Calamity Messenger-Chapter 108 - 87: The Banquet

"Master, you’re finally back! This old servant was worried to death!"

"Master, our ancestors bless us, it’s a relief you’re safe and sound!"

"Uncle, from now on, when you’re heading to the court, allow Yanzhang to accompany you with the guards. Even if you don’t want to ride in a sedan chair, at least don’t go out alone anymore!"

"Uncle, Yanzhang makes sense. I’ve trained myself and can at least fend off some bandits for you!"

"Master, the token isn’t all-powerful. This time the bandits found you. If something were to happen to you, how would I, your humble wife, continue living?"

At the entrance of the Shang Family, a large crowd began clamoring upon seeing Shang Xuanwen return, all very lively and animated. Yan Qing listened carefully and understood that Shang Xuanwen had always gone to and from the court alone, without a sedan chair or guards, and it had always been this way over the years.

However, he didn’t treat his own security lightly. Apparently, he had a token that could reduce his presence, making it safer for him to be alone. He had never encountered any incidents for years, and today’s assassination was indeed unexpected.

Thus, when faced with the enthusiastic concerns of his family, Shang Xuanwen turned them all down, trusting only his own judgment. If they continued to chatter on, they would only face his cold gaze and feel the throat-clenching fear—not everyone can face the scrutiny of a Third-Turn Messenger with composure.

Yan Qing realized that this uncle was a chancellor outside and also acted like one at home, treating everyone as his subordinates, and only he could have the final say.

"Where’s Xinlei?" Shang Xuanwen surveyed the room.

"The Fourth Miss is still in the courtyard."

"This child remains unfazed even knowing her father was attacked, truly..."

"Brother Yu and Brother Qia are the sensible ones, Brother Yu heard the news while still recovering and swiftly led troops to rescue Father!"

"The Fourth Miss must still hold a grudge, after all, Master..."

The aunties chimed in one after another, each word full of cunning, leaving not just Shang Xuanwen but even Yan Qing as a bystander thinking Shang Xinlei was being unreasonable.

"Well done." Shang Xuanwen’s words silenced all noise: "You all should learn from Xinlei, do what needs to be done, and don’t stir up any senseless commotion, which is meaningless and what a waste of time."

The gossipers fell silent instantly, observing Shang Xuanwen’s expression cautiously, wondering whether he was genuine or sarcastic. Shang Xuanwen had no interest in the convolutions of the household, turning to an elderly man in a hat: "Su Pei, get Mouse Monk a change of clothes, set him up with guard-level accommodation, treat his wounds, and then bring him to the study to see me."

Steward Su Pei nodded affirmatively and led Yan Qing into the Shang Family residence.

"Master Mouse Monk, you must be an enlightened high monk."

"Why do you say that?"

"Because Master Xuanwen only regards those with genuine sincerity." Steward Su Pei counted on his fingers: "Mu Lian City, Guo Yu, Yang Xia, Zhang Zhongzheng... Over the years, Master has only sought these select few as guards and aides, and later they were stationed elsewhere—some became generals in military towns, others court officials, with some taking roles as county magistrates or even transport clerks, but all are diligent and responsible officers whom Master places in their most suitable positions."

Yan Qing recalled a saying and replied smoothly: "The course of nature is constant, each fulfilling their duty."

"Haha, that’s something Master often says." Steward Su Pei laughed and added, "So, Master believes there’s a more suitable position for you, hence he’s keeping you by his side to observe."

Yan Qing found it amusing: "So, by telling me this now, wouldn’t I have the advantage in pleasing your master?"

"I trust Master." Steward Su Pei declared confidently: "His judgment has never been wrong!"

"I personally don’t think wandering about without a sedan chair or guards is a wise idea..."

"But because Master frequently delves into the common folk to ascertain the public sentiment, his governance can consider the needs of the majority." Steward Su Pei explained: "Master always says, if Jiangnan City decays, the whole realm follows suit. What he can do is merely delaying Jiangnan City’s decay a bit. If all officials in this realm ride sedan chairs, who can still see the ordinary people outside?"

