Chapter 483

Feng Province capital.

Chunya Hall, the highest-class club in the provincial capital, bar none.

Because standing behind this club was the Lu family.

In a high-class private room of Chunya Hall.

On the green jade table, a gilded and silver-inlaid incense burner emitted wisps of smoke.

"This tea is a specialty of our Feng Province, called 'Seven Boils Snow Point'."

Lu Lu Wenzheng wore casual clothes, smiling as he poured boiling water into the teacup, "Only after boiling seven times can one see its 'beauty'."

As the boiling water was poured in for the seventh time, snowflake-like patterns actually floated on the surface of the tea soup.

A refreshing fragrance, as if ice and snow were moistening the heart and lungs, permeated the room.

Sitting opposite Lu Lu Wenzheng was a young man wearing a jade hairpin, with an exceptionally handsome face.

The man had a pair of phoenix eyes, and his smile was particularly charming:

"Truly extraordinary."

"Ji Xiuyong, have a taste."

Lu Lu Wenzheng smiled as he poured the tea and pushed the cup in front of the other party.

Being able to have the dignified Lu family head pour tea personally, the identity of the man in front of him was naturally extraordinary.

The man's name was Xiao Ji Xiuyong, the only son of the current head of the Xiao family, one of the "Ten Great Clans"!

"Thank you, Uncle Lu."

Xiao Ji Xiuyong picked up the teacup, took a light sip, and praised:

"Uncle Lu's tea-making skills are getting better and better; I really have a lucky mouth."

"Hahahaha."

Lu Lu Wenzheng laughed until his eyes narrowed into slits, "If you like it, Ji Xiuyong, come visit often and taste my skills more."

Xiao Ji Xiuyong shook his head: "I'd like to, but my father watches me closely and doesn't allow me the slightest slack. This trip to Feng Province to visit Uncle Lu can be considered stealing half a day of leisure."

Lu Lu Wenzheng looked at him: "I heard you have already stimulated your fifth core-level extraordinary ability, stepping into the peak of the Dao Foundation stage. After polishing for a few more years, stepping into the realm of Martial Arts Master won't be a problem. By then, you probably won't even be thirty. Such a young Martial Arts Master, Brother Xiao has a good son; I am truly envious!"

Xiao Ji Xiuyong was twenty-eight this year, and wanting to break through to become a Martial Arts Master within two years was actually very difficult. However, hearing Lu Lu Wenzheng's praise, the smile on his face grew even brighter.

"My brothers are also talented; why would Uncle Lu be envious?"

Xiao Ji Xiuyong laughed.

Lu Lu Wenzheng waved his hand: "They are all useless; how can they compare to you? Not worth mentioning."

"Hahahaha, Uncle Lu, come, drink tea, drink tea."

Xiao Ji Xiuyong enjoyed such flattery.

In fact, he had heard too much similar flattery, but those were said by servants around him and people with lower status than him.

How could it compare to the face-to-face flattery of a Lu family head, a high-ranking frontier official?

Especially since Lu Lu Wenzheng's flattery was not exaggerated at all, very sophisticated, and could make people feel sincere.

Among young people, who doesn't love being praised and complimented?

Only an "alien" like Li Fei, who looked twenty but had a mature mentality, could hold himself well.

After Lu Lu Wenzheng's flattery, Xiao Ji Xiuyong took the initiative to say:

"I also know about the conflict between Uncle Lu and Li Fei. I wonder if Uncle Lu has talked to him properly?"

Lu Lu Wenzheng shook his head: "This Marquis Jing'an is unwilling to talk to me; it looks like he is determined to drive us to extinction."

Xiao Ji Xiuyong frowned slightly: "Wasn't it Xu Jing who forced his teacher to death? Even if the Lu family offended him, it shouldn't be to the point of driving them to extinction, right?"

Lu Lu Wenzheng sighed: "Later, I sent people to attack him several times. Although he didn't find solid evidence, I think he must count it against me and Xu Jing."

