The Road to Glory

Chapter 198

"So stubborn..."

Yu Zhiyuan watched Xiao Li and his party gallop into the curtain of rain, his face pale with the grim awareness of impending disaster. Yet his eyes suddenly turned sinister and resolute, as if he had steeled himself for a final, desperate struggle. He immediately turned to Wei Tong and said, "General! Quickly intercept and kill that traitor! Allowing him to return to his troops would be no different from releasing a tiger back into the mountains!"

Wei Tong's hand still tingled from the brief clash with Xiao Li moments earlier. His expression was grave, as if he had swiftly considered his options and reached a decision in that brief moment. He barked, "Pass the order! Seal the city gates at once and intercept the Xiao family traitors!"

His personal guards hurried off on horseback to deliver the message.

Seeing this, Yu Zhiyuan felt half of his anxiety ease. He said, "I shall immediately draft a proclamation calling upon the various forces of the Northern Border to join in vanquishing this traitor! The Marquis trusted and valued him so highly, yet he repaid kindness with enmity, harming the Young Master and the County Princess, and even slandering the Princess. Such scum truly deserves no mercy!"

After Wei Tong mustered troops to pursue Xiao Li, Yu Zhiyuan finished drafting the proclamation and dispatched it to various regions. He then learned that upon hearing the news of Wei Pingjin's death, Madam Wei had nearly fainted on the spot. She subsequently brought physicians to the main residence, seemingly intent on verifying whether Wang Wanzhen was truly pregnant.

Fearing that Wang Wanzhen, overwhelmed by the day's shocks, might let slip something incriminating, Yu Zhiyuan disregarded his own injuries and hurried to the main residence under the pretext of discussing Wei Pingjin's funeral arrangements.

In the main residence, Madam Wei sat listlessly in an armchair adorned with embroidered cushions, accompanied by her sister-in-law from her maternal family. Having endured the successive losses of her husband, daughter, and son over the past two months, and having just regained consciousness after fainting from grief, her eyes now stared vacantly ahead, hollow and unfocused, as if only an empty shell remained.

After examining Wang Wanzhen, who lay partially reclined on the bed, the physician seemed hesitant and fell into thoughtful silence.

Liu, Madam Wei's sister-in-law, glanced at her, aware that Madam Wei was in no state to take charge, and asked on her behalf, "What is the result?"

The physician looked at Wang Wanzhen, who leaned against soft pillows with a pallid face, then turned to Madam Wei and Liu, hesitating before speaking: "The Princess... is two months pregnant."

Liu gasped softly, her expression turning deeply troubled.

Madam Wei also lifted her head, her gaze fixed intently on Wang Wanzhen.

Two months prior coincided with Wei Qishan's mourning period. In the month before that, Wei Pingjin had been campaigning south with Wei Qishan. During this time, Wang Wanzhen had accompanied Madam Wei to Zhuojun and had not seen Wei Pingjin.

Not wanting family disgrace to spread, Liu hastily dismissed the physician. Only then did she scrutinize Wang Wanzhen, her voice filled with shock and doubt: "How could it be during that period...?"

A child conceived during Wei Qishan's mourning period—if this were to become public knowledge, where would the Wei family's dignity be?

Wang Wanzhen lowered her eyes slightly, her entire being still seemingly engulfed in sorrow, her face etched with exhaustion. "On the day of the Marquis's funeral, after the men under that Xiao fellow caused trouble and General Wei Ang authorized him to take over the trading company, my husband was deeply distressed... He drank heavily that night..."

Madam Wei knew that Wei Pingjin had locked himself in his room that night and gotten thoroughly drunk.

During the mourning period, alcohol and meat were strictly forbidden. The next morning, when Wei Pingjin failed to appear to escort the coffin, she had learned from the servants and secretly had the kitchen prepare sobering soup.But whether Wei Pingjin had been reckless with Wang Wanzhen after getting drunk was a matter of the younger generation's courtyard affairs. Coupled with the mourning period at the time, Madam Wei truly had no knowledge of it.

After glancing at Madam Wei, Liu understood that the child must have been conceived that night. Clutching her handkerchief, she thought for a moment and said, "We cannot announce it as two months of pregnancy to the outside world. Let us claim it is three months instead, only kept secret due to the Marquis's mourning period."

