you had some secret plan. It wasn’t until this morning when I saw Xiaobao take Second Miss Jiang away, and then saw in the temple your secret letter to those grandsons Feng Mingyu and Wu Feng, that I exposed that Zhang fellow.”

Speaking of this journey from the capital to Tongzhou, along the perilous and complex route, if anyone saw most clearly, it truly had to be Xiao Dingfei.

Who told him to know both sides?

Some people act as both soldier and thief, and also enjoy staging their own show of fighting themselves. The soldiers catch the thief, the thief undermines the soldiers, making both sides think the other is opposing them, not knowing there’s another hand pushing from between.

Gongyi Cheng’s death was the beginning of everything.

Whether he had impulsively killed this person or not, Xie Wei’s subsequent plans were sufficiently meticulous.

But Gu Chunfang recommending Zhang Zhe to insert himself was the first accident.

If Xie Wei sternly refused, it would inevitably arouse suspicion. So he simply went with the flow. Though the plan wasn’t convenient, he allowed Zhang Zhe into the chess game and ordered Xiaobao to secretly observe.

Unexpectedly, Jiang Xuening quickly appeared as well—the second accident.

The situation became complex. If he rashly exposed Zhang Zhe, then Jiang Xuening traveling with him would be implicated and likely wouldn’t meet a good end.

So he personally requested to lead people to suppress the Heavenly Doctrine.

At this time appeared the third accident. After the Marquis of Yongyi fell, the Xiao clan tried hard to obtain military authority over both Fengtai and Tongzhou camps. Eager to establish merit before the emperor, they actually requested imperial orders to split forces with him and go suppress the rebellion.

Three accidents, layer upon layer.

Xie Wei had to first protect Jiang Xuening, second eliminate Zhang Zhe, third deal with the Xiao clan, fourth use the court to weaken Heavenly Doctrine’s power. Facing such a complex situation, after much planning, a ruthless scheme formed in his heart—a dangerous move.

He first deliberately fell behind Xiao Yuan, allowing him to go ahead.

But secretly he arranged two groups. One side pretended to be traitors from the Heavenly Doctrine, providing Xiao Yuan with top-secret intelligence that the Heavenly Doctrine was based at Shangqing Temple. The other side, in the name of the mountain hermit Dujun, sent a secret warning to the Heavenly Doctrine, first stating that among those returning from the capital were the court’s spies, then informing them of the Xiao clan’s coming attack, having them prepare early with explosive ambushes to lure the enemy deep.

The reason for not directly stating that the court’s spy was Zhang Zhe was because Jiang Xuening was still there.

With Zhang Zhe deep within the Heavenly Doctrine, how much might he learn?

If by accident he glimpsed secrets, he himself would be the one dying without a burial place.

Therefore Zhang Zhe had to be eliminated.

The matter of someone at Yongding Pharmacy providing support was originally false, deliberately calculated. The secret letter deliberately mentioned a spy to make the Heavenly Doctrine suspicious of Zhang Zhe, control his movements, yet not directly act against him, thus avoiding implicating Jiang Xuening traveling with him.

Once Xiaobao took Jiang Xuening away, Zhang Zhe could be killed.

Then expose his identity. The Heavenly Doctrine would inevitably erupt and take his life. Even if the court investigated later, it wouldn’t have much to do with him, Xie Wei. Moreover, he hadn’t forced Zhang Zhe to go. On the contrary, the one who recommended him was the Ministry of Justice’s new minister Gu Chunfang. Any investigation wouldn’t reach him.

Thus, if the plan went smoothly, Zhang Zhe would die, the Xiao clan would fall into the trap, and the Heavenly Doctrine’s remaining rebels would be cleanly eliminated by him arriving afterward with his men.

At that time, even if Xiao Yuan didn’t die, he would suffer greatly for greedily rushing ahead.

While he arriving later would be the fisherman hidden behind the snipe and clam, the oriole above the mantis and cicada, becoming the sole beneficiary, the big winner.

The entire plan, using force against force, eliminating dissidents—could be called seamless!

Who could have anticipated…

Jiang Xuening appeared!

