Chapter 159: A small boat swaying in the midst of a raging storm
It had started to rain again. Ning Xiaoyao peered up at the skies, where a fine drizzle had suddenly turned into a torrential downpour. "Ah, ah!" Ning Xiaoyao splashed happily in the storm as she clapped her hands. "With this rain, the fires will stop for sure!"
It wasn't just Ning Xiaoyao who was celebrating. Many of the people who were about to watch their houses burn down were currently thanking the Heavens for its lifesaving rain. Lou Zigui picked up the happily soaked Ning Xiaoyao and flipped onto his horse before kicking it into a gallop towards the palace.
Ning Xiaoyao said, "Are we going back just like that?"
"Wait and see," Lou Zigui bent forward as much as he could to shield her from the rain.
Ning Xiaoyao ran her fingers through the snow wolf cub's furry head before asking, "What are we waiting for?"
"To see what Xie Wenyuan will do next," Lou Zigui murmured. "And see how much he can endure."
Ning Xiaoyao automatically translated Lou Zigui's words in her head to mean that they were testing Grand Preceptor Xie's limits.
"Xie Anshi was the one who murdered first," Lou Zigui added, "It's not guaranteed that Xie Wenyuan will seek revenge for him."
"Seriously?!" Ning Xiaoyao couldn't quite believe it. Grand Preceptor Xie could tolerate a lot of things, but this was his own son they were talking about.
"The mouths of many shine like gold," Lou Zigui said. "He can do as many bad things in secret as he wants, but on the surface he still has to be Xie Wenyuan, a noble and righteous gentleman."
Ning Xiaoyao switched to scratching Big Boss Black's head instead until the cat scratched her. "Why don't you just come out and say that he's good at pretending?" She withdrew her scratched hand from the tubby.
"If it was any day before today, he could still shift the blame to you for those murdered refugees," Lou Zigui glanced at Ning Xiaoyao's hand before rapping his fingers against Big Boss Black's head. "But now, nobody will believe him if he tries anything else."
"Right," Ning Xiaoyao rapped her fingers against Big Boss Black's head as well. "He framed me once, so how could he frame me again? It's not like I'm a ninny!"
Lou Zigui sighed. What does being framed have to do with whether or not you're a ninny?
"Then I'll stop worrying," Ning Xiaoyao raised a hand to play with the raindrops. "I'll sit and wait until the Grand Preceptor dies from heartbreak."
Lou Zigui held Ning Xiaoyao a little tighter. Another good point about this girl was her generous heart. Even if Xie Wenyuan sought revenge, he'd aim for Lou Zigui, not the refugees. They were too beneath him.
"I think the refugees have great rebellious spirits," Ning Xiaoyao remarked after some thought. "No wonder armies fighting for just causes exist."
"Don't speak nonsense," Lou Zigui tapped the top of Ning Xiaoyao's head with his chin. "What 'armies fighting for just causes?' Those are just rebels."
Ning Xiaoyao shut her mouth. But when those armies of justice charge their way into the capitals and make the head of the peasants their emperor, no one will call them rebels anymore. (Author: Are you looking forward that much to the end of your country? o(╯□╰)o)
While Lou Zigui was bringing Ning Xiaoyao back to the palace, Lady Wang had already cried herself unconscious and woken up anew at the Grand Preceptor's estate. Now she was clutching Grand Preceptor Xie's sleeves as she sobbed, "Grand Preceptor, you can't forgive the ones who hurt Anshi!"
Grand Preceptor Xie sat in the corridor where the red paper lanterns shone on his forehead as they shook in the strong winds. The flickering light mixed with the storm outside, making Grand Preceptor Xie feel like he was nothing more than a boat being tossed in the wind. It was as if a single mistake would wreck his ship forever.
The door to the rooms opened then, and an old, white-haired doctor strode out. Lady Wang released Grand Preceptor Xie's sleeve and cried, "How is it?"
The old doctor bent forward and muttered, "If third young master can survive past his fever, then he'll manage to preserve his life."
"And if not?" Lady Wang asked.
The old doctor remained bowed without a word. His silence was obvious—if Xie Anshi didn't get past the fever, he would die. Lady Wang collapsed on the ground. When two servants went forward to help up her, she shoved them aside.
"Nothing can happen to Anshi," Lady Wang told Grand Preceptor Xie. "Something's already happened to Anyi, so how can something happen to Anshi as well?"
