I Am a Salted Fish in Ancient Times

Chapter 73

Hearing Xiao Shan's question, Xie Chen didn't immediately answer. Instead, he felt a sense of relief. He told Xiao Shan these things as a gamble—a gamble that Xiao Shan was indeed as he appeared, and that his character was as Xie Zhui had described.

Some matters involved the Emperor and high-ranking officials, and he had to be cautious. Because the events were so long ago, Xie Sui had no concrete evidence. If Xiao Shan was unwilling to get involved, then speaking out would be in vain.

Back then, when the Northern Army was defeated, his grandfather died on the battlefield, and his father, Xie Sui, was neither seen alive nor found dead. There were even rumors that Xie Sui betrayed Da Zhou. They said he didn't disappear but used the lives of the Northern Army soldiers as a gift to defect and enjoy wealth and luxury.

Amidst the swirling rumors, the morale of the Northern Army was low, and the court's envoy was still en route. At that time, just one battle could have spelled doom for the Northern Army. Even if it wasn't Xie Sui's fault, the blame would inevitably fall on him.

At that time, Xie Chen had just been poisoned and was blind. He watched helplessly as the Xie family and the Northern Army were on the verge of becoming ghosts under someone else's blade, filled with rage but powerless to act.

Then, the Northern Army did not fall, and a young and brave general emerged from the Xie family, known as 'Xie Chen.'

The Northern Army was severely weakened, but when the enemy attacked, 'Xie Chen' did not retreat. He led the charge, exploiting the enemy commander's underestimation and bravely achieving victory against the odds with his valor.

By the time the Emperor's envoy arrived to investigate the incident, 'Xie Chen' had already established his authority and secured his position within the army.

The Northern Army still believed in the Xie family; they did not believe that Xie Sui would turn his sword against them or defect.

The Emperor did not place the blame for that tragic defeat on Xie Sui either. He even allowed 'Xie Chen' to remain in the North. After 'Xie Chen' achieved military merits, he was reinstated as the Great General of the Northern Army.

During this period, Xie Zhui also tried to uncover the truth. However, no matter how hard he investigated, the prevailing account was that their grandfather and father personally led the Northern Army into a trap.

They naturally did not believe that Xie Sui was a traitor. They saw with their own eyes how much blood Xie Sui shed and how many injuries he sustained for the Northern Army. There had to be something suspicious about the situation, but they just couldn't uncover it.

Fortunately, the Emperor still trusted the Xie family, and as a result, Xie Zhui became even more devoted. He feared that any shortcoming on his part might provoke the Emperor's dissatisfaction and suspicion.@@@@

The Xie family needed the Emperor's trust.

Over the years, they had been searching for Xie Sui. There were too many ambiguous rumors along the border. Some said they saw Xie Sui in the Southern Territory, others claimed he assumed a new identity and was serving as an official among the Northern Rong.

There were many varied rumors, and some even used Xie Sui's name to set traps aimed at taking Xie Zhui's life.

But none of them succeeded.

When Xie Chen first became blind, he was filled with anger, unease, and even extreme agitation.

However, the subsequent events happened too quickly, and the crisis forced him to completely suppress these negative emotions. Xie Zhui bled and got injured for him; he couldn't let this person worry about him on the battlefield.

He couldn't be a burden. He grew rapidly, and every time Xie Zhui returned from the military camp, he would see changes in him.

Those days were very difficult, but he worked hard to adapt to the darkness. He fell again and again, and each time he stood back up, until he could move around the house freely.

To be honest, searching for Xie Sui became a habit over the years, but he already accepted that the chances of finding him were slim.

Xie Sui understood his son well, so he waited in Yangzhou for him to come and find him.

At first, Xie Chen didn't know it was him because Xie Sui rarely spoke to him. But he heard Xie Sui's agonizing cries when the poison acted up. It wasn't until one time when Xie Sui fainted from the pain and unconsciously called out his and Xie Zhui's names that Xie Chen confirmed his identity.

Thinking of the past, Xie Chen closed his eyes. He touched Xie Sui's face and held his hand; he was so emaciated that only skin and bones remained.

