「The Xiang Family's Ancestral Hall」
Xiang Minghou sat on a prayer cushion, gazing quietly at the ancestral tablets above. His heart was heavy. He had failed the ancestors of the Xiang family, and he had failed his father.
"General," a Hidden Guard suddenly appeared.
"What have you learned?"
"The old matriarch is dead."
Xiang Minghou swallowed hard and slowly closed his eyes, then opened them again. "Did you find out anything?"
"We did. We traced it to the Xie family, thirty li east of the Capital City. I went to investigate myself. The Xie estate is now abandoned. The local people said the Xie family fell into decline and everyone scattered. Their old master has been missing for many years. It was later rumored that he went out to sea, was caught in a storm, and died."
"Keep investigating. I want the truth."
"Yes, General."
"Keep a close watch on Xiang Mingli. For now, don't let him die."
"Yes, General."
