Chapter Forty-Seven

Chapter Forty-Seven

If one ignores the mocking smile on Jiang Chaoyu's lips, these words are indeed a compliment.

At the banquet, everyone applauded, and even the emperor couldn't help but praise, "It is thanks to you, my dear minister, that I am able to stand here."

Xie Yunyin's words sounded more like sarcasm than praise.

It was my own carelessness that led to me not having a backup plan and being tricked.

Jiang Chaoyu looked at Zeng Chenhua, gesturing for him to look towards the high position.

The emperor was fully aware of Xie Yunyin's martial arts skills; as for the rest, it remained to be seen how he would conceal them.

At this moment, Xie Yunyin had no time to speculate about who was responsible; covering it up to the emperor was the best course of action.

"I beg Your Majesty's forgiveness!" Xie Yunyin knelt on the ground first. Now, so many eyes were on him at the banquet, but he hadn't expected to make things worse.

At this moment, the emperor didn't care about any of this, or perhaps he was a wise monarch who couldn't possibly blame his loyal minister who had saved him.

In the eyes of the crowd, the "wise" monarch helped up his loyal subjects, saying, "It's all because of you, my dear minister, that the world is about to change. What crime have you committed?"

He then added, "By my decree, Xie Yunyin has rendered meritorious service in protecting the Emperor and is hereby promoted to the rank of Seventh-Rank Imperial Advisor."

Upon hearing this, the people at the banquet outwardly agreed but inwardly harbored their own ulterior motives.

Jiang Chaoyu hadn't expected that this move would actually lead to Xie Yunyin's promotion.

Unwittingly, Xie Yunyin's gaze met Jiang Chaoyu's as he looked down. The disgust in Jiang Chaoyu's eyes made Xie Yunyin quickly look away.

Xie Yunyin sneered. He had forgotten that he had killed Jiang Chaoyu's closest relatives. How could it be possible? It was just wishful thinking.

After Xie Yunyin returned to his seat, his friends who had been reciting poetry with him all gathered around him and said, "Brother Xie, we never expected you to have such excellent martial arts skills. You are truly a hidden master..."

Before the first person could finish speaking, another person chimed in, "What do you know? Brother Xie has truly become a celebrity now. Brother Xie, when will you teach us a thing or two?"

These words seemed like normal compliments, but Xie Yunyin heard a different flavor in them, and decided to be more cautious in the future.

Xie Yunyin looked towards Zeng Chenhua, but unexpectedly, the man seemed to be staring at him the whole time, his gazes seeming to say, "Is this all you've got?"

Upon closer inspection, Xie Yunyin realized that the person behind this was Zeng Chenhua. He hadn't expected Zeng to be so cunning and able to hide his true intentions for so long that he had completely believed Zeng's words, leading to the current situation.

Zeng Chenhua noticed Xie Yunyin's gaze, picked up a cup of tea and pointed it at Xie Yunyin, as if to say, "Good skills."

At this banquet, Xie Yunyin outshone the emperor. After the banquet, everyone came to congratulate Xie Yunyin. But how many of these congratulations were genuine? They were all people who came for personal gain.

I didn't want to be noticed, but now it seems I have to be careful about my words and actions from now on. It wouldn't be good if someone criticized me.

"Please wait, Mr. Xie!"

The familiar voice called out to Xie Yunyin, and when he turned around, Zeng Chenhua was standing in front of him.

Zeng Chenhua noticed his disappointment and said, "It seems that you are not very satisfied with me, Xie Chaoyilang?"

Zeng Chenhua usually only calls me by my full name or "Young Master," so this way of addressing me now is very unpleasant to hear.

"Second Prince, please just call me by my real name. It's too much of a burden on my life." He bowed to Zeng Chenhua, implying that Zeng Chenhua should stop making sarcastic remarks about him.

With his jade cane, Zeng Chenhua still appeared to outsiders as the lame second prince.

"I've only come to offer my congratulations, and congratulations to Xie Chaoyilang." A slight smile played on his lips, his words a mix of sincerity and self-mockery.

However, Zeng Chenhua then continued, "Previously, I invited you as the young master of the Xie family. Now that Xie Chaoyilang's status has changed, my household will issue a separate invitation. I hope that Chaoyilang will do me the honor of attending my wedding banquet."

These words seemed to be said deliberately in front of Xie Yunyin. These words were like a knife piercing Xie Yunyin's heart. Although he did not show it on his face, he was actually itching with hatred in his heart.

However, Zeng Chenhua knew that Xie Yunyin would do this, so he came to Xie Yunyin again and said it again.

"I heard that someone attacked outside the city earlier, but fortunately it was quelled. I wonder if the Imperial Councilor knows about this?" Zeng Chenhua raised his eyelids slightly, his eyes fixed on Xie Yunyin, not missing the change in his face in that instant.

He seemed unable to contain himself, lowering his eyes to compose himself, and when he looked up, he appeared completely bewildered, as if he had never heard of the matter before.

"I don't know what Your Highness means by this. I was just a wild man who was like a hermit, who loved to compose poems and couplets. As for these things, I really have never heard of them."

Judging from Xie Yunyin's reaction, he knew that both of them possessed memories of their past lives; it was just a matter of who could gain the upper hand.

“Oh, is that so? The casualties in that battle were quite heavy, with many people lost. Today I have seen how skilled you are in martial arts, so why don’t I ask my father for permission to let you lead the army?”

Xie Yunyin, unsure whether Zeng Chenhua was serious or joking, frowned and said, "Second Prince, you are teasing me. After all, I brought these people here, yet this happened at the banquet. If anything happens to His Majesty, I will be a sinner for all eternity."

