Chapter 221:

Chapter 221:

Chapter 221

Late at night, in Wannian County, within Lu Chengqing's residence, angry shouts periodically echoed.

“Are you a fool? Why did you order an attack on Su Li’s son?” Lu Chengtai sawthed, pointing accusingly at Lu Qiqing.

Beside him, Lu Chengqing wore an equally grim expression. They had just learned of Lu Qiqing's involvement in this matter earlier in the morning, and it had infuriated them both.

Prominent aristocratic families could defy even the imperial family because they adhered to established principles and rules, passed down by their ancestors. Surviving in the Xia region required understanding how to create and obey these rules, ensuring a family's prosperity over time. However, they had been reliant on the dynasty's resources for far too long, making their existence solely about sustaining their privileged status.

Given the foundation this, everything was open to negotiation. Recently, Su Li turned against these aristocratic families, including the Fanyang Lu Clan, resulting in the deaths of many of their members. Yet, Lu Chengqing, the head of the Lu family, remained resolute, knowing that Su Li's campaign of violence couldn't last forever.

While Lu Chengqing had considered a response to Su Li, his primary intention had been to issue a warning. He never anticipated Lu Qiqing's rash actions. Lu Qiqing had mobilized the family's trained assassins and sent them to kill Prince Yongle's son, a move that shattered the established norms.

But what were these norms? Norms represented the conventions of aristocratic families used to display their heritage and constrain their actions. Without these customary limits, their influence could lead to reckless behavior, making enemies worldwide. History was filled with examples of aristocratic families perishing due to a lack of understanding of this principle.

“Uncle, Father, I can't accept this!” Lu Qiqing declared, his eyes burning with determination.

“Su Li has been killing our clan members relentlessly, taking eight lives in just ten days! The Fanyang Lu Clan has a thousand years of history. We're not Su Li's pawns!”

Lu Qiqing's face contorted with anger. “If Su Li wants to involve us in his feud, I'll show him the pain of losing family!”

As they were about to leave, a loud commotion erupted outside, followed by the thunderous sound of approaching hooves and the clash of blades. The screams of household servants filled the air, sending a chill down their spines.

The three of them rushed outside, and the sight that met their eyes was horrifying. The courtyard was filled with fully armed soldiers, and the Lu Clan's guards lay wounded on the ground amid the overpowering stench of blood.

When Lu Chengqing saw Su Li standing among the soldiers, his fear was palpable.

“Attacking a high official's residence with armed forces, Prince Yongle, are you planning to rebel?” Lu Chengqing shouted in anger. In their millennia-long history, they had experienced military uprisings during times of turmoil, but never in peacetime would someone dare to attack the Lu Clan's leader's home.

Despite his understanding, Su Li had taken this audacious step, and Lu Chengqing felt a sense of impending doom. To someone as ruthless as Su Li, escape routes mattered little if he had already started killing.

Su Li's expression remained cold as he questioned, “Why did you attempt to assassinate my son?”

Those words sent shockwaves through the three from the Lu Clan. While Lu Qiqing had been assertive earlier, witnessing the scene before him filled him with fear.

“Prince Yongle, what are you insinuating? The Lu Clan has never attempted to assassinate your family members,” Lu Chengqing tried to distance his family from the situation.

Su Li couldn't help but laugh. “Bold in words but timid in action... Your so-called lineage is like rats in a sewer, living a life of fear and compromise, aren't you?”

His tone turned ice-cold. “Perhaps I haven't killed enough for you to understand... But why would I, Su Li, need a reason for my actions?”