Xiao Shan could feel the sorrow emanating from Xie Chen. He understood Xie Chen's feelings. If the person who cried out in pain was indeed Xie Sui, it was natural for Xie Chen to be heartbroken as a son.

Xiao Shan pressed his lips together and said, "I understand Elder Brother's feelings, and I also understand why you didn't mention this in front of Xie Zhui. Given his condition, hearing this might be too much for him. Since Elder Brother trusts me enough to tell me, my thought is that since Father-in-law has suffered so much, we should help clear his name as soon as possible and bring the true culprit to justice before the Emperor."

Xie Chen replied, "Alright, alright. Since we can't keep it from you, we won't."

"Father said that after he was pushed off the cliff, he fell into the water. He drifted out of Da Zhou's territory along the current and was picked up by someone who used him as a test subject for medicines."

"Test subject?" Xie Zhui's heart skipped a beat upon hearing this. Those two words alone sounded extremely perilous.

Xie Chen nodded, "The Northern Rong intended to create invincible warriors through these experiments, so they would have an advantage when waging war against Da Zhou."

"Father's injuries were too severe, so they didn't immediately use him for testing. Later, he intermittently heard news about Da Zhou from those people. He heard about me joining the military and about the Xie family's young master losing his sight. They even cursed, saying that the An family was blind for mistakenly using the Gu worm on the wrong person. It was meant for him, but it ended up being used on the Xie family's young master."

"The Gu worm was originally from the place where Father was held, and it eventually ended up in General An's hands. He then bribed a servant in our household to use it on me," Xie Chen said with a series of cold laughs.

The Gu worm had indeed found its intended target, but the Xie family's young master shattered the constraints placed upon him.

"Father endured all this while knowing these things, suffering greatly there. There were many other children with tragic backgrounds, and many people wanted to escape. Those beasts fed them poison, and Father tried to vomit it out each time... Later, after many events, someone rescued him."

"Is this the person who treated your eyes?" Xiao Shan asked.

Xie Chen nodded and said, "He is a Northern Rong person. His father is a prince of the Northern Rong, and his mother is from Da Zhou. He was not favored since childhood. Due to his talent in medicine, he was sent to that den of thieves. This is also why I dared not speak lightly."

Xiao Shan acknowledged with a sound.

Having a Northern Rong person by Xie Sui's side meant they would be subject to attacks.

People would say that the Da Zhou and the Northern Rong have been enemies for generations, so why would they be so kind as to let Xie Sui go and even treat Xie Chen's eyes?

This could easily become evidence for those accusing the Xie family of colluding with the Northern Rong.

Therefore, this matter needed to be handled with caution.

Xiao Shan looked at Xie Zhui and said, "Send a message by carrier pigeon to Yin Tong and the others, instructing them to immediately investigate the Marquis of An. The Marquis has been ill for years and did not come to the capital to see the Emperor this time."

"The Marquis of An has always followed the old Madam An's orders. Old Madam An is proud and arrogant, not one to adhere strictly to the rules in the capital. I will thoroughly investigate her recent activities; we might uncover something unexpected."

Xie Zhui nodded and then looked at Xie Chen, saying, "Elder Brother, we are family. You don't have to bear these burdens alone. If a member of the Xie family has made a mistake, we will accept the Emperor's punishment. If others are at fault, we will not let them go unpunished."

Xie Chen responded with a nod.

He gave a bitter smile, thinking that Xie Zhui wouldn't be able to handle it, but he realized he still didn't fully understand his younger brother.

Xie Zhui had grown up; he protected him and upheld the Xie family.

Xie Zhui softly said, "Elder Brother, I want to see Father."

Xie Chen replied, "Father asked me to keep it from you. If his emotions fluctuate too much..." it could trigger the poison.

Xiao Shan said, "Then let's wait until Father is asleep to see him."

Xie Chen thought for a moment and then nodded.

***

Meanwhile, Xiao Jin was heading towards the Empress's palace, having learned from the Emperor that the Empress mentioned the true circumstances of Old Master Gu's death.