Chapter 437: The Killing Game Has Just Begun: The Xie Family

【"A step too late!"】

【Great Sui Crown Prince Liu Yuan's gaze darkened as he stared at the calm and composed figure of the youth in front of the Xie Fu, his knuckles tapping lightly on the carriage window frame, and the curtain fell accordingly.】

【Inside the carriage!】

【Great Sui Crown Prince He He He Lan Zhenshu sighed, "Ultimately, we are not people of Great Qi; by the time the news reached our ears, the overall situation was already settled."】

【Liu Yuan said, "Even if we had come earlier, I fear it would have been difficult to change the outcome. This Xie Guan has the assistance of the great scholar Zhuge Jian and the Demon-Slaughtering Division Battalion Commander Zhang Shizai; today, even the Eldest Princess personally visited the Xie Fu..."】

【He paused, his voice turning cold: "Not to mention, there is also that Master Dongshan whom I have always wanted to meet."】

【He He He Lan Zhenshu looked at the smoke and dust gradually dissipating outside the window and said faintly: "With such a formation, how could the Xie family not give this face?"】

【"Moreover, so many students came today."】

【"Reasonably and logically, Xie Guan would not have any trouble today; this Old Matriarch who has experienced several generations of the Great Qi court is not a vegetarian."】

【Du Kong's gaze moved slightly, and he said in a low voice: "Then according to Big Brother's opinion, what should we do?"】

【"Is it... waiting for the opportunity?"】

【Liu Yuan raised his hand to signal, and the carriage quietly drove into a small alley beside the Xie Fu, avoiding everyone's sight.】

【Under the shadow, his side profile looked exceptionally cold.】

【"Can't wait."】

【Liu Yuan shook his head, his voice deep and heavy, "Great Qi is in internal chaos, and the situation is changing rapidly; if we drag it out now, we will surely lose the opportunity."】

【"The secret letter from Great Sui arrived the day before yesterday, and the Father Emperor... is also going to take action."】

【As soon as these words were spoken, He He He Lan Zhenshu and Du Kong were both shocked.】

【Naturally, the two of them knew what Liu Yuan meant by taking action.】

【Great Sui is going to take action against the Sanzhen Sect!】

【The Sanzhen Sect, the manifest sect of the world, has a lineage spanning three thousand years, and its foundation is unfathomable.】

【Great Sui and the Sanzhen Sect were originally interdependent, like fish and water!】

【The two of them were unable to understand.】

【Liu Yuan's gaze was deep, and he said slowly: "You are not in Great Sui, so you don't know the terror of the Sanzhen Sect. Now within Great Sui, the people only know Mount Zhongnan, not my Liu imperial family."】

【He sneered and continued: "Now, the disciples of the Sanzhen Sect have all left the mountain gate; Great Qi is in internal chaos and has no time to intervene in Great Sui, which is a once-in-a-thousand-year opportunity."】

【The wind outside the alley grew tighter, as if an invisible undercurrent was surging with his words.】

【Liu Yuan continued, "So, we can't afford to drag it out now; if we drag it out for a few more months, even if I return to the country, I fear it will be of no help."】

【The three of them naturally understood.】

【If they really waited until then, regardless of the outcome of the struggle between the Great Sui imperial family and the Sanzhen Sect, this crown prince position would probably have nothing to do with Liu Yuan.】

【He He He Lan Zhenshu's eyes flashed with cold light, his voice carrying bone-chilling coldness: "What about me? My good younger brother's birth mother is the Khan's favorite consort. Now that old fool actually wants to establish that waste abandoned by the Eternal Heaven as the crown prince..."】

【He suddenly grinned hideously, his knuckles cracking: "When I return to the Eternal Heaven, I will personally cut off this head, seal it with gold lacquer, and offer it in front of the tent day and night."】

【Du Kong's face was also gloomy, seemingly having unspeakable difficulties.】

【Liu Yuan took a long breath, cold light flashing in his eyes: "So, we can't wait."】

【His voice was low, carrying a hint of suppressed ruthlessness: "In those three months when we first entered Bianjing, who of us slept peacefully? Every night when we closed our eyes, we were afraid of not seeing the sun the next day, afraid of being beheaded, dying in a foreign land."】

【"If the crown prince position has changed hands when we return to the country..."】 【He sneered, "Do you think those brothers who have gained power will allow us to live? Or continue to be brothers?"】

【"Now that we have Su Xiang helping in the dark, this is our last chance to fight."】

【He He He Lan Zhenshu and Du Kong looked at each other, both nodding solemnly.】

【"Then how should we act specifically?"】

【He He He Lan Zhenshu asked in a deep voice, "Now Xie Guan is also a figure at the center of the storm!"】

