Chapter Seventy-Four: The Ye Family Is a Pit of Fire

What a joke! He was the sovereign, how could he possibly allow the noble families to unite? With his supreme authority, he had countless ways to set them against each other in endless infighting. The truth was, his own father, Tie Hongshou, had been far too foolish—he should have abdicated long ago!

Across the Nine Nations, no ruler suffered such grievances as he did. Of the primordial stones forged from the Nine Cauldrons, nearly seventy percent had to be handed over to the Azure Origin Sect. Of what remained, most went to placate the noble families. Compared to his archrival, Jiang Neng, sovereign of the Grand Zhao, that man lived a far more comfortable life.

Tie Xingsheng was exceedingly cautious. For nearly twenty years, he watched and analyzed in silence, conducting minor tests one after another. Only when his eldest son, Tie Guantian, entered the Azure Origin Sect and became an outer disciple did he finally launch his first assault.

For Tie Xingsheng, this attack was of immense significance; the target, therefore, had to be a symbolic figure. Afterwards, Tie Xingsheng was restless and uneasy, unable to predict how the noble families would react. The outcome left him stunned. The storm of protest he had anticipated never materialized. The noble houses displayed an unexpected obedience—even those closest to the Ye family chose silence.

Secretly delighted, Tie Xingsheng came to a realization: the drive and ambition of youth inevitably fade with time, giving way to complacency. None wished to become another Ye Guanhai, or rather, they hoped that Tie Xingsheng would shift his sights elsewhere. No one would step forward.

So this is all you amount to! That was Tie Xingsheng’s insight. Still, he remained cautious, refraining from drastic measures. He continued to infiltrate slowly, placing his confidants in the city garrison, bypassing the Grand Commandant Wang Fang to appoint his own chief constable, transferring officers from the Imperial Guards to reinforce Wei Juan’s army. Everything proceeded smoothly—only when he tried to change the candidate for the Grand Minister did he meet stiff resistance, for that struck at the very foundation of the noble families.

He learned his lesson and reverted to his earlier methods, slicing away at the noble families bit by bit. He was in no rush; if ten years would not suffice, then twenty, and if twenty years were not enough, then thirty. Time was on his side.

At times, Tie Xingsheng felt a surge of pride. This was the true art of rulership: to alter the fabric of power little by little, like the silent rain that moistens all things overnight…

Today, when Ye Xin’s name was mentioned, Tie Xingsheng had his own motives. He wanted these self-righteous so-called pillars of the state to understand that they were not nearly as noble as they imagined.

Talented people were useful, but they were rarely obedient. The truly obedient were often lacking in ability. What Tie Xingsheng desired above all was to unite these virtues—capable lackeys were the best of all, for only then could his will pervade every corner of the principality.

He waited a long while, but no one spoke. This was no surprise to him. He put down the memorial, a look of displeasure on his face. “Well? Is Guanhai’s child beneath your notice? To admit one’s faults and mend them is a great virtue. I will not hold the boy’s past misdeeds against him, and now that he shows ambition, will you not grant him a chance?”

Still, silence. The atmosphere in the hall was almost deathly still.

“If only Guanhai were still here, things would not have come to this.” Tie Xingsheng sighed deeply. “Hearts grow cold, and the world ever more callous…”

Several ministers’ expressions shifted. Grand Secretary Shen Wangji frowned, and Wen Hongren’s face flushed bright red.

“Even if Guanhai’s child were rebellious and ill-mannered, with my protection, he would want for nothing all his life. Besides, Guanhai’s tireless service benefited many of you here; have you truly no sense of gratitude?” Tie Xingsheng’s smile was faint—today’s effect was just as he wished; it was enough.

He had found that those who often opposed him were always clinging to some laughable ideals and sentiments, which he found most distasteful. If only all were as meek as Wen Yuanren, the court would be far more harmonious. If not, they should at least learn from Wei Juan: when told to leave, he left obediently; when summoned, he returned without protest—every visit left Wei Juan so moved he would weep tears of gratitude. If they could not be like Wei Juan, then like Han Sanmei, who could be won over with a few sweet words and a treat.

Sentiment? Ideals? In the end, you are all but the Tie family’s household slaves—do you deserve such airs? Since Ye Guanhai’s death, the court’s silence had made Tie Xingsheng despise these self-styled men of principle deep in his bones. All their grand posturing was but a facade for self-interest.

Now, when he prompted them to speak on Ye Guanhai’s behalf, to repay his favors, they all shrank away. So in the future, let them never again prattle about sentiment! Tie Xingsheng might not have studied psychology as systematically as Ye Xin, but his thinking was perfectly logical.

“Since none of you value Guanhai’s child, let it be. I cannot force you.” Tie Xingsheng said, “Court is dismissed, gentlemen.”

