fake gentry

Wang Ying is thirty-one years old this year. He is tall and slender with a handsome appearance. He usually looks like he belongs to a noble family.

But at this moment, his eyes bulged, the veins on his neck stood out, and his face was so distorted by anger that it was almost unrecognizable; not a trace of his former elegance could be found.

He hated Xie Hong.

It should be said that from the first moment he saw Xie Hong, he felt intense jealousy.

That day, when Wang Dun publicly drove her away in the Taiji Hall, her jealousy turned into hatred.

Song Yi was the root cause that turned hatred into murderous intent.

Wang Ying is an extremely sensitive person. This sensitivity stems from his identity.

He was Wang Dun's adopted son from his elder brother Wang Han, not his biological son.

For the past few months, everyone in Wuchang City has treated him like a prince, showing him respect and fear, which has given him a sense of arrogance.

But Xie Hong deeply humiliated him on their very first meeting.

That's right, Wang Ying actually harbored hatred simply because Xie Hong didn't remember who he was.

Xie Hong had only been there for three days, yet Wang Dun not only spared his life but also allowed him to stay in Xie Kun's former residence, even hosting a private banquet in his honor and giving him Song Yi as a gift.

The way Wang Dun looked at Xie Hong further enraged Wang Ying.

Because he had never seen that look in Wang Dun's eyes before; Wang Dun's gaze towards him was more of an indifference.

He could only see the admiration and greed in Xie Hong's eyes when someone was examining a rare treasure.

Wang Ying believed that the look in his eyes belonged to him.

But the most important thing is what Qian Feng said.

If Wang Dun truly abandoned his attempt to usurp the throne because of Xie Hong...

Wang Ying dared not think any further.

He needs to have a serious talk with his biological father.

After following Emperor Yuan of Jin to the south, Wang Han was appointed General of the Southern Army. He also supported Zu Ti's northern expedition and even helped Zu Ti. However, at the beginning of the year, upon hearing that Wang Dun was preparing to rebel, he immediately fled from Jiankang to Wuchang and joined Wang Dun in the rebellion.

He has now been appointed General of the Guards and concurrently Governor of Jingzhou.

His residence was located on the west side of the Wu King's Palace, also a separate courtyard, twice the size of Xie Hong's residence.

Wang Ying naturally doesn't live here; he has his own private residence for the heir apparent.

Stepping into the courtyard, Wang Ying ripped off the jade belt from his waist and slammed it to the ground.

The jade belt was a gift from Wang Dun last year, and it was quite valuable. The belt hook hit the bluestone hard and shattered into pieces.

The maids who were originally standing under the eaves were so frightened that they knelt down on the ground, and none of them dared to raise their heads.

"roll!"

Wang Ying roared, and the maidservant, as if granted a pardon, scrambled out of the room.

Wang Han was drinking. He was taller than Wang Dun, with a more rugged appearance and jackal-like eyes, which added to his fierceness.

Seeing Wang Ying storm in, he merely raised an eyelid and slammed the wine cup on the table: "What's gotten into you now?"

Wang Ying plopped down at the desk, gritting his teeth as he said, "Father, what kind of bewitching potion did the Xie family scion give the General? I was just worried that the Xie family scion would escape, and the General told me to get lost."

Wang Han leaned against the armchair without speaking, tapping his fingers lightly before slowly saying, "I am your uncle, don't call me by the wrong name. Why are you in such a hurry? Who is your father? He is not killing Xie's son now, which naturally has his reasons. Perhaps it is because Xie's son is still useful. Once he is no longer useful, he will naturally not be spared."

"But what if he's bewitched by Xie's son?" Wang asked urgently. "If he's really persuaded by Xie's son, what will we do?"

He leaned forward, lowered his voice, and squeezed out each word through clenched teeth: "Father, what if Xie's son becomes his most trusted person and persuades him not to rebel?"

Wang Han's fingers stopped on the armrest.

He remained silent for a long time, a shadow gradually rising in his eyes.

Although he was fierce and violent, he was not stupid and naturally thought more than Wang Ying.

Why did you give up your position as a Lieutenant General and come to join Wang Dun?

Speculation!

Wang Dun had no sons, and this man was Wang Dun's elder brother. Zhu Faqian had become a monk, and Wang Han had two sons. He adopted one of them to be Wang Dun's heir. If Wang Dun directly usurped the throne, his son would be the emperor. Even if he didn't become emperor, he could still be posthumously honored as emperor.

Sure enough, after Wang Dun raised his army, he adopted Wang Ying as his heir.

But Wang Han did not expect that Wang Dun would not usurp the throne, but instead retreated directly.

If Wang Dun did not become emperor, he would forever remain Wang Dun's elder brother, a mere figurehead in the shogunate.

He had neither prestige nor real power.

Everything was planned perfectly; Wang Dun was bound to launch a second rebellion and actually usurp the throne.

But at the most crucial moment, Xie Hong suddenly appeared beside Wang Dun.

However, it seems that Wang Dun took to heart the statement that "Dun is not a prime minister, but a rebel."

Based on Wang Han's understanding of Wang Dun, Wang Dun had the heart of a hero but not the will. The longer Xie's son stayed by his side, the more likely he would give up his rebellion and become a powerful minister rather than a usurper.

At that time, Wang Han and his son will not only fail to realize their dream of becoming emperors, but they will also lose their current wealth and status.

What is a powerful minister?

Weren't there plenty of powerful ministers during the Han Dynasty? What were their fates?

Even if he is not purged, how could Wang Ying possibly inherit Wang Dun's shogunate?

Moreover, they have now essentially cut themselves off from the Langya Wang clan.

How could Wang Han not know the character of his own son?

Therefore, killing Xie Hong is the only option.

But how to kill must be decided with utmost care.

Wang Han remained silent for a long time before saying calmly, "Let him freely enter and leave the palace. Once he leaves the palace and enters Wuchang City, any beggar or refugee can take his life."

Wang Ying's eyes lit up, but he immediately frowned again: "The general will definitely not release them."

A sinister glint flashed in Wang Han's eyes: "If you can't even handle this simple matter, then you shouldn't be dreaming of becoming emperor."

Wang Ying gritted his teeth and nodded, glanced around, and whispered, "Father, Qian Shiyi said..."