"Grand Preceptor," a steward ran towards them with a report. "General Chen Lu is here."
Grand Preceptor Xie rose to leave, but Lady Wang dragged her back. "This consort wants to see Chen Lu, too," Lady Wang sobbed. "This consort wants to know just who was the one who hurt my son!"
Grand Preceptor Xie creased his brows before he finally relented. "Bring him over here."
The steward soon brought Chen Lu into the courtyard. Lady Wang had already been helped to a seat by Grand Preceptor Xie, her swollen eyes still flowing with tears. Chen Lu greeted the couple.
"Have you found Tao Chen and his wife?" Grand Preceptor Xie asked after he straightened up.
Chen Lu gave an awkward glance in the direction of Lady Wang. Grand Preceptor Xie explained, "Tao Chen's wife is our daughter, so my wife will have to endure the news even if she can't. Just say it outright."
Chen Lu's head drooped. "There were no survivors in the Tao Estate. His Excellency Tao and family weren't at home, but this soldier asked around and found out that they were—that they were killed off in the streets outside the estate by the refugees."
Grand Preceptor Xie's eyes flashed. Lady Wang grew dazed before she trilled, "All four members of the family died?"
"Yes," Chen Lu couldn't bring himself to offer condolences, and only nodded his head. Lady Wang clutched her chest as her breathing quickened. The rain poured down in torrents as everyone in the courtyard remained mute.
A long time later, Lady Wang gave an agonized sob that was more like a primal howl.
"Take your ladyship back," Grand Preceptor Xie ordered expressionlessly. The two female servants stepped forward but couldn't budge Lady Wang. Two more joined the first until they succeeded in lifting her out of the chair.
"I'm not leaving," Lady Wang screamed at Chen Lu, looking absolutely mad. "Tell me, who did it?!"
"Take her away!" Grand Preceptor Xie slapped the armrest of his chair. Four elderly female servants bodily carried Lady Wang away, with two more servant girls holding onto her hands so she couldn't struggle free. Lady Wang's wails were still perceptible in the courtyard long after she disappeared.
"Sir, please examine my wife as well," Grand Preceptor Xie told the old doctor. "This old man doesn't want something to happen to her again."
The old doctor was quick to mutter an assent before taking his two young disciples with him after Lady Wang. Grand Preceptor Xie waved a hand at Chen Lu as he told the rest of the courtyard, "All of you, withdraw."
As the servants dispersed, Chen Lu walked out of the rain and under the covered walkway. Grand Preceptor Xie remained sitting in his chair, next to a slightly ajar door.
"How is third young master doing?" Chen Lu asked in a low voice.
"Not well," Grand Preceptor Xie shook his head. "Where is Tao Chen's body right now?"
When Chen Lu recalled the giant bags of flesh and pulp he'd brought back, he momentarily lost track of the excuses he'd prepared.
"Go on, speak," Grand Preceptor Xie said.
"They were trampled to death by the refugees," Chen Lu said. "There's not enough of their bodies to lay in a coffin anymore."
Grand Preceptor Xie soundly pounded on his armrests. Chen Lu stood with his head hanging. No words of comfort would help now.
"Lou Zigui," Grand Preceptor Xie spat out the words between gritted teeth. "You sent your men to tell me that he was at the scene?"
Chen Lu hastened to say, "Yes, this soldier saw him."
"Did you speak to him?"
Chen Lu began to stutter again.
"This old man can take it," Grand Preceptor Xie replied. "Tell me."
"Lou Zigui said, 'The Grand Preceptor should be giving His Majesty an explanation for the fires in the capital tonight,'" Chen Lu replied in a small voice.
"An explanation," Grand Preceptor Xie echoed.
"Grand Preceptor," Chen Lu said. "The refugees have already scattered. If we want to capture them…"
"The chief culprit is Lou Zigui," Grand Preceptor Xie interrupted. "Why should this old man seek out the refugees?"
Chen Lu simply nodded in agreement.
"The fact that I couldn't slice this cuckoo of the Lou Clan into pieces," Grand Preceptor Xie said, gripping the armrest, "Is the greatest mistake of my life!"
Chen Lu didn't dare follow up with Grand Preceptor Xie's words. If anyone was to blame for that, it was the person who saved Lou Zigui. But that was the reigning emperor, so how could he curse him?
Meanwhile, sobs filled the bedroom behind them. Chen Lu couldn't resist glancing towards the sound, but Grand Preceptor Xie merely ignored it to ask, "Did Xie Anshi really set fire to the refugees?"