Wang Wanzhen lowered her lashes, concealing the strange glint in her eyes. Her face wore the same sickly, indifferent expression as Madam Wei's as she replied, "Aunt's consideration is thorough. Let it be as Aunt suggests."

Although Liu had long known Wang Wanzhen's true identity from Madam Wei, regardless of the truth, in the eyes of the world, Wang Wanzhen was now the undoubted former Jin princess.

Madam Wei could still act the part of a mother-in-law toward Wang Wanzhen, but with Wei Pingjin gone and Wang Wanzhen carrying the Wei family's only remaining bloodline, Liu did not dare to follow Madam Wei's lead in playing the authoritative aunt-in-law. Instead, she spoke politely, "It is a blessing that the Wei family still has an heir. Your Highness should rest well and not grieve excessively, lest it harm your health."

Wang Wanzhen gave a slight nod, as if still too lost in sorrow to muster the energy for thanks. Just then, a maid announced from outside that Wei Pingjin's chief strategist had arrived to discuss funeral arrangements with Madam Wei.

This relentless stream of matters left Liu somewhat overwhelmed as well. She promptly assisted Madam Wei and took their leave.

Not long after, Yu Zhiyuan dismissed the attendants and entered, asking Wang Wanzhen, "Did they grow suspicious?"

Wang Wanzhen replied, "I used Wei Pingjin's drunkenness that night as a cover."

After that night, she had indeed taken contraceptive medicine. However, she caught a chill from the wind and vomited much of the contraceptive brew due to chest tightness and nausea. With the household affairs in chaos, sending a maid discreetly to fetch more medicine from the pharmacy was too troublesome, so she let it slide.

Who would have thought she would truly end up pregnant?

Using the excuse that pregnancy during Wei Qishan's mourning period should not be publicized, Wang Wanzhen led the physician who examined her to believe the child was truly Wei Pingjin's—only concealed because breaking mourning taboos would bring disgrace. She persuaded him to keep it confidential but remained anxious about exposure.

Thus, while secretly seeking abortifacients herself, she also met with Yu Zhiyuan in private, hoping he would send someone to eliminate the physician.

Unexpectedly, Wei Pingjin stumbled upon their scheme, forcing her into this desperate situation.

Too much had happened throughout the day. Wang Wanzhen's weakness and exhaustion in front of Madam Wei were not entirely feigned—her head still throbbed with genuine pain.

Especially after learning that Xiao Li had successfully fought his way out of the Wei residence—after Wei Tong surrounded the estate, she had assumed Xiao Li had no chance of escape and had staked everything on framing him.

If Xiao Li survived to seek revenge, he would never spare her!

Gripped by fear, Wang Wanzhen looked at Yu Zhiyuan, her face pallid and haggard. "That man Xiao has escaped the Wei residence. What shall we do now?"Yu Zhiyuan could clearly see that Wang Wanzhen was losing her nerve. Though he had only changed out of his rain-soaked clothes, his wounds remained untreated, and the strangulation marks on his neck were still visible, he appeared remarkably composed. He reassured Wang Wanzhen, "I have already ordered the news of Wei Qishan’s children being slaughtered to be spread far and wide. Wei Qishan commanded the Northern Border for decades—no sooner had he passed than his children met such a tragic end. This will inevitably stir public outrage. The popular support Xiao Li has built in the Northern Border will crumble overnight under this tide of public sentiment."

"The remnants of the Wei faction will also be swept up in this outcry. Whether they continue to pledge loyalty to Xiao Li or remain neutral, they will be condemned by the people. Moreover, many of Wei’s former subordinates, not being Xiao Li’s inner circle, would gain far more by supporting the child in your womb than by following him. What binds the powerful in this world is not just loyalty, but also self-interest."

His gaze fixed on Wang Wanzhen’s eyes, his gentle yet frail expression carrying a hint of persuasion: "Do not fear. I will handle everything for you."

Hearing this, Wang Wanzhen envisioned Xiao Li losing all public support. No matter how formidable he was in battle, in the eyes of the people, he would be no different from Pei Song—a treacherous usurper.

