Chapter 14: Letter from the Xiao Sect
Early in the morning, just as the sky was beginning to lighten, the Xiao Clan Master, Xiao Yunhai, was awakened from his deep sleep by a series of urgent knocks at the door. “Clan Master! Clan Master, are you awake?”
Xiao Yunhai opened his eyes, glanced at the light outside, and frowned. “What is it so early in the morning?”
“It… it’s the Xiao… Xiao Sect! A letter from the Xiao Sect!” A voice trembling with excitement came from outside.
“What? The Xiao Sect?!”
This supreme figure of the Xiao Clan, who could strut around Liuyun City without fear, shot up from his bed as if a sharp knife had stabbed him in the rear. His reaction was so violent that he nearly tumbled straight onto the floor. Hastily, he threw on his clothes, not even bothering to comb his hair, and rushed to the door as fast as he could. He yanked it open and grabbed the Xiao Clan disciple standing outside, his eyes wide as he roared, “You said Xiao Sect? Are you talking about the Xiao Sect?!”
“Yes! The Xiao Sect, absolutely true!” The disciple swallowed hard, nodded emphatically, and quickly presented the letter in his hands to Xiao Yunhai. “On the letter is the Heavenly Eagle Seal of the Xiao Sect! In all of the Cang Feng Empire, no one would dare to forge the Xiao Sect’s unique mark.”
When his gaze fell upon the Heavenly Eagle imprint on the letter, Xiao Yunhai’s entire body shuddered. He snatched the letter, tore open the envelope with trembling—yet careful—hands, and pulled out the thin sheet inside.
The Xiao Sect. Though its name differed from that of their Xiao Clan by only a single word, the difference between them was like that between clouds and mud! The Xiao Clan could barely dominate Liuyun City, but across the Cang Feng Continent, they were utterly insignificant. The Xiao Sect, however, was one of the four mightiest sects that looked down upon the Cang Feng Empire—famed alongside Tian Jian Villa, Bing Yun Fairy Palace, and Fen Tian Gate. For the Xiao Clan, it was an existence so transcendent that they were unworthy even to gaze upward.
To put it bluntly, even a servant boy in the Xiao Sect’s storage room might look down upon the legitimate Clan Master of the Xiao Clan.
Yet, there was indeed some connection between the Xiao Clan and the Xiao Sect. One hundred and sixty years ago, the founder of the Liuyun City Xiao Clan, Xiao Bieli, had been a member of the Xiao Sect—more precisely, a discarded disciple. Rumors even said he was the son of one of the sect’s elders. However, Xiao Bieli was born after that elder, in a drunken stupor, lost control and raped a maidservant of the Xiao Sect. From childhood, he was plain-looking, of extremely poor talent, and the subject of much gossip and slander. The elder detested him deeply. By the time he came of age, his profound force was the very lowest among his peers. Allowing him to remain in the Xiao Sect would only bring shame to the elder. So, seizing the perfect opportunity, the elder sent him off to the godforsaken little Liuyun City, helped him establish a small Xiao Clan, and thereafter cut off all contact, forbidding him from ever associating with the Xiao Sect again.
Yet Xiao Bieli had always been proud of his birth in the Xiao Sect. He spent his entire life diligently cultivating his profound force, hoping to achieve something great so that one day he might be acknowledged by the Xiao Sect and return. But that wish never came true, even up to the day he died. After his death, however, this aspiration was passed down from generation to generation within the Xiao Clan, becoming the ultimate goal for every member. Especially each successive Clan Master of the Xiao Clan—all of them longed, with all their hearts, to use the faint trace of Xiao Sect bloodline within them to forge a connection, no matter how slight. But over the many years that passed, not a single person in the Xiao Clan had ever fulfilled that wish. The Xiao Sect was like a celestial palace to them—utterly beyond reach.
But today, the Xiao Sect had actually taken the initiative to send a letter! How could Xiao Yunhai not be overjoyed, trembling as if in a dream?
