Chapter 9

Su Jinyuan kowtowed three deep bows before continuing: “After I was abducted to Qu’an and managed to escape back toward the capital, I encountered bandits in the mountains. It was Young Master Xie who saved my life. But on his way back, he was captured—he is now being escorted back to the capital.”

Old Madam Xiao’s face went pale. “Ah Yan… is Ah Yan captured too?”

“Commander Luo Yu of the garrison, acting on the emperor’s orders, apprehended him. They accuse the Xiao family of colluding with the enemy, committing treason, and even inciting rebellion. Young Master Xie, fearing that any action might implicate the women of the household, dared not fight back and had no choice but to surrender.”

With reddened eyes, Su Jinyuan continued: “Young Master Xie safeguarded me and urged me to return to the capital. I promised him that under any circumstances, I would never allow a single member of the Xiao family to be left to suffer alone.”

“If you do not like me, do not be hasty in forcing me out. Once the Xiao family overcomes this crisis, and when Young Master Xie emerges to uphold its honor, I will certainly leave. I won’t stay in the household and become a burden.”

“But until then, I beg you, Madam, to let me remain here.”

In truth, she was self‑preservative and terrified of death—she had even contemplated fleeing.

Yet the unexpected warmth of Xie Yunyan’s youthful fervor and the gentle kindness of Xiao Yunxi (who never once pressed for answers) awakened an uncontrollable longing to be close to the Xiao family in her barren heart.

Su Jinyuan had spent her previous life ruined by Lu Zhuo—wandering in a daze for half her life without even realizing it. Now, all she desired was to remain with the Xiao family, sharing the honor and disgrace of this storied clan that once guarded the Great Jin for a hundred years with unyielding spirit. If there were a chance to save him, she would never let go. Even if she could not save him, she would risk her life—if it meant dying on that cliff, it would be in service of repaying the debt to Xie Yunyan.

Xie Yunyan had been raised from childhood under the tender care of Second Madam Xiao, much like her own child.

When Second Madam Xiao heard that Xie Yunyan had also been captured, she nearly collapsed in despair.

Eldest Madam Xiao was also struck dumb. Never had she imagined that every male of the Xiao family might perish on the battlefield and that even their only “adopted son” would end up in prison. Suddenly, she covered her face and burst into tears: “What sins have our Xiao family brought upon itself…”

“My husband—my child who spent so many years defending our borders and fighting for the nation to secure peace for the people—why, in His apparent unfairness, must they, after all perishing in battle, also bear such a disgraceful reputation!!”

Had the Xiao family colluded with the enemy, the Great Jin would have perished long ago. Her child, all three of her children, had fallen on the battlefield, and now…

“Eldest Sister-in-law!!”

As Eldest Madam Xiao suddenly slumped and seemed about to collapse to the ground, Second Madam Xiao panicked.

Without wasting a moment, Su Jinyuan scrambled to her feet. She quickly fished out the two doses of medicine that Xi Junning had given her earlier and, with trembling hands, stuffed them into Eldest Madam Xiao’s mouth—even when Old Madam Xiao gripped her hand.

“Old Madam, this is life‑saving medicine,” Su Jinyuan pleaded.

Old Madam Xiao hesitated for a moment before releasing her grip. Seeing Su Jinyuan force the medicine into Eldest Madam Xiao’s mouth, her ashen face slowly softened as she regained a hint of composure. Then, with a deep sigh of relief, she said, “Let’s get her inside.”

Hurriedly, Su Jinyuan stepped forward and hoisted Eldest Madam Xiao onto her back while Second Madam Xiao helped support her.

After they managed to get her into an inner room and lay her down, they saw that although Eldest Madam Xiao was unconscious, her breathing had stabilized—and only then did they begin to relax. Yet before Old Madam Xiao or Su Jinyuan could exchange any further words, someone burst in from outside, their face etched with panic.

“Old Madam, Old Madam, something’s wrong!”

Old Madam Xiao suddenly slammed her hand on the table. “I’m not dead yet—why are you in such a panic?!”

The servant was startled.

Old Madam Xiao asked, “What is it?”

“It—it’s the Second Young Master’s Wife… People from her natal family have arrived, saying they’re here to take her back. They’ve opened the warehouse at Jinhe Courtyard and moving things…” the servant reported in a frantic tone.

Old Madam Xiao’s expression darkened suddenly, and Second Madam Xiao sprang to her feet, fuming. “Yunyao has just gotten into trouble, and now she already wants to leave the Xiao family! Does she really think that—now that our entire family is doomed—is an opportune moment to desert us?!”

For context, the Xiao family originally had five sons and one daughter. Apart from the fifth son—who died in infancy—there was also Xie Yunyan, raised by the Xie family who, though he never changed his surname, was incorporated into the family ranking as the sixth son. The eldest son, Xiao Yunxi, the third son, Xiao Yunquan, and the fourth son, Xiao Yunxin, were all borne by the first wife and have now all perished in battle. Meanwhile, the second son, Xiao Yunyao, and the “Seventh Miss” (the only daughter), Xiao Yunxuan, belonged to the second madam. Xiao Yunyao, too, has perished in the battle at Linchuan, leaving the entire household with only eight‑year‑old Xiao Yunxuan.

