Transmigrated Genius: Fragile Heiress Reigns Supreme-Chapter 695 - 696: Fire Breaks Out (Part 5)

Tong Shen Zhi furrowed his brows and replied, "Both my father and I find Lord Xu’s reaction somewhat strange." He paused, appearing thoughtful, but then Tong Quanzi interjected, saying to Tong Shen Zhi, "Big brother, I heard from friends on the road that there’s a band of marauders causing trouble in Shandong. Lord Xu has been busy mobilizing troops these past two days. Perhaps he’s pacifying bandits or acting on the Emperor’s orders, or maybe he’s following General Qin Xuantong’s orders. He’s probably too preoccupied to concern himself with Cousin’s matters."

"Mobilizing troops?" Xiqiu was stunned.

Tong Quanzi nodded and replied, "My friend just returned from seeking relatives in Shandong, and it’s been very tense there these days."

Tong Shen Zhi and Xiqiu said nothing more. Tong Shen Zhi, looking solemn, instructed the accompanying servant, "Take Cousin back to the mansion and go inform the medical center."

Xu Tianqing was half-dragged back, shouting loudly as he went, "Sixth Sister, remember what I said, I’m waiting for you!"

A few inexplicable words, causing everyone to turn and look at Xiqiu. Xiqiu waved her hand dismissively and said, "I don’t understand what he means either," though she knew in her heart that Xu Tianqing was repeating what he had once said to her in the bamboo grove, asking her to leave the Capital with him and wander throughout the world...

Xiqiu led Tong Shen Zhi, Tong Quanzi, and Tong Minzhi into the main hall. As they spoke, and after Min returned and they had a meal together, Min liked Tong Minzhi and Tong Quanzi very much and wanted to sleep with Tong Minzhi that night. Xiqiu could only smile and agree, while Tong Shen Zhi quietly drank tea.

Fourth Master Xiao returned, and Tong Shen Zhi had something to discuss with him, so they went to the study. Tong Shen Zhi informed Fourth Master Xiao of Lord Xu’s unusual activities in Shandong: "Should Lord Qin be notified to pay closer attention?"

Fourth Master Xiao was unsurprised and replied, "I have already sent people to closely monitor the situation." He then looked at Tong Shen Zhi, "Should Wenxian go to persuade Lord Xu? This matter is no child’s play!"

Tong Shen Zhi sat heavily, his brows tightly furrowed. After a long pause, he nodded and said, "I will discuss this with my father when I return and give you an answer tomorrow."

They had no more words.

The next day, the bodies of the Commandery Prince’s Consort and the young prince disappeared from the palace, and Prince Rong also vanished without a trace from Cian Palace. Lord Shi, along with the Imperial Guard, searched the entire Imperial Palace but could find no trace of the family. That night, the Empress Dowager hesitated and, suffering from unbearable headaches in Cian Palace, attempted to hang herself. Fortunately, she was discovered early and saved.

The court was in uproar!

People had not yet recovered from this news when banners were raised by the Min Family in Jiangnan, joined by the Min and Liu Families, along with their family retainers, local defense forces, and temporarily recruited troops, totaling twelve thousand men, capturing Yangzhou and Zhenjiang Prefectures on the first day.

Han Cheng had not yet reached Henan Road when news came from Wei Hui Prefecture again. Wei Hui Prefecture had fallen, and Zhangde Prefecture was in danger, with the rebel army growing from a thousand to nearly ten thousand and still expanding.

A band of a thousand marauders roamed within Shandong, committing arson, murder, and robbery, causing great suffering among the people. The Shandong Governor, Lord Xu Wei, mobilized city guards to actively suppress the bandits.

A border trade disturbance erupted in Miaojiang, with a large number of Miao people wielding knives against the border city’s civilians.

In an instant, fires ignited everywhere!

Fourth Master Xiao began returning later and later, sometimes not even reaching home by midnight. Fortunately, Tong Quanzi and Tong Minzhi were staying at the mansion, so Xiqiu had someone to talk to. Xu Tianqing still sneaked out, refusing to leave Xiqiu’s side, talking about past events... Xiqiu did not drive him away, letting him stay with Tong Quanzi and Tong Minzhi.

She often sighed, not knowing how Xu Tianqing would feel about the current situation with Lord Xu once he recovered from his illness.

On the eighth day of the second lunar month, the northern wind howled; the gates that once should have seen disaster victims returning home now saw even more gathering...

The city’s porridge shops were rebuilt anew, providing porridge and food, with Xiqiu still having Nanny Cen and Tiancheng oversee the setting up of a porridge shop outside the city, going in and out every day.

On the ninth day of the second lunar month, the Min Family Army attacked Changzhou... The bodies of the Commandery Prince’s Consort and her child, as well as Prince Rong, remained missing.

On the tenth day of the second lunar month, General Zhenyuan led troops to suppress the Miaojiang rebellion.

Xiqiu spoke with the Grand Dowager about having Tong Quanzi and Tong Minzhi staying at the mansion, and decided to have Nanny Cen bring Xing to stay at the mansion for a few days, temporarily giving Mr. Song a break, which the Grand Dowager readily agreed to, having Xing sent over.

That afternoon, Fourth Master Xiao, having stayed in the palace for several consecutive days, was finally allowed to return to the mansion to wash up and change clothes by the Emperor. Riding into the mansion, he encountered a servant of Xiao Yancheng at the East Corner Gate. The servant bowed to Fourth Master Xiao and smiled, "Fourth Master, Third Master invites you to the mansion for a chat!"

Fourth Master Xiao let out a snort through his nose, and the servant continued meaningfully, "Third Master said if Fourth Master is unwilling to come, then let me show this to Fourth Master. Once you see it, you will surely follow me." The servant then took out a sheet of paper from his sleeve and handed it to Fourth Master Xiao. It was an impression of the treaty Xiao Yanyi had signed back then.

Fourth Master Xiao’s brow arched, and he sneered coldly, "As expected, it’s in his hands!" The servant smiled and said, "Fourth Master, both the Marquis and the Grand Dowager are waiting for you at the mansion."

It was a threat!

Fourth Master Xiao’s eyes narrowed, a sharpness within them as he leapt down from his horse and said, "Tell Xiao Yancheng, I will be there in half an hour!"

The servant complied, bowing and retreating.

Fourth Master Xiao returned home and spoke with Xiqiu. Xiqiu, looking tense, asked, "Does he want you to aid Prince Rong?" Then she paused and added, "With Mother and Sister-in-law in his hands, will he do something drastic?"

She truly had no confidence in Xiao Yancheng’s character.

Fourth Master Xiao held her hand and said, "Stay at home and don’t go out no matter what happens." He paused and added, "I’ve arranged for guards to stay at the mansion. Third Brother and his fellow apprentices are also here, so don’t worry!"

Xiqiu also felt that tonight was destined not to be peaceful, as Xiao Yancheng had been quiet for so long, yet called Fourth Master Xiao at this time...

"Fourth Master, please be careful."

Fourth Master Xiao nodded, turned, and strode out!

Riding to the entrance of the Xuanning Marquis Mansion, people had already been waiting by the door. Fourth Master Xiao, with hands clasped behind his back, strode into the Grand Dowager’s courtyard, where ten maidservants dressed in Miao Clan attire stood guard at the door. Without turning his head, Fourth Master Xiao entered to find Xiao Yancheng smiling and sitting in the main seat with the Third Madam.

Neither the Grand Dowager, First Madam, nor Xiao Yanyi were present.

"Fourth Brother, please sit!" Xiao Yancheng said with a faint smile.