If Southern Liang still sought to recruit him under these circumstances, their previous accusation that Xiao Li was a spy from Liang Camp would be validated. The infamy of murdering Wei Pingjin and his sister would also fall upon Liang Camp, making it a losing proposition for them.

As long as she could rally all of Wei’s former followers, Xiao Li would be cornered with no way out.

Her unease over Xiao Li’s successful escape eased slightly. Lowering her eyelids to conceal her swirling thoughts, she spoke in a tone of utmost reliance on Yu Zhiyuan: "This princess has no one else to depend on but you, sir. When this child is born, you shall be his mentor."

For the sake of their grand ambition, the child she would bear must be a son.

Yu Zhiyuan, shrewd as he was, missed none of the subtle shifts in Wang Wanzhen’s expression. His eyes, inscrutable, revealed nothing as he replied, "This subject will devote himself entirely, even unto death, to serving you, Princess, and the unborn young master. But to fully secure control over the Wei faction, one more person must be eliminated."

—

When Wei Ang learned of the tragedy at the residence and rushed back, Wei Pingjin’s body had already been encoffined. Prominent Wei generals from across Wenzhou had gathered outside the memorial hall at the Wei estate.

Wang Wanzhen stood before the coffin in mourning attire, her face pale and grief-stricken. Madam Wei, meanwhile, seemed disoriented, her eyes vacant, weeping silently without uttering a word.

The heart-wrenching scene outside the memorial hall filled the Wei generals with sorrow and rage. The more hot-tempered among them slammed a fist against a pillar, roaring, "Let us march at once and crush that traitor Xiao! I will sever his head and offer it before our young master’s spirit!"

"Exactly! All of Northern Wei rightfully belongs to our Wei clan. When the Marquis entrusted the Wolf Cavalry to that villain, he must have been coerced!"

Wei Ang entered through the courtyard gate. Having watched Wei Pingjin and Wei Jiamin grow up, he was deeply pained by their successive tragedies. Yet, with Wei Xian’s sudden stroke leaving him unable to speak or move, and now the claim that Xiao Li had killed Wei Pingjin and his sister to seize power, Wei Ang sensed something amiss. His expression was grim as he pushed through the crowd into the memorial hall.

When his arrival was announced, all the Wei generals parted to make way, their eyes turning toward him.Wei Ang walked to the front of the memorial hall, gave a slight nod to Madam Wei and Wang Wanzhen, then moved to the side of the coffin. He lifted the white cloth and looked at Wei Pingjin, who had been dead for some time. His eyes reddened as he lowered his gaze and murmured, "It was Uncle Ang who failed to protect you all."

A Wei general shouted, "General, that Xiao villain who killed the young master and the county princess has fled back to the army. Immediately recall the Wolf Cavalry under his command and tear that traitor limb from limb to appease the spirits of the young master and county princess!"

Wei Ang said gravely, "Whether the Marquis truly killed the young master and county princess remains to be determined."

These words further inflamed the already indignant Wei generals. Someone questioned, "General Wei Ang, are you still shielding that Xiao villain at this point?"

Wei Ang scanned the furious faces glaring at him, his expression stern. "The Marquis has always been upright and would never commit such an act. Someone is trying to destabilize our Northern Wei!"

Yu Zhiyuan, standing nearby, discreetly signaled behind his back. Immediately, a Wei general cried out in 'grief and indignation', "I know General Wei Ang once served under that Xiao villain, just like General Yuan Fang, and has long been acquainted with that traitor. That villain also held the general in high regard. Though it's common for loyalties to shift, now with the young master and county princess lying dead before us and the Marquis's body not yet cold, how can the general show such loyalty to his new master? Is this how you repay the Marquis?"

"Outrageous!"

The words were so offensive that even the usually mild-tempered Wei Ang flew into a rage. "When I was serving by the Marquis's side, you all were still playing with mud! Who are you to question my loyalty to the Marquis?"

Wei Tong, who had remained silent after failing to hunt down Xiao Li and his party, suddenly asked, "Then why not send troops to attack that Xiao traitor?"

