185 - Douluo: Martial Spirit Blue Silver Grass

Upon hearing that Si Yiguang intended to take Si Qian to another residence, the woman's initial sorrow quickly vanished. Even though she had long wanted to expel Han Yan from the Si family, she never intended to involve her youngest son. After all, if the rumors circulating outside were true, then Si Xiao's death likely had ties to Han Yan. At this point, she dared not gamble with Si Qian's life. Unfortunately, it was too late to stop anything now. Who in this household would dare defy Si Yiguang's words? "Qian'er..." The young boy turned back to look at his mother, his face full of fear, clearly intimidated by the man before him. After hesitating for a moment, he finally freed his hand from the woman's grasp and hurried over to his father. Among the three young masters of the Si family, Si Xiao had the highest potential for cultivation, which was why he had been groomed as the heir from a young age. As for Si Qi and Si Qian, one had a weak constitution, and the other only knew how to indulge in pleasures, never truly garnering Si Yiguang's attention. If it weren't for Si Xiao's death, Si Qian wouldn't even have the chance to stand here now. Father and son walked silently toward the other residence. Madame's fears concerning this woman, Han Yan, were ever-present. She lifted her hand to gently dab away the tears from her eyes with a handkerchief, gesturing discreetly to the butler standing a short distance away, indicating for him to follow quickly. *** Having been married into the Si family for over twenty years, Han Yan knew Si Yiguang's character inside out; she was well aware of his deep-seated suspicion and ruthless heart. If he discovered that Si Qi wasn't his biological son, he would undoubtedly kill Si Qi on the spot. After Si Dingyun's death, rumors engulfed the Si family. As the central figure in the turmoil, she hadn't offered any explanation. Her deliberate, calm demeanor was meant to show Si Yiguang that she wasn't bothered by the gossip. Just like twenty years ago, when similar accusations arose about Si Qi's true parentage, she had remained in the Si family and still held her position as the esteemed first wife. She knew this matter couldn't be addressed by her directly; she had to wait for Si Yiguang to come to her. By then, she would have her ways to make Si Yiguang believe her. As for Si Dingyun, he had always been nothing more than a tool she could exploit. Even in death, she felt not the slightest grief. Though living in the Si family, she never considered herself one of them. Throughout these years, the only ones she truly cared about were Ping Tian and Si Qi; to her, the three of them were the real family. Recalling the moment she first met Ping Tian brought a subtle stir to her otherwise calm heart. The other residence was remote, with a serene and elegant environment. It was rare for outsiders to visit except for the servants who occasionally brought meals. In the past, her life with Si Qi was manageable with Si Dingyun's secret aid. But now that he was gone and the Si family was mired in scandal, no one dared to come to this small courtyard for days. Even Si Qi's medicine had been halted for several days. Had it not been for Madame Ruan leaving behind numerous superior-grade elixirs before she departed, Si Qi might not have survived until now. The young man on the bed lay with his eyes closed, his complexion pale, cheeks sunken, his entire face gaunt to the bone, without a trace of flesh, with breath so faint it was almost imperceptible. He looked like a dead person, clinging to the last thread of life. Han Yan sat by the bed in mourning clothes, her expression icy cold. Though nearly forty, her face bore many wrinkles, but beneath her brows, her slender phoenix eyes remained bright and captivating. From these eyes alone, one could tell she was a stunning beauty in her youth. If not, Si Yiguang wouldn't have been smitten with her at first sight, defying the opposition of his family's elders to forcefully bring her into the Si household. As she lingered in the fond memories of her love with Ping Tian, a rhythmic sound of footsteps came from outside. This sound was firm and distinct from the cautious steps of the household servants. In an instant, the sound pulled her back to reality. Without moving, she guessed who the visitor at the door was. What was meant to come had finally come. Contemplating what might happen next, her expression shifted slightly. She clenched her hands tightly within her sleeves, only relaxing her grip once the footsteps stopped. She gently straightened the sheets for the unconscious young man on the bed. Si Yiguang stood before the door, refraining from knocking. Instead, he turned to look at his younger son. He was less satisfied with Si Qian than he had been with Si Xiao but recognized that the boy might very well be the Si family's sole heir this generation. This thought somewhat softened his expression and his tone as he spoke became calm and gentle. "Qian'er, go to the ancestral hall and bring back your second uncle's blood dart." Blood dart? Hearing those words, Si Qian's eyes widened involuntarily. Though much time had passed, he clearly recalled the scene where Si Xiao was killed by the blood dart. In connection with the family's recent rumors, a bad premonition formed in his mind. If Si Qi were really the illegitimate child of Han Yan and Si Dingyun, today, his father might very well use that blood dart to end Si Qi's life. As if to confirm his fears, before he had the chance to respond, the man patted him on the shoulder, his gaze turning icy and ruthless. "You're young, yes, but one day the Si family will fall into your hands, and it's time you learned how to handle certain matters." A