Chapter 1634 – Seizing Nan Sheng, Killing An Huan (46)
How Jiang Ji reflects on her situation is one thing, but over at the Nan family in Fen Prefecture, it’s like ants boiling on a hot stove, hopping around in panic.
They’ve invested countless efforts into this assassination, ensuring every detail was flawlessly arranged, striving for absolute success.
Only success is acceptable; failure is not an option!
“That said, Liu Xi is exceptionally skilled, and I’ve heard she has divine protection. Who knows if those assassins will actually succeed.”
The head of the Nan family had full confidence, but his younger brother couldn’t shake off an unsettling feeling, his anxiety rising day after day.
From the plan’s formulation to today’s execution, his heart was perpetually in a state of fear, an ominous premonition growing stronger each day.
“Boosting others’ confidence while diminishing your own, no matter how many arms Liu Xi has, can she really survive an ambush from over a hundred assassins? Divine protection? That’s just a bunch of nonsense Liu Xi spread herself. How could you possibly believe such absurdity? You’re out of your mind!”
The head of the Nan family couldn’t stand his brother’s cowardice and disliked the ominous speculations he voiced.
Planning to ambush Jiang Ji already carried immense risk, and one misstep could result in complete destruction, taking both their lives and the family down with them.
Though he didn’t show it on the outside, an indescribable pressure weighed heavily on him, nearly suffocating.
Instead of alleviating his burdens, his own brother waved flags for the enemy.
“Brother, that’s not what I meant…”
The elder brother glared fiercely, asking sternly, “If that’s not what you meant, then what do you mean?”
The younger brother fell silent, knowing his elder brother wouldn’t listen to anything he said, so he could only wait for news alongside him.
With over a hundred assassins already dispatched, the moment was upon them—too late for words now.
For the sake of the centuries-old legacy of the Nan family in Fen Prefecture, he could only silently pray for the assassins’ success. As long as Jiang Ji died, the forces that gathered around her would scatter, external troubles would be resolved consequently. In such a case, not only would the Nan family avenge their grievances, but they could also rise amidst the chaos.
The hatred between Jiang Ji and the Nan Sheng gentry was anything but trivial.
Previous grievances of disturbing ancestors’ graves, coupled with the looting of their assets and tenant farmers—these were grievances that couldn’t be understated.
Losing wealth was one thing; that could be earned back, but losing face and status? Now that’s another story altogether.
The Nan family, being a prestigious clan for centuries, could hardly tolerate a ragtag crew taking a dump on their heads!
What’s this Hejian Liu Clan?
Just a shabby, unremarkable family that barely holds any standing, thinking too highly of themselves while daring to call themselves nobility.
Jiang Ji’s actions since joining Nan Sheng had been a source of deep disgust for the gentry!
This was no noble; she was simply a shameless bandit! Take the losses of the Nan family, for instance—Jiang Ji not only had people dig up their ancestors’ graves for valuable treasures but also seized their hard-earned lands through force.
Even if those lands had been acquired through various unscrupulous means from the commoners, once it ended up in their pockets, it belonged to them! But when Jiang Ji took it back, that made her a bandit!
Living under the nose of such lords, one can only imagine what the future holds.
It’s often said: strike first, or suffer the consequences; the Nan family, whose fundamental interests were touched, was prepared to take desperate measures.
“Report, my lord and second master, we have news!”
The Nan brothers anxiously awaited news, from dusk till the moon hung high in the sky, finally receiving a secret message relayed by the steward.
“Liu Xi is dead?”
The steward calmed his quickened breath, excitedly stating, “Liu Xi caught a chill, she is gravely ill and won’t see anyone.”
“A chill?” The head of the Nan family coldly smirked, “Falling ill at this time, is it truly a sickness or just some cover-up?”
Of all times to get sick, she just had to do it after the assassins launched their attack—only a fool would believe that!
“By the way, have the assassins returned?”
