Xia Qing believed that what he excelled at most in the first half of his life was reading people’s hearts, so from the moment he used every method to marry Xiao Zhixuan, he knew the Xiao family would certainly not look favorably upon him. However, it wasn’t until the homecoming banquet three days after their wedding that he truly experienced what could be called blood-soaked, storm-like hostility.

From the moment he took his seat, Xiao Du only glared at him coldly, looking as if he wanted to devour him alive. Xiao Qing made cutting remarks both directly and indirectly, mocking him for being an old bull eating tender grass. Even Xiao Yunjing didn’t give him the slightest pleasant expression, occasionally letting out long sighs as if Xiao Zhixuan had suffered great injustice. Xia Qing was normally quite sharp-tongued himself, always the one showing disdain and sarcasm toward others, but this time he faced his father-in-law and brothers-in-law. How could he dare to be presumptuous or talk back? He could only grit his teeth and swallow these cold words, continuing to maintain his smiling facade. Who told him to indulge himself for half his life, only to set his sights on this delicate flower of the Xiao family?

But those three men had no intention of letting him off. Xia Qing felt this meal was becoming increasingly difficult to endure, so he could only cast pleading glances toward Xiao Zhixuan for rescue. Who would have thought that Xiao Zhixuan sat upright and proper, putting on the full airs of a marquis’s daughter, secretly delighted in her heart, thinking to herself: Serves you right, who told you to dare bully me?

Recalling this man’s previous misdeeds, Xiao Zhixuan couldn’t help but blush with embarrassment. She knew she was far behind him in matters between men and women, so before marriage she had specifically done her homework, determined not to fall short in front of this man. Who would have thought that on their wedding night, when he lifted her bridal veil and stared at her with those wickedly gleaming eyes while smiling, she still turned pale with nervousness, unable to help feeling afraid.

He seemed to see her unease, so he wasn’t in a hurry to get intimate with her. Instead, he blew gently in her ear and said, “How about this – let’s play a game. If you win, I’ll promise not to touch you. How about that?”

Xiao Zhixuan was greatly surprised. When did this man have such kind intentions? Thinking she had nothing to lose either way, she immediately agreed. Who would have thought she was still too young and forgot just how many dirty tricks this man possessed? She could only blame those spring palace illustrations for not teaching her about such games. In any case, she not only lost in the end but lost miserably. Even now, recalling how she looked continuously pleading beneath him, Xiao Zhixuan felt both ashamed and angry, quickly taking a bite of food to hide the heat on her face.

At this moment, Xia Qing could barely maintain his smile anymore. Turning his head, he saw Xiao Zhixuan’s face completely flushed, head lowered as she bit into a piece of meat, lost in thought. His heart stirred, so he used his sleeve as cover and leaned close to Xiao Zhixuan’s ear, whispering softly, “If you help me now, I’ll let you win once when we return.”

Xiao Zhixuan’s face grew even hotter. She glared at him fiercely, then methodically chewed the meat in her mouth, determined not to speak. Xia Qing gritted his teeth and raised the stakes: “Tonight I’ll listen to everything you say and let you do whatever you want with me.”

Xiao Zhixuan’s eyes rolled, finding this proposition rather tempting. Finally, she raised her cup and said, “Father, big brother, second brother, Uncle Xia… ahem… Xia Lang treats me quite well. Please give Xuan’er some face and don’t make things difficult for him.”

Those three men cast suspicious glances between the two of them before finally closing their mouths. Xia Qing secretly breathed a sigh of relief, reaching out to secretly grab Xiao Zhixuan’s hand under the table while giving her an ambiguous wink. Xiao Zhixuan glared back at him, signaling him not to be too presumptuous. Yuanxi sat right beside Xiao Zhixuan and saw all the interactions between the two. She smiled as she ladled a spoonful of soup, thinking to herself, “These two aren’t as mismatched as one might imagine.”

At this moment, Xiao Du slowly set down his jade chopsticks and said, “Brother-in-law, do you still remember what you said in the imperial palace about wanting to experience the prowess of the Xiao family army sooner or later? Rather than choose another day, why don’t we spar right now?”

Xia Qing almost reached up to wipe the sweat from his forehead, inwardly groaning, “They’ve stopped using words and switched to fists.” But he maintained his composed demeanor on the surface, saying, “I’ll follow whatever the Marquis arranges.”

The marquis’s mansion had a martial arts training ground that Xiao Du had often used for practice in his youth, though it had been unused for quite some time. So Xiao Du chose that location. The others all understood that Xiao Du’s “sparring” was actually an excuse to discuss certain matters privately with Xia Qing, so they very tactfully let the two men go alone. Yuanxi pulled Xiao Zhixuan to her room to have some intimate conversation. Xiao Zhixuan had only taken a few steps when she felt uneasy, so she turned around and called out, “Big brother, don’t hurt him.”

Yuanxi couldn’t help covering her mouth and laughing softly, “You’ve only been married a few days and already know how to feel sorry for someone.”

