Capital City 70

"Very well then, the secrets of the Jiang family—I'm sure there are many who would like to know them," Li Xintian said with a smile upon hearing Jiang Ziyun's words.

"Old as I am, I’d like to see what you claim to know about the Jiang family’s secrets," Jiang Ziyun replied, his expression unchanged.

"Tell me, Minister Jiang, have you ever seen this person before?" Li Xintian produced a painting—of Qiurong—and showed it to everyone. The others began to whisper and point.

"Steward, escort all my relatives and brothers to the Drunken Moon Pavilion," Jiang Ziyun said, his face darkening as he saw Jiang Yaoxing in the painting, signaling the steward with his eyes.

"Stop right there. Wait for me to speak before you leave," Li Xintian interrupted. "Jiang Yaoxing—surely you all know him?"

He held everyone back and spoke up immediately.

"Jiang Yaoxing was my great-grandfather," Jiang Qianqian replied, unaware of the family's secret. "How do you know his name?"

"Let me tell you who the person in the painting is," Li Xintian continued. "Her name was Qiurong, your great-grandfather’s favored maid. At the time, your family cared too much for its reputation and refused to acknowledge her."

"Jiang Yaoxing, your great-grandfather, invited Qiurong to die with him. But in the end, he lacked the courage to drink the poisoned wine. Qiurong, already carrying his child, died tragically, two lives lost in one body."

"Does your family still deserve the title of a household of virtue?" Li Xintian declared, his words ringing out.

The crowd began to murmur.

"How do you know the Jiang family’s secret? Impossible!" Jiang Ziyun exclaimed, his voice hardening. "Steward, lock them all up at once," he ordered, determined that the family would not fall by his hand.

"Imprison me? I doubt you have the power. I hold an official title. Unless you strip me of it first, you cannot touch me," Li Xintian replied. "Tomorrow, you’ll receive the imperial decree. The so-called household of virtue—anyone who recommended you for that honor will be investigated."

With that, Li Xintian left the ancestral hall, feeling there was nothing more to gain.

Jiang Ziyun felt the sky collapse as he listened, nearly fainting, saved only by the steward’s steadying hand.

"So everyone connected to the Jiang family will be tried?" someone muttered.

"What misfortune! We should hurry and leave," others said, afraid they might have to pack and flee in the night.

Jiang Qianqian stood frozen, at a loss.

"Master, I’ll go call someone to tidy up," someone said.

Jiang Ziyun walked to the ancestral hall, gazing at the inscribed names, and knelt.

"Ancestors, ancestors!" he wailed. "The Jiang family has been destroyed by my hand, all ruined by me. I am ashamed before you, ashamed before our lineage..." He remembered Li Xintian, and his gaze grew ever fiercer.

"Qianqian, come, let’s go home," Jiang Ziyun wiped his tears, stood, and left the ancestral hall.

The next day.

"Master, the imperial envoys have arrived," the steward said softly.

Jiang Ziyun silently walked out of the ancestral hall.

"By the emperor’s decree," the envoy announced.

Jiang Ziyun knelt.

"From this day, the Jiang family’s title as a household of virtue is revoked. The emperor’s wrath is great, for he was deceived. The honor, once bestowed, now marks you as shameless and without virtue. Those who recommended Minister Jiang must be investigated. Take care, Sir Jiang."

"We’re leaving," the envoys handed the decree to Jiang Ziyun and left for the ancestral hall to remove the plaque.

"Li Xintian, I won’t let you have peace," Jiang Ziyun vowed fiercely, clutching the decree.

"Minister Jiang, do you think your family will survive the night? Things won’t end so easily," Li Xintian said, watching him, knowing he had become a most hated enemy.

"Elder, I think Minister Jiang could be a useful blade—we might borrow his hand," said a young man in blue to a black-robed elder.

"Indeed. My grandson died for this. He must pay," the elder replied, spotting Li Xintian in the crowd.

Li Xintian sensed the hostile gazes upon him, looked around, but saw nothing.

"Let’s go, to the capital," he said, unwilling to linger.

"Judge Black, Judge Lu, you take them away. I’ll handle the rest," he said as he set out for the capital.

"Fine, but be cautious. The Foxes of Qingqiu have started to move. If anything happens, come to the Hall of Ten Directions," Judge Lu reminded him. "There’s a millennium-old serpent demon in the capital. You have a history with it."

"Thank you, Judge Lu," Li Xintian replied, clasping his hands in gratitude.

"Thank you for your help, Sir Li," Qiurong and Xiao Xie had already agreed to this on the road.

"It’s nothing. But you killed Young Master Zhang—the King of Hell will surely hold you to account, so be prepared," Li Xintian said, preferring to leave matters to the King of Hell.

Judge Lu watched the scene, moved, and together with Judge Black, escorted Qiurong and Xiao Xie back to the Underworld.

"What will happen to them?" Hu Qiuyan asked, curious about the Underworld.

"No idea. I’ve never been there," Li Xintian replied. Though he had memories of a past life, he’d never visited the Underworld.

"Whose home are we going to in the capital?" Hu Qiuyan didn’t press about the Underworld, since it was a realm for spirits.

"My grandfather’s, the Chen residence," Li Xintian answered. "When we left, my mother told me to visit the old couple at the Chen residence on her behalf."

He would never forget his mother, Chen Shuxia’s instructions.

"So soon, we’re meeting his elders? What should I say?" Hu Qiuyan thought, her face growing warm.

"What’s wrong? Your cheeks are so red—you’re not ill, are you?" Li Xintian asked, oblivious.

"Let’s go. None of your business," Hu Qiuyan retorted, walking ahead.

"What a strange fox. I can’t fathom this world—foxes with human nature, so very human," Li Xintian mused.

"Hurry up!" Hu Qiuyan called, seeing him lost in thought.

"Got it, coming. You’re more impatient than I am," Li Xintian hurried to catch up, walking beside her.

They traveled half a day before finally reaching the royal capital.