vstars Chapter 1139 Determined to Thoroughly Investigate the Cause of Death
Chapter 1139 Determined to Thoroughly Investigate the Cause of Death
The wind outside the corridor suddenly picked up, whipping raindrops against the window with a "pitter-patter" sound, as if trying to shatter the heavy atmosphere of the room. The old lady's hand, which was holding onto the table, slipped. If Cheng Pu hadn't reacted quickly and stepped forward to catch her arm, she probably would have fallen to the ground.
"Madam!" Cheng Pu's voice was urgent, and the copper rings on his armor clanked loudly with his movements.
The old lady shoved him away abruptly, staggering back two steps and crashing into the armchair behind her. The chair legs scraped against the floor with a screeching sound, much like the turmoil in her heart. "No...it's impossible..." she shook her head, her graying hair falling loosely and staining her tear-streaked cheeks. "Quan'er has always been gentle and timid, always shy around Ce'er. How could he...how could he do such a thing..."
Qiao Xuan looked at her distraught appearance, his throat moved, but he hardened his heart in the end: "Madam, when General Bofu was assassinated, the marks on the murder weapon, the guards at the time of the incident... so many suspicious points pointed to the people in the manor. Why did Gongjin insist on investigating back then? It was because he saw the flaws, but Zhongmou obstructed him at every turn. Doesn't General Cheng know about these things?"
Cheng Pu's face flushed crimson instantly, then turned pale. He abruptly knelt on one knee and kowtowed heavily: "Madam! What Lord Qiao said... is absolutely true! I also had doubts back then... I... I have failed General Bofu's trust!"
With a "thud," his forehead hit the blue brick, the dull thud particularly clear amidst the sound of rain.
The old lady looked at Cheng Pu's back as he lay prostrate on the ground, at the frost and snow stains on his armor—marks left by two generations of battles fought alongside Sun Jian and Sun Ce. Even he had accepted it… even he had accepted it… Her vision blurred, a metallic taste rose in her throat, and she staggered, barely managing to steady herself by grabbing the back of a chair. A sob escaped between her fingers like that of a wounded animal.
“So that’s how it is…so that’s how it is…” she murmured, then suddenly laughed, a laugh so shrill it sent chills down one’s spine. “So that’s why he was so indulgent towards the aristocratic families, why he was so harsh towards Gongjin, why…why he rarely even went to Ce’er’s memorial tablet…he was afraid…he was afraid that Ce’er’s spirit in heaven would watch over him!”
Qiao Xuan stepped forward and handed her a cup of warm tea: "Madam, now that things have come to this, dwelling on the past will only lead to the complete destruction of the Sun family. Shao'er is still alive; you must think of him."
"Shao'er..." The old lady took the teacup, her fingertips burning from the heat, but she didn't notice. The child's features were so much like Ce'er's, and every time he called her "Grandmother," his voice was so clear and sweet, always reminding her of Ce'er's appearance as a child. If he knew that his own uncle had harmed his own father... it would feel like a piece of her heart had been ripped out.
Cheng Pu remained kneeling on the ground, his voice muffled as he said, "Madam, this humble general is willing to accept punishment, but I beg you to consider the Sun family's bloodline. Now General Mengqi and Gongjin have raised an army in Wu County to thoroughly investigate the old case—even if we have to dig three feet into the ground, we will bring the truth to light!"
The rain grew heavier, rattling against the windowpanes. The old lady gazed at the shimmering tea reflection in her cup, her own image reflected there: graying temples, tear-streaked face—a mockery. She had devoted her entire life to the Sun family, protecting her children and grandchildren, only to find it all such an absurdity.
Sun Shangxiang's heart tightened. She quickly stepped forward and steadily supported her mother's trembling body, gently pressing her onto the armchair. The icy touch of her fingertips made her heart sink. The old lady sat there listlessly, her eyes staring into the void, as if most of her soul had been ripped away. For a long time, there was not a sound. Only the crackling of the flickering candlelight filled the hall, making it hard to breathe.