Xiao Ji Xiuyong fell silent.

In fact, he could fully understand Lu Lu Wenzheng's approach. If it were him, and he had a grudge with a peerless genius like Li Fei, he would naturally want to get rid of him before he grew up!

It was just that Lu Lu Wenzheng's several attempts hadn't succeeded, leading to the current situation.

"Then this grudge is indeed not small."

Xiao Ji Xiuyong said.

Lu Lu Wenzheng looked at him: "Can Ji Xiuyong help Uncle Lu mediate? I think Marquis Jing'an will definitely give you face."

This was his main purpose for inviting Xiao Ji Xiuyong today.

He had already received the news that Lu Lu Wenyao had met with Li Fei in private.

He was also well aware of the various movements within the family during this period.

He had been the Lu family head for more than twenty years, so naturally, he didn't hold the position for nothing.

He could roughly guess what Li Fei and Lu Lu Wenyao had talked about.

He had to admit, this move by Li Fei was good enough, and ruthless enough!

But Lu Lu Wenzheng naturally wouldn't sit and wait for death.

Li Fei started from within the Lu family, so he borrowed strength from the outside, finding Xiao Ji Xiuyong.

The Xiao family, where Xiao Ji Xiuyong was located, was far more powerful than the Lu family.

The Lu family could only be considered middle-to-lower tier among the "Ten Great Clans," while the Xiao family had been firmly in the top three for hundreds of years!

Since the founding of the Great Lan Dynasty over five hundred years ago, the Xiao family had produced three Empresses.

The current head of the Xiao family's younger sister was the current Empress!

Xiao Ji Xiuyong, the first heir to the family, was also the Crown Prince's cousin!

That was why Lu Lu Wenzheng asked this person to mediate.

As the Crown Prince began to supervise the state, the Xiao family's status rose with the tide, faintly showing a trend of being ranked first among the "Ten Great Clans"!

This also gave Xiao Ji Xiuyong the confidence, making him feel he had the qualification to mediate this matter.

"Cousin values Li Fei very much; I'm afraid it would be inappropriate for me to mediate."

Xiao Ji Xiuyong said reservedly.

"Eh, you and His Highness the Crown Prince grew up together. No matter how close Li Fei is to the Crown Prince, can he compare to you?"

Lu Lu Wenzheng flattered him calmly, "And I don't need you to really help me persuade Li Fei; I just need him to give me a chance for everyone to sit down and talk. Afterward, whether we can reach an agreement or not, that's my business!"

"Hmm..."

Xiao Ji Xiuyong pondered, his thumb rubbing the carvings on the inside of his jade ring.

Naturally, he wouldn't agree to get involved in this matter just because of Lu Lu Wenzheng's flattery.

What could really move him was still interest.

Lu Lu Wenzheng was willing to pay a high price, just asking him to make Li Fei give him some face and let everyone sit down to talk.

As for what they talked about in the end, it was none of Xiao Ji Xiuyong's business; anyway, he wouldn't get a penny less of the benefits he should get.

And the most critical point was that Lu Lu Wenzheng indicated that the Lu family would fully support the Crown Prince from now on!

Although the Lu family had been "flirting" with the First Prince before, they acted with great discretion and hadn't had any friction or grudges with the Crown Prince's side; everyone could completely sit down and talk again.

Now, although the Crown Prince was supervising the state, he hadn't officially ascended the throne after all.

As long as he hadn't sat on that dragon chair for a day, there would be variables.

Being able to have one less enemy and one more helper, why not?

Xiao Ji Xiuyong believed his cousin would definitely think the same way.

For a family like the Lu family that had existed for hundreds of years, driving them to extinction would only damage the national strength and make the country unstable. Winning them over to his own camp was the choice that maximized benefits!

Based on this point, Xiao Ji Xiuyong accepted the invitation to rush to Feng Province and sit down to drink tea with Lu Lu Wenzheng.

