Chapter 21: The Tongue of Zhang Yi

Master Suo grew angrier with every word. Suddenly, he slammed his palm onto the table and rose in a fury. "Nonsense! That is nothing but forced logic and utter gibberish! Yang, have you been bought off by Yu Huanhu? Or perhaps... were you his man all along? Could it be that you are the traitor who colluded with the enemy, leaked information, and orchestrated the murder of the Yu family heir?"

Master Suo’s thick beard bristled with rage, and his eyes gleamed with killing intent as he stepped toward Yang Can. Seeing this, Suo Chanzhi grew anxious; her second uncle possessed formidable martial arts, and if he were to strike, he would surely lose all restraint. She hurried from her chair and darted between Master Suo and Yang Can.

"Second Uncle, pray do not lose your temper. Let me question him."

Blocking Master Suo, she turned gracefully toward Yang Can. Dressed in a simple, plain gown, she appeared as ethereal and delicate as an apricot blossom on a branch after the rain.

"Master Yang."

"Young Mistress."

"Do you truly believe that it was I who murdered my late husband?"

Yang Can shook his head. "Young Mistress, in my humble opinion, the Suo family bears heavy suspicion regarding the young master’s death. However, while you are indeed of the Suo family, you are not the entirety of it."

Master Suo roared, "Then who are you referring to? Me?"

"Second Uncle!" Suo Chanzhi frowned, silencing him before turning back to Yang Can. "You claim the Suo family is deeply implicated. What is your evidence?"

"When two houses unite in marriage," Yang Can replied, "the bride joins the groom's household. Upon returning from the wedding, the groom’s family should have held the authority. Yet, throughout our journey, Nanny Tu took it upon herself to decide every matter, overriding all others. It was precisely because of her actions that my young master met his untimely end."

Suo Chanzhi countered, "That only proves Nanny Tu was negligent and incompetent, allowing others to exploit the situation. How does that link the Suo family to a premeditated conspiracy?"

Master Suo interjected loudly, "Exactly! That old woman was killed herself—are you trying to smear her name even in death?"

"If Nanny Tu had lived," Yang Can said, "I might have doubted my own suspicions. It is precisely because she died—and in such a peculiar manner—that I am convinced the Suo family was involved."

Master Suo, incensed, surged forward, intent on striking down the slanderer. Suo Chanzhi quickly moved to intercept him. Yu Xinglong then spoke: "Master Suo, calm yourself. I do not doubt your family, but my son’s death is shrouded in conflicting rumors and unanswered questions. It is better to let him clarify his reasoning before us all."

Master Suo shot Yu Xinglong a cold, mocking look and slowly sat back down. "Fine. Regardless, my niece has been widowed in your Yu household for no reason. Even if you do not pursue this, my family will not let it rest. We shall see this through to the truth."

Yu Xinglong glanced at Yang Can and commanded, "Continue."

Yang Can bowed. "As you wish." He turned to Suo Chanzhi, his expression grave. "The bandits struck with the intent of plunder, yet they ignored the valuables and headed straight for the center of the camp. After killing the young master with an arrow, they immediately sought to break through our lines. Is that not suspicious? It proves they were not only familiar with our camp layout but also recognized the young master. Their true goal was him; the loot taken during their escape was merely a diversion. Furthermore, even if our guards were caught off guard, a mere hundred horsemen could not have penetrated to the heart of our camp so easily without an inside contact."

"Even if there were an inside contact," Suo Chanzhi asked, "how can you be certain they belong to the Suo family?"

Yang Can replied, "The Yu family guards were responsible for the outer perimeter. We were caught unprepared, but what of the inner perimeter, which your family oversaw? That a bandit was captured alive is not strange. What is strange is that this survivor claims to know the mastermind behind the plot. I ask you: if our Second Master had truly ordered this, would he have let a group of bandits know he was the one behind it? It is precisely because of this 'testimony' that the claim becomes illogical."

Yu Huanhu narrowed his eyes, his gaze toward Yang Can growing increasingly appreciative.

"You have yet to explain," Suo Chanzhi said coldly, "why Nanny Tu’s death specifically makes the Suo family more suspicious."

