Chapter 56: Rebellious Disciple!

"This junior prince pays respects to Father-in-law and Mother-in-law!"

With everything, overt and covert, finally settled, the group gathered once more in the main reception hall. Before everyone present, Shang Chaozong performed the rites of a junior and formally changed how he addressed Feng Lingbo and Peng Yulan in the seats of honor. Husband and wife likewise presented him with gifts for their first meeting as in-laws. Standing to one side and watching the ceremony, Shang Shuqing's eyes had already filled with tears. She felt her brother had been wronged.

She thought of their parents.

If Father and Mother were still alive, how could her brother's marriage ever have been arranged so hastily?

At the same time, emotion welled up in her. These past few years had not been easy for either sibling, whether for the one imprisoned inside the Imperial Prison or the one struggling outside it.

Her brother had only just left prison, yet in the blink of an eye he was about to marry. She did not know whether the tears were from relief. Fortunately, the veil concealed them from everyone else. Lan Ruoting watched with a smile as well, but melancholy filled his heart. If Prince Ning were still alive, how could things have come to this? Feng Lingbo and Peng Yulan were no less emotional.

In years past, the idea that Prince Ning's son might become their son-in-law was something they would never even have dared imagine. Once the formal rites ended, the Feng household began changing how they addressed their new son-in-law. Red-envelope rewards were distributed in return. Lan Ruoting had prepared for this in advance. Even the household servants received one gold coin each.

It was exceptionally generous.

Those who received the rewards were naturally overjoyed, thanking him repeatedly and calling Shang Chaozong "Young Master-in-law" with great warmth.

Sometimes that was simply how things worked. Before a man like Feng Lingbo, Lan Ruoting could frankly admit that his purse was empty. But it would have been inappropriate to be stingy with the servants. Feng Lingbo could disregard such worldly possessions. Servants depended on them to live.

They cared.

If the gifts were too meager, the servants would look down on Shang Chaozong and mutter privately about his stinginess. Even in decline, Shang Chaozong could not afford that kind of whispering around the household. Lan Ruoting still had to preserve this much face for him. Fortunately, Shang Chaozong's people had stripped the monks of Nanshan Temple clean earlier. Lan Ruoting could still afford this amount. When they were about to leave, Feng Lingbo gave Shang Chaozong what sounded like a teasing reminder.

"Worthy son-in-law, rest properly these next two days. Get your strength back for the bridal chamber. And don't go selling warhorses again."

Now that everything had been settled, his attitude changed immediately. There was no reason to keep making things difficult for Shang Chaozong and spend effort only to earn resentment. The remark carried a certain intention to reassure his future son-in-law.

Shang Chaozong flushed with embarrassment.

Thinking of Niu Youdao's rotten idea about selling warhorses left him not knowing whether to laugh or cry. He even began to suspect Niu Youdao had overthought matters. Feng Lingbo and his wife did not seem nearly so difficult to deal with. Knowing Shang Chaozong's side was short of money, they had taken over the entire wedding themselves. The Commandery Governor's residence would handle everything. Once the group left the residence, several people turned in their saddles to look back at it.

The whole affair felt like a dream. A road that had seemed jagged and nearly impossible had somehow been flattened beneath their feet. Shang Chaozong was actually going to marry Feng Lingbo's daughter.

When they first left the capital, panicked and uncertain what future awaited them, none of them could have dreamed such an unbelievable turn would occur. The personal guards accompanying them rode with straighter backs and renewed energy.

Their spirits were high.

Everyone knew Feng Lingbo was a regional lord who held troops for his own ends. Now that their prince was marrying Feng Lingbo's daughter, the imperial court would certainly not dare act rashly.

A genuine road to survival had appeared before them without any need for a desperate fight to the death. How could they not be happy? Shang Shuqing's thoughts had already returned ahead of her to the garden estate where they were temporarily staying. She thought of the man who casually used his sword as a walking stick.

