Chapter Sixteen: Dwelling Far from the Mortal World (Part Two)-Usurping the Tang Dynasty(Geng Xin)

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Yan Qing touched on the matter briefly and did not delve deeper. Everyone was intelligent; a mere mention was sufficient, no need to elaborate further. The reason for this approach was to ensure that in the future, the Mao family could be clearly distanced from the incident. Yan Qing sensed that the White-Clad Maitreya had grand designs. With what he had said today, it would be easy to intercede on behalf of the Mao family later without arousing suspicion.

"I am concerned with the affairs of the state; it is the duty of a scholar," he thought.

"Though I remain unaligned, the books teach me to ease the burdens of the sovereign..."

This way, the involvement of the Mao family in the White-Clad Maitreya’s circle could be explained clearly and unequivocally.

As evening approached, Pei Xingyan and the other two prepared to leave.

However, they agreed to move to the Bamboo Garden starting the next day.

Their luggage had already been relocated; even Zheng Yanqing could not refuse. But with the three of them coming over, Xu Shiji would have to endure some inconvenience.

That night, Yan Qing enlisted the help of Party Shijie, Party Shiying, and Party Shixiong to move Xu Shiji’s belongings into Yan Qing’s bamboo house. Yan Qing lived upstairs, Xu Shiji downstairs, and Mao Xiaonian temporarily moved into the bamboo hut in front.

Xu Shiji had no objections.

On the contrary, he was quite pleased to live with Yan Qing, as it facilitated their nightly playful exchanges.

However, Mao Xiaonian was somewhat unhappy, pouting stubbornly. Moving to the bamboo hut meant being farther from the young master.

Zheng Yanqing patiently comforted her, and only then did she cheer up a bit.

At night, a persistent drizzle began.

The winter rain was cold and relentless, causing the temperature to plummet. Though the rain was light, it was tenacious, and the biting chill made it hard to endure.

The usually bustling Fengdu City had closed its markets before the late hour.

Outside the Dading Tavern, the gas lamps flickered weakly in the cold wind and rain, swaying gently as if lacking strength.

A carriage entered Fengdu City, passing through a small path and stopping at the side gate of the Dading Tavern.

The coachman gently knocked on the door knocker. After a moment, the side gate opened slightly. The carriage entered through the side gate into the tavern’s backyard.

A servant holding an oiled paper umbrella hurried over.

Following a quick lift of the carriage curtain, a man stepped down.

"Second Master, the Grand Master is waiting for you in the study. He said you’ve returned and wishes to see you immediately."

"I understand."

The man took the umbrella from the servant, then suddenly turned to the coachman and said, "Xiao Ba, park the carriage properly and go rest... Oh, the charity event in Tongyuan City the day after tomorrow—I won’t be going. You and the brothers must handle it well."

The coachman bowed hastily. "Master, rest assured. Xiao Ba will not fail in his duty."

Holding the oiled umbrella, the man passed through the tavern’s backyard alley and soon stopped in front of a small room. He placed the umbrella aside, knocked on the door, and without waiting for a response, opened the door and stepped inside.

A flicker of sinister light, like a lurking serpent, suddenly appeared—a gleaming sword pointed at his throat.

He smiled faintly, making no movements with his feet, then abruptly stepped back, pressing himself against the door.

"Big Brother, why so tense?"

But the sword did not stop; it continued to thrust forward with a faint, snake-like hiss. His smile vanished instantly, and his expression turned grim. Yet, when the cold blade touched his throat, it halted.

"Big Brother, what do you mean by this?"

The man wielding the sword had graying hair, bare feet, and wore white robes, his appearance dignified.

If Yan Qing had seen him now, he would surely recognize him as the Xiangzhou merchant Husky, who had stopped the fight between Yan Qing and Pei Xingyan at the Luopu Library that day. Now, Husky’s warm smile was replaced by a cold and severe expression. His lips were bare, without the faint mustache he once had.

"Huzi, who allowed you to preach unauthorized in Luoyang?"

"Ah?"

The man called Huzi also wore white robes, with a black beard fluttering beneath his chin, giving him a scholarly air.

"Before we came to Luoyang, Mistress had instructed us to first establish a foothold and then seek development. Now that we haven’t secured our position, you start preaching... Did you think your little schemes could escape my notice?"

Huzi’s handsome face twitched slightly as he forced a smile. "Big Brother, please lower your sword and hear me out."

