Jiao Wu’s expression darkened. “Martial Merit Marquis, what is the meaning of this?”

He didn’t burst out in anger on the spot, which could be considered a testament to his self-cultivation.

On the day of his three-hundredth birthday, before a hall full of guests, to have his subordinates, the armored soldiers, bind someone and bring them in – this was no longer merely rude, but a blatant, naked provocation.

“Elder Jiao, please do not be angered.” Xue Mingyi remained standing, unhurried. “Pray first examine whether this gift I bring is fitting or not.”

Unimpeded, the four armored soldiers, supporting the so-called “gift” between them, advanced with clanging footsteps towards the main table.

Jiang Wang had not anticipated that attending a birthday banquet while seeking entry to Qingyun Pavilion would lead him to witness such a grand spectacle. The subtle undercurrents and turbulent shifts within the entire Yong Kingdom seemed to find embodiment within this very banquet.

Like all the surrounding guests, he curiously cast a glance. He saw a middle-aged scholar, bound hand and foot, with a hint of frost in his hair and several bloodstains on his body, evidence of torture. As for more specific details, he could not discern them.

Jiao Wu looked at the man once, his gaze devoid of any fluctuation, and turned back to Xue Mingyi. “This Marquis does not recognize this person. If he has committed a crime, he should be delivered to the authorities. If he has offended you, you may strike him dead on the spot. However, to bring him to this Marquis’s birthday banquet – what is the meaning of this?”

The might of Wei Ning, earned through intimidation. When the Wei Ning Marquis was angered, his accumulated prestige of many years descended like a collapsing mountain and a surging sea, pressing down upon the onlookers, making their hearts heavy and almost stifling their breath.

Yet, Xue Mingyi remained composed and unhurried.

“Elder Jiao, please hear my explanation.”

He replied with a hint of a smile, speaking in a leisurely manner. “Elder Jiao is a pillar of the kingdom, of high virtue and esteemed position, enjoying all graces. Both the late Taishang Emperor and the current Majesty place their utmost trust in you. Precious gems and rare treasures, houses flat to the ground of commoners and noble mansions of the elite. Mountains of gold and rivers of silver – none can add a sliver of brilliance to you. Xue, myself, pondered long and hard, yet knew not what gift to offer.”

“Precisely, one of this Marquis’s subordinates, a general, apprehended this person in Shun’an Prefecture.”

He slowly rose from his seat and walked before the dispirited middle-aged scholar. He casually grabbed his hair, forcing him to raise his head, revealing his face clearly for Jiao Wu to see.

“This person, ah, is a spy of the Jiao Kingdom, infiltrating our Yong Kingdom with ill intent! Pondering what celebratory gift could truly gladden Elder Jiao’s heart? It could only be the long-term stability and peace of our Yong Kingdom, with foreign races submitting and barbarians surrendering, while the schemes and plots of other nations are eliminated without a trace!”

Xue Mingyi looked at Jiao Wu. “Elder Jiao, would you not agree?”

All were silent.

A spy was not a matter of great import in itself. But the identity of this spy was too sensitive!

All the world knew that Jiao Wu’s father was precisely a general who surrendered from the Jiao Kingdom.

Jiao Wu’s father, during the reign of Emperor Yong Ming, Han Zhou, was captured during a battle between two armies and subsequently submitted to Yong Kingdom. At the time, people doubted him, yet Han Zhou believed in him, even entrusting him with heavy duties. And that person did indeed serve with unwavering loyalty, never harboring other ambitions throughout his life. Upon reaching Jiao Wu’s generation, he was further enfeoffed as a Marquis for his merits, joining the highest echelons of the Yong Kingdom. The Jiao family had striven for Yong Kingdom for several generations; there should be no further questioning of their loyalty.

However, the name Jiao Kingdom, appearing at this time and place, was still too sensitive.

The recent war between Zhuang and Yong was fraught with peril. Yong Kingdom was once in danger of perishing. Apart from the main battlefield between Zhuang and Yong, the Luo Kingdom suddenly dispatched troops, allied with the aquatic race of the Qingjiang, and attacked into the Lan River. The Red Horse Guard of Jing Country marched south, their soldiers knocking on the gates of Jing’an Prefecture.

One could say it was surrounded by wolves, all desiring to divide and devour it.

