Chapter 120: The Jiang Family's Ambition! My Lord, Am I Big Enough? (Seeking Monthly Votes)

Great Zhou, Northern Frontier, Longzhou.

Weiyuan Marquis Mansion.

In the study, Pei Shiqing, with his hair disheveled and wearing only his undergarments, was lowering his head to read a letter intently.

Meanwhile, Pei Shaotang sat quietly to the side, waiting.

Seeing Pei Shiqing put down the letter, he immediately stood up, stepped forward, and asked, "Father, do you think Yujin's speculation could be true? That the second brother has been intentionally hiding his true capabilities all along, and that his past absurd behavior was merely to smear his own reputation, which is why he has been completely different since leaving the Capital?"

"Absolutely impossible!" Pei Shiqing shook his head, his tone resolute, and said in a deep voice, "How many years has Yujin been married into the Pei family? She doesn't understand that rebellious son, and those outsiders don't understand him either, but you grew up with him—don't you understand him? Does he have that kind of brain? No!"

No one knows a son better than his father; he was absolutely certain and convinced that his second son was nothing but a good-for-nothing, a scoundrel, and a bastard, and that there was no such thing as hiding his true capabilities.

"Father, I don't want to believe it either," Pei Shaotang said, scratching the back of his head with a frown. "But the changes in the second brother since leaving the Capital are too great. Killing the Saint Son of the Opening Sun could be called luck, but he also exposed the rebellion of the Shu Prince Mansion a while ago—this surely cannot be luck as well, right?"

After finishing, he added with envy, "He was even rewarded with a Qilin Robe and a Dragon Blood Treasure Horse for it."

Pei Shiqing owned one Dragon Blood Treasure Horse, and he rarely had the chance to ride it to satisfy his craving, but now Pei Shaoqing also had one, which made him feel incredibly awkward.

In the past, his younger brother was incompetent, and he felt distressed.

Now that his younger brother was too competent, he felt distressed as well.

"When things are abnormal, there must be a Demon involved; perhaps there is an expert by his side devising strategies for him," Pei Shiqing stood up, paced a few times, then stopped and speculated.

Pei Shaotang did not agree with this, "Father, since you said the second brother wasn't hiding his capabilities in the past, then with his appearance, what expert would be willing to serve him?"

People are experts, not blind.

"But you have forgotten one person; that sister-in-law of yours is a talented woman famous throughout the Capital," Pei Shiqing turned to stare at Pei Shaotang, his tone eerie.

Pei Shaotang widened his eyes, "Father, are you saying that all of this is Xie Qingwu helping the second brother plan?"

"This is the only possibility. Husband and wife are one; only she has the ability and the motive. I really did underestimate this daughter-in-law," Pei Shiqing sighed.

In the past, it was widely rumored in the Capital that Xie Qingwu was a talented woman, but in his view, no matter how talented a woman was, she was just that.

Only now did he feel that he had been too arrogant.

Pei Shaotang was incredulous, "But with the second brother's scoundrel nature, can Xie Qingwu keep him in check? Just after they were married, the second brother was out causing trouble all day long."

"Perhaps that was also her intentional doing. She wanted to maneuver that rebellious son to leave the Capital and escape his constraints, so that she could use him to realize her own ambitions. Even I have been calculated by her," Pei Shiqing said in a deep voice.

Pei Shaotang pursed his lips, not knowing what to say.

The harmless-looking sister-in-law was actually this terrifying!

"Although it is shameful for a man to be controlled by a woman, it is still better than that rebellious son acting recklessly all day," Pei Shiqing exhaled and said, "Write a letter to inform Yujin of my speculation. She is a smart person; when that rebellious son returns to the Capital to attend the Imperial Banquet, she will know what attitude to use when facing Qingwu and that rebellious son."

"Yes," Pei Shaotang replied, then added with concern, "Father, since the Xie woman's thoughts are so deep and she is quite ambitious, could she use the second brother to do something harmful to heaven and reason?"

"Stop talking nonsense. It sounds as if that scoundrel has ever done anything good himself; does he need others to use him?" Pei Shiqing retorted irritably.

Pei Shaotang was speechless. That's right, the only two good things he had done were both after Xie Qingwu married in.

Pei Shiqing said earnestly, "I know what you are worried about, but rest assured. Since they are husband and wife, they share the same glory and the same disgrace. No matter what, Qingwu will not act against that rebellious son. Besides, only such a good-for-nothing would let her manipulate him to realize her ambitions."

At the same time, far to the west of Great Zhou, Pingxi Marquis Jiang Hu was reading a letter sent by his son.

