Chapter 278
Book 25 Chapter 01 - Unpredictable Xiao Pan
Surrounded by his buddies such as Li Si and Lord Changwen, Xiang Shaolong returned back to Wu Residence. Seeing the Tian Sisters again, the three of them were ecstatic beyond words.
Xiang Bao’er just turned six and he is much stouter than the average kid. Clinging onto Xiang Shaolong, he asked one question after another and was pretty talkative, causing Xiang Shaolong to swell with fatherly pride.
Leading the entire clan, Wu Yingyuan prayed to their ancestors. That night, a banquet was hosted and the residence was decorated with numerous lanterns and red banners. It was a lively scene.
After drinking until his ears are red, Lord Changwen who was sitting opposite Xiang Shaolong chuckled: "The invincible Cao Qiudao is no longer invincible. After the duel at Qixia College Stargazing Platform, there is Shaolong the Sabre King who is evenly matched with Sword Saint. Let’s see what else are the Six Eastern States capable of?"
At this juncture, Ji Yanran and Qin Qing led all the female members of the family in a toast, demonstrating their indebtedness for Xiang Shaolong, Teng Yi, Jing Jun and the other men who had served Qin by going into war. Xiang Shaolong and his men hurriedly returned the toast.
Noticing Zhou Wei, who had married Wu Guo, among the ladies, Xiang Shaolong was reminded of her brother Zhou Liang and King Eagle who died serving the country. He grieved: "At pity that Brother Zhou Liang…"
Zhou Wei’s countenance turned grey. Lowering her head, she gently consoled: "Late Brother’s greatest wish is to successfully train a King Eagle and deploy it in battle, a.s.sisting the army in securing victory. Now that his dream has come true, he would have died without any regrets. Great General need not bear any grudges for his death is certainly a peaceful one."
Finis.h.i.+ng her sentence, her eyes began to turn reddish.
Everyone is conscious that Xiang Shaolong emphasizes a lot on relations.h.i.+ps and hastily tried to change the topic. Jing Jun’s wife and the mother of their daughter, Lu Dan’er quizzed: "Is Great General staying in Xianyang or leaving for the farms?"
Li Si joked: "Madam Jing must be really forgetful. Others may address Shaolong as Great General but you should address him as Third Brother or Third Brother in law instead."
The crowd breaking out into laughter, Lu Dan’er vented her anger on Jing Jun. Viciously glaring at him, she scolded in a low voice: "It’s all your fault!"
Her words triggered even more laughter and the entire hall was filled with happiness, effectively diluting the earlier ambience of sorrow.
At the end of the banquet, the guests bade farewell and subsequently took their leave.
After their departure, the leaders of the Wu Family gathered together in a secret room for a meeting.
During Xiang Shaolong’s absence, all the external matters of the Wu Family were actually handled by the wise Ji Yanran. She inadvertently became the only female partic.i.p.ant.
Tao Fang started the ball rolling: "It is wonderful to have Shaolong back. After several rendezvous with Tu Xian, it is ascertained that Lu Buwei and Lao Ai were in cahoots and their apparent enmity is staged. Additionally, with Empress supporting them from behind, their prowess is significantly boosted. Due to Lu Buwei’s incitement, Lao Ai is spending most of his time at Yongdu. His resident palace, clothing, carriages and lifestyle is comparable to that of a King. Moreover, any doc.u.ment that requires Empress’s Seal of Authority will have to be vet by these two traitors.
Ji Yanran nodded: "Due to the influence of Empress, Yongdu is as good as the territory of Lao Ai. With Lu Buwei as an inactive partner, they are forming secret gangs that are made up of desperados from different States, preparing to create chaos during Crown Prince’s July coronation. This is a troubling development."
Xiang Shaolong rea.s.sured: "Some time ago, Crown Prince has planted the capable Mao Jiao as a spy within Lao Ai’s camp. Thus, he possesses full knowledge of his traitorous activities. Moreover, he has secretly summoned w.a.n.g Jian back to Xianyang and is preparing for a showdown with Lao Ai."
Teng Yi violently shuddered: "Now that Shaolong is back; why did he summon w.a.n.g Jian?"
Xiang Shaolong fell into a daze as this thought never crossed his mind. His own heart began to turn cold.
Everyone is now gazing at him.
Jing Jun wondered: "Since Crown Prince personally informed Third Brother about this, there shouldn’t be a problem right?"
Her pretty eyes flas.h.i.+ng with a complicated look, Ji Yanran melancholically sighed with a breath. She cautioned: "Whenever it comes to a power tussle or brothers fighting for the throne, all family ties are discarded. Hubby poses a threat because you are able to win the hearts of the people; just by witnessing the citizens of Qin celebrating your homecoming by cheering at the two sides of the street at your return, it is as clear as day."
Wu Guo furiously recapped: "If not for Young Master fighting hard and protecting this country, Crown Prince will not be who he is today. How can he…"
With a dry cough, Wu Yingyuan interrupted him: "Stop your nonsense. Wu Guo, you never learn your lesson, do you? After the ungrateful treatment by Zhao, you are still as naïve as ever. Right now, Shaolong is as good as another Bai Qi. Do you still remember how Bai Qi ended up!"
Pausing, he added: "Fortunately, years ago, we had already decided to move to the borders and build our own kingdom. We are at the last leg of our preparations. Once we kill Lu Buwei, we will leave Qin immediately. Shaolong shall be our overall chief in charge."
Tao Fang dryly coughed too: "Recently, there is an unknown group spreading rumours, a.s.serting that Crown Prince is neither the son of the late king or Lu Buwei but someone Shaolong that Shaolong has secretly manifested. Hey, this is truly absurd." Glancing at Xiang Shaolong with a strange expression, Ji Yanran lowered her lovely face and her body language became unnatural. Teng Yi, who knows the real truth, wondered out loud: "Are the people convinced by these rumours?"
With a serious expression, Tao Fang professed: "Within Qin, unless they are having an ulterior motive, everyone believes that Crown Prince is the rightful and authentic son of heaven. These preposterous rumours cannot shake their beliefs. I am only concerned that this will cause Crown Prince some discomfort!"
Xiang Shaolong concluded: "As per Father in Law’s comments, we, the Wu Family, can no longer allow our fate to be determined by other parties. We must hold the key to our own destiny." Following that, they a.n.a.lyzed several details on how to fully retreat from Qin before everyone retired to their bedrooms.
Ji Yanran instead pulled Xiang Shaolong to the garden for a stroll. This gorgeous beauty with matching intelligence quizzed: "Does Hubby feel that Crown Prince has changed a lot over the past two years?"
Admiring the bright moon, Xiang Shaolong sighed: "As the leader of a State, who can afford to stay stagnant?"
Ji Yanran praised: "Well said! Absolute power corrupts absolutely. Isn’t this your famous warning mantra? Now that Crown Prince’s authority is growing day by day, his character has become even more unfathomable and unpredictable. Aye! Li Si has changed a lot too and is no longer as close to our Wu Family as before. If Shaolong were to treat other people with the same frankness as before, it will be very easy for you to get cheated.
Xiang Shaolong was still in a daze when Ji Yanran lowered her head and confessed: "It was Tingfang who told us!"
Xiang Shaolong gawked at her with amazement.
With a wronged expression, Ji Yanran shot him a look and acknowledged: "Back then, we just received news about your defeat in battle and subsequent disappearance. In her anxiety, Tingfang told me about Crown Prince’s secret and is certain that Crown Prince will do his best to save you because of it. Therefore, you