I am the villain in the book

The next day, in the Hall of Golden Chimes.

During the morning court session, there was one more empty seat in the front row.

"Why didn't Lord Xiang attend court today?"

"Perhaps he went to Jizhou."

"Does this mean the fighting is finally about to begin?"

"Who knows? But I heard yesterday that Da Feng has begun to reinforce troops to the border."

"."

Taking advantage of Ning Yongnian's absence, the crowd couldn't help but discuss it further.

Li Kan listened to all of this in silence, and unconsciously turned his gaze to Ning Wenyu.

Compared to the First Prince, Ning Wenjun, this Second Prince seemed to be lacking in both literary and martial skills.

In addition, Ning Wenyu was born two years later than his elder brother, so most people in the court did not believe that he would be able to defeat Ning Wenjun and ascend the throne in the future.

Of course, thinking about these things now is still too far off.

After all, given Ning Yongnian's physical condition, living for another forty or fifty years would not be a problem.

By then, the entire Da Ning might be a completely different picture.

In fact, judging from the current situation, it's hard to say whether this emperor will be able to die a natural death.

"Attend court!"

Just as Li Kan was thinking, Li Huaizhong's drawn-out shout suddenly rang out.

"Long live the Emperor! Long live! Long live!"

"."

The deafening shouts echoed through the Hall of Golden Chimes, and Ning Yongnian sat on the dragon throne with a long-lost smile on his face.

Ning Yongnian had used a small trick to successfully ferret out the spies that the Xu family had planted in the court, and felt that he had cleared the last obstacle to quell the rebellion in Jizhou.

But he probably never imagined that there was more than one spy around him.

And the information that was originally used as bait had also been sent to Jizhou, becoming an important bargaining chip for Wei Changtian to negotiate with the Xu family.

"Madam Wei, we've been talking for so long, and my Wei family has retreated again and again..."

It was still the same teahouse as last night, and there were still only Wei Changtian and Wei Yanyu.

The second round of negotiations had been going on for more than half an hour, but progress was very slow.

However, Wei Changtian was not in a hurry at all. He took a sip of tea calmly, looked at Wei Yanyu with a light smile, and said:

"But Madam, you haven't yielded an inch. Isn't that a bit too much?"

"Young Master Wei, you can't say that."

Wei Yanyu picked up the teapot and filled Wei Changtian's cup with tea, her tone gentle: "This concubine doesn't think that the demands she has made are excessive. Why doesn't the young master consider it further?"

"There's nothing to consider."

Wei Changtian shook his head: "The Wei family will never openly rebel. At most, we can only leave a way out for the Xu family."

"Young Master, the way out you mentioned is no different to my Xu family than having it or not."

Wei Yanyu sighed softly, her face showing a mixture of genuine and feigned sorrow: "If Jizhou can't be defended, then even if a few members of the Xu family manage to escape, what can they do?"

"Madam, where there's life, there's hope."

Wei Changtian replied noncommittally: "Living is always better than dying."

"."

A sandalwood incense was lit on a low table in the corner of the teahouse, but there was no smoke to be seen. Only a tiny red glow proved that the incense was still burning.

Living is always better than dying.

Hearing this sentence, Wei Yanyu suddenly froze for a moment.

She was silent for a moment, reached out and stroked a jade pendant on her waist, and then said calmly:

"Young Master Wei, although my Xu family is also one of the three great families of Da Ning, compared to the Liu and Wei families, few people in the court truly look up to us."

"The Emperor wants to consolidate his power over the world, so he's starting with the Xu family."

"When the common people can't afford rice, they say it's because my Xu family is black-hearted."

"Even those pedantic scholars who want to curse the powerful officials only dare to curse my Xu family..."

"Young Master, you probably know who killed my husband and whether the Xu family really wants to rebel."

"We've had enough of this stifling life."

"Now that the Emperor is forcing my Xu family to rebel, then we'll rebel for him to see."

"Young Master Wei."

Wei Yanyu suddenly raised her head, her tone becoming resolute in an instant.

"The entire Xu family would rather die in Jizhou..."

"Than live in disgrace!"

"Pa ta ~"

As if foreshadowing something, along with Wei Yanyu's last words, a section of curved incense ash fell into the incense burner at the same time, arousing a faint, almost imperceptible sound.

Yet it was like the roar of a giant mountain collapsing.

Even if my Xu family is exterminated, we will make the Da Ning empire tremble three times!

Faced with such a nearly spiteful motive, Wei Changtian couldn't help but widen his eyes slightly.

He didn't know if Wei Yanyu's words were sincere or not.

But if they were...

"Dong dong dong ~"

Suddenly, a soft knock sounded from beside the two of them.

Wei Yanyu frowned, but still raised her voice and said.

"Come in."

"Mother..."

The door was gently pushed open, and Xu Chengwen leaned into the room, followed by Chu Xianping.

"This Young Master Chu said that he has something important that he must tell Young Master Wei immediately."

"."

Wei Yanyu looked at Chu Xianping, then at Wei Changtian, and nodded slightly.

"Sorry to bother you, Madam."

Chu Xianping cupped his hands politely, then walked to Wei Changtian's side and whispered in his ear:

"Young Master, Tongzhou Association sent a message that one person was missing from the morning court today."

"This person also knew about the information from last night."

"It's the Minister of War, Xiang Shiyuan."

"."

Wei Changtian's mouth twitched slightly, and he waved his hand calmly.

"I know, you can go back now."

"Yes."

Chu Xianping came and went in a hurry. After bowing to the two again, he followed Xu Chengwen out of the teahouse.

Wei Yanyu didn't know what he had said to Wei Changtian, but she was a little puzzled as to what was so urgent.

As for Wei Changtian, he looked at the door that had been closed again, and knew in his heart that from this moment on, the initiative in this negotiation was already in his hands.

"Madam, you just said that the Xu family would rather die than live in disgrace..."

After pondering for a moment, Wei Changtian finally spoke slowly: "I don't think that's necessarily the case."

"Young Master Wei, what do you mean by this?"

Wei Changtian's sudden change in attitude made Wei Yanyu instantly realize something: "Please explain yourself clearly."

"Madam will understand after I finish speaking."

Wei Changtian shrugged his shoulders, his tone relaxed: "One person was missing from the morning court session in the capital today. It's the Minister of War, Lord Xiang Shiyuan."

"Xiang Shiyuan..."

Wei Yanyu's pupils shrank uncontrollably, and her palms clenched slightly: "This concubine doesn't know what the young master is saying this for."

"Of course Madam doesn't know."

Wei Changtian smiled and continued on his own.

"But as far as I know, the reason why Lord Xiang didn't attend court is because the Emperor found out that he was a spy for a certain family."

"As for why the Emperor was able to find out about this, it's because Lord Xiang had just learned a piece of information last night and couldn't wait to send it out, but he didn't expect it to be a trap set by the Emperor."

"Madam..."

Wei Changtian suddenly leaned closer to Wei Yanyu and said softly: "However, the Emperor didn't find my people, so I know this information."

"Young Master Wei, you..."

Wei Yanyu looked at Wei Changtian, who was close at hand, and subconsciously wanted to say something.

However, before she could open her mouth, Wei Changtian directly interrupted her:

"Madam, I think you should know how important this information that Lord Xiang couldn't send out is."

"You can think carefully about what price you can pay for it."

"But I suggest you better not think too long..."

"Because the time left for the Xu family is really running out."