Startled by Tie Zheng’s sudden display of courtesy, Old Guo leapt to his feet. “Yu’er is getting married? I’ll attend! Of course, I’ll attend! The family of my brother is my family by extension.” He reached out and grabbed the invitation.
A smile of warmth and relief broke out on Tie Zheng’s face. He nodded his head and couple of times, downed a glass of alcohol and said, “Good. Good.”
Meanwhile, Madam Guo and the other members of the Guo Family had a moment for the news to sink in. They immediately rose in fervour as they first congratulated the new bride-to-be before getting into the other details.
“Who’s the groom?” asked a member of the Guo Family, whose question Old Guo echoed. “Right! Who’s so fortunate as to marry my good brother’s beautiful daughter?”
Tie Yu blushed at the compliment while Tie Zheng returned a good-natured chuckle. He then cleared his throat and proudly announced. “The fortune is all ours. It was the Third Young Master of the Fu Family that reached out and proposed the marriage to us.”
He gave his shy daughter a waywise glance and said, “Apparently, he was smitten at first sight by my daughter’s beauty and grace.”
Tie Yu turned as red as a tomato and desperately sought to hide her face in her hands. Unfortunately, it didn’t help as the laughter that followed her father’s comments only stoked her shyness further.
“Not a bad match. The Fu Family is a noble and respectable household. I’ve also heard about the character of this Third Young Master. He is a good and able man,” Old Guo cemented his thoughts on the matter.
“I know,” replied Tie Zheng. “That is why I agreed.”
The Fu Family is a noble household of reputed merchants and traders. They were renowned for being one of the wealthiest households in Miu Aislu City and were also the main owners of the Fu Pan Shipping Company, a major player in the transcontinental trade-charter industry.
Aside from their wealth and status, the Fu Family was also reputed for being sincere, trustworthy, and philanthropic individuals.
With the actual reason behind Tei Zheng’s sudden visit revealed, the celebratory mood in the Guo Family manor rose by a few notches. More foods and drinks were consumed, raucous laughter and conversations were exchanged, and Tie Zhi was nearly betrothed to one of the daughters of the Guo Family. Fortunately, both Heads managed to retain just enough sense to not commit any impulsive decisions; much to the relief of Tie Zhi and Madame Guo.
The celebrations which began just before noon, lasted well after evening. It was only when the moon had risen to its position in the night sky that the event finally came to a close. The two families exchanged farewells and promised to meet again often, and the Tie Family finally boarded their readied carriage to journey back home.
“Soon, you hear me!? Soon!” Old Guo drunkenly yelled.
“Yes, yes. I know!” Tie Zheng replied with similar drunkenness. With a final wave of his hand, he closed the curtains on the carriage door before reclining on the plush seating. A perpetual smile hung on his face.
Tie Zhi and Tie Yu, who managed to somehow evade total inebriation, watched their father’s smile of contentment and felt their heart swell with happiness. It was not often that they saw their father smile, and such instances only became rarer after the early death of their mother.
“Tie Zhiii~… Tie Yuuu~…” Tie Zheng drunkenly drawled. “It’s important… to have… friends like Old Guo… in your lives. Bonds… those are the real wealth… Not money… not status…”
He then proceeded to drunkenly sing a song, heavily slurring the lyrics. His two children fondly chuckled at his antics before tucking him in with pillows and blankets.
The carriage quietly hobbled its way through the streets of Miu Aislu City, slowly heading towards the Tie Family manor.
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Early Morning. 5th Day of the Second Month in the Year 736 NCE.
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Tie Family Manor.
The quiet stillness of dawn at the Tie Family manor was broken by a series of heavy knocks at the gates. The steward, who was quite understandably annoyed by such early visitors, wore a deep frown on his face before answering the untimely visitors.
“Oh Heavens! Even the roosters have yet to wake and yet there are already people ready to rouse us,” he grumbled, before sliding the metal grate on the gate. “Who is it?”
“Inspectors from the Mu Household’s Investigation Hall,” replied a gruff voice. “We are here with a warrant of arrest for one Tie Zheng. Please open the gates and stand aside.”
The steward froze for a moment in shock. “W-what!?! A warrant of arrest!? For the Old Master!?”
