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

All the strategists eyed each other nervously, marveling in their hearts at Xu Bei’s schemes.

His methods were cruel enough. His heart was evil enough.

After he self-directed and acted in that scene to kill Liu Xi, when the time came, he could push the blame onto Xu Fei. After that, he would be innocent! Not only would he raise a strong enemy against Xu Fei, but he could also tie down the Liu family’s father and son to his side in this war and win himself a prestigious name.

Even if the father and son of the Liu family broke ties with Xu Bei over this bad blood, the Liu family would not turn their allegiance to Xu Fei.

Thinking of which, Xu Bei was the most suspicious because he had the most convincing motive. Naturally, he would be deemed the first suspect.

Xu Fei composed himself. He coldly grunted and asked the people around him, “Hmph, what is that hypocrite doing now?”

“Elder Langjun is currently hosting a banquet for the alliance army.”

“Eating nonstop… all day long he hosts feasts to eat, drink, and be merry around beauties, how can he not die from it?” Xu Fei’s expression was somewhat contorted with some degree of malice. He spoke words loaded with mockery. “This cousin of mine is indeed capable. He brings along a whole legion of dance troupes while on a mission to protect the emperor. He gives others gold, silver, treasures, carriages, and beauties… solely for the sake of his reputation. He stops at nothing. Now he’s even set up this despicable incident to tarnish my reputation! It’s utterly disgusting!”

One person beside him was filled with anxiety. He cupped his hands respectfully and said, “My lord, now is not the time to complain. He has won the support of the Liu family’s father and son. He now has more support regarding the position of alliance chief… I’m afraid it will fall into Elder Langjun’s hands… Our chances of winning are slim.”

Anger surged in Xu Fei’s heart afresh. “I can see it for myself.”

He did not deem himself to be weaker than his elder cousin, but the other party was more talented at acting and he seriously could not match up.

“What better strategies do you have? It’d be best to sow discord between him and the Liu family’s father and son.”

Xu Fei was exasperated. What gave his elder cousin the right to possess what he couldn’t?

He’d bought talents and used them to build a name for himself. What right did he have to be prideful?

Someone commented, “This must not be. If we allow this, we will be at a disadvantage.”

Xu Fei’s heart was so full of fury that it was about to burst.

“If this cannot be, and that cannot be, then what should I do?”

The other party answered, “Why not prepare a generous gift? You could send someone on behalf of the lord to apologize to Liu Xi for Elder Langjun’s wrongdoings?”

Xu Fei evaluated this idea. It was obviously Xu Bei’s fault, why should he offer a gift and apologize for him?

The man continued to explain, “My lord, based on the news we’ve gathered, there was no conflict between Liu Xi and Elder Langjun. Evidently, Elder Langjun has already pushed all the blame onto you. If we explain ourselves to Liu Xi now, we will bring trouble on ourselves. Since that’s the case, my lord should proceed with the reason that your elder brother did not secure the place well, thus allowing the assassin to enter. As such, you have come to apologize to Liu Xi on your elder cousin’s behalf. Make contact with him, and only then reveal some of your suspicions appropriately. If Liu Xi isn’t a fool, he will certainly investigate. The evidence he finds will trump whatever people around him may say.”

If things were manipulated fittingly, perhaps Xu Bei would bring trouble upon himself despite plotting it against someone else.

At this thought, Xu Fei immediately got others to prepare a generous gift. He then sent a high ranking subordinate to pass the gift along as a sign of respect.

Jiang Pengji’s remarked that Xu Fei and Xu Bei were indeed cousins, for their brainlessness was top-notch.

After they sent off Xu Fei’s envoy, Yang Si and Feng Zhen looked at the generous gifts that filled more than half of the main tent. They stared almost until their eyeballs popped out.

“What are their intentions in doing this?”

She smiled and answered, “I’m 80% certain… the two brothers are suspicious of each other.”

Qingfeng Xueying: Hahahaha — throwing shade at each other! Are they truly suspicious of each other? Is this a novel invention? Do such operations exist?”

