CHAPTER 152: CHAPTER 152: THE PAWN WHO COMES KNOCKING! (VOTE FOR MONTHLY TICKET)

Zhao Yuwei’s attitude had greatly changed.

Previously, at Fengxiang Prefecture, when facing Xu Nian and his group, she had never relinquished her airs as an eldest miss. Even at the end, she had considered abandoning passing on a message to the Profound Yellow Sect.

But now?

The Xu Nian she faced was no longer the Profound Yellow Sect Leader, but the current Seventh Prince of the Great Qian Dynasty!

At this moment, she still maintained a gentle, tranquil, and well-bred demeanor.

Even Lu Dashan was shocked by such a change.

Compared to the woman Zhao Yuwei, Xu Nian preferred conversing with Lu Dashan.

People like Lu Dashan were the purest kind of Jianghu folk—they harbored no devious thoughts, were straightforward, possessed upright hearts, and were commendably righteous.

Zhao Yuwei was able to enter largely because of Lu Dashan.

If it had been only Zhao Yuwei, Xu Nian probably wouldn’t have allowed her into Xiaoxiang Villa.

"Your uncle is an official in the Imperial Court?"

Xu Nian raised an eyebrow and said with a smile, "The officials in the Imperial Court are all from aristocratic families. It seems your uncle is also from such a lineage."

Upon hearing this, a hint of pride seemed to flicker across Zhao Yuwei’s face. Once, the Zhao Family had seemed invincibly powerful in her eyes. Yet, when faced with the Blood Demon Sect’s slaughter, weren’t they as fragile as thin paper? But now, having come to the Capital City and met many people, she had also become aware of the terrifying power of the aristocratic families.

"My uncle is a Thousand Household in the Brocade Guard. He is usually busy and rarely stays at home."

Zhao Yuwei explained, "I’ve been in the Capital City for a long time, but I’ve only seen him once or twice."

A Thousand Household of the Brocade Guard?! Xu Nian’s expression shifted subtly, and the smile at the corners of his mouth grew even wider.

This morning, Cai Keji, a Thousand Household of the Brocade Guard, had come to cause trouble. Now, a relative of another Brocade Guard Thousand Household had come to him. What did this mean? Had he stirred up the hornets’ nest of the Brocade Guard’s Thousand Households?

"Oh? I wonder, which Brocade Guard Thousand Household is your uncle?"

Xu Nian said with a smile, "I happen to know Sun Buwei, the Commander of the Brocade Guard, and Thousand Household Zhou Yuntong. Perhaps they could help your uncle in the future?"

Hearing this, a glint of joy flashed in Zhao Yuwei’s eyes.

This was precisely what she needed. By connecting with the Seventh Prince, her uncle could soar to great heights, and then she would no longer be treated as an outsider!

"My uncle is Cai Keji, known as the Evil-Subduing Dog. I wonder if the Seventh Prince has heard of him?"

Zhao Yuwei suppressed the joy in her heart, striving to maintain her genteel demeanor.

Who? That pig Cai Keji is your uncle? Xu Nian’s mouth twitched, his gaze flicking towards Lu Dashan.

Lu Dashan also nodded slightly.

Well, it seemed this was true. Good heavens! Talk about a string of coincidences—it felt like coincidence itself had knocked on the door and ushered more in! This morning Cai Keji had just caused a scene. And now, just past noon, Cai Keji’s niece had shown up? What did this family want? Did they really think he was so easy to bully?

"Cai Keji, huh? Hehe..."

Xu Nian picked up his teacup, chuckling softly. "Did you know that Cai Keji came here with a group this morning? He claimed he wanted to capture my people and even threatened to deliver the heads of some common folk who visited me yesterday. By the way, he also set off a string of firecrackers at my door, causing quite a commotion. It was a fierce slap to my face."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Yuwei’s face instantly turned deathly pale.

She looked at Xu Nian in shock and terror. She had never imagined that her uncle had already been here, and it seemed he had even offended Xu Nian. Had she known, she would never have come to Xu Nian’s place, not even if it killed her.

"Seventh Prince, forgive me!"

Zhao Yuwei immediately knelt on the ground, exclaiming in alarm, "I had no idea my uncle would offend you, I..."

"Enough, stand up. His actions are his own and have nothing to do with you. I’m perfectly capable of distinguishing who my grievances are with."

Xu Nian waved his hand, his expression utterly indifferent.

But Zhao Yuwei was now completely terrified.

She was well aware of how terrifying imperial power could be. Even a man of her uncle’s standing had to bow before it. Let alone an ordinary commoner like herself.

"Cai Keji is the one who provoked me, so I will only take action against the Cai Family. Your surname is Zhao; you have nothing to do with the Cai Family, correct?"

Xu Nian set down his teacup and said with a faint smile, "Brother Lu, if you wish to relax in the future, feel free to come to my Xiaoxiang Villa. My doors here will always be open to you."

Hearing this, Lu Dashan was somewhat taken aback.

He scratched his head sheepishly before nodding. "Thank you. As long as Sect Leader Xu... I mean, the Seventh Prince, doesn’t mind my company, that’s all I ask."

Zhao Yuwei, standing to the side, was no fool. She could see how much Xu Nian valued Lu Dashan.

As for herself... Heh. The Seventh Prince was going to act against the Cai Family. How could she possibly stay out of trouble? No! She had to tell her aunt about this; otherwise, her aunt might also be implicated and harmed by the Cai Family!

Feeling as if she were sitting on pins and needles, Zhao Yuwei left with Lu Dashan the moment Xu Nian and Lu Dashan finished their conversation.

She had never imagined things would turn out this way. Her own uncle had actually offended the Seventh Prince. And the Seventh Prince was planning to take action against the Cai Family! That was an aristocratic family. This kind of struggle between great powers was definitely not something a minor figure like her could get involved in. Otherwise, she wouldn’t even know how she died in the end.

