HomeAfter I Bloom Hundred Flowers DieChapter 532: Playing Both Sides

Chapter 532: Playing Both Sides

Geng Liangcheng harbored deep suspicions about Xiao Huayong who was impersonating Xiao Juexiong. The situation was certainly not as simple as his confidant suggested. Working alongside Xiao Juexiong in the future would likely mean enduring constant oppression from him.

“General, regardless of the circumstances, we must first overcome this immediate challenge,” his confidant advised. “No matter how elusive Prince Jiachen may be, he still needs you. Once you become the King of the Northwest, we can then strategize further. After all, Prince Jiachen is someone who cannot show himself in the light.”

A temporary display of patience wouldn’t hurt. When the time was right, if they could manage to kill Prince Jiachen, it might even be considered a great achievement, one that could earn them significant benefits from His Majesty.

After a moment of contemplation, Geng Liangcheng said, “He wants me to…” He made a killing gesture. “…deal with the King within two days.”

“Your subordinate has been watching the courier station these past few days. The Prince of Xun has already sent out two urgent confidential messages via express courier.” However, the messengers had been extremely vigilant during their journey, and even though they had followed them, there hadn’t been an opportunity to strike. At this critical juncture, they couldn’t risk rash action.

If imperial messengers were killed within the Northwest borders, His Majesty could immediately and legitimately send people to investigate. If it happened outside the Northwest King’s territory, local officials would have to be involved in the investigation. Since the messengers departed from the Northwest, they would inevitably trace the investigation back there. They couldn’t even prevent it, and at this time, they absolutely couldn’t create additional complications.

They could only watch helplessly as Xiao Changfeng’s letters flew toward the capital.

Geng Liangcheng closed his eyes. “It seems he was right – we don’t have much time.”

After treating his wound again, Geng Liangcheng changed into a high-collared garment that could conceal his injury before heading to the Northwest King’s mansion. Sang Yin happened to be there, and he indirectly inquired about Shen Yueshan’s condition.

Sang Yin was on duty there today because Shen Yueshan’s condition had shown changes – changes for the better. The rest was left to Sui Axi’s acupuncture assistance. Since Sui Axi accompanied Shen Yingruo, it was extremely convenient for her to act.

Feeling that Shen Yueshan had passed through a dangerous period, Sang Yin finally fully believed in Xie Yunhuai and Xiao Huayong. In response to Geng Liangcheng’s probing, being a man of experience himself, he sighed with reddened eyes: “I don’t know how long we can delay. The King’s body is near its end, and with my abilities, it will last at most five to seven days.”

Five to seven days – this was not the result Geng Liangcheng wanted. Not getting a satisfactory answer, he returned home feeling somewhat agitated.

To personally assassinate Shen Yueshan was a move that couldn’t be made lightly. Once the arrow left the bow, there would be no turning back. Moreover, to attempt an assassination on Shen Yueshan would necessarily involve utilizing Sang Yin – would they have to silence Sang Yin afterward? Otherwise, having his true face exposed to Sang Yin would be detrimental to his future succession to the position of Northwest King.

After lengthy consideration, Geng Liangcheng suddenly conceived a plan.

Since he had long harbored thoughts of betraying Shen Yueshan, he had naturally cultivated his forces and trained his people in secret. Though these people weren’t many, they were carefully trained and extremely skilled.

In the afternoon, he sent someone to invite Sang Yin to the Geng residence. He set out an evening meal with fine wine, continuously expressing worry about Shen Yueshan, drinking cup after cup with Sang Yin as if trying to drown their sorrows. Sang Yin played along completely, though, in truth, he had taken a sobering medicine before coming. The two men had similar alcohol tolerance, and by the time Geng Liangcheng appeared slightly tipsy, Sang Yin collapsed, appearing completely drunk.

After calling out to Sang Yin several times and confirming he was truly unconscious from drink, the drunkenness vanished from Geng Liangcheng’s face. He had Sang Yin taken to a guest room to rest, ostensibly sending someone to notify the Sang residence, but in reality, sending people to coordinate an inside job. His secretly trained men easily kidnapped Sang Yin’s wife and children.

Simultaneously, black-clad men infiltrated the Geng residence and kidnapped Geng Liangcheng’s wife. There was some small-scale conflict, but no major disturbance. When the two men woke from their drunken state the next day, they discovered their family members had been kidnapped, and at the Sang residence, they found a letter.

The letter claimed to be from Prince Jiachen, stating that he held the family members from both households. If they wanted their families safe, they would have to follow his instructions – which meant taking Shen Yueshan’s life.

“This is outrageous! I’m going to find the Crown Prince!” Sang Yin was furious.

If he hadn’t known early on that this was Geng Liangcheng’s scheme, he might have believed it. He never imagined Geng Liangcheng would have such a backup plan – instead of revealing his true face, he had people impersonate Prince Jiachen’s men to kidnap both his wife and Sang Yin’s family, disguising himself as a victim.

“Old Sang, you can’t.” Geng Liangcheng stopped him. “If we provoke Xiao Juexiong now, our loved ones will all perish.”

“Are we to submit to his threats and truly plot against the King?” Sang Yin glared at Geng Liangcheng, his anger undisguised and genuine.

Geng Liangcheng deeply felt Sang Yin’s intense anger. He guiltily averted his gaze, seemingly unable to meet his eyes: “Old Sang, I’ve spent my life in warfare. My father and brothers died in the chaos of war, my son was lost during the turmoil, and later… I’m already halfway to the grave, with only my old wife still by my side. I don’t want to be left alone.”

“You…” Sang Yin’s chest heaved, his eyes burning with raging fury. “You actually—”

With a thud, Geng Liangcheng knelt before Sang Yin: “Old Sang, the King’s days are already numbered, don’t you understand? If you can’t save the King, why must our families die with him? If the King weren’t in such a state, how could I harbor such selfish thoughts? But since the King is already… what difference does a day or two make? I believe if the King knew, he wouldn’t blame us.

Old Sang, your daughter-in-law is with a child! You’re about to become a grandfather!”

Sang Yin’s entire body trembled, his eyes filled with disappointment and pain.

It had finally been revealed. Though he had been mentally prepared, he had still held onto a glimmer of hope. Even when his wife and children were kidnapped, Sang Yin had wanted to deceive himself, thinking perhaps it truly was Xiao Juexiong’s doing, that it had nothing to do with this brother-in-arms before him.

But at this moment, he could no longer deceive himself. If Geng Liangcheng hadn’t harbored ulterior motives, even if he had selfish concerns, he would never have uttered such heartless words or conceived the idea of harming the King.

Geng Liangcheng didn’t realize that Sang Yin’s displayed anguish was because of him, assuming instead that Sang Yin was beginning to waver, so he pressed further: “Old Sang, if you can’t do it, let me. Let me be the sinner. After the King passes, we’ll properly assist the Crown Prince. Moreover, with the King’s illness dragging on these many days, the Prince of Xun has likely already informed His Majesty. We might as well take advantage of being beyond His Majesty’s immediate reach and install the Crown Prince sooner, lest we invite trouble by delay.”

Sang Yin stared at him, just stared at him with reddened eyes, wordless.

Geng Liangcheng kowtowed deeply to Sang Yin: “Old Sang, I know I’ve wronged you. I’m begging you.”

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