Consort Lian’s face paled. Could she truly hide nothing from the other’s eyes? Just as her heart trembled, Li Weiyang said: “Don’t worry. Since those people were death warriors of your Murong royal family and they’re all dead, no one will know who you are.”

Consort Lian raised her eyes, her delicate eyebrows slightly furrowed together: “You don’t blame me?”

Li Weiyang said slowly: “Of course I blame you. You wasted an excellent opportunity. Moreover, what you just did placed us all in danger. One misstep and everyone would have to pay with their lives for you.”

Consort Lian’s face gradually turned even paler. Only her vermilion lips appeared more distinct, carrying an indescribable eeriness. A trace of hope floated in her eyes: “But that mansion still exists. I also kept the civilian woman filing the complaint. Tomorrow I’ll have someone submit a petition—”

Li Weiyang sighed: “It’s too late.”

Consort Lian’s face showed a shocked expression. Li Weiyang looked at her, then after a moment smiled faintly: “The Jiang family is already on guard. I think before His Majesty even sends people, that mansion will no longer exist. Your Ladyship, if you had sent that civilian woman filing the complaint up tonight, catching them completely off guard, perhaps there would still be thirty percent hope. Unfortunately, you made the wrong move in this game.”

Consort Lian’s face similarly showed an expression of regret. Li Weiyang believed the pain in her heart now exceeded what showed on her face. She said softly: “But I understand you. I know your reasons for doing this. If it were me, if my family suffered misfortune, I would also want to avenge them at any cost. As Murong royalty, wanting to restore the royal family’s dignity and honor, to clear their names—this is completely understandable. Only, you were too impatient. As long as we could topple the Jiang family today, the Murong royal family matter would definitely be investigated. Then your revenge would naturally be achieved.”

Consort Lian’s beautiful face was now stained with tears, yet she couldn’t speak a single word. She was an intelligent person. If not blinded by revenge, she would definitely understand this principle.

Li Weiyang continued: “Consort Lian, do you know where you went wrong? It’s not being anxious for revenge, nor violating our agreement, but using the wrong method of revenge. Moreover, you’re by the Emperor’s side, yet you don’t understand this man you need to please and control.”

Consort Lian’s heart jolted. Looking at Li Weiyang again, she saw that although her face still carried that lazy, calm smile, her dark, bright eyes held a rarely seen sincerity—though it was only a fleeting moment before immediately changing to other emotions. “Your Ladyship, do you understand my meaning?”

Perhaps because the sound of wind and rain outside was somewhat noisy, Li Weiyang’s words drifted almost inaudibly.

Consort Lian pressed her lips together, took a deep breath, and spoke again: “I would like to hear the details.”

Li Weiyang looked at her, her face wearing a smile but her eyes containing no trace of mirth. Those pupils were deep, reflecting her shadow—shadow overlapping shadow, as if without end.

“Murong Xin—” Li Weiyang called out, using a name she had never used before. Each word was like being tempered in furnace fire, striking the ground with resounding force when spoken. “You were born of the royal family, but the Great Li’s Son of Heaven is completely different from your Murong clan’s romantic, amorous emperor. You share his bed and pillow, breathe together, yet you don’t understand him.”

Outside, the wind suddenly grew stronger. Rain threads struck the palace hall forlornly, making the curtains inside flutter continuously.

Li Weiyang’s voice, word by word, reached her ears so distinctly—

“Our Son of Heaven is intelligent and suspicious. His intelligence enabled him to stand out from numerous princes and ascend to the throne. His suspicion makes him enjoy toying with ministers in the palm of his hand. However, intelligent people all have one problem—when too clever, they like to trap themselves in cocoons. He truly is a very wise monarch who can adopt any political theory he finds useful. This is also why even though I’m just a young woman in the inner chambers, he dares to use my methods unconventionally. Only His Majesty is simultaneously a suspicious and obstinate person. When making decisions, he likes to be unconventional to intimidate the ministers.”

“You know my father holds a high position, but many people are also jealous of him, wanting to seize his position as Premier. So over these years, petitions impeaching him have been as numerous as snowflakes. Yet before His Majesty, my father always appears anxious and frightened yet very pitiful and aggrieved. Each time he risks his dignity, kneeling before His Majesty, appearing isolated and helpless, admitting fault and failing in his duties, thus offending ministers, requesting to resign and return home. The more he acts this way, the more His Majesty refuses. Instead, he feels my father is utterly loyal, attacked and isolated by others. So he’s always protected and believed in him. This is one reason my father has stood unshaken for so many years—because his understanding of the Emperor has long surpassed his opponents.” Li Weiyang analyzed word by word, speaking shocking words.

