Chapter 61

"So Grandfather's meaning is that Shen Tianxing plans to rebel? He's getting close to me to rope in our Yang Family? If that's the case, why did Grandfather still marry me off to him? We should have executed him instead."

Yang Hongyue bit her lip as she finished speaking; he couldn't bear to kill Shen Tianxing, but having said it this far, he couldn't avoid taking that stance.

"Silly girl, can you bear to kill him? Even if you could bear to kill the old man, I couldn't bear to; the Great Zhou court has long been corrupt, and nowadays it's not hard to foresee Sun Zhongquan usurping the state."

Even without him Sun Zhongquan, there would be Zhang Zhongquan, Li Zhongquan; these past decades, Great Zhou and Great Wu have been waging war nonstop—where does the money for war come from? Isn't it from excessive taxes and miscellaneous levies?

The people suffer beyond endurance, yet they are powerless; if truly all were used for war, it could barely be counted as defending home and country, but who in the court isn't greedy? Even the emperor has taken his share.

Our Yang Family didn't take any of that money, but what was the result? If it weren't for the need to wage war, we would likely have died long ago in the schemes of those civil and military officials, and the emperor wouldn't help us either.

Shen Tianxing may not be the best choice, but he is currently the most viable option; without even discussing how many people he could gather, just having a grandmaster protecting him makes it worth a try.

Moreover, he has some subordinates of extraordinary ability, each possessing the strength of a commander of a thousand; although such ability isn't considered much in the martial world, there are plenty of martial artists with that level of strength.

If he can attract troops under his command, it proves Shen Tianxing has sufficient leadership ability, and perhaps even more and stronger people will be willing to become his soldiers in the future.

Yang Hongyue, upon hearing this, was instantly stunned.

"Grandfather, you mean you support Shen Tianxing's rebellion, so you sent him to Leizhou—not because Leizhou has Uncle Yue there to protect our whole family?"

Rather, you want him to seize all of Leizhou and make Uncle Yue his subordinate? Is this really you? Grandfather, you won't have been tortured to death in Tianlao and possessed by some resentful spirit, will you?

It must be said, Yang Hongyue's last remark stimulated Yang Tieqiang; he raised his hand and gave him a flick on the forehead.

"What nonsense are you spouting? The old man has his own considerations; under heaven, someone will eventually ascend that throne—why couldn't it be a capable person?"

Someone who can earn a grandmaster's favor—how could his ability be lacking? You think a grandmaster takes on disciples casually? Those are earned only after rigorous trials.

This time he can accompany you to the Capital to rescue the old man, which shows he intends to have the old man seek refuge with him, but it's also because of your connection.

Yue Yunyang also has a daughter, and he's quite settled in Leizhou—why not have Shen Xiaozhi go straight there instead of risking danger to come rescue me?

In short, I'm very pleased with this grandson-in-law Shen Xiaozhi; don't miss out. Even though he already has a wife, it's no big deal—if he succeeds, he'll become the Nine-Five Supreme, at least with Three Palaces and Six Courts; could you still be jealous?

Shen Tianxing isn't here; if he were, he'd surely grab Yang Tieqiang's hand, tears of gratitude flowing—this old man is truly impressive, treating him as a real grandfather wouldn't be an exaggeration.

Yang Hongyue remained silent; he likes Shen Tianxing, without many other thoughts—at first it was simply because Shen Tianxing had saved her, so he naturally developed some fondness.

Later, interacting with Shen Tianxing, he often found his emotions inexplicably stirred; the key was that Shen Tianxing hesitated not at all, choosing to go with her to the Capital to rescue his own family, and only then did Yang Hongyue firmly decide to accept this man.

"Grandfather, I've figured it out; I'll follow your lead—once we settle in Leizhou, I'll marry him."

"That's right; besides, after we get to Leizhou, I'll take him to meet Yue Yunyang and also let him get to know Miss Yue—if we can make them a pair, it'll be a great help for his future; I hope you can understand too."

Yang Hongyue had been stepping down from the ladder Yang Tieqiang gave her, having convinced herself and feeling pleased, but upon hearing those words her face instantly darkened.

"Grandfather, aren't you going too far? You had me agree to marry Shen Tianxing, and now you're planning to have him also take Yue Qingxue as a wife?"

If it weren't for fear of being too loud and overheard by others, Yang Hongyue would have shouted it out.

"You girl, can't you just listen to Grandfather properly? You and Miss Qingxue are the best; although sisters often compare themselves, they still treat each other sincerely."

If she marries Shen Tianxing alongside you, then the sisters can look out for each other; even if Shen Tianxing later has other women, the two of you could together with Qin Mingyue check the other women.

Furthermore, if Shen Tianxing wants to achieve great things, he must have talented assistants; Yue Yunyang and his Yue Family Army could provide him enormous help.

After all this, isn't it all for you and Shen Tianxing? Keep your sights long-term; don't get hung up on such a small matter—if someone must share your man, why couldn't it be your own sister?

If Shen Tianxing were here, he'd surely kneel before Yang Tieqiang and kowtow repeatedly; this old man truly cares about his future happiness, having already thought out the future rivalry and balance.

Yang Hongyue was again lost for words; it's not that Yang Tieqiang's arguments were particularly sound, but rather that Yang Hongyue couldn't refute them.

"Grandfather knows it's not easy for you to accept this, so go back and think it over well; I should also get a good night's sleep."

Having made his point, Yang Tieqiang had no intention of continuing; Yang Hongyue nodded slightly, then turned and left.

Yang Hongyue went back and thought for a long time, finally falling asleep in a daze; the next day he rose with dark circles under his eyes, seeing Shen Tianxing emerge from the room holding Qin Mingyue's hand, face full of springtime cheer, he couldn't help but glare fiercely at Shen Tianxing again.

"General Yang, what's the matter now? If you're unhappy, say it so I can cheer up!"

Shen Tianxing was just about to tease him to relieve boredom; Yang Hongyue's anger flared, and he threw a punch at Shen Tianxing's face.

"Ah...... my hand, damn it, how can your cheek be so thick?"

Shen Tianxing emerged unscathed; mainly Yang Hongyue's punch was simple and not really forceful, and since Shen Tianxing wore the Wuxiang Mask, the blow landed on the mask, naturally making her grit her teeth in pain.

"Your cheek isn't thick? How can you withstand a beating? You're joking and still throwing punches—this is attempted murder of a husband!"

Shen Tianxing kept his grin; he knew full well that Yang Hongyue's punch, though it didn't actually hit or hurt him, had nonetheless dissipated his anger.

"I really don't understand—what's so good about you that Grandfather values you so highly?"

Indeed, although Yang Hongyue was still a bit unhappy, he didn't rebut Shen Tianxing's remark about attempted husband-murder; this proves he already holds a place for Shen Tianxing in his heart, and an important one.

Shen Tianxing's expression instantly turned solemn; he took hold of Yang Hongyue's hand, gently massaging it, and at the same time whispered softly into his ear:

"The old man doesn't value only me; he sees things clearly, and what he values most is you and your family."