“Oh, what a coincidence, Mr. Jiang and Miss Jiang are here too?” Lu Xingzhou strode into the hall, feigning surprise with a smile.

Huo Qi and Huo Zhang were both present, accompanying the guests, and Huo Zhang looked at him with a mix of speechlessness and frustration.

What’s with you? Did you fail last night, that you’re still pursuing her at our house?

Would you ever set foot in the Huo family if there wasn’t a beauty involved? If it weren’t for her, I’d twist off my head and kick it like a ball.

But looking at Jiang Yuan’s sparkling eyes, it seems like these two might be hitting it off… Yet, the wedding invitations have already been exchanged; theoretically, from this moment on, they could already call each other family. So, Lu Xingzhou, are you really planning to sleep with my mother?

Isn’t she your mother?

Or is it just you people from the Demonic Dao who know how to have fun?

While Huo Zhang was lost in his wild thoughts, Huo Xingyuan, on the other hand, put on a benevolent smile, “Xingzhou, you actually have time to visit today… Sit. Why are you all just standing there, serve tea!”

Jiang Duxu even pulled Jiang Yuan to her feet, indicating that they should offer the principal guest’s seat.

Jiang Yuan reluctantly stood up, only to see Lu Xingzhou casually sit down beside her, “Please sit, Old Sir, there’s no need for a doctor here.”

Without waiting for Jiang Duxu to respond, Jiang Yuan also sat down. Jiang Duxu gave the two of them a strange look, sensing something amiss.

Huo Xingyuan hadn’t yet realized that his almost-wife was about to fly away; Lu Xingzhou’s sudden visit had occupied too much of his thoughts. He chuckled, “Xingzhou, what brings you here today?”

Lu Xingzhou took the tea poured by the servant, blew away the foam, and leisurely said, “Naturally, I’ve come to discuss this morning’s embargo with the Marquis.”

Jiang Yuan was startled, her expression turning odd. Could this guy have made such a grand show just for her?

Huo Xingyuan, however, sighed inwardly. This visit seemed to have ulterior motives. If he genuinely wanted to discuss, he would have done so before the embargo was announced. Coming to “discuss” after the fact was more likely a shakedown.

He said aloud, “The Huo family indeed has some businesses on the embargo list… We were just about to talk to Xingzhou about this, and surprisingly, Xingzhou has arrived.”

Lu Xingzhou smiled, “Oh? What does the Marquis intend to discuss with me?”

“There are indeed some sensitive items that we are more than willing to prohibit according to the list from the Department of Principal Guests; this is for the good of the nation,” Huo Xingyuan said with a smile, “But some things, like magic artifacts and military equipment, could there be some flexibility? For instance, our immortal sect’s flying swords are merely instruments for disputes in the jianghu; shouldn’t they not be classified as magic artifacts or military equipment?”

Jiang Duxu scoffed inwardly. The various crafts of the Demon Realm were clearly inferior to those of the Great Qian. For example, flying swords… you’re actually selling flying swords, a specialty of Great Qian, to the Demon Realm to make money for yourself… When you were defeated in battle, they said you, Huo Xingyuan, took the blame. Now it seems you truly deserved a share of that blame.

Lu Xingzhou merely smiled without a word.

Huo Xingyuan tentatively said, “If Xingzhou can make an accommodation, one-tenth of this profit can be given to Xingzhou.”

Huo Qi’s expression changed drastically, “Father!”

“Shut up!” Huo Xingyuan glared fiercely, “Get out!”

Huo Qi looked at the stepmother he absolutely didn’t want, then at Lu Xingzhou whom he also absolutely didn’t want, and angrily turned and left the living room.

Huo Xingyuan coughed a few times, shaking his head, “My son is ill-mannered; I apologize for amusing everyone.”

Lu Xingzhou smiled as he drank his tea, “It depends on the person… I think Second Brother is quite good.”

Huo Zhang was stunned, then overjoyed.

This brother is reliable; if you’re going to sleep with my mother, I’ll accept it.

Huo Xingyuan narrowed his eyes, looking at Lu Xingzhou and Huo Zhang, silent for a moment.