Watching them leave, Xu Nian’s lips curled into a cold smile.

This chess piece, Zhao Yuwei, had delivered herself to his doorstep. It simply had to be utilized; otherwise, it would be a disservice to Cai Keji.

The moment she returned to the Cai Mansion, Zhao Yuwei immediately sought out her aunt, Zhao Meiru.

"Aunt, something terrible has happened!"

Zhao Yuwei’s face was filled with panic as she spoke, having sent Lu Dashan away.

Lu Dashan, guessing she intended to reveal what happened, sighed and turned to leave.

He could no longer intervene in such matters.

Zhao Meiru, a beautiful and composed woman, sat upright in the room. She looked over, her gaze somewhat lifeless.

Her marriage into the Cai Family had been far from a dream come true of marrying into a wealthy household.

Cai Keji’s true nature was far beyond what an ordinary woman like her could handle.

Over time, she was gradually ostracized by the Cai Family. Eventually, Cai Keji began to act as if he had no wife at all.

For Zhao Meiru, the Cai Family name was all she had left to rely on.

It was only because of the Cai Family’s standing that she had any sort of reputation in the Capital City.

But because she was Cai Keji’s woman, that reputation amounted to nothing more than notoriety and ill repute.

"Yuwei? Didn’t you go play chess with Li Rou’er today?"

Zhao Meiru was genuinely concerned about her niece. Now that the Zhao Family was no more, this niece was their last hope. If she could marry into the Li Family in the future, that would be a fine outcome. At least the Li Family was much stronger than the Cai Family. Therefore, she had frequently encouraged Zhao Yuwei to interact with members of the Li Family.

"I went to the Seventh Prince’s Xiaoxiang Villa. The Profound Yellow Sect Leader who previously saved me is none other than the current Seventh Prince!"

Zhao Yuwei explained, her expression troubled.

The Seventh Prince?! Hearing this, Zhao Meiru’s expression changed.

If her niece could connect with the Seventh Prince, perhaps she, as his aunt, could secure a foothold in the Cai Family?

"You know the Seventh Prince?"

Zhao Meiru suddenly grew interested, musing aloud, "Yuwei, you’re not young anymore. You should consider your future. Although the Seventh Prince is currently without power or influence, he is still a prince, a future lord. Getting closer to him can only bring benefits, no harm."

Hearing this, Zhao Yuwei’s expression turned even more grim.

How could she not know the benefits that came with the Seventh Prince’s status? Perhaps the Zhao Family could even rise again through her. But...

"That’s impossible now. Earlier today, Uncle brought men to Xiaoxiang Villa and offended the Seventh Prince..."

Before she could finish, Zhao Meiru abruptly stood up.

"What did you say?"

Zhao Meiru asked, her face pale with shock, "Keji offended the Seventh Prince? Who told you that?"

"The Seventh Prince told me himself. And he also said he was going to move against the Cai Family," Zhao Yuwei said, nervously looking at her aunt.

Move against the Cai Family? Hearing this, Zhao Meiru couldn’t help but chuckle.

It was as if she had heard some joke. If another prince had said it, she might not have reacted this way. But if the Seventh Prince said it, then it could indeed be taken as a joke. The current Seventh Prince was without power or influence. He hadn’t even been summoned by His Majesty since returning to the Capital City, merely staying cooped up in Xiaoxiang Villa. He was called a prince, but how was his situation any different from house arrest? And he still dared to think of moving against the Cai Family, one of the Ten Great Clans? Ridiculous!

"Aunt, why are you laughing? You need to tell Uncle about this quickly."

Zhao Yuwei looked at her, puzzled.

Zhao Meiru shook her head gently, explaining, "I’m laughing because you’ve been deceived by the Seventh Prince. The great aristocratic families are not so easily dealt with. He’s just a powerless, down-on-his-luck prince. He doesn’t have the means to challenge an aristocratic family."

Her aunt’s words sounded reasonable, but Zhao Yuwei still felt something was amiss.

Powerless? The Seventh Prince had the Profound Yellow Sect in the Jianghu. Just today, she had heard in an inn in the Capital City that the Profound Yellow Sect was now like a great mountain. Those usually ferocious Jianghu folk, upon hearing the name of the Profound Yellow Sect, all turned pale. Hadn’t the Blood Demon Sect, which caused the Zhao Family’s downfall, ultimately met its end at the hands of the Profound Yellow Sect? The Sect Leader of the Profound Yellow Sect was Xu Nian. As long as he gave the order, the Profound Yellow Sect would definitely attack the Cai Family. The Cai Family had merely risen through business and possessed some influence in the Imperial Court. Could they possibly withstand the ruthless slaughter of Jianghu pugilists? Would His Majesty kill his own son for the sake of the Cai Family? Or did the Cai Family possess the clout to make the Imperial Court dispatch troops to annihilate an entity like the Profound Yellow Sect?

Zhao Yuwei looked at her aunt.

For some reason, she felt her aunt was vastly underestimating Xu Nian.

Just then, Cai Keji, who rarely came home, unexpectedly returned.

"Eh? Yuwei is home too?"

Cai Keji’s eyes, full of avarice, scanned Zhao Yuwei.

His gaze was such that it seemed he was desperate to take this nominal niece of his by force, right there in front of Zhao Meiru.

Zhao Meiru dared not utter a word; after all, she had no say in this household. Even as her own husband leered at her niece, she didn’t dare make the slightest protest.

"Uncle!"

Zhao Yuwei bowed in greeting, not noticing the improper way Cai Keji was looking at her.

Cai Keji nodded slightly, smiling. "What are you and your aunt discussing? Have you run into any trouble in the Capital City?"