After a long while, she slowly turned her stiff neck, her gaze sweeping over everyone in the hall. A hoarse shout escaped her throat, her voice as calm as a stagnant pool, devoid of any emotion: "General Cheng."
Cheng Pu's heart skipped a beat, and he quickly stepped forward, bowing and replying, "Madam, your subordinate is here." He could clearly see the white hair at the old lady's temples gleaming brightly in the candlelight; it was frost that had appeared overnight.
Madam Sun raised her hand, her fingertips trembling slightly as she smoothed her disheveled hair. Every movement was slow and deliberate, yet carried an undeniable determination. She took a deep breath and said, word by word, "Ce'er cannot have died in vain. What do you think we should do? Let Gongjin and Mengqi investigate. No matter how much effort it takes, even if we have to search every inch of Jiangdong, we must find out the truth and comfort Bo Fu's spirit in heaven." As she spoke the last few words, her voice finally trembled with a barely perceptible sob, but she clenched her teeth tightly to keep the tears from falling.
Qiao Xuan stood aside, looking at the old lady's seemingly hunched but straight back, and listening to her calm to the point of being cold. He couldn't help but sigh inwardly—this was the spirit of the Sun family of Jiangdong. Even with heart-wrenching pain, they could instantly suppress their sorrow and transform it into the most resilient blade.
"What should we do now?" Old Madam Sun looked at Cheng Pu, her gaze as sharp as ever. "I suppose Bo Fu and Gong Jin have already made arrangements."
Cheng Pu replied in a deep voice, "Before leaving, Gongjin specifically instructed that the old lady should rest assured, as long as we old folks guard Moling and stabilize the rear, everything else can be left to them, and there will be no trouble."
Madam Sun nodded, a hint of approval flashing in her eyes: "Very well, then I'll leave it to you all." She turned to Sun Shangxiang, her tone leaving no room for argument: "Shangxiang, pass on my order: all the younger generation of the Sun family must immediately stay indoors. From this day forward, the City Lord's Mansion will be closed. Except for necessary food and drink purchases, we will not see any outsiders or engage in any outside affairs until this matter is resolved."
After saying that, she waved her hand wearily, her voice finally revealing a hint of exhaustion: "That's enough, I'm tired too. You can all go and make the arrangements."
The crowd exchanged glances, all seeing solemnity in each other's eyes. They bowed silently and quietly withdrew, leaving the room filled with silence and sorrow for the elderly woman who was bearing it all alone.
Madam Sun returned to her room in the inner courtyard and slowly walked to the altar. The candlelight on the altar illuminated the memorial tablets of Sun Jian and Sun Ce, casting a cold glow. Trembling, she picked up three incense sticks and lit them over the candlelight. Wisps of smoke rose, blurring the white hair at her temples.
She placed the incense sticks in the incense burner, bowed deeply to the memorial tablet, and when she straightened up, her voice was heavy and hoarse: "Wentai, you left so decisively..." She raised her hand to stroke the cold memorial tablet, the warmth of her fingertips seemingly unable to warm the coldness of the wood, "leaving me, this old body, to guard this pile of debts, which I can never repay in this lifetime..."
Tears finally streamed down her face, dripping onto Sun Ce's memorial tablet, spreading a small, dark stain. She reached out her withered hand and gently wiped the dust from the tablet, her movements as tender as if stroking a child's cheek: "Bo Fu, what happened back then… Mother wasn't entirely unaware…" Her voice choked with emotion, filled with endless regret, "It's just that the situation was too chaotic then, and Mother thought, after all, he's of the Sun family bloodline, it couldn't be…"
She paused, then tears welled up in her eyes: "But in the end, Mother was still wrong... terribly wrong... Bofu, do you... do you blame Mother?"
The hall was so quiet that only her sobs could be heard. The flickering candlelight cast her long shadow on the cold wall, making her look like a lonely statue.
