Realms In The Firmament

Chapter 24 – You just wouldn’t stop getting in trouble, huh?

“What Mu Cheng-Bai? Who is Mu Cheng-Bai?” Ye Xiao had opened his eyes really wide and they were filled with curiosity as he looked at the steward.

It was only reasonable that Ye Xiao would play innocent. After all, the man he had killed was not only the brother-in-law of the crown prince, but was also from the Mu clan – one of the eight noble clans! There were things that could be done in the shadows, but one should never openly talk about it.

“Mu Cheng-Bai, the young master of the Mu clan, the older brother of the crown princess, and brother-in-law of the crown prince.” The steward spoke slowly and stared deeply into Ye Xiao’s eyes, “Three days ago, you got into a disagreement with him, which turned violent, young master… Eventually you ran away and he quickly chased after you… What happened after that… Nobody knows.”

He stopped for a second trying to spot some kind of change in Ye Xiao’s behavior, but shortly after, he continued, “What everybody knows is that you came back safely and Mu Cheng-Bai died.”

Ye Xiao smiled deviously, “Well if no one knows what happens, then it certainly doesn’t have to be me who killed him, right? If I were to be blamed for the deaths of everyone who got killed secretly, then I would be a mass murderer! Besides… Do you really think I actually have the capabilities to kill anyone?”

The steward stood calmly with a straight back and said in an almost inaudible whisper, “A perfect defense, young master… However, I know that it was you.”

Hearing these words Ye Xiao couldn’t help but frown.

This steward was acting too calmly and seemed too certain of his words.

Before Ye Xiao could clearly think it over, the steward continued, “Let’s put aside the topic of who made the killing blows, you’re definitely going to be investigated, so we should make proper preparations for when this investigation happens. If something unexpected happens, you’ll only be able to feel regret in your afterlife.

“Even though your defense is perfect, you’re still the prime suspect in this case. Mu Cheng-Bai isn’t just some random farmer’s son, he’s the young master from the Mu clan and the older brother of the crown princess. And at the end of the day, they’ll have to catch someone. If they fail to find a scapegoat, that someone might just as well be you.”

Ye Xiao was collecting his thoughts and could only reply with an, “Oh?”

“That’s why I wish to discuss this with you, young master. I suggest that we order the 36 blood-robe guards to send you to your father in the north.” The steward spoke calmly, “You are the only son of the general! You are the heir! You can’t die!”

Ye Xiao smiled and asked, “To the north? To hide from trouble by using my father’s might?”

“Yes.” The steward answered humbly, “It is currently too dangerous to linger around here any longer. I am afraid that everyone in this house might meet an early demise if we stay.” The steward sighed.

He felt completely speechless and inconsolable about this situation. This brat had promised him not even two days ago that he would definitely ‘never make any trouble’. But almost before this sentence had left Ye Xiao’s mouth, he had already gone ahead and slaughtered the brother-in-law of the crown prince… If this couldn’t be considered ‘making trouble’, then what could?

Even in a scenario where Ye Xiao didn’t kill anybody, he’d still be the most obvious suspect. This fact alone was unbearable for his family. If the crown prince actually wanted to kill him, he would only have to lift a finger and there’d be nothing anyone could do about it.

Besides, there was also an extremely powerful force behind all this – the Mu clan!

The steward really didn’t know what to say and thought, “What is there I can say… For god’s sake... Was it that hard to behave well for a couple of days? And here I actually believed that you had reformed yourself and that you had prepared to be a good lad for once... I even proudly send a letter to the general about this, but even before this letter will reach him, you’ve brought such a calamity upon yourself!”

“Nah...” Said Ye Xiao.

As these words reached the steward he kept himself composed on the outside, but in his mind, he was actually seriously complaining,”This whole thing is already a huge trouble for us and if that wasn’t enough, you actually dare to speak these words without a care in the world” He almost fell over, completely gobsmacked, “No?!”