But as Tian Bin galloped home, he found chaos inside the gates—adults crying, children screaming, and a cacophony of unrest.
The Tian family had recently suffered consecutive setbacks, and the family head’s condition worsened daily, so much so that servants resigned almost every day.
Those bound by indentured contracts could do nothing but weep silently in despair.
Bound to the family until they could escape, they once strutted proudly under the Tian family’s protection, but now they were filled with anxiety and fear.
As Tian Bin walked through the estate, struck by its desolation, he felt a sense of disorientation.
When had the Tian family fallen so far?
Tian Song remained gravely ill, and his wife had grown seriously unwell, unable to rise from her bed. For the past two months, the household affairs had all been managed by Lü, Tian Wen’s wife, who was overwhelmed to the point of exhaustion.
She had thought the previous illnesses of her in-laws were already tragic enough, but now things had turned even worse:
As the two sisters-in-law were preparing lunch, a servant boy accompanying Tian Wen suddenly brought devastating news, nearly causing them to faint.
In their eyes, the Tian family’s downfall was now inevitable.
If it were merely a decline, it might be bearable, but judging from the current situation, it seemed the family would be completely uprooted and imprisoned—what could possibly be done?
If their father-in-law and husbands were truly imprisoned, their maternal families would inevitably suffer collateral damage, and their children’s futures would be ruined…
Especially Lü, who had always known her husband was inept, never imagining it would reach such a point. Her heart burned with anxiety, and thoughts of divorce began to surface.
Once this thought emerged, Lü’s heart flared with desire. While she reproached herself for being ungrateful, she could not suppress the allure this idea brought.
As she wrestled with her thoughts, Tian Wen was escorted back by the imperial guards, stripped of his official robes and hat in the main hall, and coldly warned that the entire family was temporarily forbidden from leaving the premises.
Tian Wen had never experienced such humiliation before. After the palace officials left, he couldn’t help but curse furiously, still defiant.
Coincidentally, Lü was also upset and, seeing her husband’s ignorance of the severity of the situation, no longer felt like comforting him.
“You know it’s a disgrace, but you don’t realize this might already be the court showing leniency—not stripping you bare in the grand court and making you walk out in your undergarments…”
At that moment, the two couldn’t find common ground, and their words sparked tension.
The servants were already terrified, too afraid to dissuade or leave, kneeling in a line beneath the corridor.
When Tian Bin entered, he saw his elder brother and sister-in-law in a heated argument. His second brother and sister-in-law, always skilled at avoiding trouble, had already retreated to their courtyard upon sensing the danger.
Upon seeing Tian Bin’s return, the couple immediately stopped arguing, exchanged glances filled with resentment, and reluctantly composed themselves, ordering servants to clean up the broken teaware and decorations and serve tea.
In Lü’s eyes, this younger brother-in-law was far more reliable than her husband. Seeing him return, she felt a sense of relief, as if she finally had a pillar of support. She quickly said, “Younger brother, you’ve been through so much recently. But with the crisis at hand, we can’t worry about formalities anymore. What do you think we should do next?”
Seeing his wife act this way, Tian Wen was reminded of old grievances and snapped, “What can a child possibly do!”
As the eldest son, he had always borne the stigma of being a “bastard.” When he was the only child, things were tolerable, but as Tian Bin grew older and demonstrated his talents, their father increasingly favored this younger brother. He even entrusted him with reading letters and participating in Buddhist ceremonies—tasks that no one else was permitted to undertake.
Over time, Tian Wen inevitably felt resentment.
What was so special about him? Just because he was born from the principal wife…
Tian Bin was well aware of his brother’s feelings but now had no desire to dwell on them. He simply ordered someone to summon his second brother and asked Tian Wen to recount the events at court.
“Leave out not a single word. Describe the emperor’s reaction and expression as well.”
Tian Wen instinctively wanted to argue but, seeing his brother’s unusually serious expression and piercing gaze, immediately backed down and reluctantly recounted everything.
He ended with another curse.
Tian Bin hadn’t cared much, but as Tian Wen ranted, he suddenly brought up Prince Su, causing Tian Bin’s eyelids to twitch. “Did you go to Prince Su?!”
He had suspected this before, but with his parents gravely ill and his sister murdered, he hadn’t had the chance to verify it:
Given that his father had maintained a clandestine connection with Prince Su over the years, it was impossible for them to have completely cut off contact. Handling matters with the Prince’s residence required someone beyond an ordinary servant—someone presentable. His two illegitimate brothers, at least holding official positions…
If there had been secret dealings between the two families, it must have been handled by these two.
