"Second Grand-uncle, I cannot agree with what you’ve said!"

Xiao Jinghong’s sudden appearance silenced everyone in Qingjing Residence.

The expressions of everyone present immediately shifted.

Third Master Xiao Shen paused for a moment before settling back into his chair, looking perfectly composed.

The solemn look on Xiao Xuanshuo’s face eased.

And Xiao Wang, who had just been speaking in a grave tone, fell silent, merely frowning at the figure in the doorway.

Old Marquis Xiao, however, remained calm, seemingly unaffected. He beckoned to her.

"Jinghong, you’ve come at just the right time."

"A major incident occurred in Shu State last night. I was just discussing with them how to handle it."

Xiao Jinghong walked straight over, greeting each person in turn. "I learned of this matter from my eldest sister earlier."

As she spoke, she took a seat beside Old Marquis Xiao. "If we’ve confirmed the Liu Family is responsible, there’s no need to act rashly."

Old Marquis Xiao glanced at Xiao Wang, who had fallen silent, and nodded with a smile. "Tell me your thoughts."

Xiao Jinghong stated bluntly, "A conflict between the Xiao and Liu Families will benefit neither Shu State nor our Xiao Family."

She knew this very well.

Whether it was the Xiao Family or the Dingyuan Army, both needed time to rest and recuperate.

Clashing with the Liu Family now would undoubtedly throw Shu State into chaos.

The Xiao Family itself would know no peace.

This would affect the Mutual Market and create new setbacks for the newly re-established Dingyuan Army.

Hearing her words, Xiao Wang frowned deeply.

"Jinghong, you are a member of the Xiao Family. You should know how difficult it has been for our family to survive to this day."

"Putting aside ancient history, just in the last ten years, we have fought back the Barbarian Race’s grand army and launched an expedition to Poshisu. It is through blood and tears that our Xiao Family stands where it does today."

"But how does the Liu Family treat us?"

"They instructed the Illusory Sound Sect to seize our medicinal herbs and even established Linglan Pavilion in Shu State, all to crush our Xiao Family Medicine Hall."

"Wan’er overcame countless hardships and finally managed to partner with Hundred Herbs Hall to revive our Medicine Hall. Then that whelp from the Liu Family sent people to Hundred Herbs Hall, trying to drive our Xiao Family into the ground once again."

"If we don’t fight back, what will outsiders think?"

His words were reasonable and well-argued. Every sentence was from the Xiao Family’s perspective, and he certainly had a point.

Even Xiao Xuanshuo was somewhat swayed after hearing it.

In the past decade, several members of the Xiao Family had died on the battlefield, all to protect Shu State and defend the borders of Great Wei.

Yet, certain people were not only ungrateful but had the audacity to come bullying them.

Anyone would be furious in such a situation, to say nothing of the Xiao Family, with its two-hundred-year legacy.

However, after hearing Xiao Wang speak, Old Marquis Xiao and Xiao Jinghong merely exchanged a glance. In their hearts, they both knew what was most important right now.

No matter what, Shu State must not fall into chaos!

Old Marquis Xiao waved his hand. "Now is not the time."

Xiao Wang struck the ground with his cane. "Then when will it be time? When they’ve crushed the Xiao Family?"

His face wasn’t old, but the deep lines framing his mouth gave his gaunt features an intimidating air even when he wasn’t angry.

Xiao Jinghong glanced at him and said coolly, "If Second Grand-uncle truly feels that way, you are free to go directly to Jing State."

Xiao Wang froze, his slightly clouded eyes turning to her. "Do you think I don’t dare?"

"If Second Grand-uncle agrees, I will send you there myself, today!"

"You..."

"Enough. Both of you, be silent."

Before either could say more, Old Marquis Xiao raised a hand to cut them off, his gaze landing on Xiao Wang.

"I understand you’re thinking of the Xiao Family’s best interests, but we cannot act on impulse in this matter."

"Give me three days. If Left Envoy Liu doesn’t provide an explanation, then you may handle this matter as you see fit."

Xiao Wang withdrew his glare from Xiao Jinghong and snorted. "Three days it is. If the Liu Family doesn’t show up by then, I will personally lead the men of the Punishment Hall to demand an explanation."

As his voice fell, he got up and walked outside.

Just then, Xiao Jinghong spoke again, her voice cool. "Second Grand-uncle, there is something I must say."

Xiao Wang’s steps paused.

"The Punishment Hall belongs to the Xiao Family. It is not your private army, nor anyone else’s."

Xiao Jinghong looked at him calmly. "Grandfather is still hale and hearty. He is the one who has the final say in this family."

Xiao Wang glanced back at her, his expression flickering with anger.

"General Jinghong, if you are dissatisfied with my actions, you are welcome to call a clan meeting and have me dismissed from my position as Chief Steward of the Punishment Hall!"

Without waiting for Xiao Jinghong to reply, Xiao Wang turned and stormed out.

With that, the matter was more or less settled.

Third Master Xiao Shen rose as well, saying with a chuckle, "Eldest Brother, I’ll follow your lead on this."

