Chapter 97 - 96: Xiao Yanci, Fine, You’re Really Something! (Second Update)

Chapter 97: Chapter 96: Xiao Yanci, Fine, You’re Really Something! (Second Update)

At the same time, the Xiao Mansion in the Western Capital.

Xiao Yi walked silently at the front, followed by the dignified and elegantly dressed Xiao He and Zhao Jingming, who was laughing heartily as they walked.

"Jingchen, did you see the faces of those old fogeys today? They were literally rendered speechless by Yanci, their beards almost trembling off!

Haha, don’t be fooled by Yanci’s usual reticence, like a rock that hardly speaks a word. Once someone crosses his bottom line, he’s more terrifying than a tiger!

Those old skunks, they’re stubborn to the core, this matter of curbing the vassal states is something the former emperor had started. The last dynasty perished because the vassal forces grew too dominant, nurturing tigers that turned into threats, leading to their self-destruction!

The former emperor painstakingly used the excuse of dealing with Beijin and Xiling to deploy troops in states and counties originally occupied by various Military Governors, reclaiming them for imperial management, effectively cutting a large piece of meat from the Military Governors. Unfortunately, before his ambitions could be fulfilled, he passed away. Fortunately, the current Holy Emperor is wise and determined to complete the unfinished business of the former emperor.

Whether from the perspective of national stability or the peaceful livelihood of the people, the vassal states are a major scourge. Until they’re abolished, the empire will never find peace!"

Yanci was Xiao Yi’s courtesy name.

Jingchen was Xiao He’s courtesy name.

The one speaking was Zhao Jingming, style Changyu, the sixth legitimate son of the Zhao Family, one of the four great families of Great Chu. The three had grown up together, forming a deep bond.

At the moment, they had just finished their morning court session and had spontaneously come to Xiao Yi’s home.

All three were graceful and handsome young lords, each one striking on their own, let alone when gathered together.

Most importantly, Xiao He and Zhao Jingming had yet to marry, and the only one married, Xiao Yi, had divorced his wife just over four months ago.

If they appeared together in a spot in the Western Capital, they were the type to send the unmarried maidens of noble families swooning in excitement.

As Zhao Jingming spoke, they reached a pavilion in the courtyard. Xiao He sat down leisurely, looking at the enthusiastic Zhao Jingming with a half-smile, saying, "Do you think those old guys truly don’t know the harm the vassal states do to Great Chu? It’s just that the revolt of King Wu twelve years ago scared them out of their wits.

The revolt was triggered by the former emperor’s measures to weaken the vassal states. Recently, the Holy Emperor has been demanding that each vassal state increase their tax and levy payments to the central government due to an empty treasury, which has agitated some Military Governors. Not only do they frequently petition about being impoverished, but they’ve also been drilling soldiers to intimidate the central government.

Those old guys are probably too scared to sleep well."

Zhao Jingming snorted, saying, "The Military Governors of the last dynasty might have stirred up some waves, but the current ones, after experiencing war and the former emperor’s series of measures, are no longer fearsome tigers that can intimidate the land. The revolt of King Wu back then was only possible through the alliance with many court officials and several Military Governors, but in the end, they were defeated by the court.

Of course, the taste of power is too alluring, and there will always be those who secretly make mischief.

Unfortunately, Zheng Shouyan, who Yanci finally captured, died before revealing the location of all of Pang Rui’s hidden weapon stores, but he did mention that Pang Rui recorded three places in a book. He’s already told us two, which is not entirely fruitless.

Yanci, when do you plan to send someone to check out those two locations?"

Zhao Jingming looked at Xiao Yi sitting opposite, noticing his lowered gaze, clearly not focused on their conversation. He couldn’t help but twitch the corner of his mouth, knocking on the table in exasperation, "Xiao Yanci, what’s wrong with you? Since returning from Anping County, you’ve been daydreaming all the time. Sometimes when you’re speaking with the Holy Emperor, your thoughts seem to drift to the clouds. This is totally unlike you! The Holy Emperor has privately asked me multiple times if a vixen in Anping County has bewitched your soul!"