As for the hatred between Li Fei and the Lu family.

In Xiao Ji Xiuyong's view, there was no hatred in this world that couldn't be resolved; if there was, it was only because the price offered wasn't enough!

Small people value grudges; big people only talk about benefits.

This was the education Xiao Ji Xiuyong had received since childhood.

He believed Lu Lu Wenzheng would most likely be able to make Li Fei let go of the hatred in the end.

"Alright, then I'll give it a try, but I can't guarantee success."

Xiao Ji Xiuyong said to Lu Lu Wenzheng.

"Hahahaha, with you taking action, Ji Xiuyong, this matter will definitely succeed! Uncle Lu will use tea instead of wine to thank you first!"

Lu Lu Wenzheng laughed loudly.

"Uncle Lu is too polite."

Xiao Ji Xiuyong raised his teacup and clinked it lightly with Lu Lu Wenzheng's.

In the private room, the two talked happily, and the atmosphere was harmonious.

December 26th, the last month of the 48th year of Emperor Hongguang, approaching the New Year.

Li Fei first took the flight artifact Black Boat to the Northern Territory, picked up Li Sister Tianyu, and then flew directly back to Xingcheng.

The return of the Marquis Jing'an was a major event for the entire Datong Prefecture!

However, Li Fei had greeted them in advance, and Li Lei, as the Chief of Xingcheng, blocked all visits to Xingcheng for him.

As for those from Datong Prefecture, Li Fei let Senior Bian Senior Bian Jingru block them for him.

For this New Year, Li Fei just wanted to spend it well with his family.

However, after his meteoric rise as Marquis Jing'an, this was the first time he was spending the New Year at home, so there were extra "relatives" this year:

Zhang Zhang Yuqing's family and Li Lei's sister Li Shu's family had come from other provinces specifically.

Adding both sides together, there were over twenty people coming to the Li family for the New Year this year.

Fortunately, the newly built Jing'an Marquis Mansion was large enough that even if hundreds of people gathered together, it wouldn't feel crowded.

December 31st, evening.

For the people of this world, tonight was New Year's Eve.

The Jing'an Marquis Mansion was decorated with lanterns and colored streamers, and the whole family was eating in the banquet hall for guests.

There were three tables in the banquet hall. At the main table in the center sat the four members of the Li family, Zhang Zhang Yuqing's parents, Li Shu and her husband, and Feng Feng Chenfeng.

A huge 120-inch black-and-white television on the side was playing a program.

Besides the Li family, the other relatives present were secretly sizing up Li Fei, feeling like they were in a dream!

Li Fei's expression was as usual, and he drank a few glasses of wine with everyone.

The banquet soon entered the round of mutual toasting.

At the main table, Feng Feng Fusheng gathered his courage and took the lead in picking up his wine glass to walk toward Li Fei.

He held the wine glass with both hands, bent slightly, and his face showed the brightest smile:

"Marquis, I toast you a glass!"

Li Fei stood up, supported the other party's arm with one hand, and smiled:

"Uncle Feng is too polite. You are an elder; just call me by my name."

"Eh! I wouldn't dare, I wouldn't dare!"

Feng Feng Fusheng shook his head repeatedly.

He was a businessman who started from scratch and reached a net worth of hundreds of thousands; he wasn't someone without self-awareness.

Not to mention that Li Fei and the Li family actually had no blood relationship and couldn't be considered relatives at all.

Even if they were truly relatives, given the huge gap in status between the two sides, how could he dare to put on the airs of an elder?

Being able to toast Li Fei a glass of wine at close range, he was already very satisfied!

So no matter what Li Fei said, he insisted on calling Li Fei "Marquis."

Li Fei didn't persuade him much, clinked glasses lightly with the other party, and drank the wine.

After the wine went down, Feng Feng Fusheng, who usually had a great capacity for liquor, suddenly turned red in the face.