simple statement that left Si Qian trembling with fear, his palms and backs drenched in sweat. His conjecture was correct; Si Yiguang did intend to kill Si Qi and wanted him to carry out the act. The atmosphere was silent and oppressive, only the occasional gust dispersing the stifling tension. Si Qian clenched his fists, yet his fingers still trembled uncontrollably. Despite the lack of brotherly affection between him and Si Qi, committing murder, especially of someone nominally his brother, was something he couldn't come to terms with. Seeing no response, Si Yiguang guessed what was on the young man's mind. He shook his head, increasingly reminded of Si Xiao's better qualities. "Go get the blood dart." Father and son conversed not far from the door, but Han Yan inside couldn't catch the specifics, only vaguely hearing the words "blood dart." When she stood up to listen more closely, hurried footsteps sounded outside, quickly fading away. It seemed someone had left. Recalling what she had just overheard, unease filled her heart. After a moment's hesitation, she couldn't restrain her worry and went to open the door. As expected, Si Yiguang stood there alone. "I thought you wouldn't come out to see me." Years of marriage and affections still remained. Even though Han Yan had never shown him a kind face, Si Yiguang couldn't deny that she was the only woman he truly loved in his life. Yet, the dignity and pride of the family head prevented him from giving unconditionally like Si Dingyun. Even with the woman he loved, he couldn't lower his pride and submit. Looking at her familiar, cold yet elegant face, his heart softened, if just for a moment. True to memory, her demeanor remained exceedingly cool, and with just one sentence, she reduced his presence to an outright joke. "I truly don't wish to see you." In a tone suggesting he, not she, had wronged, Si Yiguang, not Han Yan. His lips pressed tightly, faint anger flickering across his face, teetering on the brink of anger. Han Yan caught his expression, and inexplicable resentment rose within her. Before sending Si Dingyun to the Underworld Sea, she had begged Si Yiguang, hoping he'd send someone to capture the Kun Beast to save Si Qi under the family's name. Unfortunately, he had ruthlessly refused. Never recognizing Si Qi as his own flesh and blood, Si Yiguang had no interest in expending effort or time to save Si Qi. Left with no choice, she resorted to desperate measures, setting her sights on Tianya. Seizing a moment when the four great elders of the Yao tribe were absent, she snuck to the No Return Valley, weaving a half-truth, half-lie to trick Tianya onto the Bone Boat. Her plan was for Si Dingyun to kill Tianya, trading her life for Si Qi, hoping to bring back the Kun Beast if all else failed. Unexpectedly, both Si Dingyun and Tianya ended up dead on An Yang Island. As for Han Yan, her dream of saving Si Qi was shattered, leaving her with nothing. This incident caused a complete fallout with the four elders of the Yao tribe. After all, Tianya was kept by them specifically to restore Ping Tian's cultivation one day. Losing such a precious resource, sparing her life was already the biggest concession they made. The situation turned out this way, entirely because of the heartless and cruel man standing before her. Just one exchange with him, and the deep-seated resentment within Han Yan surged to the forefront. She hated Si Yiguang for not supporting her, and she despised his composed demeanor. He showed no sympathy for Si Qi’s predicament, even though he was still nominally the boy's father. The spiritual energy in the air subtly fluctuated, but the man seemed completely oblivious, unaware that the woman standing before him harbored murderous intent. With no one else around, Si Yiguang no longer masked his anger. He grabbed Han Yan’s hand and yanked her back into the room. He demanded an explanation for the rumors spreading outside. Before Han Yan could struggle, she was thrust to the edge of the bed. "Tell me, whose blood flows in his veins." The sinister, low voice reverberated close to her ear, each word dripping with lethal intent. Half crouching by the bed, Han Yan winced from the pain in her knees where they hit the floor. She turned her head to the man behind her, hatred boiling within her, causing her chest to heave rapidly. The poison needle hidden in her sleeve was all but anxious to strike; a mere flick of her fingertip and the man would cease to breathe, turning into a lifeless corpse. She took a deep breath. Despite her utter loathing for him, her hatred and desire to kill were forcibly repressed. Si Yiguang couldn't die. If he did, the Si family would indeed collapse. The four elders of the Yao tribe already did not acknowledge Si Qi’s identity, and at that point, both she and Si Qi would be left without shelter. With this realization, she reluctantly withdrew the poison needle. When she spoke again, her voice was softer. "Would you believe me if I told you?" The tone, laden with accusation and questioning, sounded regal yet conveyed an undercurrent of grievance and lament. Si Yiguang's expression shifted, momentarily transporting him back to when the two first met. He pursed his lips, about to respond, but the woman preempted him, recounting once more the years of his cruelty and heartlessness. "Since the day I married into the Si family, you have never believed in me." "You didn’t believe I loved you or that I would uphold the fidelity expected of a wife." "Even today, if I told you that Qi is your own flesh and blood, would you believe it?" "Si Yiguang, don’t forget— the one who truly abandoned us, leaving us to fend for ourselves, was you. Ask yourself, in these past twenty-five years, have I ever done anything to betray you?"