Chapter 595 - 335: Liu Wu Is Light...

Although her mood was far from good because of the incident with Liu Hong, seeing the backyard as peaceful as ever brought her a sliver of comfort.

"Is this how Father felt when he returned from his deployments?" Xiao Jinghong wondered, feeling a sense of empathy. With light steps, she entered the living room.

"Second Miss."

"General."

Juan’er, Xiaodie, Shen Huatang, and the others by the door noticed her first and rose to bow.

Xiao Jinghong waved a hand, gesturing for them to sit. Then, before Xiao Wan’er and Chen Yi could even get up, she took a seat next to Chen Yi and asked in a slightly relaxed tone, "Eldest Sister, Husband, did I arrive in time?"

"Just in time. We’re starting to get hungry." Chen Yi turned to look at her and nodded with a smile. "Madam, please wait a moment."

He instructed Xiaodie to fetch a bowl and chopsticks, then served Xiao Jinghong a bowl of rice. Taking advantage of the moment, Xiao Wan’er fell into her usual routine, chatting with Xiao Jinghong with sisterly concern.

"Are the matters in Guangyuan resolved?"

"Yes, they’re resolved."

"Then you should be able to take a few days off to rest. No need to rush out again."

Taking the bowl from Chen Yi, Xiao Jinghong replied apologetically, "I’m afraid I have to disappoint you, Eldest Sister. After lunch, I must set off to inspect the New Army in the Three Towns."

Xiao Wan’er instinctively glanced at Chen Yi. Seeing him simply listening to their conversation with a gentle smile, she decided not to press the issue.

Chen Yi naturally knew everything that had just transpired, but he could only feign ignorance, chatting and laughing with Xiao Jinghong. Their conversation mostly revolved around his recent preparations for the Annual Examination and a few major events that had occurred in the Prefecture City. Intentionally or not, Chen Yi revealed that he had been feeling unwell, having contracted the plague toxin.

Catching on, Xiao Wan’er chimed in from the side, "Don’t worry, Second Sister. Your husband’s health is fine now."

Xiao Jinghong furrowed her brows at first. She didn’t let her guard down until she confirmed that Chen Yi’s complexion was indeed rosy and healthy.

"Husband, you are now a tutor at Guiyun Academy. You don’t have to do everything yourself. Just leave some tasks to the servants in the mansion." She paused, then looked at Xiao Wan’er and added, "You too, Eldest Sister."

In her eyes, the two people beside her were both physically frail, so there was no harm in giving them a few extra reminders. Chen Yi readily agreed to her advice, but Xiao Wan’er’s Heart Spirit was somewhat conflicted.

On one hand, she had to cover for Chen Yi; knowing his illness was fake, she couldn’t let the truth slip. On the other hand, harboring a sense of guilt toward Xiao Jinghong made her chest feel tight and uncomfortable.

Fortunately, true to her word, Xiao Jinghong didn’t linger after lunch and directly left the Marquis’s Mansion. Beneath her guilt, Xiao Wan’er felt a wave of relief.

It wasn’t until then that someone in the mansion came to report what had happened at the Qingjing Residence.

Xiao Wan’er was momentarily stunned. "Grandfather killed... the Lord Governor? And he did it right in front of the imperial envoy? This..."

Chen Yi had anticipated this, so he offered a few words of comfort. "The Old Master must have his reasons for doing so. Besides, if there was real danger, Madam would have warned us just now."

Xiao Wan’er thought about it and nodded hesitantly. The logic was sound, and the situation was what it was, but there wasn’t much she could do. Rather than worrying, it was better to focus on doing her own work well.

After chatting for a bit longer, they parted ways.

Chen Yi took Xiaodie with him, Returning Spring Lotus Garden.

Xiaodie patted her budding chest and said, "Young Master, I didn’t expect Liu... Liu Hong to be so wicked, actually colluding with the enemy."

Seeing Chen Yi’s calm expression, she asked in confusion, "He was so wicked, so why is the Eldest Miss worried that the Old Master killed him? Isn’t this a good thing?"

Chen Yi chuckled. "Of course it’s a good thing, but we do need to take preventative measures..."

Liu Hong dying by the Old Master’s hands would have a profound impact. However, no matter how one looked at it, it wasn’t a bad thing.

The Xiao Family had been showing weakness for far too long.