Chapter Forty-Five: Unveiled Without Restraint

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Xue Chengqian had just completed the last system task, altering his destined fate, and received the system’s reward. The system could help him detect fluctuations in certain individuals’ goodwill or hostility toward him. At that moment, a sudden chill rose in his heart, and the system’s alert arrived. Glancing sideways, he caught sight of Wang Huzi lurking behind the crowd, staring coldly at him before turning to follow Kang Yu. Xue Chengqian’s expression darkened as he instantly understood the situation.

Wang Huzi had long harbored feelings for Kang Yu, a fact not hidden among Luo Fang’s old comrades. However, Kang Yu had never looked favorably upon him. Despite this, Wang Huzi remained persistent and undeterred, continuously displaying his “loyalty.” Yet just now, Kang Yu’s demeanor showed no goodwill toward Xue Chengqian; rather, it hinted at a slight hostility toward Wei Xiao. Why then had Wang Huzi suddenly taken a grudge against him?

Xue Chengqian chose not to confront the matter directly. After all, Wang Huzi had risked life and limb alongside Luo Fang and was a trusted lieutenant before Xue Chengqian had joined. He could not rashly accuse Wang Huzi of ill intent based solely on a fleeting intuition and act preemptively. Still, with the system’s warning, he heightened his vigilance toward Wang Huzi, unwilling to let him act against his interests lightly.

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In the city, Lu Xiaoyuan also felt immense pressure. Huang Xiaoyong stood beside him, adding fuel to the fire as he slandered Luo Fang and Xue Chengqian.

“Sir, both Luo and the one surnamed Xue owe their official positions entirely to your recommendation, yet now they completely disregard you!” Huang Xiaoyong sneered. “Sending troops to relieve Dongping City is a matter only you can command. These two small players didn’t report to you in advance and brazenly brought that woman to Wangjiang, causing the whole city to know about it. This… it’s an embarrassment to your authority!”

With every word Huang Xiaoyong added, Lu Xiaoyuan’s complexion grew darker.

“Hmph, they are not from the Imperial Guards and know nothing of discipline!”

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“Today’s events, it’s fortunate you stepped forward to speak and devised a delaying tactic, or else I would have been truly cornered by them.”

Though Lu Xiaoyuan had been displeased with Huang Xiaoyong’s presumptuous behavior before, he was quite satisfied with his performance today. Huang Xiaoyong was secretly delighted but maintained a humble front.

“Sir, with your wisdom, you can certainly handle their insolence. I merely help relieve your worries—it’s all part of my duty.”

Lu Xiaoyuan sighed. “Some matters I cannot speak of directly and must rely on subordinates like you to smooth things over.”

“Though Wei Xiao is not an official, the Wei family is part of the gentry. They have fought desperately to defend the city and will surely gain the sympathy of the scholar-official class. One wrong word from me then could be seized upon by schemers, making things very tricky!”

Huang Xiaoyong feigned sudden realization. “By the way, the guards just reported that Wei Xiao did not leave Wangjiang City directly. She even visited several major noble families and the residence of Inspector Li!”

“This woman is truly ungrateful! She knows nothing of military strategy and only disrupts morale. Sir, you absolutely must not indulge her!”

Lu Xiaoyuan cut him off sharply. “Absolutely not!”

“Given Wei Xiao’s sensitive status, we must not take action against her. No matter the reason, if anything happens to her within Wangjiang City, the blame will fall squarely on me!”

“Whether Lord Wei defends Dongping successfully or falls in battle, there will be those who hold me accountable!”

Lu Xiaoyuan was deeply versed in the intrigues of officialdom. Moreover, he was well aware that the Zhongzhou Prefecture kept a close watch on him.

After the northern border war resulted in the rout of many frontier troops, the situation was dire. The court relied heavily on Wangjiang City, where massive reinforcements and supplies were concentrated, greatly enhancing Lu Xiaoyuan’s power—enough to threaten a major figure in Zhongzhou Prefecture.

He could not afford to reveal any weakness now for his enemies at court to exploit.

Huang Xiaoyong, realizing his attempt at flattery had nearly backfired, felt embarrassed.

“But allowing her free rein in the city isn’t wise either. If some uninformed gentry are stirred up by her, that would be troublesome for you, sir.”

Lu Xiaoyuan smirked. “I’ve already considered that.”

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“Now, the one we must deal with is not Wei Xiao herself, but severing her support!”

“That wretched brat Xue Chengqian actually dared to confront me openly and even put on the act of heroically rescuing Dongping. He must have gained considerable favor in Wei Xiao’s heart, making her think I am less reliable than a mere officer from the Zhenyi Camp.”

“So I will make her understand who truly calls the shots in Wangjiang City and who controls military strategy!”

Huang Xiaoyong’s eyes brightened.

He had long wanted to act against Xue Chengqian and Luo Fang but hesitated because of their recent great achievements and the considerable prestige they had earned even among the city’s Imperial Guards.

Unexpectedly, bringing Wei Xiao to Wangjiang had provoked such fierce displeasure from the lord—a golden opportunity!

“Wise sir! Wei Xiao must have taken Luo and Xue as her allies, thinking their influence could sway other commanders. We shall strike at the root—cut off her reinforcements so she becomes isolated and must obey you!”

Lu Xiaoyuan replied coolly, “Enough flattering talk. Do you have a plan?”

Huang Xiaoyong chuckled. “Nothing escapes your keen insight, sir!”

“Though Xue Chengqian and Luo Fang now command tens of thousands of refugees outside the city, many among those refugees already harbor resentment toward them.”

“Defeating the northern barbarians was largely thanks to the refugees outside the city, yet these two took credit and used it to sow discord.”

Lu Xiaoyuan’s interest piqued. “I recall that during the last patrol of the refugees, some openly expressed dissatisfaction with them.”

“Exactly. I have memorized their names and even secretly contacted them. Many gather around those men, rallying against Luo Fang and Xue Chengqian.”

“But Luo and Xue’s power is great, and these people are weak. They dare not confront them openly, hoping to find a patron to act.”

Lu Xiaoyuan was skeptical of Huang Xiaoyong’s words but needed to use them as a tool against Luo and Xue. He promised lightly, “Tell them to proceed. If anything happens, I will handle it. Should they truly eliminate my threats, they will be duly rewarded.”