She thought of the man lounging beneath a peach tree blazing like rosy clouds, reciting poetry with lazy ease. The corner of her mouth lifted into a faint smile. Looking back now, that scene beneath the peach tree seemed beautiful. In this chaotic age, it somehow gave her an inexplicable sense of safety... Lofty mountains rose in majestic ranks, rich with the spirit of Heaven and Earth.

Inside Shangqing Palace, the Sect Leader and three Elders sat cross-legged on meditation cushions.

Tang Yi sat above.

Below her, to left and right, were Luo Yuangong, Su Po, and Tang Susu. A sheet of paper passed from hand to hand among the four. Its contents had arrived from the outside world by Goldenwing. Tang Yi read it and fell silent. Luo Yuangong read it and slowly shook his head again and again. Su Po remained as calm and expressionless as ever.

Tang Susu frowned deeply.

The news had spread outward from Guangyi Commandery. The Shangqing Sect might have declined, but it was not completely blind or deaf. It could still catch at least some of the information circulating outside. Luo Yuangong broke the silence in the hall with a sigh.

"Feng Lingbo is actually marrying his daughter to Shang Chaozong. It's simply unbelievable. Can the Tianyu Sect withstand the pressure from the present court? Without the Tianyu Sect's approval, Feng Lingbo would never have the courage to do this. What does the Sect Leader think?"

Tang Yi said, "With Great Yan now beset by troubles within and enemies without, if this marriage truly goes through, it means Feng Lingbo is determined to protect Shang Chaozong and must also believe he has the ability to keep him safe. Otherwise, he would never dare proceed. In that case, even the present emperor may not dare tear away all pretense completely. It seems we underestimated Shang Chaozong. He truly forced open a road to survival for himself. A tiger father does not beget a dog son."

As she spoke, she looked toward Tang Susu. Tang Susu gave a cold snort.

"The days ahead are still long. Whether he has truly found a road to survival remains to be seen. In any case, our choice was correct. Cutting all ties with Prince Ning is beneficial to the Shangqing Sect and harms us in no way. Otherwise, Shang Chaozong has now mixed himself up with Feng Lingbo, a man openly holding troops for his own ends. His rebellious intent could hardly be clearer. That only pours oil onto the fire. The imperial court's anger would inevitably spill onto the Shangqing Sect. The court may not dare do anything to Feng Lingbo, but dealing with the Shangqing Sect would require no more than a single word. We cannot bear that consequence!"

Tang Yi and Su Po expressed no opinion.

Luo Yuangong, however, nodded slightly.

"Junior Sister's words are reasonable."

Just then, a disciple hurried in from outside and cupped his hands.

"Sect Leader, three Elders, Disciple Chen Guishuo requests an audience outside the hall. He says he has an urgent matter to report!"

Tang Susu's eyelids twitched.

Shang Chaozong had run to Guangyi Commandery and become entangled with Feng Lingbo. She had just been wondering where Niu Youdao was and whether Song Yanqing and the others had succeeded. Then, as though summoned by her thoughts, Chen Guishuo returned.

"Can't he see we're discussing matters? What urgent business could he possibly have? Tell him to withdraw for now!"

Tang Susu barked the order.

Certain worries made her unwilling to let Chen Guishuo enter. Luo Yuangong raised a hand to stop the reporting disciple.

"Didn't he leave for the capital with Song Yanqing? Why has he returned so quickly? If he's suddenly back and says the matter is urgent, I doubt he would dare exaggerate in front of us. We might as well let him come in and explain clearly."

Tang Susu could find no proper reason to block him. She thought Chen Guishuo probably would not dare speak recklessly. Could there be some other matter?

She therefore kept silent.

Tang Yi nodded.

"Let him in."

"Yes!"

The disciple who had come to report withdrew. Before long, a travel-worn Chen Guishuo hurried into the hall. The moment he entered, he dropped to his knees before them with a thud, panic written across his face.

"Sect Leader, three Elders, something terrible has happened! Senior Brothers Song Yanqing and Xu Yitian have been killed!"

"Ah!"

All four rose at once.

Xu Yitian was one matter.

Song Yanqing was another.

The Song clan behind him was the Shangqing Sect's final protective barrier. If something happened to Song Yanqing, the Shangqing Sect would have no easy way to explain it to the Song family. Tang Susu flew into a rage.