Zuiyun Maoyao: Xu Fei suspects Xu Bei of orchestrating this incident, while Xu Bei suspects Xu Fei of playing dirty behind the scenes… it sounds like a fable.

Lay Buddhist Sweeps Floor: Who cares if both brothers are throwing shades at each other? Since my lord wins all the benefits, it’s a sweet deal!”

Indeed, after a series of squabbles, the one who would benefit the most was surprisingly Jiang Pengji.

If the Xu brothers knew the truth, would they shed silent tears?

“I somehow foresee that the alliance meeting today will be a fiery war zone where conflicts and bitter resentments will abound…”

Jiang Pengji made sounds of disdain. She appeared to be filled with emotions.

Yang Si and Feng Zhen looked at one another, seeing helplessness in each other’s eyes.

Despicable!

If their lord had not discreetly devised this scene to manipulate them with seduction and blackmail, the brothers would not want to engage in such a violent fight.

She was about to wash up and change into new garments when someone announced that Huang Song was there to visit.

This time, Huang Song did not bring Cheng Jing along. Instead, Feng Jue came with him. Both wore informal clothes. It seemed like they’d come for personal reasons.

She pensively greeted Feng Jue. She then said, “It’d be worth dying before my beloved. What’s the big deal about the assassination attempt?”

Huang Song was silent.

“Xu Bei had good intentions. He wanted to offer that gorgeous dancer to me, but who knew that such a beauty possessed poisons? She turned out to be an assassin.”

Huang Song had no words in response. Based on his understanding of Liu Xi, although the man loved beautiful women, he always exercised self-restraint. As he recalled, many years ago, when three of them were still in Shangjing, they’d often spent time together at the brothels. Liu Xi had never stayed overnight. At most, he’d listen to the songs.

No one had imagined that, after years so many years passed, Liu Xi would transform into a frivolous Langjun who was corrupted and pursued women flippantly without ever committing himself to anyone.

Feng Jue noted, “You don’t seem to be such a careless person that you’d dare to savor a beauty who a stranger and outsider offered to you.”

With lingering fear, she addressed his query. “Man is fallible, and we make mistakes too… Because I was careless, last night was truly a close shave…”

Huang Song also laughed and seconded that. “Youths have impulses, what man isn’t lustful? Nonetheless, one must exercise caution in all things. Never immerse yourself too deeply into anything.”

Huang Song and Feng Jue had dropped by to visit and make sure that she was fine.

After they exchanged conventional greetings, Huang Song and his companion were ready to leave. Yang Si entered the tent with a pile of bamboo writing slips. He was startled when he saw that there were guests.

As he watched Huang Song’s expression change, Yang Si became nervous.

He had one foot in the tent, the other outside. He hesitated, wondering whether to enter or not.

“You… I’ve seen you somewhere before…”

When Huang Song had visited previously, Feng Zhen and Yang Si had been setting up the tents outside and hadn’t met him.

Yang Si kept strangely silent. Certainly, he had seen Huang Song before, but it hadn’t been recently.

Many years ago, he’d been job-hopping after turning against Prince Changshou. After he played a trick on his previous master, he’d taken his pageboy and fled.

He’d initially wanted to pledge loyalty to Huang Song and determine if he was a wise master. However, the gatekeeper at Huang Song’s mansion bullied others and had rejected Yang Si’s request to visit. Later, Huang Song quickened his horse to catch up, but Yang Si’s temper was kindled, and he’d proudly rejected the other party. He’d even cooked up a fake name.

As he’d continued heading north, he’d fallen for Wei Ci’s trap, then been lured by Jiang Pengji and Wei Ci into the black hole of demanding him to “work overtime.”

Now that he recalled it, he couldn’t help but sigh.

Back then, if he’d chosen to follow Huang Song, perhaps he wouldn’t be so mentally and emotionally drained now. At least Huang Song was easier to fool than Jiang Pengji.

Again, Huang Song tried to recall Yang Si’s identity. He laughed as he said, “Master Zhao, have you been well since we parted all those years ago?”

Once more, Yang Si kept silent. Back then, when he’d decided to play along with Huang Song, he’d introduced himself as Zhao.