Chapter 65 – Strange Glances
After Mengyao left the capital and headed for the battlefield, Qingheng successfully completed his mission and secretly spread information about the Wang Clan. Like a snowball, it grew larger and larger, and within a few days, it had spread to every street and alley.
It was at this time that Qingheng’s years of dedication to gossip truly paid off.
He didn’t connect the Wang Clan with the murder of the Luoluo Kingdom envoy. Instead, he fabricated a story about a beautiful and sorrowful woman who fell in love with the wrong person, composing a tragic love story of loving and not being able to love Xu Wang.
The story was so well-told and captivating that it rivaled any storybook.
Furthermore, because Xu Wang was a well-known figure in the capital, people embellished the story even further. It had already evolved from Qingheng’s original version into several different narratives, presented with such conviction that it was as if the storytellers had witnessed it firsthand.
The news spread rapidly, and with the wives and daughters of the imperial court ministers having abundant free time, they were particularly enthralled by these touching love stories that brought tears to their eyes.
As a result, after the women in the inner chambers spread the news, during recent court sessions, some imperial court ministers cast strange glances at Hanlin Academician Xu Wang.
However, when Xu Wang looked at them suspiciously, they would all look up at the sky or down at the ground, pretending nothing was amiss, directly avoiding his gaze.
Tsk tsk! This Xu Wang, truly living up to his reputation as the patriarch of the Wang Clan. At his age, he’s still engaging in activities suited for young people. It’s truly…
While people gossiped about him behind his back, Xu Wang’s brow was furrowed.
Upon sensing the change in atmosphere around him, before he could even investigate the matter, his wife immediately lashed out at him upon his return home. She left several bloody scratches on his face with her nails, then packed her things and went to stay with her parents.
This left Xu Wang speechless, unable to understand what mistake he had made. Not only was he met with strange looks from his colleagues, but he was also scratched up by his wife.
As a result, after Xu Wang investigated the truth, he was so dejected that he couldn’t speak.
“My lord, do you want me to apprehend the person spreading these rumors and then…”
“No, let him be! The more it’s publicized, the better. It’s not a bad thing.”
As Xu Wang’s attendant made a throat-slitting gesture with his hand, Xu Wang shook his head at him and said there was no need to act.
After his initial anger subsided, Xu Wang realized that these rumors weren’t entirely detrimental to him. At the very least, his name was circulating among the capital’s citizens, greatly boosting his recognition.
This was also very helpful for his future plans.
These things were more important than anything else, so there was no need to resolve them. On the contrary, Xu Wang was now grateful to the person who spread the rumors for helping him gain fame.
Xu Wang considered the glances from his colleagues at court as envy, jealousy, and hatred. As for his wife… those who aim for great things disregard minor details. Let her be jealous for a while longer!
Wishing to gain fame, Xu Wang did not immediately send people to quash the rumors. Instead, when someone brought up the matter, Xu Wang would put on a solemn expression, not directly answering the question.
This also led others to misinterpret the situation, imagine touching and tear-jerking scenes in their minds, and then spread them widely.
Finally, even the Emperor and the Empress Dowager heard about it, and they were quite intrigued by these rumors.
Initially, it was fine for things to continue this way.
However, at some point, a new development emerged.
The woman in the rumor was the daughter of a prominent official from the Luoluo Kingdom. To be with her permanently, Xu Wang had colluded with the Luoluo Kingdom, killed the government soldiers in Xize Town, and handed over fragments of their official uniforms to the woman in exchange for her freedom.
As soon as this news broke, it didn’t spread gradually like before. Instead, it exploded and swept through the entire capital like wildfire.
After all, Xu Wang was a person of interest recently, and any news concerning him was promptly transmitted everywhere, attracting the attention of most people in the capital.
Before Xu Wang could even stop it, the situation had already developed in the worst possible direction.
As the saying goes, “He who lifts a stone to cast it at another may find himself crushed by it.”
Now, Xu Wang deeply understood the meaning of this phrase. Every time he attended court and met the Emperor’s meaningful gaze, his heart would flutter, wondering if the Emperor had also begun to suspect him!
Not to mention… the Empress Dowager also summoned him at this time, with a clear purpose.
The Empress Dowager also wanted to ask her own brother, Xu Wang, if the rumored events were true.
“…
“Qingheng, well done. The Wang Clan won’t be able to escape now.”
“Hehehe, when I, Qingheng, take action, I’m worth two. Spreading gossip is no difficulty at all.”
“But how did you think of spreading the information in stages? I initially thought you would directly reveal the Wang Clan’s connection to the Luoluo Kingdom.”
In the Gu Residence, Gu Yu brought Gu Qingheng into a room and praised him for the success of spreading the news recently.
If it were anyone else, they might not have achieved the current results.
However, after Gu Qingheng spread the information, he directly involved the people of the capital in the discussion. If this were modern times, Gu Qingheng would definitely be a good candidate for news reporting.