How could he not know about the struggle for the heir apparent among his sons? But primogeniture was the foundation, having nothing to do with favoritism. On the contrary, giving it to Huo Zhang would be favoritism… And to be favored, one must have the capital for it, either by being obedient, sweet-tongued, or so outstanding that one demands attention.

Given Huo Zhang’s temperament, any normal person would know he wasn’t suitable to lead the family. How could anyone favor him? Huo Xingyuan wasn’t an idiot.

But at this moment, it seemed different…

It was clear that the “stepmother” Jiang Yuan and Huo Zhang would be more harmonious. Huo Qi’s resistance to Jiang Yuan was written all over his face, and now even Lu Xingzhou seemed to be siding with Huo Zhang.

Jiang Yuan aside, Lu Xingzhou’s weight on the scale was significant, enough to easily tip the balance.

If Lu Xingzhou genuinely had a good relationship with Huo Zhang, then if Huo Zhang became the head of the family, and Lu Xingzhou established a separate branch that could be friendly and mutually supportive with the main clan, it would be a dream come true. Suddenly, all the worries would disappear, whether it was the struggle for the heir, the harmonious relationship between his new wife and son, or the expectation of Lu Xingzhou returning to the clan and resolving old grievances—all the “murky affairs” of the Huo family would vanish.

Seeing Huo Xingyuan lost in thought, Lu Xingzhou suddenly said, “Second Brother will also be going to Beijiang soon, won’t he?”

Huo Zhang echoed, “Yes, very soon.”

Lu Xingzhou said, “The Beijiang front lines are shrinking, and many soldiers who were originally stationed in a single city no longer have jurisdiction. You know Pei Zhao of the Pei family, right? He was also a commanding general, and now he’s transitioned to managing market trade. What are Second Brother’s arrangements after this?”

Huo Zhang replied, “Most likely similar to Pei Zhao’s.”

Lu Xingzhou said, “If Second Brother is in charge, then the matter the Marquis mentioned earlier can be considered.”

Huo Xingyuan could barely conceal his joy this time, “Really?”

Lu Xingzhou smiled, “Only that it can be considered… after all, it’s for Second Brother’s sake.”

Huo Zhang stood up this time, patting his chest, “What else do you need? Just tell Second Brother. If one-tenth isn’t enough, how about one and a half tenths?”

One and a half tenths—that wouldn’t leave much for Huo Zhang himself; he was truly putting his money where his mouth was.

Lu Xingzhou waved his hand, “It’s fine if the Marquis says this, after all, the Marquis doesn’t know me well… But for Second Brother to say it, that’s not being very considerate. Don’t you know what I want?”

Huo Zhang was startled, then gave Jiang Yuan a strange glance.

Jiang Yuan was in a daze, feeling that Lu Xingzhou’s visit had absolutely nothing to do with her; what was he even talking about?

Huo Zhang’s glance, however, jolted her, and she heard Lu Xingzhou chuckle, “Old Mr. Jiang…”

Jiang Duxu, however, seemed to understand the underlying implication, and gave an “Hmm?” with a half-smile.

Lu Xingzhou said, “I don’t know why Old Mr. Jiang came to the Huo family, but it probably has little to do with Miss Jiang. Is Miss Jiang’s presence irrelevant?”

Jiang Duxu still smiled enigmatically, “Yes, she didn’t have to come.”

Lu Xingzhou laughed, “Then Old Mr. Jiang, please continue your discussion. Second Brother, could you take Miss Jiang and me for a stroll? Although I’ve been to the Huo family, I haven’t explored many places.”

Although he asked Huo Zhang to accompany them, even Huo Xingyuan’s expression turned odd this time.

Connecting it to what he had said earlier, “Don’t you know what I want,” everyone actually knew: you’re a lecher, with many high-profile scandals. Who in Great Qian doesn’t know you?

What’s going on? Has he taken a liking to Jiang Yuan? Snatching her right in front of me, and using Huo Zhang as a pimping cover?

Can you see the birthdate帖 on our table? Oh, perhaps not, it’s a bit far.

Huo Xingyuan’s face alternated between green and red. He truly had no romantic feelings for Jiang Yuan; it was purely for political necessity and to incidentally provide a better excuse for Lu Xingzhou’s past request to move his deceased wife’s memorial tablet out of the ancestral shrine.

