Unruly Phoenix Xiaoyao

Chapter 93: Grand Preceptor Xie says,

Ning Xiaoyao carried née Qin in her arms and two big bedsheet bundles on her back, while Big Boss Black had a small bundle made from a handkerchief tied around his neck. Human and cat flipped over the courtyard walls as before and ran in the direction of Supreme Splendor Hall. Elder cousin magpie made sure they'd left before flying to the front gates. There, Ji Yuerong had already tied up her sleeves and was preparing to have the Dragon Guards fight. The magpie took that chance to open its mouth and sound out a series of trills.

When you see the magpie sing, scatter. That was the signal they'd agreed on during the meeting. Ji Yuerong raised her head to spot elder cousin magpie before telling the Dragon Guards behind her, "We're leaving."

"........" said the guards of the Grand Preceptor's estate, who were ready to fight for their lives. They were about to draw blood until this woman led the Dragon Guards away. Did she just come here to fool with us?

Grand Preceptor Xie had been sitting in the study the entire time. The empress had sent a decree for his three sons to enter the palace with their wives. Grand Preceptor Xie knew that Ning Xiaoyao had designs on the Jiangnan navy now, but with née Qin in his hands, he wasn't worried about Qin Xuan betraying him. Now a steward had come to report that Ji Yuerong had left, making his heart seize up.

"She suddenly left?" Grand Preceptor Xie asked.

The steward thought it over before he replied, "To reply Grand Preceptor, there was a magpie who showed up and chirped a few times. After that, General Ji left with the Dragon Guards."

Magpie?

Grand Preceptor Xie felt somewhat at a loss. A group of people had come to his house to shout and yell; that was called trying to attract attention. But what did it mean that a magpie suddenly showed up?

The steward continued, "This servant saw that magpie was one of the ones with a nest at the Grand Preceptor's estate. Does it know to protect the Grand Preceptor's estate, too?"

"You couldn't be more stupid," Grand Preceptor Xie never saw eye to eye with idiots. The steward didn't dare to say another word. General Ji's sudden departure bothered Grand Preceptor Xie. He turned the news over in his head a few times before he suddenly rose to his feet. "To née Qin's quarters."

The steward quickly moved to lead the way.

Née Qin's courtyard was hushed, without a sound. When his steward opened the door to her rooms, Grand Preceptor Xie pushed him aside and strode in himself. By now, Lady Wang had arrived with a few stewards and female servants as well. She glanced at the servants outside née Qin's door before stepping in herself. These were her daughter-in-law's bedroom chambers. How could an old grandpa like the Grand Preceptor enter them so casually? If news of this got out, wouldn't it incite gossip? It's that née Qin again, Lady Wang thought hatefully. That woman's simply a spirit sent to destroy our home. She makes the entire family restless!

"Grand Preceptor?" Lady Wang cried out, before lifting the curtains leading to the inner chambers. She was about to tell him how he could leave née Qin's matters to her own female servants when the sight before her left her utterly speechless. There was a servant girl on the ground with her head badly bruised. All of the wardrobe drawers were open, with clothes and cloth strewed everywhere on the floor. Furniture and ornaments were overturned as well, as if somebody had a vicious argument in the room. Grand Preceptor Xie was standing in front of the bed, a hand clenched around a corner of the bed covers.

Lady Wang walked to the bed and wanted to scream, but muffled herself instead. The person lying on the bed had a bloody face and completely unrecognizable features. Judging by the figure, Lady Wang recognized her at a glance as her niece's servant girl, Xiping!