“Your Majesty!” Wen Hongren suddenly stepped forth.

At the sight of Wen Hongren, Tie Xingsheng’s eye twitched. He knew the man’s temperament well, and sensed trouble. He hurriedly said, “Hongren, whatever it is, say it tomorrow. I am tired today…”

“Lord Wen!” Zong Zhentang could not care for ceremony and called out loudly, trying to stop him.

“Lord Wen!” Han Sanmei was also anxious. He knew Tieshu Deng’s designs and was supportive, so he could not allow Wen Hongren to act out.

“Your Majesty, this humble servant has a daughter. If the Ye family does not disdain her, I wish to offer her in marriage to the Ye family,” Wen Hongren declared in a clear voice.

Tie Xingsheng’s expression froze. He stared hard at Wen Hongren, who bowed his head, awaiting his response.

Once again, the hall fell silent. The officials exchanged glances—some mocking, some gloating, some angry, some regretful, but none saw this as a good match.

“Has Old Wen arrived?” Tie Xingsheng’s voice took on a somber tone. He sought help—only Wen Yuanren could restrain Wen Hongren now.

“A daughter’s marriage is her parents’ prerogative. I am her father; this is my decision.” Wen Hongren replied.

Tie Xingsheng made no further pretense. His gaze toward Wen Hongren glinted with a hint of menace. His perfect mood was utterly ruined—this was a slap in the face, delivered in full view.

“So be it, I shall grant you your wish.” Tie Xingsheng stood abruptly, flung his sleeve, and strode out of the hall.

Once Tie Xingsheng had left, the ministers turned to depart as well. All who passed Wen Hongren instinctively edged away, as if afraid of being tainted by misfortune.

In moments, only two people were left in the vast hall, aside from the palace guards: Wen Hongren and Shen Wangji.

“Hongren, how foolish you are,” Shen Wangji sighed heavily.

“I just couldn’t hold back,” Wen Hongren replied, forcing a smile.

“Couldn’t hold back? You—" Shen Wangji was at a loss. “The Wolf Commander advised you countless times; with your temperament, the Dragon Soaring Military Academy would have suited you better, but you never listened! Now you’ve brought disaster upon yourself—regret is too late!”

Regret? Wen Hongren’s eyes suddenly grew vacant. Ye Guanhai had been slain by a cultivator of the Azure Cloud Sect. He did not know the true story, but if Tie Xingsheng had truly wanted to protect Ye Guanhai, there was a real chance the sect would have relented. After all, the Azure Cloud Sect received ample tribute from the Great Wei each year, and with Ye Guanhai’s abilities, there was no way he could have threatened them—surely, they would have granted this face.

That was why Wen Hongren could not bear to hear Tie Xingsheng speak of “Guanhai” with such false affection. It sickened him. Nor could he watch Ye Xin be humiliated, even if the boy was not present. “Rebellious and ill-mannered”? That was enough to make him uneasy, as if his own child had been insulted. Perhaps the Wolf Commander had truly been perceptive—he was not suited to serve in court.

But now, it was indeed too late for regret. Wen Hongren found his legs leaden, as if filled with molten iron. A moment’s hot-blooded impulse—if he could do it again, he might not stand up.

Shen Wangji whispered, “Hongren, tomorrow I’ll go with you to the Ye family.” He patted Wen Hongren’s shoulder, then walked slowly away.

Wen Hongren did not know how he returned home, nor how long he rode in his sedan. His mind was muddled. As soon as he entered, he saw his wife, Shen Yunling, being supported by two servants. Her eyes were red, as if she had just finished crying.

At the sight of Wen Hongren, Shen Yunling pounced on him like a wolf, clawing at his face. He was caught off guard; by the time he reacted, several bloody scratches burned on his cheek.

“Are you mad?” Wen Hongren shouted.

“I am not mad! You are!” Shen Yunling screamed, rushing at him again.

Though Wen Hongren could not cultivate, he had trained as a warrior and was strong. He caught Shen Yunling by the wrist and pushed her away. She staggered back and fell to the floor with a thud.

“I can’t go on!” Shen Yunling wailed, just like a fishwife in the street. In truth, she had always been refined and well-mannered; otherwise, how could she have raised a daughter like Wen Rong? But now she was utterly heartbroken, her reason shattered. “Wen Rong is not yours alone—she’s my daughter too! How can you throw her into the fire—how can you—how can you?”

Wen Hongren was stunned. He had not expected word from court to reach home so quickly.

Bang! A loud crash resounded from the front courtyard, a cloud of dust rising high. An old man, leaning on a cane, strode into the hall, eyes bloodshot, glaring at Wen Hongren’s back.

Wen Hongren turned, his voice hoarse. “Father…”

“Seize him!” the old man roared.