“Wait!” A plainly dressed young man stood up, his gaze resolute. “Elder Han, Elder Yang He was personally appointed by Elder Nangong. Even if punishment is necessary, shouldn’t we at least wait for him to return?”
“And what if he never returns?”
The chamber erupted in murmurs. Only a few high-ranking elders remained unfazed—clearly privy to inside information.
“You—” Li Guozhong stared at Elder Han in disbelief.
Elder Han scoffed. “Li Guozhong, I never expected you of all people to oppose me. So your usual silence was just an act, huh?”
Clenching his teeth, Li Guozhong retorted, “Everyone has seen Elder Yang He’s efforts. Yes, problems arose during his tenure, but they were all highly circumstantial and require further investigation. Elder Han, by pinning all these false charges on him without evidence, how are you any different from Qin Hui*?”
An elderly man beside him tugged urgently at his sleeve. When that failed, he forced a conciliatory smile. “Elder Han, please forgive him. Xiao Li is still young and impulsive. Don’t take his words to heart.”
“Shifu!” Li Guozhong raised his voice at his master for the first time, his throat bobbing with indignation. “Didn’t you teach me that those in power must hold fast to their moral principles, no matter how dire the circumstances? That not an inch of that line should be crossed? That’s exactly what I’m doing today.”
“You—” His master was left speechless.
“I’m sorry, Shifu. I know you’re trying to protect me. If I just pretended nothing happened today, I’d avoid trouble. But—” He paused, glaring at Elder Han. “I, Li Guozhong, would rather be a broken jade than an unblemished tile!“
Elder Han’s expression darkened. “Old Wei, you’ve certainly raised a remarkable disciple. Since he’s so courageous, why not let him accompany Yang He? They’re both young—at least they’ll have company.”
Old Wei struggled internally before finally yielding. “As Elder Han decrees. I have no objections.”
In the end, both Yang He and Li Guozhong were taken away by Nie Yun.
That afternoon, the Elder Council officially announced the execution of Yang He—the “mastermind behind the chaos”—and assured the nation that the Chu Province crisis would be resolved within a month.
The protests subsided, but unrest began brewing within the Northern Dipper. The day after Yang He’s arrest, the Council abruptly announced that the funeral of Celestial Elder Nangong Xuan would be held the following month. All personnel of commander rank or higher were required to attend.
As for why the funeral was delayed, the Council claimed they were negotiating with foreign forces to repatriate his remains.
First, the “traitor” Yang He plunged the nation into turmoil. Then, Nangong Xuan—the empire’s strongest warrior—was ambushed and killed by foreign powers.
The first month of the new year was dominated by relentless news cycles and public outcry, the storm only beginning to wane by month’s end.
…..
Jiangcheng – Shen Hong’s Office
Su Mo and Ye Qingyi sat across from Shen Hong, discussing matters related to the Qingyu Association. Over the past month, the two had become regular visitors. Thanks to “Ye Qingyi’s” persistent assurances and “Su Mo’s” impressive performance, Shen Hong had finally accepted “Su Mo” as her future brother-in-law, no longer excluding him from sensitive matters.
“Qingyi, the Qingyu Association is the greatest legacy your sister left you. You cannot let it fall into Liao Yu’s hands.”
“Understood. We’ve already reclaimed part of it thanks to your help, Sister Hong. We wouldn’t have progressed this quickly without you.”
“Now you’re being too formal. If you’re calling me ‘Sister Hong,’ drop the thanks.”
As their meeting concluded around lunchtime, Su Mo suddenly asked, “Sister Hong, how is my sister doing? She used to call and visit often, but these past few months, it’s like she’s vanished. I can’t reach her at all.”
He hesitated before continuing, “And the things she said last time… they left me uneasy. Like she was in danger. She’s my only family in this world. I don’t want anything to happen to her.”
Shen Hong sighed deeply. “That workaholic? She probably forgot her own existence while buried in missions. But don’t worry—with her skills, she’ll be fine.”
The vague answer only sharpened Su Mo’s suspicions. “Has she run into trouble? Please, Sister Hong, tell me the truth. I think my current clearance level qualifies me to know.”
Shen Hong pulled him into a brief hug. Ye Qingyi, standing nearby, showed no reaction.
“Fine. If you insist, I’ll tell you everything—but not until your birthday. Consider it your coming-of-age gift.”
Su Mo blinked innocently. “Sister Hong, you’re not just saying that to avoid buying me a present, are you?”
Shen Hong: “???”
Ye Qingyi: “???”
Shen Hong shoved him away, pinching his cheeks and squishing them mercilessly. “Since when did our Qingyi become so mischievous? Teasing your sister like this—did you learn this from him?” She shot a glare at the “him” in question—Ye Qingyi.
Ye Qingyi opened her mouth, feeling utterly wronged.
He’s the one being cheeky! Why am I getting blamed?!
Hmph. This is all Su Mo’s fault. Just wait till later…
Noticing her expression, Su Mo grinned inwardly.
I love seeing her fume helplessly like this.
“Sister, Su Mo treats Qingyi very well. He’d never teach her such things.” He nudged Ye Qingyi. “Right?”
Ye Qingyi rolled her eyes. “Mhm~“
Shen Hong raised an eyebrow. Were these two really flirting right in front of her? She hurriedly interjected, “Alright, alright. I promise you two gifts then. Happy?”
“Thank you, Sister Hong!”
…..
Once alone, Ye Qingyi immediately seized Su Mo’s ear. “Oh, you’ve gotten bold, haven’t you?”
“Ow ow ow—keep pulling and I’ll scream for help!”
“Go ahead. I’m your girlfriend—who’s going to stop me?”
Huh?
Normally, she always insisted on the “boyfriend” title to tease him. Why the sudden switch? Did she misspeak?
But when he saw her flushed cheeks and the way she stubbornly turned away without explanation, realization struck.
She did that on purpose!
Good. I was starting to worry she’d develop… peculiar tendencies.
Still, according to romantic tropes, this was the moment where he should tilt her chin up and swoop in for a dramatic kiss. Yet every time the thought crossed his mind, an inner voice mocked:
“Are you that desperate? Even your own reflection looks appealing now?”