【Liu Yuan tapped the carriage window with his knuckles, his eyes flickering, "How can one get rid of a person?"】

【He stretched out his left hand and raised an index finger, "First, find out who his enemies are. Which ones can be used by us, and which ones must be strictly guarded against, and no news can be leaked. Only by borrowing strength can we strengthen ourselves."】

【He He He Lan Zhenshu immediately followed up: "The Xie family has ready-made knives. Those ladies and Xie Renfeng are probably more eager to see Xie Guan die than we are."】

【Du Kong turned the prayer beads and said in a low voice: "The poor monk investigated and found that Xie Guan has offended many Great Qi princes at the Flower Banquet. Especially the Prince of Yan and the Second Prince, who have already developed murderous intentions."】

【Liu Yuan nodded slightly, his slender index finger and middle finger raised one after another: "Second, find his vital weakness. No matter how strong the armor is, there is always a seam; it is impossible for a person to have no weak points!"】

【He He He Lan Zhenshu laughed, "Regarding the understanding of Xie Guan, those enemies are probably clearer about his soft ribs than we are."】

【Liu Yuan looked out the window and stretched out a third finger.】

【"Third, one must know oneself and the enemy to be invincible; today we have figured out Xie Guan's background, which counts as watching the fire from the other side."】

【"Fourth, one must use the momentum of thunder to extinguish with full force, not leaving the other party a glimmer of life; the enemy is in the light and we are in the dark, and we must not have the slightest contempt."】

【Stretching out five fingers!】

【"Fifth, the Art of War says: take advantage of the unprepared, hit when they are at their peak. Now Xie Guan is at the peak of his pride, which is the most relaxed time."】

【After speaking, Liu Yuan's five fingers suddenly clenched, as if to crush the invisible prey between his fingers:】

【"Xie Guan, you cannot escape our palm."】

【Liu Yuan turned to look at the two, his eyes sharp: "You immediately go to the Prince of Yan and the Second Prince's mansion. Since that Highness has murderous intentions toward Xie Guan, why not add fuel to the fire."】

【"As for me..."】

【Liu Yuan flicked his sleeves, a meaningful smile appearing on his lips, "Just happen to meet that Xie Renfeng. I heard that this direct son of the Xie family's second courtyard has been restless recently."】

【He He He Lan Zhenshu smiled knowingly: "Wonderful. Let Xie Guan think the storm has passed, but he doesn't know the real killing game has just begun."】

【Liu Yuan got off the carriage from the southwest gate, and under someone's report, he entered this Marquis of Dingyuan Mansion secretly.】

【He He He Lan Zhenshu and Du Kong left by carriage.】

【Dengchun Building!】

【"Mother! Is it just letting him go so easily?"】

【Xie Renfeng stood in front of the carved window, his knuckles turning white, resentment surging in his eyes.】

【"I want Xie Guan to die—no, I want him to live worse than death!"】

【Gongsun Gongsun Niangzi Zhao looked at her son's thin face and stroked his shoulders lovingly: "Renfeng, don't worry, his good days won't last long."】

【"You saw it today, not to mention Zhuge Jian and Zhang Shizai supporting him, even the Eldest Princess and Master Dongshan came forward, and the Old Matriarch had to give some face; Mother was also helpless."】

【Xie Renfeng threw his sleeves violently, "Zhuge Jian and Zhang Shizai are one thing! That bastard Xie Yuan, relying on the Old Matriarch's favoritism, has ruined my good deeds again and again—"】

【He suddenly turned around, fire of jealousy bursting from his eyes, "But the Eldest Princess, and even that Master Dongshan! He Xie Guan is a lowly illegitimate son, why?!"】

【The rain outside the window had just stopped, and water droplets dripped from the eaves, as if responding to his twisted face.】

【Xie Renfeng's face was extremely gloomy, "Why, everyone wants to go against me?"】

【"I am the direct son of the Xie family, Xie Guan was born to a lowly maid, he shouldn't have disobeyed me."】

【"Why!"】

【Xie Renfeng picked up the potted plant on the windowsill and was about to throw it on the ground.】

【"Presumptuous—"】

【"Enough!"】

【Gongsun Gongsun Niangzi Zhao gave a sharp shout, "This is the Dengchun Building that your father cherishes most! This pot of gentleman orchids in your hand was cultivated by him personally for several years!"】

【Her beautiful eyes contained authority, "Do you dare to smash it today?"】

【"Fa, Father.", these two words, Xie Renfeng's crazy expression suddenly solidified.】

【He took a few trembling breaths and finally placed the flower pot back on the windowsill.】

