Chapter 68 Truthful Disclosure

Inside the gloomy dungeon, right in front of everyone, Gao Changsheng assigned Shen Cuo an utterly unexpected mission.

He ordered Shen Cuo to leak intelligence to the eldest legitimate son of the Xiahou family!

"I wouldn't dare!"

A look of utter panic washed over Shen Cuo's face. Gao Changsheng was coercing him into submission by holding his family hostage, yet simultaneously forcing him to commit treason against himself.

Was this not a surefire death sentence?

"Do you take this prince for someone who would exact petty revenge over this?"

"Or perhaps you fear that I might harm your family in retaliation?"

Gao Changsheng let out a light chuckle, speaking with an effortless ease.

Shen Cuo remained silent.

Wasn't that as plain as day?!

"Rest assured, I swear to the heavens that as long as you relay every single word to the eldest son of the Xiahou clan without omission, this prince will not lay a single finger on your family."

"Besides, since I am using such despicable methods to force your allegiance, you must harbor a deep resentment toward me in your heart."

"You should seize this opportunity to vent your grievances thoroughly. Otherwise, once we reach the battlefield, I would constantly have to be on guard against you plunging a dagger into my back when I least expect it. That would hardly be ideal."

With a genial smile, Gao Changsheng patted Shen Cuo on the shoulder.

It was as though he could see straight through the human heart, sending a chill running down Shen Cuo's spine.

"Remember your words! If you go back on your promise, I swear I will haunt you as a vengeful ghost!"

Shen Cuo hardened his heart. Since there was no escaping the clutches of Gao Changsheng anyway, he might as well openly betray him this once.

Just as Gao Changsheng had suggested, he would use this opportunity to vent his frustrations to the fullest!

"Go on, then!"

Gao Changsheng laughed off the threat as if it were of no consequence.

As Shen Cuo departed, everyone present—save for Miaofa—was filled with a bellyful of lingering doubts.

Xiahou Ji, in particular, was utterly bewildered.

He simply could not fathom what kind of medicine Gao Changsheng was selling in his gourd.

Who on earth goes to the trouble of plotting in secret, only to actively hand intelligence over to their adversary afterward?!

"My Lord, I've heard the mutton in Liangzhou is quite delectable. Shall we sample some together?"

Miaofa asked, his eyes shining with anticipation.

Back in Jinyong City, he had even had to sponge off Gao Changsheng just to pay for tea.

Now, over ten days later, he was apparently reduced to sponging meals as well.

If Miaofa weren't wearing a traditional Daoist robe, Gao Changsheng would have genuinely mistaken him for a wandering monk who had run away from some temple to beg for alms.

"Very well."

"Waiting is always tedious; let's treat this as a way to pass the time."

Gao Changsheng let out a yawn and led his entourage out of the dungeon.

Meanwhile.

A man with a deeply anxious expression stood outside the grand gates of the Xiahou estate.

Claiming to be an acquaintance of Xiahou Ji, he insisted on seeing the eldest legitimate son of the Xiahou family.

"Wait right here, I shall go report this immediately!"

Hearing Xiahou Ji's name, the gatekeeper naturally dared not neglect the visitor.

With a flurry of hurried steps, the servant vanished into the depths of the courtyard.

Before long, a lavishly dressed, imposing and dignified man appeared at the entrance.

"I am Xiahou Yu. And you might be..."

The man possessed a steady composure, though an unmistakable gloom lingered between his brows.

"My name is Shen Cuo, formerly a centurion under the Marquis of Liang."

Shen Cuo replied, cupping his fists in a salute.

"Men, seize this rogue and hand him over to the local magistracy!"

Xiahou Yu commanded coldly.

Instantly, a group of estate guards swarmed forward, surrounding Shen Cuo on all sides.

Just as they were about to make a move, Shen Cuo spoke up with unhurried composure:

"The Sixth Prince of the Gao imperial lineage has been to the dungeon and met with Xiahou Ji."

"Would the young master of the Xiahou family not care to know what passed between them?"

Shen Cuo's words instantly forced a change in Xiahou Yu's attitude.

"The Sixth Prince?"

"Could it be Gao Changsheng, who has recently been making such waves in the imperial court?"

Xiahou Yu furrowed his brow, sinking into deep contemplation.

As the heir apparent to a prominent aristocratic clan, Xiahou Yu was by no means a mediocre fool.

Coupled with his status as the eldest legitimate son, he had undoubtedly received the utmost attention from the Xiahou lineage since childhood.

