Chapter 664: Chapter 648: Three Eminent Monks Join Forces to Pressure the Court
A philosopher from a neighboring world once said something rather absurd: A butterfly flapping its wings on the Taiping west coast can cause a tornado on the Taiping East Coast.
This theory applies in this world as well.
At least, it applies to the Xihe Li Family.
Xihe Li Family, the ancestral home of Li Chengnian.
This family is quite renowned in the Xihe region, with farms at home, servants at its doors, money in its vaults, disciples in the sect, and connections in Beijing. And now?
They even have officials in the court?
Second Master Li paced in his courtyard, his mind filled with excitement over this explosive rumor.
He is the father of Li Chengnian.
Yesterday, news from Beijing nearly sent the Li Family to the eighteenth level of Hell; the Crown Prince was brought down, and the Heart Pavilion was destroyed.
This Second Master Li almost lost his breath.
The Crown Prince is no more, and all the resources the Li Family had invested in supporting him over the years seemed wasted. Worse, it might ignite the wrath of Your Majesty against the Li Family.
Moreover, his own son Li Chengnian was the Xin Pavilion Steward; the higher he climbed, the greater the risk he faced this time.
Losing one son is nothing; he has many concubines and several sons and daughters. But this son is different from the others; he is the bond with the Qingqiu aristocracy. If this son dies, can the Qingqiu connection still be maintained? Replacing him temporarily with another son might not be recognized.
Just as the entire Li Family was in a state of panic, suddenly, an even more explosive piece of news came through…
Li Chengnian was promoted by Your Majesty to Fifth Rank Inspection Envoy.
Upon hearing this news, Second Master Li leaped up in joy, waving his hand fiercely: “Go check! Verify if this is true!”
Thus, every line of the Li Family simultaneously sought to confirm the news.
When will the confirmation come?
With a whoosh, the door of the South Garden flew open, and an elderly man strode in energetically: “Second Master, a great joy, a grand joy indeed. The Fourth Young Master… he truly has become a fifth rank official, deeply trusted by Your Majesty!”
Second Master Li laughed up to the sky, “Haha, even the Li Family has a day like this! Prepare the wine, summon the theater troupe, and remember, set the feast at the Brothel, and we’ll sing for seven days and nights…”
“Master!” A group of women rushed out from the back courtyard: “Is the news about Nian really true?”
“Madam, it is true! We’ve just verified it!” Second Master Li took a step out of the courtyard, “I’m going to report the good news to the Family Head!”
After passing through the front corridor and turning towards the central hall where the Family Head resided, he entered too hastily and almost collided with a servant, who was startled and quickly bowed to apologize.
Second Master Li scolded him in a voice everyone could hear: “Why are you running? What a disgrace! My son Chengnian is now a fifth rank high official of the court, and the Li Family is also an official family. Act with proper decorum, understand?”
“Yes, Second Master!” The servant quickly replied.
Second Master Li raised his gaze just in time to see his elder brother coming out of the house, looking rather displeased.
Second Master Li was pleased.
In big families, the offspring are often not harmonious, especially when it involves family inheritance and disputes among children. They all vie openly and in secret. Today, seeing his elder brother’s sullen face, the flowers in his heart blossomed with joy.
“Brother, do you know that my Li Family has a great joyous event?” Second Master Li exclaimed at the door.
“Are you talking about Chengnian becoming a fifth rank official?” The elder brother’s face was indifferent.
Second Master Li smiled and said, “Precisely! Our Li Family, although powerful and influential, has never had a direct descendant hold an official position at the court. Chengnian has filled this hundred-year gap in the Li Family’s history. Father will surely be wild with joy because of this…”
The elder brother took a long breath, “As far as I know, Chengnian’s appointment as an official is true, but Second Brother, do you know why he was able to join the court as an official?”
Second Master Li smiled and said, “Does it matter? As long as…”
“Does it matter? Let me tell you if it matters!” The elder brother’s face suddenly turned solemn: “The Crown Prince’s imprisonment was because of him, the destruction of the Heart Pavilion was because of him! He is the real culprit behind this event!”
“What?” Second Master Li stopped abruptly, his previously blissful smile completely frozen.
The elder brother said coldly, “The Crown Prince is currently in the Heavenly Prison, but he will surely be released in the future! Only one pavilion of the Heart Pavilion was destroyed, but their influence is widespread! The court officials despise our Li Family! The warning from the Lord Governor has just arrived, and the Heart Pavilion also sent a letter, which is still in father’s hands; father is currently not ecstatic as you claimed, but rather overwhelmed with difficulties…”
“Second Son! Come in!” A loud shout from inside abruptly interrupted the elder brother’s voice.
It was the voice of their father.
The father’s voice was filled with murderous intent.
As Li Laoer entered the room, a piece of paper was flung onto his face by the Family Head of the Li Family.
The paper was the special letterhead of the Heart Pavilion, and the content inside was quite elaborate and even rather polite: “In the Jianghu, loyalty comes first. For those who betray their own sect, they are despised by all. Therefore, the Seven Pavilions of the Great Wilderness kindly remind the Xihe Li Family to be cautious whenever your offspring go out.”
The letter in Li Laoer’s hand trembled slightly.
He was no fool; he knew things were troublesome…
If Li Chengnian had no involvement in the Crown Prince’s incident and was promoted by Your Majesty, it would surely be a great joy.
However, Li Chengnian had become a traitor.
He rose to power by stepping on the Crown Prince and the Heart Pavilion.
Just as the elder brother said, the Crown Prince is now only in the Heavenly Prison and will be released sooner or later.
Only one of the Heart Pavilion’s pavilions was destroyed, but there are eight such pavilions in the Great Wilderness, and the Heart Pavilion intentionally mentioned the number of the Great Wilderness’ Seven Pavilions, which includes a deep-seated hatred for Li Chengnian.
The Heart Pavilion has infiltrated the court, and even the Lord Governor of this province is one of their people.