After drinking this glass of wine, it would be enough for him to brag about in the business world for a lifetime:

You say you made millions? I've had a drink with Marquis Jing'an!

You say your business is all over the province? I've had a drink with Marquis Jing'an!

You say you know some high official? I've had a drink with Marquis Jing'an!

"Hahahaha—"

Feng Feng Fusheng laughed with a face full of satisfaction.

Behind him, Li Lei's own sister Li Shu brought Feng Feng Chenfeng, holding wine glasses, and walked over somewhat nervously.

Seeing this, Li Fei took the initiative to walk up and greet Li Shu with a smile:

"Aunt Li, I toast you this glass."

Li Shu was somewhat flattered, not expecting Li Fei to be so polite to her.

Toward Feng Feng Fusheng, Li Fei was actually indifferent, but toward Li Shu, he would give a certain amount of respect because he knew Li Lei cared very much about this sister, so he didn't want to make things difficult for Li Lei.

"Mar..."

"Aunt Li, just like Uncle Li, just call me Xiao Fei."

"Xiao... Xiao Fei."

Li Shu subconsciously glanced at Li Lei on the side, then pointed to her son:

"I'm sorry about before, my Feng Chenfeng was ignorant, he..."

"Aunt Li, it's all a small matter, it doesn't matter."

Li Fei waved his hand, signaling Li Shu not to say more.

Li Lei had briefly told him about Feng Feng Chenfeng's matter today, and his thoughts were the same as Li Lei's; he didn't intend to blame Feng Feng Chenfeng.

Next, Li Fei took the initiative to drink a glass of wine with Li Shu and Feng Feng Chenfeng respectively, which made Feng Feng Fusheng on the side grin from ear to ear, and Feng Feng Chenfeng was also excited.

Afterward, other relatives came to toast Li Fei one after another, and Li Fei gave them face by drinking a glass with each.

Finally, he took the initiative to toast Zhang Zhang Yuqing's parents, which made the two elders very happy.

Although he was a bit tired from the socializing, looking at the happy Li Lei and Zhang Zhang Yuqing, Li Fei felt very satisfied.

These two, along with Li Sister Tianyu, were like some kind of "waymark" for Li Fei in this world.

With them around, Li Fei wouldn't feel like an "alien" in this world, and the loneliness in his heart could be relieved.

Although enjoying family affection meant he had to bear a lot of things.

But Li Fei didn't reject it.

Even someone as strong as Lin Lin Tianyi had such "weaknesses."

What Li Fei had to do was to keep making himself stronger until no one dared to target his "weaknesses" again!

Under the night sky, the atmosphere of this banquet at the Jing'an Marquis Mansion was enthusiastic.

January 3rd, 49th year of Emperor Hongguang.

The New Year had just ended.

Li Fei arrived at Datong Prefecture.

Shangguan Xiao's case couldn't be separated from the help of the Datong Prefecture government, so it was necessary to move around the relationships here.

After Li Fei entered the prefecture, he was taken to Senior Bian Senior Bian Jingru's mansion immediately.

"Marquis, Happy New Year."

At the gate of the Senior Bian mansion, Senior Bian Senior Bian Jingru came out personally to welcome Li Fei.

Li Fei cupped his hands toward the other party: "Lord Senior Bian, Happy New Year."

After greeting, the two walked toward the mansion, and Senior Bian Senior Bian Jingru whispered to Li Fei:

"Marquis, I have other guests in my mansion today; I really couldn't refuse, and I hope you'll forgive me."

"Oh?"

Li Fei was stunned, "Who is it?"

"Xiao Ji Xiuyong of the Changliu Xiao family."

Senior Bian Senior Bian Jingru's expression was serious.

As soon as he said "Changliu Xiao family," Li Fei knew this was the Xiao family where Empress Xiao was from.

"Who is Xiao Ji Xiuyong?"