“Do not waste our time and open the gates. This is an order!” repeated the outside voice.
The steward did not dare disobey and quickly undid the locks. Instantly, the large iron gates swung open, revealing a squad of tall, gruff and solemn-looking practitioners, dressed in blue-black martial robes. Each of them stood armed, their hands at the ready on the handles of their blades.
At the head of this company stood a pale-faced middle-aged man, sporting an ugly scar that ran across one of his eyes. His face kept passive as he flashed a badge with his gloved hand toward the stunned steward.
“I’m Captain An of the Fourth Division. I’m here on orders from the Grand Elder of the Investigation Hall to arrest and bring back the heinous traitor, Tie Zheng, for questioning. I was also ordered to conduct a thorough search of the compound and to seize any illegal contraband that I discover.”
“I would appreciate it if you instruct all the servants to cooperate."
After speaking those words, Captain An snapped his fingers and lightly uttered. “Men. Begin.”
Akin to a pack of ravenous wolves rushing out at the sight of fresh meat, the inspectors standing behind Captain An rushed towards the manor, leaving behind a rush of dust and terrified gasps in their wake.
“Where is Tie Zheng?” asked Captain An, turning toward the horrified steward.
“T-the O-Old Ma-Master’s resting i-in his ch-chambers,” the steward quiveringly replied.
“You will lead me,” said the captain. “Now.”
The steward did not dare waste a second and quickly clambered to his feet.
Entering the manor, Captain An casually followed the terrified steward while sparing a glance here and there. He wasn’t worried about the arrest going poorly as he was more than confident in the abilities of his and his men. Besides, the Fourth Division was skilled in the capture of rogue cultivators.
Passing through the different rooms and corridors, Captain An noted his men doing an excellent job, seizing and securing all illegal contraband that they came across. He also saw a few servants resisting the search but was happy to note that such resistance came to a swift conclusion with a swing of the blade. A bit messy but efficient.
Besides, it wasn’t like cleaning was part of his duty. There was another department for that.
It took him a long walk and a few minutes before he arrived before a set of closed doors.
“H-here,” said the steward, pointing his trembling fingers at the doors. “T-the O-Old Master’s ch-chambers.”
Captain An nodded his head and waved for the steward to step aside. He then placed a hand on the pommel of his sword before announcing at the door. “Traitor Tie Zheng! You are under arrest for the suspicion of consorting with the enemies of the Mu Household and for undermining national interests. Under swiftly, and you will be spared the harm of my blade.”
Without waiting for a reply, Captain An kicked the doors open and entered the room. Instantly, his eyes narrowed as he caught the flash of steel aiming for his throat in the corner of his eyes.
“Foolish,” he snorted with disdain. He then proceeded to flex his thumb, causing for another flash of steel to appear.
Schwick! Captain An’s sword flashed at an indiscernible speed, meeting the sword aiming for his throat.
CLANG! The sound of steel meeting steel resounded as the strength of Captain An’s blade forced back the assaulter. Tie Zheng, who had failed in his surprise attack, was flung back, spitting out a mouthful of crimson blood in the process. His body barreled through the air and crashed against the oak wardrobe present on the adjacent wall.
“Puh!” Tie Zheng spat out another mouthful of blood, further staining the front of his clothes. He then directed a gaze filled with venomous hatred and anger as he weakly roared, “An Cheng, you delinquent beast! For what purpose have you invaded my home!?”
Captain An nonchalantly sheathed his sword. He then proceeded to walk toward the prone and incapacitated Elder Tie with relaxed steps. “For what purpose you ask? Did you not hear my announcement? Have you gone senile?”
Stopping before the old man, Captain An overbearingly raised his leg and rested it on the former’s chest, pushing the elder into the broken debris of the wardrobe. Pieces of broken wood and splinters dug into Elder Tie’s body, drawing blood and causing hurt.
“In any case, I will repeat once again. This time, do well to listen carefully.” Captain An then proceeded to clear his throat before speaking. “You’re a filthy traitor. The powers above have decreed me to drag your traitorous, wrinkled ass to the Iron Needle Pavilion to undergo interrogation.”
“So then,” A wolfish, scoundrel-like smile appeared on Captain An’s face, “Shall we go?”