The master of the throne in Ever Peace Manor's grand hall had changed, and so had the handmaidens standing on both sides of the throne.
Although Zhang Decheng's two handmaidens' cultivations weren't considered low, having reached White Lotus Eighth Grade, they were still mercilessly slain by Yang Qing.
As the handmaidens of a lord, there was an extremely glorious side to them, but also an extremely dangerous one.
As the most trusted of their master's confidants, they were second only to the master in their territory. For example, no matter how high the status of the subordinates was, they would still have to respectfully call them Aunty when they saw them. Their status and achievements were completely derived from their master.
But it was precisely because of this that the victors would never leave such people behind in the event of defeat. It was too dangerous to keep such people by their side. As a loyal follower of the previous master, it was entirely possible for them to take the opportunity to avenge their master.
So as long as these handmaidens followed a master, it was practically for life. Others could surrender, but even if they did, it would be useless. They would still die, and could only follow their master in life and death.
All the Mountain Chieftains gathered at Ever Peace Manor. What should be handed over had been handed over, and all the Mountain Chieftains were in a good mood. This year's harvest had doubled, so how could they not be happy? They gathered at the grand hall and greeted Yang Qing with great sincerity.
However, Qin Weiwei wasn't among the Mountain Chieftains who'd doubled their harvest. If they were to lose and still be rewarded, how could Yang Qing convince the masses in the future? This trend couldn't be allowed to continue, so naturally, she was left out in the cold.
But everyone was well aware that as the Manor Head's adopted daughter, suffering a loss was only temporary.
After everyone finished their discussion, Yang Qing personally led the Mountain Chieftains to Suppressing Second Hall on his dragon steed.
Miao Yi was a little excited as he followed beside Qin Weiwei together with Wu Tong. He finally had the chance to know where the main gate of Suppressing Second Hall led to.
Amidst his excitement, he was also a little disappointed, because Xiong Xiao was also among them. When enemies met, their eyes blazed with anger. Unfortunately, he was restricted by the rules, so he couldn't act recklessly.
Similarly, Xiong Xiao was also restricted by the rules, and didn't dare to act recklessly against Miao Yi. Otherwise, he would've killed Miao Yi a long time ago. How could it have dragged on until today...
Between the snow-covered lofty mountains and lofty ridges, strange pines and strange trees were covered in snow, and dragon steeds trod on the snow. Traversing through forests, occasionally crossing ravines and deep valleys, the accumulated snow would rumble and slide down from time to time, making it difficult to stop the dragon steeds' galloping hooves.
Suppressing Second Hall was located within. The headquarters' buildings were spread out in a network on the surrounding mountains.
On the highest peak in the center. There was a magnificent courtyard, and inside the courtyard was a real palace-scale building complex, with flying beams and painted rafters impressively among them.
The snowy day cleared up, and one had to look up at its majesty, majestic and upright, its aura covering the mountains.
Who knew how much manpower it took to build it in such a mountainous terrain.
Along the way, Miao Yi admired the rare and beautiful scenery around him. He realized that the higher one's status in the cultivation realm, the more majestic the mountains and lakes they occupied. He would never tire of seeing the famous mountains and great rivers after the snow melted.
When they reached the foot of the mountain, they were stopped. Most of them went to the courtyard that South Edict Manor had prepared for them. Miao Yi and Xiong Xiao were supposed to follow the crowd as well.
Unexpectedly, Yang Qing turned around and pointed at the two of them. "The two of you, follow me."
The pair of enemies subconsciously looked at each other, feeling a little strange. However, they naturally accepted the order.
The two of them followed Yang Qing in a diagonal direction towards the grand courtyard on the main peak. No one else was allowed to trespass without being summoned.
Outside the gates, the three of them dismounted their dragon steeds and parked them at the side. The guards at the gate verified their identities before letting them in.
As soon as they entered the palace gates, the grandeur of the majestic building hit them in the face. The three of them didn't go straight to the main hall. The little handmaiden dressed in palace attire who was waiting at the side extended her hand. "Please follow me!"
