In the study of the General’s Mansion in the capital, Qi Biao was writing a secret letter with a charcoal pen. Lin Wen entered, and Qi Biao did not avoid him, continuing to write while asking, “How are things?”
Lin Wen poured himself a cup of tea, took a sip, and replied, “He’s already fallen into Fangcao Di.”
“Hmph, that old fool actually chose such a useless person for such an important task. He’s practically asking for death.”
As he spoke, Qi Biao handed the completed letter to Lin Wen, who quickly scanned it, folded it into a small ingot, and tucked it into his sleeve. “You’d better act quickly. Shi Binhua is lustful by nature. Having seen Fang’er, he will surely be drawn to her beauty. Moreover, given the feud between my Lin family and his Shi family, he won’t miss such a perfect opportunity for revenge.”
“I’ve already deployed some of our hidden guards around Lin Town. Tan Liu, following my instructions, has explained the use of the throwing needles to Fang’er. In an emergency, as long as Fang’er reveals the needles, the hidden guards will ensure the safety of the entire Lin family.” His tone was as flat as usual.
Lin Wen nodded and asked Qi Biao, “Do you really only see Fang’er as a younger sister?”
Qi Biao countered, “What are you implying?”
Lin Wen said, “Such an important token, you gave it to Fang’er as if it were a toy. And that box of flying needles—don’t tell me they’re just martial arts tools for practice.”
Seeing Qi Biao remain silent, Lin Wen continued, “Fang’er is fifteen this year, and you carved fifteen wooden figures for her, one for each year. You cherish her more than her own brothers, Wu’er and I. Don’t you think your actions have gone beyond the affection of a brother?”
Qi Biao frowned. Lin Wen said coldly, “If your feelings for Fang’er are romantic, you’d better put an end to them now. Once this matter is resolved, you will either become the Crown Prince or the heir to the Prince. By regulation, you will have one principal consort, two secondary consorts, and at least four concubines, not to mention the various attendants who won’t even make it to the table. Fang’er is just the daughter of a small-town mayor. If she were to follow you, she wouldn’t even qualify as a concubine. Do you think my Lin family would agree to that? Even if you used your power to take her, given Fang’er’s temperament, would she be willing to be just one of your many women?”
After a moment of silence, Qi Biao said solemnly, “I only see Fang’er as my eighth sister. Nothing more.”
“Good. It’s best that way.”
Lin Wen’s words were blunt, and Qi Biao immediately radiated cold anger, but Lin Wen was unafraid.
As the two stood in tense silence, a servant announced that Li Ziyi had arrived. Qi Biao had him brought to the study. Upon entering, Li Ziyi noticed their expressions and asked curiously, “Why do you two look like this? Wen’er, have you angered the General again?”
Lin Wen remained silent, but Qi Biao responded, “General Li, what brings you to my mansion in broad daylight? No longer concerned about appearances?”
“Appearances? No matter how much I try, it’s pointless. I have four nephews, and three of them serve you and your brothers. Wen’er is even your personal strategist. Inside and outside the court, I’m already seen as part of the Prince’s faction. Why should I bother with appearances?” Li Ziyi had often collaborated with Qi Biao and his brothers in secret, but now his words made his stance clear.
Qi Biao nodded and asked, “Have you come from the old master? How is he?”
“Not well,” Li Ziyi sighed. “He’s emaciated and can barely speak. You should go see him.”
Qi Biao didn’t respond.
Lin Wen’s expression softened slightly as he explained the plan in detail to Li Ziyi, who scoffed, “A man who makes his living through unspeakable means dares to dream of becoming the Crown Prince? He truly doesn’t know how to write the word ‘death.'”
The Marquis of Zhenwu had a penchant for male companions. Though he had wives and concubines, they were mere decorations—he never touched women. Officially, he adopted many “sons,” but in reality, they were his kept lovers. Such practices were forbidden in the dynasty, but given his meritorious service, the Emperor turned a blind eye, pretending not to know.
After discussing business, Lin Wen asked about Li Ziyang: “Second Uncle, how is Little Uncle these days? Still not speaking to Little Aunt?”
Among his mother’s siblings, Lin Wen had always been closest to Li Ziyang.
Li Ziyi shook his head. “I fear their marriage is beyond repair.”
“And—has there been any news of Fifth Cousin?” Lin Wen was referring to Li Yinwei, who had been missing for years.
“Ah, your Little Uncle’s current assignment is specifically to search for people. He’s traveled countless places but found no trace. He’s over ten years younger than me, yet now he looks older. I left home before he was born, so though we’re brothers, we have little to say to each other. But he watched you grow up and is close to you. Visit him when you have time.”
“I will. Do Yinyong and Yinhua visit Little Uncle and Little Aunt often?”
