Lord Qing led a few ministers out of the house. Hearing the cries from inside and outside, their faces were solemn.
No matter what grudges they once had with Xiahou Ta, it was all in the past. The scene of Xiahou Ta's death was like a heavy stone weighing down on their hearts. They didn't know if this day would come for them too.
Lord Qing and the group of ministers didn't linger and left. Xiahou Chengyu didn't leave either. He probably wouldn't leave until Xiahou Ta was buried. In reality, there wasn't much to bury. Since the person was gone, it would be a cenotaph. However, the necessary process still had to be done. The Xiahou family probably didn't want others to say that their descendants were unfilial. The reputation of a large family was especially important. There were too many people watching.
The funeral was grand!
In the meantime, Xiahou Ling's title of Albatross was confirmed. There was almost no resistance when it was passed in the imperial court.
The news of Xiahou Ta's death spread throughout the world. People began to discuss Xiahou Ta's legendary life.
When Miao Yi heard the news, he immediately sent a message to the Heavenly Empress, Xiahou Chengyu, asking for her condolences. At the same time, he expressed that he would go to the Xiahou family to pay his respects. Usually, he would use Xiahou Dragon City's name to talk about this and that. Now that Xiahou Ta had passed away, it wouldn't be right not to go.
Xiahou Chengyu agreed, but asked him to contact E Mei. As for the reason, Miao Yi naturally knew. He and Xiahou Chengyu had to pretend that they didn't have a direct way to contact each other.
He contacted E Mei, who quickly asked for Wei Shu's opinion. Wei Shu immediately asked for Xiahou Ling's opinion. Unexpectedly, Xiahou Ling agreed without hesitation.
After making some preparations at the Nether Command Manor, Miao Yi quickly set off with a group of people.
Before he left, Miao Yi suddenly received a message from Xu Tangran saying that Duke Yuan had taken a leave of absence and his whereabouts were unknown. Miao Yi was curious. Did Duke Yuan also rush back to pay his respects? Logically speaking, this was impossible. Would Duke Yuan dare to reveal his identity?
Pavilion of Faith. Cao Man was bored in a dark room. There was an incense burner in the room, and green smoke curled up. Cao Man, dressed in white, sat quietly on a chair.
There was a knock on the door. Seven entered without being invited. Cao Man, who was paralyzed on the chair with her eyes closed, said calmly, "Didn't I tell you? Don't bother me if there's nothing important. "
Qi Jue held a letter in his hand. It wasn't a jade archive, but a letter written on paper. "Boss, someone says that he's a good friend of yours and wants to meet you. He says that you'll know who he is once you read the letter."
Cao Man raised his eyelids and a strange look flashed in his eyes. Someone actually used this kind of letter to contact him. Was he not afraid that the contents of the letter would be exposed?
When he received the letter, he held the sealed envelope and read it over and over again. Then, he tore open the envelope and pulled out a piece of white paper that was as thin as a cicada's wing. What was even stranger was that the white paper was completely clean, without a single word on it. After casting a spell to examine it, he did not find any marks left on it.
Cao Man frowned. Then, she walked to the corner of the room and poured water into a silver basin. She then placed the piece of paper into the water.
The white paper was wet and discolored, and a single word appeared on it. It was just one word, the word 'six'.
What does that mean? Cao Man was stunned. The words quickly disappeared, and the piece of paper soon melted into the water, leaving no trace.
Only the word 'six' was sent. Why did it have to be so mysterious? Was this' six 'very important? Cao Man pondered. Suddenly, his eyes lit up. As though he had thought of something, he turned around and asked, "Where is he?"
Qi Jue would never send anything dangerous here. He had already used his arts to examine the contents of the envelope and found nothing. He did not know what Cao Man had discovered, so he respectfully replied, "He's waiting in the living room downstairs."
Cao Man said, "Invite him in!"
Not long after Qi Jue left, he led a bearded man into the room. It was obvious that he had disguised himself.
When this person entered, his eyes met Cao Man's for a moment. Then, they sized each other up. The newcomer then looked around the room. When his gaze fell upon the incense burner, he appeared somewhat dejected.
Cao Man waved his hand at Qi Jue and said, "You may leave first. Without my permission, no one is to disturb me."
"Yes!" Qi Jue left and closed the door.
Cao Man stared at the newcomer and said indifferently, "May I know who you are? Why are you pretending to be my friend?"