She turned around and led the three of them to the waiting room in the side courtyard to have tea.
There were quite a number of tea tables in the room, and a group of people were already seated inside, waiting for them.
Yang Qing entered. Everyone smiled and exchanged pleasantries, seeming to be quite polite to Yang Qing. Zhang Decheng wasn't like this before he died.
After taking their seats, Miao Yi and Xiong Xiao consciously stood behind Yang Qing's seat. There weren't any qualifications for the two of them to sit here.
It was obvious from everyone's greetings. They were all Manor Heads of Suppressing Second Hall. How could the two of them have the qualifications to sit on equal footing with everyone else?
However, what made Miao Yi and Xiong Xiao feel strange was that it seemed like only Yang Qing had brought two people with him. The other Manor Heads were all alone and didn't bring anyone with them.
The other Manor Heads also glanced at the two people behind Yang Qing from time to time, but they didn't ask any questions.
No one asked about the fight between Yang Qing and Zhang Decheng. Everyone seemed to have forgotten about Zhang Decheng.
Even though Xiong Xiao wasn't friends with these Manor Heads, it wasn't his first time coming to Suppressing Second Hall with Yang Qing, so he had seen most of them before.
Meanwhile, Miao Yi was paying attention to everyone's conversation, silently remembering which Manor Head was from which Manor. Since he had come here once, he couldn't come here empty-handed. He had to gain some knowledge.
Everyone chatted politely for a while before another little handmaiden dressed in palace attire walked in. After bowing to everyone, she asked in a loud and clear voice, "Is everyone here?"
Everyone smiled and said, "Everyone is here."
Only then did the little handmaiden nod and say, "The Hall Master is here to summon all Manor Heads to the grand hall for a discussion."
The group of Manor Heads immediately stood up and filed out. Unexpectedly, the little handmaiden who had summoned the two people behind Yang Qing extended her hand and stopped them. She asked, "May I ask Manor Head Yang if these two are Xiong Xiao and Miao Yi?"
Xiong Xiao and Miao Yi were stunned. 'How did this little handmaiden know our names?'
The other Manor Heads who had stepped out couldn't help but turn back to take a second look. Their eyes were also filled with astonishment.
Yang Qing lightly nodded and said, "That's right!"
The little handmaiden said in a clear and crisp voice, "The grand hall is for a discussion. Unauthorized personnel are not allowed to enter. It's better for the two of them to stay here."
Yang Qing was slightly taken aback. He turned to the two of them and said, "The two of you stay here."
"Yes!" The two of them cupped their fists and left.
After all the Manor Heads had left, the little handmaiden extended her hand again and said, "Please wait for a moment. Please sit and have some tea."
The two of them had no choice but to obediently find a place to sit. Before this, it wasn't their turn to sit.
However, at this moment, the waiting room was empty. Only Miao Yi and Xiong Xiao, the two old foes, would occasionally look at each other, staring at each other. There was no need for polite words. It was good that they didn't start a fight. It was just that they didn't dare to cause trouble here.
The little handmaiden obediently and quietly waited on the side. Seeing that the two of them had finished their tea, she immediately poured tea for them.
"Little Missy, how did you know about the two of us?"
After drinking another cup of tea, Xiong Xiao suddenly asked cautiously. He wanted to find out what was going on. He had a feeling that the reason Yang Qing brought them here this time was definitely not simple.
The little handmaiden smiled slightly. After pouring tea for him, she extended her hand to invite him to drink. However, she didn't reply. She didn't say what she shouldn't say.
Xiong Xiao's expression froze. If the other party didn't reply, it wouldn't be good for him to force her to. This wasn't a place for him to behave atrociously.
Seeing Xiong Xiao being humiliated, Miao Yi couldn't help but chuckle from the side, as though he was rejoicing in Xiong Xiao's misfortune.
Xiong Xiao glanced at him and coldly snorted.
After enduring for a while, Miao Yi, who was looking around, felt that the atmosphere here was making him uncomfortable. Especially when Xiong Xiao, who was sitting beside him, wanted to splash tea on his face.
