The Road to Glory

Chapter 103: Mother

Dark clouds veiled the moon, and under the pitch-black night sky, thick smoke billowed from the distant Zhou Family manor, flames soaring toward the heavens. The acrid stench of burning was carried far and wide by the night wind.

Though the commoners along the street heard the roaring flames and desperate cries, peeking through cracks in their doors to see the state soldiers flooding the streets and cannonballs hurtling toward the Zhou Family manor, none dared to open their doors. They all feigned ignorance, tightly shutting their windows and doors, even muffling the cries of their children.

Xiao Li led Zhou Sui and his group, who had escaped the Zhou Family manor, into a narrow alley. Zhou Sui had been practically dragged along by the square-faced man during their frantic run. Now, leaning against a moss-covered brick wall, his hair roots soaked with sweat and the blood on his face made stickier by the heat, he had no energy to care.

His thin chest heaved violently, his panting like a broken bellows, as he spoke to Xiao Li in broken phrases: "I received news... that Auntie was in the west wing of the government office’s rear courtyard. My men went to rescue her, but they were trapped like turtles in a jar, accused of stealing the defense layout. Immediately after, the Thousand Machines Battalion surrounded the manor with heavy siege equipment and began the slaughter..."

Earlier, he hadn’t had time to say a word before the government soldiers who had breached the front courtyard of the Zhou Family manor surged into the rear courtyard. In the urgent situation, Xiao Li had fought their way out with them.

Now, recounting the events of the past half-day, his eyes once again turned bloodshot. Tears rolled from his eyes as he strained to lift his head, his Adam’s apple bobbing, yet he couldn’t swallow down the suffocating weight of his agony. His fingers clenched tightly: "This was premeditated. Pei Song went to great lengths to eradicate all of my Zhou Family’s influence in Yongzhou. Whether the news of Auntie still being alive is true or false... I no longer know."

Perhaps the pain was too overwhelming; by the end, his voice had grown hoarse.

The distant flames dyed half the sky crimson. Xiao Li’s face was mostly hidden in the shadows. After a moment of silence, he reached out and clasped Zhou Sui’s shoulder, saying, "Regardless, thank you."

Zhou Sui had kept his jaw tightly clenched, but in the end, he couldn’t withstand the mounting ache in his eyes. Shaking his head, he let out a choked, broken sob: "It’s my incompetence, my arrogance... I got Uncle Zhong and the others killed..."

He had thought he’d grasped the military intelligence about Pei Song’s grain transport, convinced Pei Song wouldn’t set another trap for him. He had planned that if they successfully rescued Xiao Huiniang, he would use the Xu Family’s water routes to secretly send her to Pingzhou. If exposed, he and his old subordinates would fight desperately, catching Pei Song’s Hawk Hounds stationed in Yongzhou off guard, then flee south with Xiao Huiniang and his men to seek refuge with Wen Yu.

That way, he could strike first before Pei Song moved to eliminate him.

But his so-called foolproof plan had been a joke from start to finish.

This was a death trap laid out specifically for him.

Pei Song was the true player outside the chessboard, directing the entire game.

His emotional breakdown moved the Manor Guards and old subordinates who had narrowly escaped death to also redden their eyes. Remembering their comrades who had fallen to the hail of arrows and cannon fire, each of them felt a deep, wrenching sorrow.

Xiao Li’s hand on Zhou Sui’s shoulder tightened, but he offered no further words of comfort.

Some pains are rendered hollow by too many words. They must be endured with gritted teeth, remembered with hatred, and avenged.Distant, chaotic footsteps approached, mingled with the faint shouts of provincial soldiers conducting their search. Xiao Li lifted his gaze to glance in that direction.

The square-faced man who had been protecting Zhou Sui along the way also paled, urging Zhou Sui, "Young master, revenge is a dish best served cold. Let's find a way out of the city first!"

Xiao Li rose with his blade in hand and said to the man, "Take your young master and go."

Having witnessed Xiao Li's formidable martial skills during their earlier fight to escape the Zhou residence, the man knew their safety would be greatly assured with Xiao Li accompanying them. Seeing Xiao Li head toward the alley's exit, he hurriedly asked, "Aren't you coming with us?"

Xiao Li had already reached the alley's mouth. Under the dark red sky tinged by firelight, he half-turned his face and replied, "I'll draw the pursuers away."

The Zhou Family's mansion seemed almost entirely consumed by flames. The distant firelight dimmed, and a circle of gray-black smoke rose beneath the faint red hue of the night sky. The wind blowing from that direction carried flakes of ash.

Xiao Li withdrew his long blade from the last fallen provincial soldier, his robe spattered with droplets of blood. Hearing the sound of chaotic footsteps approaching from behind, he glanced sideways.

The few former Zhou Family retainers who had caught up met his calm, indifferent eyes and saw the scattered corpses at his feet. They swallowed nervously, halting several yards away, and reported their purpose: "We are here under the young master's orders to assist... assist you, sir!"

The latter part of their statement was noticeably lacking in confidence.

