Chapter 115

Chapter 115: Impulsive Actions

“If the capital sends troops, then we don’t need to do anything else?” Old Master Lin slammed the table forcefully, gritting his teeth in pain but quickly trying to hide it as he glared at Old Master Wang sitting across from him.

“Do you not trust the court? If you have the nerve, take your words to the emperor and see if he punishes you!” Old Master Wang shot back just as loudly, matching his intensity.

Seated at the head of the room, Prefect Chen of Danzhou listened to the ongoing argument and helplessly rubbed his forehead.

Although he was the Prefect of Danzhou, everyone present had connections to court officials. Their backing was far more powerful than his, so he had to show them some respect.

“Ahem.” Venerable Li Xiuhong coughed twice. As the most senior member present, Old Master Lin and Old Master Wang immediately fell silent, though both still wore expressions of defiance, as if they could argue for three days and nights if Li Xiuhong didn’t intervene.

Li Xiuhong spoke slowly, “Old Master Lin has a point.”

As soon as he finished speaking, Old Master Lin shot Old Master Wang a triumphant look, his smile widening at the sight of the other’s displeased expression.

Li Xiuhong continued, “Even if the court sends troops, they will be deployed to the border regions and won’t have time to worry about us. Our actions are to protect ourselves and have nothing to do with trusting or distrusting the court.”

Old Master Wang lowered his eyes, avoiding Old Master Lin’s smug expression, and nodded repeatedly as if taking it in.

“Moreover, throughout history, whenever war breaks out, bandits and thieves take advantage of the chaos to loot and kill. We must guard against them as well.” After saying this, Li Xiuhong turned to the Prefect, who had remained silent.

The Prefect nodded approvingly. “Rest assured, everyone. I have already increased patrols. Anyone suspicious will be apprehended immediately.”

Old Master Liu said, “In my opinion, relying solely on government officers isn’t enough. Prefect Chen, I can assign twenty men to assist. The more people we have, the safer we’ll be. Don’t you agree?”

Others chimed in:

“I can provide thirty men.”

“I can send twenty guards to help.”

Prefect Chen sipped his tea in silence. The local practice of adding Longjing tea with shihua (rock orchid) struck him as rather odd, but after all these years in Danzhou, he had grown accustomed to it. He listened to their earnest offers without showing any particular reaction—neither joy nor hesitation.

Li Xiuhong watched him thoughtfully and said calmly, “These men will naturally follow Prefect Chen’s orders. Anyone who disobeys will be dealt with at his discretion, without checking with us.”

Prefect Chen made a decision. “Very well, let these guards join the daily patrols. More people mean greater security. Once the war is over, they can return.”

Though Prefect Chen was pressured by the powerful families of Danzhou, they had coexisted peacefully by staying out of each other’s affairs. However, this proposal from the families seemed like an attempt to interfere with official authority. How could Prefect Chen agree?

Li Xiuhong picked up on Prefect Chen’s concerns, so he clarified that the guards would be under his command, with the families having no say in where they patrol or what they do.

Assured, Prefect Chen agreed.

No one else dared to contradict Li Xiuhong any further.

***

Although fighting had broken out elsewhere, it would take time for the conflict to reach Danzhou. Perhaps the troops sent by the court would quell it within days.

The people of Danzhou continued their lives as usual.

News of the old lady’s illness reached the ladies of other families in Danzhou. Those who didn’t visit in person sent modest gifts as a gesture of goodwill.

However, none of this lifted her mood, as her heart remained with her son in the border regions.

After several days of medication and tonic soups, the old lady’s complexion improved slightly. The first thing she did upon getting out of bed was to visit a temple to pray and burn incense for safety. Zhao Fuying naturally agreed and made arrangements immediately, accompanying the old lady to the temple with Dong Yuting.

Although the people of Danzhou were more devoted to mountain gods, Buddhist temples still existed. While they prayed to mountain gods for good harvests and favorable weather, they turned to Buddha for safety and peace.

The temple was small, but the old lady didn’t mind. She generously donated a hundred taels of silver for incense and requested the monks to light an eternal flame. This lamp, tended by the monks, symbolized life—its flame representing the living, its extinguishment, death.

Regardless of the time, the long-burning lamp is always watched. When the flame is about to go out, the attendants use tweezers to lengthen the wick; when the candle is nearly burned out, they transfer the last bit of burning wick to light another candle. In short, once the flame is lit, it must not be extinguished.

The monk explained this to them, but Dong Yuting thought to herself that even if it went out, they wouldn't know. However, seeing how the old lady desperately needed something to cling to, she added, "Master, from now on, I will send someone daily to check on the long-burning lamp, so my mother can feel at ease."

This small temple had not welcomed such a wealthy patron in a long time, and the monk eagerly agreed, "There's no need for you to send anyone; I will have a monk from the temple come to you instead."