"Father, that Pei Shaoqing has been like a different person since leaving the Capital, continuously achieving merit and receiving rewards. In terms of imperial favor, no one currently surpasses him. The theory that he was intentionally hiding his capabilities in the past is now confirmed. Third sister suspects that his killing of Xiao Bai also involved other schemes. Do you think this is possible?"

Pingxi Marquis Heir Jiang Xiaofeng asked with a gloomy frown. Jiang Bai, who was beaten to death in the street by Pei Shaoqing, was his eldest son, so he hated him to the bone.

"Hard to say," Jiang Hu put down the letter, shook his head, and pondered, "In any case, tell Yue'e to temporarily put aside the hatred for Xiao Bai and not to provoke him again."

"Father, didn't you say that the Emperor wants to see us at odds with the Weiyuan Marquis Mansion, so he let Third Sister act boldly?" Jiang Xiaofeng asked, puzzled.

"Times change," Jiang Hu stood up and paced the room with his hands behind his back, saying, "The Emperor's favor for Pei Shaoqing cannot be fake. If we deal with Pei Shaoqing at this time, we are slapping the Emperor in the face."

"The Emperor is still counting on the Weiyuan Marquis Mansion to help him pacify the Northern Barbarians as soon as possible. Pei Shiqing finally agreed to send troops, so causing trouble now is seeking one's own death."

"Yes," Jiang Xiaofeng, though unwilling, knew his father's words made sense and could only respond sullenly.

"Xiao Bai is not only your son, but also my eldest grandson," Jiang Hu patted his shoulder and said with a solemn expression, "The Emperor is very anxious, which proves that his health is getting worse. Our top priority is to ensure that your own sister's son can inherit the throne."

"As long as my grandson, your nephew, can become Emperor, and Yue'e rules from behind the curtain, then dealing with a mere Pei Shaoqing will be as easy as turning over one's hand, won't it? Before that, the Jiang family must be low-key, even more low-key."

"Yes, Father," Jiang Xiaofeng nodded heavily.

If Jiang Yue'e were not pregnant, or even if she could not successfully give birth to a dragon son, the Jiang family could still sit on the fishing platform like the Pei family and remain neutral while watching the situation.

But Jiang Yue'e was pregnant, and she had given birth.

And the Emperor also doted on this son very much.

Then the Jiang family had no choice; they had to fight.

Because once they didn't fight, the empire's new successor would inevitably launch a purge of the Jiang family after taking power.

Of course, Jiang Hu could also choose to abandon his daughter and grandson to join the new Emperor, in order to preserve himself.

But not to mention the father-daughter bond, just from the perspective of interests, how could he not have ambitions?

Think about it: the Emperor passes away, his grandson ascends the throne at a young age, his daughter rules from behind the curtain, and the Jiang family holds military power—they could completely control the entire imperial court in substance.

Even going a step further, replacing Zhou with Jiang.

That is not impossible.

Compared to this eternal foundation, what is the point of temporarily putting aside that little hatred for Pei Shaoqing?

Thinking of his not-so-smart and extremely willful daughter, Jiang Hu added, "Reply to Yue'e as soon as possible, so she doesn't act recklessly out of impatience."

………………………

Three days later, Li Jiangjun came out of seclusion.

Pei Shaoqing circled around it, examining it carefully.

"Master, this subject only loves female cats!" Li Jiangjun felt its fur stand on end as it was watched, its tail tightly guarding its rear.

After all, its master had this peculiar hobby.

Like an eel, it could drill into any hole.

Pei Shaoqing stood up straight, "After you refined the Fox Demon's Inner Core, you don't look any different."

"Of course there is a difference!" Li Jiangjun couldn't help but want to show off, standing on its hind legs and saying, "Armor off!"

Pei Shaoqing grabbed it, held it upside down by its legs, and gave it a shake; the helmet and armor fell off piece by piece.

"Aiya! Master, stop! Stop!"

Li Jiangjun was shaken until it was dizzy and disoriented.

Finally, the last piece of arm armor on its body was shaken to the ground, and it was tossed onto the floor as well.

Li Jiangjun scrambled up, shook its head, and then chuckled, saying, "Master, you must watch closely."

The next second, its body size expanded rapidly, changing from being only a circle larger than an ordinary cat to the size of a calf.

If a mouse saw this, it would surely feel the sky had collapsed.

"Master, am I big? Tell me, am I big!" Li Jiangjun asked repeatedly, its face full of excitement.

Pei Shaoqing's face darkened when he heard this.

"Just this?" he said, looking thoroughly disappointed.

