Chapter 22

Su Jinyuan blinked in surprise. “Old Madam?”

“This is something your grandfather left behind when he departed, and it’s also the very private seal Duke Yu was searching for.”

As the Old Madam turned the token in her hand, its middle flipped around to reveal a small seal order.

“The Xiao family is at its end now. This token is given to you—anyone holding it will command the obedience of the entire Xiao household.”

A tremor ran through Su Jinyuan’s hand as she suddenly felt the token burn like fire. Hastily, she pushed it away. “Old Madam, I can’t accept it…”

“Do you still call me ‘Old Madam’?”

Her eyes widened in shock.

“I believe you hadn’t intended to run away from your marriage back then; otherwise, you wouldn’t have ended up sharing this dire fate with the Xiao family today.”

“Since you wish to save Little Six and rescue the Xiao family, how can your strength alone suffice? There are still some capable people kept outside the household. With this token, you can locate them and bring them into your fold.”

Old Madam Xiao grasped Su Jinyuan’s hand and pressed the token into hers.

“This token was originally meant for Ah Yan, but now that he is imprisoned—and with someone constantly watching me so that I cannot leave the Xiao family—I see your wisdom and steadfastness clearly.”

“No one knows how this calamity will ultimately befall the Xiao family. But if the day comes when there is no turning back, Ah Yuan, take this token and escape with Little Seven. Bring her to Black Cloud Camp on Luonan Ridge; the people there will see to your safety.”

In that moment, Old Madam was entrusting the future. Though the token felt icy in her hand, the hands that held it burned with passion.

“Consider it your grandmother’s plea—even though it will not be easy, please, protect Little Seven and safeguard the sole bloodline of the Xiao family.”

Su Jinyuan’s eyes filled with tears. After a long moment, her voice grew hoarse as she vowed, “I promise you, Grandmother. If it comes to that, I will protect Little Seven with my life.”

“But until then, please, Grandmother, do not give up hope. The Xiao family will surely find a way, and I will definitely rescue Sixth Brother!”

Her tone was unmistakably resolute.

With eyes reddened, Old Madam Xiao said, “Very well. Grandmother has faith in you.”

Then, in meticulous detail, she informed Su Jinyuan of the whereabouts of those outside the mansion and entrusted her with all the family’s finances. Only after Su Jinyuan had committed every detail to memory did she send Old Madam back to the Jintang Courtyard.

Watching Su Jinyuan’s departing figure, Nanny Chen couldn’t help but remark, “Old Madam, why did you give her the token? What if she…”

“There will be no what-ifs. I trust I have chosen the right person.” Old Madam Xiao’s eyes were gentle as she said, “She’s a good child. No matter what truly happened on the day she married Xi’er, the fact that she’s willing to come back now—and willing to risk everything by meeting Little Six for the sake of the Xiao family—speaks volumes about her character.”

“But…” Nanny Chen’s mouth was slightly agape.

Old Madam Xiao looked at her and said, “Ah Man, I know what you’re worried about, but what does the Xiao family have left to lose now?”

“Of course, Duke Yu tortured Little Six to force him to forge letters. But do you really think that without the private seal—without those traitorous documents—the charges against the Xiao family couldn’t be made?”

“Old Madam…” Nanny Chen’s eyes widened as she began to grasp her meaning.

Looking out the window with a wistful smile, Old Madam Xiao remarked, “When one’s achievements alarm a master, and once the useful tools have been spent, they are discarded. I never imagined that one day such a fate would befall the Xiao family.”

“Our Majesty is so wise. If he still remembered all the good the Xiao family has done—if he recalled those sons who fought and fell on the battlefields over a hundred years—he wouldn’t so easily believe the allegations of collusion with the enemy, nor would he issue orders to detain members of the Xiao family for Duke Yu to interrogate.”

Everyone in the court knew that Duke Yu’s household and the General Mansion harbored deep grudges, and that Duke Yu and Xiao Jin were sworn enemies. Though Emperor Qing had many choices, he ended up selecting this man to preside over the case—and his assistants were those who already bore strong enmity toward the Xiao family. What exactly were they scheming? How could she not see through it all?

