The next day, the morning of the sixteenth day of the third lunar month, the day after the curtain fell on the Tea Party. 

A group slowly approached the city from far away.

The leader was a young man in white, traveling on horseback. He had a longsword strapped to his back, and he was handsome, with a faint but proud smile on his lips. 

Ren Yixu.

An inner sect disciple of Heaven’s Origin Academy, as well as the son of the head of the Imperatorial Provincial Capital’s Ren Family.

He was on close terms with the son of Provincial Governor Xiang Tianqiu, Xiang Ming.

A little while ago, Xiang Ming had requested that his friend do him a favor. He was to personally lead a group of the provincial government’s guards and proceed to the Cloudriver Prefecture’s Guangling City. 

His objective was to invite Wen Lingzhao’s parents to the provincial capital.    

As of today, Ren Yixu hadn’t just completed his mission; he’d even brought the Wen Family Dowager along for the ride. She was currently in the horse-drawn carriage behind him too.

“Everyone, you see that place off in the distance? That’s the Imperatorial Provincial Capital. Soon, I’ll lead you directly to the seat of the provincial government,” Ren Yixu pointed into the distance and said forthrightly. 

The curtains of the horse-drawn carriage were already drawn. Wen Changjing smiled and clasped his fist. “Young Lord, many thanks to you and the guards for accompanying and protecting us all this way!”

The head of the Wen Family was a lofty and influential figure in Guangling City, but now, facing a young man like Ren Yixu, he was utterly respectful. He was even a bit toadyish. 

Ren Yixu responded with a calm, natural wave. “Xiang Ming and I are close friends. His business is my business. Uncle Wen, you needn’t be so polite.”

Wen Changjing smiled like a chrysanthemum in bloom.

When Qin Qing saw this, she said proudly, “Family Head, Lingzhao is the reason our Wen Family received this invitation from the son of the provincial governor.”

“You’re absolutely right,” said Wen Changjing with a laugh. “Lingzhao, that girl, is doing better and better for herself. I’ve even heard that she’s the most dazzling figure in Heaven’s Origin Academy’s current younger generation!

“That’s only natural,” said Qin Qing smugly. 

Wen Changtai was a simple, honest sort, so he pursed his lips but said nothing. 

The Wen Family Dowager, however, seemed a bit displeased. She furrowed her brow and said, “It’s just an invitation to the provincial governor’s estate. Is it worth getting so excited and smug over?”

Qin Qing instantly fell silent. She pursed her lips and said nothing.

Wen Changtai sighed, “Dowager, when you were young and working for the Su Family in the Jade Capital, you caught a glimpse of the world of the greats. It’s natural that the prestige of a provincial governor means little to you, but even so, if our Wen Family were a stream, the provincial government would be a massive river….”

“Enough.” The Wen Family Dowager snorted coldly and cut him off. Wen Changjing sensed her displeasure and shut up. 

Before long, the entire procession passed through the gates of the provincial capital and proceeded directly to the governor’s estate. 

When they arrived before the majestic structure, Ren Yixu leaped from his horse and laughed, “Everyone, we’ve arrived at the provincial governor’s estate.”

Wen Changjing and the others promptly exited the carriage.

When they saw the imposing gates, even the dowager felt reserved and somewhat tense.

It was true that, back in the day, she’d worked as the Su Family’s servant. But a servant was just a servant. Her status was so low; how could she really dare disregard a provincial governor?

As for Wen Changjing, Wen Changtai, and Qin Qing, their entire bodies went rigid and their expressions filled with uncontrollable, irrepressible awe.

From their perspective, the governor of a province had authority over life and death; he was no different from a local tyrant.

Ren Yixu took in their expressions, and inside, he found it rather funny. It was obvious at a glance that the Wen Family members had little experience with the outside world.

He cleared his throat. “Everyone, please follow me.”

He said this, then led the way through the gates. 

“Everyone, please stop for a moment.” There were two teams of elite guards standing watch over the main gate. When they saw Ren Yixu and company walking towards the gates, a gaunt man immediately walked over and blocked their path.