“Today His Majesty clearly prepared to spare Jiang Nan, but after my father spoke two sentences, he developed murderous intent. Do you know why? Because my father praised Jiang Nan and the Jiang family very highly, making the Emperor feel the Jiang family exceeded his control. He can tolerate subjects being corrupt and taking bribes, tolerate them forming factions for private gain, tolerate them seeking personal profit, even permit them to falsely report military merit and kill the innocent. But he absolutely cannot tolerate a subject transcending beyond his control!”

Consort Lian stared at Li Weiyang, almost entranced by listening.

Li Weiyang continued: “However, Jiang Xu also understands the Emperor’s weakness. So before the Emperor could kill Jiang Nan, he performed an act, making the Emperor feel one decision from him could overturn the Jiang family, making him feel the Jiang family was just his dog, not to be feared at all. Therefore, Jiang Nan merely lost his official position but preserved his life. In understanding the Emperor, you don’t compare to my father. In grasping the situation, you don’t compare to Jiang Xu. These two people both have great influence over the Emperor. Yet in the Emperor’s eyes, they’re merely subjects. But these subjects actually manipulate the Emperor’s decisions.”

Li Weiyang spoke words that left Consort Lian dumbfounded, yet her expression remained very calm. And Consort Lian, though clearly only half a step away from her, felt the other’s demeanor was detached, as if observing from a very distant place, watching a struggle unrelated to herself—how terrifying this was.

Consort Lian felt fear and anxiety. She suddenly realized what a huge mistake she had made today. Li Weiyang was right—to oppose the enormous Jiang family, one must understand one’s opponent, understand one’s allies, understand all forces one could control. She lacked sufficient control over the situation and didn’t clearly grasp the Emperor’s sensitivities, which led to complete defeat.

Li Weiyang smiled. “On the surface, all decisions come from imperial discretion. But as long as you sufficiently understand him, you can truly manipulate him, making him think all decisions are his own. In reality, everything is you imperceptibly influencing him, making him reach these decisions. Of course, this is very dangerous. If you let the Emperor perceive your intentions, you’ll trap yourself in a cocoon, doomed eternally. So this is a game. Only when you understand the rules can you have a chance to win. Most critically, your opponent has long since understood the Emperor’s personality before you, knows what he cares about, where his weaknesses lie. What do you have to win with?”

Consort Lian’s face showed the expected astonished expression. Li Weiyang smiled: “If the civilian woman’s complaint succeeded, I’ll tell you what would happen. The Emperor would immediately send people to verify this matter, then discover the Jiang family built a mansion no less magnificent than the imperial palace. In this mansion are more treasures than in the palace, luminous pearls larger than the Eastern pearl on the crown, ‘Awaiting the Sovereign’s Return’ beasts one size larger than those in the palace. Then the Emperor would fly into rage, subjects would plead, His Majesty would order court deliberation. Then censors would scold until the Jiang family dared not leave their homes. Midway the Jiang family would organize forces to counterattack. His Majesty’s attitude would soften, making the Jiang family mistakenly think the matter wasn’t so serious. Subsequently Duke Jiang would be forced to return to the capital to explain. But no matter how they struggled, ultimately the Jiang family would still be charged with treason and their nine generations exterminated!” Li Weiyang’s voice grew faster and faster, revealing that the speaker’s anxious heart was no less urgent than Consort Lian’s.

“By then all their past wrongs would be dug up. So your Murong family’s blood case would naturally add a thick, colorful stroke, becoming evidence of their fooling the Emperor and deceiving the sovereign! Of course, there’s a second possibility—the Emperor detains the Jiang family, but Duke Jiang rebels. That would be even better—no just cause for war, improper claim to position, denounced from all sides. Once the Jiang family rebels, certain death. So whether they submit or resist, they die! Don’t you see, this is wonderful? Without dirtying your own hands, revenge achieved thoroughly and satisfyingly. But look at today—after all that commotion, creating some false military merit report, they only lost a little blood without shaking their foundation. How regrettable.”

