Chapter 49

As the Xiao clan members were practicing with their weapons, those arrogant soldiers naturally did not back down, each drawing their sabers and shouting loudly.

Seeing this situation, Zhu Mian felt a bit depressed. He was only brave enough to intimidate the Xiao family; if it really came to killing, he had many concerns. In the Jiangnan region, powerful families stood side by side. If he angered the Xiao family, it would inevitably lead to other families uniting against the Office of Tribute, and then a few memorials would be submitted, and the emperor would not be happy.

Turning his face, Zhu Mian's heart skipped a beat. Where was the young prince? He was just beside him a moment ago, but now he was nowhere to be seen?

Tapping the guard beside him with his horsewhip, Zhu Mian asked with a stern face, "Where is the Prince of Yongning?"

"The steward, His Highness said he was not feeling well and went to the back!"

Not feeling well? Don't try to fool me, Zhu Mian couldn't help but laugh and shake his head. Zhao Yougong was still Zhao Yougong. When there was a chance to benefit, he was more enthusiastic than anyone, but as soon as he saw the possibility of conflict, he ran to the back to hide. Ah, how could the Prince of Chu have such a son? A waste like this would never amount to anything in eight hundred years.

Riding forward, Zhu Mian waved his horsewhip and sternly shouted, "All under heaven is the emperor's land, and all within its borders are his subjects. I am the imperial-appointed Transport Commissioner of Suzhou Prefecture. Why can't I enter Meili Town?"

Zhu Mian openly used his power to pressure them, but Xiao Guicheng was not someone to be easily fooled. He raised his head fearlessly and said, "Steward Zhu, what you say is true. I never said I would not allow it, but why did you send people to the Xiao family cemetery?"

Zhao Yougong, though hiding far away, could still hear the conversation clearly. The old man was nearly a hundred years old and probably didn't fear death. Zhu Mian had met his match, and there would be a good show. Zhao Yougong believed Zhu Mian must have other methods. This guy came from the lower ranks; if he lacked great wisdom, he was certainly capable of coming up with malicious ideas and causing trouble.

Zhu Mian seemed to be a bit afraid, dismounting his horse with a sheepish look and bowing to Xiao Guicheng. He then said to the soldiers behind him, "Put away your knives, you are all lacking in judgment!"

The soldiers naturally obeyed, putting away their knives and stepping back a few steps. Zhu Mian's overly friendly behavior made Xiao Guicheng even more worried. This man was known for his underhanded tactics. Could he be planning something sinister?

As he was thinking, he heard a commotion behind him. A boy around thirteen or fourteen years old, out of breath, ran over, pushing through the crowd and wiping tears in front of Xiao Guicheng. He was ragged, his hair wet, and one of his shoes was missing, looking like he had just come from Tao Nan.

"Old Clan Leader... sob... sob..."

"Sixth Son, why are you crying? What happened?"

While urging him, Xiao Guicheng's old eyes were fixed on Zhu Mian, who didn't care, looking up at the sky and enjoying the beautiful clouds.

"Old Clan Leader... sob... I don't know where they came from, but a few ruffians... they dug... they dug the Xiaoling River and flooded our cemetery..."

Xiao Guicheng's legs trembled, and his deer-head cane fell to the ground. Damn Zhu Mian, he knew this guy was underhanded, but he never thought he would come up with the idea of flooding the cemetery to dig up graves. Anger filled his heart, and he almost fainted, but fortunately, some young men caught him. The Xiao family was even more enraged, shouting and demanding an explanation from Zhu Mian. The scene was chaotic, and if not for the protection of the soldiers, the Xiao family would have already torn Zhu Mian to pieces.

Zhu Mian took two steps back, eyes wide, and shouted in a rough voice, "What do you want to do? Attack this official? Think carefully, this is rebellion..." Zhu Mian's tone was sinister, and a hint of a smile played on his lips.

Truly vicious, he didn't act himself but first tried to provoke the Xiao family. If the Xiao family really attacked Zhu Mian, it would confirm the charge of rebellion. Then Zhu Mian could kill as he pleased, and who could say anything?

Zhao Yougong shook his head in admiration. Truly admirable, no wonder he was a favorite of the emperor. Just this intelligence alone made it right for Emperor Zhezong to appoint him as the manager of the Suzhou Office of Tribute.

Xiao Guicheng's situation was not good, but he still maintained his composure. Seeing a civil unrest about to break out, he used all his strength to shout, "Stop!"

Xiao Guicheng's prestige in the clan was unquestionable. With just one word, the agitated clan members calmed down. But a young man in a brocade robe had already bowed and cried, "Clan Leader, give the order, we will fight these dogs to the death..." Flooding graves was even more despicable than digging them up. Digging graves was for profit, but flooding them was to desecrate the remains of the ancestors.

In ancient times, filial piety was highly valued. Such a great humiliation, how could the Xiao clan bear it?

"Fourth Son, no more!" Extending a withered hand, Xiao Guicheng struggled to stand up. Unlike the others, his eyes were not filled with tears but with a cold smile.

