After learning about the Xiao family's situation, Zhao Cheng and Xu An understood Xiao Luomu's unusual behavior; he had probably even forgotten that Zhao Cheng and Xu An had been able to come to Qingdong City today.
So Zhao Cheng didn't rush to the Xiao family. Instead, he went to eat with Huang Zhen first. He asked Huang Zhen about the Xiao family, and Huang Zhen asked him about what had happened to Huang Hua along the way.
After the banquet, Huang Zhen returned to the prefect's mansion, and only then did Zhao Cheng and his party go to the Xiao family to kowtow to Old Master Xiao.
Sure enough, Xiao Luomu was somewhat surprised to see Zhao Cheng and the others arrive; it seemed he had truly forgotten.
Xiao Luofeng also returned, and Xiao Ming and his son Xiao Luoyan were also in the mourning hall. The four of them were mainly responsible for handling Xiao Tian's funeral arrangements.
However, there were simply too many guests, and Xiao Luomu was so busy that he had no time to deal with other matters, which was understandable.
Zhao Cheng sat there until midnight, when the number of people inside and outside the mourning hall had decreased slightly, giving the Xiao brothers, Xiao Luofeng and Xiao Luomu, a chance to come over and chat with Zhao Cheng.
"Brother Xiao, please accept my condolences. General Longxiang, please accept my condolences."
Zhao Cheng led the way in standing up, and everyone bowed to the Xiao brothers.
“We’re all brothers, there’s no need for that,” Xiao Luomu quickly said.
Zhao Cheng didn't stand on ceremony and immediately grabbed Xiao Luomu's collar, saying, "Such a big thing as the old man's passing, and you didn't even inform us?"
Xiao Luomu sighed and said, "It was all so sudden. My brother rushed back at the last minute, and by the time he got home, Dad had already passed away a day earlier, so he didn't get to see him one last time."
Zhao Cheng asked doubtfully, "Didn't he die of illness?"
Xiao Luomu said, "He died of illness, but it was an acute illness, very sudden."
Zhao Cheng continued, "What kind of acute illness?"
"I have stomach pain, and the doctor said it's pancreatitis."
Zhao Cheng let out a long breath. Pancreatitis, or acute pancreatitis in the Western medical terms of his previous life, was indeed life-threatening.
This disease even afflicted Alexander the Great.
Zhao Cheng looked regretful, patted Xiao Luomu's shoulder, and sighed, "The last time I saw the old man, he was so energetic, drinking with me until late at night. It was such a surprise."
Xiao Luofeng said with a serious expression, "It is indeed unexpected. Father has never had stomach pain before."
Zhao Cheng understood the implication in the words and quickly glanced at Xiao Luomu, asking suspiciously, "Does General Longxiang have any doubts about the cause of the old man's death?"
Xiao Luofeng said, "I wouldn't call it doubt. Of course I trust my brother. I just find it a little strange."
Xiao Luomu said, "My uncle invited several doctors to examine my father. They are all renowned doctors in Qingdong City, so there's no mistake."
Zhao Cheng looked up and glanced outside the mourning hall. Xiao Luomu's uncle, Xiao Ming, was talking with the guests.
Just then, Xiao Ming turned around and glanced at Zhao Cheng.
Their eyes met, and Xiao Ming quickly bowed to Zhao Cheng from afar.
Zhao Cheng nodded in response and asked, "Did the old man leave a will?"
Xiao Luomu shook his head and said, "Father is still young, and we didn't notice any major health problems before. We didn't make any preparations for his funeral."
"Then your uncle..."
Xiao Luomu knew what Zhao Cheng wanted to say, and waved his hand, saying, "Don't worry, my relationship with my uncle is good, and there's nothing like what you're worried about in our family."
"Since you've said that, then I won't ask any further questions. I have important matters to discuss with you today. You can take care of your work for the next couple of days, and we'll talk again after the old man's burial."
Xiao Luomu asked, "Has accommodation been arranged?"
Zhao Cheng glanced at Xu An and said, "Qingdong City is also Old Xu's home."
Xiao Luomu slapped his forehead and said, "Look, I was so busy I forgot about that!"
