Chapter 861: Chapter 697: Vicious Scheme
Liao Cheng smiled awkwardly, "Iâm just curious, Qu Clan Leader, donât mind me. Since the treasure map is safe, I am relieved. As for the introduction matter, Clan Leader Qu, rest assured, I will fulfill my promise. But now that the Yi Familyâs half of the treasure map is missing, what do you plan to do about it, Clan Leader Qu?"
Liao Cheng was a bit unhappy that Qu Huaiyun would not reveal where the treasure map was, but for now, he had to keep Qu Huaiyun steady.
Once Qu Huaiyun obtains the other half of the treasure map, he would find a way to seize it.
The Prime Minister has already issued an order, instructing him to obtain the treasure map by all means. When he personally presents the map, his future prospects would certainly be limitless.
As for the Qu Family, well, apologies are all he can offer. Once he climbs up the ranks, would he still fear a mere Magistrate of Sunan Prefecture?
He has been stagnant in Hejian Prefecture for six years, knowing full well that he hasnât made any significant accomplishments in front of the Prime Minister, with mediocre performanceâthe lord doesnât value him at all.
But if he succeeds in this matter, the Prime Minister is bound to summon him back to the Capital.
Thinking of this, Liao Cheng was suddenly filled with excitement.
"That Yi Lanshan thinks he can deceive everyone, but he doesnât realize he canât fool me. Iâve sparred with him for so many years, how can I not understand his nature? His claim of the treasure map being stolen is likely false."
Qu Huaiyun snorted coldly, piercing through Yi Lanshanâs scheme with a single sentence.
"Oh? What do you mean by this?" Liao Cheng showed a joyful expression, waiting for Qu Huaiyunâs elaboration.
"That old fool likely used a fake treasure map to fool people. His performance was so fake that I can see through it at a glance."
Initially, Qu Huaiyun did believe that Yi Lanshan lost the treasure map, as Yi Lanshanâs initial expressions and actions didnât seem fake.
However, later on, Yi Lanshan no longer appeared as anxious, as if his initial worry was just a facade.
If the treasure map truly was stolen, how could Yi Lanshan still be squabbling with Gu Chengyu in broad daylight? He wouldâve long since led a chase.
Combining this with his understanding of Yi Lanshan, with a little thought, he could discern the truth behind it.
In reality, he had no idea that Yi Lanwenâs initial heartache appearance was indeed genuine.
But what he was heartbroken over wasnât the treasure map but the valuables in the study worth Silver.
"Are you saying that half of the treasure map is still in the Yi Mansion?" Liao Cheng was greatly shaken. If this were true, obtaining the map would be much easier for him.
The Yi Mansion currently has no one entering officialdom; whether there will be someone in the future is beside the point.
For now, the Yi Family is merely a family with some reputation. As they say, a County Magistrate destroys a household, a Magistrate exterminates a family.
Heâs an official, while the Yi Family is just common folkâcould the Yi Family really contend with him, a court official?
Though through these years, the Yi Family has formed numerous marital connections, with some having a say in the court.
But Liao Cheng is not worried about thatâhow distant are those relatives?
Now already in such decline, even if something happens to the Yi Family, would those people still help? Theyâd likely steer clear!
"We must think of a way; no matter what, we must get hold of that half of the treasure map."
As Liao Cheng pondered a strategy, the calculative gleam in his eyes caused Qu Huaiyunâs heart to sink.
Though he has sparred with Yi Lanshan for years, constantly at odds, he still acknowledges the Yi Family as a prestigious old family of Hejian Prefecture.
This Liao Chengâs methods are ruthless, and being an official, how could the old fool Yi Lanshan face him without suffering losses?
Thinking thus, Qu Huaiyun couldnât help but feel a sense of shared fate.
Alas! He sighed inwardlyâoh well! Who asked the Yi Family to have experienced such a mishap back then?
Within three generations, no one is to enter officialdom; a prestigious aristocratic family is almost brought down.
Gu Chengyu, seeing the two whispering together, estimated they were plotting against someone again.
However, his purpose for coming tonight was to find out where the treasure map was hidden, but since Qu Huaiyun didnât mention it, he couldnât help but feel disappointed.
Gu Chengyu was growing a bit impatient, thinking to wait a while longer; if there were no clues, heâd head back to rest and think of something the next day.
The Qu Mansion was so vast that without knowing the place, naturally, he couldnât find the treasure map. Searching place by place was too time-consuming.
"How about it? Do you think this plan is feasible?" Liao Cheng whispered the plan into Qu Huaiyunâs ear and then sought his opinion.
"This? Itâs not very appropriate! This plan seems a bit too low," Qu Huaiyunâs face showed difficulty, his expression indicating reluctance.
Gu Chengyu was a bit curious, wondering what kind of plan the two were discussing. Earlier, their whispering was unclear to him.
"This plan is guaranteed to work. You know Yi Lanshanâs weak point better than I do."
Liao Cheng, seeing Qu Huaiyunâs hesitance, felt somewhat embarrassed.
"His grandson Min is his lifeblood. If we truly lay hands on his grandson, Iâm afraid Yi Lanshan will fight to the death with me!"
Qu Huaiyun did not expect Liao Cheng to come up with such an ideaâit was hardly presentable.
"Hmph! Those who achieve great things do not bother with trifles. Weâre not asking you to take his life. Itâs just to make Yi Lanshan exchange the treasure mapâI believe he will make the right choice."
Squatting on the roof, Gu Chengyu finally understood the plan through their conversation.
Yi Lanshanâs young grandson, Yi Yuanmin, loved reading since childhood and, at age eight, could recite the Four Books and Five Classics, considered a budding prodigy.
In Yi Family, by the fourth-generation Yi Yuanmin, not only did he possess a good reading aptitude, but he also strove for success.
Yi Lanshan had pinned his hopes on Yi Yuanmin, expecting him to revive the Yi Family and bring them back to the court.
Gu Chengyu had heard of these upon arriving at Hejian Prefecture. Indeed, Yi Lanshan regarded this grandson as his lifeblood.
In Yi Lanshanâs view, this was the root of the Yi Familyâs prosperity.
Their idea was merely to capture Yi Yuanmin, holding him hostage, forcing Yi Lanshan to choose between his grandson and the treasure map.
This was undoubtedly a vicious scheme, as both were entwined with family interests.
However, given Yi Yuanminâs intelligence, he might excel in future civil examinations.
Moreover, Yi Yuanmin was, after all, a life; Yi Lanshan invested significant effort into him, and naturally, their grandparent-grandchild bond was deep.
But Liao Cheng overlooked one pointâwhile Yi Yuanmin was skilled at studying, who could ensure he would become an Advanced Scholar?
The tale of Shang Zhongyong is an exampleâto this day, there have been numerous prodigies, but where did they all go?
Furthermore, even if he did become an Advanced Scholar, it would not necessarily ensure a promising path in the court.
Meanwhile, the treasure map was differentâonce surrendered, it could secure benefits for the clan.
Even without Yi Yuanmin, nurturing another outstanding grandson shouldnât be difficult, right?
As long as they utilized the treasure map to gain a promise, securing an official position in the future would be inevitable.
But are these the main points? No, they are not!