Xin Long believed she had performed her act flawlessly.
Now that things had come this far, the Dowager Madam Xiao could no longer dismiss her words.
With a solemn expression, she spoke in a firm voice.
“You all, hurry and gather everything of value.”
She looked at her daughters-in-law, her tone leaving no room for argument.
“Do exactly as Jinghe instructed. Move everything into his quarters.”
“Yes, Mother.”
The sisters-in-law answered in unison.
Taking the children with them, they hurried away.
Xin Long also rose to take her leave, leaving only Yunshang and the Dowager Madam in the hall.
The spacious room fell silent, save for the crackling of candle flames.
The dim golden light danced across the carved beams and painted rafters, making the grand hall seem unusually desolate.
“Aunt… do you really believe what the Princess said?”
Yunshang finally broke the silence, uncertainty filling her voice.
The Dowager Madam lifted her teacup and took a slow sip.
The rich aroma of the tea did nothing to ease the anxiety weighing on her heart.
“She wouldn’t tell a lie that could be exposed so easily.”
Setting down the teacup, she spoke calmly.
“If she’s lying, then the truth will come out the moment Jinghe returns.”
Yunshang’s face gradually turned pale.
“Could it be… could it really be that His Majesty intends to move against the Xiao family?”
Her voice trembled with disbelief.
“Our Xiao family has served the empire faithfully for generations…”
The Dowager Madam’s gaze shifted toward the morning star outside the window.
The vast Duke Dingguo Estate lay wrapped in an eerie stillness.
“The winds are changing.”
She sighed heavily, her voice filled with exhaustion.
She was old now.
If she died, it would not matter much.
But the women and children of the family were still so young.
How could she possibly protect them?
“Yunshang, pack your belongings and leave for your family home immediately.”
Looking at her niece, she continued softly,
“If something truly happens to the Xiao family, we mustn’t drag you down with us.”
“Aunt, I’m not leaving!”
Yunshang cried, tears blurring her vision.
She clutched the Dowager Madam’s hand so tightly that her knuckles turned white.
The old woman looked at her with helpless affection.
“Silly child… your aunt can no longer protect you.”
She gently patted the back of Yunshang’s hand, her voice heavy.
Deep worry flickered within her clouded eyes.
The cushion beneath her on the carved rosewood chair had long since sunk from years of use.
The candlelight illuminated the wrinkles covering her face, making her appear even older.
“If… if our family truly ends up confiscated and exiled…”
“The hardships along the journey are more than you could bear.”
“Even if people mock you after you return home… that’s still better than exile.”
Looking at Yunshang, her eyes brimmed with reluctance.
“At least… at least you’ll still be alive.”
Yunshang cried even harder.
Tears fell like broken strings of pearls.
She shook her head repeatedly, choking on her sobs.
“No… I won’t leave…”
“I’ll share the Xiao family’s fortunes and hardships… no matter what…”
By then, Xin Long had already returned to her chambers.
She changed into a fitted black outfit made for swift movement.
As she moved, the hem of her clothing fluttered like the shadow of a phantom in the night.
The tight black fabric accentuated her graceful yet athletic figure.
She put on a pair of wireless earbuds and listened to the conversation between the Dowager Madam and Yunshang.
Yunshang’s intermittent sobbing echoed through them.
Ever since surviving the apocalypse, Xin Long had developed severe paranoia about being attacked.
She had installed countless surveillance cameras and listening devices throughout her villa.
Before leaving her dimensional space earlier, she had casually picked up a miniature bug.
While everyone had been gathered in the main hall, she’d “accidentally” left it beneath the Eight Immortals table.
Now, that tiny listening device was proving its worth.
Once she confirmed that the Dowager Madam truly believed her warning, Xin Long removed the earbuds.
She covered the lower half of her face with a black cloth, hiding her delicate features and revealing only her cold, clear eyes.
Without making the slightest sound, she slipped out of the Xiao residence.
The night was as dark as ink.
Standing in the shadows, Xin Long watched a carriage leave through the rear gate of the Duke Dingguo Estate.
The wheels rumbled over the stone-paved road, sounding especially loud in the silent night.
Just moments ago, Yunshang had tearfully sworn she’d live and die with the Xiao family.
Yet now…
She was already leaving.
How ironic.
Xin Long watched the carriage disappear before withdrawing her gaze.
Turning toward the dark streets, she searched through the original owner’s memories and mentally compiled a list of everyone who would participate in raiding Xiao Jinghe’s home tomorrow.