Nanny Chen spoke angrily, “Back then, wasn’t it our master who placed him on the throne? And hasn’t the Xiao family fought countless battles for him over all these years? How can he…”

“What can’t he do?” Old Madam Xiao interrupted in a low tone. “If the Xiao family were blameless, naturally he wouldn’t have had any room to maneuver. But after Xiao Jin and his cohorts were defeated and ended up with such a stain on their honor, he’s merely going with the flow to eliminate a lingering threat.”

“Evidence produced by the Xiao family’s private seal would be ideal, but if it isn’t available, do you really think Duke Yu and his cronies wouldn’t be able to fabricate something—or find something else to substitute?”

Clearing up the truth is extremely difficult, but forging evidence—or even setting someone up—is all too easy. It all depends on whether those in power are willing to believe it.

If Emperor Qing chooses not to believe the allegations, even if evidence is right in front of him, he will steadfastly maintain that the Xiao family had no treasonous intent. But if he does believe them, even without evidence, he still won’t tolerate the Xiao family—those “rebels.”

Nanny Chen listened to Old Madam Xiao’s words with a deep sense of desolation.

At that moment, a subtle movement came from the eaves. Both Old Madam Xiao and Nanny Chen’s expressions turned sharply.

Suddenly, Old Madam Xiao seized something from the table and hurled it upward. It struck the roof, blasting a hole through it, and the person who had been eavesdropping overhead, struck by the impact and pain, immediately fell to the ground.

With remarkable agility, Old Madam Xiao sprang out of the room, grabbed the whip hanging by the door, and swung it at the would-be escapee.

The long whip cracked like a lively snake as it lashed the man’s back, knocking him down. In the very next moment, it coiled around his leg and dragged him back while Nanny Chen simultaneously drove a dagger into his neck.

“I am the palace’s secret…”

“Swish!”

Before the man could utter another word, Old Madam Xiao had already grabbed Nanny Chen’s hand and delivered a forceful slash. In an instant, the dagger severed the man’s neck.

As blood spattered everywhere, the man, with trembling lips, barely managed to complete the two-syllable word “undercover agent.” While clutching his throat in disbelief, he stared at the two women—both well past fifty—before his body went limp and collapsed backward.

Old Madam Xiao stood up and commanded, “Throw the corpse out. Tell them that a petty, creeping undercover agent broke into the General’s Mansion and was accidentally killed by our guards. Have them send the body to the authorities so they can investigate this thief’s identity thoroughly.”

Nanny Chen’s face was equally grim. Earlier, while in the room with Old Madam Xiao, she had discussed many matters—including the mansion’s private seal—and made it clear that, regardless of who this man was, he must not be allowed to leave. Moreover, the palace’s undercover agent had crept into the General’s Mansion at night, even skulking about eavesdropping on their conversation.

Old Madam Xiao’s earlier suspicions now seemed all too true—the person in the palace could no longer stand the Xiao family. With one arm, Nanny Chen hoisted the man and dragged his corpse as she headed outside.

When they reached the door, she kicked the main gate with such force that the resounding thud nearly startled everyone outside, causing them to fall to the ground.

As Nanny Chen tossed the corpse out, she coldly glared at the group of people gathered outside and sneered, “The mansion’s guards accidentally killed a thief who broke in to steal—and they have no idea who he is.”

She added, “I advise all of you officers to send him to the authorities for a proper investigation. After all, anyone skilled enough to bypass so many defenses and roam the mansion freely must be one of those notorious, wanted bandits. You might even collect a reward in the process.”

“Hey…” someone outside glowered at Nanny Chen, but she simply turned and strode back into the mansion.

The people outside, upon seeing the corpse, exchanged bewildered glances. After they dispersed, they went forward and flipped the body over. The man lying on the ground was coated in blood and long dead. When they saw that his neck had been nearly completely cut through, everyone couldn’t help but gasp in shock.

“Boss, isn’t this—”

“Shut up!”

The leader’s face turned ashen. Of course, he recognized the man on the ground—after all, he was the one who had let him in—but this matter must never come to light. Otherwise, what is the palace planning by secretly sending agents to infiltrate the Xiao family?

He glared fiercely at the one speaking and ordered, “Since the Xiao family claims he’s a thief, then he is a thief. Enough talk—quickly, carry the body away.”

After someone stepped forward and removed the corpse, the leader declared, “You all stay here and make sure no one from the Xiao family leaves. I have some business to attend to for a while. Stay alert—if even a hint of trouble arises with the Xiao family, watch your heads!”

“Yes!” came the reply.