When Xu Bei heard this, he was elated in his heart. He knew this was a turning point in this matter.

With an embarrassed look, he remarked, “Your brother is useless. I caused my virtuous brother unnecessary shock and for you to worry about me.”

“Please don’t belittle yourself, Brother Xu. If you are considered useless, then wouldn’t I also be worthless?”

After Jiang Pengji uttered these words, the at first stifling atmosphere in the commander’s tent relaxed a bit. Xu Bei led her directly to her seat.

“Nevertheless, can Brother Xu tell me who the mastermind behind the scenes is?” As she spoke, a hint of coldness flashed across her eyes. Her tone was deprived of emotions as she said, “Whether it was directed against me or not, if not for my stroke of good luck last night, I would have reported to the King of Hades and be reincarnated by now. If I don’t exact my revenge, people will think that Liu Xi of the Liu family is a weakling and a push-over!”

Xu Bei had wanted to keep it under wraps initially since Xu Fei was his family member. Internally, the benefits appeared to be in conflict. Externally, they were not.

Both were the descendants of the Xu family. If one member was honored, all were honored with him. If one suffered, all suffered with him.

Xu Fei could use unscrupulous means to cause him to fall. However, Xu Bei could not fall, at least not yet.

Nonetheless, when faced with countless attempts at testing and asking after him, in order not to damage the relationship that had just been mended, Xu Bei had to reveal some truths.

“Actually… regarding the cunning mastermind behind the scenes, your brother is not exactly sure yet. I have only one suspect in mind.”

Xu Bei’s facial expression was embarrassed. He deliberated, then confessed. “I am ashamed, but the suspect is my younger cousin. I do not have any incriminating evidence presently, so his sins cannot be condemned yet. Please rest assured, my virtuous brother. Give me some time to bring the truth to light and give a complete account to you.”

“If this was done by Xu Fei, I will not be biased towards my own family!”

She was expressionless as she listened.

“Brother Xu’s younger cousin, Xu Fei? Isn’t that Brother Xu’s closest relative? Why would he…”

“Each household has its difficulties and sensitive matters.”

Xu Bei felt rather abashed. An internal conflict between brothers wasn’t pleasant news. It was caused by disharmony in the family and evidence of a lack of family upbringing.

“Xu Fei and I have competed with each other for years. Our relationship has been strained, that’s no longer a secret… This is our family’s misfortune. It is utterly embarrassing… my brother has witnessed our family’s failure. Truthfully, even though I’ve known Xu Fei for years, with regard to the truth surrounding this matter, I feel inadequate to draw a conclusion.”

Even though Xu Bei was already convinced of Xu Fei’s wrongdoings in his heart, he certainly could not say so. Doing so would only blur the crux of the matter.

She nodded obediently, then said, “Then your younger brother will await news from Brother Xu.”

Seeing that she was so well-mannered and easy to talk to, Xu Bei heaved a long depressed sigh in his heart.

What an easily fooled youngster. Why was his younger cousin not this cute?

Again, Xu Bei threw a feast to host Jiang Pengji. They ate and drank to their hearts’ content.

Jiang Pengji ate till she was quite full, then suddenly remembered Yang Si’s reminder.

She remarked, “Brother Xu, I heard from Jing Rong that I promised you last night to impart the skill of flash brick synthesis to you.”

When Xu Bei heard this, he immediately became unnerved and tensed. As if an icy cold stream of water had washed over him, he was taken by total surprise. The chill of it ascended from the base of his feet to his brain.

He reflected on it in his heart. He indeed desired the skill of synthesizing flash bricks, but today was different from yesterday. If he were to raise this matter now, he’d be in trouble.

At present, he still had a huge mess to clean up. He was not cleared of his suspicions yet. If he suddenly made this move, Liu Xi could suspect him of taking advantage of the situation while she was drunk. She would think that he’d intentionally fooled her into selling her core skill set. Wouldn’t that render all his hard work meaningless?

