After dinner, Si Jiuyue noticed that Old Father Si and her two brothers all looked dejected. She guessed it was likely because they had been reprimanded by that dog of an emperor.
Old Father Si, heavy with worry and unwilling to speak, sighed and turned to head toward the study. Her two brothers followed close behind.
Inside the study, Old Father Si’s voice sounded heavy with grief. "Beishu, reports from the front say your fourth brother has suddenly gone missing. I suspect the Emperor is involved."
"Father, Xia Yunfei has been constantly bad-mouthing our Si family in front of the Emperor. I, too, suspect the Emperor might have some misunderstanding about us."
"Second Brother, don't you know what the Emperor is like? Our family has made great contributions to the imperial court, and Fourth Brother has never once known defeat. Yet, at this morning’s court, he scolded us and even replaced Father with the Right Prime Minister."
"This is getting rid of the workhorse once the harvest is over!" Si Beixing slammed his hand against the desk in anger. The desk let out a rhythmic thudding sound.
Recalling the fate of his eldest son, Old Father Si gritted his teeth and said, "Do you think my heart doesn't ache? Your eldest brother gave his life for him. But I have four regrets: first, I hate the Emperor for his incompetence and tyranny; second, I hate the treacherous ministers who dominate the court; third, I hate that I am too old to protect you brothers in the capital; and fourth, I regret letting your fourth brother go on this campaign. I have already lost your eldest brother, and now I fear I might lose your fourth brother as well."
After he finished speaking, Old Father Si gripped his hands tightly to suppress the turmoil within, though his eye sockets turned crimson. Ever since the news of the fourth son’s great victory reached the capital, the Emperor’s attitude had not been one of joy, but rather of stripping them of their power.
"Creak!"
Listening from outside, Si Jiuyue felt increasingly distressed. She didn't notice that she had accidentally pushed the door open. Seeing his youngest daughter standing there, Old Father Si did not rebuke her for eavesdropping; instead, he softly invited her inside.
"Jiuyue, come in. Father and your brothers have finished discussing matters."
With that, he signaled to his two sons. They caught the hint instantly.
Si Beishu said gently, "Fifth Sister, were you unhappy playing today? Is that why you came to find us? Would you like Second Brother and Third Brother to accompany you to catch birds later?"
Looking at their vibrant faces, Si Jiuyue felt a sudden pang of sadness. She pursed her lips, deciding it was time to speak of the impending house raid.
"Father, Second Brother, Third Brother, a few days ago I met a traveling Taoist. He taught me some skills and also warned me that our family might be facing a great disaster—possibly even the annihilation of our entire household!"
As soon as these words were spoken, Old Father Si and his two sons stared at her in shock. The air seemed to freeze instantly.
Old Father Si suddenly understood many things—why the officials who were once close to the Si family had suddenly stopped associating with them. It was because they had caught wind of the Emperor's intentions in advance.
After a long silence, Old Father Si said with a grave expression, "Jiuyue, what else did the Taoist say?"
"Father, he wasn't very specific. He just said our family would face a great catastrophe and that our heads might not remain on our shoulders." Si Jiuyue added another sentence, fearing they wouldn't take her seriously. "Father, it is better to believe it than to ignore it. I don't think that Taoist had any reason to deceive us."
Si Beishu’s brows were tightly knit. After a moment of contemplation, he asked, "Father, could Fourth Brother’s disappearance be a trap set by the Emperor to frame us for treason?" He knew that a general from the previous dynasty had been purged in exactly this way. It was an old trick used by emperors throughout history.
"Father, there might truly be such a possibility. Perhaps Heaven pities our Si family, and that is why Fifth Sister was able to meet a divine person to guide us."
Si Beixing rubbed his aching leg, his mind racing to find a solution. Old Father Si sighed. "Forget it. If Heaven wants to destroy our Si family, what can we do?"
Seeing Old Father Si look so disheartened, Si Jiuyue knew he was in pain and felt that things were destined to take their course. But she couldn't accept that; the purpose of her crossing over was to change everything.
After some thought, she said earnestly, "Father, you cannot say that. You have always been upright and incorruptible in your official duties. Many in the court are dissatisfied with us, and if we fall, many will surely come to trample on us. I think we should start planning early."
"The Taoist also gave me a Cornucopia. He said it can hold anything, even a mountain."
This revelation left the Si family wide-eyed and speechless. Old Father Si slapped the table in excitement. "Jiuyue, is what you say true? Can such a miraculous thing really exist?"
"You aren't just teasing your father, are you?"
"Fifth Sister, can you demonstrate it for us now? Such a thing is truly unheard of; Second Brother is quite curious."
"Fifth Sister, Third Brother believes you. The world is vast and full of wonders, but I would love to see it."
The three of them looked at Si Jiuyue with eager eyes. It was all too strange.
"Ahem!"
Si Jiuyue cleared her throat. She placed her right hand on her left wrist and gently rotated the Tianling Snow Bracelet. Sure enough, a white light gate appeared. With a wave of her hand, the brushes, ink, paper, and inkstone from the desk flew into the light gate.
The Si family watched with wide eyes, their hearts racing as if they were about to jump out of their throats. A wave of excitement, like an electric current, instantly surged through everyone.
It took Old Father Si a long while to recover from the shock. He said solemnly to his youngest daughter, "Quick, hide your ability. Don't tell anyone but your father and your two brothers."
Her two brothers didn't even dare to blink; the event was simply too astonishing.
"Fifth Sister, you are amazing!"
"Fifth Sister, you are truly divine!"
"Yes, Father, Second Brother, Third Brother. I have more to say. Father, why not release the household servants early? Otherwise, if we are exiled, they will suffer greatly."
"Let me think about it." Old Father Si sat down, contemplating the situation from all sides.
At that moment, the hidden door of the study moved. A blood-soaked soldier emerged, holding a secret letter. He collapsed to the floor, leaving only enough breath to say, "Prime... Minister, a secret... letter."
With that, the soldier let out his final breath and died.
Old Father Si was horrified. He shook the soldier’s body frantically—this was his fourth son’s personal guard. "Li San, Li San, wake up...!"
Alas, he was already dead.
Si Beishu knelt down and quickly took the blood-stained letter from the soldier’s hand. Upon reading it, tears streamed down his face. He gritted his teeth and handed the letter to his father. "Father... the Emperor, he... he is so cruel!"
Old Father Si took the letter and read it. The moment he finished, his eyes rolled back, and he fell backward. Fortunately, Si Jiuyue was quick enough to catch him. After she pinched his philtrum for a long while, Old Father Si finally came to. His face was ashen, and he pounded his chest in grief, sobbing and cursing:
"Oh, Heaven! Why do you treat our Si family this way?"
"Emperor, how has our Si family ever failed you?"
"How can you be so heartless!"