Chapter 102: Sowing Discord

Besides the royal line, the Jiang family also has all sorts of messy collateral relatives, and by now, they have no blood relation whatsoever.

Jiang Sijin didn't know what Song Anbang was thinking, but seeing that he didn't name names, she felt that it still needed to be considered, and was relieved.

Li Da, however, was stubborn. Hearing Song Anbang say this, he assumed that Song Anbang already knew Hensheng's whereabouts. Ignoring the fact that his life was still being held by someone, he raised his other hand and attacked him.

Although Song Anbang had learned a few moves, he was a latecomer to the sport and could not compare to Li Da's childhood training. He could only rely on surprise attacks.

Now that Li Da was attacking again, he knew he would have a hard time resisting, but luckily he was prepared. He took out the medicine packet from under his pillow and prepared to throw it at him.

Everything happened in the blink of an eye. Jiang Sijin reacted quickly and used her long hair to shield Li Da.

The powder sizzled as it touched the hair, then turned into puffs of white smoke and dissipated.

Jiang Sijin sneered, "Comparing poisons? Her hair is the most poisonous thing in the world."

Song Anbang had probably not expected this, but he wasn't worried. After all, Li Da's life was still in his hands. He casually looked at Jiang Sijin and said, "Have your master come to see me."

"I, the princess, am the person in charge of Shanxian County." Jiang Sijin stepped forward, wanting to rescue Li Da.

How could Song Anbang grant her wish? He immediately pressed down hard with his fingertips, causing Li Da to break out in a cold sweat from the pain.

"It seems you don't care about this little eunuch's life."

"Trading his life for yours, a prince's life, isn't a bad deal," Jiang Sijin said casually, seemingly unconcerned about Li Da's life or death.

Her indifferent attitude undoubtedly stung Li Da's heart. Li Da thought to himself, "I've taken care of your body for twenty years, never letting it get hurt. You've been treated like royalty. Even if you're not the previous one, you should at least remember the hard work of taking care of you in this body, right? How could you be so indifferent to my life?"

Li Da lowered his brows, concealing the emotions in his eyes well, but he couldn't escape Song Anbang's eyes.

Song Anbang's lips curled slightly. "You actually had the heart to let such a talented person die. Although he was just a lowly eunuch who combed the Empress's hair, the Emperor and Empress were together day and night, so they must know some secrets. Even if they didn't know anything, they could make up stories out of nothing. And today you just handed him over to me like this."

Jiang Sijin began to think seriously. Logically speaking, Jiang Yichun should have passed the throne to Hensheng, since even General Huo recognized him as the successor.

However, if at this moment a eunuch from the emperor's side were to produce a secret edict, many things would become much simpler for her.

Having figured this out, Jiang Sijin's smile widened. "I've already said that I am the person in charge of this county. Why doesn't the Marquis believe me? Or does the Marquis fundamentally look down on women? Don't forget, if it weren't for your lucky sister's good fortune, how could you have crawled out of this poor, remote place?"

Song Anbang's face immediately turned ugly. Even though he considered himself extraordinary and not someone to be underestimated, without his sister who was beyond five degrees of kinship, it would indeed be difficult for him to reach the capital on his own.

At this moment, he was already somewhat convinced that the woman in front of him was the person in charge of the mountain county, since a puppet would not say such things in support of a woman.

But in her heart, she still couldn't believe that the person in front of her was Jiang Sijin. The princess was elegant and quiet, and would never speak so harshly.

“Very well, young lady.” Song Anbang was unwilling to address her as a princess, even though she was currently “wearing” the title. “You say you are the person in charge of Shanxian County. I would like to ask you what your intentions are? Shanxian County is a key fortress on the way from Bianzhou to the capital. In recent years, I have often heard that something strange has happened in Shanxian County. Merchants and grain transport teams of the imperial court have had to detour through Huzhou and cross many high mountains to reach Bianzhou. May I ask what your intentions are, and why you are trying to obstruct us?”

Song Anbang, as expected of someone who has read many books, is quick-witted and eloquent. In just a few words, he turned the tables and blamed the strange occurrences in Shanxian on Jiang Sijin.

Arguing wasn't Jiang Sijin's forte, and arguing about who was right or wrong in this kind of thing wouldn't help the overall situation, so she simply told him the truth.

"Lord Marquis has been in Shanxian County for many days. I suppose you haven't gone out at night?" Jiang Sijin said with a hint of mockery in her eyes. "I wonder how your subordinates are doing their job. They don't even report the strange occurrences at night to their master."

Song Anbang's face was grim. He knew all too well what kind of people his men were; they all stayed huddled in the county government office every night after learning about the strange situation in Shanxian County.

Jiang Sijin's words undoubtedly implied that he lacked ability and had only a few crippled soldiers.

"I certainly haven't gone out at night, but what's the problem?"

Jiang Sijin smiled brightly, "Why don't you go out and see for yourself tonight, Lord Marquis?"

After saying that, her gaze swept over Li Da again, "You can keep him in your hands for now, after all, he is one of the few close people your sister left in this world."

After saying that, Jiang Sijin turned and gracefully left, much like a proud peacock.

Song Anbang knew, of course, that Li Da could not be killed easily, but that's what he said.

"It seems your master truly has no regard for your life."

Li Da's forehead was covered in cold sweat, and he gritted his teeth and said, "My master is Jiang Yichun."

Song Anbang suddenly laughed and released Li Da's vital point.

Li Da trembled as he withdrew his hand, his wrist throbbing with pain.

“You are indeed loyal.” Song Anbang smiled enigmatically. “Even though our late master has been dead for twenty years, you still think of him fondly.”

Li Da frowned and said coldly, "No need to sow discord. I haven't forgotten who opened the gates of the capital, causing His Majesty to be beheaded."

"Yes, I admit it, but can you kill me now?" Song Anbang was not worried about his own safety at all. After all, he had just pressed on Song Anbang's vital point for so long that Song Anbang could not gather his inner strength in a short time.

Li Da never considered killing Song Anbang at this time. Anyone who had been in the harem for a long time knew the saying "when the snipe and the clam fight, the fisherman benefits." He could wait for Song Anbang and Jiang Sijin to fight each other first.

Li Da turned to leave, but Song Anbang quickly called him back.

"Do you really enjoy being a slave? Think about the days you served my sister. She treated everyone equally and never distinguished between master and servant."

Li Da indeed stopped in his tracks.

Song Anbang was aware of the imbalance in people's hearts. They had always been treated equally, but if one day they were suddenly treated like servants, they would definitely feel resentful.

Li Da turned his head, gave Song Anbang a deep look, and left without saying anything.

Song Anbang didn't expect to succeed in sowing discord on his first attempt, and the fact that he returned unharmed made Jiang Sijin suspicious.

After all, he was closer to Li Da.