Speaking of which, this was an extremely tragic matter. Old Master Chen thought hazily that others all said to become an established clan required nothing less than several hundred years of accumulation, and he now deeply understood this. No matter how high he climbed, compared to the established clans he still appeared inadequate—the family lacked many accomplished younger generations. This was the most fatal problem. Without talented people entering officialdom, how could the family’s glory be continued? He would eventually have to step down, and once he did, if the family had no capable successors, within thirty years the Chen family would sink back into obscurity among the common people.

For now, the only plan was to first rely on his granddaughter to connect with Prince Dongping and Fan Liangdi, gaining more breathing room for the family—just ten or so years. If they could hold on another ten or so years, the silver he had spent on the Chen clan over these years should finally show results. The children and grandchildren in the family would also need strict guidance going forward.

He was deep in thought when the steward outside reported that Master Yang requested an audience. Old Master Chen now relied heavily on him, so hearing it was him requesting an audience, he immediately had him shown in. His thoughts also shifted from household matters as he asked the entering Yang Qing, “Well then, have you made any discoveries?”

Yang Qing’s eyes carried faint dark circles, showing he had truly devoted much effort to this matter. By his appearance he had stayed up several nights without sleep. He nodded, “I have not failed your trust, Teacher. I plan to first hurry ahead to Jinling.”

The fleet had already accelerated their progress and would arrive in at most half a month or so, so why rush ahead? Old Master Chen was somewhat surprised. “Such urgency is needed?”

Yang Qing nodded. “Teacher is traveling with a large household after all. Moreover, upon arriving in Jinling there will be settling in and organizing to do, which will take at least a month or two, and that’s conservative. However, the Grand Prince and his party must depart by the end of the month at the latest, and by then I fear the schedules on that end won’t align. As for the matter of Fourth Young Master Song from the Song family, I’ve investigated it thoroughly—he is escorting Miss Cui to her wedding.”

Indeed, Song Yan was serving as groomsman to escort Cui Huaying to her wedding. This had already been investigated before—what was wrong with it? Old Master Chen’s heart stirred as he looked toward Yang Qing. “You intend to make some moves regarding this matter?”

Yang Qing nodded, speaking matter-of-factly. “Miss Cui’s bridegroom is surnamed Wang and comes from a prominent Jinling family. I’ve heard Young Master Wang and Song Yan have quite a good relationship. I plan to make some moves regarding this.”

To provoke both the Cui family and Sixth Young Master Song to rush to Jinling simultaneously, the matter absolutely could not be small. And to have these three families fight bitterly to the point of bloodshed was also difficult. Yang Qing had nearly exhausted his mind these past days before finally devising a method.

Old Master Chen also appeared quite interested. He sat down while gesturing for Yang Qing to sit as well. “Speak on—I’d like to hear what excellent method you have.”

“I wouldn’t call it excellent, but it should be workable.” Yang Qing’s lips curved slightly in a smile. “What if Young Master Wang, in the midst of his newlywed bliss, went out carousing with courtesans and was discovered by this Fourth Young Master Song from the Song family, and the two had a conflict… After which this Young Master Wang met with an incident.”

This “incident” naturally referred to death. Even Old Master Chen couldn’t help his brow twitching, not expecting Yang Qing’s stratagem to be so vicious. “You mean to kill Young Master Wang and frame Song Yan for the crime?”

“The Wang family is a prominent Jinling clan.” Yang Qing repeated, his eyes gleaming brightly. “Once such a matter occurs, they certainly won’t let it rest. I’ve already investigated—this Young Master Wang is the eldest legitimate grandson of the main branch. If he dies, the Wang family will definitely take it to the authorities. Such a major murder case must be reported to the Yingtian Prefecture. At that time, even the Song family in the capital will be alarmed.”

Not to mention Song Chuyi and the Cui family fleet en route. And if something happened to Young Master Wang, then Cui Huaying as the new bride would find her position extremely difficult. The one who killed her husband would be her cousin. When the Wang family blamed her then, would she hate Song Yan enough to righteously denounce him, or would she protect Song Yan and make herself even more unable to establish a foothold in the Wang family? The Cui family, worried about Cui Huaying, would certainly go to Jinling together with Song Chuyi.

Even Old Master Chen, shrewd with age, had to praise the thoroughness and viciousness of this plan—on one hand it caused trouble for all three parties, and on the other it made these three parties unable to trust each other anymore. If things went badly, all three families would completely fall out. Especially the Cui family—would the Cui family help seek justice for their married-out legitimate granddaughter, or would they exonerate their grandson? Song Chuyi need not be mentioned—she had no other choice. She valued her younger brother more than her own life. No matter what, she only had one choice: Song Yan. This created a deadlock. At that time, countless rifts would arise between the Cui and Song families who had been almost bound together, never to be restored to their former state.

He contemplated for a moment and couldn’t help striking the table in approval, his face bearing an excited smile. “Marvelous! Marvelous! Ah Qing, this plan is almost perfect!” Though Old Master Chen knew the principle that a gentleman’s revenge may take ten years, the resentment he harbored toward the Song family had never dissipated. Now being able to see the Song family’s retribution so early, he was truly thrilled.

Yang Qing remained composed, not becoming complacent over Old Master Chen’s praise, still maintaining an expressionless demeanor. “The matter still requires careful planning—there are still many aspects that can be refined. What I need to discuss with Teacher are two things: first, I must hurry to Jinling to arrange everything in advance; second, as this student mentioned before, minor methods cannot last long. To rely on Fan Liangdi and the Prince, we must approach from the major path. Now I’ve received some news—I believe the major path has already appeared.”

Old Master Chen was completely shocked. He looked at Yang Qing as if he had never known this student of his. He had always known that Fang Xiaoru and Yang Qing were both intelligent, but because Fang Xiaoru’s official career went smoothly, he had always valued Fang Xiaoru more. This Yang Qing—all these years, he had only kept him well-fed and comfortable, never imagining he had cultivated such a subordinate skilled at reading people’s hearts. His expression gradually grew serious as he stared at Yang Qing for a long while without blinking, then said in a grave voice, “Speak on—what is this major path you speak of?”

“Teacher should still remember the matter of Cui Yingshu going to Jiujiang in Jiangxi…” Yang Qing’s gaze was gloomy, his expression supremely calm. “I’ve heard that the Jiujiang County Office and Linjiang County Office that had already been rebuilt have both met with trouble. Now the water levels of Poyang Lake and the Yangtze River have risen, and the dikes are in critical danger…”

Elder Chen’s eyes revealed shock as he looked at Yang Qing, somewhat speechless. He hadn’t yet read the official gazette, yet Yang Qing already knew of the events involving Cui Yingshu in Jiujiang.