Si Beishu and Si Beixing gritted their teeth, their eyes brimming with tears. They looked utterly devastated.
Si Jiuyue had likely guessed the contents of the secret dispatch. She sighed; if they could accept the reality of the situation now, it would be for the best. As she contemplated her next move, Old Father Si was the first to snap out of it. He took a deep breath, clenched his fists, and said, "If they intend to raid our home, then let them. I will make sure they find nothing."
"Beishu, Beixing, gather every valuable item in this house and hand them to your sister. Do not go to court tomorrow, and dismiss all the servants."
"Yes, Father!"
"Jiuyue, come here. I have something for you."
"Yes, Father!"
Si Jiuyue was surprised. She hadn’t expected the Si family to come to terms with reality so quickly, with Old Father Si already planning for the upcoming raid. Curious, she asked, "Father, can’t we just run away beforehand? As long as we make sure the Emperor can't find us."
Every time she read a novel, she wondered why the characters didn't just flee instead of waiting for exile, which was just asking for suffering.
Old Father Si shook his head gravely. "Jiuyue, it is not that simple. If fleeing were an option, others would have done it long ago. If we run, we implicate our entire clan. Besides, even if we are exiled, we can start over in the lands of exile. But if we are caught fleeing, it is a death sentence. Furthermore, all land under heaven belongs to the King; where could we possibly run to?"
"Fifth Sister, Father is right. If we run, it won't just be our family that dies; others would likely be implicated because of us," Si Beishu said, lowering his head in sorrow. He only hoped his fourth brother was not dead, and that they could find a way to bring him home. Even if it were only a body, he would be satisfied.
Looking at the lifeless Li San on the floor, he turned to Si Beixing and said, "Third Brother, let us carry him out to be buried. He risked his life to return, and he died for us. Our family has failed him."
"Agreed!"
"Let me do it. Second Brother, your hands are injured, and Third Brother, your leg is bad. Let me handle it."
"Leave it to me." Old Father Si waved them off, then hoisted the small soldier onto his back and carried him down to the secret chamber.
There was a coffin in the chamber, one he had originally prepared for himself. Si Jiuyue followed them down, and the two brothers exchanged a look before following as well. After Li San was laid to rest, Old Father Si set up a memorial tablet and burned three sticks of incense for him.
"Li San was a great benefactor to the Prime Minister's estate. You must never forget him."
"Yes, Father, we know!" The three siblings looked at the tablet, filled with grief.
"Let's go, let's head back up first." Old Father Si clutched a list in his hand. Since these people refused to let him live in peace, he would ensure their treacherous schemes did not go unpunished!
Back in the study, Old Father Si looked at Si Jiuyue with expectant eyes. "I heard from your grandmother that the Taoist taught you a medical technique that could heal your second and third brothers' old injuries. Jiuyue, try it now and see if it works."
Si Jiuyue nodded obediently and turned to her brothers with a gentle expression. "Second Brother, Third Brother, please sit down. I will give it a try." She skillfully opened the case of golden needles she had prepared.
She inserted the needles into their pressure points based on their old injuries. The brothers felt no pain; instead, they felt a subtle swelling sensation at the points, as if a warm current were flooding their hearts. A quarter of an hour passed, and both men felt the pain in their hands and legs significantly diminished.
"Father, the Taoist Fifth Sister met is truly remarkable. My hand feels much better!"
"Fifth Sister, my leg doesn't seem to hurt as much either. Father, it seems what the Taoist said must be true." Si Beixing slapped his thigh, his face full of excitement.
Si Jiuyue took out two bottles of painkillers and handed them over with a smile. "Second Brother, Third Brother, this is the miraculous medicine the old Taoist gave me. He said to take one tablet when it hurts, and the pain will be gone within fifteen minutes." In reality, they were just ibuprofen.
"Thank you, Fifth Sister. With these, we won't even fear exile."
"Fifth Sister, I’ve known you were clever since we were young, but I never expected you to have such luck. I am truly happy for you."
Seeing his children getting along, Old Father Si felt a measure of comfort. He pulled Si Jiuyue aside and whispered earnestly, "Jiuyue, I have something for you. Look at it carefully."
Si Jiuyue felt a jolt in her heart. Was Old Father Si giving her a treasure map? She nodded vigorously like a chick pecking at rice.
Seeing the late hour and knowing the gravity of the situation, Old Father Si decided he still needed to speak with his mother to ensure she was prepared. "You all return to your rooms. Remember what I told you. I am going to speak with your grandmother now."
"Yes, Father!"
As soon as they stepped out, Si Beixing patted Si Jiuyue’s shoulder. "Don't be afraid, Fifth Sister. Even if we are exiled, Third Brother, Second Brother, and Father will protect you."
Si Jiuyue was deeply touched. "I understand. Second Brother, Third Brother, when you go back, don't frighten your wives. I’m afraid they won't be able to handle this news."
Hearing this, the two brothers sighed. "Why should they suffer with us? Don't worry, we know what to do." They intended to write letters of separation so their wives could return to their own families, sparing them from the fallout. It was truly an injustice for them to be married to brothers like themselves, who were now disabled.
Si Jiuyue nodded. She knew full well that their sisters-in-law would never leave willingly.
Back in her room, Si Jiuyue opened the list Old Father Si had given her. *Oh my!* This really was a treasure map—only it was a map of other people’s treasures. The list detailed the private caches of various court officials, marking the locations of supplies and recording the bribes they regularly accepted.
Si Jiuyue understood Old Father Si’s intention instantly. It seemed he had a devious side as well!
That night, watching the bright moonlight outside her window, Si Jiuyue donned her Invisibility Cloak. Her first destination was the residence of that wretch, Xia Yunfei. The Emperor had showered him with treasures, and he had married the Right Prime Minister's daughter; he was living quite comfortably. It was said the daughter's dowry alone comprised 108 trunks.
Tonight, she would give him a taste of his own medicine. She would make sure he didn't live to see the dawn.
With her mind set, Si Jiuyue slipped out of her chamber, found a carriage, and drove it toward the east side of the city. Two quarters of an hour later, she arrived at Xia Yunfei's estate. She stowed the carriage away and entered her Dimension, using twenty taels of silver—the original owner's private savings—to exchange for a drone and a supply of sleeping powder.
With a leap, she vaulted over the two-meter-high wall. Standing atop it, she remotely piloted the drone to madly scatter the sleeping powder over Xia Yunfei’s estate. The powder was colorless and odorless. Once inhaled, a person would lose consciousness in under three seconds.