Chapter 18: Gruesome Past, Sinister Investigation

Old Madam Wu bore three sons in total, but now only Wu Xun remains alive.

That scar was carved twelve years ago—a wound that, for others, may have faded, but for her has never healed. Throughout these years, no one in the household has spoken of the Second and Third Masters; as if those two men never existed. In truth, it is nothing more than a collective self-deception, a fragile kindness extended to the old lady.

Twelve years ago, it was just the second year after Wu Xun inherited his noble title and assumed the role of military commander.

At that time, the late emperor was already in his twilight years. The empress and the favored consort vied fiercely for power in the harem; in the front court, the crown prince and Prince Xin’s struggle for succession had become a matter of open daylight. The emperor had no energy left for the borderlands. Thus, when the old Marquis Wu Chengbi passed away, the emperor issued a direct decree, seizing the mourning period and appointing Wu Xun—who was intimately familiar with southern campaigns—to inherit the title and take up the command.

Though Wu Xun was not yet thirty at the time, he possessed extraordinary talent in leadership. Having joined the army in his youth, with over a decade of battlefield experience, the transition of command was smooth.

Yet, perhaps the Wu family’s double share of glory and Wu Xun’s own rising fortune provoked jealousy and resentment. Among his officers, there were traitors who colluded with the enemy. That year, Wu Xun suffered the most disastrous defeat of his life.

Yuanzhou City, where they had been garrisoned for years, fell into enemy hands. More than half the defending troops were lost. Both his younger brothers, Wu Xu and Wu Qin, perished in battle. Wu Xun himself was gravely wounded, on the verge of death, unable even to return to the capital for treatment.

At home, Lady Lin had just given birth to Wu Tan when she heard the dreadful news. Without hesitation, she rushed to the frontier to see her husband. However, her body was still frail from childbirth and not yet recovered. The journey, fraught with grief and exhaustion, took a heavy toll. She succumbed to a severe illness along the way, passing away soon after seeing Wu Xun one last time.

Wu Tan’s maternal grandfather had already risen to the highest ministerial rank before retiring. Lady Lin, his beloved daughter born late in life, was his most cherished child. Her death in his old age filled him with grief and wrath, which he directed at Wu Xun and the Wu family. From then on, all relations between the two families ceased—except an allowance for Wu Tan and her brother to pay formal visits.

When Wu Tan was born, Wu Xun was away from the capital. “Tan’er” was a childhood name chosen by Lady Lin herself, intending for her husband to select a formal name upon his return. After Lady Lin’s passing, Wu Xun, deeply affected, simply entered that name into the family register.

After that disastrous campaign, Wu Xun returned to the capital only once, after his wounds had stabilized, to personally confess his failure before the emperor. He did not return again until five years later, after he had reclaimed Yuanzhou City through relentless preparation. Only then did he resume his travels between the southern frontier and the capital.

The events of twelve years ago were too harrowing for the entire Wu family. Over the years, it became an unspoken agreement: no one mentioned those days again.

Now, for the first time in so many years, Wu Xun brought up his two brothers of his own accord, and in front of the old lady herself.

She had lost her husband and then two sons in succession; her youngest, Wu Qin, was only fourteen—still a child—when he died. No matter how much time passes, such wounds are impossible for a woman to heal.

The old lady choked up instantly, unable to speak through her sobs.

“Grandmother!” Wu Qinglin quickly rose, moving to her side to gently pat her back and comfort her. The atmosphere in the room thickened with grief.

Wu Xun’s expression was equally sorrowful. He sighed softly, “Mother, I know how much pain you carry. I had not intended to speak of these old wounds. It was my own incompetence that I could not bring your two sons home alive. I have considered this for a long time: though my brothers are gone, we must ensure their bloodline continues, that their memorial tablets and tombs will have descendants to offer sacrifices. If you do not object, let us settle it thus.”

Hand pressed to her lips, the old lady stifled her cries, shoulders trembling for a long while as she forced herself to regain composure. She wiped her tears with her sleeve and, attempting a forgiving smile through fresh tears, replied, “Very well! Since you have this heart, let it be as you wish.”

Her emotions were truly unsettled, but with her son about to leave for the border, she did not wish to trouble her family further. She stood hurriedly and moved toward the door.

“Grandmother, let me escort you!” Wu Qinglin, unable to relax, hurried after her to support her arm.

In the courtyard, Madam Zhou happened by. Seeing the old lady’s reddened eyes and diminished spirit, she was startled and hurried forward. “What has happened? Is Madam not feeling well?”

“I’m all right! I simply slept poorly last night. Rest will fix it,” replied the old lady.

Wu Xun had followed them out and, seeing Madam Zhou arrive, felt reassured. “Take Mother back to rest,” he said, then turned to Wu Qinglin. “Come with me.”