The blade’s chill prevented Huzi from acting rashly.

He had no choice but to tilt his head back, pressing it against the door. He knew well that this man was no fooling around. When he was powerful, he was ruthless. Aside from their deceased master, only Mistress’s family could command him. Though sworn brothers, he would show no mercy.

"I’m listening..."

Husky did not withdraw his sword.

"I did not intend to go against Mistress’s wishes; it’s just that seeing the situation stabilizing, I was anxious."

"The young master is growing up. Should he, like us, continue living in the shadows? Poor child still cannot return to the clan to recognize his ancestry, nor bear his own surname openly. This pains me deeply."

"So you went to contact Poye Tou?"

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Huzi was startled but forced a smile. "Big Brother is indeed sharp... I didn’t mean to hide it from you, just thought that if we want to open up a foothold in Luoyang, we must have someone backing us. Poye Tou was at least a retainer of the master and held considerable power. So I thought contacting him would help us establish ourselves."

Husky slowly lowered his sword but kept a piercing gaze fixed on Huzi.

"Poye Tou is not to be trusted!"

After a moment, he stepped back behind the desk and said gravely, "You should know, when the old master’s plans were leaked, I kept wondering who betrayed us... After much thought, it seems that Poye Tou is the most suspicious."

"Ah?"

"I just lack evidence now, and Mistress has forbidden me from acting rashly or revealing my identity."

"Otherwise, I would never tolerate the Poye Tou family living to this day... In short, you can use Poye Tou as a front, but never trust him. Huzi, we have endured twenty years; I do not want any mistakes now."

Huzi swallowed hard and slowly sat opposite Husky.

"Also, why did you spread rumors earlier?"

"Well..."

Huzi hesitated, then whispered, "Big Brother, are you referring to Ban Yuanjun and Miss Pei from the Pei family? Heh, that matter really has nothing to do with me. It was a few days ago when Poye Tou Chengzhi approached me, asking me to spread rumors to stir conflict between Maizhong and Ban Yuanjun. I thought this was a way to connect with the Poye Tou family, and since the Zheng and Mai families have no relation to us, I agreed and had someone spread the news."

"Nonsense!"

A flicker of coldness flashed in Husky’s eyes. "Best to ignore that brat. Mai Tiezhuang is the confidant of the bandit chief, very powerful; the Zheng family of Xingyang, though not what it once was, still deeply entangled among the eastern gentry. If they trace it back to us, it could ruin the master’s grand plans. Our priority is not preaching or making powerful connections."

"We must first secure our foothold and then find ways to infiltrate."

"Stop preaching immediately, and don’t get too close to the Poye Tou family. I have already made arrangements here."

"Since you order it, Big Brother, I will comply."

Huzi agreed and stood to leave.

Just as he was about to open the door, Husky’s cold voice rang out behind him: "Huzi, remember, our lives ended twenty years ago. From now on, everything must go according to plan. If I find you acting on your own again, don’t blame me for breaking our twenty-year bond."

Huzi twitched his mouth and turned back. "Big Brother, rest assured, I understand!"

Walking along the corridor, Huzi arrived at a secluded courtyard.

There grew an ancient locust tree, thick enough to require two men to embrace. Huzi suddenly stepped forward and punched the trunk with a loud thud.

The trunk trembled, and withered branches fell.

"Husky, don’t get too smug!"

He gritted his teeth and spat out a curse through clenched teeth.

At that moment, a voice came from outside the courtyard: "Master, the carriage is ready. Any further instructions?"

"Xiao Ba, notify everyone: the charity event in two days is temporarily suspended!"

...

Dawn broke, the sky clear and washed.

Sunlight shone into the Bamboo Garden, the dragon’s tooth grass beneath the outer corridor showing shades of withering yellow.

The night’s drizzle enhanced the cold, quiet atmosphere of the Bamboo Garden. Yan Qing rose early and jogged a lap around the garden with Xu Shiji to loosen their muscles before beginning practice.

Xu Shiji’s martial art differed from Yan Qing’s, and finding the guidance-based health technique too cumbersome, he was unwilling to learn it despite Yan Qing’s instruction.

Xu Shiji preferred practicing sword and spear dances, riding his horse out of the Bamboo Garden.

Zheng Yanqing, meanwhile, practiced the guiding technique in a quiet forest spot, stretching his tendons and strengthening his qi and blood. After completing the set, he struck the bamboo trunks, about the thickness of a bowl, with the Five Animals Fist, punching with such force that he was drenched in sweat.