Step by step, Li Weiyang spoke with incomparable composure. Consort Lian could hardly imagine that the other had actually planned everything long ago, so brazenly confident… Yet she vaguely felt that if today had followed Li Weiyang’s script, everything would have occurred exactly as she described, because Li Weiyang truly understood the Emperor far, far too well…

“I… I used the wrong charge.” Consort Lian suddenly wanted to laugh, but somehow the laughter reaching her lips turned bitter. “I’m truly foolish…” She lowered her head, sighing deeply. “So-called deceiving the sovereign—how could it compare to treasonous intent? Missing this excellent opportunity, regret comes too late…”

Just then, Consort Lian’s arm tightened. Looking up, she saw Li Weiyang’s resolute expression: “There are plenty of opportunities.” After a pause, she emphasized: “However, you must listen to me.”

Li Weiyang’s tone was decisive. That coldly beautiful face held an irresistible authority and power that instantly struck.

Consort Lian looked at her in shock, her eyes suddenly showing conviction…

Yes, she could scheme against them once, naturally she could scheme a second time.

As long as she cooperated with her, someday revenge would be achieved!

Consort Lian’s eyes suddenly surged with wild joy: “What should I do now?”

Li Weiyang smiled: “Wait.”

Consort Lian hesitated slightly: “Until when?”

Li Weiyang smiled faintly. “Until you can control the Emperor, until you can sway his decisions, until he cannot do without you, until your influence far exceeds others. These others include my father and even more so the Jiang family.”

Consort Lian looked at her in shock: “I… do I have such power?”

Li Weiyang laughed. “Of course you do! Because you not only possess beauty but also intelligence. Most importantly, you risked your life to save the Emperor! Of course, you arranged this yourself, but he doesn’t know. On the contrary, you’ll become the most favored woman in his life because you did what even the Empress couldn’t! As long as you perform well, you can ultimately control imperial authority, making him happy for you, angry for you, kill for you!”

Imperial authority…

The Emperor possessed supreme authority, so he could act as he pleased, arbitrarily change others’ fates, possess everything by virtue of his status and position. As long as you controlled him, sooner or later you could avenge your royal clan!

Li Weiyang’s eyes very clearly conveyed those words. Consort Lian understood. So the desolate hesitation and helpless struggle in her eyes gradually receded, transforming into an unstoppable resolute color.

As if hypnotizing, Li Weiyang grasped Consort Lian’s hand, leading her to the corridor. Both their skirts were wet, heavily sticking to their calves. Each step was especially heavy. Yet Li Weiyang still slowly, step by step, very calmly and stubbornly pulled her, walking to the corridor’s edge, pointing to the distance: “Look, what is that?”

Consort Lian followed her gaze. That pair of Jiang father and son still knelt outside the great hall, completely soaked through. No matter how terrible the wind and rain, they gritted their teeth and persisted, swaying but refusing to leave.

“Your Ladyship, do you understand?” Li Weiyang asked with a smile.

Consort Lian gritted her teeth: “A ruse to gain sympathy.”

Li Weiyang’s smile carried a trace of light cruelty: “So, what should you do?”

Consort Lian smiled faintly, her smile beautiful and blinding: “I already understand. Thank you, County Princess, for your guidance.”

Li Weiyang stepped back two paces, gently bowing: “This subject’s daughter takes her leave.”

Watching Li Weiyang and Minde leave together, Consort Lian subconsciously touched the wounds on her neck and wrists left from acting, and smiled.

The Empress informed the Emperor that the Jiang father and son had been kneeling in the heavy rain. The Emperor didn’t believe it and went to see personally. Sure enough, in the torrential downpour he saw the two men. Seeing the Emperor, Jiang Xu immediately prostrated with his head touching the ground, pleading guilty. Jiang Nan gritted his teeth and also prostrated.

“Do you acknowledge your crime?” the Emperor said in a deep voice.