"Wretch! What nonsense are you spouting?"

Her severe gaze warned Chen Guishuo not to speak recklessly.

Chen Guishuo ignored it completely.

With grief in his voice, he said, "This disciple speaks no nonsense. Senior Brother Song and Senior Brother Xu both died at Niu Youdao's hands. I survived only because Niu Youdao wanted me to return and carry a message."

The others were stunned.

Tang Susu shouted angrily, "Utter nonsense!"

She swept one hand out.

A thick surge of palm force blasted toward Chen Guishuo. Luo Yuangong and Su Po moved almost simultaneously. Each struck out with a palm, intercepting the attack.

Boom!

A heavy crash thundered through the hall as the three palm forces collided.

Violent wind burst outward.

Chen Guishuo, still kneeling, was ripped from the ground and thrown over.

Cold sweat instantly drenched him.

He had deliberately appeared before everyone because he was afraid Tang Susu might silence him. Yet he had never expected the old woman to dare attempt murder openly. He had underestimated how ruthless she was. If the other two Elders had not acted, he would already be dead. The realization left him genuinely terrified. Of course, he had not ignored Tang Susu's warning without support. On the journey back, men from the Song clan had intercepted him and instructed him how to proceed.

With the Song family behind him, he had little reason to fear. Tang Yi pressed her lips tightly together as she looked at the furious Tang Susu. Compared with the others, she had some idea what was happening. Tang Susu had already hinted that she would not leave Niu Youdao as a future danger. Tang Yi simply had not expected her to use Song Yanqing to do it. Luo Yuangong flashed forward and stood between Chen Guishuo and Tang Susu.

The Shangqing Sect had never before had a disciple nearly killed simply for reporting what had happened.

He stared at Tang Susu.

"Junior Sister, why act like this? What can't be spoken properly?"

Tang Susu shouted, "He's plainly speaking nonsense! Song Yanqing was going to the capital. Niu Youdao was heading toward Canglu County. They were traveling in different directions. How could they possibly encounter one another? This man clearly harbors malicious intentions!"

Chen Guishuo panicked.

He immediately shouted, "Elder Tang, are you trying to kill me to silence me?"

Under these circumstances, he had to protect himself.

Tang Susu's fury soared.

"Rebellious disciple!"

She flashed forward again, clearly intending another killing blow. Su Po's figure blurred and appeared in front of her.

"Let him finish speaking first. It won't be too late afterward."

Luo Yuangong slowly stepped beside Su Po, shoulder to shoulder. The two clearly intended to block Tang Susu together.

"Junior Sister, calm yourself. Do not act recklessly!"

The words were already a warning. Facing both men together, Tang Susu knew she could not force her way through. She abruptly turned toward Tang Yi.

"Sect Leader, this villain was clearly sent by someone to sow discord among us. I ask the Sect Leader to judge wisely!"

Luo Yuangong said, "Sect Leader, within the Shangqing Palace, surely a Shangqing Sect disciple has at least the right to speak. Whether this is an attempt to sow discord or not, there is no harm in hearing him out. There is even less reason to attempt to kill a disciple before we've understood what happened. There is no such principle!"

Tang Susu glared furiously at Tang Yi. But her position was plainly unreasonable. How could Tang Yi openly favor her against both the Elder of Instruction and the Protector Elder?

Even the normally taciturn Su Po added in a flat voice, "Junior Sister, you've gone a little too far."

"Hmph!"

Tang Susu flung her sleeve with a cold snort and turned her back on them.

Luo Yuangong looked down at Chen Guishuo and said heavily, "Speak. What exactly happened?"

With his life temporarily preserved, the tension in Chen Guishuo's chest eased slightly.

He hurriedly said, "Senior Brother Song never went to the capital. Saying he was going there was only a pretext. In truth, he secretly acted on Elder Tang's instructions, setting an ambush at Nanshan Temple along the route in order to eliminate Niu Youdao..."

"Ridiculous!"

Tang Susu gave a disdainful snort.

[End of Chapter 56]