After Chen Jing led Lin Chunian into the residence, Xiao Jueyan finally withdrew his gaze from her and followed Xiao Zhenyuan toward the main hall, with Lady Liu and Xiao Wanning close behind.
As soon as they were seated, Lady Liu pressed anxiously, “Jueyan, were those bandits truly so vicious? Dozens of your escort were lost—are you injured anywhere? Let Mother see.” As she spoke, she reached for his sleeve.
Xiao Jueyan raised his hand and straightened his sleeve, his tone indifferent. “Mother, rest assured, your son is unharmed. It was only because the escort was caught off guard that they fell victim to the ambush.”
Xiao Wanning also leaned forward, her brows furrowed with worry. “Elder Brother’s great fortune spared him from disaster. From now on, you must never take such risks again.” Then, shifting the topic, she added, “This half-sister has long lived in the countryside and appears quite unsophisticated. You must select some reliable servants to attend to her and teach her the proper etiquette befitting a young lady of the Duke’s household. Be careful not to let her embarrass the Xiao family in front of Prince Jing.”
Lady Liu nodded in agreement, finding this suggestion perfectly to her liking. “Ning’er is right. Then let Nanny Li go. She’s an old hand in the household, understands the rules, and is meticulous and reliable in her work.”
“Add Shi Yu as well,” Xiao Jueyan suddenly interjected.
Lady Liu’s expression stiffened, and she immediately frowned. “Jueyan, Shi Yu was assigned to your courtyard two years ago, originally with the intention… How can you send her away to serve?” She had intended for Shi Yu to become a tongfang, but her son showed no interest in her whatsoever. Now, he even wanted to transfer her away.
“Let Shi Yu go. In any case, my courtyard doesn’t need so many people,” Xiao Jueyan’s tone carried an unyielding sternness.
Seeing his resolute attitude, Lady Liu thought to herself that her son truly had no interest in Shi Yu. Keeping her would be a waste of effort, so it was better to comply with his wishes and later select someone more to his liking to send over. With this in mind, she relented. “Very well, as you wish. Nanny Li and Shi Yu will both be assigned to the western wing.”
After urging Xiao Jueyan a few more times to rest well, Lady Liu left the main hall with Xiao Wanning, not forgetting to have servants inform Nanny Li and Shi Yu to report for duty in the western wing.
With only father and son remaining in the main hall, the atmosphere instantly grew heavy. Xiao Zhenyuan set down his teacup, his gaze solemn. “All the escort were killed. Were those bandits truly ordinary outlaws?”
“No,” Xiao Jueyan replied, lifting his eyes. “They struck ruthlessly, their moves disciplined, and their weapons were of military standard—definitely not something mountain bandits could possess.”
Xiao Zhenyuan’s hand, stroking his beard, abruptly paused, his expression shifting dramatically. “Military-standard weapons? Currently, you oversee the practical training and weapon management of the Jingying Imperial Guard, and you personally inspect the capital’s defenses. If military-standard weapons have leaked out, there must be a traitor within the camp. This is no simple matter!”
Xiao Jueyan’s eyes darkened. “Your son does not fear a traitor hiding in the camp. What I fear… is that this traitor belongs to Prince Jing, with ties to his border army forces.”
With the crown prince position vacant, Prince Jing, as the late empress’s legitimate son, is cunning and ambitious, commanding formidable military forces. Prince Rui Zhao Heng, the son of the imperial noble consort, enjoys the emperor’s deep favor and was granted the Eastern Palace Guard’s military authority precisely to counterbalance Prince Jing. Meanwhile, Xiao Jueyan’s Jingying serves as the capital’s final line of defense, becoming a key target for both sides to win over and guard against. The three parties form a tripartite balance, with the court already seething with undercurrents.
“This matter must not be made public,” Xiao Zhenyuan said gravely. “Prince Jing commands a hundred thousand border troops in the northwest, his influence is immense and difficult to shake. Without evidence, rashly pursuing an investigation would only alert the enemy and bring trouble upon ourselves. Liu Zhou will soon return to the Jingying. Have him investigate discreetly—check if there are any shortages in the military armory, and see if there are any unusual movements among Prince Jing’s subordinates.”
Liu Zhou was a death soldier trained by the Xiao family since childhood and now held a position in the military, making him the most suitable for this task.
Xiao Jueyan nodded and replied, “I understand. I will ensure Liu Zhou proceeds with caution.”
“You have just returned, so rest well for now. Do not breathe a word of this matter,” Xiao Zhenyuan added, then remembered Lin Chunian and continued, “Since that girl has returned to the estate, I have already informed Second Uncle and Third Uncle. In half a month, on an auspicious day, she will be directly recorded into the family register under your mother’s name, establishing her as a legitimate daughter. This will also make her a suitable match for Prince Jing’s heir. In the meantime, look after her. Although she is a legitimized daughter, she is still a member of the Xiao family. Do not let anyone in the estate treat her poorly, lest it give others cause for gossip.”
“I understand,” Xiao Jueyan replied, though inwardly he thought that looking after her was merely a pretense—keeping a close watch on her was the real intention. That imposter, Xiao Wanyan, was sharp-witted and strikingly beautiful. Keeping her in the estate could easily lead to trouble. Only by keeping her close could he feel at ease.