Chapter 22: He Came Bathed in Light

Huan Hu clasped his fists and bowed deeply to everyone, his voice clear and resolute: “In recent years, due to my elder brother’s minor illness, I have gradually taken charge of six estates spanning over fifty thousand acres of fertile land and three ranches. Since taking over these properties, I have managed them diligently, leaving no room for negligence. The harvests from these estates and ranches under my care have been well known throughout the family branches; I, Huan Hu, have been faithful to the Huan family. Now, to avoid suspicion, I return all these properties to my elder brother. All the tenants and retainers affiliated with these estates and ranches are also handed back. From this day forward, I shall retire from public life in Dailai City and no longer involve myself in family affairs.”

His words stirred a sudden uproar throughout the hall.

Huan Xinglong’s expression darkened, and he hurriedly tried to dissuade him: “Second brother, why take it this far? For your elder brother, I only wish to uncover the truth behind Yecheng’s death; I have never doubted you. Why must you—”

Huan Hu cut him off: “Brother, I do believe you. But rumor is a fearful thing.”

With a cold sneer, Huan Hu shot a glance at Suo Hong and raised his voice: “Now that someone claims I plotted to kill the family’s eldest son for selfish gain, by voluntarily handing back these estates and retiring from Dailai City, surely this will prove my innocence, won’t it? Ha! Hahaha…”

He threw his sleeves wide, laughed bitterly toward the sky, then turned and walked away. “Brother, I’m leaving now. The ledgers of the estates and ranches will be handed over shortly!”

“Second brother! Second brother, you… ah, why torment yourself so!” Huan Xinglong pursued him in vain, stamping his foot in frustration.

Seeing this, Huan Xiaobao was delighted. Whether his second brother’s move was a retreat or an advance, it was a great opportunity for him. Managing such a large family consumed much energy. If their elder brother were not frail and limited in spirit, would he have handed over so many properties to their second brother step by step? Now that the second brother had returned these assets, and with elder brother lacking the strength to manage them, wouldn’t that mean…?

The “Invisible Man,” Lord Bao, immediately sprang forward.

“Brother, brother, second brother has always had a fiery temper. Brother, don’t take it to heart. After some time, once he calms down, it will be fine. Even though second brother has laid down his burden, don’t forget your third brother here. I will help ease your worries. There’s no need for you to fret.”

Huan Xinglong watched Huan Xiaobao storm off, realizing that demanding more from the second brother, especially at the cost of returning six fertile estates and three ranches, was futile. He sighed deeply.

Casting a glance at Huan Xiaobao, he sighed again: “Third brother, please persuade second brother. Our family’s centuries-old legacy depends on our unity and cooperation.”

Huan Xiaobao was overjoyed, interpreting this as elder brother’s approval for him to help manage the estates. He nodded eagerly: “Don’t worry, brother. Second brother’s temper is what it is, but I will persuade him.”

Suo Hong and Suo Chanzhi exchanged glances and feigned annoyance. “The clan head says Second Lord Huan isn’t the murderer. Does that mean someone in the Suo family is suspected of foul play?”

Huan Xinglong smiled bitterly. “Brother Suo, our families are bound by marriage—what affects one affects the other. The killer of Chengye could never come from the Suo family. Yang Can was Chengye’s trusted aide and merely mourned his death excessively. Unaware of our close family ties, he spoke nonsense. Brother Suo, please do not take offense.”

Turning to Yang Can, Huan Xinglong said sternly: “Yang Can, apologize to Second Lord Suo at once.”

Yang Can remained stubborn: “Clan head, my suspicions are based on evidence—”

“Silence! Apologize!”

“Clan head, with the young master’s tragic death, the true culprit remains unknown. Our family’s chief guard was innocent but has become a scapegoat. And now you want me to apologize to the Suo family? I refuse! Absolutely refuse!”

Huan Xinglong replied firmly: “Cheng Da Kuan failed in his duties. Is there more to discuss? You will fetch him from the water prison soon. Now, apologize to Second Lord Suo immediately.”

After a brief hesitation, Yang Can reluctantly approached Suo Hong with a bowed fist.

Second Lord Suo waved impatiently: “Enough, enough! I don’t want to endure this… hmm?”

Yang Can passed by him and made a deep bow toward Suo Chanzhi: “Young Madam, I too mourn the young master’s death deeply. If I have offended you, please forgive me.”

A faint blush tinted Suo Chanzhi’s flawless face. She wasn’t sure if Yang Can’s “offense” was truly offense—his sly expression suggested otherwise.

“Ahem! Forget it. For your loyalty to my late husband, I shall not pursue this. You may go.”

