son, don't mess around

In the quiet backyard, a few sprigs of winter plum blossoms quietly bloomed, adding a touch of winter scenery to the yard.

But the gray sky seemed to be shrouded in an oppressive atmosphere.

Xu Chaoge, dressed in a light-colored floral dress, stood in the courtyard with a long woolen cardigan draped over her shoulders, which could not conceal her tall and graceful figure.

Graceful and elegant, her eyes and brows exuded a mature charm that belied her youthful appearance. Though young, she possessed an aura that seemed innate.

But for some reason, her once clear and confident expression now seemed to carry a hint of lingering sorrow.

And frequent moments of disorientation.

She stood there in the courtyard, gazing at the plum blossoms quietly blooming, lost in thought, her expression blank.

Until, footsteps came from behind.

She turned around and saw Xu Xuan's figure in her line of sight.

"younger sister."

Xu Xuan stepped forward, a gentle smile appearing on his face.

He approached Xu Chaoge and chuckled, "Little sister, what are you doing?"

Xu Chaoge ignored her, her gaze remaining fixed on the courtyard. After a long while, she turned her head and glanced at Xu Xuan expressionlessly: "What happened?"

"Cough, it's nothing."

Xu Xuan touched his nose.

"Is it?"

Xu Chaoge's expression remained unchanged as she looked up at him: "Are you sure?"

His clear eyes seemed to possess an extremely strong penetrating power, making Xu Xuan feel numb all over.

Xu Xuan opened his mouth as if to say something, but faced with his sister's clear eyes, he could only manage a wry smile and rub his somewhat stiff face.

"You can't hide anything from me."

His younger sister is incredibly clever.

The two grew up together, and she knew him too well; nothing could be hidden from her.

Xu Xuan smiled bitterly to himself.

Xu Chaoge withdrew her gaze and looked back at the courtyard, saying calmly, "Speak, what is it?"

"Your father is going to sell you!"

Xu Xuan gave a wry smile.

Upon hearing this, Xu Chaoge was taken aback. But she quickly recovered and her expression remained calm and composed.

This doesn't seem to be surprising.

"Who does he plan to sell me to?" Xu Chaoge's tone remained indifferent, as if she didn't care.

But his words carried a hint of self-deprecation.

Looking at his sister's nonchalant expression, Xu Xuan felt a pang of heartache.

He sighed silently, "Sister, don't you want to ask why?"

Xu Chaoge said calmly, "Do I need to ask?"

Xu Xuan opened his mouth.

Yes, is that even a question?
If even he could figure out the reason, how could Chaoge not have thought of it?

“Father, he really went too far this time.”

Xu Xuan paused for a moment, then looked at Chaoge: "But sister, if you don't want to, no one can force you."

"I will persuade my father."

Xu Chaoge looked up at him, scrutinized him quietly for a long time, and then gently shook her head: "No need."

As the Princess of Xu, she was naturally aware of the current situation. Even if the pretext used by the Xu Prince's mansion for rebellion was noble, it was still treason!

If they fail, the Xu family will surely fall into an abyss, never to rise again. And these traitors and rebels will certainly not have a good end either.

Therefore, the Xu Prince's Mansion must currently cultivate a sufficient number of powerful forces. This includes securing the support of the prefectures and counties, winning over officials and troops from the imperial court, and attracting support from various other factions!
And she, Princess Xu, was undoubtedly the best asset to win over.

This is her mission, and also her destiny.

Xu Chaoge glanced at Xu Xuan again and said expressionlessly, "These are not words you should be saying. Your father has high hopes for you, and you should not act on your emotions."

"But you are my own sister!"

Xu Xuan gritted his teeth: "How can I just watch you walk into a fire pit?!"

“Our Xu Prince’s Mansion doesn’t need to do such things.”

Xu Xuan said in a deep voice, "Our Xu Royal Mansion has been preparing for decades to finally raise an army and plot this great cause... If we were to sacrifice you now, sister, where would that leave the face of our Xu Royal Mansion?"

"Our Xu Prince's Mansion has not yet reached that point!"

Xu Xuan's voice was low, clearly indicating his strong resistance to this.

But Xu Chaoge was calmer than expected, and her face showed little emotion from beginning to end.

She simply looked at Xu Xuan in front of her quietly, and after a long while she spoke: "Acting impulsively, you will never be able to inherit your father's position if you continue like this."

Xu Xuan opened his mouth, as if to say something.

But in the end, they couldn't refute it.

"Since you've taken the plunge, you should be willing to pay any price. Indecisiveness shouldn't be your weakness. Those who achieve great things don't concern themselves with trifles; they're ruthless and unscrupulous in their methods—that's how they get that position!"