Jiang Xu was already weeping, saying tremulously: “Your Majesty, a thousand wrongs, ten thousand wrongs—all are this subject’s fault, all this subject’s failure to strictly teach my son. As long as it appeases Your Majesty’s anger, this subject now requests Your Majesty increase punishment on us father and son!” His expression appropriately turned to shame. He actually squeezed out several tears, quite sorrowful. Only hearing him choke: “This humble subject’s son falsely reported battle results, impetuous and unbearable. Even if Your Majesty kills him, this humble subject dares not utter half a word of complaint…”

Compared to Marquis Yongning, who had just lost a daughter with a face of hidden endurance, Jiang Xu’s performance made the Emperor feel more comfortable. He thought perhaps his punishment was too heavy. After all, Jiang Xu himself had done nothing wrong. The Emperor’s face was grave as water as he glanced at them, waving his hand somewhat impatiently: “Enough, rise!”

“This subject thanks Your Majesty’s great grace.” A trace of hope rose in Jiang Xu’s heart, expecting the Emperor to continue speaking. Based on his understanding, the Emperor would comfort him with a few words, then after one year, military authority might still be hopeful.

But just as the Emperor was about to speak, a eunuch suddenly ran over, speaking in a low voice. The Emperor’s expression changed dramatically: “What? Consort Lian suffered excessive shock and has a high fever that won’t subside?” The Emperor’s expression immediately collapsed.

“Your Majesty—” Jiang Xu’s heart grew anxious. He involuntarily stepped forward.

But the Emperor didn’t even glance at him, turning and quickly walking away. The eunuch hurriedly followed holding an umbrella. No one cared about these two father and son anymore.

Jiang Nan frowned: “Father, let’s go back!”

Jiang Xu whipped around, his left hand forcefully delivering a heavy slap: “Get lost! Get lost! Get lost! Truly a living beast!” He looked up to heaven with a long sigh. His face was completely indistinguishable between tears and rainwater. He only knew that today their Jiang family had truly lost both the lady and the soldiers!

In the carriage, Li Weiyang lifted the curtain, looking at the sky outside thick with dark clouds and torrential rain, her gaze reaching very, very far—

She actually felt regret, so much regret her heart was bleeding.

Such an excellent opportunity—today could have made the Jiang family pay dearly! After one failure, the opponent would be on guard. To strike again, everything would need rearranging. How could she not be speechless, how could she not feel pain! Yet she had to act nonchalant before Consort Lian, because she couldn’t let Consort Lian lose confidence. If dealing with the Jiang family, Consort Lian would be an extremely important person! Having her by the Emperor’s side—one as an inside agent, two as a collaborator—was truly perfect!

A garment draped over her. Li Weiyang turned to see Li Minde’s smiling eyes: “Say you don’t regret, but actually regret to death, right?”

Li Weiyang sighed deeply: “Had I known, I would have chosen another obedient beauty.”

Li Minde shook his head: “Fool, where could we so easily find a suitable candidate? As you said, beautiful women are easy to find, but one who hates the Jiang family to the bone and absolutely won’t betray us—that’s very hard to find. Moreover, Consort Lian is an intelligent woman. After this lesson, she’ll naturally know who can help her and who she should cooperate with. Besides—” Li Minde took a deep breath toward the sky, then closed his eyes, slowly exhaling. When he reopened his eyes, his expression had returned to normal. Then he said lightly: “What a pity about all our arrangements.”

Li Weiyang smiled: “Stop pretending to be innocent. Honestly, what exactly did you do to that old Taoist today?”

Li Minde innocently spread his hands: “What did I do? He himself was black-hearted and met heaven’s punishment.”

Li Weiyang laughed: “Even if the lightning rod on the platform was tampered with, he wouldn’t necessarily be struck by lightning. What other method did you use?”

Li Minde finally said: “I bribed his acolyte to insert two large pins in his shoes… You know, accidents can happen when sewing shoe soles. It’s also because he himself committed endless evil deeds. Evil meets its retribution.”

Li Weiyang was shocked for a moment, thinking you’re even more ruthless than me. Originally she only had him sabotage the lightning rod on the platform, not expecting that while she only had him do the first, he went ahead and did the fifteenth as well.

Outside, the rain grew heavier. Li Weiyang watched the heavy rain threads, clearly somewhat distracted.

Li Minde said softly: “No need to feel regret. Striving tirelessly for a certain goal—the process itself is meaningful. Moreover, we killed that harmful old Taoist and don’t know how many innocent young women we saved. This is also merit.”

Li Weiyang smiled: “This is also merit?”

Li Minde said seriously: “Naturally so.”

Seeing him speak so righteously, Li Weiyang couldn’t help laughing. Her mood immediately lightened: “You’re right. Toppling the Jiang family isn’t something accomplished overnight. These were my words persuading Consort Lian just now, but when it came to myself, I grew anxious.”

