d, he couldn't move at all, for his limbs and body were tightly bound by bandages. But as he thrashed about, blood began seeping through the bandaged areas of his body.Gradually, with Cao Er's wailing...Chapter 409: Commemoration (Part 2)

These people came together to Xiao Yu's maternal grandfather's grave. There was no photograph or name on his tombstone, just an unmarked stone.

This kind of gravestone was what Xiao Yu's maternal grandfather had requested when he passed away. In his heart, he always felt that he did not deserve to be a descendant of the Xiao family; although he achieved some success, he caused dozens of members of the Xiao family to be killed.

Although he did not regret joining the army to protect the country, he deeply blamed himself for the Xiao family being wiped out. Therefore, his first half of life was dedicated to the state, but as soon as the war ended, he left the military and started to repent for the dozens of members of the Xiao family who had died.

Lǐ Suíjūn and those guards all looked at this gravestone; especially Lǐ Suíjūn, looking at this empty grave, they knew that it was what Xiao Yu's maternal grandfather wanted.

"Dàhǎi, bring the wine!" Without turning around to look at the gravestone in front of him, Lǐ Suíjūn simply stretched out his hand and shouted.

Zhāng Dàhǎi heard his master's words and took out two ten-pound porcelain jars from beside him. He walked a few steps forward and handed them to Lǐ Suíjūn.

With one jar of wine in hand, Lǐ Suíjūn looked at the blank gravestone and said, "Second Brother, the brothers have come to see you. There's nothing more to say, everything is in this wine. This wine was brewed according to our family's ancestral recipe, and the herbs inside are the ones you gave me the prescription for. I'll use this wine to pay my respects to you with a toast!"

After Lǐ Suíjūn finished speaking, he instantly broke open the clay seal of the porcelain jar, poured some in front of the grave first, and then took a big gulp himself.

After drinking the wine, Lǐ Suíjūn handed the jar to Old Grandpa Sòng. Old Grandpa Sòng's body had not fully recovered yet; therefore, it was not suitable for him to drink alcohol at this time. When he picked up the porcelain jar intending to drink, Sòng Hǔshān stepped forward wanting to stop him, but Old Grandpa Sòng stopped him.

"Grandfather, your body really isn't suitable for drinking wine! Don’t believe me Ask Xiao Yu!" Seeing that Old Grandpa Sòng stopped him, Sòng Hǔshān hurriedly said to him.

"Hǔshān, you don't understand. Even if I die immediately after finishing this cup of wine, I still have to drink it!" After saying this, Old Grandpa Sòng also poured some on the ground with his jar and then took a hard gulp himself.

Seeing that Old Grandpa Sòng was drinking, the old men like Lǎo Shís all knew that he shouldn't be drinking, but no one stopped him. They let Old Grandpa Sòng finish his drink.

These old men came one by one to pay their respects at the grave of Xiao Yu's grandfather, holding wine jars and whispering things only they knew. Then they took a heavy drink.

After these elders had finished mourning, Xiao Yu's family stepped forward. No matter how he imagined it, Xiao Yu never thought that his grandfather would have such a side to him.

Xiao Yu stood at the forefront of their family, with Xiao Jianying and Xiao Yu, Lu Jianhong, and others behind him. Now, Xiao Yu is the head of the Xiao family. Even if his grandfather were still alive, during ancestral worship, it would be Xiao Yu standing in front, while his grandfather would stand behind him. This is what a family head means; it has nothing to do with age or seniority.

Xiao Yu knelt heavily at the forefront of the crowd, looking at the blank tombstone, and then his mother and sister, along with her husband, also knelt down.

This time, Xiao Yu's ritual was very formal. This was the first time he had come to his grandfather's grave since agreeing to inherit the Xiao family. Therefore, this time, Xiao Yu’s mourning was solemn and formal.

"Grandpa, I will definitely fulfill your wishes and make Wan Sheng Hall shine again!" After bowing respectfully, looking at the tombstone before him, Xiao Yu silently swore in his heart.

After Xiao Yu's family finished their mourning, his grandfather’s bodyguards came to the tombstone. The elder who was sweeping the floor led them and knelt heavily on the ground, saying, "Commander, Young Master has made it. He even surprised Commander Li and others by himself. Now they no longer need to hide their identity. We have completed the task you entrusted us with before your passing. I, Wang Fugui, did not let you down!"

It turned out that when Xiao Yu's grandfather knew his time was near, he brought over these bodyguards and told them: If Xiao Yu does not have strength on his own, then the Xiao family should remain low-key, with no one knowing of their existence. However, if Xiao Yu makes it big and surprises people like Commander Li, bringing the Xiao family to prominence, then their task would be completed.

Of course, secretly protecting the Xiao family was something they volunteered for; if they didn't want to continue, they could withdraw at any time without continuing to protect the Xiao family, just as in the past. Xiao Yu's grandfather never intended to take them with him because he believed that even after his death, Commander Li would arrange well for these bodyguards.

