(4) The Manor Lord's Decision

After roughly the time it takes for a stick of incense to burn, thanks to Yue Heng's efforts, the flow of energy within Tian Xu's body had gradually settled and calmed. Once Yue Heng withdrew his internal force, Tian Xu took a few steadying breaths, straightened up, and bowed respectfully. "Thank you, Father."

Though Yue Heng still wore that same expressionless face as always, this time something faintly resembling deep remorse seemed to linger beneath the surface. He let out a sigh. "You and Xi'er have exactly the same temperament—both of you, mother and son, are meticulous, careful thinkers. I should have realized sooner... this was my fault..." He lowered his head, his eyes clouded with bitterness.

"Father speaks too gravely. It was Xu'er who defied you, and caused you, Uncle Jian, and Auntie Gui such worry—it is Xu'er who has failed in filial duty." As Tian Xu spoke, he dropped to his knees. Seeing this, Yueying, Yuehua, Yuesheng, and Yuelan immediately knelt as well, not daring to hesitate even a moment.

Seeing this, Yue Heng quickly reached out to help Tian Xu up, his voice gentle. "What are you doing? Get up at once." As he spoke, he gestured for the four Yue-guards to rise as well.

Having composed herself somewhat, and seeing that Tian Xu had stopped coughing blood, his color now considerably improved, Wang Qiugui's own mood eased considerably as well. She stepped forward, looking him over carefully from head to toe, and asked, "Xu'er, are you feeling much better? Does your chest still hurt?"

Tian Xu gently took Wang Qiugui's hand and patted it, comforting her. "Thanks to Father's timely rescue, Xu'er is unharmed."

"He's about seventy or eighty percent recovered already—the rest just needs Physician Zhou's care to properly heal, but overall there's no serious concern anymore," Yue Heng explained to Wang Qiugui.

"That's good, then." Wang Qiugui nodded and patted Tian Xu's hand as well, offering her own reassurance.

Just then, the sound of horses' hooves came from outside—it was Yuefeng and Yuehao arriving with Zhou Mengda at the Shen residence. All three dismounted in a rush and hurried into the main hall. Now, Zhou Mengda had only ever studied the basic stances and horse-stance training of martial arts in his youth before abandoning it entirely for medicine, so while he had some stamina, it wasn't a great deal—Yuefeng and Yuehao each grabbed one of his arms to "lend him a hand" and speed up his pace, which was why the three of them managed to reach the main hall in such short order.

"What kind of bad luck has the Manor Lord been running into lately? His Cold Affliction only just cleared up, and now he's suffered internal injuries too?" The moment he entered, Zhou Mengda began complaining loudly, and as he passed by Yue Heng, he made sure to shoot him a pointed glare.

"I've been troubling Uncle Zhou far too often lately—Xu'er is quite embarrassed by it," Tian Xu said, quickly stepping in to smooth things over upon noticing the edge in Zhou Mengda's tone toward Yue Heng.

"What do you have to be embarrassed about? The one who should be embarrassed is that man surnamed Yue..." Zhou Mengda's tongue remained sharp, but his hands were already busy, pulling Tian Xu toward the sandalwood chair.

"Sit down." Zhou Mengda paid no mind whatsoever to whatever expression Yue Heng might be wearing nearby, focusing solely on getting Tian Xu seated, then made a gesture for taking his pulse, signaling Yuefeng to bring over his medicine box. Earlier, after finding Mochou Hall empty, Yuefeng had immediately shouldered Zhou Mengda's medicine box and rushed toward Pingkang Ward; by the time Yuehao located the physician at Qingle Tower, Yuefeng had already arrived with the box in hand—which was why Zhou Mengda now asked Yuefeng for it. Yuefeng, not daring to waste a moment, stepped forward and opened the medicine box, retrieving a jade pillow so Tian Xu could rest his wrist on it for the pulse-reading.

