Chapter 121: Jiang Family’s Ambition! My Lord, Am I Big?

Chapter 121: Chapter 121: Jiang Family’s Ambition! My Lord, Am I Big?

The Great Zhou Northern Border, Longzhou.

Marquis Wei Yuan’s Mansion.

In the study, Pei Shiqing, his hair unbound and dressed only in his inner robes, was hunched over, intently reading a letter.

Pei Shaotang sat quietly to the side, waiting.

Seeing Pei Shiqing put the letter down, he immediately stood and stepped forward to ask, "Father, do you think Yujin’s speculation could be true? That Second Brother was deliberately hiding his abilities all this time, and that all his absurd actions were just a way to tarnish his own name, which is why he’s been completely different since leaving the Capital City?"

"Absolutely impossible!" Pei Shiqing shook his head, his tone resolute. In a low voice, he said, "How many years has it been since Yujin married into the Pei Family? She doesn’t understand that rebellious son of mine, and neither do those outsiders. You grew up with him; don’t you know him? Does he have the brains for that? No!"

As the saying goes, no one knows a son better than his father. He was absolutely, positively certain that his second son was a good-for-nothing, a bastard, a son of a bitch. There was no way he could have been hiding his abilities.

"Father, I don’t want to believe it either." Pei Shaotang scratched the back of his head and frowned. "But Second Brother’s change since leaving the Capital City has been too drastic. Killing the Kaiyang Saint Heir could be explained away as luck, but a while ago he also exposed the Shu Royal Mansion’s plot to rebel. That can’t be just luck, can it?"

He then added with a hint of envy, "And he was rewarded with a Qilin Robe and a Dragon-Blood Steed for it."

Pei Shiqing owned a Dragon-Blood Steed himself, but he rarely got the chance to ride it for pleasure. Now that Pei Shaoqing also had one, he felt an indescribable awkwardness.

Before, when his younger brother was a disappointment, he was upset.

Now that his younger brother was too successful, he was also upset.

"There must be something fishy behind such an anomaly. Perhaps he has an expert advising him." Pei Shiqing stood up and paced for a few moments before stopping to speculate.

Pei Shaotang disagreed. "Father, if you say Second Brother wasn’t hiding his talents before, then given how he was, what kind of expert would be willing to serve him?"

’They’re an expert, not a blind man.’

"But you’ve forgotten someone. Your sister-in-law is a renowned talent of the Capital City." Pei Shiqing turned to stare at Pei Shaotang, his tone eerie.

Pei Shaotang’s eyes widened. "Father, are you saying Xie Qingwu has been planning all of this for Second Brother?"

"It’s the only possibility. Husband and wife are one entity. Only she has both the ability and the motive. I’ve truly underestimated this daughter-in-law of mine," Pei Shiqing lamented.

It was widely said in the capital that Xie Qingwu was a talented woman, but in his eyes, a woman’s talent could only go so far.

Now, he realized he had been too arrogant.

Pei Shaotang was incredulous. "But with Second Brother’s scoundrel nature, could Xie Qingwu really control him? Right after they were married, he was already out carousing all day."

"Perhaps that was also her intention. She wanted to maneuver that rebellious son out of the Capital City, away from its constraints, so she could use him to realize her own ambitions. Even I was played by her," Pei Shiqing said gravely.

Pei Shaotang pressed his lips together, at a loss for words.

’My seemingly harmless sister-in-law is actually this terrifying!’

"Although it’s disgraceful for a man to be manipulated by a woman, it’s still better than that rebellious son causing trouble all day." Pei Shiqing let out a breath. "Write a letter and tell Yujin my theory. She’s a smart woman. When that rebellious son returns to the capital for the imperial banquet, she’ll know how to treat Qingwu and him differently."

"Yes." Pei Shaotang complied, then added worriedly, "Father, since this Miss Xie is so calculating and ambitious, could she use Second Brother to do something truly heinous?"

"What nonsense. As if that bastard has ever done a single good thing on his own. Does he even need to be used by others to do bad things?" Pei Shiqing retorted irritably.

Pei Shaotang was speechless. ’Right, the only two good things he’s ever done were both after Xie Qingwu married in.’

Pei Shiqing spoke with grave sincerity, "I know what you’re worried about, but rest assured. As husband and wife, they prosper and fall together. Qingwu would never do anything to harm that rebellious son. Besides, only a good-for-nothing like him would let her manipulate him to achieve her ambitions."

