491: Chapter 491 You Have Something to Say

Xie Juner pointed to Hu Xinyi, who was nearby taking care of Lady Hu.

“Husband, Xinyi's family has met with disaster, and her aunt, Lady Hu, is pregnant with Lord Feng's child...”

Xie Juner knew that Lin Xiao had always looked down on Feng Yuzhang for shielding the Hu family and for the collusion between officials and merchants.

But as a close friend for many years, seeing Hu Xinyi go from a wealthy young lady to having nothing, she naturally wanted to offer some help.

It was only after hearing the woman speak that Lin Xiao learned Feng Yuzhang's wife was still alive and that Hu Xinyi had endured many hardships while fleeing.

Having faced such a massive upheaval, these two women, who were used to being taken care of, naturally needed support.

“Then let's do as you wish.”

Lin Xiao was not cold-hearted; since Hu Wengui was dead and the Hu family had fallen, there was no need to pursue past grievances.

“Lord Feng did not fail the people of E Prefecture, nor did he fail the teachings of the Sages; he is a model for all officials in the world.”

“Settle his wife well, ask her if there is anything she wants, and this Prince will try his best to satisfy her.”

Lin Xiao knew that no one is perfect; while Feng Yuzhang had his flaws, he was still admirable enough.

Xie Juner breathed a sigh of relief and nodded with a smile: “Thank you, husband. I will tell Lady Hu.”

The woman was about to walk away when Lin Xiao pulled her back.

“Don't be in such a hurry. You've performed a great service this time, and I haven't rewarded you yet.”

“A reward?”

Xie Juner's pretty face flushed slightly. “Husband... it's not very convenient here, is it? How about we wait until tonight...”

Lin Xiao quickly raised his hand to stop her: “It's not that kind of reward we usually do; this one is serious.”

Damn it, his level of 'education' was a bit too high; the woman had been taught to be a bit too 'sensible' in that regard.

“Here, your zither was damaged, so I'm giving you a new one.”

Without another word, Lin Xiao spent ten thousand Prestige to buy a Heaven Grade ancient zither for Xie Juner.

An immortal grade zither costing over a hundred thousand was too expensive, but he could still afford a Heaven Grade one.

[Du You: A world-renowned zither. A single long cry turns the four mountains green; sitting alone in the secluded bamboo grove, all sounds fall silent! Grade: Heaven Grade]

Xie Juner was used to the 'magic trick' of the man suddenly pulling out treasures, so she didn't think much of it.

The key was that her entire attention was now on this Du You zither!

“Husband... this aura, could it be Heaven Grade!?”

She was already well-informed and was now an expert close to the Grandmaster level, so her eyesight was naturally extraordinary.

“The power of your Sword Heart and Zither Soul relies heavily on internal energy and the strength of the zither, so you need this.”

Lin Xiao smiled: “You are my woman, after all. Using a Heaven Grade zither is not excessive.”

Xie Juner was overjoyed. Holding the zither in one hand, she hooked her other arm around Lin Xiao's neck, disregarding the surroundings to give him several kisses in a row.

“Husband, you are too good to me. When we go back... I will do whatever you say!”

Xie Juner said shyly before turning to run over and speak with Hu Xinyi.

Hu Xinyi had been quietly watching the two. When she saw Xie Juner coming over and learned that Lin Xiao had agreed to take them to Cang Province, a hint of surprise appeared on her face.

She glanced at Lin Xiao from a distance, her gaze filled with an indescribable resentment, grievance, and complex emotions...

Although Lin Xiao noticed it, he didn't pay it any mind. Most of his thoughts were on Xiao Qingxuan's side.

After handing over some important matters regarding plague prevention to Zhao Cailing, Lin Xiao headed back to Baishui City at full speed.

Just as he was about to enter the borders of Cang Province, he sensed an aura rapidly approaching him.

Lin Xiao's figure suddenly jerked to a halt, staying in place without moving forward.

After a moment, a hurried and beautiful figure landed gracefully a few hundred meters away.

Xiao Qingxuan gazed at the black-clad figure in the distance, a relieved and knowing smile appearing at the corners of her mouth.

The two crossed the hundred-odd meters in a few steps, and Xiao Qingxuan threw herself directly into Lin Xiao's embrace.

After a round of intense kissing...