"Fortunately, this was handled properly and in time—no serious danger, just needs some rest and breathing exercises, along with medicine to disperse the blood stasis." Zhou Mengda shot Yue Heng another glare, then said, "I recall you should have some on hand—those pills I gave you before, the ones in the white porcelain bottle... those will do. Fetch them now for immediate use, and I'll prepare a fresh batch specifically for the Manor Lord once I'm back at Mochou Hall."

Upon hearing this, all four Yue-guards immediately reached for the small leather pouches hanging from their belts and pulled out white porcelain bottles. Since Yueying stood closest, he simply poured out two pills and placed them directly into Tian Xu's mouth.

"Well now, old Yue, look at you—every single one of your disciples carries a bottle, and you're the only one without one? What's the matter, do you think your body is made of indestructible vajra?" Discovering that Yue Heng had given away all his finest healing medicine to his disciples, Zhou Mengda's anger dissipated by more than half at once, his address shifting back from the cold "that man surnamed Yue" to the more familiar "old Yue."

"They need it prepared. I don't," Yue Heng answered coldly.

"Fine, whatever... I'll prepare a full batch once I'm back at Mochou Hall and send it along together with the Manor Lord's medicine. I'll leave the prescription with Sister Hu at the manor—if you run out, go find her, and don't you dare keep skimping on your own share." As he spoke, Zhou Mengda stood and pressed a finger to the philtrum beneath Shen Wan's nose, paying Yue Heng no further attention—Yue Heng was simply Yue Heng, after all, and Zhou Mengda understood him far too well by now. Though the man seemed cold and unapproachable on the surface, he was, in truth, a man of genuine passion and loyalty at heart. Otherwise, he would never have spent over a decade faithfully protecting Chu Mingxi and her son purely out of a promise made to an old friend, nor would he have become the formidable pillar of strength behind Chu Mingxi's construction of her vast commercial empire. After all, there were precious few people, in either the righteous or underworld circles, who dared cross him—or who even stood a chance if they did. Without Yue Heng, one could hardly speak of Yueyue Manor's achievements today; indeed, whether Chu Mingxi and her son would even have survived at all remained an open question. Back then, amid the chaos, had Yue Heng not knocked unconscious the then three-months-pregnant Chu Mingxi and forcibly carried her away to safety, where would Tian Xu even be now? Never mind Yueyue Manor entirely. So regardless of everything else, Zhou Mengda remained, deep down, genuinely grateful to Yue Heng—or rather, it would be more accurate to say that everyone at Yueyue Manor felt this same debt of gratitude toward him.

Shen Wan, jolted awake by the pressure on his philtrum, let out a groan as consciousness returned, immediately followed by a searing burst of agony from the shattered bones and sinews in his right shoulder, nearly sending him back into unconsciousness. Catching sight of Zhou Mengda felt like glimpsing a savior, and he pleaded desperately, "Divine Physician Zhou, save me."

Zhou Mengda looked at Shen Wan's pitiful expression with obvious disdain and remarked mockingly, "Weren't you quite the big talker just now? Why all this whining about pain? Save you? Why would I bother? Treating someone like you would be a waste of my medicine. Besides, what happens to you is entirely up to the Manor Lord's judgment—I think you've begged the wrong person."

Though Shen Wan was in agonizing pain, he vaguely recalled that Tian Xu had already twice intervened to save him from Yue Heng's hands, which clearly meant he had no intention of actually taking his life. So instead he turned his pleading toward Tian Xu, who still sat in the sandalwood chair.

"Spare me, Manor Lord, Shen Wan knows his wrongdoing..." Shen Wan, drenched in cold sweat from the pain, still struggled to drag himself upright with trembling limbs, only to collapse back down onto his knees with a heavy thud.

"Know your wrongdoing? What exactly did you do wrong? Weren't you just spouting off so righteously a moment ago?" Tian Xu looked at Shen Wan, his expression darkening. He rose to his feet, bowed toward Yue Heng, and said respectfully, "Father, please take the seat of honor."

Hearing this, Yue Heng walked straight over—but seated himself in a different chair instead.

"You are the Manor Lord. You should take the seat of honor."

