Chapter 12
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 12
Chapter Title: Reunited Siblings and the Three Dukes' Rite
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Several days later, a plain carriage quietly entered the outskirts of Yangyang.
As the carriage came to a stop at the entrance to the Jin Clan estate, an elderly man with snow-white hair slowly stepped down. A young man followed silently behind him.
One of Liu Biao's retainers bowed respectfully in greeting.
"For Lord He, the Minister, to come in person... General Who Pacifies the South will be greatly pleased."
"Hoho, didn't I already retire?"
He Deng chuckled lightly as he slowly took in his surroundings. Though his body was frail with age, his eyes remained as deep and sharp as ever.
The young man standing beside him asked cautiously,
"Elder, is this the right place?"
"Yes. Let's head inside."
He Deng and the youth, having arrived first at the reception hall, sat quietly and waited.
A moment later, Duseon and Baek carefully opened the door and entered. He Deng's gaze slowly shifted to her.
Duseon paused upon seeing the two unfamiliar faces. Her expression tense, she studied them before slowly examining He Deng's features.
He Deng silently regarded Duseon's face, gradually linking the child from his memories to the woman before him. The contours of her face and the shape of her eyes slowly revealed traces of the girl he had parted from long ago.
"You're... really alive."
At He Deng's low, trembling voice, Duseon stepped forward cautiously, startled.
"And you are...?"
"Don't you remember me?"
He Deng's face was thick with memories and sorrow long buried by time.
"I was one of those under your grandfather's service. One of the men who fled with you and your sibling that night."
Duseon's eyes widened slowly as she carefully drew a small piece of silk from her bosom.
"The one who placed this in my hand... it was you."
"Yes, that's right. Do you remember now?"
Emotions swirled in He Deng's voice. Duseon nodded quietly and said,
"Yes, I remember clearly. Though it's late... thank you so much."
He Deng's eyes reddened as he let out a sigh-like breath.
"If only I hadn't let go of your hand back then... I'm truly sorry."
Duseon shook her head with a gentle smile.
"Please don't say that. Thanks to you, I was able to gain this precious child and survive until now."
She lightly stroked Baek's shoulder beside her.
He Deng was silent for a moment before slowly nodding.
"Yes... I'm just glad you're alive. Truly glad."
Duseon's gaze suddenly shifted to the young man wiping tears behind He Deng. The familiar air about him and his trembling shoulders stirred a distant memory.
"Elder, that man... could he be...?"
He Deng nodded quietly and said,
"Yes. Your younger brother. Hyunwon—Du Bo, come greet her. This is your older sister."
Du Bo stepped forward. His eyes red and swollen, he stared long at the woman before him.
"Sister... it really is you..."
Duseon was speechless for a moment. The man before her was no longer the little child she had once held. Yet his eyes were exactly the same as those of the boy who had wept in her arms.
"Boy..."
Duseon approached and gently caressed his face.
"You've grown so well... Thank you for staying alive. You must have been so lonely all alone..."
Unable to hold back any longer, Du Bo buried his face in her embrace. Duseon quietly wrapped her arms around him.
The faint trembling of his breath and his warm body heat revived the lost time in that instant. Silently cradling her brother's head, she whispered words unclear if meant for him or herself.
"How... lonely you must have been."
The central square of Yangyang Castle buzzed with people from early dawn.
It was the day of the rite for the Three Dukes, hosted by General Who Pacifies the South, Liu Biao. The altar bearing the spirit tablets stood grand and imposing, surrounded by fluttering banners that added to the solemnity.
As the spirit tablets of Qingliu hero Jin Fan and Du Mu were placed in the center, the gazes of assembled nobles, great clans, and common folk converged on the altar.
Liu Biao approached the altar with dignified steps. Raising his hand to signal the start of the rite, the square fell so silent even the breathing of the crowd hushed.
"The spirit of Qingliu is as high as the heavens and as deep as the seas. We gather the Three Dukes' tablets here today to proclaim to the realm that their heroic blood flows in Jing Province and to honor their spirit once more!"
Liu Biao's resounding voice echoed clearly, and the people bowed their heads solemnly.
The rite was led by descendants of the two families.
Jin Fan's daughter-in-law Sunju and her great-grandson Liu Qi stood alongside Du Mu's grandson Du Bo, granddaughter Duseon, and her great-grandson Baek before the altar. As the heirs of the Three Dukes, hidden in Jing Province, revealed themselves, the crowd's eyes flickered with surprise and admiration.
He Deng watched the scene, his eyes moistening.
"Grand General, can you see this? The nightmare of that day is gone. I have no regrets even in death."
Meanwhile, the Gai and Cai clans watched speechless. Gai Liang's face showed clear bewilderment, while Cai Mao frowned and turned away.
"To scheme something like this behind our backs..."
At that moment, admiration erupted from the crowd.
"The direct descendants of the Three Dukes alive—and right here in Jing Province. What joyous fortune!"
"As expected of the General Who Pacifies the South. Heaven watches over Jing Province!"
Amid the ongoing rite, someone stood in the shadows under an eave not far from the altar. A faint smile crossed his rugged face. He surveyed the scene with satisfaction.
"The stage is set. The great clans won't act recklessly for a while against this legitimacy."