Reading the contents word by word, Xiao Yunhai’s face turned crimson, and his breathing grew ragged. He extended a finger, pointing shakily outside, and rasped, “Quick… go notify all the elders and stewards to assemble in the Council Hall immediately! Tell them that a matter of great importance concerning the future of the Xiao Clan is to be discussed… hurry!”
“Ah… yes!” The Xiao Clan disciple hurriedly acknowledged and scurried away in panic.
………………………………………………
Xiao Che, clutching a large red blanket, carefully pushed open the door and slipped into his room. There, he found Xia Qingyue already fully dressed, sitting by the bedside. Her beautiful eyes, serene as still water, looked at him without a ripple.
Xiao Che tossed the blanket onto the table and, without a hint of guilt, asked, “Wife, up so early? Did you sleep well last night?”
“Aren’t you going to tell me where you went last night?” Xia Qingyue’s beautiful eyes narrowed slightly as she asked coolly.
“No need.” Xiao Che stretched and began tidying his hair in front of the mirror. “Because I know you’re definitely not interested.”
Xia Qingyue: “…”
Though he had spent the previous night on the back mountain nestled with Xiao Lingxi, he woke up feeling surprisingly refreshed. After a quick fix of his clothes and hair to restore his perfect pretty-boy image, Xiao Che stood up and said, “Let’s go. First thing in the morning, I have to pay respects to Grandfather… you wouldn’t refuse that, would you?”
Xia Qingyue said nothing. She rose and walked out the door ahead of him. Xiao Che shrugged and hurried to catch up.
Xiao Lie always woke early, and today was no exception. As soon as they entered Xiao Lie’s small courtyard, they saw him standing there tending to his flowers and plants. When he saw Xiao Che and Xia Qingyue walking in together, shoulder to shoulder, he smiled warmly. “You’ve come.”
Under Xiao Lie’s gaze, Xiao Che quickly reached out and grabbed Xia Qingyue’s small hand in his. Her hand was soft, warm, and smooth—perhaps from practicing the Ice Cloud Art, it carried a faint, cool sensation. Xia Qingyue stiffened all over and was about to forcibly shake him off, but when she met Xiao Lie’s eyes, she had no choice but to suppress the urge, allowing Xiao Che to lead her toward Xiao Lie.
Her father had always held Xiao Lie in great respect, and she felt the same. She could show her lack of feeling for Xiao Che in front of him, but if she forcefully pulled her hand away from Xiao Che right in front of Xiao Lie, she could imagine how unpleasant his expression would become.
Despicable scoundrel…
“Grandfather, you’re up early again today.” Xiao Che walked over with Xia Qingyue in tow, naturally performing the salute of a junior to Xiao Lie.
“Qingyue pays respects to Grandfather.” Xia Qingyue bowed her head slightly, her posture gentle and proper. Her jade-like hand was being held by a man for the first time, and under such despicable and shameless circumstances at that—it made her both angry and helpless. If she weren’t worried that the fluctuation of her profound aura might alert the old man, who was at the peak of the Spirit Xuan Realm, she would have used the Ice Cloud Art to freeze Xiao Che into a bared-tooth grimace.
“Hehe, you two are up early as well.” Seeing the apparent closeness between Xiao Che and Xia Qingyue, satisfaction appeared on Xiao Lie’s face. “Che’er, Qingyue, although getting married at sixteen is indeed a bit early, it does settle a matter of my heart. Qingyue, you must already know about Che’er’s condition. To be honest, this marriage is truly an injustice to you. But our family will do everything in our power to make it up to you. Right now, my greatest wish is to see the two of you live your days in peace and harmony.”
Before Xia Qingyue could respond, Xiao Che cut in, “Grandfather, what are you saying! I, Xiao Che, am your grandson. There’s no woman in the world I’m not worthy of. How is this an injustice for her? Since she’s entered the Xiao family, the most basic thing is to be filial to Grandfather, and then take good care of me through the days. If she does anything less than perfect, I’ll decisively divorce her and marry someone better. Isn’t that right, Wife Qingyue?”