But none of Xiao Yu's grandfather’s bodyguards longed for the high-ranking positions and benefits awaiting them and chose instead to follow Xiao Yu's grandfather in giving up their official posts to secretly protect the Xiao family.

Back when the Wang Family was searching for Xiao Jianying, it was these people who turned them away. Even if these large families were looking for someone, they would still rely on such grassroots forces like these bodyguards. This is also why they and their children stayed rooted in the lower ranks over the years, turning down many promotions.

Nowadays, many people secretly laugh at them, calling them foolish for refusing to be promoted when given the chance, choosing instead to stay rooted in the grassroots levels.

Among the children of these guards, there were also those who had opinions but were suppressed by these elders. Unless they disowned their fathers, they could only obediently remain at the grassroots level.

The district where Xiao Yu's family resides has been run like a tightly sealed fortress over the years. Nobody would dare to investigate anything related to Xiao Yu's family.

The children of these elders didn't understand why their parents were so strict, but all they received was a simple instruction: no matter who comes looking for information about the Xiao family, they must block them off. The rest is up to them how they choose to act.

After the guards finished paying respects at Xiao Yu's grandfather's grave, they bowed together in his honor.

"Xiao Yu, niece, when we old brothers came here, we discussed moving Second Brother's tomb to the capital city. He dedicated much to the liberation of our country, yet he lies buried in this remote wilderness..."

After looking at Xiao Yu's grandfather’s gravestone, Elder Song addressed Xiao Yu and Xiao Jianying.

"Uncles, my father had previously instructed that this was his chosen burial site. He insisted on being laid to rest here, saying he wouldn't leave!"

Xiao Jianying understood the elders' intentions but interrupted them before they could finish speaking.

The gravestone of Xiao Yu's grandfather didn’t even bear his name because he felt unworthy of being part of the Xiao family. As the sole remaining member of the Xiao family back then, he should have been its patriarch, yet he had disowned himself from the Xiao family before his death.

He also left a will stating that if Xiao Yu inherited the medical skills of the Xiao family in the future, she would become the new head of the clan. If not, the Xiao family would fade into history.

Xiao Yu had originally planned to live a life without purpose or direction, but after a trip abroad, she received the legacy of Zhong Kui and gained his memories. Combining Zhong Kui's medical knowledge with what her grandfather passed down, she gradually developed an interest in traditional Chinese medicine and inherited the family line.

"Sigh..." Hearing Xiao Jianying’s words, Elder Song and the others could only sigh helplessly. They had already guessed from the blank gravestone that their second brother would not agree to moving his grave, but they couldn’t bear for him to rest in this remote wilderness.

After paying respects at Xiao Yu's grandfather's grave, everyone descended the mountain together.

"Your current task is completed. Follow us back to the capital! Over these years, you've done a lot for my second brother's family. In the past, Xiao Family didn't want their identity exposed, so they relied on your cover-up. Now that the Xiao Family has come into the public eye, it's time for you all to return!"

Li Suijun looked at these guards of Xiao Yu’s grandfather and said.

Xiao Yu’s grandfather's guards had made great sacrifices. After liberation, many of Li Suijun’s bodyguards became major generals or lieutenant generals, while the ones protecting his second brother could only hide among common people. Therefore, they wanted to compensate them.

"Thank you for your kindness, esteemed leaders! Although the task assigned by our leader has been completed, our personal mission is yet to be accomplished – that is, protecting Miss Senior. As long as we are alive, we will remain her bodyguards!"

The guards said without a moment's hesitation upon hearing Li Suijun’s words.

Although the task assigned by their leader had been completed and Xiao Family has come out of hiding, it only meant that their children could now advance in rank. They themselves still needed to protect Xiao Family discreetly; they owed their lives to their leaders. Even though their leaders are no longer with them, they will guard Little Master and Miss Senior until the day they die.

Hearing this, Li Suijun and Song Taigui both saluted these guards in unison! These guards truly deserved their admiration for forsaking high ranks and generous benefits to protect what they believed in.

Xiao Yu's family and these bodyguards got into the car, while Wan Hongguang’s team did not get in. Their mission was now complete; although some of these standing committee members wanted to make an appearance before their elders, they understood that overdoing it is counterproductive.

Today, just being able to show themselves in front of the elders felt like a dream come true for them. Even provincial governors might not get such an opportunity!

Though they knew they couldn’t talk about today’s events outside, knowing Wan Hongguang's background now made them毫不猶豫地決定跟在他身邊。

Wan Hongguang's wish was fulfilled since he wouldn't behave like the newly appointed mayor and subtly promote his background among these standing committee members. Such behavior is simply immature.

Although this method is naive, it’s an effective way to seize power. (To be continued...)ao Yu and his righteous aura was far more effective than any disinfectant could be, so he used a thread of his righteous aura to sterilize the acupuncture needle.Xiao Yu held the gold-colored acupunct...