With quick thinking, Xu Bei discreetly eyed his confidante. He intended to seek help from outside.

What was the best way to wrap up this situation?

His strategist secretly signaled to him with some signs. Xu Bei silently deciphered them.

“Regarding this matter… it indeed happened.” Xu Bei glanced at Yang Si, only to see him looking towards him with a faint smile of silent warning. He trembled in his heart and realized that he couldn’t hide it any longer. “I’m not afraid that my brother will see this as a joke, but last night I saw the painting of Master Yuanjing’s disciple. That sight made me yearn in my heart… I wish to govern my county until it becomes prosperous and bustles with excitement. Zhe County is in the south. It is both humid and rainy, many items there tend to grow moldy and rot. If we use flash bricks as our building material, I believe the situation will improve. Last night, I didn’t know my younger brother was drunk. I shamelessly asked some questions… Now that I reflect on it, it was inappropriate. My younger brother need not take any of it to heart…”

With disapproval, she nodded her head resolutely and decisively.

“A gentleman’s words cannot be taken back! How can I take back my words? No matter if I was drunk last night or if the words slipped out of my mouth, I already promised Brother Xu. I cannot back out on this matter. Moreover, Brother Xu asked for this for the people of Zhe County, not for your own selfish gains. I’ve always held Brother Xu’s character and talents in high regard. If I can be of help, why would I refuse to do so?”

Of all the people present, except for a few strong-minded and outspoken military generals, which of them wasn’t a highly skilled actor?

Xu Bei had maintained his reputation well. His ability to put on a front and lie through his nose was top-notched.

Yang Si and the viewers in the live streaming room looked indifferently at these two A-list actors as they played along with each other and tricked each other, all the while silently eating their melons.

He hadn’t expected Jiang Pengji to make a solemn promise. His heart was touched and filled with admiration and joy.

This meant that Liu Xi had already “forgiven” him completely. Their relationship had not been affected by what had happened last night.

If he could preserve their relationship and still purchase the recipe needed to synthesize bricks, this would be the best outcome.

Xu Bei smiled cheerily. “The promise my brother made is extremely trustworthy. I am ashamed that I am not as honorable as you.”

Jiang Pengji had a thick skin. At times she was narcissistic, but she also knew when to be humble.

Of course, she was humble largely because she was laying the foundation for her narcissism.

The business they discussed reached a conclusion. They then entered the stage where they bargained for the price.

Because Xu Bei was on the logically losing end, Jiang Pengji need not purposely win his favor. After all, he’d taken the initiative to give in to her by a large extent.

It was hard to place a price tag on something like a skill, but Xu Bei was a wealthy man. At the same time, the strategist in his camp was not short-sighted. They’d certainly put a reasonable price tag on possessing the skill of flash brick synthesis. However, Jiang Pengji was such a ruthless and sly character, how could she be satisfied with such insignificant benefits?

She knitted her brows as if hesitant…

Xu Bei thought she was dissatisfied with the price. He asked, “What does my virtuous brother think of the price?”

“Brother Xu holds your brother in high regard. Naturally, your younger brother will not go overboard. Except…”

Again, Jiang Pengji paused her speech. She hid some truths while she revealed others. She was competent at causing someone with an obsessive-compulsive disorder to burst with anxiety.

He asked after her hastily. Only then did Jiang Pengji slowly reveal her intentions.

She wore an apologetic look that said, “I have sinned, I was too greedy.”

“Previously, I heard Brother Xu speak of the situation in Zhe County. Suddenly, I feel a deep sense of guilt. The method of kiln burning for glassware synthesis should have been made easily accessible to bless the people and the nations, to bring fortune to society. But I was blinded by wealth and I sold them at exorbitant prices. It is truly… Brother Xu need not tell a white lie. The price you offered for it is obviously beyond what it’s worth. How can I, your younger brother, shamelessly receive it?”