Xie Wei sat beside the brazier. The bright red charcoal reflected a dim light like twilight, falling into his eyes, flickering uncertainly. He said flatly: “So to speak, not only can I not punish you, but I should reward you instead?”

Xiao Dingfei’s spine went cold. He quickly shook his head: “I wouldn’t dare, I wouldn’t dare!”

This obsequious, spineless appearance, completely without any pride, only like a hoodlum rolling in the city’s mud pits, made people feel disgusted looking at him.

Only this appearance was precisely what he liked to see.

Xie Wei lightly furrowed his brow, then slowly relaxed it before saying: “Recuperate well. You’ll have good days when we reach the capital. If you dare run again next time, I’ll have someone break both your legs. That face alone will suffice!”

The coldness hidden in these words was no pretense.

When Xiao Dingfei heard it, even the ingratiating smile on his face could barely hold.

After Xie Wei finished speaking with him, not caring what his reaction was, he rose and walked outside. Jianshu and Daoqin quickly—one holding the umbrella, one carrying the lantern—followed Xie Wei out together.

Fine snow still fell at night, though compared to dusk, it had lessened considerably.

The lantern wasn’t very bright, only illuminating the nearby three or four chi of ground, with little reflected snow-light visible.

Daoqin held the umbrella very low.

When the three master and servants emerged from the round gate, they saw a somewhat tall and sturdy figure actually pacing in the corridor outside. Wearing silk brocade robes, advanced in years with a slightly plump form, temples grayed, the face that had been imposing and strutting during the day now seemed covered with unease and hesitation. Sometimes cloudy, sometimes clear, revealing something rather frightening.

It was the Duke of Dingguo, Xiao Yuan.

Seeing this, Jianshu turned back and reported in a low voice. Only then did Xie Wei look in that direction, then laughed and said: “In the dead of night, why is Your Grace here?”

Xiao Yuan hadn’t expected Xie Wei to emerge from inside. He froze, quickly collecting the expression on his face. Looking at the courtyard behind him, he hurriedly said: “Oh, it’s nothing. It’s just that those Heavenly Doctrine rebels all died. We couldn’t pry anything from their mouths, which is rather regrettable. But I heard Teacher Xie captured an extremely important person from the Heavenly Doctrine. I was somewhat curious.”

Heaven knows what Xiao Yuan’s state of mind was when he heard this news!

At the time he was questioning the physician about whether Xiao Ye’s leg could still recover. Then a soldier rushed in hurriedly and reported to him, saying Teacher Xie had captured a Heavenly Doctrine rebel named “Xiao Dingfei”!

Truly like thunder striking from overhead!

He grabbed that soldier and asked three times before daring to believe he hadn’t misheard.

Immediately his eyelids jumped wildly, and myriad fears surged in his heart: How could it be? It must be a coincidence, right? How could that child still be alive? All three hundred righteous youths were buried beneath the snow!

Such a small child, such a small child…

Xiao Yuan had always known this Xie Ju’an was best at reading faces and expressions. Fearing he might detect some flaw, he added: “I heard that this person seems to be named ‘Dingfei’?”

When he spoke those two words, the back of his head went cold.

Deep winter snow cold, harsh wind desolate.

This Shangqing Temple was built on the mountain, tree shadows looming. When cold wind shook them, flying snow fell from branches. In the stillness it seemed like ghostly souls quietly walking through the snow, making one’s heart tremble.

Xie Wei’s snow-white robe hem was lifted by the wind.

Jianshu carried the lantern, its light dazzling.

On this cold snowy night, he gazed at this elder of the great Xiao clan and smiled lightly. But he was excessively beautiful—not knowing whether he more resembled a deity from heaven or a ghost wandering in darkness. He only said: “Indeed, everyone calls him ‘Young Master Dingfei.’ It rather reminds me of the Marquis of Yongyi manor case a while ago. In those secret letters between Yan Mu and the Heavenly Doctrine, your noble son’s whereabouts were mentioned, seemingly as if he still lived in this world.”

In the frigid weather, sweat actually appeared on Xiao Yuan’s forehead.

His Adam’s apple rolled. He laughed, but extremely reluctantly. With his mind in great turmoil, he didn’t even notice Xie Wei’s fixed gaze. He stammered: “There are so many people in the world with the same name and surname. Perhaps it’s a coincidence.”