“Wife, I'm back...”

“Mm.” Xiao Qingxuan hugged the man's waist tightly, her heart finally at peace.

“Wife, you've worked hard.” Lin Xiao affectionately stroked the woman's hair.

Xiao Qingxuan shook her head slightly: “What are you saying, husband? I was merely following your ingenious arrangements and acting step by step. Everything was within your grasp; how could I have worked hard?”

“Huh?”

Lin Xiao was somewhat puzzled. What arrangements did he make? Prince Qing? He wasn't familiar with him!

“What do you mean by that, wife?”

Xiao Qingxuan pouted: “Are you still refusing to admit it? If you hadn't made me practice the ‘Purple Mansion Thunder Curse’ so hard, how could I have defeated that powerful enemy? And that General Cao Wang—he's also one of your men, right?”

Lin Xiao was completely confused. “Cao Wang? The one from Jingtian County? He's still alive?”

“You really didn't know?” Xiao Qingxuan's bright eyes flickered.

“Forget it, it doesn't matter. As long as you are safe, wife, that's all that matters.”

Lin Xiao waved his hand. “Wife, tell me exactly what happened.”

Xiao Qingxuan nodded, and the couple chatted about their respective experiences as they headed back.

After comparing notes, Lin Xiao became more certain that the fake Jiang Wanli was likely the key.

“Is that impostor dead?”

“He hasn't made a sound, but it's very strange. I always feel like he's not dead, yet he's not exactly unconscious either.”

Xiao Qingxuan said, “I had Yaner keep a close eye on him; he's locked in the Baishui City dungeon.”

Half-dead?

Lin Xiao was also confused by what he heard and decided he had to go back and see for himself.

“By the way, that fake Jiang Wanli was also looking for someone named ‘Guo Zai.’ I had Cao Wang go investigate.”

“Guo Zai?”

Lin Xiao grew even more bewildered. Who was this now?

By evening, the two returned to Baishui City.

Lin Xiao had the news spread that the Khitan invaders had been completely wiped out and that the Zhenbei Army had gone to Hanyang for disaster relief.

Furthermore, the hundred thousand strong Qing Kings Army had been intimidated by the Princess's power alone, and the rebels Li Siqing and Jiang Wanli had been executed.

Once these pieces of news were released together, those restless characters should quiet down for a while.

Most importantly, the soldiers of the Yan Region needed some good news to boost their morale.

In addition, Lin Xiao put Lu Sanchuan in direct charge of reorganizing the Qing Kings Army, with General Cao Wang serving as vice commander for his merit in defecting to the right side.

Zhao Yunting's army did not need to come to support the northern border; they were to head directly across Alimu Mountain into the Khitan grasslands to wipe out all remaining Khitan remnants.

Regarding logistics and supplies, the Northern Trade Alliance and General Zhao Kuan would be responsible, ensuring that the entire Khitan Holy Water Army was cleared out.

In this way, the threat of the three major northern nomadic tribes to the Central Plains would become history.

After issuing several royal decrees in succession, Lin Xiao finally had time to visit the dungeon.

Li Siqing, who had already been 'thawed,' was sitting in his cell with his head bowed and a face as dark as water.

He had, after all, studied under Jiang Wanli and had decent martial arts; he hadn't frozen to death and had managed to pull through using his internal energy.

He looked up and saw Lin Xiao and Xiao Qingxuan walking down, a flash of stubborn defiance in his eyes.

By now, he was prepared to die; no matter what Lin Xiao wanted to get from him, he intended to refuse.

But when Lin Xiao passed by his cell, he didn't stop, heading straight for the cell further inside where Jiang Wanli was held.

“Lin Xiao!”

Li Siqing froze for a moment, then stood up abruptly and called out of his own accord.

“Hmm?”

Lin Xiao turned back and looked at him in confusion. “Something on your mind?”

“You... aren't you here for this Prince?” Li Siqing asked subconsciously.

“No, I'm looking for that fake Jiang Wanli,” Lin Xiao said, pointing further inside.

Li Siqing clenched his fists, his face flushing red. “What are you looking for him for? He's already dead!”

“None of your damn business!”

Lin Xiao felt that this kid was somewhat mentally ill—or perhaps losing the battle had scrambled his brains. He couldn't be bothered with him and continued walking inside.