"Steward Zhu, you have won. Do what you will, but are you not afraid of heaven?"

Heaven? Zhu Mian sneered, of course he was afraid of heaven, but his heaven was the emperor in Tokyo. As long as the emperor did not blame him, what did he have to fear?

"Thank you, Old Clan Leader. Ah, heaven? I am always afraid, but our heavens are different. Yes, Clan Leader, please rest assured, I will handle this fairly and will not harm the remains of the Xiao family's ancestors!"

Passing by, Zhu Mian led a group of people through the human wall formed by the Xiao clan, smiling broadly. Zhu Mian was not afraid at all. Having been in Jiangnan for a long time, he knew these powerful families well. They dared to do many things, but they dared not rebel.

The sky, which had been clear, was now overcast with dark clouds. Was it going to rain?

Zhao Yougong rode past, his eyes fixed straight ahead, never daring to look at Xiao Guicheng, for fear that a look of pity would show.

"Great Song... Heaven... Open your eyes and see your people... Ha... Ha... My Great Song... My Great Song..."

A mad and aged laugh, more tragic than a cry, each shout seemed to pierce through the clouds, breaking the sky, each roar piercing the heart. This was a pure Song person, a proud old man. Who could understand his sorrow?

Ha, Great Song? It was long past saving. The emperor only cared about pleasure, the ministers ignored the people, the north was under the hooves of the barbarians, and the south was in turmoil.

The hooves faded away, and Zhao Yougong's heart ached inexplicably.

"Clan Leader... Clan Leader..."

In the drizzle, gentle like Jiangnan, a respected old man left this world, and a cold demon was growing.

Due to the sudden rain, the excavation of the Xiao family cemetery slowed down. Fortunately, Zhu Mian was prepared and had a temporary shelter built. Two people were drinking and chatting in the shelter, enjoying themselves.

Zhao Yougong always felt a chill in his heart. Was it a bad omen to drink by the cemetery?

"Steward Zhu, how long will this rain last? If it doesn't stop by night, I dare not stay," Zhao Yougong said, glancing at the nearby cemetery.

Zhu Mian found it amusing. He dared to dig up graves but was afraid of ghosts. This Zhao Yougong was truly amusing.

"Your Highness, the rain will stop soon. The sky in Suzhou is like a child's face, changing in an instant. You'll get used to it!"

A child's face? Zhao Yougong didn't think so. He felt this rain was more like snow in June. Xiao Guicheng died unjustly.

"That's good. If it keeps raining, it will delay the treasure digging."

"Treasure digging? Ahaha, Your Highness is right. We are treasure diggers. Those rough people just call it grave digging, which sounds uncultured!"

Zhu Mian's laughter was truly despicable. Zhao Yougong also laughed, but he was laughing at Zhu Mian. Keep it up, keep it up. When he dies, he will know what regret is.

The rain didn't stop, but the newly built shelter welcomed an unexpected guest. A carriage stopped, and a woman in elegant attire stepped out. She had a beautiful face, deep eyes, and every movement exuded an unparalleled nobility.

Why did Chai Keyan come?

In Bianliang, Zhao Yougong couldn't possibly not know Chai Keyan, but he couldn't understand why the famous Princess Chai would come to a cemetery.

Facing Chai Keyan, Zhu Mian didn't dare to be too arrogant and quickly stood up to offer a seat, "Greetings, Princess!"

They were of the same rank, so Zhao Yougong didn't stand up but tilted his head and smiled, "Ha, why did the princess come?"

"Prince Ling can come, why can't I?"

Chai Keyan smiled faintly but did not sit down. She walked to the edge of the shelter and looked at the cemetery, saying softly, "Steward Zhu, can I ask for a favor? When the graves are opened, can you help collect the remains and place them in coffins?"

"Princess, what are you saying? This is what I should do, what I should do!"

"Thank you, Steward!"

She touched her slightly wet hair and slowly turned around. She extended her white hand, slowly twirling her hair. Her wrist was adorned with a green jade bracelet, making her hand look even more delicate. Her phoenix eyes moved, and her black pupils inadvertently revealed a hint of charm.

The drizzle continued, and the softness seemed to linger on Chai Keyan. A faint, unique fragrance wafted through the air. For some reason, Zhao Yougong dared not meet Chai Keyan's eyes, feeling that this woman was too shrewd.

"Prince Ling seems to be in a good mood. Drinking in such a place, are you not afraid of ghosts?" Her beautiful eyes blinked, her tone filled with sarcasm and teasing.

Zhao Yougong smiled sheepishly, "Princess, don't scare me. This... this..."

Looking around, he felt a chill. Afraid of ghosts? Of course not!

If a person tightly held something, Zhao Yougong would choose to let go. His left hand was empty, his right hand was empty, but he had a strong heart, which beat fiercely and became increasingly cold and hard over time.

He had a ghost in his heart, but that ghost was himself.

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