Li Minde smiled. His voice was like a piece of brocade, more like a pool of clear spring water, coolly flowing through her heart: “No matter what you want to obtain, you must have patience, mustn’t you?”

Li Weiyang nodded. The gloomy path in her heart seemed to have heavy clouds parted, ray after ray of golden sunshine streaming in. She herself brightened several degrees and couldn’t help smiling. Li Minde was softened by her smile, suddenly remembering the flower wine he had once tasted—fiery yet carrying fragrance, thread by thread invading his heart, filling his limbs and bones.

After returning, Li Weiyang first went to pay respects to the Old Madam. She knew this old lady definitely hadn’t slept, waiting for her to tell her the banquet’s results. Sure enough. The Old Madam, hearing the old Taoist was struck into charcoal by heavenly thunder, couldn’t help reciting “Amitabha.” Hearing Noble Consort Wu was executed, she only shook her head lightly. Later hearing about the assassination attempt at the evening banquet, she couldn’t help pulling Li Weiyang to look left and right for a long time. Finding she had no injuries, only then did her heart settle. Li Weiyang saw the Old Madam’s eyes didn’t seem false, feeling somewhat guilty in her heart. She properly comforted the Old Madam before withdrawing.

Glancing at the heavy rain that had stopped outside, Li Weiyang couldn’t help thinking that human hearts were still made of flesh. Although the Old Madam harbored thirty percent utilitarian intentions toward her, there was always ten percent genuine care—perhaps even she herself hadn’t realized it.

Early the next morning, Bai Zhi brought in a card. The letter paper was exceptionally exquisite, the tiny regular script also beautiful and neat.

The corners of Li Weiyang’s lips curved upward. It was Sun Yanjun wanting to visit. She was very fond of this enthusiastic and straightforward person.

Sun Yanjun was an impatient person. That very afternoon she arrived. Li Weiyang ordered refreshments served. Sun Yanjun’s cheeks were fair and rosy, her eyes bright and sparkling. Smiling, she ate snacks, drank tea, and told her about what happened last night.

“Your eldest sister insisted on competing with me to pass through. I don’t care who she is—I just said one thing: No way!” Sun Yanjun smiled. “We don’t provoke trouble, but we’re not afraid of it either. She’s usually meek and submissive, acting delicate. I found it sickening, so I stuck out my foot and tripped her…”

Li Weiyang laughed heartily. “Fortunately I haven’t offended you!”

Sun Yanjun said proudly: “Who told her to be so useless, rolling down the steps in one go? Truly unbelievable—actually a scabby head! Truly laughable!”

Li Weiyang shook her head: “My eldest sister probably hates you to death.”

Sun Yanjun didn’t easily provoke trouble but wasn’t afraid of it! Since Li Changle insisted on competing with her for passage, she naturally showed no mercy. Only she just wanted to make her lose face, not expecting to accidentally expose a big secret. She couldn’t help saying proudly: “I’m not afraid. Premier Li got such a great beauty for a daughter, treasured her dearly, truly afraid she’d melt in his mouth or break in his hands, spoiling her into being so affected and self-important. I just don’t like it…”

Sun Yanjun’s temperament, fundamentally, was somewhat fierce. For people she found disagreeable, she liked to teach them a lesson.

Only having just provoked Li Changle yesterday, yet daring to visit today—this girl was also a tough character. Li Weiyang thought to herself.

“Now she’s famous. People outside are spreading it everywhere, saying the Li family’s eldest daughter has a skin disease. All her beautiful hair fell out, her whole head covered in scabs!” Saying this, she glanced at Li Weiyang sideways: “Why didn’t you tell me earlier? Such rare news!”

Li Weiyang coughed, unable to help laughing, her eyes sparkling brightly.

Bai Zhi and Mo Zhu both laughed. The young miss rarely had friends. Usually she smiled but didn’t smile from the heart. Today she clearly truly liked this Miss Sun.

Sun Yanjun looked at Li Weiyang, also feeling very close in her heart. After returning, her mother later said the Li family’s Third Miss was so young yet handled matters calmly. When listening to others speak, she was very focused, unlike Sun Yanjun’s childish style of being startled and making a fuss. She just listened quietly—this showed understanding of propriety. Her mother told her to become closer to her.