Seeing Wei Tong speak up, Wei Ang showed a hint of disappointment and concealed anger toward the schemer who had set this trap to destabilize Northern Wei. He retorted sharply, "You were at the manor then. Did you witness the Marquis killing the young master with your own eyes?"

"I saw it with my own eyes."

A desolate woman's voice echoed through the memorial hall.

Wang Wanzhen lifted her head and looked at Wei Ang. Her pale, sickly face made her red-rimmed eyes appear even more heart-wrenching. "Does General Wei Ang doubt my words?"

Her smile was sorrowful. "The sixty-plus Manor Guard corpses left by that Xiao villain today are also witnesses. If Xiao Li were truly upright, why would he kill so many people just to escape?"

She then pressed a hand to her abdomen, tears streaming down again. "If not for my pregnancy, I would have dashed against the pillar to follow my husband in death, rather than witness such fickleness among you all!"

Wang Wanzhen was ostensibly the former Jin princess, and since returning to the manor, Wei Ang had heard she was three months pregnant. Despite his suspicions, he could not openly contradict her. He merely clasped his fists and said, "The princess is overwhelmed with grief and pregnant. In such an agitated state, memories may falter. There must be some hidden circumstances behind the young master's death—perhaps Bandit Pei framed him..."

"On what grounds does the general trust that Xiao so much?" Yu Zhiyuan interrupted Wei Ang.

Wei Ang scrutinized him and replied, "Naturally, because the Marquis was chosen by the Marquis."

Yu Zhiyuan, still coughing uncontrollably from the kick Xiao Li had given him, had icy glints in his eyes. "But Xiao Li also deceived the Marquis and long harbored intentions to betray him, did he not?"

Wei Ang was momentarily speechless.

Yu Zhiyuan pressed on, "Such a cunning villain—what credibility does he still hold?"Wei Ang wished to defend Xiao Li, but at this moment, no matter what he said, it felt like being trapped in mud—the more he argued, the deeper he sank. In the end, he could only utter: "The Marquis has rendered countless merits for Northern Wei..."

"Which general present has not shed blood and sweat for Northern Wei?" Yu Zhiyuan interrupted him, turning to the assembled officers and raising his arm in a rallying cry.

The Wei generals present unanimously echoed his sentiment.

Yu Zhiyuan's gaze returned to Wei Ang, now sharp as a blade: "General Wei Ang, for the sake of your own future, you likely no longer care about the lives of the Young Lord and the County Princess, nor do you value the late Marquis's kindness. Otherwise, two months ago at the Marquis's funeral, when Xiao Li's subordinates dared to cause trouble openly, how could you have shielded that man surnamed Xiao and handed over the trading company instead? Your heart no longer belongs to the Wei clan. We refuse to accept you continuing to hold the Wei Military Tally!"

After speaking, he cupped his hands toward Wang Wanzhen and Madam Wei: "Fortunately, both the Princess and the Madam are present today to bear witness. We request the General surrender the Military Tally."

Wei Ang's eyes swept over the crowd, and he understood everything—he too had been ensnared in today's scheme.

His face turned ashen, his entire demeanor sharpening: "What if I refuse?"

Wei Tong, standing among the Wei generals, lifted his gaze and said slowly: "Then we can only offend the General."

Wei Ang sneered: "Fine. So today, that treacherous villain intends to frame the Marquis first, then remove me, the stumbling block hindering his plan to plunge Northern Wei into chaos? Well, I refuse to comply! If you want the Military Tally, you'll have to take it from my corpse!"

The Wei generals exchanged uneasy glances at these words.

Years of camaraderie bound them, and Wei Ang was Wei Qishan's trusted aide, highly respected in the army. None dared to actually strike him down.

As the stalemate persisted, Madam Wei, who could barely stand without support from her maids, suddenly spoke: "How dare you cling to that Military Tally?"

Wei Ang froze.

Madam Wei turned her hollow, grief-stricken eyes toward him: "You are no longer worthy of my Minmin and Jin'er calling you Uncle Ang."

The words pierced Wei Ang's heart like a dagger, and he hurriedly cried: "Madam..."

Madam Wei said: "After returning the Military Tally, you may join that villain's ranks as you please."