Xu Chaoge looked at him expressionlessly: "If you want to sit in that position, you must give up these things. Even your closest relatives... Father taught you all of this, didn't he?"

Xu Xuan's face was gloomy, and he remained silent, unable to utter a single word.

He was well aware of this principle.

but……

Can he really bring himself to do it?
Seeing his silence, Xu Chaoge didn't say anything more.

His elder brother was indeed outstanding; he was intelligent and extremely talented, and was the most outstanding successor of the Xu Prince's Mansion. However, he always lacked the courage to take a gamble.

To be precise, they are somewhat indecisive and easily let emotions lead them astray!

Perhaps it stems from his own lack of self-confidence.

Otherwise, why would he have admired that princess for so many years but never dared to express his feelings?
The eldest princess was so outstanding and dazzling that her brother fell into feelings of inferiority.

As if remembering something, Xu Chaoge looked somewhat dazed.

Unconsciously, I recalled many, many past events.

After a long while, she finally came to her senses, her expression still calm and composed, and asked indifferently, "Father, who do you want to sell me to?"

Xu Xuan looked up at Chaoge and sighed deeply.

"Lin Jiangnian".

Upon hearing this name, Xu Chaoge paused and abruptly turned her head.

"Who are you talking about?!"

"Lin Jiangnian".

Xu Xuan repeated it again, looking at Xu Chaoge who looked surprised and somewhat flustered, and whispered it over.

But at this moment, Xu Chaoge was somewhat flustered.

The sudden name caught her off guard. It took her a while to realize what was happening.

"Lin Jiangnian?"

"My father wants to sell me to him?"

"What's the meaning?!"

At this moment, her mind was somewhat confused.

How did I get involved with that guy?

Aren't the Xu Prince's Mansion and the Lin Prince's Mansion sworn enemies?

How could this happen so suddenly... What on earth is going on?

Xu Xuan took in his sister's reaction. He sighed and said, "The Prince of Lin's mansion has raised an army."

"Raise an army?" Xu Chaoge was taken aback, then a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes: "Are they coming for us?"

She was not stupid. Although she had been living in seclusion in the Xu Prince's mansion for some time, she had already foreseen some things.

She appeared in Jiangnan half a year ago to prepare for the Xu Prince's plan. At that time, she met Lin Jiangnian and was also aware of the Lin Prince's movements.

Upon hearing the news that the Prince of Lin's mansion had dispatched troops, she immediately realized that they were coming for them.

"Exactly!"

Xu Xuan's mood was somewhat complicated and heavy. He nodded: "The Prince of Lin's mansion has raised an army of 100,000, divided into three routes and heading north, heading towards us. They want to assist the imperial court in annihilating us..."

“The Prince of Lin’s mansion may not have 100,000 troops, but they are still a great threat. This time, our Prince of Xu’s mansion is in big trouble.”

Xu Chaoge was stunned. The alliance between the imperial court and the Prince Lin's mansion was undoubtedly bad news for their Xu mansion.

Even before the Xu Prince's Mansion raised its army, my father had already determined that the Lin Prince's Mansion was the real biggest trouble.

Therefore, the Xu Prince's Mansion had been trying to win over the Lin Prince's Mansion, and even intended to share the throne of the Great Ning Dynasty with the Lin Prince's Mansion.

Xu Chaoge went to Jiangnan half a year ago, partly with the intention of befriending the Prince of Lin's mansion.

The Prince's Mansion can stand idly by, but it absolutely cannot help the imperial court.

I just didn't expect that guy to refuse in the end!

After that, the two were attacked together, and then the father could not wait any longer and raised an army to rebel south.

And then, we arrived at the present...

"So, what does Father mean?"

Xu Chaoge seemed to have anticipated something, and her beautiful eyes narrowed.

Xu Xuan smiled wryly: "Little sister, you're so smart, how could you not have thought of that?"

Xu Chaoge remained silent, her gaze becoming complex, yet seemingly carrying a cold smile: "Does Father mean for me to seduce the Crown Prince of Lin?"

Xu Xuan sighed: "Sedition sounds awful."

"My father means that the Prince Lin's residence cannot collude with the imperial court, otherwise the pressure on us will be too great."

"Father heard that you have a good relationship with the Crown Prince of Lin, so he..."

Xu Xuan didn't continue, but his meaning was already clear.

"They've certainly got a good plan."

Upon hearing this, Xu Chaoge let out a cold laugh.

But there was a complex expression in his eyes that he couldn't hide.

Xu Xuan also fell silent, gazing at his younger sister as if recalling something: "Sister, you and that Lin Jiangnian..."

What is the relationship?

Xu Chaoge glanced at him: "What, do you think I'm having an affair with him?"