After Li Weiyang finished laughing, she said: “Alright, let’s talk serious business. When are you preparing to become my second sister-in-law?”

“Nonsense!” Sun Yanjun’s face flushed red. She jumped up at once, gritting her teeth and stamping her feet, her cheeks red enough to drip blood.

Li Weiyang said sincerely: “I truly didn’t know you had feelings for my second brother. I thought after Li Changle provoked you last time, this marriage proposal was called off…”

Sun Yanjun said in a low voice: “I originally was going to refuse this marriage. But unexpectedly, I accidentally ran into him on the street.” Seeing Li Weiyang’s smiling face, she quickly put on a stern expression: “Don’t laugh. If you laugh again, I won’t say anymore!”

Li Weiyang said: “Alright, I won’t laugh. You speak.”

Sun Yanjun sat down again, saying quietly: “That day on the street, I saw a young scholar save a child from under horse hooves. In the end, he himself was clumsy, accidentally knocking over someone’s fruit stand, getting covered in injuries. He even forgot to bring silver, nearly being driven out by the medicine hall. Fortunately he reported his household in time, saying he was the Second Young Master of Premier Li’s household and also a student at the Imperial Academy. But it was embarrassing enough—such a grown person, helping but making a complete mess.”

Li Weiyang looked at Sun Yanjun, who appeared to have spring feelings budding. Carefully thinking about this scene, Li Weiyang only felt this second brother was indeed quite embarrassing. However, compared to his usual upright gentleman appearance, it was quite fitting.

“Yanjun, my second brother… his appearance isn’t outstanding, his mind isn’t especially clever. In the future in official circles, he might not go very far. Moreover, if you marry him, you’ll also have a selfish, short-sighted mother-in-law.” Li Weiyang reminded.

Sun Yanjun was silent for a long while before saying: “I don’t know why, but I just feel such a man is reliable! Clearly he has no strength to truss a chicken, yet dares to help people. Not particularly handsome, but when he smiles, he looks extremely good, making me feel very good, very at ease!”

Li Weiyang couldn’t help feeling touched, saying wistfully: “So you like such men…”

“Yes, don’t laugh at me. I just feel people like him—speaking of power and influence, nothing special; speaking of appearance, also not outstanding. But he treats people well, has an honest temperament… This way my heart feels settled. Weiyang, you don’t know, I once also quite liked the Seventh Prince… I would occasionally think of him, but I never thought about marrying him… Mother always says to find someone who treats me well. I thought, if it’s someone like your second brother, he’ll treat me well.” Sun Yanjun said slowly, her face unavoidably blushing again. Ordinarily she could never speak such words, but she felt Li Weiyang wasn’t a talkative person.

Li Weiyang smiled: “You’re right.” If she could have thought this way back then, perhaps she wouldn’t have fallen to that state. Every woman says she doesn’t seek wealth and status, but in reality hasn’t she some thoughts of being above others? But Sun Yanjun was more practical, more open-minded. Such women were indeed more wonderful, more worthy of love.

“So… have the two families settled the marriage?” Li Weiyang smiled.

Sun Yanjun’s face reddened further: “My mother said she’ll arrange this matter immediately.”

Li Weiyang laughed: “Rest assured, my second brother’s previous marriage engagement was thoroughly ruined. Probably for a while he can’t escape.”

Sun Yanjun reached out to pinch her: “Fine, so I’m anxious! I’m anxious to marry over and discipline you, this talkative little sister-in-law!”

Li Weiyang just smiled, not dodging. After a moment she said: “Is there any other news from outside?”

Sun Yanjun thought for a moment: “There’s one more thing. The Jiang family seems to have had a major incident.”

Last night, the Jiang family didn’t sleep at all. After leaving the imperial palace, Jiang Xu didn’t speak a single word to Jiang Nan. The Grand Madam was extremely anxious. Both men had knelt in the rain for over an hour. Who knew if they’d fall ill? So she quickly heated bathing water, prepared clean clothes, intending to let them rest properly after returning.

But after returning, Jiang Xu rarely flew into a great rage.