Zhao Cheng cupped his hands in greeting to Xiao Luomu and Xiao Luofeng, then turned and left.
The group stayed at Xu An's old house, and each person had a separate room.
Shi Minghua arrived a few days ago. Zhao Cheng chatted with her briefly before going back to her room to sleep, but she couldn't fall asleep no matter how much she tossed and turned.
I keep thinking about what Xiao Luofeng said.
“It was indeed unexpected; Dad has never had stomach pain before.”
Intuition is like a thin veil, seemingly insignificant, but it casts a shadow over Zhao Cheng's heart.
It made him feel uncomfortable.
The next morning. (The last part appears to be a fragment and doesn't translate directly.)
Just as Zhao Cheng got up and Xia Qi brought in water to help him wash up, Zhao Wu said from outside the door, "Master, Mr. Xiao from the Xiao family requests an audience."
"Boss Xiao? Xiao Ming?" Zhao Cheng muttered to himself, then said, "Take Boss Xiao to the lobby and wait a moment."
Xiao Ming said from outside, "Don't worry, young prime minister, I'll be waiting for you outside."
Zhao Cheng understood Xiao Ming's meaning, and after Xia Qi helped him with a simple task, he invited Xiao Ming into the house.
"Boss Xiao, why are you here so early?" Zhao Cheng gestured for Xiao Ming to sit down and said to Xia Qi, "Go make some tea."
"No need, no need. I'll just have a quick chat with the young prime minister and then leave. I have a lot of things to do at the Xiao family!"
"Okay, Xia Qi, you can go out now."
"yes."
Seeing Xia Qi close the door, Xiao Ming didn't waste any words and went straight to the point: "Young Prime Minister, I know you are Luo Mu's biggest backer. I've come here to discuss cooperation with you."
"Cooperation?" Zhao Cheng's mind raced, and he said, "I don't quite understand."
Xiao Ming explained, "The sudden situation in the Xiao family caught us completely off guard, but the Xiao family's Eastern Chamber of Commerce has just started operating, and we cannot stop it because of this."
Zhao Cheng asked, "Why did it stop? The Xiao family head's funeral won't be long, and Xiao Luomu will be able to continue presiding over the work."
Xiao Ming shook his head and said, "I'm afraid Luo Mu can't take the lead anymore."
Zhao Cheng frowned but did not respond.
Xiao Ming continued, "The brothers Luo Feng and Luo Mu are both very filial, and they both have to observe mourning."
Zhao Cheng was stunned for a moment. So that's why!
But he was still full of questions and said, "Xiao Luofeng is a General of the Dragon Cavalry, and according to the court's etiquette, he should go home to observe mourning for his parents. But Xiao Luomu is a commoner, so he doesn't need to, does he?"
Xiao Ming said, "The imperial court has its own etiquette system, and the Xiao family has its own family rules."
Zhao Cheng asked, "Does Xiao Luomu know about this?"
"Of course! He brought it up with me last night when you came. He was too embarrassed to tell you, so I came to find you."
"So, what does Mr. Xiao mean?"
"To be honest, apart from Luo Mu and Luo Yan, there's no one else in my family I truly trust. Although Luo Yan is my son, he's not capable enough. So, in the future, I'll have to be the one to run the Eastern Chamber of Commerce."
Xiao Ming sighed and said, "Young Prime Minister is Luo Mu's backer, and I'm sure he also gets a share of the profits from the Eastern Chamber of Commerce. I can't stop him from making money!"
"That's why I rushed here to discuss this with you, Young Prime Minister, without daring to delay!"
Upon hearing this, Zhao Cheng's eyes gradually narrowed.
Things are getting increasingly wrong.
According to Xiao Ming, Zhao Cheng was merely Xiao Luomu's backer, indicating that Xiao Luomu hadn't told Xiao Ming that Zhao Cheng was actually the big boss of the Chamber of Commerce. This suggests that Xiao Luomu didn't completely trust Xiao Ming.
Given this, why would Xiao Luomu express his willingness to let Xiao Ming take charge of the Chamber of Commerce without his consent?
There's only one reason: Xiao Ming is lying!
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