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“What other strategies could there be? There are many things you simply haven’t seen.”

Mrs. Su sat down on a long bench and casually plucked a piece of pastry from the fruit plate to taste.

Physical confrontation was not an option. The troops Lord Xin had dispatched had vanished into thin air. Let alone trying it again, they had already lost countless men that had nearly broken the Old Master’s heart.

Appealing to the higher-ups was also untenable. The letters the Old Master had forwarded upwards had not been answered to this day. They didn’t know when they could expect a response, yet the old master could no longer afford to wait.

Ms. Tan glanced at Cailian, who remained knelt on the ground, trembling, and steeled her heart.

“Sister, I do have a good plan, but this matter…”

“Oh! What’s your good plan? Quick, tell me. We are in a dire situation, and you are stuttering here. For what?”

“Well…”

Ms. Tan was about to speak but suddenly stopped herself. She turned to look at Cailian: “Cailian, take a walk outside first. Remember not to go too far, otherwise, you might lose your way, understand?”

“Yes, Madam.”

With her head bowed and lips held tight, Cailian excused herself from the two women and left the pavilion.

Turning at a corner, she couldn’t help but look back at the pair whispering to each other. A flash of pain crossed her eyes, but within moments she regained her composure.

Inside the pavilion, Ms. Tan narrated her plan for quite some time while Mrs. Su listened with image flashes in her eyes.

“The plan is indeed good, but as for who should execute it…”

In her words carried a reluctance, she repeatedly glanced at Ms. Tan.

How deplorable that this sister-in-law of hers had managed to secure an advantage and still wanted to play coy! She needed to be prompted to talk about even this kind of matter! How shameless! Ms. Tan silently cursed.

People had to bow under eaves of others’ houses. She was cursing inwardly while maintaining a facade of grief.

“This Cailian is indeed a steady girl, although she was nothing more than a child who crawled out from a mistress’s belly. Yet, the sister-in-law treats her as her beloved daughter. She has been lavished with good food and drink since she was a child. Now, if she must do this… I, my heart… Ah!”

As she said this, Ms. Tan feigned her tears, dabbing her eye corners with a handkerchief, appearing to be inconsolable.

Mrs. Su gave a slight smirk.

Her counterpart was indeed a type to not release her prey till she sees the rabbit!

“Why are you talking like this, sister-in-law? Cailian has grown up by your side. Now, for the rise and fall of our family, it is only reasonable for her to make some contributions. If our Old Master falls, what will disappear is our entire family. Sacrificing her alone is saving countless others. Even if she dies, she would have died a worthy death.”

“But, these words… as her mother, it’s really hard for me to say it! Ah…” Ms. Tan sighed.

Mrs. Su also wore a solemn expression: “This, this is the only way without other options, isn’t it? Doesn’t she have a younger brother? Once our grand scheme succeeds, you can adopt her brother to your side. That way you can resolve this cause-and-effect cycle, right?”

As she spoke, she deliberately emphasized the tone of the words “when the grand scheme succeeds”.

Hearing this, a satisfied expression revealed itself on Ms. Tan’s face. She pretended to think for a long time before responding.

“Since things have come to this, then… let’s proceed according to your plan, sister.”

Elsewhere.

Mrs.Ran was accompanying Liu Sisi on an intricately antique long corridor. Leisurely strolling along the winding corridor, Liu Sisi watched the scenery.

The beauty of the spring day was overwhelming. Occasionally a flying eave would peep through the greenery, artificial rockeries were rugged and full. Blooming buds of white, pink, and red adorned treetops. The petals of those colors were falling and floating from the sky, making circular movements with the wind, it was a true feast for the eyes.

Admittedly, the city’s scenery, while beautiful, bore heavy marks of human craftsmanship and was not as natural and unaffected as the manor landscape.

“Sisi! Has Lord Di been well recently?”

Mrs.Ran gently led Liu Sisi to the front with a group of maids and old women following closely behind.

A flash appeared in Liu Sisi’s eyes: “Of course he is. He goes out early and comes back late every day. Since taking up the position of sub-captain, he certainly doesn’t have as much free time as he did in the countryside.”

“Naturally. Nowadays, Lord Di is a government-appointed official, so he cannot be compared to before. I heard some news – it seems Lord Di has met some troubles recently. My husband…”Mrs.Ran vaguely hinted.

Her family was in the salt trade business and wasn’t the head of their business none other than Di Yelei?

Understanding this, Liu Sisi didn’t make things difficult for her and directly interrupted her.

“Oh! You know that I am quite heavy now. Sisi doesn’t ask much about these matters and focuses solely on maintaining good health for the baby. As for the rest, Sisi either doesn’t concern herself or is incapable of concerning herself.”

Mrs. Ran was slightly surprised but she quickly regained her composure without dwelling too much and subtly changed the subject.

“Speaking of which, we women should not meddle in men’s affairs. On the contrary, your belly looks rather big. Are you about to give birth?”

Liu Sisi also followed the subject change: “Not that soon, I’m only six months in. By the time of giving birth, the hot weather will have arrived.”

“Absolutely. Doing confinement in the hottest period of summer can indeed be a suffering…”

While these people were having a heated conversation, Di Yelei was diligently busy in the armory.

“Old Tang, how many troops do you think these weapons are enough to equip?”

At the moment, Old Man Tang was weighing a battle-axe, applying some protective oil on it, and then placing it back on the weapon stand with satisfaction.

“These weapons should be able to equip ten thousand troops. However, Macheng County was originally not big. Lord, you have prepared so much, maybe in the end, it will come to the weapons in the armory just rusting. For this, you have offended several other lords. Is it worth it?”

Di Yelei naturally understood the implication of Old Tang’s words. He solemnly replied.

“It’s hard to say whether it’s worth it or not. However, some things, even without this, were destined to come from the start and cannot be avoided. In that case, it’s better to offend thoroughly than living and working under constraint, making one unable to let loose.”

“It is indeed that way! Lord Di, you indeed have an open mind, much to be feared about youth!” Old Tang could not help but shake his head in admiration.

“Old Tang praises me too much. Let’s go! Let’s go out.”

As soon as they left the storeroom, they heard the distant shouting of gambling. Di Yelei unconsciously furrowed his eyebrows, but soon relaxed.

“Sir, there’s someone outside delivering an invitation.”