Wu Qinglin glanced at the old lady with concern.

She managed a smile, patting the hand supporting her arm. “Your grandmother is fine!” With that, she drew a deep breath, steadied her spirit, took Madam Zhou’s hand, and stepped outside.

Father and son watched her go, then returned one after the other to the study.

Wu Xun went to his desk. Seeing the ink on the letters had dried, he folded them together with the family genealogy book and handed both to Wu Qinglin. “I must leave for the frontier at dawn and cannot visit the clan myself. Here is a letter in my own hand explaining everything. Go in my stead and ask the elders to amend the genealogy.”

The Wu family’s ancestral home was in Chenzhou. Four generations ago, Wu Tan’s great-grandfather Wu Xingye rose to prominence through military service, and his branch reestablished itself in the capital. Now, all the family members in the capital descended from this line. Wu Xun, often stationed at the border, had no time for family affairs and did not serve as clan head, but in effect, the entire clan looked to the Marquis of Dingyuan’s household and followed Wu Xun’s lead.

Matters as minor as adopting heirs would be settled as he wished; the clan head would do as instructed.

Few knew that, though Wu Qinglin greatly respected his father, his feelings over the years were complex. Now, holding these documents, his heart was heavy with mixed emotions.

“Yes, I will see it done,” he replied, hiding his feelings and tucking the items into his sleeve. “But—has Father discussed this with Second Madam and my second brother?”

Wu Xun smiled. “Just do as you’re told. Your Second Madam knows.”

After a pause, he added, “But—don’t tell Yuer for now. Your grandmother doesn’t wish to recall her two lost sons. It’s just a matter of leaving their names in the records. Life in our household will go on as before.”

“Understood,” Wu Qinglin nodded. “If you’ve no further instructions, I’ll take my leave.”

“Go, then.” Wu Xun gripped his shoulder firmly. “Don’t rush back this time. Stay in the capital a while, look after the family for me. Wait until your sister’s marriage is settled.”

“Yes.”

Once Wu Qinglin departed with the genealogy, Wu Xun returned to his inner rooms to continue organizing his collection of military treatises.

*

At this time, in the Tranquil Scent Pavilion.

Xiao Yue, having returned from a palace banquet, had not left the warm chamber of the waterside pavilion.

Lei Ming hurried along the winding gallery and encountered a young woman carrying a tray of gauze and ointments from the inner room. With a brief nod to one another, they each continued about their business in silence.

Entering the warm chamber, Lei Ming found Xiao Yue reclining on a couch in a loose robe, eyes half closed in rest. He was doing nothing, simply idling. If not for the rhythmic tapping of his right fingers on his knee, Lei Ming might have thought him asleep.

“My lord! A carrier pigeon from Yanbei,” Lei Ming announced, presenting a small scroll from his sleeve.

Xiao Yue neither opened his eyes nor moved.

Lei Ming paused, but understanding his intent, unfurled the scroll and read it aloud. Afterward, his brow furrowed slightly as he reported, “Yanbei is already on the way back north. Please be at ease. Since Yuanzhou City was captured by Southern Liang twelve years ago, it suffered a massacre. Yanbei found a few survivors, but information was scarce—the years have not been kind. Still, some recall a place near Yuanzhou called Rongshan County, where there was a county deputy surnamed Meng. His daughter married a local soldier, though the wedding was not grand and none ever met the groom face-to-face. That Mr. Meng occasionally mentioned to drinking companions that his daughter had married above her station. Yet, in the calamity twelve years ago, the Meng family, too, was lost, and the rest can no longer be verified.”

The news Yanbei uncovered matched what Xiao Yue already knew.

He listened in silence, his expression betraying nothing.

Lei Ming, aware that Xiao Yue was investigating Wu Xun, could not fathom why he had sent Yanbei in person to Yuanzhou to look into the Meng family. After a long silence, Lei Ming ventured, “My lord—is there something you suspect?”

“It’s not suspicion—it’s confirmation,” Xiao Yue finally replied, turning over and sitting upright. He picked up a medicine bowl, swirling the long-cooled liquid. Though dissatisfied with Yanbei’s findings, he had anticipated this outcome, and did not pursue the matter further. Instead, he asked, “What about that old charlatan at the Pure Tranquility Monastery? Has he been found?”

“We’re still searching!” Lei Ming quickly refocused.

“Hurry up.” Xiao Yue tipped back the bowl, swallowing the medicine in one draught, then handed the empty bowl to Lei Ming. “You may go.”

“Yes.” Lei Ming left with the bowl. Glancing back before closing the door, he caught sight of Xiao Yue rinsing his mouth with tea; from the side, his gaze was chilling.

This novel is an exclusive release. Please do not repost.