“Yinyong often returns to the mansion. She’s not close to your Little Aunt but gets along well with your Second Aunt. Yinhua only comes back during festivals, and even then, it’s just a brief formality. She speaks a few words to your Little Uncle but has never acknowledged your Little Aunt. She’s also cold toward me and your Second Aunt.”
After a few more words, Li Ziyi took his leave. Lin Wen returned to his office in the General’s Mansion, leaving Qi Biao alone in the study, pondering Lin Wen’s earlier words. Was his affection for Lin Fang fraternal or romantic? He couldn’t make sense of it and eventually headed to the training grounds to spar with his guards.
The “old master” Qi Biao referred to was his biological father, the Illustrious Prince.
When Qi Biao and his twin sister were born, the Prince’s concubine bribed the midwife to drug their mother’s cervix. The twins nearly died at birth, and their mother was left with chronic illness, unable to bear more children. Her health deteriorated until she passed away when Qi Biao and his sister were four. Before her death, she entrusted all the family’s power and wealth to Qi Biao.
At seven, Qi Biao’s twin sister was murdered by the concubine. By the time Qi Biao and his elder brother arrived, her body was already cold. Seizing an opportunity, Qi Biao killed the concubine with flying needles and broke ties with the Prince, who had defended her. From then on, he used his mother’s surname, calling himself Qi Biao. Later, he settled in Liangping Town, near Lin Wen’s village, and formed an inseparable bond with the Lin family.
Three years ago, the Illustrious Prince was diagnosed with diabetes. Despite taking imperial physicians’ prescriptions, he continued indulging with women in his harem, eating and drinking without restraint. As his condition worsened, he became impotent, but his harem women wouldn’t let him rest. Unwilling to accept this, he sought aphrodisiac remedies, indulging daily until he was now a withered shell, waiting for death.
After passing the military exams, Qi Biao was recommended by his elder brother to serve at the border, where he earned illustrious merits. As the Emperor’s nephew, he was appointed General and granted the General’s Mansion, deliberately placed opposite the Prince’s residence—a move by the Emperor to reconcile father and son, believing blood ties could overcome any feud.
The Emperor was aging. Though he had children, none survived infancy, leaving him heirless. Court rumors suggested he might name one of Qi Biao’s brothers as Crown Prince, and the Emperor himself had hinted at this.
Qi Biao’s elder brother appeared kind but was shrewd, while Qi Biao was known for his cold, expressionless demeanor and ruthless decisiveness. Whichever brother became Crown Prince, those who had opposed the Prince’s household feared they would meet grim fates.
The Marquis of Zhenwu was one such man. Deciding to strike first, he plotted to seize the throne and eradicate the Tan family, eliminating all threats. For years, he secretly prepared, grooming his adopted “sons” as confidants. Shi Binhua was sent to Duoling County under the guise of managing the family’s herb trade, scouting locations to hide troops.
Duoling County was mountainous, just days from the capital by fast horse. Troops could move unnoticed along the ridges, giving the Marquis a strong chance of success. But he never imagined that Shi Binhua, so clever in his presence, would reveal his lustful nature in Duoling, unwittingly playing into the hands of Qi Biao’s hidden guards.
Such a vile and secretive plot was not something Qi Biao would let Lin Fang know. He only instructed Tan Liu to tell her what was necessary for her and her family’s protection.
The guards found the General unusually aggressive today, fighting with desperate intensity. Just as they mustered their strength to defend, he seemed to lose focus, only to suddenly attack again with renewed ferocity, leaving them baffled and battered.
When Lin Meng arrived at the training grounds, he saw this scene unfold. The guard sparring with Qi Biao was overwhelmed, and Qi Biao’s spear was thrusting toward his throat. Lin Meng swiftly drew his soft whip, using it to yank the guard back while shouting, “General, stop! You’ll kill him!”
Qi Biao snapped out of it. The guard’s neck was bleeding. He quickly sealed the wound with pressure points and applied medicine, chastising the guard, “Why are you so sluggish today?”
Another guard answered for the injured man, “General, it’s not us—you were distracted, unlike your usual self.”
Qi Biao paused, then expressionlessly continued treating the wound.
“Oh? The General was distracted? How rare! Hahaha!”
Though Lin Meng no longer opposed Qi Biao at every turn as he had in childhood, he never missed a chance to embarrass him. Even when Qi Biao ignored most provocations, Lin Meng persisted. Hearing the guard’s words, he couldn’t resist mocking Qi Biao.
After tending to the wound and ordering the guard to rest until healed, Qi Biao asked Lin Meng, “How are things on your end?”
Lin Meng turned serious. “There are already whispers among his troops that the Marquis’s rebellion is just to amuse his lovers.”
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