Chapter 131: Heavy Sentiments

Murong Fu experienced a complex mixture of emotions; this was perhaps what they called losing the army and losing the general as well!

Yet, what could he do about it? Was it not simply the truth?

Naturally unwilling to witness Fang Xu and the other two looking so smug, Murong Fu ordered the guards behind him to gather up the dolls and carry them back.

Before departing, he cast a gaze filled with disgust toward Zhang贺 (Zhang He).

That single glance was more than enough to make Zhang He understand that he no longer held any utility whatsoever.

Furthermore, Zhang He knew all too well how arduous his days ahead would inevitably be.

Unable to harbor resentment toward Fang Xu—after all, from the very beginning, Zhang He should have been well aware of the stakes involved—he ultimately slumped his shoulders and departed the inn in solitude.

Fang Xu, however, noticed this subtle shift and nodded slightly to Old Wu beside him. Through their time together recently,

Old Wu and Gu Bei had grown to understand what needed to be done with merely a glance from Fang Xu, a realization that brought him no small amount of satisfaction.

After all, this was precisely the kind of tacit understanding Fang Xu hoped to see, was it not?

Shortly after, Old Wu silently trailed behind Zhang He as he left the premises, his departure going entirely unnoticed by anyone.

This was precisely one of the innate capabilities possessed by elite imperial guards like Old Wu, though the fact that most people's attention remained firmly fixed on Murong Fu played an even greater role.

Standing beside Fang Xu, Zhuge Jun looked on with complex emotions as Fang Xu sat at a table sipping wine in solitude, his hand involuntarily tightening around the IOU for five hundred taels of silver.

Though Zhuge Jun had a few suspicions, why on earth had Fang Xu chosen him instead of Shangguan Lian?

What exactly had Zhuge Jun guessed? Naturally, he understood why Fang Xu had made Murong Fu write an IOU for five hundred taels to him.

In truth, neither Zhuge Jun nor Shangguan Lian was truly in want of five hundred taels of silver.

That was clearly impossible; Fang Xu had simply done it to strip away Murong Fu's dignity.

Moreover, from Fang Xu's perspective, had he kept the IOU himself, Murong Fu might well have chosen to renege on the debt at a later date.

Judging by Murong Fu's conduct, the depth of the Murong family's friendliness toward the Great Qin was evident for all to see.

As for bestowing it upon Zhuge Jun, it was entirely a sudden whim on Fang Xu's part.

After all, while Murong Fu might dare to break a promise to Fang Xu, would he dare to do the same to Zhuge Jun?

Surely the Murong family would not fall out with the Zhuge family over a mere five hundred taels of silver! Yet, this was precisely what baffled Zhuge Jun.

If it were a matter of influence and background, presenting it to Shangguan Lian would have had the same effect—why give it to him instead?

This was the very reason for the complicated look Zhuge Jun directed at Fang Xu, while Shangguan Lian, noticing the way Zhuge Jun stared at Fang Xu, began to murmur under her breath in a huff.

It was evident that Shangguan Lian was deeply dissatisfied, though she refrained from voicing her thoughts.

Moments later, Fang Xu turned to Zhuge Jun with an apologetic expression and expressed his gratitude, believing that given Zhuge Jun's brilliance, he must surely understand his underlying objective.

"Though I know you intend to make a move against Murong Fu, you must also realize one thing: Murong Fu is not someone easily shaken. Even Lian'er and I would find it exceedingly difficult to truly destabilize him," Zhuge Jun said earnestly as he tucked the five hundred taels IOU away.

Clearly, Zhuge Jun understood what Fang Xu intended to do at present, and recognized that Fang Xu aimed to undermine Murong Fu's standing within the Murong family.

Yet, could such a feat truly be accomplished? Hearing Zhuge Jun's words, Fang Xu furrowed his brow slightly.

Naturally, Fang Xu understood that this was by no means an easy task, but did he still have any room to turn back now?

Evidently not. Furthermore, Fang Xu knew there was no alternative; he did this for the Great Qin, and for himself as well.

"I am well aware of that. Still, I look to Brother Jun for your continued guidance in the future," Fang Xu said with a faint smile, prompting Zhuge Jun to nod slightly in acknowledgment.

Shortly thereafter, Shangguan Lian tugged at Zhuge Jun to lead him back up to the second floor, claiming that she felt rather fatigued and wished to retire early.

Zhuge Jun cast a peculiar look at Shangguan Lian as she pulled him along, but before he could utter a word, she had already dragged him up the stairs.

Left standing below in utter bewilderment, Fang Xu did not dwell on the matter and instead breathed an involuntary sigh of relief.

After all, could Fang Xu really be oblivious to Shangguan Lian's affections for him? Surely everyone present was well aware of it.

Was he truly a fool in matters of the heart? Clearly, Fang Xu was no romantic ignoramus.

Since Fang Xu was fully aware, why did he refuse to accept Shangguan Lian? Given her status, background, and standing, would she not normally be the object of everyone's fervent pursuit?

In truth, that was precisely the case. Yet it was precisely for this reason that Fang Xu did not dare to reciprocate Shangguan Lian's affections.

For Fang Xu understood the gravity of what he was currently undertaking, as well as the extent of the damage it would inflict upon the four great hereditary noble families. If he were to truly develop romantic feelings for Shangguan Lian,

then when the time came for him to move against the Shangguan family—where Shangguan Lian belonged—would he hesitate to strike?

Despite the promises Fang Xu had previously made, the military might of the Shangguan family remained a direct threat to the very foundations of the Great Qin.

Thus, Fang Xu felt a growing headache and could only choose to take things one step at a time.

Otherwise, what other better course of action was available to him now?

That was clearly out of the question. Just as Fang Xu found himself troubled by these thoughts, Gu Bei whispered a few low words into his ear, causing Fang Xu to stand up and stretch lazily.

Gu Bei immediately draped an outer robe over Fang Xu's shoulders, and the two of them departed the inn together.

From Fang Xu's perspective, he fully grasped the gravity of what Zhuge Jun had just stated. Since this game of chess had already begun, he needed to start making his strategic deployments.

As the saying goes, being prepared prevents calamity—was that not so?

Shortly after, Fang Xu arrived outside a long-abandoned ancient temple, narrowing his eyes as he surveyed the surroundings. The guards hiding in the shadows nodded, clearly having received Fang Xu's silent directives.

Seeing those guards disperse, Fang Xu finally led Gu Bei into the dilapidated temple.

Inside the temple at that very moment, someone had been waiting respectfully for quite some time. Old Wu nodded toward Fang Xu, who then took a seat at the sole table inside, smiling faintly as he looked at the man sitting opposite him.
"Lord Zhang, we meet again!"

Seated across from Fang Xu was none other than the dejected official who had departed earlier in sorrow: Lord Zhang He.