Chapter 10: Is One Mountain Enough?

“Wait, you’re saying the bridge didn't collapse on its own, but was tampered with?” Xiao Su’s thoughts finally moved past the stray dogs; he had found the crux of the matter.

Zhao Shiqing nodded. “You said yourself this bridge has only been in use for a year. Looking across all of Qingquan, is there any craftsman who would dare cut corners right under the nose of the Xiao family?”

Xiao Su froze, then slowly shook his head. “They wouldn't dare.”

The moment the words left his mouth, he knew Zhao Shiqing wasn't exaggerating. The reason the bridge collapsed was not a natural disaster, nor was it due to the craftsmen cutting corners—it was sabotage!

Xiao Su’s fists clenched with an audible creak. He suddenly remembered what Zhao Shiqing had said just now—that she didn't want to perish together with him.

“Zhao Xiao-si, you’re being quite unloyal. You say you don't want to perish with me, but do you think I want to perish with you?”

Zhao Shiqing let out a cold snort. “You don't actually think this was a coincidence, do you? Or even if it wasn't a coincidence, you think it was aimed at me? Xiao Xiao-su, don't tell me you actually believe that?”

Xiao Su was stunned again. “Do you think it was aimed at me? How is that possible? Our Xiao family has illustrious military merits and a reputation for benevolence. Who would want to harm me?”

Zhao Shiqing looked at him, her mind racing like a thousand galloping horses.

Making a new bridge collapse without a trace was no simple feat. First, one would need to read the weather to predict today's rain; second, one would need someone proficient in bridge construction to pinpoint exactly where to tamper with it. This bridge was on a main official road; a large group of people hammering and building would certainly attract attention. However, with the guidance of a master builder, one could sabotage one or two specific spots in a short amount of time and use the heavy rain to trigger a total collapse.

Therefore, none of this was accidental; it was a calculated, meticulously prepared plot.

Furthermore, her trip to Qingquan had been a last-minute decision. When she asked Xiao Su to leave with her, there were only the two of them on the stone steps.

Looking at Xiao Su, Zhao Shiqing suddenly asked, “Since when did you become so obedient? When I told you to come to Liangdu with me, you just followed along without a word. You weren't planning on going to Liangdu today anyway, were you?”

Though young, Xiao Su was the carefully groomed successor of the Xiao family. Now that Zhao Shiqing had laid it out so plainly, how could he not understand?

The defiant edge in his demeanor suddenly vanished, replaced by a gravity far beyond his years. “That’s right. Even if you hadn't come, I was going to Liangdu today. Although your family has suppressed the news, our Xiao family is not to be trifled with. Since my eldest uncle and the Grand Princess have not yet left the Liang region, they must be under house arrest. Our Xiao family cannot stand idly by.”

“Who else knows about your plan to go to Liangdu?” Zhao Shiqing asked.

Xiao Su thought for a moment and said, “My eldest uncle and the Grand Princess are involved in your father's death. Since your family hasn't released word of it yet, our Xiao family naturally won't make a scene. Therefore, regarding my trip to Liangdu, I only told Grandfather. However, Uncle Qi was present. He has followed Grandfather for many years; he is an orphan, unmarried, and fiercely loyal to Grandfather. He would never betray the Xiao family. As for the others... Jinbao knows.”

Zhao Shiqing knew Jinbao. He and Zhaocai were Xiao Su's attendants and had grown up alongside him.

“You came out with me today, so why didn't you bring them?” In her memory, those two were always by Xiao Su's side; whenever she and Xiao Su fought, they would be right there cheering him on.

Xiao Su replied, “Zhaocai got married, so I gave him ten days of leave. As for Jinbao...”

Xiao Su stopped abruptly. Zhao Shiqing frowned slightly, waiting for him to continue.

After a long silence, Xiao Su finally said, “Last night, when Jinbao went up the mountain to bring Grandfather ginseng soup, he tripped and tumbled down the steps. He hit his head and broke it open.”

Zhao Shiqing let out a short, mocking laugh. Xiao Su looked at her with dissatisfaction. “What are you laughing at? Every household has a rogue or two who betrays their master. Don't tell me your Prince of Liang's manor is exempt. If it truly were, how else would your father have suddenly suffered a fatal heart condition? And don't go claiming my eldest uncle and the Grand Princess did it; they aren't that idle.”

Zhao Shiqing wiped the smile from her face. Indeed, Xiao Su lived up to his status as the Xiao family successor; his insight and logic were significantly sharper than most.

“Fine, I admit you're right. We're two sides of the same coin, so let's not judge one another. However, Xiao Xiao-su, shouldn't you be thanking me for saving your life? If this lady hadn't been far-sighted and possessed keen eyes, the one falling off the bridge today would have been you. Those two passersby only suffered injuries, but if you had fallen from here, it would have been fatal. Am I right?”

Here it comes, here it comes—the boastful, self-praising Zhao Xiao-si is back!

In the past, Xiao Su would have certainly responded with biting sarcasm, followed by a physical brawl; that was their unique way of interacting.

But today, Xiao Su suddenly lacked even the desire to argue with her.

Zhao Xiao-si wasn't exaggerating. Since this accident was aimed at him, the intent was clearly to kill him, not just injure him. Even if he hadn't fallen to his death, someone would have surely delivered a finishing blow to ensure he could never speak again.