Xiao Yi’s eyelashes imperceptibly trembled, and he raised his eyes to give him a cold glance. Pouring himself a cup of tea from the teapot before him, he replied icily, "Nonsense."

Xiao He couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow, giving his cousin a meaningful look.

His mother and Xiao Yi’s father were brother and sister from the same womb. Later, his mother married Xiao Changrui, a military general who rose from humble beginnings under the former emperor.

As the cousin, he naturally knew more about his cousin than this kid Zhao Jingming did.

He didn’t continue the topic, smiling as he poured himself a cup of tea, saying, "Yanci must not be planning to alert the enemy prematurely. The one behind Pang Rui is likely Prince Xing, but for Prince Xing to secretly set up three whole weapon stores in Great Chu is not something he could accomplish alone. He must have others in the court.

Currently, Prince Xing’s people don’t know that Zheng Shouyan is dead, nor whether he revealed the locations of those three stores to us. They’ll surely try to find out about Zheng Shouyan.

The longer we hold back, the more anxious they become, and the more anxious they get, the more likely they are to expose themselves.

Yanci, you’re aiming to take this opportunity to probe for Prince Xing’s other allies in the court, right?"

Xiao Yi abruptly set down his teacup, his face showing displeasure, "It’s getting late, gentlemen please leave, for business talk let’s reconvene tomorrow."

"Hey!"

Zhao Jingming widened his eyes in surprise. Xiao Yi, this guy, had always been eccentric, but after returning from Anping County, he seemed even stranger. "Xiao Yanci, are you shooing us away? If not for knowing your character, I’d think you have a date with some damsel tonight."

But Xiao Yi had chased them away before, so Zhao Jingming didn’t think too much of it. Suddenly, he smirked mischievously and said, "However, it’s just that with your perpetually stern face, it’s no wonder all the charming ladies around you are scared away.

The day after tomorrow, my mother is organizing another banquet, and I’ve heard she invited half the unmarried maidens of Western Capital. I can’t handle this blessing, Yanci, why not come with me?

I heard Mr. Song’s second daughter has finally finished her three-year mourning and returned with Madam Song. She will also attend my mother’s banquet, and I remember that Song Erniang has always had a special fondness for you..."

Xiao Yi endured by closing his eyes for a moment. When he opened them, they gleamed coldly, "Are you leaving or not? If not, I’ll have Xiang Zuo see you out."

Xiang Zuo, the captain of Xiao Yi’s guards, was notoriously cold and rigid, listening only to Xiao Yi.

Zhao Jingming and Xiao He had no doubt that if Xiao Yi summoned him to see them off, he would throw them out directly.

Zhao Jingming glared angrily at Xiao Yi and stood up abruptly, "Xiao Yanci, fine, you win! I’ll... I’m leaving!"

Alright, he was mad, but also rather submissive.

Xiao Yi was someone who showed no brotherly affection and never changed his mind once he made a decision.

Having said that, he turned and left with impressive resolve.

Xiao He, once again with a half-smile, glanced at his cousin, saying leisurely, "Well, I wanted to say that I came here today to see my little nephew whom I haven’t seen in a long time. Yanci, you’re really off lately; I might truly suspect there’s a vixen after hearing Long Yu and the Holy Emperor’s claims.

The banquet Long Yu mentioned, are you really not going? Madam Cen has a discerning eye. The noblewomen she invites must be carefully selected; they might not all be celestial beauties, but their character shouldn’t be lacking.

I know Xu Siniang from the Xu Family caused you quite some trouble before, but not all women under heaven are as cunning and cold-blooded as Xu Siniang."

Xiao He spoke enthusiastically, not noticing Xiao Yi’s slight, imperceptible eyelash tremble when a certain name was mentioned.

Xiao Yi furrowed his brows slightly.

There it was again, that heavy, pulling feeling in his heart.

Ever since returning from Anping County, whenever he thought of that woman, this feeling filled his heart.

It’s uncomfortable when he remembers, yet when he tries not to think... it seems he can’t control his mind not to.