Mao Xiaonian stood nearby with a towel, watching.

After Yan Qing finished, she held out the towel.

"Young Master, wipe yourself off."

Yan Qing took the towel and wiped the sweat clean.

"Xiaonian, Pei Xingyan and the others will come over soon. We will go practice Jiju. Tell Aunt Mao to prepare more food and boil extra water—we’ll likely need to wash up when we return."

"Okay, Xiaonian will remember."

They walked side by side back. Approaching the bamboo house, Zheng Yanqing suddenly asked, "Xiaonian, that White-Clad Maitreya’s charity event is coming soon, right?"

"Counting the days, it’s about time. My father and mother were discussing it just yesterday... Young Master, I heard from the refugees that there’s some unrest outside. Do you think those bad people might come here? I’m really worried."

Zheng Yanqing smiled and patted her shoulder.

"Someone will take care of such affairs. But I believe, for now, there will be no unrest in Luoyang."

"Good, that’s a relief!"

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"Xiaonian, keep these thoughts between us; don’t spread them outside, or there’ll be trouble."

Mao Xiaonian softly agreed. They reached the front of the bamboo house.

Just as Zheng Yanqing was about to enter, the urgent sound of galloping hooves came from the forest.

He turned and saw a rider rushing into the bamboo grove. The horse was reined in before the bamboo house, and the rider dismounted swiftly.

"Uncle Zheng, why are you here?"

Zheng Yanqing immediately recognized the rider as Zheng Weishan, steward of the Zheng household in Luoyang.

Since Zheng Renji left Luoyang, Zheng Weishan rarely visited the Bamboo Garden due to busy affairs. He wore plain white with a hemp headscarf, dressed in mourning clothes. Yan Qing was stunned and hurried forward.

"Is something wrong at home?"

Zheng Weishan said, "Letter from Xingyang: the Grand Master passed away the day before yesterday!"

"Ah!"

Zheng Yanqing was taken aback.

The Grand Master referred to Zheng Dashi. Actually, Yan Qing wasn’t too surprised by Zheng Dashi’s passing. After all, there had been hints when Zheng Renji left Luoyang. Still, he was shocked—not for himself, but because the death would surely unsettle the Anyuantang faction.

He had little deep feeling for Zheng Dashi.

But from childhood, Zheng Dashi had not been too unkind to him, so there was some sadness.

"What about my grandfather...?"

Zheng Weishan said, "The eldest son sent someone to tell you: your old uncle likely can’t return for now. With the Grand Master gone, things in Xingyang will be complicated. The eldest son hopes your uncle can stay and help steady the situation. Your uncle also sent a message for you not to worry; once things stabilize, he will return immediately."

"Should I go back?"

"Not for now... Oh, the eldest son heard you want to play Jiju and sent several fine horses. When I return, I will send them over."

Yan Qing began to understand Zheng Renji’s intent.

Zheng Dashi’s death was a huge blow to Anyuantang.

The Lianshan branch had been declining recently, and Zheng Renji worried other clans might seize the opportunity to attack. Sending horses and encouragement was likely meant to help Yan Qing build influence here to relieve pressure on Anyuantang.

That proud and arrogant eldest son had finally learned to use tactics!

Yan Qing nodded. "Uncle Weishan, please convey to the eldest son that I understand his intentions. Rest assured, I will do my best to build influence here, but please take good care of my grandfather. He is old and should not overexert himself. If possible, please urge him to return soon—I worry about him."

Zheng Weishan nodded and, without lingering, mounted his horse and left.

Watching his retreating figure, Yan Qing’s expression darkened suddenly.

He was beginning to realize.

Why did Zheng Dashi want Zheng Shian to return to Xingyang?

Could it really be out of concern? At the time, he thought it possible, but now he doubted it.

Someone as cunning as Zheng Dashi would never truly be sentimental. For him, clan interests came first.

The reason for recalling Zheng Shian was likely to control Yan Qing.

As Yan Qing’s reputation grew, Anyuantang had to strengthen their means of control over him. Bringing Zheng Shian back, ostensibly out of concern, was effectively another way to restrain Yan Qing.

Thinking this, Yan Qing furrowed his brow tightly.

My poor, honest grandfather—this time, you’ve probably been secretly schemed against again by that Grand Master!

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