Consequently, his insight and discernment were far beyond those of ordinary men.

Moreover, Gao Changsheng's arrival in the northern frontier accompanying the army was a matter of monumental importance to the entirety of Liangzhou.

It was only natural that the Xiahou family kept a close eye on Gao Changsheng.

"That fellow is actually so well-known?"

Shen Cuo felt a jolt of surprise internally, muttering to himself.

His access to information while locked away in the dungeon had naturally been severely restricted.

It was hardly surprising that he was ignorant of Gao Changsheng's past.

Yet, the fact that even Xiahou Yu kept tabs on this prince was proof enough that Gao Changsheng held considerable weight in the eyes of both the imperial court and the great aristocratic families.

Could someone like Shen Cuo, a mere nobody, really hope to contend with such a towering figure?

"No, wait."

"You and Xiahou Ji were both centurions under the Marquis of Liang. Since he remains trapped in the dungeon, how is it that you were released?"

Xiahou Yu asked with a suspicious gaze.

Anyone poised to inherit the headship of the Xiahou clan could not possibly be a fool.

Shen Cuo's sudden appearance inherently bristled with suspicious anomalies, so Xiahou Yu's skepticism was entirely natural.

"To be frank with the young master, I was set free by someone."

"And the person who released me was none other than the Sixth Prince."

Shen Cuo answered with a helpless expression.

Since Gao Changsheng wanted him to tell the truth, he had no choice but to comply.

As for what Xiahou Yu would make of it, that was no longer within Shen Cuo's control.

Xiahou Yu was left momentarily stunned.

Gao Changsheng went to see Xiahou Ji, yet set Shen Cuo free.

And Shen Cuo, fellow centurion to Xiahou Ji, had now run over to leak secrets to Xiahou Yu.

No matter who tried to reason it out, this logic made zero sense!

"What exactly are you trying to say?"

Xiahou Yu was beginning to lose his patience.

Though this might well be a trap, because it concerned Xiahou Ji, he had no choice but to keep listening.

He felt as though he were about to be manipulated in the palm of someone else's hand, entirely powerless to break free.

That sensation felt thoroughly aggravating!

"The Sixth Prince wishes to take me into his service, and he used my family as leverage to force me."

" Afterward, he released me from the dungeon and instructed me to relay everything that transpired there to the young master, word for word."

"Including his conversation with Xiahou Ji!"

Along the way, Shen Cuo had been organizing his thoughts, desperately trying to find phrasing that would convince Xiahou Yu.

Yet judging by the current outcome, it seemed to have been utterly useless.

"What medicine is that Sixth Prince selling in his gourd?"

"What did they discuss?"

Xiahou Yu grew increasingly agitated.

Seeing this, Shen Cuo dared not drag it out any longer and blurted out Gao Changsheng's scheme to elevate Xiahou Ji to the head of the Xiahou family.

"He also said that tonight, members of the Xiahou clan will go to the dungeon to invite Xiahou Ji to assume the position of family head."

"He even made a wager with Xiahou Ji!"

Shen Cuo finished in one breath, nearly suffocating in the process.

When he looked at Xiahou Yu again, he was shocked to find the latter staring blankly, with an expression of utter dullness.

It was as if Xiahou Yu's soul had been violently sucked out of his body.

"Gao Changsheng intends to back Xiahou Ji into taking the seat of the Xiahou family patriarch."

"Yet he simultaneously arranged for you to leak this intelligence to me... What on earth is this Gao Changsheng scheming?"

Xiahou Yu looked at Shen Cuo with unseeing eyes, muttering to himself.

He simply could not fathom what Gao Changsheng's ultimate objective might be.

One thing, however, was certain: Gao Changsheng harbored designs upon the Xiahou family.

And it was highly likely he intended to exploit the impending military campaign of Northern Qi against the northern frontier!

"So that's how it is!"

"Gao Changsheng wants to prop up Xiahou Ji to control my Xiahou clan, and use the might of the imperial court to suppress our lineage."

"Using the northern frontier war as a pretext, he plans to make exorbitant demands of our Xiahou family for funds and grain, and quite possibly troops as well."

"Ultimately, he aims to completely subjugate the Xiahou family."

"Gao Changsheng, you certainly harbor grand ambitions!"

"What makes you think the Xiahou family cannot weather the storm independently of the Gao imperial clan? I, Xiahou Yu, refuse to dance to your tune!"