With that, she left the memorial hall supported by her maids.

Wei Ang's eyes filled with sorrow. He took one last look at the coffins of Wei Pingjin and Wei Jiamin placed side by side, then closed his eyes in despair: "Very well, I surrender the Military Tally. My failure to uncover the internal traitor who killed the Young Lord and County Princess, and who seeks to undermine our Northern Wei, is my incompetence. I have failed the Marquis's trust and voluntarily request imprisonment."

In just half a month, rumors that Xiao Li had killed Wei Qishan's children to usurp Northern Wei spread throughout Liang territory.

The tale of a once-mighty ruler barely avoiding the extinction of his line shortly after his death—with the murderer being a general he himself had promoted—was too tragic to ignore. For a time, public condemnation of Xiao Li even surpassed that of Pei Song.

Storytellers in teahouses and taverns across the region would slam their gavels when mentioning Xiao Li, branding him "son of a prostitute." After recounting his childhood crime of murder and imprisonment in Yongcheng at age eight, they denounced him as a "twice-turncoat slave," claiming he first served the Liang Camp, then betrayed it to join the Wei Camp, deceitfully seizing power from Wei Qishan—a man of utmost cunning.

All the good he had once done for the Northern Border people became, in the public's mouth, mere hypocritical posturing.Zhang Huai knew full well that this situation, much like the public vilification of the Liang Camp and Wen Yu after the battle at Majia Liang, was undoubtedly orchestrated behind the scenes by Pei Camp's followers. He also ordered his men to widely publicize Pei Song's atrocities, while revisiting the incidents of Xiao Li being falsely accused as a spy by the Liang Camp and nearly poisoned, as well as his imprisonment in Yuzhou.

Yet the effect was minimal.

Although Pei Song had once served as Grand Commandant Ao's lackey before betraying him and plunging the nation into chaos, Grand Commandant Ao was inherently treacherous, and Pei Song was thoroughly wicked through and through.

Whether among common folk or scholars, there were surprisingly few curses directed at such an outright villain.

It was figures like Xiao Li, branded as "deceitful," who seemed to bear the brunt of unforgivable condemnation. All the injustices and persecutions he had once suffered were suddenly deemed justified.

"Whose child kills at eight years old? I say this traitor Xiao was rotten to the core from the start! A whore's son who never knew his father, raised in brothels and prisons—what good could come of him?"

"The Liang Camp accused him of being a spy? He must have acted suspiciously. Otherwise, with so many commanders in the Liang Camp, why suspect only him?"

"Did the former Marquis of Shuobian imprison him? Most likely the Marquis detected his wolfish ambition and jailed him accordingly. He only escaped when the barbarians invaded, seized military power, and forced the Marquis to pass him the title. Now his true nature is just coming to light!"

The more revered Wei Qishan's reputation had been in life, and the more heartbroken the people felt after his children's deaths, the deeper their contempt and hatred for Xiao Li grew.

—

Inside the camp, Zheng Hu snatched a stack of reports detailing the public's curses against Xiao Li and tore them to shreds, roaring, "Bullshit! It's all fucking bullshit!"

After shredding the pile, he hurled the remnants to the ground, his face ferocious. "We lost so many brothers on Yanle Mountain, risking our lives against the barbarians' blades, and this is the scum we saved? There isn't a single decent soul in the entire Northern Border!"

Zhang Huai said, "It's Pei Song stirring trouble behind the scenes, using the people as his blades."

Zheng Hu swept the trays of reports off the table in a rage. "I don't give a damn! All I know is, Second Brother has done so much for the northern people, and in return he gets this disgrace—it's not worth it!"

Song Qin lifted the tent flap and entered, glancing at Xiao Li, who sat behind the main table engrossed in a map, seemingly undisturbed by the outside commotion. Holding several resignation letters, he reported, "Lord Marquis... another few Wei generals have requested to resign."

Before Xiao Li could respond, Zheng Hu bellowed, "Let them go! As if our army gives a damn about their Wei generals!"

Knowing Zheng Hu was enraged, Zhang Huai looked toward Xiao Li, who remained focused on the map with no intention of speaking. After a brief hesitation, Zhang Huai asked on his behalf, "Any unrest in the Wolf Cavalry?"

