Close Combat Mage

Chapter 248 – Shocking Change Pt. 2

“Mm.” Suo Jia frowned in confusion. Although he knew what was going on, he didn’t understand why Wen Ya was asking him about it. Unless…they knew of something.

No matter what, Suo Jia couldn’t possibly let them know of his secret agreement with the old man Emperor. Suo Jia said cautiously, “Is that right? Such a thing is actually happening? That really is strange…but why did you two come find me just for that?”

The Fourth Prince looked straight into Suo Jia’s eyes and said in a heavy voice, “That’s right…we came to find you precisely because of this matter. In reality, the abrupt change only happened after Father had a secret conversation with you. Before…he really doted on the First Prince.”

The Fourth Prince abruptly paused. At the same time, Wen Ya said with a cold expression, “Suo Jia, you and the Emperor were together for quite a while during that period of time. Do you know anything…?”

Wen Ya stopped before finishing her words, however…her meaning was already quite clear. Seeing the looks on Wen Ya’s and the Fourth Prince’s faces, Suo Jia knew that the words he had exchanged with the Emperor that day had definitely been leaked out. However, he didn’t know exactly how much of it had been exposed.

Suo Jia smiled and shook his head, “I don’t understand what you’re talking about. The Emperor and I indeed talked for a long time, but…that doesn’t have relevance to him abolishing the First Prince’s and the Third Prince’s rights of inheritance. I think…that if you want to ask me about this matter, I am unable to answer.”

The Fourth Prince’s expression suddenly turned dark as he said, “Suo Jia, it’s best if you get this straight; we wouldn’t go look for you without good cause. The reason we came was because we got ahold of some information. You’d better think it through properly before replying.”

Suo Jia shuddered once, and he stared at the Fourth Prince in disbelief with eyes that glinted intelligently. After a long time, he narrowed his eyes and said, “What, did the Fourth Prince come to interrogate me?”

Faced with Suo Jia’s question, the Fourth Prince looked at Suo Jia with a severe look and nodded his head imposingly. He then stated in a chilling voice, “If you really think that, then go ahead. No matter what, I want to know the content of your conversation with the Emperor that day.”

“Phew…” Suo Jia let loose a breath and turned around to say to Wen Ya, “What. Does Sister Wen Ya also want to interrogate me with His Highness, the Fourth Prince?”

Wen Ya couldn’t help but lower her head, not daring to meet Suo Jia’s gaze. She was silent for a long time before she said weakly, “Suo Jia, we also don’t want to do this. But this matter is really too important. I hope that you can tell us what you two discussed that day.”

“Haha.” Suo Jia couldn’t help but let out a chuckle as he leaned back against his chair and said with a smile, “In that case, this matter is much simpler.”

Seeing Suo Jia’s smiling face, the Fourth Prince and Wen Ya also revealed happy expressions. They believed that Suo Jia was about to confess; the content of his conversation with the Emperor that day would soon be completely revealed.

As the two waited in anticipation, Suo Jia’s smile suddenly fell and he said icily, “If you guys viewed me as a friend and wanted to ask me on a good note, then I’d definitely tell you whatever I knew. But now, you two have come to interrogate me. In that case, fine…if you don’t view me as a friend anymore, then we’ll just go on and carry out our official business according to official principles without involving private interests.”

Suo Jia stood up and his voice went up an octave, “A person must be reasonable. I indeed talked a lot with His Majesty, the Emperor that day, but…I have no need to inform you two about what exactly we discussed.”

Suo Jia turned around to face the window and said firmly, “Alright. I think…since we’ve already reached this point, I won’t bother keeping you two. From today onwards, the White Villa will not welcome you.”

“You!” Hearing Suo Jia’s words, the Fourth Prince abruptly jumped up and said furiously, “Brat, don’t refuse a toast only to be forced to drink a forfeit. I only tried to properly talk with you face to face because you’ve helped Wen Ya before. If you really refuse to accept my goodwill, then don’t blame me for what happens after.”

Suo Jia said in a chilling voice, “Fourth Prince has really awe-inspiring authority, really fierce. I must have really been f*cking blind if I had bothered to even help a person like you.”

