The General's Mansion.

Lobby.

Wen Hu took off his straw hat and placed it on the table, then sat upright and closed his eyes to rest.

A moment later, Xue Yun led two maids in. She glanced at Wen Hu and exclaimed in surprise, "So it's the Marquis of Sha County!"

Wen Hu did not open his eyes and said, "The rest of you may leave."

Xue Yun immediately dismissed the maid and told the guards outside to stay away before sitting down next to Wen Hu and saying, "My lord, what brings you here?"

Wen Hu then opened his eyes, stood up, and respectfully bowed to Xue Yun, saying, "Greetings, Madam General."

Xue Yun quickly stood up to return the greeting.

After the two sat down again, Wen Hu said, "It is a bit abrupt to visit you so suddenly, but the matter is urgent and we have no choice but to do so."

Xue Yun was worried and asked, "Has something happened to Wang Ren?"

Wen Hu shook his head and said, "Although the riots in the west are serious, with General Wang here, it's not a problem. I came to see Madam because of Wang Yucen's matter."

"What's wrong with my daughter?!" Xue Yun became increasingly worried.

Wen Hu countered, "Does Madam know that Wang Yucen and Zhao Zhan have become lovers?"

Xue Yun sighed and said, "I've heard some rumors, but I've written a few letters to Yu Cen, telling her not to get involved with the Zhao family."

Wen Hu asked, "Does Madam find your letter useful?"

Xue Yun said, "I don't know, but there's nothing I can do. To be honest, it's good that Yu Cen stayed in Yan Chuan City. I don't want her to come back either. My daughter and I are hostages in Chang Sui City. I've suffered enough on my own. Why should I drag her into this?"

Wen Hu turned to face Xue Yun, took a sip of tea, and said, "After Marquis Qingdong returned to Yanchuan City, my spies in Yanchuan City sent news every day. As far as I know, although Wang Yucen lives in the General's Mansion, he goes to the Zhao family every day to pay his respects to Mu Zhaojun and is with Zhao Zhan every day. If it weren't for the change in the court situation, Mu Zhaojun would have sent someone to propose marriage to you."

"A marriage proposal?" Xue Yun frowned. "I thought it was just a rumor. Could it really be true?"

"What rumor has no basis?"

Wen Hu raised the corner of his mouth and said, "I have definite information, but I don't know if Madam can withstand it?"

Xue Yun, trying to remain calm, said, "Please speak, Your Excellency."

Wen Hu looked at Xue Yun and said seriously, "The reason why Mu Zhaojun came to propose marriage is because... Zhao Zhan and Wang Yucen have already consummated their marriage."

"What?!" Xue Yun stood up in shock, then said angrily, "My lord, this matter cannot be spoken carelessly!"

Wen Hu looked towards the door and said, "That's why I had Madam send away the extra people before I even opened my mouth."

Xue Yun stood there trembling, unable to calm down for a long time.

Wen Hu continued, "Madam knows that the Left Prime Minister's residence and the Right Prime Minister's residence have always been at odds. I have investigated everyone in the Zhao family very thoroughly. Zhao Zhan was raised by Zhao Cheng from a young age and is the most favored by Mu Zhaojun. He can be said to be showered with love and affection. He seems to be a talented and elegant gentleman, but in reality, compared to Zhao Cheng, he is the real playboy."

"Wang Yucen was naturally beautiful, combining the best qualities of General Wang and his wife. She was also at the age when she was just beginning to fall in love. Zhao Zhan was a well-known handsome man in Yanchuan. He pursued Wang Yucen, and she couldn't resist."

"To put it bluntly, Madam, are you really so sure that Wang Yucen can maintain her chastity after being in Yanchuan City for so long?"

"You!" Xue Yun wanted to curse, but the words caught in her throat. She knew Wen Hu was right, and she wasn't sure she could win.

Zhao Zhan was Zhao Huan's youngest son and was showered with love and affection.

Isn't Wang Yucen the same?

His daughter was willful and reckless. She knew perfectly well that her elder brother had been killed by Zhao Cheng, yet she was still so close to him.

She's now dating Zhao Cheng's younger brother.

Is that strange?

Xue Yun sighed and sat back down in his chair.

She knew this was not surprising at all.

That's just how my daughter is!

Having thought it through, Xue Yun calmed down and said, "My lord, you didn't come here just to tell me this, did you?"

"I'm telling you this to Madam for two reasons. First, it's the truth, and Madam has the right to know about her daughter's affairs. Second, it's to stir up Madam's anger so that I can continue with what I'm about to say."

"The Marquis is quite frank."

"Without honesty, there is no cooperation."

Wen Hu's face darkened, a hint of ferocity emanating from his eyes. He said, "I only ask one question: although two years have passed, does Madam still remember the hatred for killing her son?"

Xue Yun immediately replied, "Of course I haven't forgotten!"

"Do you still want revenge?"

I dream about it!

"Now the opportunity has come, which is why I've come to see you, Madam."

Upon hearing this, Xue Yun sat down facing Wen Hu and said, "Lord Marquis, please speak freely! I'm willing to do anything to avenge Yu Feng!"

Wen Hu remained outwardly calm, but inwardly he breathed a sigh of relief.

Throughout the conversation, which was rehearsed by Yu Changsi, he maintained control of the pace. Xue Yun's statement marked the success of the conversation.

Wen Hu said firmly, "You only need to do two things, Madam. First, write a letter to Mu Zhaojun in your private capacity, asking her to take care of your daughter, and subtly express your agreement to the marriage between Zhao Zhan and Wang Yucen. Second, make a commotion at the General's Mansion, and use the General's Mansion's channels to spread the news that Wang Yucen has lost her virginity to Zhao Zhan into the palace."

Xue Yun exclaimed in surprise, "What about Yu Cen's reputation?"

Wen Hu countered, "Is Wang Yucen's reputation more important, or is revenge more important?"

Xue Yun asked, "What's the point of doing this?"

Wen Hu said, "I can assure you, Madam, that if you do these two things, you will not only avenge Wang Yufeng, but also eliminate the entire Zhao family."

"really?"

"I'm absolutely not kidding!"

Xue Yun fell into deep thought. After a while, she stood up again and said sternly, "As you wish!"

Having achieved his goal, Wen Hu said no more, stood up, bowed to Xue Yun, and said, "The sooner the better, I'll take my leave now."

After Wen Hu returned to the Marquis's mansion, he changed his clothes and immediately transformed from an ordinary citizen into a powerful figure in a high position.

He sat down in the main seat of the hall and said, "Have you arrived?"

Liu Ling stepped out from the side partition and said, "We've arrived."

"Let him come over."

A moment later, a middle-aged man dressed as a江湖人士 (jianghu person, someone who travels the martial arts world) walked in and knelt down respectfully before Wen Hu.

"Your subordinate, Mao Zhang, pays his respects to the Marquis of Sha County!"

"People of the martial world, don't bother with these courtly formalities. Master Mao, please rise." Although he spoke politely, Wen Hu remained seated, exuding authority.

"Before Your Excellency, I dare not call myself the sect leader!"

Mao Zhang stood up and gave Wen Hu a fawning smile.

"Please sit down."

Wen Hu said something, then stepped down from the main seat and sat down in the chair opposite Mao Zhang.

"I've asked you to come here today because I have an important matter to entrust to you."