Pang Tong's eyes gleamed sharply. Hearing this, Pang Degong nodded.
"Governor Liu has played a masterful move today—one that shakes the roots of Jing Province."
Finishing the rite, Liu Biao offered a final bow to the tablets, vowing deeply in his heart.
"At last, I've taken the proper first step. No matter their interference, they can't stop my will now."
The drums resounding over the square echoed intensely and grandly, heralding the prelude to change in Jing Province.
Baek, who hadn't been able to attend the private academy for a while due to various matters, left home early at dawn for the first time in ages.
But as soon as he stepped onto the street, he felt unfamiliar gazes fixed on him. People began whispering upon recognizing him, and he instinctively shrank back.
Entering the market, a familiar merchant approached Baek and spoke.
"Young master, I heard the news. I always knew you were different, but a descendant of the Three Dukes? No wonder your bearing was so extraordinary!"
The owner of the cloth shop nearby chimed in.
"Exactly. Even thrashing that Gai Clan brat was out of filial piety for your mother, right? The blood of Grand General Du Mu is truly something else."
Even a passing woodcutter stopped his cart, laughing heartily as he added,
"Haha, I worried when I heard you'd been beaten by the Gai scum, but to take hundreds of lashes and still be fine? As expected of the Grand General's grandson."
Baek waved his hands in flustered denial.
"No, that's too exaggerated. It was barely a dozen or so..."
But the people continued their excited chatter among themselves. Ears burning red, Baek hurried toward the academy.
Upon entering the academy gate, a subtle silence unlike before hung in the air.
The students whispered and glanced his way, but there were no sneers or disdain as before. Instead, he sensed curiosity and unfamiliar respect. Baek scratched his head awkwardly and took his seat.
Then, a student beside him spoke cautiously.
"Baek, I'm really sorry about back then. My jaw dropping was ultimately my fault. I can only imagine how angry you were—truly sorry."
Baek smiled sheepishly and waved it off.
"No, Huang, I was sorry too."
In the far corner, Gai Jun watched stiffly. His face flushed red, he muttered under his breath so Baek wouldn't hear.
"What the hell... why are they suddenly praising him like that?"
His nearby classmates gradually moved away one by one, leaving Gai Jun alone, grinding his teeth and glaring at the floor.
At that moment, Liu Zong slowly approached Baek. All eyes turned to him.
Liu Zong smiled quietly and said,
"Baek, you're more impressive than I thought. People really are unpredictable."
Caught off guard, Baek bowed politely.
"You're too kind."
Liu Zong lightly patted Baek's shoulder and left. The watching students' gazes grew even more peculiar.
It felt like a signal that no one could ignore or belittle Baek anymore.
Standing there briefly, Baek approached Xi Jin, who was quietly reading.
"Xi Jin, I'm truly grateful to you. Without your help back then... I don't even want to imagine."
Xi Jin nodded calmly.
"Just doing what was right."
Baek smiled faintly and returned to his seat.
He slowly looked around. Just days ago, these people had scorned or belittled him, but now they regarded him with subtle respect and curiosity.
Feeling the stark change in atmosphere, Baek opened his book with a strange mix of emotions. Thus, a quiet wind of change began to blow through the academy.
That night, in a quiet annex, Liu Biao sat facing Liu Qi. A single flickering candle cast long shadows across the room.
Gazing at Liu Qi across the flame, Liu Biao slowly spoke.
"It's time I told you as well."
Sensing the gravity in those words, Liu Qi waited tensely.
"Revealing the Three Dukes' heirs this time was a political decision to check the deep-rooted power of the Cai and Gai clans."
Liu Qi looked at him in confusion, but Liu Biao continued calmly.
"You know Zong's marriage is set with Cai Mao's niece, right?"
"Yes, of course."
Liu Qi nodded.
"And that your stepmother and my youngest daughter-in-law would tie our house to theirs twice over?"
"Yes, I knew."
Liu Biao watched him a moment before asking again.
"Then, did you know Cai Mao originally aimed to put you in that position?"
Liu Qi froze. Bewilderment spread across his face.
Liu Biao observed his reaction before asking lowly,
"If that had happened... do you know what would come next?"
Liu Qi stared blankly at Liu Biao for a while before suddenly grasping the meaning. Liu Biao's new wife was Cai Mao's sister, Liu Zong's betrothed his niece—already two generations entangled with the Cai Clan.
But if he, the heir, had taken that spot instead of Liu Zong? It wouldn't be mere marriage ties; the Cai Clan would bind both current and future lords simultaneously.
Then, the Cai Clan's influence, already infiltrating the Liu family, would grow irreversibly deep and solid.
No words were spoken, but Liu Qi's eyes changed markedly upon realization.
Liu Biao continued slowly, watching his expression.
"Yes, now you grasp the situation. To prevent that... I placed Zong there instead of you."
His voice was calm, but heavy resolve lay beneath.
"But this choice may bring you harm. Taking the Cai as in-laws is no light matter in Jing Province."
Silence fell briefly. Then Liu Biao looked at Liu Qi and spoke.
"After I die, they might seize that seat from you. Then... everything I've built in life would vanish like bubbles."
Liu Biao briefly lowered his gaze, then met Liu Qi's with fierce intensity.
"Yet despite all that... I've staked the future on you."