Chapter 87 Tricked

“Liu Peng?!” Liu Yitiao's expression changed abruptly. Could it be that the real target of that elderly eunuch yesterday was not Gongsun Helan, but himself? If that were truly the case, then this matter would be far more serious than he had imagined.

But would Liu Peng really be so foolish?

“General Gongsun, are you certain of what you say? Was that eunuch assassin truly sent by Liu Peng?” Liu Yitiao wanted to confirm it once more. Wang Zhihong had told him before that Liu Peng was adept at official affairs and always acted with great discretion. Why would he attempt such a reckless thing—sending someone to assassinate him, and even daring to injure Gongsun Helan? Wouldn’t that be asking for death?

“My news is never false! Every man under my command is a veteran of countless battles; gathering intelligence is child's play to them! Nephew, do you doubt me by asking such questions?!” Gongsun Wuda glared, his beard bristling, radiating an intimidating aura.

Gongsun Helan was right; this was indeed a hot-tempered old man.

Liu Yitiao merely smiled, unfazed by Gongsun Wuda’s bluster. Shaking his head gently, he replied, “You misunderstand, General. I do not doubt you. I am simply finding it difficult to believe all at once.”

He went on, “Liu Peng has been at the Crown Prince’s side for many years; he is no fool. Why would someone like him choose this moment to plot against me? Many households and officials in Sanyuan County, as well as Lord Wang Zhihong who has been promoted to Chang’an, all know of my enmity with Liu Peng’s nephew. If I were killed now, suspicion would fall squarely on Liu Peng. Isn’t that inviting trouble upon himself? That is why I hesitate, and beg the General’s pardon.”

“Eh?!” Gongsun Wuda was taken aback by this reasoning and glanced at Gongsun Wenda before saying, “Second Brother, have you secretly conspired with this young man? Otherwise, why do his words match yours so precisely?”

Gongsun Wenda stroked his beard and chuckled, casting an appreciative glance at Liu Yitiao. “Elder Brother, your accusation is unfounded. I only learned the news at noon, and even if I wished to inform our young nephew, there would not have been time. His reasoning simply shows we ‘great minds think alike,’ and that the true culprit has realized the Gongsun estate is investigating, and sought to mislead us westward. It seems your men have been deceived by someone with ulterior motives.”

“So, the culprit is not Liu Peng?” Gongsun Wuda’s face darkened, feeling as if he had been made a fool. Slapping the table, he stood up abruptly and roared, “I will see who has the audacity to toy with me! Chen Kun! Get in here!”

“Master!” A burly, dark-faced man in his thirties strode in from the main entrance, saluting Gongsun Wuda with respect and a metallic voice. “How may I serve you?”

“You heard what was said! The Gongsun estate has been played. Go and investigate again! Find out which little scoundrel is scheming behind the scenes! Drag him out for me! If you fail, don’t bother returning! Go!” Gongsun Wuda was so furious he nearly started cursing. Only after Chen Kun had left did he exhale and sit back down.

Liu Yitiao gently advised, “General Gongsun, please do not let anger cloud your judgment. The villain who devised this scheme must fear your reputation and dare not confront you directly. It is not worth losing temper over one such as him.”

“Nephew’s words are true,” Gongsun Wenda echoed. “Elder Brother, you really should temper that fiery disposition. Anger harms the body, and does nothing to the culprit—only invites ridicule.”

Gongsun Wuda felt somewhat appeased, picked up his tea bowl and took a sip to steady himself. “That villain is truly despicable: not only did he gravely injure little Lan, but he also dared to make a fool of me. If I ever find him, I will not let him off!”

“General Gongsun, you are right. How is my dear brother Helan’s condition now? Has he improved?” Liu Yitiao timely shifted the topic to Gongsun Helan.

“Thank you for your concern, nephew. Little Lan is out of danger, though he will need ten days or so in bed. It was thanks to your help, nephew. Had you not been there yesterday, even if he survived, his cultivation would have been ruined.” Gongsun Wuda’s anger faded as he clasped his hands in gratitude.

“General Gongsun, you flatter me. I hardly dare accept such praise. In fact, by the look of things, yesterday’s events may have been caused by me, and Helan suffered because of me.”

By now, Liu Yitiao had begun to see the pattern.

Someone wanted him dead. And that person was not Liu Peng, his old enemy. Who it really was, he could not yet say.

“Oh?” Gongsun Wuda looked at him in surprise. “Nephew, what do you mean? Was that eunuch assassin after you?”

“It is quite possible,” Gongsun Wenda interjected. “The culprit knows nephew’s past actions well, and used his enemy as a scapegoat. That alone is telling.”

“The Gongsun family has many powerful foes, yet the culprit did not use any of them, but chose nephew’s enemy instead? That’s hardly logical, unless the true target was not the Gongsun estate, but our nephew. This way, he gives the estate closure and calms our rage, and also provides a false sense of security to nephew, so he won’t suspect the real culprit.”

“But now, none of that matters.” Gongsun Wenda lifted his tea bowl, a cold gleam flashing in his eyes. “Since he dared harm our little Lan, he must be prepared to face the wrath of the Gongsun family!”

At this moment, Gongsun Wenda was a terrifying figure, like a fierce bull protecting its calf—far from someone to trifle with.

“Second Brother speaks well!” Gongsun Wuda uncharacteristically agreed, booming, “Whether it’s nephew or little Lan, whoever was targeted, now that our Lan has been hurt, the culprit must pay the price!” He waved at Liu Yitiao. “This is not your concern, nephew. I will personally drag out the mastermind behind the assassin.”

Another protector—just the kind Liu Yitiao liked.

The more they protected him, the safer he felt. With these two mighty figures by his side, what was there left to fear?