Chen Lu replied, "That shouldn't be false. The woman who accused third young master already committed self-immolation, but many people heard her words."
Grand Preceptor Xie stood up. Seeing how unsteady he looked, Chen Lu hastened to support him. Grand Preceptor Xie walked out of the porch and cursed under his breath. "Unfilial son."
Chen Lu pretended he hadn't heard a thing, before asking, "Grand Preceptor, what do we do next?"
"Endure," Grand Preceptor Xie replied.
Chen Lu was rendered speechless.
"Tomorrow, this old many will write an account admitting my errors and asking for punishment," Grand Preceptor Xie said while striding forward in the pouring rain. "Xie Anshi's murders take precedence over the burning houses. Even death would be too good for that vile swine."
"Grand Preceptor wants to disown third young master?" Chen Lu said in alarm.
"It's useless to keep him," Grand Preceptor Xie sighed.
This man… Chen Lu thought as his throat clenched. In his eyes, the Grand Preceptor Xie behind him now was nothing more than a freak. How can you judge your sons by how useful they are?
"This old man won't fall apart that easily," Grand Preceptor Xie said next.
Chen Lu was a tall, strapping young man, but he was reduced to a subservient yes-man in Grand Preceptor Xie's presence. He dreaded Xie Wenyuan from the bottom of his heart.
Meanwhile, the rains put out the fires in the western side of the capital. Many braved the downpour to start collecting the dead and finding doctors for the wounded. They salvaged items from half-burnt houses while the capital barracks' soldiers piled the refugee corpses into a cart and hauled them away.
Shadowgale called for the western gates of the city to open up, and was frightened by the carts heaped with dead bodies waiting just outside. He quickly asked one of the defending generals, "Where did these bodies come from?"
The general had a position in the watchtower up above and naturally witnessed everything that had happened in the city. When he heard Shadowgale's question, he gave a brief account of what had happened before examining the man from head to toe. The head commander of the Dragon Guards was braving the rain to hurry somewhere, but still reeked of blood despite having no signs of it on his body.
How many people did he kill tonight? Or perhaps, the defending general thought, The question I should be asking is—just how many died in the capital tonight?
Chapter 159: A small boat swaying in the midst of a raging storm
It had started to rain again. Ning Xiaoyao peered up at the skies, where a fine drizzle had suddenly turned into a torrential downpour. "Ah, ah!" Ning Xiaoyao splashed happily in the storm as she clapped her hands. "With this rain, the fires will stop for sure!"
It wasn't just Ning Xiaoyao who was celebrating. Many of the people who were about to watch their houses burn down were currently thanking the Heavens for its lifesaving rain. Lou Zigui picked up the happily soaked Ning Xiaoyao and flipped onto his horse before kicking it into a gallop towards the palace.
Ning Xiaoyao said, "Are we going back just like that?"
"Wait and see," Lou Zigui bent forward as much as he could to shield her from the rain.
Ning Xiaoyao ran her fingers through the snow wolf cub's furry head before asking, "What are we waiting for?"
"To see what Xie Wenyuan will do next," Lou Zigui murmured. "And see how much he can endure."
Ning Xiaoyao automatically translated Lou Zigui's words in her head to mean that they were testing Grand Preceptor Xie's limits.
"Xie Anshi was the one who murdered first," Lou Zigui added, "It's not guaranteed that Xie Wenyuan will seek revenge for him."
"Seriously?!" Ning Xiaoyao couldn't quite believe it. Grand Preceptor Xie could tolerate a lot of things, but this was his own son they were talking about.
"The mouths of many shine like gold," Lou Zigui said. "He can do as many bad things in secret as he wants, but on the surface he still has to be Xie Wenyuan, a noble and righteous gentleman."
Ning Xiaoyao switched to scratching Big Boss Black's head instead until the cat scratched her. "Why don't you just come out and say that he's good at pretending?" She withdrew her scratched hand from the tubby.
"If it was any day before today, he could still shift the blame to you for those murdered refugees," Lou Zigui glanced at Ning Xiaoyao's hand before rapping his fingers against Big Boss Black's head. "But now, nobody will believe him if he tries anything else."
"Right," Ning Xiaoyao rapped her fingers against Big Boss Black's head as well. "He framed me once, so how could he frame me again? It's not like I'm a ninny!"
Lou Zigui sighed. What does being framed have to do with whether or not you're a ninny?
