Chapter 231

Chapter 231: He Believed in Himself

The moment Governor-General Xu went inside, Governor-General Xu’s face was raked with several scratches.

Old Madam Xu had not been trying to die at all. Old Madam Xu only heard that Qi Shu Xian had arrived, so Old Madam Xu found a way to lure Qi Shu Xian over.

Old Madam Xu no longer trusted Governor-General Xu.

If Governor-General Xu had not been bewitched by beauty and insisted on taking a Northern Di woman as a concubine, Old Madam Xu’s sons, daughters-in-law, and grandsons would not have ended up in Northern Di hands.

The thought made Old Madam Xu snap. Old Madam Xu swung back and slapped Governor-General Xu twice across the face, hard.

Old Madam Xu had always treated her husband as her whole world. Every time Governor-General Xu returned from the army, Old Madam Xu prepared hot water in advance. Old Madam Xu even handled Governor-General Xu’s food and clothing personally.

Old Madam Xu had been a virtuous wife for her entire life. Old Madam Xu managed the inner household, raised children and grandchildren, and never once spoke a harsh word to Governor-General Xu.

The only real fight between them had been last year, when Governor-General Xu stubbornly insisted on taking a Northern Di woman as a concubine.

And now…

Governor-General Xu looked up and only saw Old Madam Xu’s cold, distant eyes.

Old Madam Xu wiped the blood off her hands and walked straight past Governor-General Xu. Old Madam Xu did not even glance at the wound on Governor-General Xu’s arm.

Governor-General Xu’s heart tasted bitter.

Qi Shu Xian had not expected Old Madam Xu to be so different from what Qi Shu Xian imagined.

Old Madam Xu’s clothes were neat and proper. Old Madam Xu’s hair was pinned and smooth. Old Madam Xu’s eyes were a little swollen, but the light in Old Madam Xu’s gaze looked even stronger than Governor-General Xu’s.

Old Madam Xu did not look like someone about to seek death at all.

While Qi Shu Xian was still stunned, Old Madam Xu had already walked up and asked, “So you are the famous Qi Shu Xian, the Qi Shi-zi who turned the tide at Cang Nan?”

Qi Shu Xian quickly saluted and said, “This subordinate greets Old Madam Xu.”

Old Madam Xu said, “No need,” and studied Qi Shu Xian for a moment.

Old Madam Xu nodded and said, “I trust Princess Qing Ning’s eye. I heard that as soon as Qi Shi-zi arrived, Qi Shi-zi wiped out a group of Northern Di thieves outside Wu Du Pass?”

Qi Shu Xian pressed his lips together.

Sheng Zhi Wan. Why was it Sheng Zhi Wan again?

Governor-General Xu mentioned her because of Sheng Zhi Wan’s warning, but why was Old Madam Xu bringing Sheng Zhi Wan up too? Did Old Madam Xu also know about Sheng Zhi Wan’s warning?

Before Qi Shu Xian could ask, Old Madam Xu noticed the strange look in Qi Shu Xian’s eyes. Old Madam Xu thought Qi Shu Xian was shocked that Old Madam Xu had not killed herself and was instead this calm.

Old Madam Xu gave a cold laugh and said firmly, “Everyone says women of the inner household spend all day fighting and getting jealous. When disaster strikes, they only know how to cry, make a scene, and seek death.”

Governor-General Xu came out of the room just in time to hear that sentence.

Governor-General Xu’s expression stiffened.

Back when Governor-General Xu wanted to take Yu Er Rui as a concubine, Old Madam Xu had tried to talk Governor-General Xu out of it. Old Madam Xu spoke from Governor-General Xu’s identity, then from the relationship between the two countries and the hidden dangers involved.

But Governor-General Xu had been convinced Old Madam Xu was only jealous and could not stand seeing Governor-General Xu take a concubine. Governor-General Xu argued with Old Madam Xu for a long time.

Now Governor-General Xu looked ashamed.

Old Madam Xu did not even look at Governor-General Xu. Old Madam Xu said, “But since Qi Shi-zi could become the husband of a woman like Princess Qing Ning, Qi Shi-zi surely did not think that way.”

Old Madam Xu continued, “Sheng Shi Hall has donated grain and supplies to the Frontier Passes for years. I did not know before, but I only learned recently that the person behind Sheng Shi Hall was actually Princess Qing Ning.”

After saying that, Old Madam Xu bowed toward the direction of the capital city.

Old Madam Xu had never imagined a woman could do so much. Yet what Princess Qing Ning did truly made Old Madam Xu admire her.

And more than anything, Old Madam Xu’s sons, daughters-in-law, and grandsons were now Northern Di prisoners. Old Madam Xu also discovered that the husband Old Madam Xu had always treated as her whole world could not be relied on at all.

So Old Madam Xu kept warning herself that Old Madam Xu could not collapse.

Xu Qi Shan was timid and hesitant. Xu Qi Shan refused to rescue them and did not dare send troops either.

Old Madam Xu waited and waited, until at last someone from the court arrived.

Old Madam Xu caused today’s chaos for one reason-to see Qi Shu Xian with her own eyes and tell Qi Shu Xian with her own mouth.

Old Madam Xu said, “The young men of the Xu Family were not greedy for life and afraid of death.”

Old Madam Xu said, “If Qi Shi-zi has a way to rescue them, the Xu Family will remember Qi Shi-zi’s great kindness for generations.”

Old Madam Xu bowed deeply to Qi Shu Xian and said, “But if it truly cannot be done, then the young men of the Xu Family absolutely did not want to become the weak spot Northern Di used to squeeze Sheng Kingdom!”

Governor-General Xu murmured, “Madam…”

Governor-General Xu had not expected Old Madam Xu to say such words.

Qi Shu Xian was even more stunned.

So in other people’s eyes, Sheng Zhi Wan was actually this good. Even Old Madam Xu, someone so clear-minded and righteous, praised Sheng Zhi Wan again and again.

But in truth, Sheng Zhi Wan treated everyone else a thousand times better than Sheng Zhi Wan treated Qi Shu Xian. With Qi Shu Xian, Sheng Zhi Wan could not even tolerate a Meng Yang.

Qi Shu Xian’s lips moved, but in front of Old Madam Xu’s red, swollen eyes, Qi Shu Xian did not argue a single word.

Qi Shu Xian returned the bow and said, “I will find a way, no matter what, and rescue everyone of the Xu Family.”

Old Madam Xu shook her head. Old Madam Xu said, “Deputy General Qi misunderstood. I do hope Deputy General Qi can save them.”

Old Madam Xu’s eyes hardened. Old Madam Xu said, “But if Deputy General Qi cannot, or if saving them would cost a great price, then I hope Deputy General Qi will avenge them!”

Qi Shu Xian froze.

Qi Shu Xian met Old Madam Xu’s unyielding gaze. After a long time, Qi Shu Xian finally nodded solemnly.

That night, Qi Shu Xian could not sleep.

Old Madam Xu’s words were like a thorn stuck in Qi Shu Xian’s skin. Qi Shu Xian tossed and turned, but in the end, Qi Shu Xian still did not mention that Sheng Zhi Wan had sent a letter before Qi Shu Xian left.

Qi Shu Xian also did not mention that the way Qi Shu Xian handled the ambush on the road, and the battle outside the city gate, had both been Sheng Zhi Wan’s strategies.

Governor-General Xu was injured. Wu Du Pass and Old Madam Xu needed someone steady to lean on.

And Qi Shu Xian believed in Qi Shu Xian.

Even without Sheng Zhi Wan’s letter, Qi Shu Xian could still crush the Northern Di scoundrels. The battle at Cang Nan had already proved it.