"Yes." Tian Xu bowed respectfully to Yue Heng once more, but did not immediately take his seat. He turned instead to gaze at the couplet and plaque on the wall, his expression tinged with sorrow, silencing everyone present.

"This is Mother's Way—Mother's philosophy of commerce. Not only have you failed to uphold it, you have actively betrayed it. Mother's philosophy of commerce was never about squeezing out every last coin of profit—it was about using whatever strength she had to benefit the world at large. Mother hoped everyone might have enough to eat, not that she alone, or her family alone, should live in luxury while others went without. You have your own path—you should walk it openly, not hide beneath the shelter of my Yueyue Manor while working in direct opposition to everything it stands for." As Tian Xu spoke, his tone grew steadily heavier.

"What fault could I possibly have? We simply follow different paths, that's all."

Hearing Tian Xu speak this way, a chill swept through Shen Wan's heart. Though Tian Xu had spared him from death at Yue Heng's hands, escaping execution did not mean escaping punishment entirely—today, it seemed, disaster had truly caught up with him, and he had lost everything.

"Mother's body is barely cold, and already you and Hong Tai couldn't wait to go off pursuing your own separate paths. Very well then—I shall grant your wish. From this day forward, you are no longer manager of Zhenbao Tower, and Hong Tai is no longer manager of the Splendid Silk Shop. Auntie Gui will serve as acting manager of the Splendid Silk Shop for the time being, while Uncle Jian and Auntie Gui shall select suitable candidates from among Zhenbao Tower's staff to serve as acting manager there as well."

"I, Chu Mingxi, have my own path to walk." Standing nearby, Yue Heng, listening to Tian Xu's earnest and impassioned words, couldn't help but recall Chu Mingxi once saying the very same thing, all those years ago. Mother and son truly shared an uncannily similar temperament.

That day, when the leaders of every major sect had banded together and marched on Yueyue Manor to confront him, that seemingly delicate, frail woman had shown not the slightest trace of fear, standing before a gathering of hostile, formidable figures each with their own agenda. With the gentlest voice imaginable, and yet with the most resolute, incisive words, she had held her ground against them all, single-handedly.

"How many people across the vast Tang empire are waiting for me to set up a kitchen, to cook rice, to distribute porridge, to hand out medicine? How many households depend on me to convert their goods into the resources needed to feed their families? Have none of you noticed how, since the chaos of the An-Shi Rebellion, countless common people have been left displaced, torn from their families, their homes shattered—how many can't even manage basic food and shelter these days? The numbers of the elderly, the orphaned, and the destitute in the charity houses of Chang'an and Weizhou only continue to grow, never to shrink. Have any of you esteemed 'heroes and men of valor' here ever once concerned yourselves with any of that? I confess I don't understand what path any of you claim to walk—but as for me, Chu Mingxi, my path is simply this: what more can I still do for the people of this world? I strive to walk my own path with everything I have, and that path is Yue Heng's path as well. Without Yue Heng, there would be no Chu Mingxi as you know her today. He is not merely my bodyguard—he is my fellow traveler on this road. How many people across this realm depend on Yueyue Manor's charity or partnership? How much hope does Yue Heng himself carry on his shoulders for so many people? I ask you—which among you has ever done more for the common people of this world than he has?"

In the silence that followed, someone finally stepped forward, stammering, "Our... our path... is naturally to strike down the strong and uplift the weak... to uphold... righteousness."

A murmur of agreement rippled through the crowd.

"But tell me—who exactly is 'strong,' and who is 'weak'? And who among you decides who lacks righteousness? Back when all of you, calling yourselves righteous and orthodox sects, joined forces to drive Yue Heng's parents to their deaths, and later faced his revenge as a son—however brutal and merciless his methods may have been, it was you who sowed those very seeds in the first place, and you have only yourselves to blame. What's more, you all conspired together to subdue Yue Heng through such despicable means, severing the tendons in his hands and feet, leaving him to die a slow, wretched death on his own. Whatever grievances existed between you should have been long since settled by that alone. That Yue Heng survived, and even recovered fully, was simply his own good fortune. For you all to come here today seeking further confrontation is neither justified nor reasonable—it is nothing short of bullying, and yet you still dare call yourselves the righteous and orthodox sects?"