Jiang Hai, seeing the situation was bad, immediately persuaded the Grand Madam and his wife Han Shi to leave, drove out all the servants, and remained in the study himself: “Father, don’t blame Fourth Brother either. That matter back then wasn’t entirely his fault! The supervising officer at the time was Prince Liang, single-mindedly wanting to confiscate the Murong clan’s property. If the Murong family easily surrendered, the Emperor would naturally grant them a title, and their property couldn’t be touched! Fourth Brother was also trying to deal with Prince Liang! Now that trouble’s happened, pushing all responsibility onto Fourth Brother is too excessive!”

Jiang Xu sneered: “Don’t put gold on this brat’s face. What Prince Liang? I don’t know what his temperament is like? If the Emperor even hums, he wouldn’t dare fart, much less dare covet others’ property! Clearly it was Jiang Nan being vainglorious—simply brazenly shameless!”

Jiang Nan could no longer restrain himself. He suddenly stood up: “Father! I did it. One person acts, one person takes responsibility. The Murong family’s thousand-plus people—I killed them all. So what? Which dynasty hasn’t had generals achieving success over ten thousand withered bones! When it comes to me, Jiang Nan, does it become a heinous crime?! The Tuoba clan’s empire—isn’t it also guarded by our Jiang family? If they kill us all, his realm will immediately descend into chaos!”

“Utterly arrogant!” Jiang Xu looked at his son in exasperation, his eyes full of mockery: “Even today you don’t understand! All these years, all my teachings to you were fed to dogs! In this world, it still turns without anyone. Without you, countless people are eyeing this position! Now our father and son’s military authority has been stripped. Don’t you see how many people are laughing behind our backs!” The more he spoke, the angrier he became. Veins bulged on his neck. Pointing at Jiang Nan’s nose, he scolded furiously: “I’ve seen arrogant and conceited people, but never like you. What is the Jiang family? Without imperial grace, we’d all have to go home and farm!”

Jiang Nan looked at the rarely furious Jiang Xu in shock, completely unable to believe it. For a moment he froze there, lips trembling, unable to speak.

Jiang Hai quickly mediated: “This incident was someone deliberately framing our family! So among ourselves, let’s not hurt father-son harmony! Fourth Brother, speak less and don’t anger Father anymore!”

Jiang Xu sneered: “Did you hear what your eldest brother said? He’s right—someone wants to harm us. So with your attitude, you’re falling right into their trap, making them even happier! Fundamentally, you still don’t know where you went wrong. Not vainglory, not killing people indiscriminately, but your arrogance, contempt for imperial grace, even implicating the Emperor in an assassination. If His Majesty suffered even slight harm today, our whole family would have to pay with our lives for you!”

Jiang Nan looked at Jiang Xu. Fire flickered in his eyes, but he stopped speaking because he knew his father was right. Today, it was because Jiang Xu was present that his life was saved. So his attitude naturally softened.

Jiang Hai quickly served tea to Jiang Xu. “Father, calm your anger. Don’t hold it against Fourth Brother. He’s just a child.”

Jiang Xu sighed deeply: “Yes, a child. I used to think with you supporting the Jiang family, it could stand unshaken. Now I discover you’re the source of calamity! This matter probably can’t be hidden from your grandfather. Better I write a letter myself to plead guilty.”

Grandfather had a violent temper. He might very well beat Jiang Nan to death on the spot. Jiang Hai worried, quickly saying in a low voice: “Father, Grandfather’s sixtieth birthday is coming soon. Perhaps temporarily delay? After the mansion there is finished and presented to Grandfather for his birthday, his anger might dissipate.”

Jiang Xu frowned: “Mansion? What mansion?”

Jiang Nan quickly said: “Clan members from the old home specially built it for Grandfather, saying it’s for Grandfather’s future retirement—”

Jiang Xu’s anger flared. He stood up at once: “Evil creature! Now outside they’re everywhere looking to catch our mistakes, yet still building lavishly—simply idiotic! Quickly order them to stop construction!”

Jiang Nan looked troubled: “This—it’s their sincere intention. Moreover, it’s already built, a mansion covering hundreds of acres. How can it be stopped?”

“Covering hundreds of acres?” Hearing this, Jiang Xu broke out in cold sweat. “Order them to stop immediately—no, carefully inspect this mansion!”