Zhang Zhao stood under the eaves, waiting from the first light of dawn until the sun reached its zenith, a thin layer of sweat beading on his forehead. Suddenly, he saw Qiao Xuan and Cheng Pu walking side by side out of the mansion. Their steps were steady, as if they had agreed beforehand. Zhang Zhao couldn't help but step forward, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes. He cupped his hands and said, "Lord Qiao, you haven't inquired about matters of the mansion for a long time. What brings you to the City Lord's Mansion today?"
Qiao Xuan stroked his beard, his gaze calm yet carrying a hint of depth: "Ah, it's all because our lord hasn't returned to the city for so long that rumors are already rampant and people are restless. I'm also feeling uneasy, so I came to ask the old lady for advice on what to do."
Zhang Zhao's brows furrowed even deeper: "Then, in your opinion, Lord Qiao, how should we appease the people right now?"
Qiao Xuan sighed, his voice heavy with worry: "The old lady said that all the affairs of the household are entrusted to you and Mr. Zhang Hong; as for military affairs, they will be decided by the three old generals, Cheng Pu, Huang Gai, and Han Dang. However..." He paused, looking at Zhang Zhao with worry in his eyes, "The old lady has been ill with worry lately, and she has difficulty sleeping at night. Her health is deteriorating day by day, which is truly worrying." After saying this, he bowed and took his leave. His worried expression made Zhang Zhao's heart sink as well.
After seeing Qiao Xuan off, Zhang Zhao turned to head towards the inner courtyard, intending to discuss with the old lady in detail the matter of establishing Sun Xu as the master—this unresolved matter remained a thorn in his side. He then saw Cheng Pu standing inside the doorway, his imposing figure almost completely blocking the entrance, his eyes as cold as ice.
"General Cheng," Zhang Zhao suppressed his surprise and cupped his hands, "what do you mean by this?"
Cheng Pu snorted in a deep voice, twirling the iron sword in his hand before slamming the hilt heavily into his palm: "Mr. Zibu, wasn't what Master Qiao said clear enough? The old lady is ill from worry and is most averse to being disturbed, so please don't add to the trouble." He took half a step forward, his body as solid as a door panel, but remained motionless. "You and Mr. Zhang Hong are enough to handle the political affairs."
Zhang Zhao's heart tightened. Cheng Pu's attitude today was even more resolute than usual, his copper-bell-like eyes filled with unwavering determination. He opened his mouth, wanting to say, "I have something important to discuss," but faced with Cheng Pu's rock-solid stance, the words stuck in his throat. A strange sense of panic rose within him—was Cheng Pu's appearance a sign that the old lady's condition was more serious than he had imagined?
Upon hearing this, Zhang Zhao frowned even more deeply and stepped forward, saying urgently, "General Cheng, although that is true, the position of leader in Jiangdong is ultimately vacant, and people's hearts are unsettled! If this continues, I fear things may change."
Cheng Pu raised his hand and pressed the hilt of his sword at his waist, and said in a deep voice, "Mr. Zibu, don't be anxious. With you and Mr. Zhang Hong in charge of the political affairs, the situation can be stabilized; as for military affairs, Huang Gai, Han Dang, and I, the three old guys, can still hold on."
A hint of urgency flashed in Zhang Zhao's eyes, and he lowered his voice even further: "But now I hear that Zhou Yu has raised an army in Wu County, and the situation is becoming increasingly complicated. If we rely on you all to handle both internal and external affairs, I'm afraid we won't be able to manage it all!"
Cheng Pu was silent for a moment, his dark face showing signs of age, yet revealing an undeniable determination: "These three old bones of mine are enough to protect the safety of Zigui City." He paused, gazing towards the distant city walls, his tone carrying a hint of relief, "As for external wars, we are all too old; it's time for the younger generation to step up. Youngsters like Lü Meng and Lü Dai are capable of handling things independently; we'll leave it to them and not concern ourselves with anything else."
Seeing the certainty in Cheng Pu's eyes, and recalling the worry on Qiao Xuan's face when he mentioned the old lady, Zhang Zhao's anxiety gradually subsided. He bowed deeply and said, "In that case, I will follow General Cheng's advice." With that, he turned and left, his steps much more steady than when he arrived.