On the thirteenth day of the eighth month, a strategic move from the bottom of the pot sent Chongxuan Zun to Jixia Academy. Meanwhile, Chongxuan Sheng hosted a grand banquet at Hongxiu Zhao, his heart filled with pride and satisfaction.
On the fourteenth day, Chongxuan Sheng swaggered back to Marquis Bowang's residence. Jiang Wang, who had been seen with him coming and going, remained at Chongxuan Sheng's private villa on Xia Mountain, not venturing out the entire day.
This was the intelligence gathered by Cheng Shiyi of the Jubao Trading Society.
Back when she had placed her bets on Chongxuan Zun, she could never have imagined that after Chongxuan Zun made his move—landing with fierce precision—a few moves later, he would already be facing the wall.
Thus, Chongxuan Sheng's counterattack was predictable.
She had been optimistic about Chongxuan Sheng's retaliation. After all, the Jubao Trading Society was one of the top two trading societies in the State of Qi. A mere Chongxuan Sheng, unable to mobilize the Chongxuan family's power, couldn't possibly do anything to the Jubao Trading Society.
She even felt that Chongxuan Sheng wouldn't target the Jubao Trading Society at all. Instead, he might seize this opportunity to win back their cooperation.
And she still leaned more toward Chongxuan Zun a year from now.
When they had made their choice earlier, the Jubao Trading Society had indeed considered all aspects. From every angle, Chongxuan Zun couldn't lose.
This was confirmed after Chongxuan Zun led the family in trading the Rizhao Garrison Commissioner position for ten years of development rights on Chongjia Island.
It could be said that in a head-on confrontation, Chongxuan Sheng stood no chance. Otherwise, he wouldn't have paid such a heavy price to send Chongxuan Zun away.
However, to dismantle Chongxuan Zun's power in just one short year—how was that possible?
Especially when the opponent was Wang Yiwu!
Many even felt that before Chongxuan Zun emerged, Chongxuan Sheng would likely already be subdued by Wang Yiwu.
But Su She shattered her optimistic imagination.
Su She agreed that Chongxuan Zun was worth betting on, but simultaneously confirmed that Chongxuan Sheng would definitely make a move against the Jubao Trading Society.
"It's not because you fell out. Saving face is a small matter. If he remains indifferent when an ally of our caliber switches sides, how can he command respect?"
Su She said: "As long as he still intends to compete with Chongxuan Zun, he absolutely cannot let the Jubao Trading Society go. This is the fundamental contradiction."
Cheng Shiyi complained: "Dean. I have people watching him at all times! But I can't get too close, after all. That marquis is too bloodthirsty, and yet he supports Chongxuan Sheng."
Su She was a middle-aged man with a refined, scholarly appearance, more like a teacher than a merchant.
In fact, he had indeed opened his own academy and served as the dean.
He preferred others to call him "Dean" rather than "Guild Master."
Hearing this, he simply waved his hand: "We won't do anything to him, so Marquis Dingyuan won't do anything to us. Chongxuan Zun is also his nephew."
"I'm not afraid he'll make a move; I'm afraid he won't." Su She lightly tapped the armrest. "What does he want to do?"
Cheng Shiyi curled a strand of hair around her finger—only in front of Su She did she occasionally reveal the mannerisms of her youth. She speculated: "He's just staying at Marquis Bowang's residence, seemingly trying to take this time to coax the old Marquis Chongxuan, I suppose?"
"Has that Jiang Wang really not left at all?" Su She asked again.
"This person is Chongxuan Sheng's absolute confidant. He cannot be underestimated."
They had only learned afterward that Chongxuan Sheng had used Jiang Wang to deliver the bow to Li Longchuan, thereby connecting with Li Zhengshu and gaining that opportunity to present his case before the emperor.
"Really hasn't left at all!" Cheng Shiyi exclaimed. "We even managed to plant someone in that private villa of Chongxuan Sheng's, though it's rare to get a chance to pass word. That Jiang Wang only opened the window at dusk to enjoy the mountain view; he stayed in his room the entire day."
Su She thought for a moment, then said slowly: "Keep watching him for now. Clear any suspicious accounts during this period—don't leave any handle. Also, send someone to ask Wang Yiwu if there's anything we can help with. Regardless, since Chongxuan Sheng has managed to make this move, we absolutely cannot afford to be careless."
What was Chongxuan Sheng actually planning?
Many shared this question.
Yet the answer lay only in that fat man's heart.
...
The fifteenth of the eighth month was the Mid-Autumn Festival.
When friends and family gathered, it was also the day for the monthly Blessed Land challenge.
After giving his all, Jiang Wang was once again defeated without suspense.
From the Spring Source Cave, he fell to Golden Essence Mountain, ranked thirty-fifth in the Blessed Land rankings. His monthly Merit production dwindled to just six hundred and fifty points.
To this day, Jiang Wang still couldn't see where the value of this Blessed Land lay. He had initially thought the Merit production was decent, but as his rankings in the matching battles grew higher, this meager share of Merit could no longer satisfy him.
It seemed more like a monthly opportunity to spar with strong opponents.
Yet so many experts were eager for the Blessed Land challenge. Aside from the first few times he had forfeited, almost every Blessed Land challenge day, the newcomers arrived punctually to challenge.
After all, those powerful enough to easily defeat the current Jiang Wang—where would they not be more valuable? They still set aside time each month to participate in the Blessed Land challenge, which was proof enough of the Ethereal Realm Blessed Land's worth.
It was just that Jiang Wang hadn't yet discovered it.
When he emerged from the Ethereal Realm, it was already past noon.
"Very punctual," Jiang Wang thought.
In a few more hours, he could push open his window and enjoy "Maple Glow at Dusk," one of the seven scenic wonders of Linzi, without even stepping outside.
At that moment, the room door opened, and a maidservant entered with food and wine.
When the maidservant left with the food box, the window in the room also opened.
A figure with a silhouette extremely similar to Jiang Wang sat with his back to the window, pouring wine for himself, seemingly awaiting the scenic view.
But he was no longer Jiang Wang.
...
Disguised, he left the private villa on Xia Mountain. After several transfers and confirming that no one could possibly follow him, Jiang Wang returned to the inn he had visited the previous evening to meet Xu Fang.
After washing up and resting another day, when they met again, Xu Fang was utterly transformed.
Though his cultivation was completely abandoned, and years of living rough had left him emaciated and gaunt.
But once he stood there, his bearing emerged.
His features were refined, truly carrying a certain elegance. A touch of frost at his temples only added to his seasoned appearance.
One could only say, he was worthy of having once been a renowned scholar.
Jiang Wang sighed inwardly.
Yet he wasted no words. Following Chongxuan Sheng's plan, he directly said: "You are to go plead guilty now."
Upon hearing this, Xu Fang showed no sign of distress—as if any outcome was acceptable. He merely asked quietly: "To Su She?"
Jiang Wang shook his head: "To the Crown Prince."
Xu Fang fell silent for a moment: "Although I don't know how I have offended the Crown Prince, I will cooperate with you. What crime am I to confess? How should I speak? How much time do I have to memorize it?"
He chattered on, seemingly eager to seize this opportunity: "Should I go to Changle Palace now?"
"No," Jiang Wang said. "To the Green Stone Palace."
Xu Fang's expression trembled.
Changle Palace was the residence of Crown Prince Jiang Wuhua of the State of Qi.
And the person living in the Green Stone Palace was...
The deposed Crown Prince, Jiang Wuliang!