“You…. You don’t recognize me?” Ren Yixu was stunned. He and Xiang Ming were close. In the past, when he came to visit the provincial governor’s estate, no one dared block his path. 

The gaunt man said coldly, “Young Lord, might I ask who you’re here to see?”

Ren Yixu’s expression turned somewhat unsightly. “Scoundrel! You don’t even know who I am? If you know what’s good for you, get the hell out of my way! Otherwise, just you wait. When I next see Uncle Xiang, I’ll be sure to have him take you to task for your disrespect!”

“‘Uncle Xiang?’” the gaunt man said playfully. “Young man, don’t tell me you don’t know that Xiang Tianqiu lost his life atop the Western Mountain just yesterday? Oh, right. The current governor of the Imperatorial Province is His Lordship Mu Zhongting.”

Ren Yixu’s expression instantly changed. “What!?”

The gaunt man looked at him pityingly. “It seems you really didn’t know any of this, huh?”

Ren Yixu stood there, rooted to the spot. He now fully realized that this wasn’t looking good for him.

Wen Changjing and company looked dazed and uncertain too. What’s going on?  

The gaunt man suddenly bellowed, “Seize them!” 

The guards standing off to the sides charged into action, all of them surging with murderous intent. The sight scared Wen Changjing and company so badly that their knees turned to jelly, and they almost couldn’t stay upright. 

They’d been invited here, and they’d thought this was a grand stroke of fortune. Who’d have thought they’d encounter such a calamity? 

“You dare!?” Ren Yixu roared, “Who are you to have me arrested? Do you have any idea who I am?”

“You called ol’ thief Xiang ‘uncle.’ Naturally, that means you’re connected to him. Provincial Governor Mu ordered yesterday that anyone close to ol’ thief Xiang was to be taken into custody!” The gaunt man paused, then stared icily at Ren Yixu. “If you dare resist, you’ll be committing a crime, and we’ll kill you where you stand!”

Before Ren Yixu could react, Qin Qing, who’d already been terrified out of her wits, cried out. “Your Excellency, please, spare us! We’re from Guangling City’s Wen Family. We have no connection with any ‘old thief Xiang’ at all!” 

“The Wen Family from Guangling City?” The gaunt man was stunned, and the look in his eyes shifted inscrutably.

“None other!” When Wen Changjing saw this, he hurriedly nodded. “We were invited to the provincial governor’s estate, but before this, we didn’t know Xiang Tianqiu at all!”

He was scared too, to the point that when he spoke, his voice quavered.

“What’s going on here?” It was then that two people emerged from the estate. One was the newly appointed provincial governor, Mu Zhongting, while the other was the sixth prince, Zhou Zhili.

Both of them were watching this scene with a strange look in their eyes.

The gaunt man hurriedly approached and said, “Your Highness, Your Excellency, these people say they’re from Guangling City’s Wen Family….”

He summarized the situation from beginning to end. 

Zhou Zhili was stunned. His gaze swept across the group. 

Ren Yixu was so scared, he broke out in cold sweats. ‘His Highness’? Don’t tell me this young man is an imperial prince!? 

The Wen Family Dowager’s expression changed dramatically. When she sensed Zhou Zhili’s gaze, she instinctively lowered her head, and waves coursed through her heart.

She could vaguely sense that an enormous change had occurred in the provincial government!

Otherwise, why would a figure lofty enough to be called “Your Highness” appear in a place like this? 

Zhou Zhili looked at Ren Yixu. “Are you from the Wen Family too?” 

Ren Yixu hurriedly clasped his fist. “This humble one is called Ren Yixu, and I’m from the provincial capital’s Ren Family. I’m currently cultivating at Heaven’s Origin Academy.”

“Oh,” said Zhou Zhili. He promptly looked away, turning his attention back toward the Wen Family. He weighed his words, then said, “Since you say you’re from the Wen Family, please come with me.”

With that, he placed his hands behind his back and walked off. 

