Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio

If her acting was somewhat less convincing, it would become a lousy show.

But how could Jiang Pengji’s acting be inferior?

She succeeded in portraying herself as someone who prioritized the world’s affairs but had momentarily made a mistake. After she acknowledged her wrongdoing, she was regretful and reflective. After that, she became an upright and honest gentleman.

Even Yang Si, who had seen enough of his master’s acting abilities to know better, was tricked by her as well.

This was totally another level of her award-winning acting!

The viewers in the livestreaming room lined up to render praises to Jiang Pengji, posting countless comments of “666.”

A Man of Few Words Huang Shaotian: I seem to have just witnessed the work of an award-winning actress. The streamer’s acting deserves an Oscar! If she doesn’t win, it means the judges are blind.

Midnight Epilepsy: Her trickery is too high-level — My heart suddenly aches for Xu Bei having to face an award-winning actress. He was almost duped into doing something lame.

Feng Wu: Xu Bei and the streamer are both engaged in an award-winning battle that spans tens of thousands of years. I suddenly thought of a plot… If they competed to rule the world, the feudal princes would rise in power. Those lords who wielded power would surely have to be award-winning actors. If all these actors congregate together and are allowed to act their hearts out, whoever could strategize the best would be able to survive until the end… Hahaha, I am certain that our streamer could wipe them all out in seconds.

With the support of these leisurely and purposelessly buff people, Jiang Pengji successfully tricked Xu Bei.

Xu Bei was unaware of the impending dangers; he continued to smile and tease her.

“My virtuous brother has persuaded me, why are you full of remorse now? No one is perfect or free of faults. Moreover, my virtuous brother didn’t do anything wrong in this case. The flash bricks were unheard of in the past, but my virtuous brother managed to synthesize them. I’m certain a lot of effort went into it. Blood brothers settle their accounts fairly; I will pay to purchase it from my brother’s hands, as is right and proper. If my brother refuses to accept payment, I will not comply.”

After some deep deliberation, she hesitantly opened her mouth. “Brother Xu’s words are reasonable… Flash bricks are items that bring blessings to the people. They should not be possessed by only one or two families. If they monopolized the market and took ownership of it by force, they’d seem narrow-minded. If Brother Xu wishes to buy the recipe to synthesize flash bricks, I perceive that this item is valuable. Little brother has a thought, but I don’t know if it’s feasible. You can consider reducing the price and selling it to a few families. The business can be expanded, and one could earn profits that could be used as an allowance for the family’s expenses.”

She spoke the first few sentences with much embarrassment. It seemed like she was ashamed of her thoughts. Her last sentence was witty.

First, Xu Bei laughed. Then, he immediately took her words under serious consideration.

Because of Jiang Pengji’s past actions, he didn’t feel like she was acting. Instead, he sensed her upright and righteous temperament. She had a benevolent heart.

If it had been someone else, certainly he would have devised all means to gain as much profit as he could. However, Liu Xi’s actions were completely unexpected.

Who had ever seen an unscrupulous businessman throw away money freely like that?

Xu Bei thought in his heart that if peace reigned in the world and had such parental officials, it would be the people’s blessing.

People like Liu Xi were already a rare commodity.

He’d always wished for an opportunity to find favor and bring their relationship closer.

Now that a golden opportunity had appeared before his eyes, he wouldn’t give it up.

He succinctly asked, “If it wouldn’t make my virtuous brother think of me as being a busybody, why not lend me the painting first?”

She asked him suspiciously, “Why does Brother Xu want that painting?”

“Thanks to the blessings left by my ancestors, your brother was able to meet all the heroes gathered at this alliance. During the time we spent together, I believe I’ve built some comradeship with them. I may not have gained other things, but I’ve won some human relations.” Xu Bei’s tone was rather prideful. “From your elder brother’s viewpoint, with your shy character, I’m afraid you are not suitable to carry out this task. If you trust your brother, I will definitely implement the task properly.”

