Chapter Thirteen: Thunder Strikes Winter, Graves Everywhere

Returning to the Lang family estate, Lang Jiuchuan’s arrival, though genuinely making the Lang family see him in a new light, did not attract much attention, especially among the elders. The new head of the family, Lang Zhengping, was even busier. He was occupied with arranging his late father’s funeral and more concerned with his own and the family’s future prospects.

The title of Marquis of Kaiping was originally a hereditary honor granted by the founding emperor of the Great Dan Kingdom, meant to pass down unaltered through generations. But by the time of Lang Zhengping’s grandfather, the title had been downgraded. Because his grandfather had backed the wrong side in the imperial succession struggle, the original hereditary privilege was stripped—not the title itself, but its permanence. From Lang Zhengping onward, the rank would decline with each generation unless an outstanding son or nephew achieved great merit and restored its status.

The Lang family began to fade into the margins during the reign of the previous emperor, who held the throne briefly before passing away. The current emperor ascended during a time when the northern borders were threatened by Huns. Lang Zhengping’s second elder brother, Lang Zhengfan, joined the army early, earned military achievements, and rose to the rank of General of Pacification in the North, suggesting a faint hope for the family’s revival. But this bright prospect was short-lived. Lang Zhengfan died in the prime of his life, and no other male heir could carry on his legacy.

More than a decade has passed, and now the only Lang family member who attends court is the late Marquis of Kaiping. Lang Zhengping, the heir apparent, holds a minor, fifth-rank honorary position and isn’t even qualified to attend court sessions. The family’s local representative is the third son, Lang Zhengwen, a seventh-rank county magistrate from a concubine, who is about to enter mourning as well.

The next three years will be the darkest period for the Lang family. If Lang Zhengping can successfully inherit the title, there is still a chance for resurgence. If not, the family will truly be finished.

The Marquis of Kaiping must have been aware of this, which is why, despite his old age and frail health, he worked tirelessly to secure connections for his descendants before his death.

This was also why Lang Zhengping had no time to pay attention to his niece’s return. He had far more important matters at hand—matters that concerned the very fate of the family.

Old Zhao was one of the key connections Lang Zhengping needed to cultivate and curry favor with. Yet, upon meeting him, Lang Jiuchuan made a serious blunder, offending Old Zhao. Though irritated, Old Zhao had no choice but to help clean up the mess. He personally sent a treasured rare book as a token of apology through his trusted steward, Gao Cheng.

Old Zhao hoped to assist Lang Zhengping in managing his father’s funeral properly, and then plan for the future. If the emperor bestowed a posthumous honor, it would ease their worries greatly.

Sure enough, as soon as Old Zhao returned, he received the Lang family’s apology gift.

Since the Lang family was in mourning, Gao Cheng, a servant of the Lang household, did not enter the estate but only kowtowed a few times at the gate before delivering the rare book and leaving.

Old Zhao flipped through the rare book, sighing deeply.

He understood what Lang Zhengping, his young lord, meant and was aware of the Lang family’s precarious situation. With Lang Zhengping’s second elder brother rising through military ranks, the family might have had a chance to reenter the political core and perhaps even regain two marquisates for the entire lineage.

But fate was cruel. The second elder brother died young, and when he passed, the family’s younger generation was all still children—a true gap in talent and succession appeared.

His old friend, the Marquis of Kaiping, could attend court but held no real power, merely occasionally listening to political affairs. Now, after more than a decade, the Lang family was still waiting for that moment of resurgence.

His old friend had sought his help by letter, but now that friend was gone, making the situation even harder. Old Zhao hoped to lend what aid he could to ensure Lang Zhengping inherited the title smoothly. With the rank in hand, future plans could be made.

Yet inexplicably, a pair of fathomless black eyes and certain words she had spoken kept surfacing in his mind.

A thunderclap exploded.

Startled, Old Zhao’s body trembled as his heart pounded wildly. Looking out the window, he saw the darkening sky, as if an ominous premonition had descended.

Knock, knock, knock—a heavy, urgent footstep echoed from afar.

Old Zhao clutched the rare book tightly and stared at the door. Someone dashed in—it was his eldest son, Zhao Kun, breathless from the wind and snow. He lowered his voice.

“Father, there’s a fire in the Mo family village out by the western outskirts,” Zhao Kun said hoarsely. “Villagers put out the fire, but five bodies were carried out—it’s the Mo family. We investigated—the children are indeed theirs…”

If they truly belonged to the Mo family, that meant the child who had run away was still missing. No one knew where he had gone or whose identity he had taken. And the one who started the fire…

With a sharp sound, the rare book slipped from Old Zhao’s hands onto the floor.

To save those who should not be saved, a life must be paid for with a life—and this life, he would have to pay.

Old Zhao’s body bent over instantly.