Seeing Tian Bin’s expression change, Tian Wen immediately felt intimidated but still stubbornly replied, “The Prince’s mansion has accepted plenty of our silver over the years. Now that our family is in trouble, he can’t just ignore it, can he?”
Lü, upon hearing Prince Su’s name, had already been too frightened to listen further and withdrew.
Tian Bin, furious, actually laughed. “What makes you think he’ll help?”
The way he looked at Tian Wen was as if staring at a living idiot.
Tian Wen was taken aback, muttering, “We’re all on the same rope…”
“Foolish!” Before the second son had even entered the room, he could hear Tian Bin rising from his seat and scolding his elder brother furiously from afar, “Utterly foolish!”
Second son: “…”
Was I coming at a bad time?
Furious, Tian Bin paced around the room several times, catching sight of someone standing in the courtyard soaking up the sun. He sneered, “Is the second brother waiting for us to invite you?”
The second son forced a bitter smile and reluctantly stepped inside, as if being herded like a duck. “Just got here, just got here…”
Can’t you pretend I’m not here?
The three brothers had different mothers, and judging solely by their appearances, it was nearly impossible to see any familial resemblance.
Unlike Tian Wen, the second son actually had no great ambitions. He simply wanted an official position and to be protected by capable elders and brothers, living an easy life.
Of course, it would be better if he could inherit more family assets.
Upon entering, he immediately declared his stance, “I’ll follow whatever Tian Bin decides!”
Such decisiveness left Tian Bin unable to scold him, even if he wanted to.
Fine, let him be a bit foolish, at least he knows he’s foolish!
Tian Wen, proud by nature, was now being scolded in front of another brother, which he couldn’t tolerate.
Just as he was about to retort, Tian Bin shot back, “Do you think you’re dying fast enough?”
If Prince Su truly wanted to help, he would have acted without being asked.
The shops had been sealed for days, and he was sure Prince Su had already heard the news.
At today’s grand court assembly, the Tian family had been targeted so openly—was there not a single official loyal to Prince Su among the courtiers? No one had spoken up, nor had there been any message afterward…
What did that mean?
It meant Prince Su had decided to let the Tian family perish!
Who was Prince Su?
He was the type who, to please the late emperor, disregarded the livelihoods of soldiers and civilians, colluding with others to embezzle military funds and relief money for grand construction projects.
Though he hadn’t acted directly, the number of people who had died under his schemes numbered in the tens of thousands!
Such a ruthless man, and you went to him saying, “We’re all on the same rope—don’t save me, and you won’t live either…”
You’re practically begging him to kill you and eliminate witnesses!
After Tian Bin’s explanation, the two brothers broke into cold sweat, feeling lost and helpless.
“So, what should we do?”
Frankly, even now, Tian Bin couldn’t think of a good solution.
Although he didn’t know who was truly behind the attack, it must have been tacitly approved by the emperor. When a ruler orders death, a subject must obey. If even meritorious officials faced such fates, how much more so for the Tian family, who had indeed been caught with damning evidence.
Lost in his troubled thoughts, the butler hurried in with alarming news.
“Several lords, a sudden squad of soldiers has surrounded our house!”
The three brothers stood up together, “What?!”
Were they about to be placed under house arrest?
“There’s more,” the butler approached, pulling out a letter from his sleeve, “A military officer slipped this in earlier, saying nothing.”
“Hand it over!”
The three brothers leaned in to read the letter quickly, their faces growing paler and paler until they were almost ashen.
There was no signature, but everyone could tell who it was from.
The second son’s legs gave way, and he collapsed backward, muttering, “Little brother was right…”
Prince Su was threatening their entire clan’s lives!
In the afternoon, Lü grew increasingly restless and finally decided to visit Tian Bin under the pretense of delivering tea and snacks.
Reaching this point, she no longer held back and asked directly, “Younger brother, what do you think of our family…”
Tian Bin narrowed his eyes slightly, “Sister-in-law, please speak plainly.”
Lü forced a smile, “Then I will. You see, your two nephews and niece are still young, and we must consider their futures. Naturally, they are still Tians, and it’s for preserving the Tian family’s legacy…”
She couldn’t bring herself to say the word “divorce.”
But Tian Bin already understood.
Unexpectedly, Tian Bin neither scolded her for disregarding past bonds nor showed any emotion. He merely paused thoughtfully before asking, “Sister-in-law, you’re straightforward. I’ll speak plainly too—may I ask whether you’ve ever been involved in the management of my father’s and elder brother’s estates?”