Xiao Li paid no further attention to the newcomers, sheathing his blade as he said, "Thank your young master for his kindness. I've already dealt with the pursuers. You may return."

The men sensed Xiao Li's clear disinterest in traveling with them and grew anxious, scrambling to find more persuasive words. "But... sir..."

Before they could finish, a sudden explosion echoed from the western part of the city. Turning to look, they saw towering flames erupting there as well.

One of the former retainers, familiar with the city's layout, expressed surprise: "The western district is mostly residential lanes. How could a fire break out there tonight?"

At the sight of those flames, Xiao Li's brow twitched sharply. From the main street behind them, cavalrymen galloped closer, shouting from a distance for them to surrender.

The retainers, noticing Xiao Li still fixated on the growing fire in the west, called out loudly, urging him to flee separately through the alleys. Yet Xiao Li remained oblivious to all sounds around him, his gaze locked on the intensifying blaze.

As the approaching rider and his warhorse were about to crash into him, the cavalryman on horseback, face contorted with fury, drew his saber and swung it at Xiao Li. The retainers watched in terror, their hearts nearly failing, as they rushed to push him aside—but it was already too late.

The warhorse's whinny pierced the air, and blood splattered beneath its hooves—but it was not Xiao Li's blood.

By the time the retainers recovered from their shock, only the cavalryman's corpse remained on the ground. Xiao Li had seized the horse and was galloping straight toward the western city.

Two hours earlier, at the Yongzhou government office.

The strategy meeting had concluded. After ensuring Zhou Sui—who had deliberately lingered until last—was far enough away, the commanding general pushed open the door to the adjacent room and addressed the person inside respectfully: "Minister, the bait has been cast."

The room was dimly lit, its window only slightly ajar. At the far end of a sandalwood desk stood a flat-mouthed lotus vat, where palm-sized lotus leaves surrounded two slender lotus flowers. Beneath the surface, faint movements of thumb-sized crimson-scaled fish could be seen.Through the narrow gap in the window, one could just catch a glimpse of Zhou Sui's figure passing by the opposite corridor.

Pei Song pinched fish food from the nearby bait box and scattered it into the lotus pond, watching several crimson-scaled fish peck at it. He remarked idly, "The fish are clever and excessively cautious, but as long as enough bait is cast, there will always be a moment when they let their guard down."

A faint smile lifted the corner of his lips as he turned to the general. "Next, we must be prepared to reel in the line at any moment."

The general clasped his fists and bowed his head. "This humble general understands."

After the general withdrew, a guard emerged from the shadows and addressed Pei Song, "Master, news has come from Pingzhou—Xiao Li is dead."

Pei Song took a cloth to wipe his hands, which had been soiled by the fish food, and raised an eyebrow slightly. His tone remained casual but carried a clear note of sarcasm. "As expected, it's the same old practice passed down through their Wen Shi lineage."

The guard flattered, "Master's foresight is divine. By sending Yan Que ahead as a spy, we've set a precedent. How could Han Yang not fear the well after being bitten by a snake once? Those Liang traitors preach benevolence and righteousness—why not seize this opportunity to expose the despicable deeds of the Wen Shi clan to the world?"

"Once the reputation for mistakenly killing loyal subjects out of suspicion is established, the reputation Han Yang has painstakingly built will be ruined. Then, Master can take the chance to overturn the unjust cases of ministers wronged over the past decades. By then, Wen Shi Hanyang will be like a rat scurrying across the street, despised by all. Perhaps without Master even lifting a finger, that rabble at the Southern Border will collapse on their own!"

The guard grew more excited as he spoke, but Pei Song did not respond. Only after meticulously wiping his hands did he set down the cloth and ask, "Has Han Yang publicly declared that Xiao Li was a spy?"

Hearing the implication in Pei Song's words, the guard's smile faded slightly. He cautiously studied Pei Song's expression and replied, "No. Pingzhou is currently claiming that Xiao Li contracted a chronic illness while suppressing bandits and has gone to Yantang to train new recruits and recuperate. They must be suppressing the news to avoid unsettling the troops before the major battle."

Pei Song cast him a casual glance. "In that case, Han Yang has neither identified Xiao Li as a traitor nor announced his death. How do you plan to proclaim to the world that Han Yang mistakenly killed a loyal subordinate?"

The guard was stumped. Indeed, if Han Yang had executed Xiao Li under the pretext of him being a spy and made it public, they could deny it and wield the same blade twice, using rumors and public sentiment to strike another blow at Han Yang.

But the problem now was that Han Yang had not done so. Instead, she had temporarily suppressed the matter, clearly cutting off any possibility for them to exploit it.

Realizing this, the guard felt ashamed and bowed his head. "This subordinate was foolish and presumptuous."

Pei Song watched the crimson-scaled fish chasing and pecking in the lotus bowl, his eyes shadowed but his tone light. "The Wen Shi clan has always been greedy for life and afraid of death, but they're not stupid either."

The guard recalled another matter and cautiously said, "Master, since Xiao Li is dead, and the woman living in the west wing has already had information deliberately leaked to Zhou Sui as you instructed... You still need to rush to Jinzhou. What should be done with that woman?"