Steward Su Pei’s words seemed genuine; although Shang Xuanwen said he’d employ him as a guard, he arranged a small courtyard with better living conditions than Yan Qing’s kennel at the Thief’s House for ’Mouse Monk.’ Steward Su Pei even helped treat ’Mouse Monk’s injuries; it was only then Yan Qing realized that ’Mouse Monk’ had been burned during his fight with the Fireman, and Shang Xuanwen noticed it first.

Once ’Mouse Monk’ had changed clothes, he was escorted to the study, finding Shang Xuanwen already dressed and back to work, writing memorials as if the assassination had made no impact at all.

He did not speak, so Yan Qing had ’Mouse Monk’ wait on the side, while he prepared dinner for himself. Of course, he had no interest in lighting fires indoors, so instead, he tore roasted lamb leg and chicken into strips, paired with some greens on steaming rice, then juiced some apples, thus completing a meal reminiscent of yesteryears, reasonably supplemented with vitamins.

It’s worth mentioning that the most expensive part of this meal was the refined rice, as the agricultural level of this world couldn’t fully refine grains, only removing husks to produce brown rice, with all refined white rice coming from the Secret Realm, known as ’Immortal Rice.’

Shortly after, Steward Su Pei came over to notify Shang Xuanwen it was time to head to Ronghua Hall for the banquet. Shang Xuanwen then put down his pen and gestured for ’Mouse Monk’ to follow him.

"For the next few days, just follow me as a guard, and if you gain my approval, I’ll vouch for you to waive three years of service." Shang Xuanwen said, "If you have objections, you can raise them now."

"I’m merely curious, aren’t you afraid I might harbor ill intentions?"

Shang Xuanwen stopped, staring at ’Mouse Monk’ with eyes showing more whites than pupils.

"What makes you think that people around me are free of malice?"

Yan Qing was startled, pondering for a moment before replying: "With so many people rushing to save you after you fall into a trap... so many people concerned about you in your home..."

"Officials merely want to showcase themselves, hoping I will remember their appearance; family just worries about my power, fearing their privileged life will vanish with my death. But among those officials saving me, there are not a few who hope I die in there, and some even assist the assassins. They fear me, wishing to kick away this stumbling block and redistribute authority; among my family, at this time, many are certainly extremely disappointed, they resent me for being unjust, hate me for being unkind, unwilling to live under my shadow anymore."

Shang Xuanwen’s voice was calm as he spoke, without a trace of emotional fluctuation, as if analyzing someone else’s life, exposing someone else’s ugliness. Yan Qing wanted to ask why he could live so hated by both gods and ghosts, but they had arrived at Ronghua Hall, with a redwood round table set in the center, a painting hanging on the north wall; members of the Shang Family’s main branch were dining here tonight.

When ’Mouse Monk’ entered, he could only stand in the corner, watching maids come and go. Fortunately, Steward Su Pei was introducing, so Yan Qing knew who was who among those seated.

Counting from the left, there was the legal wife, Madam Gu from the Gu Family; concubine, Aunt Quan from the Quan Clan; concubine, Aunt Xu from the Xu Clan; then came Shang Xuanwen’s children: the youngest daughter Shang Xinyao, fifth son Shang Tian, fourth daughter Shang Xinlei, third son Shang Qia, and the eldest son Shang Yue who hadn’t yet taken his seat.

How many bad deeds must one do to righteously marry three wives? And yet they can coexist harmoniously.

Yan Qing looked at the composed and elegant Shang Xinlei on the screen, without any surprise in his heart.

Upon hearing the name Shang Xuanwen at the Thief’s House, Yan Qing did not immediately recall he was Shang Xinlei’s father, especially since Shang Xinlei described Shang Xuanwen almost as a stranger. Yan Qing thought they merely happened to share the same surname.

But after emerging from the cave and meeting Shang Xinlei’s elder brother Shang Yue, Yan Qing realized their next theft target was Red Snake Shang Xinlei’s father. He didn’t know whether to be happy or troubled; if Shang Xinlei was willing to collaborate, this mission might be completed quietly; but if Shang Xinlei was unwilling or deliberately leaked intel, they might end up in direct confrontation with the army.