He wasn’t swept away by the joy of this news and quickly inquired about the whereabouts of the assassins. If they also claimed Jiang Ji was dead, then it would be true.
“Not yet returned.” The steward suddenly lowered his voice, “However, this matter is most likely secured.”
The head of the Nan family asked, “What do you know?”
The steward quietly shared his observations, analyzing, “According to the information, Yang Tao and the guards took a long time outside before returning, looking anxious and grave. I believe Liu Xi acted recklessly, going out hunting without taking anyone with her, and fell into an ambush from the assassins… Our assassins are all elite, but we can’t underestimate Yang Tao and the others. It’s normal for the assassins not to report immediately for their safety.”
The strongest lords of the land being assassinated would definitely send shockwaves through all corners of the realm.
Yang Tao, wishing to save his own neck, wouldn’t overlook the ambushing assassins and would undoubtedly search high and low.
For the safety of the Nan family, the assassins would need to shake off their pursuers, which would take time back and forth.
“This matter should not be made known; send someone to investigate further.”
The next day, Jiang Ji’s shadow still wasn’t seen. It was as if the lord who often skipped out for a few hours had evaporated into thin air.
Not only had Jiang Ji vanished, but the reactions of Chief Strategist Yang Si and several key ministers were also quite strange, giving off a vibe as if a storm was brewing.
With all these details laid before him, the head of the Nan family thoroughly believed that Jiang Ji was dead.
“With Liu Xi dead, what’s the use of Yang Si and the others sealing off the news?” The Nan family leader mocked bitterly, “Liu Xi has no child, and she’s merely an old sterile woman. Yang Si and the others want to support a new master but have no suitable candidate. With internal dangers and external threats…”
With a cold snort, he seemed to foresee that Jiang Ji’s death would be hard to keep under wraps, resulting in a collapse of power among his subordinates.
No hope was pinned on An… Previous collaborations proved he was unreliable, better to rely on oneself… Instead of placing heavy bets on someone untrustworthy, they would rather act themselves. The Nan family secretly contacted a few well-connected families and plotted in the dark, while also spreading rumors that Jiang Ji might already be dead, aiming to shake the resolve of Yang Si and the others…
Thus, similar rumors quietly surfaced in tea houses and taverns.
The water army didn’t outright claim Jiang Ji was dead; rather, they disguised themselves as ordinary people, casually asking where she had been recently.
Having not shown up for so long, could it be that something happened?
Other members of the water army seized the opportunity to chime in on the matter, slowly guiding the narrative. Within two to three days, the rumors began to take shape.
Seeing this situation unfold, Yang Si mockingly teased Wei Ci.
“Zixiao seems to have met his match.”
Wei Ci replied, “Groundless rumors, poorly executed.”
Yang Si clicked his tongue.
“Just as expected from the water army’s chief instructor, Wei Zixiao. Your words ooze charisma!”
“So, we’re just going to ignore this?”
Wei Ci stated, “Such rumors, as long as the lord appears in public, would fall apart without any need to attack.”
Yang Si pondered, “The Nan family acted without evidence; aren’t they afraid it’s a trap?”
“Cornered dogs jump the wall,” Wei Ci said. “Regardless of whether it’s a trap or not, the Nan family is determined to launch the ambush, and there’s no room for negotiation.”
If he had done something so audacious, Wei Ci too would fear the long night bringing more nightmares.
The Nan family’s choices were quite reasonable.
Handing the rumor matter to Wei Ci was never a mistake, and Yang Si didn’t interfere further; he was more curious about the changes in the lord over the past few days.
He suddenly asked, “Has anything seemed off with the lord?”
“What’s off?” Wei Ci responded.
Yang Si pointed at his head, his expression serious, “Everything’s off! She’s practically a different person! The lord’s diligence these past few days, I wouldn’t even dare to dream that much. Zixiao… do you think the lord’s been possessed by a wild spirit or something?”
Wei Ci: “…”
