Unruly Phoenix Xiaoyao

Chapter 63: I'm still a pauper?

Elder Li saw Grand Preceptor Xie lose control of himself all too clearly. "Has something happened again?" he asked while knowing the answer.

Grand Preceptor Xie straightened up. Of all the times to come, Elder Li had chosen tonight of all nights, when the western suburbs had met with trouble. He looked at Elder Li and nodded. "This old man still has matters to take care of. If Elder Li still wants to search elsewhere, do as you wish."

Elder Li replied, "I can have my subordinates take care of the torture chamber issue. This old man also has matters to discuss with the Grand Preceptor."

Grand Preceptor Xie pushed aside the steward supporting him and strode in front of Elder Li to say in a low voice, "Did Lou Zigui tell you to come?"

"What does Grand Preceptor mean?" Elder Li replied. "What does this old man have to do with Lou Zigui when I've just come to inspect your torture chambers?"

"Elder Li should return," Grand Preceptor Xie ignored how Elder Li feigned ignorance. "This old man doesn't want to get angry."

Elder Li even dared to scold Emperor Ning Xiaoyao like a dog in the Hall of Golden Chimes, so why would he fear Grand Preceptor Xie's threats? He gave a chilly laugh and spoke to his subordinates. "There's still over half of the Grand Preceptor's estate that remains untouched. Why are you all still standing around?"

Grand Preceptor Xie was a tolerant person. Though his heart was raging, his expression didn't betray a single thing. He cupped his hands before his chest and said, "Then may Elder Li do as he pleases."

Then he turned to leave. Elder Li was about to give chase when he was held back by two of his pupils who were officials at the Ministry of Punishments. They were worried that leaving the two men alone would end up with Grand Preceptor Xie poisoning their teacher to death! Grand Preceptor Xie walked like the wind as he spoke to the steward who'd brought him the latest news.

"This happened as soon as it got dark, so why did you only tell me now?"

The steward wore a pained expression as he murmured, "Supposedly, they were being targeted by assassins the whole way back. They finally managed to get the city gates open with the Grand Preceptor's token, but Elder Li's men then kept them back at the estate's front gates. If they hadn't shouted and made a racket, they wouldn't have been able to enter."

Grand Preceptor Xie was filled with loathing as he gritted his teeth. "Where's Xie Laibao?"

"This servant doesn't know," the steward replied.

By the time Grand Preceptor Xie reached the courtyard in front of his study, the three sons by his first wife were all waiting for him. They rushed forward at his entrance.

"What are you all doing here?" Grand Preceptor Xie asked.

Eldest Young Master Xie and the Minister of Revenue Xie Anyi[1. Xie Anyi (谢安易) - An means "peaceful, at ease," Yi means "easy, amiable."] said, "Father, are we just going to let Elder Li rampage like this?"

"That's right, father," Second Young Master Xie added. "Is our Xie estate a place that Li thing can search?"

"All right," Grand Preceptor Xie said when he saw that his third son wanted to speak up too. "This old man has no guilty conscience, so why not let him search?"

"Father!" all three of his sons grew anxious.

Grand Preceptor Xie waved a hand at his sons. "Don't say anymore. These things have nothing to do with you, so return to your rooms. Father still has business to attend to."

The three young masters saw Grand Preceptor Xie walk through the leading to his quarters, but none of them had the nerve to follow after him.

"Grand Preceptor," the person who'd come to deliver the message was waiting at the flight of the steps leading to his house. He ran to Grand Preceptor Xie's side and sank to his knees. "Grand Preceptor, Supreme Commander Lou's robbed the granary."