【Gongsun Gongsun Niangzi Zhao saw this, her tone turned soft: "Renfeng, why worry? With Mother here, with your father here, everything will be fine."】

【She stroked her son's back, "That bastard Xie Guan will sooner or later kneel at your feet and beg for mercy."】

【Xie Renfeng closed his eyes to calm his breathing, and when he opened them again, he had regained clarity: "It was the child who was reckless just now."】

【"That's right." Gongsun Gongsun Niangzi Zhao suddenly bloomed with a smile and took out a letter from her sleeve: "In the family letter your father sent yesterday, there was a special one for you."】

【Xie Renfeng's eyes burst with light, and he reached out impatiently: "Mother, why didn't you say so earlier!"】

【"Mother was originally prepared to let Xie Guan die cleanly today, and then tell you."】

【Xie Renfeng took it carefully, looking at the big characters written on it: "Renfeng, open personally!"】

【He couldn't help but be excited and opened the letter.】

【Inside was written an exhortation to study, copied extremely seriously.】

【"The gentleman says: Learning cannot stop. Blue is taken from indigo but is bluer than indigo; ice is made of water but is colder than water..."】

【"The disciple does not have to be inferior to the teacher, and the teacher does not have to be inferior to the disciple; the son and the father are the same."】

【After Xie Renfeng finished reading, the corners of his eyes were wet, "Father!"】

【Behind it was written, "Living in the position of a gentleman but acting like a commoner, disaster will surely come."】

【A gentleman must have the virtue of a gentleman; if a gentleman does not keep his virtue, disaster will come!】

【The last sentence was written.】

【"Stop when it is time to stop, act when it is time to act; movement and stillness do not lose their time, the path is bright, otherwise it is disaster."】

【If the situation requires stopping, stop; if the situation requires action, act; neither movement nor stillness violates the appropriate timing, so the prospect is bright, otherwise it is disaster.】

【"I hope my son will act cautiously and have the heart to make progress."】

【Xie Renfeng flattened the letter paper three times and folded it carefully three times.】

【Gongsun Gongsun Niangzi Zhao also finished reading and comforted him, "Renfeng, you should put your mind on your studies, and your father will be happy."】

【Xie Renfeng nodded, "Don't worry, once Xie Guan dies, the child will go to the Imperial Academy to study, not to disappoint Father, and not to let Father be ashamed."】

【Xie Renfeng took his leave.】

【Gongsun Gongsun Niangzi Zhao looked at her child's departing back, with a look of relief on her face.】

【She sat in front of the dressing table!】

【She took out a letter from her sleeve, which was written to her by Xie Hong.】

【The opening was the "Women's Analects" that women must read, "For women, first learn to establish oneself; the method of establishing oneself is only to be pure and chaste."】

【...】

【"A chaste woman values dying for her husband, and giving up her life is the same."】

【"The waves vow not to rise, my heart is like the water in an ancient well."】

【It seems like a few plain sentences.】

【Gongsun Gongsun Niangzi Zhao read it and hadn't eaten or slept since yesterday, unable to sleep.】

【The beautiful woman reflected in the mirror had an unclear expression.】

【Just at this time!】

【A middle-aged man walked out from behind the house, his appearance somewhat similar to Xie Hong, even his pace was deliberately imitated, but his face was covered with thin powder, slightly feminine and unnatural.】

【"My lady, what's wrong with you?" The man spoke softly, his tone carrying concern.】

【Gongsun Gongsun Niangzi Zhao had no expression on her face and did not answer.】

【Seeing this, the man's tone changed, carrying a bit more indifference and majesty: "My lady, you have such an expression when you see your husband!"】

【Gongsun Gongsun Niangzi Zhao's throat moved after hearing this, her lips were dry, and before she could react, a slap had landed heavily on her face.】

【"Slap—!"】

【"What kind of face are you putting on for me."】

【"Come!"】

【The crisp sound was particularly harsh in the silent room.】

【Red marks immediately appeared on Gongsun Gongsun Niangzi Zhao's beautiful cheeks, and the resistance in her eyes gradually turned into obedience.】

【She lowered her eyebrows and walked closer, slowly bowing down in front of the man who sat down firmly.】

【Xie Hong's letter on the dressing table also fell slowly...】

【Just out of the Grand View Garden!】

【Xie Renfeng was immersed in the teachings of his father's letter, thinking about the meaning of the second half.】

【Suddenly saw a confidant from the second courtyard come in a hurry and whisper in his ear.】

【A flash of light in his eyes: "Really? Lead the way!"】

【Xie Renfeng met this Great Sui Crown Prince Liu Yuan as agreed.】

【"Young Master Feng, I have heard of your name for a long time!"】

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 438 =====