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

"Father, the moment Pei Shaoqing left the Capital City, he became a completely different person, earning one merit and reward after another. In terms of imperial favor, no one surpasses him now. The theory that he was deliberately hiding his abilities is confirmed. Third Sister suspects that he had ulterior motives even when he beat little Bai to death. Do you think that’s possible?"

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

"It’s hard to say." Jiang Hu put down the letter and shook his head, musing, "For now, tell Yue’e to set aside her hatred for little Bai’s death. Don’t provoke him anymore."

"Father, didn’t you say that Your Majesty wants to see us at odds with the Marquis Wei Yuan’s Mansion? That’s why you told Third Sister to act boldly, right?" Jiang Xiaofeng asked, confused.

"That was then, this is now." Jiang Hu stood up and paced the room with his hands behind his back. "The Emperor’s favor toward Pei Shaoqing is genuine. If we go after Pei Shaoqing now, we’d be slapping the Emperor in the face.

The Emperor is counting on the Marquis Wei Yuan’s Mansion to help him crush the Northern Barbarians. Pei Shiqing only just reluctantly agreed to dispatch troops. Making trouble for them now would be courting death."

"Yes." Although reluctant, Jiang Xiaofeng knew his father was right and could only give a muffled assent.

"Little Bai wasn’t just your son; he was my eldest grandson." Jiang Hu clapped his shoulder, his expression grave. "The Emperor is anxious, which proves his health is failing. Our top priority is to ensure that your sister’s son inherits the throne.

As long as my grandson—your nephew—becomes Emperor and Yue’e rules from behind the curtain, dealing with a mere Pei Shaoqing will be child’s play. Until then, the Jiang Family must keep a low profile. A very low profile."

"Yes, Father." Jiang Xiaofeng nodded emphatically.

If Jiang Yue’e hadn’t gotten pregnant, or hadn’t successfully given birth to a Dragon Son, the Jiang Family could have remained neutral observers like the Pei Family, sitting back and watching things unfold.

But Jiang Yue’e did get pregnant, and she did give birth.

And the Emperor doted on this son.

That left the Jiang Family with no choice. They had to fight for it.

Because if they didn’t, once the empire’s new successor took power, he would inevitably purge the Jiang Family.

Of course, Jiang Hu could also choose to abandon his daughter and grandson to side with the new emperor and save himself.

But setting aside father-daughter affection and considering only his own interests, how could he not have ambitions of his own?

Just think: the Emperor dies, his young grandson ascends the throne, his daughter rules from behind the curtain, and the Jiang Family holds military power. They could effectively control the entire Court.

They could even go a step further and replace the Zhou dynasty with the Jiang.

It wasn’t impossible.

Compared to building an eternal dynasty, what did temporarily setting aside a petty grudge against Pei Shaoqing matter?

Thinking of his not-so-bright and extremely willful daughter, Jiang Hu added, "Reply to Yue’e as soon as possible, lest she lose her patience and do something reckless."

.........

「Three days later.」

General Li emerged from his seclusion.

Pei Shaoqing circled him, examining him closely.

"My lord, this servant loves only female cats!" General Li’s fur stood on end under the scrutiny, and he protectively clamped his tail over his rear.

After all, his lord had a certain *anal* fixation.

’He’s like an eel, able to slip into any hole.’

Pei Shaoqing straightened up. "You don’t look any different after refining the Fox Demon Core."

"Of course I am!" General Li couldn’t resist showing off. He stood up on his hind legs and declared, "Armor off!"

Pei Shaoqing grabbed him, held him upside down by the legs, and gave him a good shake. His helmet and armor pieces clattered to the floor one by one.

"Aiya! My lord, stop! Stop!"

General Li was dizzy from the shaking.

Finally, the last bracer on his body was shaken off, and he was casually tossed to the ground.

General Li scrambled up, shook his head, and then said with a sly grin, "My lord, watch closely."

In the next second, his body expanded rapidly, growing from slightly larger than a normal cat to the size of a calf.

’A mouse seeing this would think the sky was falling.’

"My lord, am I big or what! C’mon, tell me, am I big?!" General Li asked repeatedly, his face alight with excitement.

Pei Shaoqing’s face darkened at those words.