Since the night was still young…
She decided to confiscate the homes of those corrupt officials first.
Back in the apocalypse, she’d traveled everywhere with her storage space, looting supplies.
This sort of thing was practically second nature to her.
Her first stop—
The residence of that dead eunuch, Eunuch Rui’an.
With her face covered, Xin Long vaulted effortlessly over the compound wall like a spirit of the night.
Using her dimensional space, she easily avoided the guards stationed at the entrance.
Climbing onto the rooftops, she darted across the tiles with the agility of a cat.
Before long, she found Rui’an’s treasury.
Inside…
Several chests overflowing with silver ingots and gold bars were piled high, dazzling under the lantern light.
There were also priceless paintings and calligraphy by famous masters, along with countless treasures presented to him as bribes.
The entire warehouse was packed.
Without the slightest hesitation, Xin Long swept every last piece of ill-gotten wealth into her storage space.
Then she climbed back onto the roof and poured a bottle of alcohol into the warehouse below.
Whoosh!
One strike of a match—
The flames instantly roared upward, illuminating the night sky.
“Fire! Fire!”
A servant’s desperate scream shattered the silence.
More panicked cries erupted one after another as the blaze dyed half the sky crimson.
Chaotic footsteps and frantic shouting merged into complete disorder.
Squatting atop the roof ridge, Xin Long watched coldly, a faint sneer curling her lips.
The servants ran around in utter confusion, carrying buckets and basins of water as they desperately fought the flames.
Yet not a single steward appeared to direct them.
Nor was there any sign of Eunuch Rui’an himself.
Looks like the old eunuch was still in the palace, waiting for the emperor’s order to confiscate the Xiao family.
Xin Long couldn’t help wondering what expression he’d wear when he returned to find his estate like this.
She lightly leaped down from the rooftop, landing as silently as a drifting feather.
While everyone was distracted by the fire, she slipped into the granary.
Mountains of polished rice and fine white flour filled the warehouse, releasing the rich scent of grain.
Bathed in the glow of the fire outside, the food looked even more precious.
These were refined grains ordinary commoners could scarcely afford to eat.
Yet here they sat in abundance—for a eunuch’s enjoyment.
Without hesitation, Xin Long stored every grain away.
In the apocalypse…
Food meant life.
She never wasted an opportunity to stockpile supplies.
Leaving the granary, she quietly entered Rui’an’s private residence.
The interior was extravagantly luxurious.
Towering red coral sculptures.
Lifelike jade ornaments.
Masterpieces of calligraphy and painting mounted beautifully upon the walls.
The tables displayed priceless antiques and curios, glittering beneath the flickering firelight.
Xin Long collected every valuable object without leaving behind the slightest trace.
When she finished…
Nothing remained except empty shelves and cold air.
After leaving Eunuch Rui’an’s estate, Xin Long immediately headed toward the Prime Minister’s residence.
Prime Minister Yan Lexian was one of the emperor’s most trusted confidants.
He had also played a major role in framing Xiao Jinghe.
The night had grown even darker, yet the Prime Minister’s mansion remained brightly lit.
Inside the Prime Minister’s bedroom, Yan Lexian was quietly speaking with his wife.
“My lord, why aren’t you asleep at this hour?” the Prime Minister’s wife asked gently.
She wore a crimson silk night robe that made her snow-white skin appear even fairer.
“Xiao Jinghe’s family is about to be confiscated,” Yan Lexian replied, greed flashing in his eyes.
“I need to make some preparations.”
“Oh? They’re really going to raid his estate?”
Her voice carried unconcealed excitement.
“Of course.”
“He’s already been summoned into the palace by His Majesty.”
“Tomorrow morning, they’ll conveniently ‘discover’ evidence of his crimes in his home and officially convict him.”
The Prime Minister’s wife immediately brightened.
Her eyes rolled with anticipation.
“My lord… could you take me along when the confiscation happens?”
“What would you go for?”
“I… I have my eye on the jade bracelet worn by the Xiao family’s eldest daughter-in-law.”
“I once asked to borrow it for a few days, but she refused, saying it was her family’s ancestral heirloom.”
She pouted coquettishly.
“It’s only a bracelet.”
“I’ll get it for you when the time comes.”
Yan Lexian spoke dismissively.
Secretly, he was already calculating his profits.
The Xiao family had been a distinguished noble house for generations.
Their estate was undoubtedly filled with priceless treasures.
This confiscation…
Would be the perfect opportunity for him to make a fortune.