Jingzhou clan elders
After finishing his conversation with Sui He, Sui Zhixu walked out of the room. The bright moon hung high in the night sky, and Jingzhou was peaceful and serene under the starry sky.
A young man stood under a tree, holding a lantern. His long, moon-white robes accentuated his figure, and no matter when one looked at him, Sui Zhixu would still be captivated by his face.
His phoenix eyes narrowed, his face was beautiful and pure, the wind passed through his sleeves, and he turned his head for a fleeting moment. How could he not be considered a stunning sight? He was a refined gentleman.
Why are you here?
"I'll take my wife back."
Sui Zhixu's lips curled up, then fell back down, and he said indifferently, "It's just a two-step distance."
They walked side by side, his voice tender and gentle as he put his arm around her shoulder, "I wanted to see you."
He didn't say anything more, quietly staying by Sui Zhixu's side and walking this distance with her.
Sui He still lives in the courtyard where he was young. The next room was left to Sui Chuke. Sui Zhixu's current courtyard is the former residence of the head of the family. It is spacious and has been renovated and planted with flowers and plants, turning it into a brand new place.
At the entrance of Canghai Pavilion, Danhong and Liulu, having finished their busy work, waited for her in the courtyard.
Sui Zhixu took the lamp from his hand, her fingertips occasionally brushing against him. She stepped inside and, seeing that he hadn't reacted for a long time, turned around and asked, "Why aren't you leaving?"
"Huh? Me?" Fan Lingzhang was still immersed in the tingling sensation from before. Hearing her words, fireworks exploded in his mind.
As Xu turned her head, her back view was graceful and slender. Someone saw it and felt a tremor in his heart, like a pink lotus just beginning to bloom. He took a few steps forward, took her hand, and moved closer to her.
"May I sleep on the soft couch inside?"
Sui Zhixu looked him up and down, then said, "Whatever."
It's strange that someone with a house doesn't live there but sleeps on a tatami mat.
Dan Hong glared at him coldly, her face darkening as she prepared toiletries for her wife. Fan Lingzhang followed her eagerly.
Although there was no incense burning in the room, there seemed to be a faint floral fragrance in the air.
She turned around, slightly raising her head to meet Fan Lingzhang's gaze. "Still with me? Do you want to bathe with me?"
"May I?"
"Huh?" Sui Zhixu asked in confusion, then paused for a few seconds before realizing that Fan Lingzhang had all sorts of memories, but she didn't.
She sternly chased the man out, her ears slightly reddening. "You lecherous scoundrel."
"You lecherous scoundrel? My lady, we are clearly enjoying our private time together. Can't we do it today? You haven't made up for the kiss you gave me last time."
Fan Lingzhang was pushed away by her, and he talked as he walked.
That doesn't count.
His eyes widened. "Why?"
"Because..." Sui Zhixu couldn't think of a reason for a moment, so he said haphazardly, "Because you are now a son-in-law, a prospective son-in-law! If the elders find out that you have seduced the young master, they will definitely kick you out."
"Oh, really? Does the young master think I'm bewitching him right now?"
Fan Lingzhang lifted her into the air, their eyes meeting. She could clearly see his eyes, like a vortex of emotion that made her feel lost in them.
"You have to go all out to be seductive."
He looked up to find that fragrant spot, their breaths mingled, and when their foreheads touched, the fragrant spot glistened with moisture. The hibiscus in midsummer completely revealed its most alluring scene.
"My wife..."
"You, stop." Sui Zhixu's chest heaved as she reached out to cover his mouth.
She broke free from his embrace, "You bastard."
Fan Lingzhang held her waist in his arms and nuzzled her neck affectionately.
"My wife, I want my kiss back." He rested his chin on her forehead and held her for a while, until Danhong came in.
Dan Hong rolled her eyes inelegantly and told Sui Zhixu to take a bath. Only then did Fan Lingzhang release her.
Sui Zhixu glanced at him indifferently and walked straight into the bathroom.
Fan Lingzhang leaned back in his chair in a good mood and read a book. He hadn't planned to do anything in the first place. There was a clan meeting tomorrow, so why would he pick such an important day to bother her?
But when his wife led him in, he couldn't resist any longer. So he decided to get back the kiss he owed her first.
The sound of rushing water filled the air, and Fan Lingzhang, after reading her travelogue for a while, began to lose his mind.
Oh no, I overestimated myself.