Pei Song's journey was not solely for Yongzhou. Setting a trap to eliminate Zhou Sui and the old Zhou Family factions behind him was only one objective. Since provisions and supplies were to be transported by water, he naturally had to personally inspect the shipping routes. Along the way, he would also go to Jinzhou to supervise the progress of the city defense construction.The bait had been cast to Zhou Sui. Regardless of whether he would suspect the authenticity of the naval defenses, as long as he attempted to investigate, the charges would become real.

Including intentionally letting Zhou Sui know Xiao Huiniang’s residence—that was also one of the baits.

Just as Pei Song had said, when enough bait is laid, even the most cunning fish will eventually become disoriented.

The moment Zhou Sui bites any one of them, the hook will be immediately pulled.

Xiao Huiniang had clearly outlived her usefulness. The true meaning behind the guard’s question was whether Pei Song intended to end Xiao Huiniang’s life.

When Pei Song stepped into the western wing of the government office, Xiao Huiniang was sitting on a small stool by the door, doing needlework. Seeing him arrive, she happily found another stool, inviting him to sit, and chattered warmly with him. Worried he might be thirsty, she hurried inside to pour him tea.

Sitting on the low stool Xiao Huiniang had brought him and accepting the tea bowl she handed over, Pei Song’s expression turned slightly uneasy, though his face appeared more amiable than ever: “My apologies, Madam. I was mistaken—your son did not return to Yongzhou, and his current whereabouts remain unknown. I have met with the young master, and he is deeply concerned about you. However, with General Pei currently in charge of Yongzhou, it is unwise for him to visit you openly to avoid drawing attention.”

Upon hearing there was no news of her son, Xiao Huiniang’s eyes dimmed briefly, but she quickly smiled again and said, “It’s alright. No news is the best news. Huan’er killed a high-ranking general in this city—he must be lying low carefully.”

At this point, a trace of guilt surfaced in her expression: “But I’ve caused trouble for you and the young master. Over the past six months, it’s been entirely thanks to you, young man, dragging this old woman around in hiding. I’ve always felt somewhat apologetic in my heart.”

Her gaze was compassionate and serene, stirring that peculiar feeling in Pei Song once more—he had no doubt that even a roadside beggar who had never known his own mother would, under her gaze, feel as though she were his own.

Pei Song lowered his eyes, avoiding her gaze, and said, “You are too kind. Taking you away from Yongzhou to lay low was the young master’s decision. I was merely following orders.”

Xiao Huiniang continued to smile kindly: “The young master and his lady are both merciful as bodhisattvas, but how could it not be hard for you guards? Besides, I know very well how you’ve treated this old woman…”

She shot Pei Song a reproachful yet affectionate glance—an unconscious intimacy that felt genuine and naturally endearing.

Pei Song was momentarily stunned. In that brief moment, Xiao Huiniang had already retrieved a newly sewn pair of brocade boots from beneath her sewing basket and handed them to him, saying, “You people are always running around outside, wearing out shoes quickly. I noticed your feet are about the same size as my Huan’er’s, so I made you a pair with double stitching according to his measurements. They’ll last longer than the ones sold in the market.”

Lost in thought, Pei Song hadn’t even figured out how to refuse by the time the shoes were in his hands. Xiao Huiniang, meanwhile, picked up a half-sewn garment from her sewing basket and held it up against him, murmuring, “I’ll make you a set of clothes too. The next time you visit, you should be able to take them with you…”Pei Song grew increasingly silent. When Xiao Huiniang continued her incessant murmuring, he interjected, "Madam, although the uproar over Xing Lie's death has subsided, the government office remains rather unsafe. The young master fears something untoward might happen and has instructed me to find another place to settle you."

X Xiao Huiniang was taken aback for a moment, then replied with a cheerful smile, "Very well! If the commotion has indeed passed, my family originally had a residence in Yongcheng. I might as well return home to wait. This way, if my little badger ever comes back, he won't find no one there."

Author's Note: Thank you to the little angels who voted for me with their overlord tickets or irrigated with nutrient solutions between 2024-06-19 21:30:34 and 2024-06-22 23:59:35~

Special thanks to the little angels who cast landmines: 55916763, Lu Tang, and Nan Ye's Cat (1 each);

Gratitude to the little angels who provided nutrient solutions: Cong Zuo Tian Kai Shi, Ya Ya Ya Ya, and Zhi Zhi (10 bottles each); Qing Ni Chi Sheng Cai and Qing Feng Chan Ming (4 bottles each); Yi Hou Ai Chi Zhu Zi (3 bottles); Tai Yang Nuan Yang Yang and Chen Yu Bai (2 bottles each); Xiao Zhao, 72410655, Sui Sui Tao Yan Sui Sui, 45814802, Stella, Pang Hu Li, Shi Ye You Cheng San Xiao Jie, Ming Yun, kfpy_L, Ani, Gao, Mu Zi Shuo Shu, and Gai Ge Ming Ba (1 bottle each);

I am deeply grateful for everyone's support and will continue to work hard!