The newcomer transmitted his voice, "Third Brother, why do you ask when you already know the answer? Since you let me come up to meet you, it means that you understand the meaning of the letter."
Cao Man also transmitted his voice, "You are Sixth Brother?"
The newcomer nodded.
Cao Man: "If you don't take off your mask, how can I believe that you are real?"
The newcomer sneered, "You and I have never met before. Can you recognize me if I take off my mask?"
Cao Man: "Since you have come to see me, shouldn't you show your sincerity?"
The newcomer shook his head. "Old Master had a rule when he was alive. Before our identities can be revealed, we brothers can't reveal each other's identities. This is also for my safety."
Cao Man: "You are so sure that I am your Third Brother. Have you seen me before?"
The newcomer said, "You are almost in the open. I don't think the other brothers can hold back their curiosity. I believe the others have seen Third Brother before."
Cao Man: "If that's the case, I am at a disadvantage."
The newcomer said, "It should be Third Brother who is at a disadvantage. We all know Third Brother, but Third Brother doesn't even know who we are. Who is at a disadvantage?"
Cao Man: "How can I judge whether your identity is real or not?"
The newcomer said, "The authenticity of my identity is not important to Third Brother at this time." He walked to the long table, took out two Star Bells, and put them on the table. "It is more important to leave a direct contact method. I think Third Brother must know what it means."
Cao Man also walked to the table. "I don't understand what you are talking about."
The newcomer: "Third Brother, why are you pretending to be confused?"
Cao Man: "If you are really Sixth Brother, do you know what you are doing?"
The newcomer: "Of course I know. But Old Master is not here anymore. No one knows what that person will do. I have no intention of going against the family head appointed by Old Master. Old Master is wise all his life. He must have his reasons for doing this. I also don't want anything to happen to the Xiahou family. If something happens to the Xiahou family, none of us will be well off. But we have been working for the Xiahou family for so many years. Even if we don't have any merit, we have worked hard. If you want me to stretch my neck and wait to be killed just because of Old Master's words, I can't do it. At least give me a reason that can convince me. I still mean the same thing. I have no intention of going against Old Master's decision, nor do I have any intention of going against the new family head. But my life is not up to anyone. At least he doesn't have the qualifications to convince me. If he can really show me that ability, I will accept it. Otherwise, we are all born of concubines. What right does he have to mess around? "
Cao Man's face was calm, as if she was not moved at all. "This Cao resolutely obeys Old Master's decision and resolutely supports the new family head. If anyone dares to do anything to harm the Xiahou family or the family head, I will be the first to not let him off!"
What a joke. He couldn't even confirm the other's identity. How could he easily believe the other's words? What if someone sent him to test him? He naturally had to make his stance clear. How could he easily fall into a trap? If that was really the case, then he would have wasted all these years.
Person: "Third Brother, I am too lazy to guess whether you are telling the truth or lying. But Old Master has placed the lives of a group of brothers in your hands. You have to bear this responsibility."
Cao Man: "I'm afraid I have to disappoint you. Old Master didn't entrust anything to me when he was alive."
"There are some things that don't need to be said out loud. Normally, no one would be able to sense it. Only when the time comes will the person in the position be able to sense it. It's very difficult for outsiders to understand. This is why the old man's foresight is so admirable."
Cao Man: "I don't know what you are talking about."
Person: "Third Brother, are you pretending to be confused or are you confused by the situation? Yes, that's right. The Xiahou family can only have hope of succeeding the position of family head if they are standing in the light. From the day we concealed our identities, we have already cut off that hope. But Third Brother, don't forget one thing. Although Second Brother is standing in the light, Third Brother, you are also standing in the light. At least, you are half a person who has revealed your identity! "
Cao Man's body trembled slightly when he heard this. He seemed to have understood something.
The newcomer continued, "I didn't think of this in the beginning. It wasn't until the real danger began to approach that I had no choice but to consider a way out. When I was forced to protect myself, when I had no choice but to find other brothers to form an alliance to protect myself, I couldn't help but stare at you, Third Brother. Now I can be sure of one thing. I'm afraid I'm not the only one who has this idea. The other brothers must have the same idea. It was only then that I suddenly realized why the old man wanted you to half-reveal your identity, and why he wanted all the brothers in the dark to know of your existence. This was a backup plan that the old man had left for us. This was a backup plan that the old man had left for us at the critical moment! "
Cao Man's face was full of shock.
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