Jiang Hai frowned: “Father, you—”

Jiang Xu slowly sat down again. “I always feel today’s matter probably didn’t just involve the Murong clan. Think about it—Murong remnants could infiltrate the palace, showing they definitely have inside agents and have been plotting for a long time. Moreover, at today’s banquet, that Consort Lian’s every sentence tried to doom our Jiang family. Perhaps she has some connection to the Murong clan. We must carefully investigate her background! And today that Yin Tianzhao’s death—I also find it incredibly suspicious. Better to be cautious!”

Jiang Hai glanced at Jiang Xu. Though he felt he was overthinking, he still habitually obeyed: “Yes.”

Jiang Nan suddenly stood up and walked out. Jiang Xu shouted loudly: “Where are you going?!”

Jiang Nan said coldly: “I have something to do!”

Jiang Xu grew even more furious: “Rebellious son! Didn’t you hear His Majesty order us to close doors and reflect?! If you run out now, you want others to point at our backs?!”

Jiang Nan sneered coldly, turning back: “Father, rest assured. I’m just going to catch whoever’s playing tricks behind the scenes!” Saying this, he walked away without looking back.

Jiang Xu was so angry he could barely speak, shouting loudly: “Get lost! Get far away! If you have the ability, never come back!”

Jiang Hai quickly said: “Father, please don’t be angry—” Just then, the Duke’s wife’s voice suddenly sounded at the door: “What’s all this commotion!”

The two men in the room both froze…

In the room, Li Weiyang was listening to Sun Yanjun continue: “I heard after returning yesterday, when the Duke’s wife learned the two hundred thousand troops were gone, she was so angry her eyes rolled back and she fainted! Now the Jiang family has summoned physicians for group consultation. To prevent others saying they’re too ostentatious, they didn’t even dare request imperial physicians!”

“Oh? The Duke’s wife is failing?” Li Weiyang raised an eyebrow, quite interested.

Sun Yanjun smiled: “That old lady’s always been robust. Recently she’s probably suffered too many blows—first the Duchess of Wei, then her eldest daughter, then her grandson lost his position, her son’s military authority became a bubble. Originally flourishing like brocade flowers, now adding frost to snow. Look—even the best health can’t withstand such torment.”

Li Weiyang smiled faintly. If that old hag died early, that would be perfect. Don’t blame her for being ruthless—dealing with this vicious old lady required such poison, psychologically giving her a merciless slash!

Sun Yanjun drank tea, then wandered around the garden a couple times. Unable to see the Second Young Master or catch sight of the unlucky eldest miss, she felt somewhat disappointed. But with Li Weiyang’s company, it wasn’t too disappointing. After half an hour, she left smiling.

Bai Zhi presented a cup of clear tea with both hands, saying: “This Miss Sun is truly interesting. She’s going to marry into the family yet still offends the eldest miss like this.”

Li Weiyang smiled: “Her temperament indeed makes her too easy to suffer losses.”

Bai Zhi smiled, then said: “Only, this servant fears the Jiang family will suspect the young miss.”

Li Weiyang hadn’t failed to consider this point. But just thinking of their arrogant appearance made her heart, liver, intestines, and lungs all block up together. Better to take a gamble. So she said: “No harm. I’ve already arranged backup measures. If they lie low, so be it. Otherwise, it’s a fight to the death.”

Li Weiyang was in the garden, looking at the full garden of blooming flowers, listening to Bai Zhi report on recent conditions in each courtyard.

“Since returning yesterday, the eldest miss hasn’t left her room, staying inside the whole time, refusing to see anyone except Physician Lu.”

“Oh? Physician Lu?” Li Weiyang repeated this name, not knowing what she thought of, smiling faintly.

Seeing her smile strangely, Bai Zhi couldn’t help saying: “Miss, should we send someone to investigate?”

Li Weiyang shook her head: “No need to mind her anymore.” Li Weiyang had always been curious about Li Changle’s sudden facial recovery, but now this person could no longer stir up major waves. Why bother keeping her in mind?

Bai Zhi was about to speak when she suddenly saw Zhao Yue blocking the pavilion entrance, looking at the visitor with full vigilance.

Li Weiyang raised her eyes and saw a tall, jade-like figure, still spirited and dashing—a young man.

Li Weiyang smiled: “Has the Third Prince come to visit my eldest sister? Wait a moment. I’ll immediately order someone to summon her.”

But Tuoba Zhen stared at her, his eyes vaguely revealing a trace of strange emotion.

Li Weiyang couldn’t help frowning. She had never seen him show such an expression—it was so peculiar—