Hearing Xiao Shan's question, Xie Chen didn't immediately answer. Instead, he felt a sense of relief. He told Xiao Shan these things as a gamble—a gamble that Xiao Shan was indeed as he appeared, and that his character was as Xie Zhui had described.

 

Some matters involved the Emperor and high-ranking officials, and he had to be cautious. Because the events were so long ago, Xie Sui had no concrete evidence. If Xiao Shan was unwilling to get involved, then speaking out would be in vain.

 

Back then, when the Northern Army was defeated, his grandfather died on the battlefield, and his father, Xie Sui, was neither seen alive nor found dead. There were even rumors that Xie Sui betrayed Da Zhou. They said he didn't disappear but used the lives of the Northern Army soldiers as a gift to defect and enjoy wealth and luxury.

 

Amidst the swirling rumors, the morale of the Northern Army was low, and the court's envoy was still en route. At that time, just one battle could have spelled doom for the Northern Army. Even if it wasn't Xie Sui's fault, the blame would inevitably fall on him.

 

At that time, Xie Chen had just been poisoned and was blind. He watched helplessly as the Xie family and the Northern Army were on the verge of becoming ghosts under someone else's blade, filled with rage but powerless to act.

 

Then, the Northern Army did not fall, and a young and brave general emerged from the Xie family, known as 'Xie Chen.'

 

The Northern Army was severely weakened, but when the enemy attacked, 'Xie Chen' did not retreat. He led the charge, exploiting the enemy commander's underestimation and bravely achieving victory against the odds with his valor.

 

By the time the Emperor's envoy arrived to investigate the incident, 'Xie Chen' had already established his authority and secured his position within the army.

 

The Northern Army still believed in the Xie family; they did not believe that Xie Sui would turn his sword against them or defect.

 

The Emperor did not place the blame for that tragic defeat on Xie Sui either. He even allowed 'Xie Chen' to remain in the North. After 'Xie Chen' achieved military merits, he was reinstated as the Great General of the Northern Army.

 

During this period, Xie Zhui also tried to uncover the truth. However, no matter how hard he investigated, the prevailing account was that their grandfather and father personally led the Northern Army into a trap.

 

They naturally did not believe that Xie Sui was a traitor. They saw with their own eyes how much blood Xie Sui shed and how many injuries he sustained for the Northern Army. There had to be something suspicious about the situation, but they just couldn't uncover it.

 

Fortunately, the Emperor still trusted the Xie family, and as a result, Xie Zhui became even more devoted. He feared that any shortcoming on his part might provoke the Emperor's dissatisfaction and suspicion.

 

The Xie family needed the Emperor's trust.

 

Over the years, they had been searching for Xie Sui. There were too many ambiguous rumors along the border. Some said they saw Xie Sui in the Southern Territory, others claimed he assumed a new identity and was serving as an official among the Northern Rong.

 

There were many varied rumors, and some even used Xie Sui's name to set traps aimed at taking Xie Zhui's life.

 

But none of them succeeded.

 

When Xie Chen first became blind, he was filled with anger, unease, and even extreme agitation.

 

However, the subsequent events happened too quickly, and the crisis forced him to completely suppress these negative emotions. Xie Zhui bled and got injured for him; he couldn't let this person worry about him on the battlefield.

 

He couldn't be a burden. He grew rapidly, and every time Xie Zhui returned from the military camp, he would see changes in him.

 

Those days were very difficult, but he worked hard to adapt to the darkness. He fell again and again, and each time he stood back up, until he could move around the house freely.

 

To be honest, searching for Xie Sui became a habit over the years, but he already accepted that the chances of finding him were slim.

 

Xie Sui understood his son well, so he waited in Yangzhou for him to come and find him.

 

At first, Xie Chen didn't know it was him because Xie Sui rarely spoke to him. But he heard Xie Sui's agonizing cries when the poison acted up. It wasn't until one time when Xie Sui fainted from the pain and unconsciously called out his and Xie Zhui's names that Xie Chen confirmed his identity.

 

Thinking of the past, Xie Chen closed his eyes. He touched Xie Sui's face and held his hand; he was so emaciated that only skin and bones remained.

 

Xiao Shan could feel the sorrow emanating from Xie Chen. He understood Xie Chen's feelings. If the person who cried out in pain was indeed Xie Sui, it was natural for Xie Chen to be heartbroken as a son.