Thinking of this, Gu Yu recalled a news headline he had seen on a browser in modern times: “Sister-in-law does this at midnight with the door ajar.” When he clicked on it, he discovered it was an inspirational story about a little girl who stayed up late studying and was eventually admitted to university.
Later, when he flipped to the comments section and saw everyone scolding the editor, Gu Yu felt relieved.
“Brother-in-law, you don’t understand gossip at all! If I had directly revealed the Wang Clan’s connection to the Luoluo Kingdom, let alone spreading it widely, people probably wouldn’t even dare to spread it.”
“Oh?”
“After all, this is a tough bone to crack. Not only that, but it might even cause trouble later! However, by approaching it from a different angle and making the news big, anything that comes out later won’t be as feared… because everyone is spreading it, and if anything happens, it will happen to everyone.”
After hearing Gu Yu’s praise, Gu Qingheng became incredibly smug.
He then shook his head at Gu Yu, stating that spreading gossip wasn’t that easy; it required a lot of skill, and it was important to choose the right method.
Take the Wang Clan, for example. They had to be dealt with gradually, without revealing all their cards at once. Otherwise, it would end before it even began, and they would still be at a loss.
To strike an opponent, you must catch them off guard.
“You’re the expert, so you have a point. I hope that as the rumors intensify, the matter can be resolved soon. I wonder if my sister has reached the battlefield yet. It’s truly worrying!”
“Brother-in-law, although I’m also worried about my sister, she’ll definitely be fine. Don’t worry!”
“How can I not worry? Your sister is soft-hearted and a delicate girl. What if someone tricks her?”
As he spoke, the topic suddenly shifted.
When Gu Yu mentioned Gu Mengyao, who had been gone for a while, his words were filled with worry. Gu Qingheng, who was beside him, didn’t say anything else. He just patted Gu Yu’s arm, comforting him that everything would be alright.
After all, his sister possessed Innate divine strength and was an amazing individual. How could anything happen to her!
Although Gu Qingheng also felt uncertain, he had to think positively. Otherwise, negative emotions would be very distressing.
However, listening to Gu Yu’s words, Gu Qingheng’s mouth twitched. He thought of Gu Mengyao as a delicate girl?
She was the one who could chop off a wolf’s head with one sword and then beat a tiger to death with one punch…
Although she could be soft-hearted at times, when faced with important matters, Gu Mengyao would definitely harden her heart. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have been able to raise Gu Qingheng alone after their parents left early.
“Brother-in-law, don’t overthink it. Resolving matters in the capital as soon as possible is the most important thing! Now that the news about the Wang Clan has spread throughout the city, it’s probably not far from the Emperor taking action. Once the Wang Clan is dealt with, the fighting on the battlefield might cease.”
“I hope so!”
Then, after listening to Gu Qingheng’s comforting words, Gu Yu smiled helplessly.
Although he said so, Gu Yu felt in his heart that … not only would the Emperor begin to investigate, but the Wang Clan would also have to take action.
However, no matter what, as long as it could stop the war between the two countries.
If the outcome didn’t develop as he hoped, Gu Yu wouldn’t mind using some extreme measures to stop the two countries from continuing to fight.
…
“General Gu, the mission ahead is very dangerous. Please reconsider!”
“It has been two days since I arrived at the battlefield. During this period, the Luoluo Kingdom has been constantly pressing. If the Linfeng Kingdom doesn’t counterattack… with the morale greatly diminished, I fear we will be dragged to death by the Luoluo Kingdom’s army.”
“Even so, you cannot…”
“There’s no need to say more. My mind is made up.”
In the military camp, as Gu Qing’s deputy spoke with a face full of worry, Gu Qing shook his head at him, stating that no matter who tried to persuade him, he had to go.
Gongsun Yun, the main general of the Luoluo Kingdom, due to his excellent archery skills, arrogantly declared that no one dared to fight him.
Under the Linfeng Kingdom’s defensive strategy, the Luoluo Kingdom directly sent people out to provoke them. When Gu Qing arrived at the battlefield and heard this, he wished he could kill the person opposite him.
However, Gongsun Jie reached out and stopped Gu Qing, telling him not to act impulsively.
If Gu Qing, in his anger, directly went out to fight, he would fall into the enemy’s trap. If he were shot off his horse by Gongsun Yun’s arrow, things would truly turn dire.
Therefore, they had to find an opportunity.
After Gongsun Jie mentioned finding an opportunity, two days had passed, and there was no turning point. They still had to listen to the opponent’s insults every day, which made Gu Qing feel… they couldn’t just sit and wait anymore.
Since those Luoluo fellows were so confident, they should try the medicinal powder developed by his good son-in-law!
When Gu Yu departed from the capital, he gave Gu Qing a bag of medicinal powder. Now, Gu Qing decided to take a small team and venture towards the Luoluo Kingdom’s army encampment.
At a favorable wind position, he would directly sprinkle the medicinal powder into the air, letting the Luoluo people know their power!
After determining the wind direction today, Gu Qing knew it was time to act!
…
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