Xuanqing Guard
Chapter 112: Seasoned and Shrewd
Tang Qingyuan felt as if he’d been shackled onto a chariot and was being driven forward at full speed; at first, he merely wanted to embarrass the Wen Family—never did he intend to butt heads with them to the death.
But Shen Hao made it clear he would report this confession to Jiang Cheng, and by Shen Hao’s account, Jiang Cheng likely stands opposed to the Wen Family. Once Jiang Cheng decides to strike, if Tang Qingyuan doesn’t go along and support the move, he’ll end up pleasing neither side. In truth, he had no real choice.
Still, Tang Qingyuan wasn’t a man to act on impulse. Being maneuvered by Shen Hao, intentionally or not, onto this "chariot" time and again made him realize his subordinate, this General Flag, was likely to be promoted soon. It was wiser to leave a line open for future encounters.
Of course, if the Wen Family couldn’t weather what lay ahead, nothing else would matter—surviving would be fortune enough.
"Hey, tell me again about the situation you now hold in your hands, and your arrangements; focus also on Lord Jiang’s opinion of the Wen Family."
"Yes, sir." Shen Hao, seeing Tang Qingyuan relax, quickly relayed key bits of information, though he withheld the full details of that night’s talk with Jiang Cheng.
After hearing it all, Tang Qingyuan continued pacing back and forth in the Public Office, brow tightly knit.
"So, the Wen Family was dragged into the upper-level conflict purely by coincidence?"
"Yes."
"Then Wen Renhai truly does more harm than good—this vast Wen Family may well be ruined at his hands." Tang Qingyuan spat, then asked again: "Repeat what Qin Yurou, the Wen Family’s main wife, told you—I feel there’s something off about her words."
Shen Hao answered affirmatively.
After a while, Tang Qingyuan shook his head and wondered aloud: "By rights, when Wen Renhai gets in trouble, the most suitable person to handle it in Li City should be the eldest son of the Wen Family’s main branch, not the main wife Qin Yurou. This is irrational—even strange."
"Is it?" Shen Hao hadn’t felt anything amiss.
Seeing Shen Hao didn’t understand, Tang Qingyuan explained: "According to noble family rules, matters concerning adult sons should be handled by peers in their own generation. It trains the younger ones and avoids having the family pillar step forward for every problem—embarrassing. Though Qin Yurou isn’t the true backbone of the Wen Family, her seniority and status make it unnecessary for her to personally handle Wen Renhai’s issue.
Besides, you said Qin Yurou was only accompanied by a slave named Wen Shiliu—that’s even stranger. I haven’t dealt with the Wen Family before, but other cultivation clans I’ve seen: whenever their elders venture out, they’re escorted by at least five guards, plus runners, maids, followers—at least a dozen. That the dignified main wife of the Wen Family would travel to distant Li City with just a single slave serving her?
Something’s off, very much so. Unless..."
"Unless what?" Shen Hao didn’t realize there were so many gaps he’d overlooked. Ultimately, it came down to lack of experience; he’d never dealt with a major cultivation clan before, so fundamental details were like blind spots. He was fortunately glad to have found Tang Qingyuan before reporting to Jiang Cheng—not else, those holes in his report would likely earn him a reprimand.
Tang Qingyuan continued: "Unless Qin Yurou sneaked out from the Wen Family; that would explain why she brought only one slave and insisted on handling Wen Renhai’s affair herself, even at the cost of embarrassment."
"But that doesn’t make sense either. Why would Qin Yurou sneak out to rescue her own son?"
"Ha—what if the Wen Family’s main stance is to ignore Wen Renhai?"
"This..." Shen Hao almost argued that Tang Qingyuan’s scenario was impossible, but as the words reached his lips, he suddenly recalled his night talk with Jiang Cheng—uncertainty flickered in his mind. Because it really was possible for the Wen Family to want nothing to do with Wen Renhai, the reckless scoundrel who brought them nothing but trouble.
Seeing Shen Hao silent and thoughtful, Tang Qingyuan laughed: "You see it too, don’t you? The Wen Family has been ruined by Wen Renhai—if they involve themselves, they’ll immediately become the battleground in the upper political game, and whoever wins or loses, the Wen Family will suffer greatly, may even be uprooted.
So, compared with the family’s overall interests, losing a troublemaking son counts for little. Besides, the main branch has three sons; even if one dies, two remain. If all else fails, Wen Hong can always sire another.
Yet, as a mother, Qin Yurou clearly disagrees with the Wen Family’s cold-blooded approach. She cannot simply stand by while her son is discarded as an outcast. That’s why she sneaked out without telling the others, bringing only a slave, determined to rescue her beloved child.
Well? When you trace it out like this, doesn’t it all make sense?"
In just a few words, Tang Qingyuan unraveled the whole knot of origins behind the case—wasn’t impossible after all. Given the many irrational signs surrounding Qin Yurou, Tang Qingyuan’s speculation was likely spot-on.
"Sir, your experience is unparalleled; I’ve learned a lot." This was heartfelt. No wonder Tang Qingyuan, despite abandonment by the sect, was able to climb all the way to the Hundred Households position—not an ordinary figure.
"Heh, still a bit rusty, but handling cases used to be my specialty back when I was on the front lines." Tang Qingyuan laughed heartily, clearly pleased by Shen Hao’s praise.
"Sir, do you think Qin Yurou, in running counter to the Wen Family, risks trapping herself?"
If the Wen Family could harden their hearts to abandon an adequately talented son, why would they hesitate to discard an ordinary woman—even if her father is the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue?
"Hard to say. Rumor has it that Wen Family Patriarch Wen Hong, not yet fifty, has already achieved Ninth Great Perfection in Gathering Spirit Realm, and may break through to Primordial Pill Realm in a few years. If he succeeds, his life span can reach two hundred and fifty years. Qin Yurou, on the other hand, is not a cultivator; living past a hundred would be difficult. I doubt Wen Hong cares much for a wife who cannot become his true cultivation partner."
It’s pragmatic, but it’s the truth.
After a pause, Tang Qingyuan went on: "Qin Yurou should know as well that her attempt to save her son can’t be hidden from the Wen Family, and will never be permitted. That’s why she’s acting with such urgency.
Be careful, this kind of maternal instinct isn’t something ordinary people can grasp. You’ve refused her several times already, and she’s desperate to save her child—she might do something extreme yet.
Better be on guard!"
"You mean Qin Yurou might do something reckless?" 𝑓𝘳𝑒𝑒𝓌𝘦𝘣𝘯ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝑚
"Something reckless? Heh, that’s an apt analogy—you’ve got it. With both routes blocked, Qin Yurou is likely to go to extremes. As the Wen Family’s main wife for many years, the resources at her disposal are not to be underestimated. You’d best double-check everything for any holes and patch them up quickly."
Shen Hao pondered a long moment, then shook his head: "No loopholes—last night I already increased the guards near my house and around the dungeon. She wouldn’t dare attempt a prison break, would she?"
Tang Qingyuan didn’t answer—he only stared at Shen Hao, who began to feel uneasy.
No way, no way—would she really dare break into the prison?