He pressed the book to his face, looked up at the sky and sighed, "The timing is wrong, Fan Zirong, Fan Zirong, you can't really think of yourself as a wolf that invites trouble into your home."
After Sui Zhixu came out, he only asked for a bucket of cold water. Dan Hong understood immediately and turned around to push Sui Zhixu into the bed curtains.
With a smile on her face, she said, "This servant wishes you sweet dreams, Madam."
"Um."
Within a month of returning to the manor, she learned that Danhong was the daughter of Granny Zhou, who served her mother, but she did not know about her past.
Dan Hong's face was small and delicate, and she looked about the same age as her. I never expected her to be the older sister.
Dan Hong tucked the blanket around Sui Zhixu and left only after making sure everything was alright. She knew in her heart that Fan Lingzhang was practically her future husband. But she wasn't happy at all. Her mother's life belonged to the Sui family, and so did hers. She was willing to give everything to make her husband happy.
But she always felt that her wife was like the bright moon in the sky, and no one could be worthy of her.
Even if she initially recommended Puyang Langjun only to keep her wife away from Fan Langjun.
She will always stand behind her wife and protect her.
In preparation for today, Sui Zhixu went to bed early last night and didn't care about Fan Lingzhang at all. When he came out and found that she had fallen asleep early, he was both amused and exasperated.
She ate breakfast peacefully in the morning. Fan Lingzhang, fearing she would be nervous, tried to calm her down, only to be met with a puzzled look from her.
"What are you doing? I don't need to calm things down. They're the ones who need to calm down. I remember who spoke at the banquet. I'll teach them a lesson today, otherwise I won't bother going."
Sleeping, gardening, playing chess, practicing swordsmanship... any one of these things is more meaningful than them.
She doesn't need their approval; she is already the rightful young master of the Sui family. What she wants to do today is kick them all out.
A restless old man.
Fan Lingzhang's eyes widened. "I was being narrow-minded. Did you prepare this all along, my wife?"
"Hmm." After finishing her meal, Sui Zhixu stood up and wiped her sword. The blade gleamed, reflecting her frosty peach blossom eyes.
It seems that it is indeed the older group that needs to be worried about.
"I'm leaving." Sui Zhixu sheathed his sword and swaggered out the door.
As her figure receded into the distance, he pursed his lips and muttered, "Yan Cheng did it all, he didn't even tell me."
Du Yun: "Young Master has it tough, my lord, please be understanding."
"Yes, she's been busy all day. She only came back a little earlier last night. She'll definitely win today so she can get some rest."
—
The ancestral hall of the Sui family enshrines the ancestors, and Sui Zhixu stands in the first row, with her husband and wife of this generation behind her.
Sui Zhixu's gaze fell on the memorial tablet of Yang Jiuyan, next to the former head of the family and Sui Cheng.
She appeared indifferent, ignoring the clan elders' long and meaningless platitudes.
When the clan elder read out the instructions to pass on the token to the young master, Sui Zhixu picked up the jade pendant at his waist and shook it.
Elder: ...
He choked, exchanged a fierce glance with her, and continued reading.
The old-fashioned tone and deliberately drawn-out melody made one feel sleepy.
Although Xu had a good dream last night, he was still a little sleepy because of them, not to mention the younger generation behind him, who were chattering away like chicks pecking at rice.
"...Today, with our ancestors above us, the head of the family, Sui He's daughter..."
He paused again, a smile playing on his lips, his eyes narrowing as he met Sui Zhixu's indifferent gaze. Suddenly, his eyes widened as he surveyed the ancestral hall.
The ancestral hall of the Sui family is in an ancient style. After many repairs, the corners have preserved the craftsmanship of carpenters from various dynasties. It is simple and elegant, and the inheritance of a thousand-year-old family is witnessed under the ancestral tablet at the head.
Inside the ancestral hall, everyone's faces were solemn and dignified, yet they couldn't help but look up curiously when the elder paused in his speech.
In an instant, countless eyes fell on the clan elder. Seeing that his plan had failed, he could only hide the resentment and dissatisfaction in his eyes.
Continuing from the previous sentence, "Sui He's daughter, Sui Zhixu, will succeed him as the young master!"
As Hera rose, Xu Zhixu stood at the head of the table, praising her and expressing his expectations.