"I believe," Yang Can continued, "that when the attack occurred, it was Nanny Tu who signaled the bandits and created the opportunity for them to kill the young master. That is why, when I informed Deacon Yi that the Suo family was implicated in the death, Nanny Tu was silenced."

Deacon Yi, hearing his name, felt a jolt of panic, terrified of being dragged into the fray. Fortunately, Master Suo burst into laughter. "Hah! This is preposterous! Tell me, what would my family gain from such a thing?"

Yang Can bowed. "May I ask, Master Suo, what would our Second Master gain from killing his own nephew?"

"That is obvious! The struggle between the senior and junior branches of your family is known throughout Longshang. He would not want the senior branch to grow stronger through an alliance with us!"

Yang Can nodded calmly. "Your reasoning is sound. Now, Master Suo, tell me: within the Suo family, is there anyone..." He looked at Suo Chanzhi, "...anyone who does not wish to see your branch grow stronger through this marriage?"

A chilling silence descended upon Mingde Hall. Until now, everyone had found Yang Can’s accusations laughable. Even Deacon Yi had only pushed him forward to save his own skin. No one believed him, simply because the Suo family appeared to have no motive. But no one had expected Yang Can to offer such a unique perspective.

Suddenly, a motive for the Suo family had emerged.

The silence was absolute. The Yu family was not a monolith, but were the Suos? Even ordinary families of modest means often fought tooth and nail over inheritances. The Suo family was far grander; could one truly believe there was no internal strife? No branch that envied or competed with Suo Chanzhi’s?

With that single sentence, Yu Huanhu was no longer the sole target of suspicion. The look in his eyes as he regarded Yang Can turned into one of profound admiration, even warmth.

Yang Can’s voice softened, yet in the deathly quiet of the hall, every word rang clear. "Clan Master, Master Suo, esteemed elders—consider this: is it not possible that the captured bandit was merely a sacrificial pawn, discarded by the true mastermind to cast blame elsewhere?"

Though spoken softly, the words struck Yu Xinglong like a thunderbolt. Even with his deep composure, his expression flickered. It was a flicker of guilt, though no one suspected him—after all, it was his own beloved son who had died.

Yu Huanhu seized the opportunity. He let out a mournful cry, then spoke with feigned indignation. "My brother is steady, while I am impulsive; we often clashed over family matters. But to suggest I would murder my own nephew out of a desire for the Clan Master's seat—that is impossible!"

Yu Huanhu raised three fingers to the heavens, his eyes reddening as he swore a lethal oath: "If I, Yu Huanhu, ordered the death of my nephew, may I be cursed by heaven and man! May I die without a burial place, and may my soul forever wander, barred from the ancestral shrine!"

With Yang Can’s words and this oath, the room’s consensus wavered. Could they have been wrong?

Seeing the shift, Yu Xinglong stood. "Brother, do not be so rash! How could you swear such an oath? I... I naturally believe you."

Yu Huanhu did not accept the comfort, pressing his advantage. "If that bandit insists I killed my nephew, then Brother, kill me now! My nephew has not been gone long; I, his uncle, shall join him on the road to the underworld."

Yu Xinglong shouted, "Enough! When have I ever called you the murderer? It is only because of the rumors that you have become a suspect. If this spreads, it destroys not just your reputation, but the family's! I am merely trying to clear your name!"

If possible, Yu Xinglong would have gladly torn Yu Huanhu to pieces. This was his territory; he could have had him killed. But killing him would solve nothing. The junior branch had already gained strength, and Yu Huanhu had left his own son in charge of their base. If he killed the father, the son would revolt. If the two branches clashed, the other seven clans would descend like vultures, and the Yu family’s three-hundred-year legacy would be lost.

Yu Huanhu knew his brother was indecisive and, as Clan Master, feared the consequences of fratricide. He knew his brother would not dare kill him.

"Brother," Yu Huanhu said, "Master Suo claims I covet the throne. In truth, I only worry for your health and wish to share your burdens. To have such devotion met with such suspicion... very well! Today, I shall prove my heart!"

Yu Huanhu’s eyes were bloodshot, his lips trembling. His brother could act, and he was no less capable of playing his part.