Jun Xie clearly surmised that if they succeeded today, both Tang Yuan and himself would fall completely under the enemy’s control! The Tang family might not matter; they had other heirs, but the Jun family had only him, Jun Mo Xie, a singular entity. Even if it was just one demand, given the frivolous nature of Jun Mo Xie, who knew what kind of disaster it might breed!

Most likely, he would cause trouble, not even realize he had done so, and still be smug about it! After all, his grandfather would clean up the mess for him! If, at that time, the struggle became overt, with his vulnerabilities firmly grasped in their hands, what use would it be even if the Old Master were willing to make the painful sacrifice and sever ties with his kin?

How would those generals choose? Even a moment’s hesitation could lead to incalculable consequences! Jun Xie felt the urgent need for a recharge!

Although his past life had provided him with extensive experience, in this current reality, Jun Xie keenly felt his own deficiencies! The first was what was termed political acumen, something he, as an assassin in his previous life, utterly lacked! If he were to remain a solitary operative in this life, it wouldn't matter.

But if he intended to establish himself within this grand family structure, protect those he cared for, and maintain the stability of the greater situation, lacking exceptionally sharp political insight was nothing short of daydreaming! He might not need to serve as an official, drifting in and out of the imperial court, but this awareness of the political struggle was absolutely essential! It was already noon when Old Master Jun returned home.

On his way back, he happened to encounter Old Master Tang Wanli of the Tang family, riding at the forefront, leading a throng of guards and warriors, thundering down the main street toward the north—it was clear he was going to confront someone with ill intent. The north was precisely where the Li, Meng, and several other major families resided! Seeing Tang Wanli’s face as black as the bottom of a pot, with rage practically burning out from between his brows, Old Master Jun felt a secret surge of satisfaction: It had been a long time since he’d seen the old fellow so furious.

The normally genial, profit-seeking Old Master Tang was provoked to such a state; whoever this was aimed at, the ensuing drama would surely be magnificent! Little did he know that the director of this grand play was his own grandson, Jun Mo Xie, the one who caused him the most constant irritation! Old Master Jun, feigning curiosity, inquired, "Where are you off to, Brother Tang?

Why the such hurried manner? Has someone run off with your granddaughter-in-law? Look at you, old man, flustered like this!

Hahaha…” The Old Master intended it merely as a jest, but little did he know that the very reason Old Master Tang Wanli was enraged was, coincidentally, precisely because of that matter! “You old rogue Jun, stop playing innocent! You’re no better yourself!

Once I’ve settled accounts with the Li and Meng families, I’ll come back to deal with you, you old scoundrel!” Tang Wanli’s snow-white beard was blown straight out as he shot the other man an indignant glare, snapped his whip, and vanished in a cloud of dust. He knew what kind of person Jun Mo Xie was, perhaps worse than his own grandson; if his own grandson met misfortune, he, Tang Wanli, had gained a victory, and someone powerful must be manipulating events behind the scenes—most likely the very man standing before him, Jun Zhantian. Seeing Jun Zhantian making light of the situation with a knowing smile, he naturally offered no pleasantries to Old Master Jun!

Old Master Jun was left standing there, somewhat stunned. What did that old fellow Tang Wanli mean, cursing him three or four times in a single sentence while muttering something incomprehensible? What kind of situation was this?

After a long pause, he spat, “How did the Li and Meng families offend you? But your going to stir things up suits my mood perfectly. As the saying goes, when dogs fight, they only shed fur…” Tang Yuan followed his grandfather, head bowed, his face a mask of shame and blotchy redness.

When Fatty Tang returned home, his father was seated in the main hall. He burst in crying out for his father, announcing disaster, which startled his father so badly he nearly tumbled off his chair. Upon closer inspection, he saw his most feared grandfather, Old Master Tang, was also present.