"You did a great job in the Jingzhou disaster. Not only did you find a solution in a very short time, but you also did your best in the post-disaster relief efforts. You have met your mother's expectations. From today onwards, you are the official young master of the Sui family. After I pass away, you will become the new head of the Sui family. I hope that you can lead the Sui family to do your best for the prosperity of the family, the future of the clan, and the happiness of the people of Jingzhou, and shoulder great responsibilities."
Her eyelashes trembled slightly, "Mother..."
She then firmly replied, "I will certainly live up to the patriarch's expectations."
Behind them, there was a chorus of applause. Sui Chengyu and Sui Chufeng clapped with extra fervor. Sui Chufeng's handsome face remained expressionless as he clapped, but he quickly looked away from her gaze, embarrassed.
Chu Feixuan and the other leaders of the guild were all smiles. He even put his arm around the elder's shoulder, making it look very lively.
But only they know what the other is saying.
"You want to sabotage Ah Xu's succession as young master? Give up, you old fool. This is what you call the inevitable trend. Stop using Sui Cheng and Sui Chuke to talk. Cowards don't even dare to use their own names."
Chu Feixuan stood up, his radiant smile and unrestrained shouts further spurred the clan elders to their deaths.
He pointed at him for a long time but couldn't say a word.
A few days ago, Sui Zhixu received a letter from Jiang Yun, informing her that someone was trying to find out about their relationship and asking if she wanted his help to resolve it.
After leaving Zao Village, Wu Shanyue followed Jiang Yun around, calling him her savior. Jiang Yun took the opportunity to take her along. After eating and drinking with Sui Zhixu for a few days, they set off to leave.
Before they even left Jingzhou, Jiang Yun discovered they were being followed. At first, Jiang Yun thought they were people from Miao territory. The person, intending to test Jiang Yun, looked into his eyes and, in a daze, was completely exposed by their own intentions.
The old fool, oblivious to his own mortality, instructed Jiang Yun to remain still after learning of this, pretending to be bribed by them and spouting nonsense with a straight face.
Jiang Yun became even more gentle and calmly stuffed the money into Wu Shanyue's arms, and then began to make up a story.
Later, he was even coaxed into going to Sui's home to testify.
Jiang Yun and Wu Shanyue have already taken the money and run away.
The somber ancestral hall only comes alive with a vibrant scene during each generational transition.
As the applause gradually faded, and the ladies and gentlemen below were about to go back to sleep, Sui Zhixu suddenly said, "In that case, let's now calculate the matter of the clan elder's attempt to harm me."
Murder?!
What!
Speaking of this, they were no longer sleepy. The second elder was kind, and the fourth elder was a free spirit. Who was it that wanted to harm the young master?
"Bring the person up."
Liu Lü pressed the person forward; it was none other than the man who had bribed Jiang Yun.
The second elder was startled, but feigned composure and stepped back, moving behind the fourth elder, which made the fourth elder look at him with surprise.
"This person looks so familiar!"
"It seems to be the grandson of the person in charge of the Second Elder's household."
"That's him. He looks shifty and has a sinister look on his face. He was the one who kept staring at me last time, which made me so angry that I punched him and kicked him out. Wait, didn't I just kick him out?"
...
The fourth elder spoke up, "Why does the young master want to find someone who was kicked out long ago?"
"Then we should ask him what he did?" Sui Zhixu smiled slightly and gave Liu Lü a look.
Liu Lü pinned the person down, "Hurry up and talk!"
He trembled and hurriedly said, "Second Elder, please admit it. It was you who told me to bribe Young Master Jiang to put the Jingzhou Gu worm on the young master!"
The crowd erupted in uproar. "What? The Second Elder actually did such a thing?"
"The Second Elder has always been the kindest to the younger generation, how could he do such a thing?"
A cacophony of chatter erupted as the grandchildren of the two elders stepped forward and angrily shouted, "Stop talking nonsense! How dare you implicate your grandfather!"
"I'm not lying. After I was kicked out by Sixth Sister, it was Second Elder who came to me and said that if the job was done, he would not only let me come back to work, but also give me a large sum of money. Oh, right! The money is still under my bed. I don't have that much ability to have such a large sum of money."
"I swear on my whole family's lives, I truly haven't lied this time. Please, Master, spare my life!"
The two elders behind him couldn't sit still any longer. "Nonsense! When have I ever given you any money?"
Sui He said sternly, "Fei Xuan, you go yourself!"
“This…” he stammered, looking rather guilty.
Chu Feixuan laughed nonchalantly, "Does the Second Elder have a problem with Feixuan?"
How could that be?