After a while, Miao Yi couldn't sit still anymore. He couldn't help but ask, "Little Missy, it's a little boring here. This is my first time coming to Suppressing Second Hall. Can I go out for a walk?"
The little handmaiden smiled and said, "Don't go too far. Don't go to places you shouldn't."
"Hehe, I'll remember it. Thank you, Little Missy, for the advice!" Miao Yi immediately stood up and cupped his fists, casually taking out a 'red packet' from his storage ring and shoving it into her hand. "This is just a small token of my appreciation. Please don't be so courteous, Little Missy."
The little handmaiden pursed her lips, nodded, and accepted it.
Just like that, Miao Yi swaggered out the door. With his hands clasped behind his back, he leisurely strolled away.
Xiong Xiao was a little dumbfounded. He really hadn't prepared to give a 'red packet' to such a minor character. Since Miao Yi had given it to him, he couldn't very well refuse. Turning away, he tidied up his storage ring and made a 'red packet' for Little Missy to kindly accept. I've been dragged into this …
Meanwhile, inside the Suppressing Second Hall's Grand Hall, Huo Lingxiao was wearing a thin gray robe. His hair was tied up with a jade hairpin, and he sat high up on his throne with an expressionless face. His eyelids were slightly lowered, and from time to time, his gaze would sweep across the people below him.
"... Even if Zhang Decheng was in the wrong, after you killed him, you could have just reported it to the Hall Master. The Hall Master will naturally select the Manor Head of Ever Peace Manor. Why did you attack and occupy Ever Peace Manor? What right do you have to hand over this year's harvest to Ever Peace Manor? Hall Master! Yang Qing deserves to be punished … "
Within the Grand Hall, only Advisor He Yunye's voice could be heard incessantly, condemning Yang Qing with righteous words. Naturally, it was still because of the matter between Yang Qing and Zhang Decheng.
In the beginning, Yang Qing had clearly and methodically defended himself, pushing all the blame onto Zhang Decheng.
As for He Yunye's accusations, he didn't utter a single word, nor did he try to defend himself. He was like an outsider, coldly observing from the sidelines, waiting to see how long He Yunye could continue.
In his heart, he was very clear that he had already done what he should and shouldn't have done. There was no point in arguing with anyone. He had killed Advisor Han Liuping's trusted aide, betrayed Advisor Feng Zhihuan, and then killed Advisor He Yunye's trusted aide. No one would speak up for him, and he had already become a lone subject of Suppressing Second Hall. It would be useless to say anything more. Saying too much might instead produce the opposite of what he wanted, and make others think that he, Yang Qing, was arrogant and disrespectful. In the end, it still depended on the Hall Master's decision.
Actually, he wasn't worried in the slightest. After he had taken over Ever Peace Manor, the Hall Master hadn't made any immediate response. He had already vaguely deduced that this calamity should have passed. The battle he had painstakingly turned defeat into victory should have entered the Manor Head's discerning eyes.
His current response wasn't wrong. After he had said what he needed to say, he shut his mouth. Within the Grand Hall, it became He Yunye alone displaying his anger.
After a long while, even He Yunye himself felt that something was amiss. He was the only one to criticize and scold incessantly. Within the Grand Hall, only his voice resounded. Compared to Yang Qing's calm demeanor, He Yunye seemed to be putting on a show to please the crowd. It could even be said that he had greatly lost the demeanor of an Advisor. His imposing manner faltered, and his words couldn't help but gradually weaken.
Sitting high up on his throne, Huo Lingxiao scrutinized the crowd and realized that Yang Qing had truly offended everyone. Not a single one of the three Advisors spoke up for him, and neither did the other Manor Heads or Deacons.
Had he become a lone subject? Very well. What he wanted was a lone subject without anyone to rely on. Once he had offended everyone, without anyone to rely on, he could only listen to his orders! Huo Lingxiao opened his eyes. He had been silent all this while, but he suddenly spoke, directly interrupting He Yunye's words. "Yang Qing!"
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