Chapter 251: Chapter 203: What Are His Intentions?

Hearing this, Xiao Jinghong glanced at Elder Master Xiao. ’She could roughly guess what he was thinking.’

The Jing State Liu Family was one thing.

Liu Wen had died outside Iron Wall Town, and with a letter as evidence, his guilt was already established.

Even if the Liu Family was unaware, the Xiao Family had ways to make them pay the price.

And there was even less to say about the Bright Moon Building.

They were an Evil Demonic Dao sect in the Jianghu, long accustomed to vicious cruelty. All that was needed was an opportunity to wipe them out in one fell swoop.

Therefore, the only thing that could be giving the Elder Master a headache right now was Xiao Dongchen—or rather, the second branch of the family.

Thinking this, Xiao Jinghong decided not to beat around the bush and said directly:

"Xiao Dongchen is to be struck from the family registry and handed over to the authorities."

"The second branch will no longer preside over the Punishment Hall. It will be transferred to the third branch or revert to the main branch’s control."

Here, Xiao Jinghong paused, her tone growing a bit more serious. "Furthermore, Second Grand-uncle should be sent away from the Marquis’s Mansion. If you agree, it would be best for him to leave Shu State entirely."

This time, she wasn’t just dealing with Xiao Dongchen; she had no intention of leaving the second branch any leeway.

If not for the Elder Master’s feelings, she would have even wanted to drive the entire second branch out of Shu State and treat them as nothing more than distant relatives of the Xiao Family.

This included Xiao Ziqi, who held a post in the Shu State Capital Commandery, and Xiao Qiuyun, who had been married off to Guangyue Prefecture.

After hearing her out, a trace of sorrow couldn’t help but surface in the Elder Master’s cloudy eyes.

’It was likely a mix of frustration at their failure to live up to expectations and the bitter feeling that his kindness had been utterly wasted.’

At the same time, he began to recall certain events from over the years.

There were the exhortations of several late elders: "Brothers must be of one heart." "As Duke Dingyuan, you must care for your family and your brothers, shouldering everything on your own."

There were the actions of the second branch over the years.

And there were the changes in the Punishment Hall after the second branch took control.

After a moment of silence, the Elder Master let out a weary sigh. "The second branch... do as you’ve said."

Then he pointed at Liu Wen and asked, "What about the Liu Family?"

Xiao Jinghong’s expression turned cold. "Confiscate their assets and exterminate their clan!"

Although she knew such an outcome was unlikely, the Liu Family’s actions were tantamount to treason.

Hearing this, the Elder Master slowly shook his head. "The Liu Family currently enjoys great imperial favor. It will be difficult."

"However, this matter will, at the very least, force the Liu Family to give something up."

His tone grew colder as he huffed, "I may just have to pay a personal visit to the Governor’s Office."

Xiao Jinghong naturally understood his intentions.

The Xiao Family was in the right on this matter. Even if they couldn’t destroy the Liu Family, they wouldn’t let them off easy.

The loss of summer grain in Iron Wall Town, the grain tax owed to the Governor’s Office, and so on—the Jing State Liu Family would have to bear the cost for all of it.

As Xiao Jinghong considered this, she said, "I will follow your lead."

After a pause, she changed the subject. "How should we deal with Li Changqing?"

The Elder Master glanced at her and managed a smile.

"You are in charge of the Dingyuan Army now. All related matters should be handled by you."

Xiao Jinghong nodded and said no more.

Seeing that the official business was concluded, Elder Master Xiao relaxed a little. Looking at Liu Wen’s corpse on the floor, he sighed.

"Actually, there’s one more thing. Thinking about it now, it must be related to last night’s events. The Hidden Guard, Xiao Jing..."

Before he could finish, Xiao Jinghong suddenly raised a hand, interrupting him. "Someone’s coming."

The next moment, they both saw a middle-aged man in black clothes rushing toward them through the rain.

When the Elder Master saw his face, a hint of joy appeared, and he couldn’t help but rise to his feet. "Xiao Jing?"

But the middle-aged man seemed not to hear him. He hurried over and fell to his knees with a thud, his voice urgent. "Marquis, the Bright Moon Building is planning to burn the summer grain in the Three Towns!"

"I beg you, Marquis, to notify the three Generals as soon as possible so they can take precautions!"

"..."

Even after everything they had just been through, Xiao Jinghong and the Elder Master couldn’t help but smile at this dramatic interruption.

When the middle-aged man, Xiao Jing, saw the smiles on their faces, he grew even more frantic.

"Marquis! General! This is a matter of great urgency! If we’re too late, everything will be lost!"

Seeing this, the Elder Master could only wave his hand, signaling for him to calm down.

Xiao Jinghong then explained the situation again, finally dispelling Xiao Jing’s worries.

Realizing what had happened, Xiao Jing was relieved but also ashamed. He said:

"This subordinate was incompetent and failed to inform you in time, Marquis. I await your punishment."

The Elder Master smiled reassuringly. "It’s not your fault. You were severely injured that night, after all. You..."

Before he finished speaking, the Elder Master sized him up and said with surprise,

"Your injuries have healed?"

Xiao Jing belatedly touched his chest and said uncertainly, "I think so..."

As if remembering something, he said in astonishment, "Was it that person? He’s actually a Medical Saint Hand?"

"Who?"

Xiao Jing then recounted what had happened that night.

"...After I learned of the plot, I was pursued by a group from the Evil Demonic Dao and gravely wounded, eventually falling unconscious in the hands of the Imprisonment Department."

"When I awoke, I vaguely heard people talking beside me, something about thirty thousand taels of gold notes and their location."

"Oh, right. In the end, he also said a few words to me."

Elder Master Xiao and Xiao Jinghong exchanged a look. The Elder Master asked, "What did he say?"

Xiao Jing thought back for a moment, a strange expression appearing on his face.

He looked at the Elder Master and said hesitantly:

"The man said he bore the Xiao Family no ill will; on the contrary, he was an ally."

"But to prevent those people from growing desperate, he couldn’t let you, Marquis, know for the time being."

After saying these two sentences, Xiao Jing’s mind suddenly connected them to the current situation. He couldn’t help but swallow hard and stammer:

"He... he also said that by the time I woke up, this whole affair would be over..."

Connecting this to what he had just heard about the summer grain in the Three Towns, it was clear the man’s words had come true.

’But... but... how is that possible...’

It wasn’t just him.

At this moment, both Elder Master Xiao and Xiao Jinghong wore grave expressions, their thoughts likely mirroring Xiao Jing’s.

After a long while, the Elder Master began to laugh.

"It seems now that we’re no different from the Liu Family or Xiao Dongchen. We’ve all been used as pawns by someone."