“Why target me?” Xiao Su muttered to himself, as if asking Zhao Shiqing.

Zhao Shiqing arched an eyebrow. “If this lady hadn't acted decisively to turn the tide, you would be the second member of the Xiao family to die. The first was Consort Xiao. Of course, if the Grand Princess Jiaoyi counts as a member of the Xiao family, then you would be the third.”

Seeing Xiao Su staring blankly, Zhao Shiqing continued, “So, Xiao Xiao-su, if your eldest uncle and the Grand Princess were to die at Wisteria Villa, what would your Xiao family think? What would the world think? Would they believe that our Prince of Liang's manor killed them to avenge my father? After all, even if the matter reached the capital and the charges were proven, the Emperor would, at most, let your uncle take the fall. As for the Grand Princess, she would at worst just get a new consort. But if the Prince of Liang's manor acts, it's different. We would make them die together. Regardless of whether they are a princess or a consort, they would all be forced to serve as funerary sacrifices for my father. Xiao Xiao-su, am I right?”

Xiao Su nodded. “Yes. Wisteria Villa belongs to your family. If my uncle and the Grand Princess die there, it will certainly be blamed on you.”

Satisfied, Zhao Shiqing continued, “Let's assume they both die at Wisteria Villa. Not only would the world believe our manor killed them, but they would also conclude that my father was murdered by them. After all, the dead cannot speak, let alone cry out for justice. Your uncle and the Grand Princess would become the murderers of my father. Oh, and as I said before, if this reaches the capital, the Emperor will surely do everything in his power to clear the Grand Princess and let your uncle take the blame. Even if they died, he would issue an imperial decree for them to be divorced posthumously. To plot against a Prince is tantamount to treason; it warrants the execution of the entire clan. Since the Emperor has already decreed that your uncle and the Grand Princess be divorced in the afterlife, then your uncle's only remaining family would be the Xiao family. Tsk tsk, execution of the entire clan... the Xiao family would be wiped out. The Xiao family of Qingquan, gone!”

Xiao Su shuddered, his mouth hanging open. It took a long moment before he stammered, “Then why kill me too? I... I'm still just a child!”

Zhao Shiqing:...

*Save that line for when your Great-Grandfather hands you the family leadership. You can say: 'I don't want to be the head of the house, I'm still just a child!' By then, your uncles and brothers will surely praise you for being such a sensible, sweet little boy.*

“Xiao Xiao-su, if you were the one who died today, what would your Grandfather do?”

Without even thinking, Xiao Su said, “He would naturally investigate the cause of my death! Bah, this young master will live a long life; I won't die young.”

As soon as he finished, Xiao Su hurriedly covered his mouth. *Die young*—that was more appropriate for the Prince of Liang. It was a slip of the tongue; he wasn't trying to twist the knife in Zhao Xiao-si's heart. Surely she wouldn't try to hit him again?

Zhao Shiqing merely glared at him and asked, “With the capabilities of the Xiao family, they would certainly find out you were murdered. Guess who your Grandfather would think the killer is?”

Xiao Su had learned his lesson. He looked at Zhao Shiqing cautiously and tested the waters. “The Prince of Liang's manor?”

Zhao Shiqing nodded again. *This boy is teachable.*

“Perhaps they would even leave clues—like a dropped waist token, or the swords used by the imperial guards. In short, ironclad evidence. If news of your uncle and the Grand Princess's deaths broke at that same time, what do you think your Xiao family would do?”

Xiao Su thought for a moment and gasped. His Grandfather might remain calm and analytical, but his hot-tempered father and those two even more hot-tempered uncles would undoubtedly have already mobilized their men, armed themselves, and stormed the Prince of Liang's manor!

Great-Grandfather Xiao had three sons, none of whom shared his temperament; instead, they had inherited their mother's explosive personalities. Every one of them was a powder keg. That was exactly why Great-Grandfather Xiao had bypassed his sons to groom his grandson as the successor.

Plotting against a Prince was already a capital offense punishable by the extermination of the clan. If the Emperor felt that wasn't enough, even the execution of nine generations was possible. And leading men to attack the Prince of Liang's manor was equivalent to rebellion.

Plotting against a Prince, plus rebellion...

Xiao Su's body swayed, and he nearly tumbled from his horse.

Then, he heard Zhao Shiqing's triumphant voice in his ear: “Xiao Xiao-su, shouldn't you be thanking me for saving your life? No, for saving your entire clan. I didn't just save you and your uncle; I saved the entire Xiao family. So, Xiao Xiao-su, how much of a thank-you gift are you preparing for me? A mountain might be a bit light, but I could manage to accept it. Let's go with Fanghe Mountain—the one right next to Baihe Mountain.”

Baihe Mountain was hers, but the Fanghe Mountain next to it belonged to the Xiao family. Listen to those names! Her mountain was "White Crane," and the Xiao family's mountain was "Releasing the Crane." What a malicious intent—they wanted to release her White Crane!

If she didn't take this opportunity to seize that mountain and claim the naming rights, she might never get another chance.

*Today, the writer who influenced my entire high school years has passed away, and I will never be able to face the word 'elegant' again... Back then, she made me lose sleep reading her books; she made me discover the beauty of words; she made me fall in love with poetry; she made me believe in beautiful love in this world. I miss my youth, and I miss her!*