Chapter 252: Chapter 203: What Are His Intentions?

"Not only did that person find out about this in advance and meticulously plan everything, they also thwarted the entire affair and laid out all the masterminds and their evidence right before us."

"And us? We didn’t figure a thing out and still somehow muddled our way to a perfect resolution."

"All while paying the smallest price for the greatest reward!"

As he finished, the old Marquis couldn’t help but slam his hand on the table and curse:

"But what did he mean by that!?"

"What’s this about telling me beforehand would make those people desperate?" 𝚏𝕣𝕖𝚎𝚠𝚎𝚋𝚗𝐨𝐯𝕖𝕝.𝕔𝐨𝕞

"Am I that incompetent in his eyes? Huh?"

It was no wonder the old Marquis was furious.

While that person’s actions had certainly been a great help to the Xiao Family.

But throughout the entire affair, the Xiao Family was not only the last to find out, but also the one that profited the most.

It was practically a windfall they’d just stumbled upon.

"Does he think we’re too stupid? Or does he think he’s just that capable?"

"Damn it! In all my years of leading armies and fighting wars, this is the first time I’ve been looked down on like this!"

Xiao Jinghong wanted to laugh, but she couldn’t bring herself to.

Looking back at the whole affair, aside from notifying the Three Towns General in advance to prepare his defenses, the only thing she could take credit for was killing Black Tooth and his men.

Everything else, whether it was Liu Wen, Xiao Dongchen, the Liu Family, or Bright Moon Building, had been delivered right to them by that person.

Just as the old Marquis said, their Xiao Family had done very little but reaped all the rewards.

Thinking of this, Xiao Jinghong looked at the stunned Xiao Jing and asked, "Did that person have any distinguishing features? Or anything that would make them easy to identify?"

"He’s done us such a huge favor. If we don’t show our gratitude, it’ll make us look ill-mannered."

Hearing this, the old Marquis nodded and grunted, his expression dark. "Jinghong is right. Our Xiao Family should indeed thank him."

"So, Xiao Jing, think back carefully. See if you can identify that person so I can pay him a visit."

’I’d like to see for myself just what kind of superhuman this is, to hold me in such contempt.’

Xiao Jing paused, stunned for a moment. He recalled the events carefully, and then his eyes widened. "I did notice something."

"Marquis, do you remember a while ago when I obstructed the Imprisonment Department’s investigation into Liu Jing’s death?"

"Yes, I remember that."

"The voice of the person who killed that old man that night was very similar to the one who saved me the other day."

"Thinking about it carefully, they must be the same person."

The old Marquis just snorted at this. "It’s indeed the same style. Helping from the shadows, leaving no name."

"Good. Very good. Now I’m even more curious to find out who he is."

Xiao Jinghong knew, of course, that the old Marquis wasn’t truly angry, just vexed and embarrassed.

In fact, she was feeling something similar herself.

But beyond her vexation, she felt a profound sense of relief.

If it weren’t for that person’s help, the Xiao Family would probably be in complete chaos by now.

The outcome would have been far worse than this.

With that in mind, Xiao Jinghong said thoughtfully, "It shouldn’t be too difficult to find him."

The old Marquis’s spirits lifted. "Oh? Go on."

"The ones who notified me before were ’Sword Madman’ Liu Lang and Granny Shan’s granddaughter, Pei Guanli. At least one of them must be in on it and should know that person’s identity."

"Then let’s bring them in for questioning. We can’t just let him do all this for nothing."

Xiao Jinghong hummed in agreement, then added, "But thinking about it now, that person is truly formidable."

"Besides his scheming, he himself is a Medical Saint Hand, and he has two subordinates who have reached Great Success in Martial Arts."

"Even when I traveled the world with my master, I rarely encountered such a figure."

In her view, the Spearman outside Iron Wall Town, just like Liu Lang, was one of that person’s helpers.

After all, for a Medical Saint Hand to also cultivate Martial Arts would be even more difficult than her own dual cultivation of the Sword Dao and Spear Dao.

Hearing this, the old Marquis’s expression softened a little. He nodded and said, "If he weren’t so capable, he couldn’t have done so much without us discovering him."

