Chapter 56: Clarifying the Reason

Chapter 56: Getting to the Bottom of It

The Li residence was brightly lit.

Inside Ruixing Hall, physicians were diligently treating the severely wounded Li Yuanxiu. Outside the door, Lady Zhao and Lady Qiao stood vigil, their faces etched with a grief and worry they struggled to suppress.

It was impossible to tell how much time had passed before the tightly shut door finally opened. Qiao Yunyue emerged, looking utterly exhausted, his attendants trailing behind him. He first gave a slight nod to his cousin before respectfully bowing to Lady Zhao.

"I report to Your Highness, the task is complete. The eldest son's condition has stabilized. He will require extensive rest and must avoid any mental strain going forward."

Lady Zhao, whose heart had been tightly strung, finally dared to exhale only after Physician Qiao finished speaking. As her nerves relaxed, her legs nearly gave way, but she was caught by Lady Qiao beside her. Lady Zhao grasped her arm in return, tears silently rolling down her cheeks.

"Sister, thank you for giving my eldest a chance at life."

"No need for thanks. The eldest grew up right before my eyes too—how could I just stand by and watch him die?"

Lady Qiao's brow remained deeply furrowed with persistent worry, so Lady Zhao gently comforted her in turn.

"I’ve already sent all the capable men in the residence with the third son to find the fourth son! He’ll definitely bring him back. Don’t worry too much…"

Before she could finish, Qingliu, Lady Qiao’s head maid, hurried over to report.

"My Lady, the third young master has found the fourth young master!"

"How is the fourth? Is he badly injured?"

Lady Qiao asked, already lifting her skirts to rush out, but not before turning back to instruct, "Elder sister, watch over the eldest here. I’m going to check on the fourth!"

"I’ll come too."

"You stay here for now; we can talk later."

"Then don’t rush too much, take it slow—"

"Understood!"

Lady Qiao took large strides out of Ruixing Hall, quickly ascertained the whereabouts of the two younger brothers, and then hurried straight toward her own Ruijing Hall with her cousin in tow.

The mother and sons were safely reunited. After having Qiao Yunyue thoroughly examine the fourth son multiple times, confirming that his injuries were not life-threatening and had already been properly treated and bandaged, Lady Qiao finally sank weakly into a chair, utterly drained.

Though she stubbornly said nothing, the clear fear and worry that had been on her face moments earlier deeply touched Fourth Li.

"Mother, now you see how important I am to you, right? Next time, don’t be so quick to hit me—what if you really hurt me? Wouldn’t you be heartbroken?"

Her son clung to her, whining, and Lady Qiao scolded him with a few light pats that carried no force at all.

"The wounds haven’t even healed yet and you’ve already forgotten the pain? You’re never serious—what will become of you in the future?"

"Why wouldn’t I be fine? Anyway, I have you and Father above me, my brother supporting me in the middle, and children to care for me in the future. I’ll live a life of nothing but ease!"

"Some accomplishment!"

She tapped her youngest son’s head in exasperation, causing him to shake his big head and try to lean on her shoulder, only to be mercilessly pushed away.

"Li Chengxiu, how old are you? Still so clingy with your mother? Hurry back to your courtyard and get yourself sorted—eat if you’re hungry, sleep if you’re tired. I need to speak with your brother."

"What could you two have to say that I can’t hear? Just say it, I’ll listen with one ear, it’s not like—

Alright, alright, I’m going, I’m going. Mother, don’t hit me!"

Lady Qiao watched as this unruly child scampered away. Then, having her trusted maids Qingyang and Qingliu guard the door, she sat expressionlessly at the head of the room, staring at her eldest son without a word.

The room was quiet, broken only by the occasional crackle of the candle flame. Li Yanxiu knelt silently before his mother, his face equally devoid of expression.

It wasn’t until the cry of a passing bird outside the window that the mother-son standoff was finally broken.

"Why did you do this?"

"Mother, it wasn’t me."

In response to her eldest son’s flat denial, Lady Qiao didn’t say whether she believed him or not, but instead brought up the past.

"Back when your father and I were trapped in Guangping Prefecture, we had reached the end of our rope. It was only by relying on the Zhao family for troops, provisions, funds, and manpower that we narrowly escaped life-threatening danger. Did you know that?"

"I know!"

Li Yanxiu lifted his head, meeting his mother’s gaze evenly. "But I also know that it was what you got in exchange for giving up your position as the principal wife! It was paid for with my eldest sister’s life!"

"Silence!"

Lady Qiao slammed the table fiercely. "I know perfectly well what Zhao Yu'e’s character is like. Search your conscience and tell me: back when I was away fighting alongside your father and you children were left at home, did she not take good care of you?"

Li Yanxiu couldn’t in good conscience say she hadn’t, so he could only remain silent. His mother let out a long sigh.

"I know you’re unwilling to accept it—truth be told, so am I. But do you think Zhao Yu'e is willing? Do you think your father is willing?

Everything is the work of fate, everything is beyond our control. Every choice we make in this world is our own decision; we can’t blame others.

All these years, Zhao Yu'e hasn’t borne any more children precisely because she feels guilty toward me for not taking good enough care of your eldest sister back then. That’s why she has only your eldest brother.

Third child, I’ve fought with her openly and covertly for half a lifetime, but I’ve also leaned on and supported her for half a lifetime. I understand her character better than you do."

The only sound in the room was Lady Qiao’s murmuring voice.

"I know this assassination wasn’t arranged by you, but you must have gotten wind of it when it happened. Otherwise, how do you explain how you emerged completely unscathed?"

"Mother, is that how you see your son?"

Li Yanxiu’s eyes were filled with anger. "The reason I managed to escape without a scratch was partly because the fourth was covering my back, and partly because—"

He gritted his teeth, his voice dropping very low. "Among those two groups of masked assailants, one was led by Eldest Cousin. I recognized her."

"...Qiao Yuchu?"

"Yes."

Lady Qiao’s breathing hitched, and she fairly gnashed her teeth as she slapped the table again. "What is your little uncle trying to do? That brainless fool never listened since he was young, and now he’s gone and ruined my entire plan!"

"Mother, Little Uncle was also trying to fight for your sake."

"I know!

But we can use overt methods, not underhanded tricks. This has been the unspoken understanding between her and me all these years—otherwise, the Zhao family is not to be trifled with!

Where do you think the other group of masked men came from? Since Qiao Yu could bring men to ambush your elder brother, couldn’t the Zhao family send someone to kill you and Fourth Brother?"

Li Yanxiu had also considered this and could only fall silent once more. Qiao Shi stood up, closed her eyes helplessly for a moment, then opened them again.

"Go back and rest now. Your elder brother took a heavy blow this time, and it will likely cut his life short. Keep that in mind. I'll head to Ruixing Hall again."

"Mother!"

"What’s all the shouting? Since we’ve already lost the upper hand, we might as well be straightforward and honorable about it! This time, we must concede a step and plan for the future."

With that, Qiao Shi decisively turned and left.