"The only son of the current head of the Xiao family, the first heir, and the Crown Prince's cousin. He is the Crown Prince's playmate, and the two grew up together; their relationship is quite deep."

Senior Bian Senior Bian Jingru quickly told Li Fei what he knew, "He learned that you, Marquis, would come to my mansion today, so he came a step ahead. He didn't greet me in advance, and I was caught off guard and couldn't refuse."

"Good, I understand."

Li Fei nodded calmly, "No matter, I don't blame you for this."

Senior Bian Senior Bian Jingru nodded, then led Li Fei into a guest hall.

Inside the hall, Xiao Ji Xiuyong wore a black dark cloud-patterned crane cloak today, his long hair tied in a jade-inlaid crown, holding a folding fan in his hand, his demeanor graceful.

Seeing this person, Li Fei immediately associated him with the Third Prince; the two had somewhat similar temperaments.

However, the Third Prince was dashing and noble, while Xiao Ji Xiuyong had more martial spirit, with a clear martial artist's momentum.

Li Fei only glanced at Xiao Ji Xiuyong before shifting his attention to the person standing beside him.

This person looked somewhat aged, with many wrinkles on his face, wearing an inconspicuous gray robe, slightly hunched, looking like an old servant in the house.

But in Li Fei's perception, this person faintly gave him a feeling like a needle prick on his skin!

"Danger Perception," the core-level extraordinary ability Li Fei stimulated earliest, although not as good as perception-type divine abilities, was also rising with the tide as his strength and realm improved.

As long as it wasn't someone who possessed divine abilities like 【Shadow Masking】, Li Fei could roughly judge the other party's strength based on "Danger Perception."

So at first glance, Li Fei made a judgment: this man standing beside Xiao Ji Xiuyong, shaped like an old servant, was definitely a Martial Arts Master with formidable combat power!

"Haha, Marquis Jing'an, long admired."

Seeing Li Fei walk into the hall, Xiao Ji Xiuyong smiled and stood up, holding the folding fan, and bowed to Li Fei.

Senior Bian Senior Bian Jingru, as if he had never mentioned this person to Li Fei before, turned to Li Fei and smiled:

"Marquis, let me introduce you. This is Young Master Xiao Ji Xiuyong of the Xiao family. Hearing that you, Marquis, were coming to my mansion as a guest today, he came to visit specifically."

Li Fei raised his hand to return the salute: "Young Master Xiao, hello."

"Please sit, both of you."

Senior Bian Senior Bian Jingru first invited the two to sit, then had the servants serve tea.

After the tea was served, he suddenly said:

"You two, I'm really sorry, I suddenly have an urgent need, so I must excuse myself first."

"Lord Senior Bian, please go ahead."

Xiao Ji Xiuyong said with a smile.

Li Fei also nodded to Senior Bian Senior Bian Jingru.

After Senior Bian Senior Bian Jingru left, only Li Fei, Xiao Ji Xiuyong, and the old servant standing behind him remained in the hall.

Xiao Ji Xiuyong sized up Li Fei; he had heard of this peerless genius of history for a long time and was actually very curious, finally seeing him today.

Looking at him, it was completely different from what he had imagined.

He thought this would be a high-spirited, sharp-edged young man, after all, he was only twenty.

But he looked upright, very steady, and seemed easy to talk to.

"Marquis Jing'an, His Highness the Crown Prince often mentions you to me, saying he views you as a friend. I grew up with him, and we are also very good friends. You don't mind if I call you by your name directly, right?"

Xiao Ji Xiuyong asked with a smile.

Li Fei looked at him calmly: "You may."

The smile on Xiao Ji Xiuyong's face grew brighter, feeling that this peerless genius of history was indeed easy to talk to.

Or rather, he gave him face.

"Young Master Xiao came to find me specifically today; is there something wrong?"

Li Fei asked directly.

