Chapter 119: The Cards
Xiao Yuan was indeed furious but he was still rational. He didn't really want to strangle Prince An to death. He just wanted to teach him a lesson so that he would know what to say and what not to say.
There was not much fear in Jin Zekang's eyes. Even though his neck was pinched, there was a mocking smile on the corner of his mouth.
Xiao Yuan must be very smart to be able to see through his plan. It is impossible for such a person to be stupid enough to strangle him to death.
The more Xiao Yuan looked at Prince An's fearless look, the more hateful he found it. He tightened his grip slightly and even wanted to just throw the jar away and strangle him to death.
As for how to deal with the aftermath of strangling, we’ll talk about it later.
Jiang Xinyu walked closer to the two of them while chewing an apple, and patted Xiao Yuan's arm to signal him to let go.
"Stop pinching me. It will be too much trouble if you really pinch me to death.
Since Prince An has come here in person, it’s clear that he wants to solve the problem, so calm down.”
Xiao Yuan looked at Prince An with a gloomy face and murderous intent in his eyes.
"I don't see any sincerity in him."
Jiang Xinyu shook her head helplessly, "You are betting that he will give in, and he is betting that you won't dare. Have you ever thought that you will get out of this mess?"
There is no deep hatred, so there is no need to fight to the death for a fight for loyalty.
Let go first. Even if he wants to give in, he has to be able to speak."
"Heh, the way I look at His Royal Highness Prince An doesn't show that he is submissive."
Although Xiao Yuan said this, he still let go of his hand. Prince An suddenly took a step back and held onto the chair, followed by a violent coughing fit.
Touching the clear fingerprints on his neck, Prince An felt puzzled. For a moment, Xiao Yuan wanted to kill him. Was he really not afraid of being exposed?
But he was right about one thing: Xiao Yuan's feelings for his wife were no less than his feelings for Azhuo.
As long as this soft spot exists, Xiao Yuan is not stupid and will not touch Azhuo until his power is eradicated completely.
Looking at Jin Zekang's painful but still smirking face, Jiang Xinyu clicked her tongue twice, thinking that the old emperor had really good genes and was also a madman.
But madness has its advantages, especially when this madness has a leash, it can definitely play a huge role.
Jiang Xinyu has always known that Xiao Yuan's position is a double-edged sword. It seems to be a promising position but it also hides murderous intent.
This bastard has offended too many people. It's okay as long as he is in a high position, but once he falls, he will be pushed down by everyone.
But his personality made it difficult for him to find allies, and the old emperor would never allow it.
What people value about him, besides his ability, is his unlucky personality and his tendency to get angry with everyone. If Xiao Yuan was good at getting along with everyone, the old emperor would definitely eliminate him first.
The appearance of Prince An made Jiang Xinyu's eyes light up. Although it was nonsensical, she just felt that Prince An could play a big role at the critical moment.
As for the fact that the two of them are facing off now, it doesn't matter. There is a saying that goes, "No fight, no acquaintance."
It’s a pity that Governor Xiao didn’t understand his wife’s good intentions. He stared at Jin Zekang as if he was looking for the angle to cut him.
His Royal Highness Prince An was not to be outdone. He looked directly at Xiao Yuan with an evil smile on his face, showing no fear at all.
Jiang Xinyu's mouth twitched, "I say, are you two attracted to each other?
Otherwise... I will avoid it."
When Xiao Yuan heard this, he immediately turned his head away and looked at his wife with a resentful look as if he was accusing her of being unreasonable.
Prince An looked at Jiang Xinyu with interest.
He had seen this woman's tongue before, and he knew she was an enemy, but she didn't want to scold him. He nodded lightly and said in a hoarse voice,
"Madam Xiao, it is wrong for me to plot against you and your wife, but this can be considered revenge by Governor Xiao.
Like you said, we don’t have any deep hatred.”
Jiang Xinyu nodded, "Yes, we don't have any deep hatred. Isn't this all because of your shamelessness?
We two have offended you, and you have plotted against us.
What's wrong with pinching you? I'm pinching you because you're using me to threaten my husband.