"That's good. I thought the Second Elder had a problem with me and thought I was deliberately framing you."
"Master Chu, don't go too far with your words!" It was the grandson of the second clan elder.
"Kid, behave yourself. You skinny little thing, or I'll slap you away."
"you!"
Chu Feixuan whistled, then lowered his voice when he saw Sui He's warning look. He quickly went to look for it, and soon returned with his men, throwing a box of money on the ground.
"Master, I've found something interesting."
Chu Feixuan's mocking gaze made the second clan elders feel uneasy.
His brow twitched as he held up the folded contract.
"We just discovered the loan agreement of the two elders, which also bears their signatures."
"Impossible!" After shouting, the second elder realized he had lost his composure when he found the area below completely silent and tried to make amends.
Sui Zhixu cut him off, coldly saying, "The evidence is conclusive; handle it according to clan rules."
"You've become so arrogant so soon after becoming the young master. I've only survived this long because I've been used as a warning to others!"
"Have I finished speaking?" Sui Zhixu opened his eyes, his gaze icy, and waved for Liu Lü to take the people away. Under the horrified gaze of the Second Elder, he brought in the Second Elder's son and daughter-in-law.
"Using relief funds allocated by the clan to various places to pay off the huge debt owed to the gambling den, and inciting clan school disciples to return to brothels, do you still want me to invite the people from the gambling den and brothels in?"
"Master, young master, spare my life! I have no other choice. My husband has gambled away all his money, and I've even lost my dowry, but it's still not enough! Fourth Sister is getting old; she can't have a father like this! Waaah—"
The sound of crying drowned out her husband's pleas for mercy. Sui Si Niang, who was in the crowd, never expected that this matter was related to her. She quickly stepped forward and hugged her mother tightly, begging for mercy repeatedly.
The young man who had just cried out for justice never imagined things would develop to this point.
"So the second clan elder has money to hire people, but not money to pay off his son's debts?!" The crowd couldn't help but laugh, but no one responded, and he awkwardly shut his mouth.
The second clan elder was completely unaware of this matter; his son and daughter-in-law had not told him at all. Now, someone had seized on this and caused such a huge scandal.
“Father, why don’t you save your son and instead take money to use on him! Is the power of the clan so important to you? I would not embezzle disaster relief funds unless it was you.”
"When did I know you—"
The son immediately turned on his father, a truly spectacular dog-eat-dog scene.
Sui Zhixu raised an eyebrow but remained silent.
"Now that things have come to this, Second Brother, you might as well just admit it." The Fourth Elder patted the Second Elder's shoulder, his anger barely contained.
The second elder slumped his shoulders, looking at the family below who were begging for mercy, his face full of exhaustion.
His voice trembled, "I beg the head of the family to punish me."
“Then let’s handle it according to the clan rules, Chu Ke, this is your responsibility.”
Without saying much, Sui Chuke silently led the man away, saying, "Yes."
With a sword in hand, Xu confessed? She hadn't said enough yet; there was still a stack of evidence: colluding with princes, buying and selling official positions…
I didn't expect him to admit defeat in just the second round. How boring.
He was allowed to openly embarrass her at the banquet. The calamity in Jingzhou involved the entire region and, strictly speaking, was the responsibility of the government and even the Emperor of Chang'an.
She would resolve the calamity in Jingzhou, and he shouldn't have said it as if he thought it was difficult for her.
Seeing the Second Elder being led away, the Fourth Elder's eyes darkened. "Girl, is there anything else you need?"
"certainly……"
"Ah Xu." Sui He called out to her, smiling as he asked her the same question.
Sui Zhixu met her gaze, paused for a few moments, and said, "That's all."
"Let's end it here for today. I will give the clan an explanation now. Disperse." Sui He waved for them to leave.
After everyone left, she turned to Sui Zhixu, poking his head with a helpless expression, "You—"
"If the water is too clear, there will be no fish. We should not push people too hard. Although the other elders have passed away, they still have descendants. We should not discourage them."
Sui He could more or less guess that this matter involved not only the two clan elders, but probably the four clan elders as well.
“Alright.” Sui Zhixu nodded in agreement. The servant who bribed Jiang Yun was actually someone planted by the Fourth Elder to be by the Second Elder’s side. He was Bujia, the grandson of the Second Elder’s steward, but he couldn’t resist the temptation of money and secretly worked for the Fourth Elder.
Even the method that the Second Elder came up with was secretly suggested by the Fourth Elder.
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