Speaking of this matter, he too was puzzled.
All the signs now pointed to the poisoning likely being a joint effort by Lady Wen Guo and Zou Yunting.
If the two of them really were responsible, to put it bluntly, the master holding onto their secrets without exposing them for future use might very well have shot himself in the foot.
The problem was, even if they were having an affair, the time for the normal succession of the Wen family head had not yet arrived. For them to suddenly act like cornered dogs and commit such treasonous acts, just how great a risk were they taking?
Especially when the Wen family had just secured the position of chief priest for the god sacrifices. To launch such a deadly attack under the watchful eyes of everyone, Wen Kui truly could not understand what that illicit couple was thinking. Why suddenly go so mad when things were going well? Had they lost their minds?
Wen Xin asked again, “Does Second Uncle know?”
Wen Kui replied, “He does not. The master said that neither Qinglian Mountain nor the Wen family would allow such a scandal to break. Even if Second Master knew, he would have nowhere to seek justice. It would simply come down to killing that adulterous couple. Besides, we never intended to let them off anyway. We only planned to execute them later. There was no need to distress Second Master, and this approach also maximised the Wen family’s interests.”
Wen Xin stayed silent for a moment, then asked, “Was the poisoning really their doing?”
Wen Kui had already sensed a change in her. In her past life, she would never have asked questions of this nature. He replied, “It seems so, but it still needs confirmation. They are already dead. Once we secure those connected to them, we should quickly uncover the truth. Lady Guo’s personal maids and others likely know a great deal. Once we leave, I will apprehend them immediately. Young Miss, the sect leader has arrived and is waiting for you. We can talk further once we are outside.” As he spoke, he bent down to support her, but his own injured hand brushed against the wound, causing him to sharply inhale in pain.
“Grandpa Kui, there is no need to support me. I am fine,” Wen Xin said, standing up on her own.
Wen Kui held a lantern in front, accompanying her step by step down the stairs. He did not take her out through the nearest exit in the Jade Garden, but instead insisted on leaving through the head of the household’s study.
They had not gone far when they once again saw a corpse on the ground.
Wen Xin shed tears silently at just one glance at Song Pingping’s body.
Her recent experiences had made her shed years of tears. First came the heartbreak, where she had hidden away and cried countless times alone. Then came the sight of so many family members falling dead from poison, followed by her grandfather’s death. Now, her best friend had been killed while trying to protect her.
Furthermore, she had done something she never dared to imagine in her entire life. She had personally wielded a sword and killed two people.
It was a sudden and indescribable emotional journey.
“Alas!”
Wen Kui looked at her, then at Song Pingping’s corpse, and let out a sigh as well.
There were some things he dared not say. Ever since Wen Mao had decided to have Song Pingping deliver the meals, he knew she had already set one foot in the grave. If Lady Wen Guo had not killed her this time, and had instead allowed her to discover the true secret of the Wen family tunnels, whether someone would eventually kill her to silence her in the future was known only to heaven.
Wen Kui bent down before Song Pingping’s body, removed the amber-like bracelet from her wrist, and sighed, “Young Miss, let us go. I will arrange for someone to collect the body later.”
Behind those words lay the implication that more people would soon die.
Wen Xin raised her sleeve to wipe her tears and followed him onward. Seeing the messy bloody footprints on the ground, something came to mind, and she reminded him, “Grandpa Kui, six people went further ahead. I do not know where they went.”
“Do not worry, Young Miss. Anyone who trespasses in the Wen family tunnels without permission must die. They have likely already been reduced to bones. This is also why the master told you to hide in the tunnels. It is truly the best place to keep you safe.”
“Must die?”
“Young Miss, these tunnels were originally excavated by the Wen family ancestors. Long ago, before the State of Jin existed and this land was unified, the various warlords fought for territory. Wars were frequent, and danger could strike at any time. The original purpose of the Wen family ancestors digging these tunnels was simply to build a secret escape route for emergencies.
Over time, the secret passage was extended further and further according to the needs of different eras. Later, to prevent anyone from discovering it, the Wen family ancestors found a way to acquire the extremely rare ‘mirage ants’. They are a special species of ant that emits a colourless, odourless, and highly hallucinogenic toxic gas capable of penetrating the human body, known as ‘mirage mist’. Few things can counteract those who are affected. Victims will be lured to the queen ant’s nest, and within moments, those covered by the swarming ants will be gnawed into skeletons.
The Wen family ancestors used a special method to confine the ‘mirage ants’ beneath the tunnels. They essentially only scurry beneath the floor tiles under our feet. The ‘mirage mist’ they emit settles on the ground. If someone trespasses in the tunnel and moves about, they will stir up the mist and fall under its spell.
The bracelet you are wearing, similar to this one, is made from a crystallisation found within the queen ant of the main nest. Wearing it clears the mind, calms the spirit, and wards off evil, neutralising the hallucinogenic effects of the ‘mirage mist’. The master should have left records of all this in the secret chamber.”
Wen Xin fell silent, realising the Wen family’s method of keeping outsiders from discovering the secret tunnels. It was simply to kill every single trespasser.
“Young Miss, if Sect Leader Ren asks where you have been later, you need not mention anything about the tunnels. Simply say you have been hiding in the secret chamber behind the study and know nothing of what happened. I will handle the remaining loose ends.”
After the two left the head of the household’s study, Wen Kui immediately arranged for maids to attend to Wen Xin’s washing and dressing. There was no rush to meet the Qinglian Mountain sect leader.
When he next appeared in the courtyard of his main hall, several of his trusted subordinates were already standing in rows at the bottom of the main gate steps. They stood with their hands folded, the very same men who had previously watched helplessly as he was taken away.