Xiao Ji Xiuyong restrained his smile and said sternly:

"Li Fei, I also know about the grudge between you and the Lu family. I came today to ask you to give the Lu family a chance so they can sit down and talk to you properly."

After speaking, he added immediately:

"But don't misunderstand; I'm not here to persuade you to let the Lu family go, just to ask you to talk to them. As for how you and the Lu family talk, I won't interfere, and I won't care how it ends up. How about that?"

Li Fei understood; this was Lu Lu Wenzheng's "response."

He decomposed the Lu family from the inside, so he borrowed strength from the outside.

Now that the Crown Prince was supervising the state, the Xiao family's status rose with the tide. If it were any other external force, Li Fei could choose not to give face, but the Xiao family was the Crown Prince's most important helper. With this relationship with the Crown Prince, could Li Fei really not give face at all?

Li Fei had already become a "Dragon Raising Its Head."

Lu Lu Wenzheng wanted to use the Xiao family to make the dragon lower its head!

Li Fei looked at Xiao Ji Xiuyong: "Is Young Master Xiao planning to stand up for the Lu family?"

Xiao Ji Xiuyong was stunned and frowned slightly: "Li Fei, you misunderstood. I said, I will never favor either side in the grudge between you and the Lu family, just let both sides talk for themselves."

Li Fei: "Does Young Master Xiao know about the grudge between me and the Lu family?"

Xiao Ji Xiuyong nodded: "I know."

"Know that Lu Lu Wenzheng designed the frame-up that killed my Master and Mistress, and sent people to kill me several times?"

"I know."

"When I was persecuted by the Lu family, you didn't stand up and ask us to sit down and talk; now that I'm fighting back, you suddenly stand up and say, let's sit down and talk properly. You call this not favoring either side?"

"."

Xiao Ji Xiuyong's expression became somewhat ugly.

You didn't speak when people were being beaten, but you suddenly jumped out when they were fighting back; if this isn't favoring one side, what is?

The logic was the logic, but Xiao Ji Xiuyong didn't expect Li Fei to speak so directly, without giving him any face at all!

"Li Fei, the Crown Prince hasn't ascended the throne yet, and there will always be variables in the future. It's better to have one more friend than one more enemy. The Lu family is willing to offer enough sincere compensation; why must you push the Lu family to the opposite side of the Crown Prince?"

Xiao Ji Xiuyong also spoke clearly.

Li Fei didn't say he had already talked to Lu Lu Wenyao, because he knew very well how the abacus of someone like Xiao Ji Xiuyong worked.

The family head line represented by Lu Lu Wenzheng was the strongest. Li Fei wanted to kill Lu Lu Wenzheng, suppress the family head line, and make the Lu family have internal strife, which would definitely weaken the Lu family's strength.

And to some extent, this was also weakening the national strength of the Great Lan Dynasty.

For Xiao Ji Xiuyong, being able to harvest the complete Lu family's service and get extra benefits, why must he support Li Fei in splitting the Lu family?

So the best way to solve the problem was to persuade Li Fei to let go of the hatred, take a share of the benefits, and turn hostility into friendship.

And even if Li Fei ultimately didn't reach an agreement with Lu Lu Wenzheng and still intended to seek revenge, Xiao Ji Xiuyong wouldn't interfere.

Anyway, by then, the benefits Lu Lu Wenzheng promised him would already be in his hands.

To put it bluntly, he came today just to make Li Fei give him face.

He was very confident, feeling that Li Fei would definitely give it.

"Lu Lu Wenzheng must die. As for whether the Lu family will stand on the opposite side of the Crown Prince by then, I think they will make a wise choice."

Li Fei said calmly.

Xiao Ji Xiuyong clenched his fists upon hearing this, and anger began to rise in his heart!

"Li Fei! Are you really unwilling to give me this face?"

Li Fei looked at him and suddenly smiled:

"Then I'll answer you one last time—"

"Do you think you're worthy?"

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(End of chapter)