Xiao Zhixuan felt somewhat embarrassed and stubbornly muttered, “Someone like him – how could he be big brother’s match? I just don’t want him getting injured somewhere and then saying our Xiao family bullied him when he goes back.”

But Xia Qing only heard her first half-sentence about not hurting him. He couldn’t help covering his mouth with his fist, his lips unconsciously stretching into a wide grin. Xiao Du swept him with a cold glance and said, “Wait until after we’ve finished on the training ground before you smile.”

Xia Qing was currently in high spirits – how could he care about the sharp edge in those words? The two walked to the training ground together, each selecting weapons. One wielding a spear and the other a halberd, they began to circle each other. After just a few exchanges, Xia Qing was already reduced to barely defending himself. Xiao Du didn’t dare be careless in the slightest, twisting his waist and extending his arms in several consecutive thrusts. Suddenly his expression changed, and he abruptly froze his movements, his spear point stopping just inches from Xia Qing’s neck.

Xia Qing smiled slightly and released his grip on the long halberd, letting it fall to the ground. “The Marquis truly has excellent martial skills. Xia admits defeat.”

Xiao Du tossed his spear aside and sat down with a light snort. “When one’s opponent doesn’t use full strength, it’s truly uninteresting.”

Xia Qing dusted off his hands and sat beside him with a hearty laugh. “The Marquis is Xuan’er’s big brother, my brother-in-law. How could I dare injure you?”

Xiao Du raised an eyebrow. Though these words contained Xia Qing’s characteristic arrogance, they also carried some warmth that didn’t belong to Xia Qing. He couldn’t help thinking, “Could it be that Xuan’er is right, and this man truly has some genuine feelings for Xuan’er?”

This thought made him fall into contemplation. After a while, he said, “Now that you’ve married the Xiao family daughter, His Majesty and the Xia family must both be quite shaken.”

Xia Qing showed a disdainful expression. “That old fox Xia Mingyuan hypocritically congratulated me a few times. He probably still can’t figure out what I’m trying to do, so he won’t make any moves lightly. As for my so-called father, he flew into quite a rage, blaming me for acting privately without consulting him. But given my current position, he’s quite wary of me and doesn’t dare truly punish me.” He paused, then continued, “But His Majesty’s side became very dissatisfied initially. I understand – he’s afraid that if I join forces with you, the capital would be in grave danger. But I told him to rest assured completely. The Xiao family’s younger sister is the person you care about most, and this person is in my hands, so we’ll have more leverage in the future.”

Xiao Du couldn’t help but laugh mockingly. “His Majesty actually believes that someone like you would be completely loyal to him?”

Xia Qing’s expression suddenly became serious. “What if it were true?” Then he resumed his mocking expression. “His Majesty can give me merit and wealth, can transform me from a lowly illegitimate son into a commander that everyone in the Xia family respects. Why wouldn’t I serve him loyally?”

Xiao Du withdrew his gaze meaningfully. “So even when he wanted to use you against the Xia family and nearly cost you your life, you don’t care?”

Xia Qing said, “Because I understand His Majesty. He wants to establish a unified dynasty and achieve his enlightened rule. An accomplished monarch naturally needs somewhat ruthless methods. Besides, am I the type to sit and wait for death?” He glanced at Xiao Du and continued, “Actually, I’ve always felt it’s somewhat regrettable. The Marquis and His Majesty have years of friendship and common aspirations – how did things reach this point? From what I know, His Majesty has long wanted to deal with the Xia family. Chancellor Xia has become increasingly autocratic and arbitrary over the years. The entire Xia clan works in collusion, relying on Empress Dowager Xia’s protection and completely ignoring His Majesty. Over these years, they’ve done everything from showing favoritism and perverting justice to corruption and land grabbing, long since causing widespread resentment. The court’s reformist faction has repeatedly risked their lives to impeach them, yet couldn’t shake them in the slightest.”

Xiao Du sneered. “Perhaps these are exactly the results His Majesty deliberately wanted to create.” Allowing the maternal relatives to abuse their power, making everyone angry about the Xia clan’s interference in government and harm to the country, while he himself maintains a reputation for humility and diligence. Ming Cheng, you’ve truly become increasingly skilled in imperial tactics.

Xia Qing smiled noncommittally. “Regardless, His Majesty has been laying groundwork for these years, and it’s about time to reel it in. The Xia clan, this deeply rooted tree, should be cut down at the roots. I believe His Majesty is just waiting for an opportunity. Once he begins to act, he must eradicate everything completely, leaving no future troubles.”

Xiao Du stood up. “You don’t need to tell me these things at all. The more fiercely he fights with the Xia clan, the better. He still has reservations about me now only because he wants to use my Xiao family army to balance the Xia clan’s power. If he eliminates the Xia clan, I’ll be the only thorn in his side.”

Xia Qing’s gaze became profound. “Exactly. I’m telling you this to remind the Marquis that the Xia clan’s downfall is probably imminent. The Marquis should make plans early and find a way out soon.”