What?
You are allowed to provoke us but we are not allowed to fight back.
Don't think that I can write off the matter by pinching you. It's not that easy!
If someone slashes at you, you dodge and then curse him.
If Your Highness Prince An is really so broad-minded, I will have someone send Xie Zhuo to you. But please be more open-minded when someone tries to kill you in the future."
Jin Zekang opened his mouth but in the end could only utter "apology". It was not a question of whether he was at fault or not, but that Xiao Yuan really had the capital to do so.
Seeing that His Royal Highness Prince An was subdued, Jiang Xinyu nodded with satisfaction.
"Since you know you were wrong, let's talk about compensation.
My husband didn't fall for it because he was smart, not because you stopped, so don't say there were no serious consequences.
You must know how big a risk your husband would have to take if he really faced a prince or an heir to an earl's mansion.
Tell me what chips you can bring out, and I'll estimate whether this peace treaty is enough to resolve the conflict."
Prince An did not expect that Mrs. Xiao Yuan would be so straightforward. She tentatively offered to give two hot spring manors as atonement.
Jiang Xinyu sneered, "It would be much more sincere if you just paid with banknotes.
Don't be stupid, you know what I'm asking.
Your personnel in the palace belong exclusively to your intelligence organization."
Jin Zekang's expression suddenly froze, "Mrs. Xiao's appetite is too big, you know this is impossible."
Jiang Xinyu rolled her eyes at him and said, "Can you wait for me to finish my words? I don't need your secret weapon for anything, but I wouldn't dare to use it even if you give it to me.
What I want is intelligence, information about Dongchang and my husband, which I know you have."
"Just this"
"Yes, that's all I want, but not just any information.
First, I want you to find the list of spies in the East Factory, including the ones you have planted yourself.
Second, if you get any information that is unfavorable to my husband, please let me know. This is mutual and I won’t let you do it in vain.
We don't want to be enemies with a smart person like you, and there is no benefit in you offending us.
The first one is your apology to us, and the second one is a mutually beneficial one for you.
Your Highness Prince An, I may not be Xiao Yuan's weak spot, but Xie Zhuo is definitely your weak spot. Wouldn't it be good to have one more force to help you protect him?"
Prince An looked at Xiao Yuan who was silent, then at Jiang Xinyu who was as cunning as a fox, and suddenly smiled.
"Mrs. Xiao's proposal really makes me excited. If I offend Governor Xiao, it will actually bring me more help. If I refuse, it would be disrespectful."
Jiang Xinyu waved her hands nonchalantly, "I like to practice Tai Chi. When you are free, you two can practice slowly. I am a down-to-earth person and I like to say what I think.
The cost of killing you is too high to be calculated, but I won't be willing to give up if I don't order anything.
It would be nice if I could get some intelligence, so that you wouldn't be at a loss if I took advantage of you.
Don't talk about praising me. If you are not worthy of that, I would not have the time to praise you."
Jiang Xinyu yawned as she spoke, "Aren't you two sleepy at this late hour? I'm going to sleep. Husband, are you going to stay here with him or come back to my room with me?"
Xiao Yuan glared at Prince An with disdain and held his wife's hand. Jin Zekang immediately frowned.
"Mrs. Xiao's suggestion is very good. I agree to it. The information will be delivered tomorrow.
I wonder if Xie Zhuo can let me take him away."
Jiang Xinyu held Xiao Yuan's arm and smiled mischievously.
"Mr. Xie should be sleeping soundly in the prince's bedroom right now. Do you think I can invite him back?"
Jin Zekang was stunned, then he looked deeply at the couple, clasped his fists and said goodbye.
He rode all the way until Jin Zekang saw Xie Zhuo sleeping soundly on his bed, and only then did he feel relieved.
But this sigh of relief only lasted for a moment.
Xie Zhuo woke up, his eyes were dazed and his face was flushed. He snuggled into his arms and whimpered like a clingy kitten.
Prince An's face quickly turned red, and he finally understood the meaning of Madam Xiao's ambiguous smile.
It really is a great gift!
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