“Everyone, this way, please.” Mu Zhongting gestured to the Wen Family.

They looked at each other. Although their hearts were full of confusion, given the circumstances, how could they dare refuse?

They immediately did as they were told and followed him.

“Keep an eye on him for now.” Mu Zhongting pointed to the nearby Ren Yixu and ordered. Then, he led a group of guards and hurried after Zhou Zhili.

“Young Lord Ren, will you come with us on your own, or will we have to make you?” The gaunt man turned his cold gaze on Ren Yixu.

Ren Yixu slumped. He realized it was highly likely that his relationship with Xiang Ming had implicated him, and that he was now in for an unexpected calamity!

…..

On their journey, the Wen Family members were all tense and nervous. They never could have anticipated that they'd encounter disaster immediately upon their arrival in the Imperatorial Provincial Capital!

The most absurd part was that even now, they still didn’t know where they were going or what was going to happen to them.

There was no doubt about it - nothing was scarier than the unknown.

Zhou Zhili didn’t explain anything. Naturally, Mu Zhongting didn’t either.

Their reasons were simple: neither of them knew whether Su Yi’s relationship with the Wen Family was good or bad, or if there were facts and circumstances he wished to keep hidden.

Therefore, the wisest course of action available to them was undoubtedly silence.

But the more they acted like this, the tenser the Wen Family members felt.

Even the Wen Family Dowager’s heart was heavy with anxiety, and her expression was utterly grim.

“Tell me, do you think Lingzhao’s relationship with Xiang Ming has implicated us? He’s the former provincial governor’s son!” Wen Changjing couldn’t help but whisper.

“That…” Qin Qing was so scared, her face paled. She said in a panic, “If that’s the case, what should we do?”

The Wen Family Dowager took a deep breath. “What are you panicking about? Our Wen Family has no connection to the provincial government. All we need to do is make our identities clear. Nothing will happen to us.”

Wen Changjing, Wen Changtai, and Qin Qing nodded their agreement. 

When he heard their conversation, a strange light appeared in Mu Zhongting’s eyes, but in the end, he said nothing.

Before long, they reached the House of Waveswept Rocks.

Zhou Zhili personally stepped up and knocked on the door.

Before long, Cha Jin opened the main gates. When she saw Zhou Zhili and Mu Zhongting, she said, “Please wait a moment while I request further instructions from the young lord.” 

“Miss Cha Jin, please wait a moment,” said Zhou Zhili.

“What can I do for you, Your Highness?” asked Cha Jin in confusion.

Zhou Zhili gestured to Wen Changtai and the others and whispered, “These people are from the Wen Family. I saw them outside the seat of the provincial government just now, but I dare not confirm their identities. When you see Brother Su, please mention this to him.”

“Alright.” Cha Jin nodded, then turned and left. 

Although Wen Changjing and company couldn’t hear Zhou Zhili and Cha Jin’s discussion clearly, when they stood before the House of Waveswept Rocks, they instinctively realized that whatever happened next might well determine their life and death!

They were all instantly tense and uncertain.

Especially Qin Qing. She was so scared that the blood drained from her face, and if Wen Changtai hadn’t been there to support her, she might well have collapsed to the ground a long time ago.

Before long, Cha Jin returned. “The young lord has invited everyone inside.”

Zhou Zhili nodded, then led the way into the House of Waveswept Rocks.

Wen Changjing really wanted to refuse, but when he saw the vicious-looking pack of guards behind Mu Zhongting, he wilted. He and his family then proceeded to walk into the House of Waveswept Rocks. Each step was a struggle; they felt like prisoners walking to their executions. 

Right, I've changed matriarch to "dowager". I think a reader suggested this, but I looked and don't see the comment. If it was you, let me know and I'll credit you. Anyway, I made the change because she's not the leader officially, so I think matriarch is slightly misleading; she's the mother of the current leader/(presumably) wife of the former leader, and "dowager" is a more apt term for that, as well as a better translation for her Chinese title.