His earlier unauthorized order to publicize the Liang Camp's attempt to poison Xiao Li—aimed at clearing Xiao Li's name regarding his defection—had likely overstepped and provoked Xiao Li's displeasure.

Though Xiao Li hadn't explicitly reprimanded him, Zhang Huai, with his sharp wit, understood perfectly well that the recent cold treatment was Xiao Li's way of disciplining him.Song Qin said, "After the Wolf Cavalry was previously scattered, it was our lord who rebuilt it. Many of the veterans within had also fought on the Yanle Mountain battlefield and knew how we won that battle. They hold great trust in our lord and currently show no signs of unrest."

Zhang Huai said, "That is enough."

He glanced at Xiao Li once more and said, "The public outcry is but a morning fog—seemingly all-encompassing, yet it will evaporate into mist once the sun shines. The realignment of the Wei faction's remnants is merely a redistribution of interests. Pei Song seeks to plunge the entire Northern Border into chaos to break the pincer attack on Guanzhong from north and south. But he underestimates the Marquis too much. While the Wei clan's influence across the Northern Border was significant, that was during Wei Qishan's lifetime. Only fools would oppose the Marquis over the unborn child of a false princess." Zhang Huai added, "I believe this is an opportunity for the Marquis to truly unify the Northern Border and completely erase the Wei clan's legacy."

Xiao Li remained silent.

Song Qin understood why Xiao Li had been cold toward Zhang Huai these past days and explained, "Liang Camp has helped clear the Marquis's name among the people, admitting they fell for Pei Song's scheme to sow discord and nearly mistakenly killed the Marquis, which led to his departure from Liang Camp. They've sent an envoy named Li Xun, who is currently outside the camp, claiming to apologize and respectfully invite the Marquis back to Liang Camp."

Zhang Huai's expression turned subtly uneasy.

Given the notoriety currently plaguing Xiao Li, there was little benefit for Liang Camp to recruit him—it would only hand more leverage to the Wei faction and Pei Song. That Liang Camp acted this way demonstrated their sincerity. If Xiao Li truly returned to Liang Camp...

Before he could ponder further, Xiao Li, who had remained silent until now, coldly uttered two words: "See him out."

Zhang Huai breathed an imperceptible sigh of relief.

Song Qin seemed slightly hesitant but said nothing more. He cupped his hands in acknowledgment and withdrew.

Zheng Hu had not known the details of the injustices Xiao Li suffered in Liang Camp before. After Zhang Huai publicized Xiao Li's ordeal there to counter the slander spread by Pei Song, Zheng Hu was so enraged he couldn't eat for two days. Now, hearing that Liang Camp had taken the initiative to clear Xiao Li's name and sent someone to invite him back, he felt somewhat relieved. "Liang Camp has finally done something decent!" he exclaimed. Remembering Wen Yu's relationship with Xiao Li, he quickly added, "It's all that scoundrel Pei Song's treacherous schemes causing trouble!"

Whether Xiao Li continued to build his own forces or returned to Liang Camp mattered little to Zheng Hu—he would follow wherever Xiao Li went. As he was about to say more, he noticed Xiao Li had put away the map, as if having finalized some counterattack strategy.

Without another word about Liang Camp, Xiao Li lifted his gaze and directly addressed Zhang Huai—the first time he had initiated conversation with him in days. "Have you uncovered the origins of that 'Yu' character in Pei Song's ranks?"

Zhang Huai knew that Xiao Li's inquiry meant the previous matter was settled, but any future overstepping would not be overlooked so lightly. Some things need not be spoken aloud to be understood. He nodded. "We have leads."

Luoyang.

Pei Song read the latest secret missive from the Hawk Hounds and smiled, addressing the gaunt old man below him. "Your son truly lives up to being Master Yu's heir. Earlier, on the Luoyang battlefield, he helped this Minister lure that old fox Wei Qishan into our trap, and now he has devised a plan to ruin Xiao Li's reputation entirely."