 

Xiao Shan pressed his lips together and said, "I understand Elder Brother's feelings, and I also understand why you didn't mention this in front of Xie Zhui. Given his condition, hearing this might be too much for him. Since Elder Brother trusts me enough to tell me, my thought is that since Father-in-law has suffered so much, we should help clear his name as soon as possible and bring the true culprit to justice before the Emperor."

 

Xie Chen said, "I understand your point. Father said that back then, the enemy forces were overwhelming, breaking through defenses repeatedly. Grandfather and he continuously petitioned the Emperor to order reinforcements from neighboring garrisons. The journey from the Northern Frontier to the capital and back took time, and the messenger had not yet returned when the enemy attacked again. The situation was dire, and Grandfather had no choice but to write to General An, who was stationed on the northwestern defense line, for help."

 

"General An's family was in Xunan, located at the junction of the Western and Northern Territories. Being a relative of the royal family, he couldn't stand by and watch the people of Da Zhou suffer due to the enemy's invasion. However, moving his troops without an imperial decree was a serious crime. Therefore, Grandfather wrote another letter explaining the situation and sent it to the capital, expressing his willingness to bear all consequences."

 

"General An received the letter and brought his men to the Northern Frontier, but not to provide support. Instead, he came seeking personal revenge. At that time, Grandfather was already severely injured, and Father was guarding him. To preserve their strength, the Northern Army split into two groups to return to camp."

 

"Father and Grandfather's group encountered what appeared to be enemy forces, but they were actually soldiers of the Da Zhou disguised in enemy uniforms."

 

"Grandfather died in battle, and Father was forced to the edge of a cliff. During the fight, he tore off General An's mask. Before pushing him off the cliff, General An personally told him those words."

 

He spoke calmly, but Xiao Shan felt a surge of emotions.

 

"General An, now the Marquis of An," Xiao Shan said.

 

Xie Chen nodded and then recounted the personal grudge between the Old Madam An and his grandfather.

 

Xiao Shan didn't expect such a story. Indeed, the An family was of royal blood, and the Old Madam An was still highly respected by the Emperor.

 

No wonder Xie Chen was hesitant to speak freely at first. After all, Old Madam An was no ordinary person; she was the Emperor's own aunt and made significant contributions to his ascension to the throne.

 

The Gu family was her maternal family, and her status was prestigious.

 

Without concrete evidence, indeed, one cannot speak rashly.

 

Xie Chen almost forgot about such a figure in the capital until today's mention of the An family.

 

Old Madam An's hostility towards Xie Zhui was so intense; it seemed there might be other reasons.

 

Xiao Shan said, "I will investigate this matter thoroughly. If someone indeed framed a loyal and good person out of personal vendetta, Father Emperor will not let it go lightly."

 

Xie Chen replied, "I'm afraid this matter will be difficult to investigate."

 

Xiao Shan said, "Difficult to investigate doesn't mean it can't be uncovered. Those who have done wrong always fear a knock on the door in the dead of night. However, I won't just take your word for it. The truth will come to light eventually."

 

Hearing this, Xie Chen solemnly replied, "Thank you, Your Highness. The Xie family does not fear investigation; we only fear that no one dares to investigate or is willing to investigate."

 

After saying this, Xiao Shan softly asked, "How did Father-in-law become like this? And how does he know medicine well enough to treat your eyes? Are there others with him?"

 

Just as Xie Chen was about to speak, the door was suddenly pushed open, and Xie Zhui stood at the entrance.

 

Xiao Shan was taken aback upon seeing him and quickly walked over to bring him inside. He asked, "Why did you come over?"

 

Xie Zhui shook his head without speaking. He only intended to talk to Xie Chen alone after Xiao Shan left, not wanting Xie Chen to keep things from him. Unexpectedly, upon arriving, he found Xiao Shan didn’t go to the Eastern Palace and overheard their conversation.

 

As soon as Xie Chen heard Xiao Shan's tone, he knew who arrived. He called out in a slightly deep voice, "Gu Ning..."

 

"Elder Brother, don't call Gu Ning. I saw the prince's horse at the gate and used my status as the prince's consort and the Xie family's young master to prevent the servants from reporting," Xie Zhui said calmly. "Now that I've heard everything, do you still intend to keep it from me?"

 

Xie Chen feared upsetting him, but he didn't expect him to overhear anyway.

