Xiao Yan’s voice wasn’t loud, and his words carried no sharp edge, yet they cut through Liang Guangyi’s composure, making his face twitch.
“Though I was young back then, I saw the He family’s splendor, gold and jade adorning their residence, opulent carriages entering their gates. The Liang family’s wealth at the time couldn’t compare to half of the He family’s grandeur.”
“Everyone knows the He family’s legacy, how illustrious they were when my grandfather was alive. If the He family falls into my hands only to become a hollow shell, surviving on scraps from Grand Preceptor Liang’s fingers, it would be better to leave things as they are. Otherwise, when I die, I’d have no face to meet the He family’s ancestors.”
“…”
Liang Guangyi’s face stiffened.
If he wants money, just say it, why insult me in the process!
With that venomous tongue, hoping for a peaceful death? He’s more likely to meet a violent end on the streets!
Liang Guangyi’s chest burned with anger, but he forced himself to stay calm, reminding himself he came to negotiate peace. Don’t mind Xiao Yan’s insolent demeanor.
Before setting out, he had known this visit would cost him dearly. No need to quibble over words, as long as he could pacify this “mad dog” and secure the clans’ safety, enduring a moment’s humiliation was nothing.
Liang Guangyi forced a smile. “Overseer Xiao jests. How could the Liang family compare to the He family? But the clans are one family, and the others can’t bear to see the He family in decline.”
He drew a booklet from his sleeve, placed it on the table, and pushed it toward Xiao Yan.
“There were misunderstandings with the He family back then. In our folly, we believed slander and failed to aid them. But given our long-standing ties, we couldn’t bear to see He family possessions fall into others’ hands. I and the other clans each took some items.”
“Originally, we meant to keep them as mementos. But now, knowing a He family heir survives and the past was a miscarriage of justice, we’re naturally willing to return them.”
Seeing Xiao Yan’s raised eyebrow and faint smile, with Cao Dejiang also watching him, Liang Guangyi’s aged face struggled to maintain dignity. He knew his words were shameless, but he couldn’t admit that after the He family’s slaughter, they had eagerly divided their wealth. Though the truth was clear to all, he needed a veneer of decency.
Ignoring their gazes, Liang Guangyi continued, “Most of these are He family possessions, now rightfully returned. The rest can be considered our congratulations to Overseer Xiao for inheriting the title.”
Xiao Yan glanced at the booklet, first noting the ten thousand gold at the top before scanning further.
The booklet listed many items: porcelain treasures, gold and jade artifacts, ancient paintings, and jewelry. Among them was a gold-threaded nanmu carving of “Calming the Mountains and Rivers,” an heirloom of the He family, once displayed in the patriarch’s study, cherished by Xiao Yan’s grandfather.
These were all rare treasures, and it was clear the clans were sincere. Liang Guangyi had indeed come to make peace.
But…
Xiao Yan snapped the booklet shut. “Grand Preceptor Liang, are you insulting me?”
Liang Guangyi frowned. “Overseer Xiao…”
“No one knows the He family’s wealth better than you. The scraps that slipped through their fingers could sustain half the capital. Your clans’ fortunes swelled from their possessions, and now you offer this paltry sum to dismiss me?”
Xiao Yan tossed the booklet onto the table, his cold ruthlessness seeping into the gesture.
“Ten thousand gold… hah!”
Liang Guangyi pursed his lips. “Ten thousand gold is indeed less than the He family’s wealth, but Overseer Xiao should know that after the He family was raided, over half their assets went to His Majesty and the Lu family. We clans took some, but not the lion’s share…”
“And so what?” Xiao Yan’s face was icy. “The Lu family was raided, their wealth confiscated to the treasury, I can’t touch that. His Majesty’s share, I’ll deal with later. Your clans remain unscathed only because I know you weren’t the masterminds and I don’t wish to stir major conflict. But that doesn’t mean you’re innocent.”
Liang Guangyi said urgently, “I never harmed the He family…”
“Do you dare swear on your Liang ancestors and all your descendants that you were unaware when Lu Chongyuan plotted against my grandfather? That you and the other clans didn’t fan the flames when the He family was condemned, turning a blind eye to their innocence, only to swarm like flies over their thousand corpses to suck their blood and marrow?”
Xiao Yan’s words left Liang Guangyi’s face ashen.
“You didn’t take as much as the Lu family or Emperor An, but you know full well how much you gained after the He family fell.”
“You think this pittance will settle things and dismiss me like a beggar?”
With that, Xiao Yan swept his sleeve, too disdainful to look at Liang Guangyi further.
“Canglang, escort Grand Preceptor Liang out!”
“Overseer Xiao!”
As Canglang entered, Liang Guangyi hurriedly spoke, “I came with sincere intent to mend ties.”
“I see no sincerity,” Xiao Yan said coldly. “Grand Preceptor Liang seems to forget, you’re the one begging me, not the other way around.”
“You don’t need to use the same tactics you tried on Lord Cao to threaten me. I don’t care about the court or Great Wei. Nor should you expect someone who crawled out of a pile of corpses to care about grand ideals.”
His brow was frosted with cold, his eyes blazing with menace. The phrase “crawled out of a pile of corpses” sent a chill through the room.
Liang Guangyi, who had been certain Xiao Yan’s restraint was for the sake of the greater good, began to waver. He suddenly recalled that whether Xiao Yan was a He family son or… something else, he had endured the loss of his family, witnessing their unjust deaths firsthand.
He had survived by the skin of his teeth, climbing to his current position through ruthless means. Even as the chief eunuch, he was never a saint. Would he truly yield for the sake of Great Wei’s stability or lofty principles?
Canglang stood coldly beside Liang Guangyi. “Grand Preceptor Liang, please.”
“Overseer Xiao!”
Seeing Xiao Yan truly intended to dismiss him, clearly angered, Liang Guangyi’s brow furrowed as he turned to Cao Dejiang. “Lord Cao.”
Cao Dejiang’s face showed displeasure. “Grand Preceptor Liang, if you seek reconciliation, you shouldn’t keep testing him.”
Softening slightly, he looked at Xiao Yan. “Overseer Xiao, I know you don’t care about the court, but Princess Xiangning, taught by Grand Tutor Rong, has always hoped for a peaceful realm. She once told me she wishes for a stable life with you after the He family’s name is cleared.”
“If Great Wei’s court is unstable, no egg survives a crushed nest. You may not care, but would you let Princess Xiangning wander in turmoil with you? Or do you wish the Rong family to follow the He family, branded as traitors?”
“Don’t use Tangning to threaten me!” Xiao Yan’s face darkened with menace.
Cao Dejiang’s voice softened. “It’s not a threat, just a discussion. I don’t wish to see you and the clans tear each other apart, bringing down Great Wei and leaving the people in chaos.”
Xiao Yan’s expression shifted, as if hesitating at Cao Dejiang’s words. After a moment, he said gravely, “The He family’s lost possessions need not be fully restored, but I want eight hundred thousand gold. Additionally, each clan must contribute half their libraries to the Rongsheng Academy. You may keep transcribed copies in your residences.”
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T/N: He is literally a scammer lol
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