The timing was… Thus, there was no more room for speculation. Under the relentless pressure from Old Master Tang, Tang Yuan forced out the tears and recounted the entire affair, word for word… as one might imagine! Both father and son of the Tang family were instantly enraged!

When they saw the teacup Tang Yuan presented, still bearing traces of residue from a drug, and had the family’s pharmacist examine it, everything Tang Yuan had said was immediately confirmed as fact! The Li and Meng families were this vicious! This was clearly an attempt to ruin the Tang family’s reputation!

How could Old Master Tang, who always valued his family’s standing, tolerate this? Old Master Tang was instantly overcome with fury. He grabbed Tang Yuan’s plump body, rained down more than a dozen slaps on his head, threw him to the ground, and commanded him to lead the way—they would demand justice from the Li and Meng families immediately!

Old Master Tang was even older than Old Master Jun, truly a veteran of three dynasties. In recent years, he had lived in seclusion, not leaving his residence for several years. This time, his departure was preceded by a massive entourage, trailing an imposing, murderous aura!

It seemed that wherever he went, pandemonium among the Li and Meng families was inevitable. Although Old Master Jun had been verbally assaulted by Old Master Tang Wanli for no apparent reason, seeing Tang Wanli at the height of his anger and knowing he was headed to confront the Li and Meng families, Old Master Jun felt not annoyance, but a degree of private pleasure. He didn't press for details, knowing instantly that the trouble must have been caused by that fat lump, Tang Yuan.

Thankfully, his Mo Xie had been diligently studying the classics recently, being exceptionally obedient and causing the old man no worry. If he had caused such a major incident… Tsk, tsk, that Old Master Tang was truly pitiful. At such an advanced age, still having to worry about his descendants’ troubles… Watching Tang Wanli’s near-hysterical display, Old Master Jun couldn’t help but feel a touch of schadenfreude.

Yet, the moment he returned home, triumphant and pleased, he was informed that Jun Xie had left with money and guards under the guise of going out gambling! The Old Master, returning home seething with excitement, immediately staggered; the money lost or won was minor, but if anything else untoward had happened, the consequences could be catastrophic! Upon hearing the news of Jun Xie’s return, the Old Master naturally stormed over in a rage.

He stopped dead inside the door: on the large bed, a bundle was carelessly tossed, filled with glittering treasures, not a single item being common; and the petite figure of his grandson was squinting in satisfaction, counting on his fingers how much silver he could fetch for them one by one… When he looked closer, Old Master Jun gasped again. Setting aside the rest, there were three exquisite jade pendants, crystal clear, radiating a warm glow, obviously not ordinary items. Even that wasn't what truly astonished the Old Master; it was the characters carved upon them: ‘In the year/month, congratulating Grandson Feng on his first birthday’ and ‘In the year/month, congratulating Grandson Zhen on his first birthday’… Were these not the clan jade pendants exclusively reserved for the direct descendants of the Li family?

They were symbols of status within the Li clan! Furthermore, the names Feng and Zhen were the names of two of Grand Tutor Li’s grandsons. How—how had these items ended up with Mo Xie?

Had the boy gone out and committed robbery? Old Master Jun stroked his beard, his gaze flickering with suspicion. Looking further, Old Master Jun let out a muffled groan, having pulled his beard too hard and plucked off a strand: those two jade ruyi scepters were clearly imperial property!

In addition, there was a Meng family clan jade pendant, and that pearl… and that… “Where did all this stuff come from?” When he uttered this question, the Old Master’s face was twitching; he was already preparing himself to clean up Jun Xie’s mess: if these items were indeed stolen by the boy, it would truly be a monumental problem. It wasn't that Old Master Jun was dull-witted, completely failing to consider that his precious grandson might have won these items. It was simply that the Old Master knew his grandson too well; he was absolutely incapable of winning such “high-caliber” objects!

It was laughable that he had just been mocking that old fool Tang Wanli, only to find a disaster of staggering proportions awaiting him at home! Old Master Jun was momentarily speechless…