Chapter 199: Planning a Big Plan, Unexpectedly Hearing
Xiao Ji watched the scene unfold before him, his throat churning and his eyes burning. He wasn't a saint, and he couldn't believe his grandfather still refused his help after what he had done. He could only kowtow deeply, "Grandson Xiao Ji thanks Grandfather for his help."
There are not many people in this life who can make him kneel down, and even fewer who can make him kneel down willingly. The grandfather in front of him is one of them. Kneeling and bowing, but still cannot express his gratitude.
Although the Yang family kept a low profile and had no important officials in the court, who in the capital would underestimate the Yang family? A family with a history of a hundred years, a family that had produced a female emperor, its foundation was unimaginable to others, both in terms of wealth and connections.
Seeing his grandson, a prince, kowtow to him, Yang Gong felt a little relieved. At least this child knew how to be grateful, but he could only accept this one bow.
Yang Gong helped Xiao Ji up, his expression solemn: "Xue Nu, Grandfather will accept your kneeling today, but this is the only kneeling you can accept. You must not kneel to Grandfather again in the future."
The implication was self-evident, and Xiao Ji nodded solemnly before listening to his grandfather continue, "Today, I've broken my original oath for you. The Yang family will do their utmost to help you. We hope that once you ascend to a high position, you will uphold justice and uphold justice. We don't ask for every member of the Yang family to be made a marquis or a prime minister, but rather for everyone to be able to make the best use of their talents... and don't bury your cousins."
He is not only Xiao Ji's grandfather but also the grandfather of others. He is not so selfless and still has something to ask for. However, this request is too small in Xiao Ji's eyes. Even if the Yang family stands idly by, he will do so.
However, Xiao Ji did not make any promises in advance, but only nodded solemnly: "I will keep it in mind."
Yang Xuchuan was stunned for a long moment before finally waking up from a dream. He stared at his father's straight back, unable to believe that the thing he had been trying to persuade him to do in vain for years had actually happened today, so suddenly.
"Father...you have always been timid..." The words came to his lips but he swallowed them back, turning them into a sigh of disbelief.
Upon hearing this, Yang Gong's eyes darted forward like knives, and his bony fingers precisely grasped the back of his son's hand. The force was so fierce that Yang Xuchuan gasped. The piercing pain made him realize that this scene was no dream.
"Hmph!" Yang Gong released his grip and suddenly laughed out loud. The sound was so rich and powerful that it startled the birds beneath the eaves. Decades of pent-up resentment melted away into this hearty chuckle.
"What a relief! What a relief!" He clapped his hands and sighed, tears glistening in the corners of his eyes. "After making up my mind to rebel against the emperor, I actually feel relieved..."
Hearing this, Xiao Ji blinked, thinking. It seemed that his grandfather also disliked his father. What was he doing...
After a pause, Xiao Ji whispered, "Grandfather, do you know something about... my mother..."
Yang Gong's smile slowly froze on his face. He looked at his grandson gravely and said calmly, "Your mother passed away too quickly..."
The wind in the courtyard suddenly died down, and even the bamboo leaves stopped moving. Yao Chongchun and Yang Xuchuan exchanged glances, each seeing shock in the other's eyes.
"Dad, what do you mean by this?" Yang Xuchuan couldn't help but ask anxiously. His father had never said this to him.
However, Mr. Yang did not answer him, but stared at his grandson, "You guessed it, didn't you?" Ever since the two maids and aunts were taken to the palace by Xiao Ji, he knew that this secret might not be kept.
Xiao Ji dug his fingers deep into his palm, but his voice was unusually calm: "It's Father..."
Yang Gong looked at Xiao Ji quietly. He had wanted to keep it a secret for his whole life, but now he didn't want to keep it a secret anymore.
"Yes, it's him."
Xiao Ji's hands began to tremble. Even though he had guessed it long ago and was certain of it, when the other person said it clearly, the sword hanging above his head finally fell the last half inch and pierced into his flesh.
Both of them seemed relatively calm, only Yang Xuchuan was crazy, "What are you talking about? Emperor...sister, what's wrong with the emperor, sister?" he asked anxiously.
Yang Gong no longer hid the truth from his son, who looked like a scholar but was actually a reckless man. "Your sister's death was caused by the emperor. The medicine the emperor gave her was faulty, so she died of illness."
