Chapter 70: Gathering at Yunshao

“Achoo~”

In the Hehuan Cage, Ding Suian suddenly sneezed.

Ruan Guofan, sitting opposite him, asked with concern, “Have you caught a cold?”

Ding Suian shook his head. “Maybe someone is badmouthing me behind my back!”

“Go on, didn’t you say you had something to ask just now?”

“Yeah, just asking if there’s any progress on the matter of the Tiandao Palace being destroyed by heavenly thunder? Who was it? So bold…”

“…”

Ruan Guofan looked at Ding Suian with a look that said he was an idiot—not that Ding Suian was an idiot, but as if Ding Suian was treating him like one.

But after looking for a while, he finally said weakly, “No progress. That night, many people ran to the scene upon hearing the noise and found silver all over the ground. The crowd scrambled and trampled, severely damaging the scene and destroying all traces. However, for some reason, the Immortal Master of the State Religion has set his sights on the Daoist Sect, causing them trouble several times over the past two months…”

“That’s it?”

“What else do you want?”

“I mean, doesn’t the State Religion want to find out the truth?”

“How can they find out if it’s unidentifiable? Besides, the State Religion is in a difficult position right now. If they announce to the public that this was man-made, it would make the all-powerful Immortal Master look stupid and incompetent; if they say it was struck by heavenly thunder, it would make their Daoist arts seem unorthodox.”

“Then how are they handling it?”

“They aren’t. They’re giving it the cold treatment, waiting for it to blow over on its own.”

Hearing this, Ding Suian felt relieved, then silently looked at Ruan Guofan, who happened to be looking back.

Their eyes met, but neither looked away. After a silent standoff for two or three breaths, Ding Suian lowered his gaze. “Uncle, since the State Religion and the Daoist Sect are at odds, why did you call Ruan Ruan back at a time like this?”

Ruan Guofan’s expression softened instantly upon hearing this, but he said, “If I said it wasn’t me who called her back, but rather she heard about the great defeat of the Southern Expedition and rushed down the mountain to see you out of worry, would you believe me?”

Ding Suian was silent for a moment, then nodded to show his belief. Then, he said meaningfully, “Ruan Ruan is ignorant of the world’s evils. Uncle, don’t drag her into this as well, making her a pawn or a sacrificial lamb in someone else’s hands.”

The single word ‘also’ spoke volumes.

This time, Ruan Guofan was silent for a long while before suddenly giving a bitter smile. “The world is a game; who among us isn’t a piece on the board?”

“Knock, knock, knock~”

The sound of knocking interrupted their conversation.

“Come in~”

“Chief Officer~”

Night Contain cast a strange glance at Ruan Guofan and reported, “Two young ladies dressed as men have arrived out front, claiming to be the Chief Officer’s sons…”

“Sons?” Ding Suian said in surprise. “Uncle, could it be you have people kept outside? You even have sons? Does my Aunt know?”

“What nonsense! Ruan Ruan arrived in Lanyang yesterday and didn’t come to see me, but went straight to the Prince’s Estate! It must be her. That girl has been quirky since she was a child; it’s not like you don’t know.”

In the blink of an eye, it was mid-April.

The imperial court still had no final verdict on the merits and faults of the Southern Expedition, but news of the tragic situation at the front grew by the day.

On the fifteenth of April, the remnants of the Xiaoyong Army returned to their base east of the City after a journey of a thousand miles, dragging their exhausted bodies.

As the news spread, almost all the people of Lanyang Prefecture poured out, crowding both sides of the official road.

“Ercheng-zi! Have you seen my eldest son?”

“Sixth Uncle, where is my father?”

“Brother Zhao, why didn’t my husband come back with you?”

“My son… Oh, my son, where are you…”

The calls were anxious and desolate.

Setting out in the first lunar month, five thousand soldiers, with banners fluttering and armor bright, were full of Vitality.

Returning home in April, they were in rags, covered in wounds, and looking haggard.

Of the five thousand, fewer than half were able to walk back to Lanyang.

On both sides of the official road, faces turned from hope to anxiety, and then from anxiety to despair.

The few who found their loved ones collapsed on the spot, wailing loudly and kowtowing in thanks for the protection of the gods and Buddhas.

But more people, amidst their futile questioning, saw their voices grow hoarse and their eyes grow dim.

Until the twilight grew hazy and the entire Xiaoyong Army had entered the camp, large crowds of people still remained, murmuring “husband, son, father,” stubbornly gazing at the now-empty official road.

The next day.

The list of soldiers from the Xiaoyong Army killed in action during this Southern Expedition was posted at the four gates of Lanyang Prefecture.

Five thousand went out; two thousand returned.

The Xiaoyong Army was an elite local army from the capital’s outskirts, belonging to the Central Army which suffered the heaviest casualties this time.

That day, the entire Lanyang Prefecture was in mourning; from morning till night, the sound of weeping never ceased.

April 17th.

Ding Suian had not yet received the imperial decree of commendation mentioned by Chen Yi, but instead received a transfer order.

Ordering him to report to the Dianqian Division within three days to take up his new post.

On the 18th, Ding Suian returned to the capital alone on horseback.

As his horse passed through the long streets, as far as the eye could see, every house hung white cloth and every household flew funeral banners—a scene of pure mourning white.

April 19th.

On Ding Suian’s second day back in the capital, Lin Dafu hosted a small gathering for several people from Chongyin Mountain at Yunshao Tower.