"With Northern Wei in disarray, Yuan Fang, who allied with Liang Camp to attack our Luoyang, will likely withdraw his troops northward." Pei Song was immensely pleased. "When your son returns to camp, this Minister will personally reward him handsomely!"Yu Jingwen also wore a smile on his face, bowing his head respectfully as he said, "It is my son's honor to serve the Minister over the Masses."

A strategist nearby remarked, "Now that Xiao fellow has become a rat scurrying across the street in the Northern Border, who isn't cursing him?"

Other strategists joined in with praises.

Amid the accolades, Yu Jingwen smiled thoughtfully for a moment before cupping his hands toward Pei Song and saying, "Your subject has another plan to deliver another blow to that Xiao family youngster."

Pei Song raised a hand to signal him to rise. "Speak freely, sir."

Yu Jingwen said, "That youngster has people under him attempting to reverse the rumors among the commoners, claiming that my son is a spy for the sovereign. Since Liang Camp helped clarify that he once defected from Liang Camp and even sent someone to win over that Xiao fellow, why don't we muddy the waters further by also sending someone to pretend to persuade and recruit him? This way, this twice-turncoat slave will be suspected of being a thrice-turncoat! Let's see who in the world would still believe him then!"

"Later, we can continue dragging Liang Camp into the mire. After all, in the Battle of Majia Liang, Liang Camp shifted all the blame to Southern Chen, but that Xiao Li happened to save a general from Wei Camp, and now it appears he has close ties with Liang Camp too! So who can say for sure whether the Battle of Majia Liang was actually orchestrated jointly by the Liang and Chen Camps?"

Pei Song clapped his hands and laughed heartily, his eyes concealing a cruelty and malice known to none, as he praised, "As expected of Lord Yu, this plan is excellent! Approved!"

After the council concluded and the strategists had departed, Pei Yuan, who stood beside Pei Song, finally spoke, "Congratulations, my lord, for once again breaking the pincer attack from north and south and trapping that Xiao fellow in a dead end!"

The faint smile on Pei Song's lips did not fade as his gaze drifted absently to the spring scenery outside the window. Deep within those pale eyes lay a hatred accumulated over more than a decade for this mortal world, as he uttered words both cold and malicious, like a sigh: "You see, after more than ten years, the foolish masses in this world remain unchanged in their nature."

A bird alighted on the windowsill, pecking at the tiny grass seeds blown there by the wind.

Pei Song tilted his head to look at the little creature bathed in the spring light, as if seeing through this bird some other plaything he held in the palm of his hand, and sneered, "What choice would someone taught by Qin Yi make in the same circumstances he faced back then? I can hardly wait to see this good play unfold."

Perhaps startled by the coldness in his gaze, the sparrow soon fluttered its wings and flew away.

A White-feathered Sparrow fluttered its wings and landed on the roof of Zhanghua Hall.

Zhao Bai hurried through the corridor hung with fine bamboo blinds, holding a missive as he entered the hall and addressed Wen Yu, who was bent over her desk handling affairs of state: "Your Highness, a message has come from Liang territory saying that Xiao Li refused to meet with Lord Li Xun."

Wen Yu's brush tip paused briefly before she calmly replied, "I see."

Zhao Bai was quite displeased that Xiao Li had repeatedly refused Wen Yu's invitations to return to Liang Camp and said resentfully, "Your Highness, since that person has chosen the path he wishes to take, there is no need for you to trouble yourself over his circumstances any longer."

Wen Yu did not respond to this, only saying, "After tomorrow's morning court dismissal, there is no need to conceal my pregnancy from the court any longer. Keep a close watch on Morning Cloud Pavilion and Zhanghua Hall."

Morning Cloud Pavilion was the residence of the female officials selected by Wen Yu to assist with handling trivial government affairs in the palace. Most were daughters of ministers, but there were also women from humble backgrounds who had entered through the recently established female civil service examination.

Outwardly, it was said that female officials from humble families were selected to avoid gossip, but to some extent, it was also a way to check the power of the female officials from aristocratic families within Morning Cloud Pavilion.

This was a system of dual checks and balances.Wen Yu intended for the aristocratic women in power to become sharp blades that would turn against their own families when their fathers and brothers attempted to use heirs to force her out in the future.

The authority of the female officials stemmed from her.