“Young Madam’s generosity humbles me. I take my leave.”

Yang Can turned to Huan Xinglong, bowed again: “I take my leave.”

He then left Mingde Hall and headed straight for the water prison.

Suo Hong sheepishly withdrew his hand, stroking his beard to mask his embarrassment. “I conduct myself with dignity and see no reason to fear suspicion. But my niece is pitiful—she is now part of the Huan family. Clan head, you must not mistreat her.”

Huan Xinglong assured him: “Brother Suo, rest easy. Chanzhi is the wife of my eldest son, a position that will never change. I would never wrong her.”

Suo Hong sighed. “May Heaven have mercy and grant Chanzhi a child by Chengye. That way, the poor child will not grow up lonely.”

“Yes, let us hope so,” Huan Xinglong replied with a smile, though a shadow crossed his mind.

Is Suo Chanzhi truly pregnant?

Is that child really my son Chengye’s?

...

Huan Hu did not wait for the ancestral rites the next day. He stormed out of Mingde Hall in fury and immediately descended the mountain.

Bouncing along in the carriage, Huan Hu leaned against the soft cushion, eyes half closed, swaying gently in silence.

His second son, Huan Min, accompanied him, his face flushed with anger.

“Father, if they say we are the murderers, then we are! Returning those six great estates and three ranches won’t ruin our branch’s strength, but handing them over so easily—that’s too generous.”

Huan Hu opened his eyes slowly and said faintly, “If we don’t agree, what then?”

Huan Min replied sharply, “What else? Would Uncle dare to kill you? If he tried, my eldest brother is in charge of Dailai City and would rebel immediately.”

“But what if he doesn’t kill you, instead holding you captive here on Phoenix Mountain, claiming it’s only to uncover the truth and clear your name?”

Huan Hu fixed his gaze on his son. “And what if that truth can never be found?”

Huan Min faltered, stammering, “That… Uncle wouldn’t do that, would he?”

Huan Hu smiled faintly. “Wouldn’t he? Just now at Mingde Hall, he already hinted as much. Had I not sensed it early, and given his indecisive nature, now—hmph!”

Huan Min remained silent, nervously tugging at his collar.

Huan Hu sighed: “Since your uncle has stirred up such a commotion, ignoring the real murderer of his son, and wants to pin it all on me, we must give him a piece of meat to chew on if we want to survive.”

Huan Min lowered his head in shame. “Yes, son was thinking too simply.”

Huan Hu narrowed his eyes. “Besides, when Chengye was alive, your uncle had little energy to manage these affairs, let alone now.”

He folded his hands inside his sleeves, a sarcastic smile playing on his lips.

“Besides, the stewards of those estates and ranches are all my men. Even if your uncle takes over, he can’t just replace them at will. Especially now—”

Huan Hu smiled contentedly. “Spring plowing is imminent. Does he want to stir up trouble with the stewards now? If not, he won’t get another chance without being accused of thanklessness. If he does, delaying the spring plowing means losing an entire year’s harvest. When the estates were under your care, they thrived; if returned to him, this autumn’s harvest will surely suffer. As the clan head, doesn’t he owe the family an explanation?”

Huan Min’s eyes lit up immediately.

Huan Hu continued, “Your uncle recently allied with the Suo family through marriage. Grieving his son’s death, he has the fervor of a defeated army. We cannot back down now. But since I’ve conceded this step, he will not press further.”

After a pause, a hint of curiosity gleamed in Huan Hu’s eyes: “That Yang Can—there’s something strange about him.”

“Yang Can?”

“Yes, him. We must investigate him thoroughly.”

...

Inside the water prison, Lord Bao was nearly frozen stiff.

Suddenly, the heavy door creaked open.

A beam of light streamed through, falling upon Lord Bao.

He squinted, looking up the stone steps.

A figure appeared at the prison entrance, stepping down slowly.

Sunlight radiated from behind him, casting him like a deity—the god of light.

He approached Lord Bao and slightly bowed.

Only then did Lord Bao recognize him—it was Yang Can.

Lord Bao’s eyes widened in disbelief: “Yang… Lord Yang?”

His muscles were numb with cold, making it hard to speak.

Yang Can smiled gently: “Brother Cheng, I told you, as long as the clan head sees me, you will be safe. Now, the clan head has seen me.”

Lord Bao’s dark eyes grew even wider: “Lord Yang, you mean...?”

“That’s right. You may leave.”

Tears streamed down Lord Bao Cheng Da Kuan’s face. “To face fire and water for me, Lord Yang!”

From inside the water prison came a hoarse, trembling cry, born from the depths of the soul.

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