Before the group met, Lin Dafu found Ding Suian ahead of time, and the two went to Xingping Ward together.

“Sixth Brother, take a look. Is it to your liking?”

A three-entry courtyard house, symmetrical from east to west.

Compared to Prince Lanyang’s Estate, it naturally couldn’t compete, but in the land-is-gold Central Heaven City, Ding Suian and his father could never have dreamed of it with their salaries alone.

“Thank you, Uncle.”

Ding Suian bowed respectfully.

A few days ago, Chen Yi had egged on Old Lin to gift a house. Although it put Old Lin on the spot, such a thing had no proof or evidence.

Whether Old Lin acknowledged it or not was up in the air.

Even if he did, whether he followed through was entirely up to him.

To his surprise, Old Lin was so trustworthy, which made Ding Suian see him in a new light.

“Here, the keys~” Old Lin stuffed a string of copper keys into Ding Suian’s hand and led him inside. “From now on, we brothers will be neighbors! Haha, a double blessing!”

Ding Suian always felt ‘double blessing’ was a bit strange.

The house wasn’t particularly large, but it was more than enough for dozens of people.

“Look, this is the inner courtyard, separated from my estate by only a wall.”

After introducing the well-tended plants, trees, and pavilions in the exquisite garden, Old Lin suddenly sighed. “Sigh! My young daughter has a hard life; she became a widow at such a young age. A few days ago, I spoke to Third Brother and asked him to seek an imperial decree to allow Consort Su to return home for the mourning period.”

“…”

Big Brother, what on earth are you hinting at?

He indeed had several houses in Central Heaven, but this one… was clearly a recent purchase.

The entire estate was cleaned up neatly, and even the flowers and plants were meticulously trimmed. It was obviously bought at a high price, and the previous owner had only recently moved out.

Arranging for Young Master Ding to live next door with such care—was he afraid it would be inconvenient for him?

“Thank you for your kindness, Uncle.”

Ding Suian bowed.

What else could I do? Just say thanks.

At dusk.

Li Baicheng, Li Meimei, Gao Gan, Ding Suian, and Lin Dafu—the five of them gathered at Yunshao Tower.

“Just as we were leaving the estate, the Prince of Shuochuan was suddenly summoned by Her Highness Xingguo. He probably won’t be able to make it tonight. The Prince asked me to apologize to all of you on his behalf.”

“No matter~”

“It’s fine.”

As soon as they sat down, Li Meimei offered an explanation for Chen Yi.

Princess Xingguo was Ding Suian’s big boss.

She was also Chen Yi’s Paternal Aunt.

Given Ding Suian’s rank, he naturally hadn’t seen this woman whose power eclipsed the heavens.

But for months, it was her, the mastermind behind the scenes, stirring up trouble in Lanyang Prefecture.

After some simple pleasantries, the conversation inevitably turned back to the tragic Southern Expedition.

“…In short, General Huaihua Qin Shou of the left wing insisted he received an order from the Central Army commanding him to retreat five miles…”

Gao Gan had just returned from Huaifeng Prefecture not long ago, so he naturally held more inside information about the front. But before he could finish, Li Baicheng said, “Impossible! Duke Xia is a veteran of the battlefield; how could he cause such groundless chaos in his own ranks when facing the enemy?”

Ding Suian suddenly asked Gao Gan, “Fifth Brother, is there any news of the Duke of Zhenguo?”

Gao Gan nodded slowly, but then immediately shook his head. “Duke Xia died for the country, and all seven sons of the Xia family perished in battle.”

Gao Gan choked up slightly, his voice raspy. “Before I returned to the capital, Southern Zhao hung the Duke’s head before the pass to flaunt their power.”

Everyone was collectively saddened.

A god of war of the nation, ending up in such a state.

After drinking several cups of gloomy wine, Li Meimei said in a low voice, “Qin Shou is sticking to his story that he received the Duke’s orders. Now that the dead can’t testify, the imperial court might use Duke Xia as a scapegoat.”

“Clang~”

A loud bang rang out as Gao Gan slammed his fist onto the table, making the cups and plates rattle.

Looking at his appearance, he was already beyond furious.

He stood up and roared at Li Meimei, “Bullshit! To preserve the seeds of the Vermilion Bird and Black Tortoise Armies, the Duke personally led his seven sons to cover the retreat and fought to the death for his country! The court’s lack of commendation is already cold-hearted enough, and now they want to push the blame for the defeat onto a dead man! Where is the justice!”

“…” Li Meimei looked at the fuming Third Young Master Gao and also got annoyed. “This isn’t something I can control! I only heard my father mention the court’s leanings in private. Why the hell are you shouting at me?”

“Don’t be angry, don’t be angry. We’re all worried about national affairs; let’s not let it ruin the harmony between brothers.”

The good-natured Lin Dafu quickly stood up to mediate.

Just then, a sudden burst of clamor erupted in the hall downstairs, followed by a roar of laughter.

Lin Dafu, intending to distract everyone, quickly pushed open the window and called out to the others, “What’s happening downstairs? It’s so lively. Come and see.”

But with just one look into the hall below, his pale, chubby face instantly turned the color of pig liver.

The others were curious and all stood up to go over, but Lin Dafu changed his attitude, spreading his arms to block them. “Don’t look, don’t look. You’ll only get angry if you see it…”

Thanks to: Twelve-Story Fifth Floor, for the tip~