Xiao Yunyao’s wife, Qi Lanzhi, has been a member of the Xiao family for three years. Second Madam Xiao has always prided herself on treating Qi Lanzhi exceptionally well—and the Xiao clan has never shortchanged her in the slightest. Even when Qi Lanzhi occasionally assisted the Qi family with their affairs, Second Madam merely pretended not to notice, as long as things didn’t get too unruly. In the three years since her marriage to the Xiao family, Qi Lanzhi has not yet borne a child; she has never once complained, and Xiao Yunyao never even entertained the thought of taking a concubine. The two of them had seemed harmoniously united in every way. But who would have thought that just days after Xiao Yunyao’s death, Qi Lanzhi would already be planning to leave the Xiao family?

She may understand the saying, “When a person leaves, even the tea grows cold,” yet Qi Lanzhi’s indifference is unbearably chilling.

So enraged, Second Madam Xiao trembled all over and wanted to go out and confront Qi Lanzhi—but Old Madam Xiao held her back. “Let her go.”

“Mother!” Second Madam cried.

“Given the current state of the Xiao family, if she wants to leave, no one can stop her.”

Old Madam Xiao, eyes red as she glared at Second Madam, turned to the servant and commanded, “Go and summon the Second Young Master’s Wife, the Third Young Master’s Wife, and the Fourth Young Master’s Wife.”

“Also, call every servant in the household,” she added.

The servant hesitated, “But the Second Young Master’s Wife—”

“Those Qi family folk are fierce. The moment they open that warehouse to move things, you’d think they’d never come here.”

With an impassive expression, Old Madam Xiao continued, “She is a wife of the Xiao family. Even if her husband is dead, she remains one of us. Without the release-of-wife letter from our family, even if she leaves the Xiao household, she cannot escape the implication—and neither can the entire Qi family. Go and deliver these words to her; she will come.”

The servant nodded and left.

Once everyone had gone, Old Madam Xiao turned to Su Jinyuan, who stood nearby, and said, “You’ve seen how the Xiao family is faring now—like a fallen tree scattering its monkeys. Even those who remain are scrambling to save themselves. Do you really intend to stick around and wait for the Xiao family to meet its death?”

Su Jinyuan said, “The Xiao family will not perish, and Young Master Xie will return.”

“The Xiao family still has Old Madam, Eldest Madam, and the Seventh Miss. As long as you remain, the Xiao family’s bloodline will never be severed.”

“Old Madam, there’s no need to test me. Since I’ve decided to stay, I will never go back on my word. They are who they are, and I am who I am. Even if everyone else leaves, I will stay with the Xiao family.”

Old Madam Xiao gave her a deep, searching look.

The servant who had gone to summon people soon returned, followed by a large crowd. Leading them was a brash middle-aged woman who began shouting before even entering the courtyard: “What’s going on with your Xiao family? My daughter married into this family to enjoy life, not to follow you to your deaths!”

“All the men in your household are dead—do you expect my daughter to stay here and live as a widow?”

“I’m telling you, whether you agree or not, you must let her go today. My daughter is precious, and she will not remain a widow for traitors!”

“Who are you calling traitors?!” Old Madam Xiao’s expression turned fierce.

Madam Qi was startled at first but quickly regained her composure, emboldened by the Xiao family’s predicament. She placed her hands on her hips and retorted: “Of course, I mean your Xiao family. Who doesn’t know that Xiao Jin colluded with the enemy and committed treason? Your entire household is full of traitors! Even the emperor has ordered a thorough investigation. Who knows—your family might be wiped out tomorrow. What, do you want to drag my daughter down with you?”

Ah!!!

Before Madam Qi could finish her sentence, Old Madam Xiao suddenly flicked her wrist, and the whip that had been coiled around her arm lashed out at Madam Qi.

Like a snake, the whip struck with tremendous force, tearing Madam Qi’s mouth apart.

“Mother!” Qi Lanzhi cried out in shock.

Madam Qi screamed in agony, her face covered in blood, while Qi Lanzhi looked at Old Madam Xiao in terror. “Grandmother…”

Old Madam Xiao flicked her wrist again, and the whip snapped against the ground with a loud crack, splitting the marble floor into two pieces. “The Xiao family is a household of loyalty and righteousness. We have never committed a single act of treason. Even if all the men in our family are dead, it is not for your Qi family to slander us.”

“If any of you dare insult the Xiao family again, I will tear your mouths apart!”

The once-chaotic courtyard fell silent, and the Qi family members retreated in fear. Madam Qi nearly stumbled in terror.

Old Madam Xiao let out a cold snort. With a flick of her hand, the whip seemed to have a life of its own as it coiled back around her wrist.

In a chilling tone, Old Madam Xiao asked, “Qi Lanzhi, do you wish to leave the Xiao family?”

Qi Lanzhi’s face turned pale. She lowered her head and, under the fiery gaze of Second Madam Xiao, said softly: “Grandmother, I… I have no choice. My family still has parents and brothers. I… I cannot drag them down…”

The Xiao family’s downfall seemed inevitable. If the charge of treason was confirmed, it would mean the extermination of nine generations.

Qi Lanzhi clenched her palms tightly. “I am willing to return home, dedicate myself to prayer and vegetarianism for Second Young Master, and refrain from remarrying for five years. But I cannot let my parents and family die alongside the Xiao family. Please, Grandmother, allow me to leave.”

“I believe my two sisters-in-law feel the same way…”

Old Madam Xiao turned to the Third Young Master’s Wife and Fourth Young Master’s Wife, who had been summoned. “Do you feel the same way as her?”