“Suo Jia.” Wen Ya jumped up and shouted, “How could you do such a thing to me?! I’ve always treated you as my real younger brother, but you…”

“Tch…” Suo Jia grimaced in disdain and said in a tone of contempt, “Real brother. Don’t make me laugh, do you really take me for a child? Did you think that I wasn’t aware that Lan Ruo and the other maids were spies that you had arranged? During the past year, you’ve taken away so much of White Villa’s money. Did you really think you could keep that from me?”

Wen Ya’s face grew deathly pale at this, and was unable to utter a single word. After a long time, the Fourth Prince said, “That’s right, in order to set up my subordinates, I indeed spent quite a bit of White Villa’s money. However…let me make one thing clear; if it weren’t for the fact that I was protecting you from the shadows and helped you get past the critical phase, do you really think you would’ve been able to earn that much money?”

The Fourth Prince’s expression darkened and he gave a strange smile, “However, I still need to thank you. Originally…I wasn’t confident in my ability to fight for the throne. If it weren’t for you, I definitely wouldn’t even dare to think about it. But since you’ve helped me gain so much money and raised such powerful subordinates, what do I have to fear? I’d even dare to use military force to seize the throne at this point.”

Hearing the Fourth Prince’s words, Suo Jia’s heart skipped a beat. He narrowed his eyes and pressed, “What exactly are you trying to say?”

“Hahahaha….” The Fourth Prince suddenly raised his head and laughed out loud. He then excitedly jeered, “Brat, you couldn’t have possibly thought that your subordinates really vowed loyalty and devotion to you, right? You’re just a snot-nosed brat; on what basis would they follow you? Also…did you think the imperial family’s personal squadron, the fire wind warriors, would be so easily swindled away?”

“What.?!” Hearing the Fourth Prince’s words, Suo Jia abruptly stood up and stated incredulously, “That’s definitely impossible. Don’t even try thinking that you can separate the relationship between me and the fire wind warriors.”

“Haha…” The Fourth Prince smirked at Suo Jia and lightly clapped his hands. The next instant…a large group of red and gold-robed figures silently pushed open the doors and walked into the living room.

“You…you girls.” As he watched the Angelic Six-Winged Phoenixes appear before him one after another, Suo Jia was completely stunned. He didn’t understand, what exactly was going on? How had things become like this?

Faced with Suo Jia’s questioning look, the Angelic Six-Winged Phoenixes all lowered their heads, not daring to meet his gaze. It was at this time that the Fourth Prince’s voice rang out again, “General Harvey, General Jason, you should both come out to meet Viscount Suo Jia.”

Two tall and straight figures quietly walked through the doors, and were revealed to be General Jason and General Harvey, who should’ve been protecting Dawn City. Seeing this scene, Suo Jia fell hard into his seat…

Author’s Note:

After reading this chapter, I’m sure everyone is feeling upset. However, the reality is, if everyone recalls the beginning part of this arc, I’m sure they’ll understand.

Actually, Suo Jia’s natural intelligence is only one reason why he is where he is today. The most important part was the Fourth Prince and Wen Ya watching out and controlling things for him from behind. Many plans may have seemed to be concocted by Suo Jia, but people that read it more closely will discover that it was just Eldest Sister directing him from behind. And Elder Sister’s suggestions and thoughts were incited by Wen Ya and the Fourth Prince.

Duke Wen Sha’s and Wen Ya’s all-out efforts to help, and the Fourth Prince’s privileges and status at work in the darkness, were what granted Suo Jia everything he has. Suo Jia is indeed intelligent, very much so, but he’s still a child after all. Currently, his schemes can be easily seen through by any adult.

Just as everyone guessed, the fire wind warriors couldn’t possibly be subdued so easily, which is the reason for Suo Jia’s smooth sailing so far. However, when everyone had complained about this point earlier, I couldn’t just spoil these later parts back then, so I could only listen.

However, many of the things that the Fourth Prince had calculated were still lost. After interacting with each other for so long, the feelings between Suo Jia and the fire wind warriors were things that could never be comprehended by the Fourth Prince’s breadth of mind.

Of course, it is unavoidable that these two chapters were depressing. However, I was forced to do so. Otherwise, Suo Jia would never leave Holy Light, and the longer he stays there, the longer it takes for me to draw the book out to its main plot.

[Cut something about messaging the author]. This place is really the only part in the whole series that is slightly depressing, and I also feel a bit apprehensive about it. However, I can guarantee that after entering the main plot, the series will become ten times more amazing, and there will no longer be anything as upsetting as this.