But how to put it? Regardless of feelings, how many men could endure such a thing? This was an overt cuckolding!

Please, part of the reason I want to marry Jiang Yuan is for you, and you’re still trying to snatch her from me? Are you serious?

Is it just because I want to marry her that it excites you so much? Is this part of your revenge?

However, it seemed Lu Xingzhou might not know that they were discussing a marriage. If he were to say it directly now, it would inevitably be awkward, even more so.

Anyway, with Huo Zhang accompanying them, it was unlikely anything would happen so quickly. Huo Zhang could just discreetly inform Lu Xingzhou. Huo Xingyuan pondered for a moment, then finally gave Huo Zhang a meaningful look, “Since that’s the case, Zhang’er, please accompany our two guests for a tour.”

He hoped Huo Zhang would be sensible and understand his hint!

Huo Zhang, of course, understood. He stood up with a strange expression, “Then… ahem, I’ll take the two of you for a walk. Follow me.”

The three left the living room and headed towards the rear garden.

Jiang Yuan had also caught on, her face similarly alternating between green and red, unsure what to say… The current implication was that he was vying with Huo Xingyuan for her?

Yesterday, he was still treating her like a pig!

But it had to be said, this did seem like the most direct way to disrupt the matter. If someone else wanted her, her grandfather might not have only one option; he had said something similar that day… Now that Lu Xingzhou himself had expressed interest, what was her grandfather thinking?

No wonder he had that enigmatic half-smile.

“Uh…” Huo Zhang didn’t know what to say. After a long pause, he lowered his voice, “Seventh Brother, you know… this is… sigh.”

Lu Xingzhou leisurely said, “A fair maiden, a gentleman’s pursuit. What’s the matter, only your father can go for young women, but I, a talented man with a beautiful woman, can’t?”

“No…” Huo Zhang was utterly at a loss for how to comment on the situation and stammered.

Lu Xingzhou laughed, “Isn’t this a good thing for you?”

It truly was a good thing; even Huo Qi would have to thank him. Huo Zhang laughed bitterly, finally saying, “So what now? Do you want me to keep giving you space?”

Lu Xingzhou leaned back, “Second Brother, you’re finally smart. Here, it’s a maze, several paths. Please choose one and quickly go back to tease the maidservants.”

“You…” Huo Zhang pointed at him for a long time, both annoyed and amused, “Alright, alright, you’ve really got nerve, openly seducing the mistress in the Huo mansion, huh! Truly Lu Xingzhou, who even dared to provoke the Dragon Emperor. I, Huo Zhang, am impressed by your audacity.”

He looked at Jiang Yuan. They had both said such things, yet Jiang Yuan remained expressionless.

Huo Zhang’s finger trembled, and he flicked his sleeve, walking away.

This stepmother truly couldn’t be taken; his father hadn’t even married her yet, and it seemed his hat was already green.

Only when Huo Zhang had left far behind, his figure disappearing amidst the rockeries and green trees of the garden, did Jiang Yuan grind her teeth and utter each word, “Is this your plan?”

“Isn’t it quite straightforward?”

“I don’t want to marry him, but that doesn’t mean I want to be with you! If he’s a toad, what good thing are you?”

Lu Xingzhou shushed her, “Already been ‘tusked’ by a pig and still so confident. Compared to my wives, how many attractive qualities do you really have?”

“You…” Jiang Yuan was so angry she blurted out, “If you want to ‘tusk’ me, then you are a pig!”

Lu Xingzhou completely ignored that remark, “Alright, less nonsense, follow me.”

Jiang Yuan was startled, then watched as Lu Xingzhou swiftly darted deeper into the garden, seemingly with a purpose.

Could it be that she was just a pretext for him to openly enter the Huo mansion’s back garden and get rid of Huo Zhang? And if they were discovered, he could always claim that a young couple, engrossed in romance, lost their way and stumbled in…

A storm surged in Jiang Yuan’s heart. Since Lu Xingzhou entered the Huo mansion, in less than the time it takes an incense stick to burn, how many birds had he killed with one stone?

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