"Then I'll stop worrying," Ning Xiaoyao raised a hand to play with the raindrops. "I'll sit and wait until the Grand Preceptor dies from heartbreak."
Lou Zigui held Ning Xiaoyao a little tighter. Another good point about this girl was her generous heart. Even if Xie Wenyuan sought revenge, he'd aim for Lou Zigui, not the refugees. They were too beneath him.
"I think the refugees have great rebellious spirits," Ning Xiaoyao remarked after some thought. "No wonder armies fighting for just causes exist."
"Don't speak nonsense," Lou Zigui tapped the top of Ning Xiaoyao's head with his chin. "What 'armies fighting for just causes?' Those are just rebels."
Ning Xiaoyao shut her mouth. But when those armies of justice charge their way into the capitals and make the head of the peasants their emperor, no one will call them rebels anymore. (Author: Are you looking forward that much to the end of your country? o(╯□╰)o)
While Lou Zigui was bringing Ning Xiaoyao back to the palace, Lady Wang had already cried herself unconscious and woken up anew at the Grand Preceptor's estate. Now she was clutching Grand Preceptor Xie's sleeves as she sobbed, "Grand Preceptor, you can't forgive the ones who hurt Anshi!"
Grand Preceptor Xie sat in the corridor where the red paper lanterns shone on his forehead as they shook in the strong winds. The flickering light mixed with the storm outside, making Grand Preceptor Xie feel like he was nothing more than a boat being tossed in the wind. It was as if a single mistake would wreck his ship forever.
The door to the rooms opened then, and an old, white-haired doctor strode out. Lady Wang released Grand Preceptor Xie's sleeve and cried, "How is it?"
The old doctor bent forward and muttered, "If third young master can survive past his fever, then he'll manage to preserve his life."
"And if not?" Lady Wang asked.
The old doctor remained bowed without a word. His silence was obvious—if Xie Anshi didn't get past the fever, he would die. Lady Wang collapsed on the ground. When two servants went forward to help up her, she shoved them aside.
"Nothing can happen to Anshi," Lady Wang told Grand Preceptor Xie. "Something's already happened to Anyi, so how can something happen to Anshi as well?"
"Grand Preceptor," a steward ran towards them with a report. "General Chen Lu is here."
Grand Preceptor Xie rose to leave, but Lady Wang dragged her back. "This consort wants to see Chen Lu, too," Lady Wang sobbed. "This consort wants to know just who was the one who hurt my son!"
Grand Preceptor Xie creased his brows before he finally relented. "Bring him over here."
The steward soon brought Chen Lu into the courtyard. Lady Wang had already been helped to a seat by Grand Preceptor Xie, her swollen eyes still flowing with tears. Chen Lu greeted the couple.
"Have you found Tao Chen and his wife?" Grand Preceptor Xie asked after he straightened up.
Chen Lu gave an awkward glance in the direction of Lady Wang. Grand Preceptor Xie explained, "Tao Chen's wife is our daughter, so my wife will have to endure the news even if she can't. Just say it outright."
Chen Lu's head drooped. "There were no survivors in the Tao Estate. His Excellency Tao and family weren't at home, but this soldier asked around and found out that they were—that they were killed off in the streets outside the estate by the refugees."
Grand Preceptor Xie's eyes flashed. Lady Wang grew dazed before she trilled, "All four members of the family died?"
"Yes," Chen Lu couldn't bring himself to offer condolences, and only nodded his head. Lady Wang clutched her chest as her breathing quickened. The rain poured down in torrents as everyone in the courtyard remained mute.
A long time later, Lady Wang gave an agonized sob that was more like a primal howl.
"Take your ladyship back," Grand Preceptor Xie ordered expressionlessly. The two female servants stepped forward but couldn't budge Lady Wang. Two more joined the first until they succeeded in lifting her out of the chair.
"I'm not leaving," Lady Wang screamed at Chen Lu, looking absolutely mad. "Tell me, who did it?!"
"Take her away!" Grand Preceptor Xie slapped the armrest of his chair. Four elderly female servants bodily carried Lady Wang away, with two more servant girls holding onto her hands so she couldn't struggle free. Lady Wang's wails were still perceptible in the courtyard long after she disappeared.
"Sir, please examine my wife as well," Grand Preceptor Xie told the old doctor. "This old man doesn't want something to happen to her again."