"Of course there's more!" Li Jiangjun turned into a black shadow with a *whoosh* and teleported to the doorway, raised its claws, and swiped at a chair; *bang*, the chair exploded into pieces, wood chips flew everywhere, and claw marks were visible on the fragments.

Pei Shaoqing nodded with satisfaction, "That's more like it. At least you finally have the power to protect yourself, and I don't have to worry about you being exorcised the moment you step outside."

"Hehe." Li Jiangjun shrank back to its original size, beaming with joy, walking with a swagger.

That Fox Demon had harmed countless people and ultimately met an end where its body died and its Dao vanished, serving entirely as a wedding dress for it.

To be a Demon! One must also have a backer.

Suddenly, a cat's meow came: "Meow~"

Li Jiangjun and Pei Shaoqing looked toward the sound at the same time.

They saw a black cat standing on the rockery outside.

"What does my beloved concubine wish to report to me?" Li Jiangjun immediately ran out and leaped effortlessly onto the rockery.

Pei Shaoqing narrowed his eyes; it actually dared to use royal pronouns in front of me. Li Jiangjun has clearly become arrogant after its strength increased. If this continues, won't it want to be the Master?

Li Jiangjun did not yet know it was already suspected of having rebellious intentions; after hearing the report from its beloved concubine, it immediately went to relay it to Pei Shaoqing, "Master, beloved concubine Sanhua has intelligence saying that Wan Guifei's desires are insatiable, and the Emperor has no 'chicken' to offer; she lets the palace maids sponge off her every night."

"Heh, as expected, the Emperor is old." Pei Shaoqing did not take this intelligence to heart.

After all, he didn't dare to cuckold the Emperor right now.

Li Jiangjun added, "Also, beloved concubine Sanhua says Wan Guifei has made a move against you again, but she only heard her occasionally talking to herself, so she doesn't know the specific plan."

"Oh?" This actually surprised Pei Shaoqing.

He had assumed that since he was currently in favor, the Jiang family would temporarily set aside their hatred to avoid causing the Emperor's dissatisfaction, but he hadn't expected Wan Guifei to actually dare to make a move against him. Is the Jiang family truly this arrogant?

No, it is impossible for the Jiang family to be this unwise.

Pei Shaoqing speculated that it was likely Wan Guifei acting on her own initiative; after all, Xie Qingwu had said she was an idiot.

"Ah! What happened to this chair?" Ye Hanshuang walked in and was startled to see the broken chair, but she didn't take it to heart and said, "Big Brother, Ouyang Rong is here."

"Ouyang Rong!" Pei Shaoqing was both surprised and delighted.

He hadn't expected Ouyang Rong to take the initiative to come find him.

Ye Hanshuang nodded and said, "He seems to be in a bad state. Big Brother, you should go quickly."

"Mm." Pei Shaoqing nodded and walked out.

In his hurry to leave, he collided head-on with Liu Yuheng, who was just stepping through the door. Liu Yuheng let out a startled cry, and the tea she was holding was knocked over, spilling all over the floor.

"Madam Gongsun, are you alright?" Seeing the hot tea spilled on her, Pei Shaoqing's expression changed, and he asked with concern, reaching out to help her wipe the tea from her chest.

Then, as he wiped, he suddenly froze.

"Young Master, I am fine..." Liu Yuheng was halfway through her sentence when she suddenly noticed Pei Shaoqing's gaze was off.

Looking down, she realized her collar had been pulled slightly open by him during the wiping process, revealing a small portion of the White Silk suspender bodysuit she wore close to her skin for comfort, and her heavy, full bosom was vaguely visible.

"Ah!" Liu Yuheng, face flushed red, dropped the tea tray, hurriedly pulled her collar shut, stood up in a panic, and with shifty eyes and a stutter, said, "Young Master... this concubine will take her leave first."

After saying this, she turned and hurried away with her head bowed.

She regretted it to death.

Having worn it for several days in a row, she had grown accustomed to the comfort brought by the Ice Silkworm Silk and found there was no risk of exposure, so she had become increasingly relaxed in wearing it.

That was why she hadn't even worn a Bellyband today, but she hadn't expected Pei Shaoqing to see it. Would he think she was a harlot who was dignified on the surface but wanton in private?

Liu Yuheng wished she could find a crack in the ground to crawl into.

Pei Shaoqing took a deep breath, steadied his mind, and walked out. He really hadn't expected that while Madam Gongsun appeared conservative, she was actually quite open to new things.

Sect Leader Gongsun is a fortunate man! To meet Liu Yuheng in matters of the heart, and to meet him in his career.

(End of chapter)