Filled with shock, Jiang Pengji only regained her senses after a while. She understood Xu Bei’s intentions.

“How, how can I accept this?” She was overjoyed to the point that she couldn’t control herself. She almost bit her tongue and spoke insensibly. “Brother Xu is already willing to put in so much effort, I cannot accept your money. Why don’t I give you the recipe to synthesize flash bricks for free…”

Before she’d finished speaking, Xu Bei had already interrupted her.

“As brothers, we should settle our accounts fairly. Although we aren’t blood-relatives, we became friends at first sight. Our relationship even surpasses that of biological brothers! How can I, your brother, take advantage of you?”

Money certainly must be given, and he would be generous about it.

Nevertheless, whether this money would be used to purchase the skill set to synthesize flash bricks or to cover the cost for the energy she’d expended to act last night, the benevolence would see benevolence.

After breakfast, Jiang Pengji brought over Yang Si, her personal guard, and a “contract” stamped with Xu Bei’s official stamp. She walked off leisurely with her cloth bundle.

Yang Si watched silently.

During the observation process, he’d felt that he’d played an insignificant role as a strategist. His value was less than one without ambitions.

“This is so exhausting… After speaking so formally, I feel like my tongue will start to stammer soon.”

Jiang Pengji tied her rabbit fur cloak tightly around herself to block out the chilly wind, then she rubbed her stiff cheeks.

Acting passionately and convincingly was really exhausting.

Yang Si frowned. “My lord, will Xu Bei and the rest fall for the trap?”

Jiang Pengji considered it and said, “I cannot speak about the future, but at least for now, they’ve fallen for the trap. But there is no perfect scheme in this world. If it’s discovered, so be it, there is nothing to fear. Even if they find out something, my only wrongdoing was to profit from his misfortune, At most, there would be an additional sin of ‘making use of Xu Bei.’ Two wrongdoings will not have any major consequences. If we count the cost in detail, they won’t suffer much loss. However, I was almost assassinated and killed at their campsite… that’s is an indisputable truth. From their perspective, it is better that I live than die. If I die, they will be finished. Thus, even if I tricked them, they would tolerate and keep their grievances in their hearts. Who would dare to turn against me?”

“Indeed, there’s some logic to that.” Yang Si recalled the scene yesterday, then asked, “Was the assassin really instigated by Xu Fei?”

If it really had been Xu Fei, then this pair of Xu brothers had more friction between them than an outsider could imagine.

She shot a glance at Yang Si and asked him in return, “Do you think Xu Fei did it?”

Yang Si shook his head. “It doesn’t seem like it. Xu Fei had no motive.”

Xu Fei’s suspicion was indeed the greatest. However, from Yang Si’s point of view, Xu Fei had no motive for assassinating her.

Why did he think so?

The main reason why the Xu brothers could become mighty figures in the alliance group was that they commanded 100,000 troops.

If their relationship as brothers was broken and they parted ways, each of them would only have 50,000 men. They wouldn’t be a threat anymore.

The Xu brothers’ interests were tied together. Although there was a conflict of interests, there were also avenues where they benefited each other.

If one was honored, both would receive the honor. If one suffered, both would suffer.

If one of them fell, the other could not reap any advantages from it.

If Xu Fei assassinated Liu Xi, wouldn’t his actions directly implicate Xu Bei?

This was obviously a foolish move that would incur much loss.

Still, if this plot had not been carried out by Xu Fei, Yang Si could not think of any other suspicious person. Unless…

Yang Si directed his sights at his lord. Unless this assassination attempt had been orchestrated by the lord herself?

No way!

It could not be!

The idea popped up in Yang Si’s mind, but he snuffed out immediately. There were many holes in this hypothesis that surpassed Xu Fei being the mastermind.

Jiang Pengji rode on Little White’s back. She serenely said, “There’s no need to guess. It was neither Xu Fei nor your lord…”