"Is that it?" he said, looking utterly disappointed.

"Of course not!" With a SWISH, General Li turned into a black shadow and teleported to the doorway. He raised a paw and swiped at a chair. CRACK! The chair exploded into pieces, sending splinters flying. Claw marks were visible on the fragments.

Pei Shaoqing nodded in satisfaction. "Now that’s more like it. At least you finally have the power to protect yourself. I won’t have to worry about you getting exorcised the moment you step outside."

"Hehe." General Li shrank back to his original size, looking smug and walking with a new swagger in his step.

That Fox Demon had harmed countless people, only to meet its demise and have all its power serve as a stepping stone for him.

’Even as a demon, you need a powerful backer!’

Suddenly, a cat’s meow was heard. "Meow~"

General Li and Pei Shaoqing both turned toward the sound.

A black cat was perched on the rockery outside.

"My beloved consort, what news do you have for Us?" General Li immediately ran out, leaping effortlessly onto the rockery.

Pei Shaoqing narrowed his eyes. ’Using the royal "We" right in front of Us? General Li has clearly gotten a big head after his power-up. If this continues, will he want to become the master?’

Unaware that he was already suspected of treason, General Li listened to his consort’s report and then immediately relayed it to Pei Shaoqing. "My lord, my calico consort reports that Noble Consort Wan’s desires are insatiable. With the Emperor being impotent, she has her palace maids ’eat and drink’ with her every night."

"Hah, that’s to be expected. The Emperor is old." Pei Shaoqing didn’t pay much mind to this piece of intelligence.

’After all, it’s not like I dare to cuckold the Emperor right now.’

General Li added, "Also, my calico consort says Noble Consort Wan is making a move against you again. But she only overheard her muttering to herself and doesn’t know the specific plan."

"Oh?" That surprised Pei Shaoqing.

He had assumed that, given his current favor with the Emperor, the Jiang Family would temporarily set aside their grudge to avoid arousing the Emperor’s displeasure. He hadn’t expected Noble Consort Wan to still dare to move against him. Was the Jiang Family really that arrogant?

’No, the Jiang Family can’t be that foolish.’

Pei Shaoqing figured it was probably Noble Consort Wan acting on her own again. After all, Xie Qingwu had said she was an idiot.

"Ah! What happened to this chair?" Ye Hanshuang came in and was startled to see the shattered chair, but she didn’t make a big deal of it. "Big Brother, Ouyang Rong is here."

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

He hadn’t expected Ouyang Rong to come looking for him.

Ye Hanshuang nodded. "He doesn’t look like he’s doing too well. You should go quickly, Big Brother."

"Mm." Pei Shaoqing nodded and headed out.

In his haste to leave, he collided squarely with Liu Yuheng, who was just stepping in. Liu Yuheng cried out in surprise as the tea she was carrying spilled all over the floor.

"Lady Gongsun, are you alright?" Seeing the hot tea splash on her, Pei Shaoqing’s expression changed. He asked with concern as he reached out to wipe the tea from her chest.

Then, as he was wiping, he froze.

"Young Master, I’m fine..." Liu Yuheng trailed off, suddenly noticing something was off about Pei Shaoqing’s gaze.

She looked down and realized that in the process of wiping, he had pulled her collar slightly open. A small part of the white silk spaghetti-strap bodysuit she wore underneath for comfort was exposed, offering a tantalizing glimpse of her heavy bust.

"Ah!" Blushing furiously, Liu Yuheng dropped the tea tray, hastily pulled her robes shut, and scrambled to her feet in a fluster. Averting her gaze, she stammered, "Young Master... this one will take her leave."

With that, she turned with her head bowed and hurried away.

’I could die of regret!’

After wearing it for several days in a row, she had gotten used to the comfort of the Ice Silk. She’d found there was no risk of it being seen, so she had grown more and more relaxed about wearing it.

That was why she hadn’t even worn a bodice today. She never imagined Pei Shaoqing would see it. ’Does he think I’m a wanton slut who only pretends to be dignified?’

Liu Yuheng wished she could find a hole to crawl into and hide.

Pei Shaoqing took a deep breath, composed himself, and walked out. ’I never would have thought Lady Gongsun, who seems so conservative, would be so receptive to new things.’

’Sect Leader Gongsun is a lucky man! He has Liu Yuheng for love, and me for his career.’