Since the topic had already been brought up, Wen Yu could only speak of it. He imperceptibly glanced at the calm-faced Su Ziluo, then responded to Minister Li’s earlier words: “To be honest with Minister Li, some incidents did occur on this journey to Nansai. I don’t know whom I offended, but just as I entered the Nansai desert, I encountered an ambush. I had no choice but to take a circuitous route through the desert and nearly lost my life. Fortunately, my fortune and fate were great, and I managed to retrieve this life. But who could have known that on the journey bringing Prince Jing’an’s remains back, I encountered another group of black-clad men who nearly destroyed Prince Jing’an’s remains. I also nearly died by the sword. So with constant troubles throughout the journey, time was delayed.”

Hearing this, Minister Li furrowed his brow deeply, quite startled as he said, “Oh, such things actually happened. Do you know who did this?”

“We’re still investigating.”

“The black-clad men repeatedly tried to take your life. It seems this grudge runs quite deep.”

“Perhaps!” Wen Yu gave a cold laugh, then shifted his gaze to Su Ziluo, wanting to see what expression he had. But what met him was still a face calm as still water, showing no emotion whatsoever. Wen Yu asked, “Why does Brother Su seem to have no reaction at all after hearing this?”

His tone carried insinuations!

Wen Che glanced at Wen Yu, signaling him not to speak carelessly.

But Wen Yu’s anger had risen to his heart at this moment. Intent only on testing whether Su Ziluo was the mastermind behind the assassination, he completely disregarded his elder brother’s warning glance.

Facing Wen Yu’s sudden questioning, Su Ziluo only responded calmly: “Right now I myself have a whole pile of difficulties. Where would I have the mind to care about others’? Unless my showing surprise could help Minister Wen find the assassins?”

Uh!

After all, this was a person whose head was filled with ink. Such a counter-question left Wen Yu momentarily at a loss for words.

Hateful anger surged in his heart with nowhere to vent. Clearly… clearly the assassin sat right before his eyes, yet he was powerless. That feeling was like being tormented on knife points in a pot of boiling oil.

Seeing this situation, Wen Che quickly smoothed things over, saying, “Forget it, let’s not mention this matter anymore. Today we came to offer birthday wishes to Minister Li. Other matters can wait until after we return to be carefully resolved.”

The matter was thus terminated and not mentioned again.

This small conversation also ended after three cups of tea!

Because Su Ziluo had been sitting on the floor, when rising he said to the two Wen brothers, “I’ll have to trouble you two Wen brothers to help me up.”

Wen Che and Wen Yu kindly helped him up and seated him in his wheelchair.

“Thank you!”

Wen Yu said, “No need. It’s just that Brother Su has leg ailments—you should be careful yourself.”

The words carried underlying meaning.

Su Ziluo pretended not to understand, his face still mild as he thanked them: “Thank you for Brother Wen’s reminder.”

The three temporarily bid farewell to Minister Li and left…

After they left, an elderly man came in to clean up the tea things. Bowing by the table, he said, “Master, why must you involve yourself in the Wen and Su families’ affairs? Now you’re enjoying yourself contentedly in the manor—wouldn’t it be better to keep your hands idle?”

Minister Li glanced at him, then poured himself a cup of tea. Smiling, he said in a deep voice, “Only when two tigers fight can the court situation maintain balance!”

…

Qi’er, who had been waiting outside, pushed Su Ziluo’s wheelchair as he emerged. The Wen brothers were nearby. All three were staying in the West Wing, though in different courtyards, so they traveled together for a stretch of road. On this road, Su Ziluo gazed straight ahead and said, “You two Wen brothers, earlier on the mountain path, it was only because my horse had too big a temper and refused to take even one step forward that I delayed everyone’s time. Your Wen family’s carriage was right behind my carriage, so it should have been affected as well, right? I hope you won’t take offense—please forgive me.”

He deliberately brought up this matter.

Wen Che and Wen Yu walked slightly behind. Both their expressions suddenly darkened. Why bring up what shouldn’t be mentioned?

Just as Wen Yu was about to say something, Wen Che grabbed him and spoke first: “What words are those, Brother Su? It’s just a beast—why would we take offense?”

These words clearly implied that Su Ziluo was the beast!

But Su Ziluo wasn’t angered. He only said, “Indeed, a beast is after all just a beast. Why should people bother with beasts? I thought you two too narrow-minded, but I fear the same thing will happen when we descend the mountain two days from now. So at that time I should still travel at the very back, lest everyone be too apprehensive of me to come urge me forward—that would be my fault.”

“…”

What a sharp tongue!

Just then, Qi’er had already pushed him to the entrance of his lodging courtyard.

Su Ziluo said, “I’ve arrived. I wonder if you two would like to come in and sit?”

Wen Che said, “Thank you for Brother Su’s kind intention, but I see you seem somewhat sleepy, so we won’t disturb you.”

“Alright then. In any case, we’ll still be here for two days. There will naturally be opportunities to drink tea and chat leisurely.”

“Then we won’t see you in!”

Su Ziluo smiled, and then Qi’er pushed him inside.

The Wen brothers watched him enter, their expressions both darkening.

“Brother, you heard what he said! Everything, all of it was his doing.”

“So what?”

“We can’t let this go!”

Wen Che glanced at Wen Yu, then walked forward, saying as he went, “What you said just now in front of Su Ziluo was far too inappropriate.”

Wen Yu caught up with two steps: “What’s inappropriate about it? Should we pretend not to know when we clearly know it’s him?”

“Right now neither you nor I have evidence. Moreover, your words have no proof, and what you said just now carried insinuations. Su Ziluo is so clever he naturally understood the meaning. Minister Li heard it and also understood your meaning. Think about it—if Su Ziluo has intentions, or if Minister Li has intentions, and they turn the tables on you later, do you think you could escape unscathed?”

Though these words made sense.

In Wen Yu’s view, his elder brother was simply being too overcautious!

He had nearly lost his life twice. Where was there room for reason?

In his heart there was only one thought stirring restlessly—revenge!

He absolutely had to find a way to expose all of Su Ziluo’s deeds, obtain justice for himself, and avenge those sword wounds!

“Brother, usually I listen to you in everything. I know to act prudently. But you’re too cautious and hesitant. The more you’re like this, the more timid and fearful you appear. Your behavior instead encourages Su Ziluo’s arrogance, making him even more unbridled. Forgive me, but this time I cannot listen to you. If there’s an opportunity, I will definitely avenge these sword wounds on my body!” After speaking, he strode forward quickly.

“Ah Yu…” As Wen Che called out to him, he also grabbed his arm. But Wen Yu forcefully shook it off, his face extremely dark as he roared in a low voice, “I know you still cherish the bond of fellowship you had with Su Ziluo back then. But elder brother, open your eyes and see the facts clearly. Su Ziluo is no longer the Su Ziluo of those days. What he wants now with all his heart is the Wen family’s lives.”

The bond of fellowship! The bond of fellowship that Wen Che and Su Ziluo had shared in those years!