Wen Kui stood on the steps beneath the eaves, glanced at the men, and formally declared, “The Third Young Miss is the newly appointed head of the Wen family, jointly designated by the master before his death and the Qinglian Mountain sect leader!”
At these words, the men all looked up in surprise. The Third Young Miss? Letting a young woman unfamiliar with the ways of the world become the head of the Wen family?
Wen Kui said, “There is no need to doubt. The sect leader will announce it publicly shortly. Have you identified everyone who was jumping around in support of the second branch?”
The man in the centre of the front row cupped his fists and replied, “We have already compiled a complete list of all those from within the estate and from the Wen family’s various external trades who have shown themselves.”
Wen Kui ordered, “The Wen family estate is large and prosperous, and it easily gathers dust. With a new head taking charge, it is time for a thorough cleaning. Clear the area according to the list. Arrest those who must be arrested, and deal with those who must be dealt with. Compile a list of the resulting vacancies in each trade and report it to me later. Arrest everyone close to Lady Guo, especially her trusted aides. Leave no one out. Capture them all, and take them alive!”
“Yes, sir,” the lead man said, bowing his hands to accept the order.
“It has been a long time. The rules have grown lax. It is time to tighten them.” Wen Kui raised his hand, looking at the bandage on his severed finger. “That fellow. Once captured, gouge out his eyes, pull out his tongue, chop off his limbs, and put him in a vat. Give him a permanent single room in the dungeon. Tell him his monthly salary will continue to be paid to his family. Tell him to strive to stay alive. As long as he lives, his family lives. If he dies, his family will join him in death.” He waved his bandaged hand. “Go. Clear the estate!”
“Yes, sir!” The men cupped their hands in unison, accepted their orders, turned, and marched away to carry out their respective tasks.
Soon, hundreds of men suddenly appeared outside the Wen estate. They entered through the four gates and quickly threw the interior into chaos, leaving everyone in a state of panic.
In the West Utility Courtyard, inside the general affairs room, Feng Changdian sat leaning back in his chair, drinking tea. He held a book in one hand, turning the pages slowly, looking completely at ease.
Liu Gui stood guard at the door, leaning against the doorframe and peeking out with half his head. He watched carefully as armed men came and went, occasionally seeing acquaintances being led away in custody.
He swallowed hard, turned, and hurried back to the desk. He said nervously, “Steward, it seems they have arrested many people. It looks as though they could come this way at any moment. Should you not also go pay respects to the chief steward and explain matters?”
Feng Changdian looked up, puzzled. “Explain what?”
Liu Gui said, “Earlier, the second branch acted like they were in charge and assigned us work. We listened to their orders…”
Feng Changdian dismissed the concern and continued drinking tea and reading to pass the time. “Whether it is orders from the second branch or the head steward, just do your work honestly and well. You are young and know nothing. Stop being so conceited and overthinking things. Do not always worry about picking sides. Do not just loaf around here. Are your eyes blind to work? Go outside and check. In this mess, if anything is dirty, immediately call for men to clean it up. Do your own duties properly. The area managed by the West Utility Courtyard must never look filthy or chaotic. This is the dignity of the Wen family!”
“Now?” Liu Gui looked anxious and glanced outside. “Steward, it is all blades and swords out there. Perhaps we should wait.”
“Look at you, acting as if you have never seen the world. Now. Immediately. Go to work!” Feng Changdian grabbed a ledger from the desk and threw it straight at Liu Gui’s head. Liu Gui fled with his arms over his head like a startled rat. Feng Changdian simply leaned back in his chair, propped up his feet, and continued drinking tea and reading in leisure.
…
Before the peacefully lying remains of Wen Mao, Ren Tianjiang, the sect leader of Qinglian Mountain, stood with his hands clasped before his abdomen in silent vigil.
The accompanying entourage stood together before the body, listening as Fan Wuchou reported every detail of the incident from beginning to end.
After hearing the report, everyone sighed and felt deeply moved. They all knew Wen Mao, never expecting he would meet such an end, with so many members of his large family dying so brutally.
Ren Tianjiang suddenly asked, “What is going on with Wen Kui? I told him to bring someone over. Why has he not appeared yet?”
Just as someone was sent to inquire, a person whom Wen Kui had already prepared ran in from outside to reply, “The Third Young Miss has been in hiding for two days and is quite dirty. Fearing it would be disrespectful to appear before the sect leader in such a state, she had to tidy herself up a little. Please forgive her, Sect Leader!”
At that moment, sporadic sounds of fighting suddenly came from outside. The Qinglian Mountain group quickly turned their heads towards the door, unsure of what was happening.
A Qinglian Mountain disciple stationed at the Wen estate ran over quickly and reported, “Sect Leader, Wen Kui has suddenly gathered men and is conducting a massive arrest operation inside the estate.”
The group looked at each other in confusion. Someone snorted, “What is Wen Kui playing at? Why do it now, and not earlier or later? Is he putting on a show for us?”
Ren Tianjiang, however, turned his head and asked Fan Wuchou, “After the incident, did Wen Kui simply allow himself to be arrested without offering any resistance?”
Fan Wuchou replied, “No. He was tortured during interrogation and left with injuries all over his body. I only managed to pull him out of the prison after receiving your letter, Sect Leader.”
“It seems all those who needed to show their true colours have finally done so,” Ren Tianjiang said, placing his hands behind his back and glancing back at the still body. “You really did pick a fine steward.”
As he spoke, someone entered the courtyard from outside. Wen Xin had arrived.
Wen Kui followed a step behind, standing respectfully at her side with his hands folded.