"Of course not."

Xu Xuan quickly shook his head: "How could he be worthy of you?"

“My sister, you are so intelligent. How could anyone in this world be worthy of you? I believe you would never even look at him.”

Am I not good enough for her?

"Father thinks highly of me. Do you think I can change the current situation by myself?" Xu Chaoge said with a self-deprecating laugh.

Xu Xuan sighed: "Father's move is indeed somewhat risky. However, the alliance between the imperial court and the Prince of Lin's residence is extremely disadvantageous to us."

“It is understandable that Father has such thoughts.”

"If we lose, the Xu family's century-old foundation will be destroyed. At that time, we will all be sentenced to death. Not a single member of the Xu family will survive..."

Xu Xuan's voice was heavy.

Xu Chaoge didn't speak, she just stared at Xu Xuan.

Xu Xuan met Xu Chaoge's gaze and quickly felt a little uneasy under Xu Chaoge's stare: "Little sister, why are you looking at me like that?"

"nothing."

Xu Chaoge withdrew her gaze and spoke calmly.

"Has there been any result in the Jiangnan assassination case?"

"It already exists!"

Xu Xuan said, "Lin Jiangnian went to the capital and investigated the matter thoroughly... The assassination in Jiangnan was carried out by the Sixth Prince Li Chang'an in the capital."

"He intends to assassinate Lin Jiangnian and your sister in Jiangnan, inciting a feud between the Lin Prince's Mansion and our Xu Prince's Mansion. He also wants to stir up conflict between the Lin Prince's Mansion and the imperial court, so that he can sow discord and ultimately reap the benefits..."

Xu Xuan recounted the events that had occurred in the capital.

Xu Chaoge listened quietly for a long time before a cold smile appeared on her face: "Xu Xuan, do you think I'm a fool?"

Xu Xuan was taken aback: "Sister, why do you say that?"

"How could a once-unfavored, lame prince mobilize such a large force? How could he stir up such a storm in Chujiang City?"

"How could he mobilize so many government officials and forces in Chujiang City to set up such a deadly trap?"

Xu Chaoge's words silenced Xu Xuan. After a long while, he smiled wryly and said, "Sister, you are indeed clever."

“Li Chang’an alone couldn’t have accomplished this, so there must be some other mysterious force behind him. However, we haven’t found out who’s behind Li Chang’an yet…”

Xu Xuan sighed: "After Li Chang'an was exposed, he ultimately fell into Lin Jiangnian's hands. After that, his whereabouts became unknown. As for the rest, we have no idea..."

Xu Chaoge remained silent, her gaze still fixed on Xu Xuan, as if trying to see through him.

Xu Xuan felt a chill run down his spine from her gaze: "Little sister, why are you looking at me like that?"

"I ask you."

Xu Chaoge stared at him and said slowly, word by word, "In the assassination case in Jiangnan, did Father and you really not participate?"

The cold words caused Xu Xuan's expression to change abruptly.

"Little sister, what do you mean by that?"

Xu Xuan seemed to realize something, his expression one of astonishment: "Sister, you don't mean you suspect me and Father, do you?"

"How can it be!"

“Sister, the assassination attempt in Jiangnan was so dangerous that night. How could Father and I possibly disregard your safety and lay a hand on him?”

Xu Chaoge didn't speak, but continued to stare at him.

Seeing this, Xu Xuan gave a wry smile: "Sister, I know you suspect me and Father. I can see the rift between you and Father since we came back this time..."

"But no matter what, Father is definitely not such a cold-blooded person. No matter what, Father would never use your life to exchange for Lin Jiangnian's life."

"Perhaps Father's behavior was indeed a bit excessive... but in any case, Father loves you very much."

Xu Chaoge remained expressionless, looking at him with a cold and calm expression.

It wasn't until a long time later that he slowly withdrew his gaze.

She turned her gaze back to the courtyard: "Whether it is or not, it no longer matters."

“You’re right. Our Xu family has become traitors and rebels, with no way out.”

"No, there's still a way out!"

Xu Xuan's gaze sharpened: "We still have Li Yuan as a key player, and hundreds of thousands of troops... If we win, history will be written by us."

"At that time, we will be the loyal ministers who help the new emperor eliminate the wicked empress of the court!"

"At that time, our Xu family will stand above the Great Ning Dynasty... After that, this world will completely belong to our Xu family!"

Xu Xuan's voice was very soft, but it couldn't hide his excitement and burning passion.

If they win, they will have the final say on everything from now on.

This is the privilege of the victor.

Xu Chaoge remained silent. She glanced at Xu Xuan beside her, a self-deprecating smile appearing on her face, as if she were lost in thought.

"I hope so."

"..." (End of this chapter)