 

Xiao Shan looked at Xie Zhui, noting that although his face was somewhat pale, his gaze remained resolute and calm. He said, "If you want to know the truth, you should sit down and listen slowly."

 

After saying this, Xiao Shan pressed Xie Zhui onto a cushioned stool, then looked at Xie Chen and said, "Elder Brother, since Xie Zhui heard everything, just tell him. Otherwise, it will only weigh on his mind. Besides, Xie Zhui has considerable influence in the Northern Frontier, and he still has some connections with Xu Guang and Yin Tong. If we are to investigate the Marquis of An, it would be more efficient for him to send people to Xunan. This way, the investigation will be quicker."

 

Xie Zhui said, "Elder Brother..."

 

Xie Chen replied, "Alright, alright. Since we can't keep it from you, we won't."

 

"Father said that after he was pushed off the cliff, he fell into the water. He drifted out of Da Zhou's territory along the current and was picked up by someone who used him as a test subject for medicines."

 

"Test subject?" Xie Zhui's heart skipped a beat upon hearing this. Those two words alone sounded extremely perilous.

 

Xie Chen nodded, "The Northern Rong intended to create invincible warriors through these experiments, so they would have an advantage when waging war against Da Zhou."

 

"Father's injuries were too severe, so they didn't immediately use him for testing. Later, he intermittently heard news about Da Zhou from those people. He heard about me joining the military and about the Xie family's young master losing his sight. They even cursed, saying that the An family was blind for mistakenly using the Gu worm on the wrong person. It was meant for him, but it ended up being used on the Xie family's young master."

 

"The Gu worm was originally from the place where Father was held, and it eventually ended up in General An's hands. He then bribed a servant in our household to use it on me," Xie Chen said with a series of cold laughs.

 

The Gu worm had indeed found its intended target, but the Xie family's young master shattered the constraints placed upon him.

 

"Father endured all this while knowing these things, suffering greatly there. There were many other children with tragic backgrounds, and many people wanted to escape. Those beasts fed them poison, and Father tried to vomit it out each time... Later, after many events, someone rescued him."

 

"Is this the person who treated your eyes?" Xiao Shan asked.

 

Xie Chen nodded and said, "He is a Northern Rong person. His father is a prince of the Northern Rong, and his mother is from Da Zhou. He was not favored since childhood. Due to his talent in medicine, he was sent to that den of thieves. This is also why I dared not speak lightly."

 

Xiao Shan acknowledged with a sound.

 

Having a Northern Rong person by Xie Sui's side meant they would be subject to attacks.

 

People would say that the Da Zhou and the Northern Rong have been enemies for generations, so why would they be so kind as to let Xie Sui go and even treat Xie Chen's eyes?

 

This could easily become evidence for those accusing the Xie family of colluding with the Northern Rong.

 

Therefore, this matter needed to be handled with caution.

 

Xiao Shan looked at Xie Zhui and said, "Send a message by carrier pigeon to Yin Tong and the others, instructing them to immediately investigate the Marquis of An. The Marquis has been ill for years and did not come to the capital to see the Emperor this time."

 

"The Marquis of An has always followed the old Madam An's orders. Old Madam An is proud and arrogant, not one to adhere strictly to the rules in the capital. I will thoroughly investigate her recent activities; we might uncover something unexpected."

 

Xie Zhui nodded and then looked at Xie Chen, saying, "Elder Brother, we are family. You don't have to bear these burdens alone. If a member of the Xie family has made a mistake, we will accept the Emperor's punishment. If others are at fault, we will not let them go unpunished."

 

Xie Chen responded with a nod.

 

He gave a bitter smile, thinking that Xie Zhui wouldn't be able to handle it, but he realized he still didn't fully understand his younger brother.

 

Xie Zhui had grown up; he protected him and upheld the Xie family.

 

Xie Zhui softly said, "Elder Brother, I want to see Father."

 

Xie Chen replied, "Father asked me to keep it from you. If his emotions fluctuate too much..." it could trigger the poison.

 

Xiao Shan said, "Then let's wait until Father is asleep to see him."

 

Xie Chen thought for a moment and then nodded.

 

***

 

Meanwhile, Xiao Jin was heading towards the Empress's palace, having learned from the Emperor that the Empress mentioned the true circumstances of Old Master Gu's death.