As ’Mouse Monk’ observed members of the Shang Family, the Shang Family also observed ’Mouse Monk’. The youngest daughter Shang Xinyao, only three or four years old, was quite interested in ’Mouse Monk’s bald head, stretching her neck to take a closer look; Shang Qia glanced quickly but withdrew his gaze immediately; Shang Xinlei looked a few times, then slowly lowered her gaze, lost in thought. 𝓯𝓻𝓮𝙚𝙬𝓮𝙗𝒏𝙤𝒗𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝒐𝓶

At this moment, Shang Yue rushed in from outside, a light sweat on his forehead as if he had been running: "Father, I’m back from offering incense."

"Extend your hand," Shang Xuanwen said.

With the screen’s resolution, Yan Qing couldn’t see the marks on Shang Yue’s hand, only saw Shang Xuanwen nodding: "Wash your hands and join the table."

"Let’s eat."

With Shang Xuanwen’s announcement, it felt like some non-existent button had been pressed, the atmosphere in Ronghua Hall seemed to freeze.

Whether it was adults Shang Xuanwen and Madam Gu, or children Shang Xinyao and Shang Tian, everyone ate in silence. No serving of dishes, no chatting, no commenting. Despite being a large gathering for nine, Yan Qing felt like everyone was eating alone; such a big place, such many people, only the sound of chopsticks against plates and mouths chewing food could be heard.

But the most frightening was Shang Xuanwen. As he ate, he didn’t look at the food but stared directly ahead, gazing at unfocused emptiness.

Silence.

Oppression.

Suffocation.

Yan Qing truly believed now, his family was extremely disappointed with his escape from death. Though he found it strange, facing ’Mouse Monk’, Shang Xuanwen wasn’t so silent; why, facing family, was he instead... so cold?

When Shang Xuanwen finished eating, his family also conveniently finished, including the youngest son and daughter.

"Return," Shang Xuanwen wiped his mouth.

"Yes." Everyone stood up, leaving one after another, the youngest daughter even jumped upon leaving Ronghua Hall.

On the way back to the study, Yan Qing couldn’t help but ask: "Is such a meal interesting?"

Shang Xuanwen stopped, glanced at him.

"The thing I looked forward to most today was a quiet meal with family." He paused. "You can leave now, someone will call you tomorrow morning."

Yan Qing thought he might be hanging around the whole night; now free to explore the Shang Family, but beforehand he must try Shang Family kitchen’s products—Shang Xinlei’s home-made desserts he’d been craving for a long time, taking some as a midnight snack, delightful.

Upon reaching the kitchen, Yan Qing unexpectedly saw An Cuihua being scolded by the kitchen maid grandma, seemingly for not slicing vegetables well, the kitchen maid grandma scolding while demonstrating the proper cuts. Yan Qing peeked from outside for a moment, not startling those inside, picked up a roast chicken and left.

Just then, Yan Qing heard a maid rushing to the kitchen door urging:

"Quick, quick, quick, Fourth Miss is already urging, quickly send it over!"

Seeing two servants carrying four food boxes out of the kitchen, Yan Qing thought Shang Xinlei must have quite an appetite, eating so much even after a meal?

The maid inspected the food boxes, nodding in satisfaction: "Good, hurry to Shuiyue Pavilion."

The servant lamented: "Oh Sister Hualian, Master mentioned Shuiyue Pavilion is where prisoners are held; how dare we enter?"

"What prisoners, they’re Fourth Miss’s friends. You’re told to go, so go; this is Fourth Miss entertaining friends—do you think Master would take it out on you? Or are you unwilling to serve such a small matter of delivering meals as ordered by Fourth Miss?"

With the maid saying this much, the servants could only reluctantly deliver the meals. They didn’t notice a bald head quietly following behind.

"Shang Xinlei’s friends?" Yan Qing raised an eyebrow: "Prisoners held in Shuiyue Pavilion?"