Rebirth of Poisoned Empress, by 颜若优雅

Chapter 24

Duke of Qingping Manor

"You still don't have Shen Liang's whereabouts?"

"This subordinate is incompetent!"

In the courtyard, Pei Yuanxian was leisurely sampling on tea with one leg over the other. Tianquan, who was responsible to tracking Shen Liang knelt down. By his feet lied a white tiger that didn't have a single strand of fur out of place. 

"Really is quite incompetent. I heard the Huanxi House is empty to the point of growing mold..."

"..."

Tianquan shrunk his neck on reflex. The seven leaders of the Ironclad Guards were titled after the Big Dipper: Tianshu, Tianxuan, Tianji, Tianquan, Yuheng, Kaiyang, Yaoguang. They all grew up with Pei Yuanxian and besides Pei Yuanxian, this master they've recognized, there was nothing else in this world they feared except Huanxi House. Despite its joyous name, in actuality, it was a prison built underground. The place studies and collects the cruelest torture and punishment techniques. For those who entered, even if they weren't there to be punished, they couldn't come back out sane and normal. 

"Master, this can't be entirely blamed on Tianquan. Who would've thought Shen Liang would slip out like a golden cicada out its shell," Yaoguang tentatively attempted to speak up for Tianquan. Yaoguang's age was younger, and he typically had a lively personality. Was Huanxi House someplace a human can stay in?

"From what you're saying, the next time this lord orders you to follow someone, should I first have that person's information and background entirely investigated and rooted out for you and wait for you to study and have it all in mind?" His gaze raised and swept over his subordinates. Pei Yuanxian's voice was light, but Yaoguang trembled in fright. He subconsciously hid behind Tianshu, who was the closest towards him. The master can't really be angry, right? Was this Shen Liang that important?

"This matter was indeed due to Tianquan's negligence. Asking the master to please deliver my punishment." 

Yaoguang wasn't only the youngest of the leaders of the Ironclad Guards. He was also their only Ger. Regardless of how afraid Tianquan was of Huanxi House, he still stepped forward to admit his mistake and submit to Pei Yuanxian's decision. Tianquan didn't want the master to be provoked by Yaoguang's words.

"If this old servant remembers correctly, this Shen Liang should be a Ger? For the lord to be this nervous, it can't be that the young lord has taken a fancy on him?" the old housekeeper Lin hurriedly interrupted their conversation. Before they could respond, he clapped his hands enthusiastically, "That's good! The young lord is finally enlightened, and this old servant no longer has to worry about the young master sleeping alone at night for far too long that you've became incapable. Young master, I say sooner is better than later, why not proceed with our designs today and hire a matchmaker to pay a visit to the Marquis Donglin Manor today to ask for his hand in marriage. You don't have to concern yourself with the dowry and the like. The old master had prepared that for you the moment you were born, and it had been kept safe for all these years just to see you marry in the princess with grand splendor."

The two people who couldn't butt in at all. In the blink of an eye, they were already talking about marriage. Not only was Pei Yuanxian speechless, even Tianshu and the rest who were present were stunned. As expected of old man Lin. If they allowed him to continue, wouldn't the future young master of the Duke of Qingping Manor already be born?

"Tianshu, throw this old thing out for this master!" it was fine if the old man wanted to mention marriage matters again, but he actually mentioned him being incapable as though he hangs the word readily on the corners of his lips. Which man would be able to bear that?