If she could no longer securely hold her position in court, these female officials would also be driven out of the court.

The pressure exerted on her by the ministers of the royal faction would ultimately be alleviated by the female officials who also hailed from these aristocratic families.

However, to prevent these aristocratic women from uniformly prioritizing their families' interests after gaining power, she also needed to employ female officials from humble backgrounds to maintain that balance.

Zhanghua Hall was King Chen's residence. After last year's Mid-Autumn palace banquet, King Chen had become increasingly unpredictable, taking pleasure in whipping his consorts and palace maids. Believing that his disgraceful behavior during the banquet had been witnessed by the imperial guards and eunuchs, he grew resentful and even forced them to engage in homosexual acts.

During a nighttime visit to Zhanghua Hall—ostensibly to put on a show for the court officials—Wen Yu encountered Consort Li, whose body was covered with bloody welts from whipping. After learning of King Chen's numerous absurd actions, she publicly announced that King Chen had suddenly taken an interest in cultivating immortality, summoning alchemists to the palace to refine elixirs in seclusion at Zhanghua Hall.

In reality, she had placed King Chen under house confinement, with alchemists chanting scriptures daily outside his locked bedchamber, surrounded by layers of imperial guards.

King Chen's erratic behavior in the palace had persisted for some time, so his sudden pursuit of immortality and Daoist practices did not strike the palace staff or court officials as particularly unusual. Instead, they breathed a sigh of relief, no longer having to live in fear of cleaning up King Chen's messes every few days.

Zhao Bai glanced at the abdomen concealed beneath Wen Yu's voluminous and intricate robes, understanding that the pregnancy was progressing and needed to be hidden from the ministers. Preventing them from seizing power under the pretext of her pregnancy was now the most urgent matter. She nodded and said, "This servant understands. I will issue the orders immediately."

After Zhao Bai withdrew, Wen Yu caressed the wooden carving of a koi carp placed on the desk and remarked with a hint of resignation, "So stubborn..."

Yet she was not entirely surprised.

That person had refused to return to Liang Camp even when in a position of power.

Now that they had suffered a setback, it was even less likely they would return.

Upon learning of the upheaval in the Northern Border, Yuan Fang halted the plan to ally with Liang Camp and jointly attack Luodu, leading his troops back instead.

The Liang army led by Fan Yuan, lacking support, found itself struggling. With Pei Song mobilizing troops from various regions in Guanzhong, seemingly to fortify this "royal capital," Fan Yuan had no choice but to retreat with his forces for the time being.

The siege of Luodu appeared to be lifted. To counter the fierce attacks by the main forces of the Liang and Chen camps south of Guanzhong, Pei Song dispatched additional troops, generals, and strategists for reinforcement.

To prevent Xiao Li from uncovering Yu Zhiyuan's identity and subsequently locating Yu Jingwen, Pei Song specifically sent Yu Jingwen to the battlefield in southern Guanzhong to confront Chen Wei, who was suppressing the grand formation for Wen Yu.

Unexpectedly, despite the tight escort of the accompanying army, a light cavalry unit of unknown origin ambushed them en route, capturing Yu Jingwen alive.

When Pei Song received the news, he was so enraged that he destroyed half of his study.

He coldly scanned the Hawk Hound who had returned to deliver the report, stepped forward, grabbed him by the collar, and snarled, "Did I raise you all to be nothing but useless gluttons?"

The Hawk Hound, his face still bearing injuries, knew that the primary responsibility for the light cavalry's ambush and the kidnapping lay with the general leading the reinforcements to southern Guanzhong. Yet, it was he who had returned to report, not that general. He dared not say more than, "This subordinate deserves death."

"You certainly deserve death," Pei Song said, his grip shifting from the Hawk Hound's collar to his throat.The Hawk Hound, sensing Pei Song's murderous intent, was genuinely terrified, but before he could utter a word of plea, his throat was crushed. He died with his eyes wide open.

After tossing the body aside like trash, Pei Song leaned on the desk with both arms, closed his eyes to steady his breathing for a moment, and upon reopening them, declared coldly and ruthlessly, "Yu Zhiyuan must be eliminated. Pei Yuan, order the Hawk Hounds over there to take action."