As soon as he finished speaking, Yang Xuchuan really jumped up, his eyes red like a trapped animal: "Dad, why didn't you tell me earlier?! If I had known this earlier, I would have risked my life--"
“Shut up!” Yang Gong shouted, slamming his withered palm down on the stone table. The weathered old table actually trembled slightly under the shock of his palm. “Do you think I don’t want revenge?”
The old man's voice was hoarse, and he pointed at Xiao Ji and said, "But what about this child? He was only fifteen years old at that time, and he was still the prince!"
Yang Xuchuan was indeed choked by these words, his face flushed red but he couldn't say a word. Indeed, if he did something impulsive, it would only put Xue Nu in a difficult position.
He just looked at Xiao Ji and panted heavily, like a tiger locked in chains.
The man in front of him was not only his sister's son, but also the child of the murderer who killed his sister. But how could Yang Xuchuan bear to blame this child? His father killed his mother, and Xue Nu's pain was no less than his.
Seeing his uncle in so much pain, Xiao Ji couldn't help but go forward and hug him.
"Uncle," his voice was soft, but it carried undeniable strength, "I will personally collect this debt."
Yang Xuchuan stared at his nephew with his crimson eyes. After a long moment, he let out a heavy breath. He pushed Xiao Ji away and slumped back onto the stone bench. He covered his face with his rough hands, his shoulders shaking violently.
He finally figured out why his father smashed the imperial gift in public after his sister died, and why his father never attended court again after that.
Yao Chongchun finally came back to his senses from the shock and said in a trembling voice, "This...this..."
He looked at his student distressedly: "Xue Nu, did you know this a long time ago..."
Xiao Ji slowly raised his head, tears in his eyes but no anger. He nodded calmly, "I guessed it a long time ago, but no one has given me a definite answer."
When Yang Gong heard this, a look of heartache and guilt appeared on his old face. He opened his mouth, but in the end, nothing came out. Yang Xuchuan was still crying, and his heavy breathing could be heard in his ears.
While everyone was still in shock and grief, Xiao Ji had quickly suppressed the pain in his heart. He raised his eyes and glanced at the three people in the yard. The bloodshot and sharp edge in his eyes made people's hearts tremble.
"Now that we have made our decision, we should work together to devise a plan and avenge our mother as soon as possible."
…
In the back garden of the Yang Mansion, Yang Jingsuo was bringing his little cousin to look for his grandfather and his entourage. They went into each courtyard to take a look, and Li Yuzhang kept screaming as they walked.
"I'm so tired, cousin. I don't want to walk anymore."
"Can you hold on a little longer? There's only one courtyard left." Yang Jingshuo pointed to a small courtyard nestled among the bamboo trees not far away. "Maybe Grandpa and the others are playing chess there."
Li Yuzhang pouted, his feet stuck in place: "If you want to leave, go by yourself, I'll wait here!" After saying that, he deliberately kicked his legs, kicking the stone under his feet far away.
Yang Jingshuo shook his head helplessly. This cousin was truly spoiled beyond measure. "Then you wait here. I'll be back soon." He straightened his clothes and walked alone towards the small courtyard deep in the bamboo forest.
But Li Yuzhang remembered his mother's instructions to please his grandfather, uncle and cousin, and followed reluctantly.
Yang Jingshuo didn't pay much attention to it at first, until he approached the courtyard gate and heard faint voices coming from inside. His heart skipped a beat and he turned around immediately. He saw his cousin standing behind him without him noticing. He immediately called out, "Grandfather, Dad!"
The noises in the courtyard suddenly stopped, and silence returned. After a moment, the gate creaked open, and Yang Xuchuan walked out with a sullen face: "Jing Suo? Why are you here?"
Before Yang Jingshuo could answer, Li Yuzhang had already peeked in from the gap beside Yang Xuchuan: "Uncle, is grandpa in there?"
His curious eyes swept across the people in the courtyard and suddenly stopped at Yao Chongchun. "Huh? Who is this old man? Why have I never seen him before?"
The atmosphere in the courtyard froze instantly, and Yao Chongchun subconsciously took half a step back.
Seeing this, Yang Gong and Xiao Ji immediately came out, closed the door, and coaxed, "This is Grandpa's friend. Zhang'er, are you hungry? Come on, Grandpa will take you to eat."
Li Yuzhang was immediately attracted by the food and his attention was diverted. Everyone breathed a sigh of relief, but unexpectedly, the child secretly remembered it.
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