Xin Long spoke calmly. “I want money.”
Xiao Jinghe froze for a moment, surprise flashing across his face.
Money?
Were spirits this materialistic too?
Countless legends of demons and spirits demanding human sacrifices flashed through his mind.
Compared to those stories, Xin Long’s request was almost absurdly ordinary.
Xin Long nodded firmly.
“I’ll escort your family safely to Lingnan. When we get there, I want half of the Xiao family’s wealth.”
After all, there was no way she could ever return to the capital in this lifetime.
Without money, one couldn’t survive anywhere. She had to plan for her own future.
As long as she had money, she could live comfortably even in ancient times.
Without the slightest hesitation, Xiao Jinghe replied, “As long as you can keep my family safe, you may take as much of the Xiao family’s wealth as you want. Anything you like is yours.”
To him, worldly possessions were insignificant compared to his family’s lives.
That generous?
Xin Long wasn’t a greedy person. She waved her hand.
“There’s no need. Half is enough. Your family still needs money to make a living in Lingnan.”
She knew very well that wealth could breed resentment.
Taking only half would secure her own future while preventing Xiao Jinghe from harboring any bitterness.
Xiao Jinghe looked at the mysterious woman before him.
He didn’t know whether she was human, ghost, demon, or immortal.
But he knew one thing.
She was the Xiao family’s last hope.
He nodded.
“Very well. As long as you’re willing to help me, I’ll do everything your way.”
“From now on, if you see anything in the Xiao residence that you want, you can put it directly into your… space.”
Xin Long raised an eyebrow. Her obsidian-like eyes gleamed as she began surveying the bedroom.
This chamber was completely different from the otherwise modest style of the Xiao residence. Luxury filled every corner.
The large rosewood bed was intricately carved, draped with exquisite Su embroidery curtains depicting a vivid scene of a hundred birds paying homage to the phoenix. Every stitch was meticulous, every color brilliant.
A thick Persian carpet covered the floor, so soft that footsteps made almost no sound.
Several priceless authentic paintings and calligraphy by renowned masters hung upon the walls.
The antique display shelves were filled with rare treasures and curios, dazzling the eye.
This hardly looked like the bedroom of the Duke of Zhenguo.
It resembled the boudoir of a favored princess instead.
Xin Long’s gaze settled on the jewelry box.
She walked over and gently opened it.
The inside glittered with dazzling brilliance.
A gold filigree phoenix hairpin inlaid with rubies, its delicate gold threads as fine as silk, the gemstones glowing a deep pigeon-blood red.
A pair of flawless white jade bracelets, smooth and warm to the touch.
Emerald earrings, translucent and lush green as fresh leaves.
Gold and silver ornaments of every imaginable design filled the box, nearly blinding Xin Long with their brilliance.
These were all part of the original owner’s dowry, along with the gifts Xiao Jinghe had given her over the years.
As the Emperor’s bestowed Eldest Princess, the original owner had accumulated considerable wealth over the years, including her own princess manor and fief.
Unfortunately, with the family’s confiscation imminent, none of those assets could be converted into cash.
With a graceful wave of her hand, Xin Long stored every piece of jewelry inside her space.
She turned toward Xiao Jinghe.
He was watching her calmly, seemingly unsurprised that she could simply store everything away.
When their eyes met, he voluntarily explained his own financial situation.
“My monthly salary is thirty-one thousand copper coins. I also receive seven hundred shi of grain annually, along with income from twelve qing of official farmland. My eldest sister-in-law manages all of it, so I’m not sure how much remains.”
His tone remained calm, as though discussing something entirely insignificant.
Having spent most of his life leading troops into battle, he rarely had any personal expenses, leaving all household finances in his eldest sister-in-law’s care.
Xin Long was genuinely surprised.
He had actually told her his entire “salary.”
He really was…
Remarkably honest.
The thought made her chuckle.
“The Emperor will be coming to confiscate your property very soon. We can’t alert him prematurely. Those lands and fiefs can’t be sold in time, so the only option is to move all the valuables in the residence into my space.”
Xiao Jinghe nodded in agreement.
After a moment’s thought, he said, “I’ll call my sisters-in-law over right now and have each of them gather their valuables.”
Xin Long nodded.
She had no objections.
Xiao Jinghe turned toward the door. His long fingers rested on the carved wooden handle.
He gave it a gentle push.
The door opened.
Outside stood six women.
Each beautiful in her own way—slender or curvaceous, graceful or elegant.
All of them were holding their breath, staring at him intently.
The atmosphere instantly froze.
An awkward silence filled the air.
His six sisters-in-law had all been eavesdropping outside the door!
Caught red-handed, every one of them blushed.
They had only overheard fragments of the conversation inside, mostly something about the family’s property.
Normally, the Xiao residence was peaceful and quiet at night.
Tonight, however, with the entire family gathered in the courtyard, it was unusually lively.
Earlier, after Xiao Jinghe and Xin Long had closed the door, the children—who had witnessed Xiao Jinghe drawing his sword on Xin Long while exercising with Chu Xiangyue—had all rushed back to tell their mothers what they had seen.
Worried that the two had truly come to blows, the sisters-in-law hurried over to check on them.
Since the door was shut, they didn’t dare enter without permission and could only gather outside to listen.
Who would have thought they would barely hear a few sentences before Xiao Jinghe opened the door?
Judging from their expressions…
They had probably made up, hadn’t they?
“Since you’re all here, I have something important to tell everyone.”
Xiao Jinghe broke the silence.
His voice carried an unusual seriousness.
It was completely different from his usual lazy and carefree demeanor.
The sisters-in-law exchanged glances.
The Fourth Sister-in-Law, Xun Ruoqiu, spoke first.
“Ahem! Jinghe, what’s wrong? Did something happen?”
Her crisp, straightforward voice couldn’t hide the concern within it.
The Fifth Sister-in-Law, Fei Manxiang, immediately added,
“Yes, Jinghe. Looking at your expression… did something happen at the military camp?”
The twins, Xiao Rui and Xiao Xiang, looked at each other before running to Xiao Jinghe, each grabbing one of his arms.
“Little Uncle, have you and Little Aunt made up?” Xiao Rui asked, looking up at him with wide, hopeful eyes.
Xiao Xiang nodded eagerly.
“That’s right, Little Uncle. Please don’t fight anymore.”
Seeing his nephew and niece, Xiao Jinghe’s heart softened.
He gently rubbed their heads.
“Go invite your grandmother over. I have something important to tell everyone.”
“Okay, Little Uncle!”
The twins answered obediently and dashed off on their short little legs to fetch the Dowager Madam.
The Dowager Madam had long lived on a vegetarian diet and resided alone in a tranquil courtyard on the western side of the Xiao residence known as Qingfeng Courtyard. By now, she had already retired for the night.
“You all, come with me to the main hall.”
Xiao Jinghe nodded to his sisters-in-law.
His voice was steady, carrying an unquestionable authority.