“…” If Xiao Lie hadn’t been standing right in front of her, Xia Qingyue would have absolutely sealed Xiao Che’s mouth forever with an Ice Cloud Immortal Art.
“Hahahaha.” Xiao Lie burst into laughter, shaking his head helplessly, looking at Xiao Che with fondness. “You, you! Qingyue just entered the door, and already you’re bullying her like this. Qingyue, don’t listen to his nonsense. This boy Che’er has never been honest with his tongue since he was a child. It’s still early; you two probably haven’t eaten yet? Knowing you would come, Old Hong has already had the kitchen prepare breakfast and send it over. Come, come eat together.”
“Alright, Grandfather… Oh, should we call Little Aunt as well?”
“She’s always been fond of sleeping in. It’s still this early; don’t disturb her.”
On the table in the room, three freshly prepared breakfasts were set out. Xiao Che hadn’t released her hand—pulling the expression-struggling-to-stay-natural Xia Qingyue to sit side by side on one side of the table. Xiao Lie took his seat across from them. His backside had only just touched the chair when a hurried set of footsteps came from outside, followed by a shout mingled with heavy panting:
“Fifth Elder! Is Fifth Elder here?”
“What is it?” Xiao Lie turned around, frowning slightly.
“The… the Clan Master’s order. Please have all elders go to the Council Hall immediately. A great matter concerning the future of the Xiao Clan is to be discussed. You must go at once!”
“…” Xiao Lie stood up, grabbed the outer robe handed to him by Xiao Hong, then said to Xiao Lie and Xia Qingyue, “It seems something urgent has come up. Go ahead and eat; don’t wait for me.”
In Xiao Lie’s memory, there had never been a summoning order so urgent, issued so early in the morning. He draped his robe over his shoulders and left quickly.
The moment Xiao Lie was out the door, Xiao Che’s hand shot away from Xia Qingyue’s like lightning, and his body leaped backward with a “whoosh.” His brows slanted slightly as he put on a serious expression. “Wife Qingyue, you’re so smart, so you surely understand that I held your hand only to make Grandfather feel at ease and happy. I had absolutely no other intentions. Although I didn’t ask for your opinion beforehand, you certainly wouldn’t be angry or object, right?”
But Xia Qingyue’s expression gradually turned icy cold. “If you dare to touch my body casually again, I won’t be polite.”
“Hey! Don’t be like that!” Xiao Che stared back at her with a face full of grievance. “It was just holding hands! Are you really going to get that angry over it? We’re a legitimate married couple—even if you only married me to repay a debt of gratitude, we’re still husband and wife. Since we’re a couple, it’s not just touching hands—there isn’t a part of you that it isn’t normal to touch! No, that’s wrong—it’s expected! You’ve been cold and distant ever since you married me not even a day ago. On our wedding night, you wouldn’t even let me sleep in the same bed. And now I only held your hand, and you have to get so furious… Sigh, what kind of wife did I marry? It’s even worse than marrying an empress…”
“…” Xiao Che’s temperament was increasingly making Xia Qingyue feel at a loss. When she first met him, she thought he was aloof and proud. Then, gradually, she felt he had an extraordinary nature, even a hint of mystery. More than once, she had the impression that this was not a sixteen-year-old youth, but a man who had weathered the storms of life—except for the roguish streak that showed whenever he let his guard down.
And now, this bastard had clearly infringed upon her without any sense of shame, yet without the slightest awareness of his wrongdoing, he acted like a little brat, crying foul and playing tricks—twisting the situation so that she, the victim, somehow became the one at fault. For a moment, she didn’t know whether to laugh or cry, and even the anger building in her chest unknowingly dissipated by more than half.
“Forget it. Sit down and eat,” Xia Qingyue said weakly.
“So that means Wife Qingyue isn’t angry anymore? Heheh, now that’s what I call a good, obedient wife. Come, have a little more!” Xiao Che immediately climbed the pole, sat back down beside Xia Qingyue, and considerately picked up a mung bean cake from his own plate and placed it onto hers.
“…” Xia Qingyue began to think that her request to her master to stay by his side for another month was a quite wrong and dangerous decision.