"But don’t be angry with Second Brother. He’s just letting his temper get the best of him. Even I can’t stomach what the Liu Family has been doing lately."

Old Marquis Xiao shot him a look. "If you know he’s in a temper, why aren’t you going to calm him down?"

"Ah, I’ll go right now."

Xiao Shen smiled and nodded toward Xiao Jinghong, then also left Qingjing Residence.

Xiao Xuanshuo silently bowed and also did not linger.

In less than a quarter of an hour, only Old Marquis Xiao and Xiao Jinghong remained in Qingjing Residence.

Silence fell for a moment.

Old Marquis Xiao smiled and asked, "How is progress with the Mutual Market?"

Xiao Jinghong calmly replied, "Everything is well."

"In the contract with the Mountain Race, they are responsible for handling people from the Jianghu, while we handle pressure from the Imperial Court, the neighboring Zhou Mansion, and the noble merchant families."

"The profits are split seventy-thirty. They take the thirty percent."

The smile on Old Marquis Xiao’s face widened. "Excellent."

"Once the Mutual Market is established, people will come from Shu State, Jing State, Guangyue Prefecture, the Western State, and You State."

"When the time comes, you will receive them on my behalf. Do your best to reserve a stall for each of them in the Mutual Market."

Xiao Jinghong nodded.

This was something she and the Old Marquis had discussed long ago, so no more needed to be said.

But thinking of the Liu Family, she couldn’t help but ask, "People from the Jing State Liu Family came. Why didn’t you tell me?"

Old Marquis Xiao paused and sighed. "I thought that as long as I was still hale and hearty, those people would show some restraint."

"I never imagined they would be so impatient."

"My birthday banquet was only a month ago, yet they’ve already sent people to test the waters. They are indeed a bit too eager."

Xiao Jinghong pondered for a moment before asking seriously, "Is it necessary for me to intervene?"

Old Marquis Xiao chuckled and shook his head, waving a hand. "The situation is far from reaching that point."

He paused for a moment, then decided to elaborate.

"A series of great battles caused our Xiao Family to suffer heavy losses, letting those people see a certain possibility."

"It’s not that they don’t understand the saying ’a starved camel is still bigger than a horse.’ It’s that they’ve smelled blood in the water, and it has stirred their greed."

"But they have forgotten that the Xiao Family has been able to stand for two hundred years not because of the Dingyuan Army."

Old Marquis Xiao’s gaze drifted to the gloomy rain outside the hall, his smile unwavering as he said:

"You don’t need to concern yourself with this matter. Focus on the Mutual Market for now."

Xiao Jinghong nodded silently. "I understand."

Old Marquis Xiao withdrew his gaze and looked at her with relief. "With you supporting the Xiao Family, I can rest much easier."

"It is what I should do as your granddaughter."

"I know well enough what you should and shouldn’t do. In this vast Xiao Family, the only ones I can truly trust are you, Wan’er, and just a few others."

"Wuge is still young, so I must trouble you to bear more of the burden."

As Old Marquis Xiao spoke, a smile returned to his face. He changed the subject, "Have you seen Chen Yi since you returned?"

Xiao Jinghong was slightly stunned. "I’ve seen him."

"And? Did you notice any difference in him from before?"

"What is Grandfather referring to?"

"His hidden talents, of course. Haven’t you noticed how much he’s changed these past few months?"

Meeting Old Marquis Xiao’s gaze, Xiao Jinghong shook her head, a hint of awkwardness on her face.

Other than his ability to compose poetry, his fine handwriting, and his grasp of certain principles, she really hadn’t noticed anything else.

Seeing this, Old Marquis Xiao didn’t press further, merely instructing, "When the matters of the Mutual Market are settled, you should return to the manor to stay for a while."

"After all, you two are husband and wife now. You should spend more time together. Perhaps next year..."

He didn’t finish, but Xiao Jinghong already understood his meaning.

Her face instantly turned crimson, even the skin around her eyes flushing red.

"Grandfather, I still have things to attend to at the Mutual Market. I’ll be leaving now."

With that, Xiao Jinghong walked out of Qingjing Residence without looking back.

Her hurried retreat made Old Marquis Xiao chuckle with satisfaction.

This only made Xiao Jinghong even more flustered, and her steps quickened as she held her Oil Paper Umbrella.

But as she reached the front courtyard, she couldn’t help but glance back in the direction of the Spring Lotus Garden.

She faintly overheard a conversation between Chen Yi and Pei Guanli. 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝕨𝕖𝗯𝚗𝚘𝕧𝕖𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝕞

"Brother-in-law, did you write a letter to Sister Jinghong?"

"Yup."

"Was it a poem?"

"You saw it?"

"No, I heard Sister Jinghong reciting it. Something about ’long-lasting,’ and ’morning and evening’?"

"Silly, you didn’t even hear it right. The line is, ’If love between two hearts can last for an age, why does it matter if they are together day and night?’"

"Wow, what a beautiful poem! Brother-in-law, you should write one for me too..."

Hearing this, Xiao Jinghong couldn’t bear to listen any longer.

With a single step, she leaped into the air, flying over half the city.

’That husband of mine... he’s still so shameless.’