strictlysupreme Chapter 273 A surge of boundless rage welled up in King Qi's heart.
Chapter 273 A surge of boundless rage welled up in King Qi's heart.
Xie Yanli frowned.
"These are all just our guesses right now, without any evidence, so we can't draw any definitive conclusions."
"But it doesn't matter. When the King of Qi starts his rebellion, everything will come to light."
The carriage continued forward, its wheels rolling over small pebbles, pausing briefly before moving on.
The two matters, Xie Zhongzhi and the King of Qi, overlapped, making Qin Jiuwei very uneasy.
But the things that need to be done still need to be done.
Xie Jue's birthday was fast approaching, and Qin Jiuwei arrived at the front yard early in the morning.
"Tomorrow is Young Master Jue's birthday. The invitations have already been sent out. You all need to be alert and keep your heads up to make sure the front yard is properly decorated. If the birthday banquet goes well, you will all be rewarded."
Xiaohe's voice was clear and bright. After she finished speaking, the servants in the front yard all nodded.
Qin Jiuwei looked around the main courtyard.
The winter morning breeze was slightly cool. She wore a thick fox fur cloak and pointed lightly with her fingertips.
"Set up the bamboo poles over there, and make sure the cat lanterns are hung neatly."
"Place this potted plant under the eaves, but not too far in."
The maid waiting nearby immediately stepped forward and moved the flowerpot as she instructed.
Although it was winter, the flowers in the courtyard had been carefully arranged. The white snow set off the bright plum blossoms, and a few touches of cool green added a festive touch.
"Change the tablecloth to red, and put the fruit platter here..."
"Add some more ribbons to connect these lanterns, otherwise they'll look too monotonous."
The courtyard was bustling with activity, as maids carried trays and servants adjusted the angles of lantern poles.
Qin Jiuwei gave instructions methodically.
In her previous life, she had arranged many banquets in the palace and was very adept at handling such matters.
She turned her gaze and saw the scene in the courtyard, and prayed in her heart.
May everything go smoothly at Xie Jue's birthday banquet tomorrow.
At this time, in the Wenyuan Pavilion of the Imperial Palace.
Xie Yanli spread out the map on the table, his finger pointing to several fortresses around the imperial city, his expression solemn.
"King Qi wanted to besiege the capital, and he relied on more than just external military force. He also planted many informants within the city, and there were even his men in the Imperial Guard."
His tone was low, yet carried a hint of coldness.
When the investigation results were presented to him, even he was secretly surprised.
Unexpectedly, the King of Qi had gathered such a large force under his command.
He had been plotting this grand scheme for years, patiently waiting for this day.
Shen Xingjian nodded. "The King of Qi's informants are mainly concentrated in three areas: food supplies, siege equipment, and city gate guards. At that time, these people inside the city will act simultaneously to create chaos and open up a path for the King of Qi's offensive."
Xie Yanli nodded, his gaze calmly sweeping over the map.
"Since he plans to attack from both inside and outside, we must thwart his plan in advance. Replace the officials in charge of grain with our people and secretly cut off their supply lines."
"The personnel in charge of the city's defense equipment were also quietly replaced, especially those catapults and crossbows that were easily controlled by insiders."
"Kill all of King Qi's men, leave no one alive, lest they cause future trouble."
Zhao Ming quickly replied, "I will make the arrangements immediately."
Xie Yanli continued, "As for the spies inside the city, we will also keep track of their movements and take them down in one fell swoop."
He withdrew his hand, closed the map, and spoke in a low but powerful tone.
"Yes! We'll take care of it right away!" the men replied immediately.
Qin Jiuwei was busy in the front yard, while Xie Yanli was busy in the Wenyuan Pavilion.
The two did not meet again until dinner.
Qin Jiuwei raised her eyes and looked at Xie Yanli beside her.
His gaze remained calm as usual, but the bluish tinge around his eyes revealed his fatigue.
Qin Jiuwei ladled a bowl of soup for him and placed it in front of him.
"Let's have a bowl of soup to warm our stomachs first."
Xie Yanli looked down at the bowl in front of him, his brows relaxing slightly.
He picked up the spoon and took a sip.
The warmth eased some of the fatigue, and the coldness in his eyes gradually faded.
He turned his gaze and saw that Qin Jiuwei had only served him soup, and the corners of her lips curled up slightly.
"tasty."
At this moment, Madam Xie put down her soup spoon.
"Jiuwei, I just went to the front yard to take a look," she said slowly, a satisfied smile on her face.
"You've decorated the front yard really well; the birthday banquet tomorrow will definitely be lively!"
Hearing the praise, Qin Jiuwei said gently, "This is what a granddaughter-in-law should do."
"Time flies! In the blink of an eye, our Jue-ge'er will be five years old," Lord Xie said.
He turned his gaze, and his eyes softened slightly as he looked at Xie Jue.
Xie Jue was raised in the Marquis's mansion from a young age; you could say he watched him grow up.
Although he wasn't of the Marquis's bloodline, after raising him for so long, it was impossible for him to have no feelings for him at all.
Lord Xie smiled kindly and looked at Xie Jue slowly.
"Jue-ge'er, tomorrow is your birthday. Your grandfather has prepared a grand gift and is waiting to celebrate with you."
Xie Jue's eyes lit up immediately upon hearing this.
"Really? Grandfather!"
He thought Lord Xie wouldn't prepare a gift for him.
Xie Jue grinned, revealing a row of neat little baby teeth, her eyes curving into crescents.
Her two shallow dimples were incredibly sweet.
A warm feeling welled up in Lord Xie's heart.
This must be the joy of enjoying the company of grandchildren.
Unlike his own grandson... Xie Siyuan has not smiled at him since returning to the mansion.
Lord Xie felt a pang of sadness and bitterness in his heart.
But she still forced a smile, "Don't worry, you'll know tomorrow on your birthday."
"That's wonderful! Thank you, Grandfather!" Xie Jue said sweetly, her whole being radiating an unconcealable joy.
Hehe, he'll be five years old tomorrow! Five years old!
I'll never be a four-year-old again!
Xie Siyuan, who was eating with his head down, stopped eating when he heard the two talking.
His cold, expressionless eyes looked at Xie Jue.
Is it his birthday tomorrow?
As if he had thought of something, a dark look flashed across Xie Siyuan's eyes, and then he chuckled softly.
Prince Qi's Mansion.
King Qi stood in his study, his hands behind his back, his face grim.
His eyes were fixed on a secret letter on the table.
A surge of overwhelming anger welled up within him.
This letter, delivered at the risk of his life by his trusted confidant, contained only a few short sentences, yet it struck him like a thunderbolt.
His plan, which he had kept hidden for so long, was completely uncovered by Xie Yanli!
He knows everything now!
It’s over! It's all over!
"Thank you, Yanli!!!"
King Qi roared, crumpling the letter in his hand into a ball and throwing it into the brazier, instantly igniting a blazing fire.
He thought his plan was flawless, but now this is the result!
How could he bear this!
King Qi narrowed his eyes slightly, his brow furrowed, and a hint of ruthlessness crept into his expression.
Now that the plan has been exposed, he will launch an attack ahead of time and catch them off guard!
He wanted to see if Xie Yanli had the ability!
We'd rather die for them! We'll kill them all!