Although only Jing Country and Luo Country truly sent troops, how could the rest of those who were restlessly desiring to move be only these two countries?

Yong Kingdom’s territory today was also fought for one battle at a time. It was during the reign of Emperor Yong Ming, Han Zhou, that the current map was laid down.

The surrounding countries were not originally these. The maps of various countries had changed several times. Among those who were annihilated were several, and those whose lands were seized were also several!

Jiao Country was just one such country that was directly struck and crippled, its land now barren and its people few, its court politics barely maintained. After that war that year, it had yet to recover its breath. Including Jiao Wu’s father, he also surrendered at that time.

Jiang Wang did not know the intricacies of the inside story; his understanding of Yong Kingdom had not reached that level. Nor did he know why the mention of a Jiao Country spy caused the guests present to fall silent like startled sparrows.

But it did not prevent him from connecting the dots, suspecting that Jiao Wu might have some kind of connection with Jiao Country.

He silently moved to stand behind Feng Ming, trying his best not to attract anyone’s attention.

For the people of Yong Kingdom present, the recent war was a pain they could not forget in a short time.

And Xue Mingyi having a Jiao Country spy sent to the Wei Ning Marquis mansion, and emphasizing that he was captured in Shun’an Prefecture, was almost openly stating that during that war, Jiao Country was also restlessly desiring to move, even… already beginning to contact Jiao Wu!

Throughout the entire country, how many were in a similar situation to Wei Ning Marquis Jiao Wu? Those who were known, those who were not known, those in the open, those in the shadows… a vast shadow had actually already descended.

If not for Han Xu’s forceful turn of the tide, introducing the Mo Men, and rapidly stopping the war, the consequences were simply unbearable to imagine.

Not a few guests looked at Jiao Wu with eyes that were already somewhat askew.

Jiao Wu slowly brought his palms together, the sound crisp and loud.

“These few sentences from Marquis Xue, subtle in meaning and profound in implication, are entirely in accordance with my heart!”

As he spoke, he clapped his hands, and simultaneously rose to his feet.

He was not tall, but rather thin and small. But as he stood up at this moment, he was like an erect mountain peak.

Majestic, imposing, unshakeable.

He left his seat and walked towards Xue Mingyi. He was clearly shorter and smaller than Xue Mingyi, yet he resembled an awakened fierce beast walking towards its prey.

Of course, Martial Merit Marquis Xue Mingyi was no prey. So he raised an eyebrow, his entire aura also rising, high-spirited and sharp, confronting Jiao Wu without yielding ground.

All the guests in the courtyard felt their hearts rise, not knowing how to position themselves if the situation escalated.

Instead, Mo Jingyu remained steadily seated, only silently observing everything that was happening before him, without any action.

In the hidden confrontation between Xue Mingyi and Jiao Wu, an attitude could be expressed, but when two Yong Marquises contended fiercely, almost to the point of drawing swords and stringing bows, at this moment, if he were to do anything further, it would touch upon Han Xu’s bottom line.

At that time, the Yong Court would not tolerate him, and that part of the Mo Men high echelon that supported Han Xu would also not tolerate him.

Will they fight?

Feng Ming’s breathing became somewhat heavy; he clearly greatly hoped that Jiao Wu, who had humiliated him, would receive a lesson. Although Jiao Wu likely did not know who he was and had never paid attention to a junior like him.

Instead, Feng Yue’s face did not change color, even taking another sip of wine.

Jiang Wang understood that Feng Yue was consistent with his own judgment. No matter from which aspect one considered it, Xue Mingyi and Jiao Wu would both not fight on the spot.

But he tightly gripped his wine cup, still appearing very nervous. A qualified follower should be clever, but not overly clever.

Jiao Wu finally walked before Xue Mingyi, standing face to face with him.

Everyone’s gazes and emotions were led by them.

In this moment watched by all, Jiao Wu said to Xue Mingyi, “Allow this Marquis to question him a few sentences, how?”

Without waiting for Xue Mingyi’s reply, he said again, “Please relay this to His Majesty. If Shi Heng harbors intentions of usurpation, this Marquis, though old, is still willing to take command of the expedition and bring his head before the monarch!”

Shi Heng, was precisely the current Jiao Jun!