After burning incense and praying at the temple, the old lady expressed a desire to visit Danming Mountain to worship the mountain god. It seemed she intended to worship every god in Danzhou. Dong Yuting and Zhao Fuying both tried to persuade her to return home. She had just recovered a bit—they didn't want her to fall ill again.

Yuan Xiang, Dong Zhi, Chun Yue, and others also joined in urging her, surrounding the old lady like a flock of sparrows, chattering nonstop.

In the end, the old lady wasn't convinced by their pleas but rather got a headache from the noise and finally got into the carriage to return home.

The Lin and Li families had always been close, but in this generation, the families saw less of each other. However, when the old lady fell ill, the Lin family sent someone over. Although Mrs. Lin didn't come, Lin Qingxuan visited frequently. After visiting the old lady at Luoying Court, she wouldn't leave immediately but would spend time with the sisters she knew. Having no siblings of her own in the Lin family, she often came to the Li residence.

Lin Qingxuan was young and innocent, and the old lady was quite fond of her. When she was around, the old lady smiled more often. If Lin Qingxuan didn't visit, the old lady would ask about her, even forgetting about Dong Yuting and Zhao Fuying.

Zhao Fuying didn't mind at all; she only cared about who could lift the old lady's spirits. Dong Yuting, however, sighed inwardly, thinking it must be how the story goes. Seeing how the old lady smiled at Lin Qingxuan, she feared the next words out of her mouth would be, "Let Qingxuan marry my grandson."

Tingquan entered hurriedly from outside, glanced at the old lady, and whispered into Zhao Fuying's ear, "Madam, the aunt says she wants to leave."

Her eyes widened in surprise, and Tingquan nodded in confirmation.

Noticing that the old lady wasn't paying attention, Zhao Fuying said to Dong Yuting, "I have something to attend to."

Dong Yuting replied, "Go ahead quickly; I'll handle things here."

Zhao Fuying slipped quietly out of the room.

Having observed their conversation, Dong Yuting summoned Chun Yue and said, "Go find out what's happening."

Chun Yue nodded and also left.

Zhao Fuying, accompanied by Xishui and Tingquan, hurried to Luoxia Court. Li Qingdai had been assigned there because it was the farthest courtyard from Luoying Court. Now, rushing there, Zhao Fuying regretted having placed Li Qingdai so far away.

Before even entering the courtyard, she saw Li Qingdai coming out with a stern expression, followed by confused maids and servants carrying luggage, hesitating and confused.

Li Chenfeng had been trying to persuade her, but Li Qingdai remained cold and unresponsive. Upon seeing Zhao Fuying, Li Chenfeng stopped talking, and Li Qingdai stopped, waiting for her approach.

Zhao Fuying smiled and asked, "Aunt, where are you going?"

Li Qingdai glanced at the breathless Zhao Fuying and snorted, "You already know, don't you? Why ask? I'm leaving, returning to Yushan Prefecture."

Li Qingdai made her intentions clear without mincing words, almost implying that Zhao Fuying was feigning ignorance. Zhao Fuying hated dealing with such blunt people—no matter how tactfully others spoke, Li Qingdai's words cut like a sharp blade.

Without changing her expression, Zhao Fuying said, "You're leaving? Have you informed Father? Why the rush?"

Li Qingdai didn't respond, her face clearly displeased.

As Zhao Fuying had suspected, due to the ongoing war, Li Xiuhong had completely forgotten about Li Qingdai, spending his days discussing defensive measures with Prefect Chen and other family heads to ensure Danzhou's safety.

Li Qingdai, however, interpreted this as Li Xiuhong being angry and avoiding her. This sense of abandonment unsettled her, making her feel disliked by everyone in the household, so she decided to leave Danzhou altogether.

But with news of the war in Bianzhou spreading, setting out now was clearly unwise.

Yet, Li Qingdai was too upset to listen to reason, insisting on departing no matter who tried to dissuade her.

Seeing her state, Zhao Fuying came up with a plan. Smiling, she stepped up and took Li Qingdai's arm. However blunt Li Qingdai might be, she wouldn't openly shake off Zhao Fuying's hand in public.

"Aunt, these days Father has been busy discussing the conflict in the border prefecture with Prefect Chen. He sent guards from the manor and sent inquiries to the border prefecture to gather news about your nephew. Though overwhelmed with tasks, he hasn’t forgotten you. Today, he told me we should have dinner together."

Li Qingdai asked skeptically, "Really?"

"Of course it’s true. How could Zhao Fuying lie to you?"

"Will your aunt be coming?"

Zhao Fuying shook her head with a smile. "Aunt said she won’t be joining. She has no appetite. As you know, she’s been unwell lately—the medicine alone makes her feel half-full, leaving no room for food. The doctor advised her to have smaller meals more often. She’ll have a few bites in the evening and that'll be enough for her, so she won’t be coming."

Hearing this, Li Qingdai felt reassured. "In that case, I’ll stay for now."

Li Chenfeng breathed a sigh of relief and shot Zhao Fuying a grateful look before quickly urging the maids and servants in the courtyard, "Put everything back."