"I have other matters to attend to, so I will not continue my conversation with Your Highness here." He hurriedly fled, unable to have much time to talk with Zeng Chenhua this time.

Looking at Xie Yunyin's retreating figure, there was still a big gift waiting for him.

Cheng Zhenmen's subordinates reported that they seemed to have discovered Xie Yunyin and Jiang Yunxin were colluding. It seems that these two have quite a bit of ambition.

Jiang Yunxin was unaware that his conspiracy with others had been discovered. At this moment, he stood in front of Jiang Yuyao and grabbed her wrist.

"Let go of me!" Jiang Yunxin grabbed Jiang Yuyao's wrist tightly, and even though the red marks on her wrist were very obvious, he still did not let go.

Jiang Yunxin glared at Jiang Yuyao, his brows furrowed, "How long are you going to hold this grudge?"

A casual remark about holding a grudge placed Jiang Yuyao in the position of a jealous young woman, which made Jiang Yuyao feel a hint of sarcasm. She looked up at Jiang Yunxin and said sarcastically, "These words are really what my good brother said. Who was it that drove someone to their death back then? Now you are sitting in a position that does not belong to you, yet you pretend to be grudge-holding. Ha, it is utterly ridiculous."

Every word was Jiang Yuyao's true feelings, and her words were spoken with such hatred.

But Jiang Yunxin had no awareness of occupying someone else's position, and said only: "His health is not good, and he can't bear it. How can you blame me? I promised him ten thousand taels of gold before, but he himself is not worthy of it."

He uttered each word through gritted teeth, which can be interpreted as him saying that he couldn't handle the immense wealth and fortune that had befallen him.

“You and he used to be good friends!” Jiang Yuyao said this, trying to awaken Jiang Yunxin’s conscience. However, power had blinded Jiang Yunxin for too long. He cared more about the power that held absolute authority than about his friends.

"Friends should contribute, right?"

Upon hearing this, Jiang Yuyao thought it was nothing short of sarcasm.

"Ha, from beginning to end, you only have yourself in your heart. I was just a pawn you used, wasn't I?" The hatred in her eyes could not be hidden. Perhaps she was too agitated, and tears welled up in Jiang Yuyao's eyes, but she bravely refused to let them fall.

Seeing the doubt in Jiang Yuyao's eyes, Jiang Yunxin knew that no matter how much he said, Jiang Yuyao would not believe him.

He then changed his tone and said tactfully, "Little sister, you are the apple of your brother's eye. Nothing is more important than you."

He moved closer to Jiang Yuyao, still holding onto her wrist. At this moment, Jiang Yunxin was somewhat sickly.

They say it's a treasure, but when I look down, I see my wrist is already very red. If it were truly a precious treasure, it wouldn't be in this state.

It's unclear when, but the older brother who used to take care of him in everything has changed into Jiang Yunxin, who now only cares about his own interests. Perhaps it was his father's scolding when he failed to make the list, or something else, that turned the once spirited young man into the profit-driven Jiang Yunxin he is today.

"Jiang Yunxin, I promised my father I wouldn't expose him, but everyone has their limits. Don't push me!"

Jiang Yuyao forcefully shook off Jiang Yunxin's hand, only realizing at the moment of breaking free that her wrist was already red and swollen, wondering how much force Jiang Yunxin had used.

"Just for him?"

The "he" that Jiang Yunxin spoke of was the one Jiang Yuyao liked, and also the one whose position Jiang Yunxin usurped.

If it weren't for Jiang Yunxin's actions, the entire manor would have fallen into ruin. In other words, the Jiang family owed him.

"Don't forget, you owe them!" The two men's eyes met, neither willing to back down.

Jiang Yuyao's eyes were filled with even more hatred, a hatred that often tormented her. Now that the person she hated was standing right in front of her, she wished she could stab him to death.

Jiang Yunxin saw through Jiang Yuyao's thoughts, took out his sword and handed it to her, "Don't you hate me? Kill me!"

The sword tip was pressed against Jiang Yunxin's chest, but was blocked by his clothes. If Jiang Yuyao had been more ruthless, the sword would have pierced through Jiang Yunxin and sent him to the underworld.

Jiang Yunxin grasped Jiang Yuyao's hand, making her grip the sword hilt tightly. He continued to utter harsh words, wondering just how much his younger sister could hate him, whether she truly wanted to kill him.

With this movement, tears streamed down Jiang Yuyao's face. She looked up and met Jiang Yunxin's gaze, saying, "Don't think I wouldn't dare!"

I tightened my grip on the hilt, but my hands were still trembling.

"You killed me to avenge him, isn't that what you've always wanted? What! Now that the sword is in your hand, you're afraid?"

The last words seemed to be shouted by Jiang Yunxin on purpose, to provoke Jiang Yuyao and see just how much she hated her!

She was so close; the sword was in her hand, and all she had to do was plunge in and avenge herself. But when the moment actually arrived, Jiang Yuyao found herself even more unable to bring herself to do it. Was she really going to kill her own brother with her own hands?

But back then, it was I who shouted that I wanted to kill Jiang Yunxin in front of the funeral hall, yet now it is I who cannot bring myself to do it.

Jiang Yuyao closed her eyes. Jiang Yunxin's words had indeed angered her, but she was weighing the pros and cons, wondering who was more important.

Seeing Jiang Yuyao's hesitant expression, Jiang Yunxin comforted himself, thinking that she must be reluctant to part with him. So he used all his strength to push Jiang Yuyao's hand towards himself.

Unexpectedly, Jiang Yuyao put down her sword hilt and helped Jiang Yunxin up. The sword was piercing his chest. She never thought that she had indirectly harmed Jiang Yunxin.

"elder brother!"