Xie Wei said: “I just went to take a look. Though this ‘Young Master Dingfei’ has an unaccomplished bearing, observing his features, they bear three or four parts resemblance to your brow and eyes.”

Xiao Yuan was greatly shocked: “What?!”

Xie Wei’s brow lightly raised, seeming somewhat puzzled: “Isn’t this good news?”

Only then did Xiao Yuan realize his loss of composure. He hurriedly tried to cover it up. However, when he tried to curve his lips into a smile, he felt even his facial muscles twisting along. How could he smile?

Not only did he not smile, he actually appeared somewhat sinister.

Both panicked and confused in his heart, he said perfunctorily: “This duke just doesn’t quite dare believe it…”

Both Jianshu and Daoqin stood behind Xie Wei, coldly watching Xiao Yuan’s performance full of flaws.

Xie Wei only found it laughable.

He actually did laugh, clearly seeing fear, wariness, killing intent, and guilt flash across Xiao Yuan’s face one by one. Yet he spoke with gentle warmth and extreme malice: “If this matter is true, no less than congratulations and felicitations to Your Grace. Heir Apparent Dingfei survived great calamity. Your Grace has a successor. The Xiao clan will surely have great fortune!”

Xiao Yuan felt ten thousand parts gloomy and irritable in his heart, but feeling guilty, he didn’t dare show half a trace. His smile looked worse than crying. He only said: “I hope so.”

Xie Wei asked knowingly: “Young Master Dingfei hasn’t rested yet. Won’t you go in to see him?”

Before Xiao Yuan could answer, he laughed as if suddenly understanding: “I forgot—calculating it’s been twenty years since you’ve met. You’re probably timid about approaching home. Moreover, this person may not be real. Your hesitation in your heart is normal.”

Xiao Yuan could only say: “Yes, yes.”

Another gust of wind blew. Xie Wei’s body felt cold. He began coughing. Looking up to see the snowy night all around faintly reflecting light, he lowered his eyelids again, not looking, and said: “The wind is cold and the night dark. Your Grace, forgive me. I’ve recently caught a chill and dare not linger long. I’ll take my leave first.”

Xiao Yuan then said: “Teacher Xie, take care.”

Xie Wei didn’t ask how long Xiao Yuan planned to stand there. Covering his lips, he coughed twice more, then had Daoqin hold the umbrella as he descended the steps, walking toward his own room.

Inside the room, lights blazed brilliantly, candlelight illuminating everything.

Xie Wei sat cross-legged on one side of the arhat bed by the window. A trace of mockery actually floated to his lips, finally becoming an icy expressionless face.

He raised his hand to cover his eyes.

Jianshu took a jade bottle from a case he’d brought along, poured out a pill, brought a cup of warm water, and handed it over, serving him as he took the pill with water.

Xie Wei’s pale complexion showed no improvement.

A Daoist scripture lay casually open on the square kang table, its vertical columns of lead characters densely packed. His gaze fell upon it, glimpsing precisely a line: “Following is ordinary, reversing is immortal—only in the middle lies the reversal.”

The Dao clears the heart, the Buddha reduces desires.

He studied both Buddhism and Daoism. Seeing this nonsensical obscene talk and wild words, his heart grew irritable. With a sweep of his hand he threw it to the wall corner, smashing it with a loud crash.

Both Jianshu and Daoqin were startled.

Xie Wei’s elbow propped against the table corner, long fingers lightly pressing his taut temple. He asked: “Where is Ningning?”

Jianshu said: “After the physician examined her, he said she fell asleep from mental relaxation. Half an hour ago Xiaobao came to report she had just awakened, ate something, and plans to go see… see Lord Zhang.”

Xie Wei’s eyelids lowered, a trace of darkness passing through his eyes.

Tonight would be sleepless.

Since he couldn’t have peace, then no one else should have peace either. He said coldly: “Tell her to get over here and learn the qin!”

Upon hearing this, Jiang Xuening nearly jumped up from the bed in anger, absolutely furious: “Learning what damn qin in the dead of night during heavy snow?!”