The old doctor was quick to mutter an assent before taking his two young disciples with him after Lady Wang. Grand Preceptor Xie waved a hand at Chen Lu as he told the rest of the courtyard, "All of you, withdraw."
As the servants dispersed, Chen Lu walked out of the rain and under the covered walkway. Grand Preceptor Xie remained sitting in his chair, next to a slightly ajar door.
"How is third young master doing?" Chen Lu asked in a low voice.
"Not well," Grand Preceptor Xie shook his head. "Where is Tao Chen's body right now?"
When Chen Lu recalled the giant bags of flesh and pulp he'd brought back, he momentarily lost track of the excuses he'd prepared.
"Go on, speak," Grand Preceptor Xie said.
"They were trampled to death by the refugees," Chen Lu said. "There's not enough of their bodies to lay in a coffin anymore."
Grand Preceptor Xie soundly pounded on his armrests. Chen Lu stood with his head hanging. No words of comfort would help now.
"Lou Zigui," Grand Preceptor Xie spat out the words between gritted teeth. "You sent your men to tell me that he was at the scene?"
Chen Lu hastened to say, "Yes, this soldier saw him."
"Did you speak to him?"
Chen Lu began to stutter again.
"This old man can take it," Grand Preceptor Xie replied. "Tell me."
"Lou Zigui said, 'The Grand Preceptor should be giving His Majesty an explanation for the fires in the capital tonight,'" Chen Lu replied in a small voice.
"An explanation," Grand Preceptor Xie echoed.
"Grand Preceptor," Chen Lu said. "The refugees have already scattered. If we want to capture them…"
"The chief culprit is Lou Zigui," Grand Preceptor Xie interrupted. "Why should this old man seek out the refugees?"
Chen Lu simply nodded in agreement.
"The fact that I couldn't slice this cuckoo of the Lou Clan into pieces," Grand Preceptor Xie said, gripping the armrest, "Is the greatest mistake of my life!"
Chen Lu didn't dare follow up with Grand Preceptor Xie's words. If anyone was to blame for that, it was the person who saved Lou Zigui. But that was the reigning emperor, so how could he curse him?
Meanwhile, sobs filled the bedroom behind them. Chen Lu couldn't resist glancing towards the sound, but Grand Preceptor Xie merely ignored it to ask, "Did Xie Anshi really set fire to the refugees?"
Chen Lu replied, "That shouldn't be false. The woman who accused third young master already committed self-immolation, but many people heard her words."
Grand Preceptor Xie stood up. Seeing how unsteady he looked, Chen Lu hastened to support him. Grand Preceptor Xie walked out of the porch and cursed under his breath. "Unfilial son."
Chen Lu pretended he hadn't heard a thing, before asking, "Grand Preceptor, what do we do next?"
"Endure," Grand Preceptor Xie replied.
Chen Lu was rendered speechless.
"Tomorrow, this old many will write an account admitting my errors and asking for punishment," Grand Preceptor Xie said while striding forward in the pouring rain. "Xie Anshi's murders take precedence over the burning houses. Even death would be too good for that vile swine."
"Grand Preceptor wants to disown third young master?" Chen Lu said in alarm.
"It's useless to keep him," Grand Preceptor Xie sighed.
This man… Chen Lu thought as his throat clenched. In his eyes, the Grand Preceptor Xie behind him now was nothing more than a freak. How can you judge your sons by how useful they are?
"This old man won't fall apart that easily," Grand Preceptor Xie said next.
Chen Lu was a tall, strapping young man, but he was reduced to a subservient yes-man in Grand Preceptor Xie's presence. He dreaded Xie Wenyuan from the bottom of his heart.
Meanwhile, the rains put out the fires in the western side of the capital. Many braved the downpour to start collecting the dead and finding doctors for the wounded. They salvaged items from half-burnt houses while the capital barracks' soldiers piled the refugee corpses into a cart and hauled them away.
Shadowgale called for the western gates of the city to open up, and was frightened by the carts heaped with dead bodies waiting just outside. He quickly asked one of the defending generals, "Where did these bodies come from?"
The general had a position in the watchtower up above and naturally witnessed everything that had happened in the city. When he heard Shadowgale's question, he gave a brief account of what had happened before examining the man from head to toe. The head commander of the Dragon Guards was braving the rain to hurry somewhere, but still reeked of blood despite having no signs of it on his body.
How many people did he kill tonight? Or perhaps, the defending general thought, The question I should be asking is—just how many died in the capital tonight?