Lü’s plan was indeed heartless, but a family couldn’t survive solely on sentimentality.
The children were still young, and women weren’t considered proper members of the Tian family. Perhaps Lü’s plan could secure a glimmer of hope for the Tians.
Lü’s expression changed slightly, and she hesitated, “I’m just a woman…”
Seeing this, what more did Tian Bin need to understand?
Clearly, this sister-in-law wasn’t clean either!
He directly served tea to signal her departure, “Sister-in-law probably doesn’t know yet that the Tian family has already been surrounded by the imperial guards.”
“What?!” Lü’s face paled.
Tian Bin suddenly felt an overwhelming sense of exhaustion.
He carelessly placed the teacup on the table, leaned back in the large armchair, and spoke in a distant tone.
“Just wait for death.”
“Do you think, Tian Bin, or rather, the Tian family, will really just wait for death obediently?”
Ma Bing squatted in front of the stove, the orange-red flames casting shifting shadows on her face.
Beside her, Xie Yu brought over a bundle of firewood, “A trapped beast still fights. How much more so for a human?”
“No,” Ma Bing pulled out a piece of firewood and tossed it in.
“That’s exactly what I think.”
For a moment, the flames dimmed, but soon climbed up the new firewood, brighter and warmer than before.
The Tian family would certainly not die easily, but Tian Song would definitely die.
Actually, Ma Bing didn’t particularly care whether Tian Bin and the others would die. Occasionally, she even thought that letting them live in poverty and despair, worse than death, would be more satisfying.
The most pressing matter now was whether the Tian family, in their struggle for survival, would betray Prince Su?
There was barely a proper autumn in the north.
After autumn arrived, the temperature dropped sharply, changing almost daily.
Even Ma Bing, who wasn’t afraid of the cold, had already started wearing thick satin. As for Wang Heng and others who were older and weaker, they had already switched to padded clothing.
Autumn meant it was time to put on some weight.
First, to replenish the energy lost during summer, and second, to build up fat reserves for winter.
Today, Ma Bing went shopping and brought back several old ducks, plump and oily. Cooked slowly with sour bamboo shoots, the rich broth was just the right balance of greasy and fragrant.
The fire roared again, the pot bubbling with thick soup, the meat aroma mingling with the sour bamboo shoots, rich but not greasy, perfect for a hearty meal.
Wang Heng, lured by the smell, came out wrapped in a padded jacket, “Is it time to eat?”
Ma Bing chuckled and looked at the sky, then ladled each of them a bowl, “Have some soup first, then the meat… I think it’s going to rain.”
Wang Heng took the bowl, first blowing on the old man’s lips, then sipping around the edges, still scalded his mouth.
Fresh!
Didn’t want to spit it out!
Even if it was hot, he swallowed it!
Xie Yu watched, amused but a bit envious.
This old man, staying here all day, secretly eating so many delicacies!
Look, after a summer, everyone else had lost weight, but he had actually gained!
As he secretly grumbled, a shadow passed by, and Ma Bing placed a duck leg into his bowl.
She smiled, “Minister Xie, you’ve worked hard lately.”
Minister Xie immediately felt satisfied.
He deliberately glanced at Wang Heng before leisurely eating the duck leg.
So what if others ate more?
I have a duck leg!
After finishing the sour bamboo duck, Ma Bing packed her medicine chest and headed to the Hundred Flowers Pavilion.
With the weather turning cold, Zhang Baoyue and Pucao needed to leave as soon as possible, or it would be difficult once frost set in.
These past few days, she had made many emergency pills—some for bruises and injuries, some for fevers, and others for various emergencies—all carefully categorized in small bottles. Today, she would deliver them.
If there were no unexpected events, today might be their last meeting.
But as they sat down, Zhang Baoyue suddenly asked, “Do you know someone named Xiao Huang?”
Ma Bing was startled, “One of Gao Liu’s men?”
Zhang Baoyue nodded, relieved, “Then I’m sure.”
Two days ago, a stranger suddenly came to the Hundred Flowers Pavilion, specifically asking for Zhang Baoyue. Originally, Zhang Baoyue had prepared to escape secretly, refusing to see guests these days while pretending to be ill.
However, the man was insistent, saying he had heard of her reputation and would be satisfied just to see her.
Helpless, the madam came to persuade Zhang Baoyue.
When Zhang Baoyue met him, he did nothing.
The man simply said a few words, “I am Xiao Huang, one of Gao Liu’s men. Please tell Ma Bing from Kaifeng Prefecture that I may be under surveillance.”
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