He paused, then sighed. "However, once we find him, it would be best to treat him with courtesy."

"If we can win him over as an ally, it would benefit you, me, the Xiao Family, and the Dingyuan Army."

Xiao Jinghong nodded. "I understand."

After they had shared all their information.

The old Marquis glanced at the sky outside, a cold look returning to his face as he gave his orders:

"It’s getting late. Take down Xiao Dongchen first. Remember to find that three hundred thousand silver, so we can compensate for the loss of Iron Wall Town’s summer grain."

"After we’ve dealt with our family’s affairs, I will personally deliver his ’dear nephew’ to Liu Hong."

"In short, we must resolve everything before the Holy Emperor gets word of this!"

"I’ll go at once..."

After Xiao Jinghong left, the old Marquis looked at Xiao Jing and mused,

"Who do you think should be in charge of the Punishment Hall now?"

Xiao Jing hesitated for a moment before bowing. "Marquis, there is something I wish to say, but I’m not sure if it’s appropriate."

"Speak freely."

"Marquis, the Marquis’s Mansion is currently facing threats from within and without. We must enforce strict discipline to ensure the stability of the inner residence."

"Therefore, I believe the Punishment Hall should be handed over to someone from the main branch."

The old Marquis understood. He stood up and said, "Then let Xuanshuo take charge for the time being."

He was indeed sentimental about old ties, but he had no patience for fools.

Especially fools who would betray the Xiao Family for immediate gain.

...

Nearing noon, the torrential rain continued unabated.

Amidst the CRASHING and PITTER-PATTER of the rain, Chen Yi, dressed in a long green robe and holding an Oil Paper Umbrella, returned to the Xiao Family residence without any hurry.

The moment he entered the front courtyard and saw the expressions on the faces of the Armored Guards, he knew in his heart that the old Marquis and Xiao Jinghong had already made their move.

It wasn’t outside his expectations.

As Chen Yi considered this, he put on an oblivious expression and strolled leisurely across the front courtyard toward Spring Lotus Garden.

Along the way, seeing the situation outside Qingjing Residence, he even greeted Wang Lixing, Liu Si’er, and the others.

It’s just that Liu Si’er and the others weren’t in a good mood, and their responses were mostly perfunctory.

Chen Yi naturally didn’t mind, nor would he go over and ask what was wrong, lest he get himself tangled in some trouble.

However, when he reached the rear courtyard, his mood was no longer so relaxed.

From a distance, he saw a tall, slender figure standing outside Spring Lotus Garden.

The figure was dressed in red, a Long Sword hanging from her waist. Beneath a high ponytail was a silver mask.

Her eyes, like autumn ripples, were staring at him without blinking.

—Who else could it be but his wife, Xiao Jinghong?

Chen Yi secretly raised an eyebrow, muttering to himself, ’Xiao Jinghong should be busy. What’s she doing here?’

Despite his confusion, he didn’t stop walking. He smiled and quickened his pace to greet her.

"Wife, when did you return?"

Xiao Jinghong’s eyes twinkled slightly, which likely meant she was in a good mood.

"This morning."

"That’s unfortunate. I was invited to Quchi last night to discuss Medicine Hall business and returned late."

"It doesn’t matter."

Chen Yi smiled and asked with a natural expression, "Now that you’re back, you should be staying home through the Mid-Autumn Festival, right?"

Xiao Jinghong paused, lowering her head slightly. "I... still have a few things to do. But I’ll try my best to finish them before the Mid-Autumn Festival."

"I see..."

Chen Yi knew in his heart that there were still follow-up matters from last night, so he smiled and said:

"In that case, don’t forget to let the old Marquis know. With Duke Zhang and Mr. Sun the Elder leaving one after another recently, he’ll probably want to use the Mid-Autumn Festival to liven things up."

"And there’s Eldest Sister’s side..."

Chen Yi chattered on about recent interesting events as he led Xiao Jinghong into Spring Lotus Garden.

Just as the two reached the wooden building and were about to part ways.

Xiao Jinghong suddenly asked,

"Husband, I was wondering, did Pei Guanli act strangely at all in the days before she left?"

Chen Yi’s heart skipped a beat.

’Don’t tell me Tiger Girl slipped up?’