Recalling this, Yue Heng's expression darkened once more, and that inexplicable ache in his chest struck him again, impossible to suppress. For over three months now, he had suffered this piercing pain day and night, with no remedy to ease it, able only to drown himself in drink each day, if only to momentarily forget the reality that Chu Mingxi was gone.

"Him... him... he's a demon! How many people has he killed over the years? Keeping him alive is nothing but a plague waiting to happen." Someone else stepped forward from the crowd, pointing at him and cursing loudly. But this time, considerably fewer voices rose in agreement.

"As I've already said—Yue Heng today represents the hope of countless people across this realm. Has this gentleman gone deaf? As the Buddha teaches, 'lay down the butcher's knife, and one becomes a Buddha on the spot.' Yue Heng has already laid down his blade, and whatever grievances existed between you were settled long ago. Who among you is still clutching a knife you refuse to release? Don't you know, deep down, who among you is truly the demon here, and who the Buddha?"

Tian Xu turned around, and this motion pulled Yue Heng back to the present. With great effort, he forced himself to steady his already trembling heart, because today, no matter what, he had to stand strong for Tian Xu's sake.

Turning back, Tian Xu saw the very different expressions on Shen Wan's and Hong Tai's faces: Hong Tai, already resigned to his fate, showed no surprise at all upon losing his position as manager of the Splendid Silk Shop. Shen Wan, however, beyond the searing pain twisting his features from his shattered shoulder, was clearly reeling in shock at this decision falling upon him like a bolt from the blue, as though his very soul had nearly fled his body.

Before Shen Wan could even fully recover his senses, Tian Xu continued, "Years ago, Mother granted each of you a residence, on the understanding that if you both served diligently and faithfully throughout your lives, without harboring any disloyal intentions, then upon your deaths those residences would pass to your descendants as private property. If not, the residences would be reclaimed, to be used for whoever succeeded you as manager in the future. At present, both residences still remain in Mother's name, and naturally now pass to me as her heir. However, given that Hong Tai's attitude in confessing his guilt was reasonably sincere, he is permitted to sell his residence and leave Chang'an with his proceeds. Shen Wan—having proven ungrateful, having spoken ill of his own mother figure, having bullied a young master, and having betrayed everything I, Tian Xu, stand for—shall have his residence reclaimed effective immediately, and shall be expelled from Chang'an at once. If you wish to seek treatment for your injuries, either pay Physician Zhou handsomely for his services or find yourself another competent physician on your own. Neither of you shall ever return to Chang'an for the rest of your lives. Should either of you remain in the city or secretly attempt to sneak back at any point in the future, and should Yueyue Manor's hidden sentries discover it, you will be killed on sight, without exception."

Hearing Tian Xu's judgment, Shen Wan collapsed entirely, his whole body limp, his expression utterly defeated. From the very beginning, his careful calculations had been fundamentally wrong—this young master, however young, already possessed a depth of cunning and strategic thinking he had badly underestimated. He had let his guard down and lost everything as a result, and now regret came far too late to matter.

"When a gambler places his bet, the moment the wager is locked in, the outcome is already decided. The instant you chose to take advantage of me, you had already lost..." Tian Xu spoke with a grave expression, his tone heavy with meaning.

"Yueying, relay my order as Manor Lord: Shen Wan is to leave Chang'an within one month. Hong Tai will be given time to sell his residence and must leave Chang'an within three months—no exceptions." Tian Xu straightened his back, and after issuing these instructions, bowed respectfully to Yue Heng before striding out of the Shen residence with purposeful steps.

"Understood." Yueying acknowledged the order respectfully and followed close behind Tian Xu as he departed. Of everyone present, only Shen Wan and Hong Tai remained where they were; Zhou Mengda returned to Mochou Hall, while the rest of the group, one by one, followed Tian Xu out of the Shen residence and back toward the Four Seas Inn.