“You…”
Liang Guangyi’s hands trembled with rage at Xiao Yan’s words, but Xiao Yan merely leaned against the table, his face dripping with mockery.
“On the night of the palace banquet, when I was in peril, you and Chief Clerk Feng were all too eager to see me dead. If I hadn’t been prepared, I’d likely have perished on the spot, my body left in pieces.”
“Now that I hold the upper hand, asking for mere worldly possessions is already repaying malice with virtue. Grand Preceptor, you should be content.”
His appearance was as refined as a figure in a painting, yet his words were laced with poison.
“If you’re willing, I can let you claim it’s the clans’ compassion for struggling scholars, voluntarily donating your book collections to benefit students across the realm. You and the other clans can personally deliver them to the academy, earning yourselves a fine reputation, and students everywhere might even feel a shred of gratitude.”
“If you’re unwilling, Grand Preceptor, you’re welcome to test whether I have the ability to take what I want as Tangning’s betrothal gift.”
“My wife, Xiao Yan’s wife, deserves the world’s envy. As the head of the academy, Tangning should have scholars everywhere celebrating her wedding.”
Liang Guangyi’s face cycled through shades of green, white, and purple, his lips trembling, his chest heaving as if choked with suppressed fury, making even breathing difficult.
Xiao Yan’s words were the height of bullying. Since entering the court, no one had ever dared speak to him this way.
In the past, anyone so disrespectful would have paid with their life. But now…
Meeting Xiao Yan’s dark, menacing gaze, like that of a rabid dog, Liang Guangyi clenched his fists, biting the soft flesh inside his lip. He couldn’t let today’s efforts, or his prior concessions, go to waste.
Xiao Yan wasn’t some pampered noble raised in the capital. His untamed ferocity was that of a wolf cub, torn from the jaws of beasts.
Liang Guangyi couldn’t take the gamble, nor could the other clans.
He inhaled deeply, again and again, barely suppressing his surging anger. Gritting his teeth, he said, “Thirty percent. I can only agree to thirty percent of the collections, and on behalf of the other clans, allow Princess Xiangning to visit our libraries at any time as a congratulatory gift for her marriage to Overseer Xiao.”
“I’ve yielded as far as I can. If Overseer Xiao still finds it lacking, then pretend I was never here!”
Xiao Yan raised an eyebrow. “Add one more person to the library visits.”
Liang Guangyi gritted his teeth. “Who?”
“Tangning’s sister, Xue Ru.”
Xue Ru?
Liang Guangyi vaguely recalled that Song Tangning had brought a concubine-born daughter out of the Song family, forcibly removing her from the Song clan registry and giving her their mother’s surname.
Hearing Xiao Yan only wanted this concubine-born girl to accompany Song Tangning to the libraries, Liang Guangyi hesitated briefly before nodding. “Fine, but only the two of them.”
“That’s the most I can offer. If Overseer Xiao still thinks it’s not enough, I’ll leave now, and whatever the prince does next, I’ll face it!”
Seeing Liang Guangyi bristle with cold fury, genuinely provoked, Xiao Yan tempered his icy demeanor, a faint smile creeping into his expression. “Grand Preceptor Liang is so magnanimous. The prince will surely see the clans’ remorse.”
He stood, picked up the teapot, and poured a cup of hot tea.
“It’s getting cold, Grand Preceptor. Why are you still standing? Sit, have some tea.”
Liang Guangyi: “…No need.”
This tea was too costly, he feared it would shorten his life!
“What Overseer Xiao demands, I’ll ensure is prepared within half a month. I only hope you keep your word, or else…”
“Rest assured, Grand Preceptor. As long as you don’t take after His Majesty, plotting my death the moment you leave, I’ll keep my promise.”
Xiao Yan raised the freshly poured tea toward Liang Guangyi with a smile.
Liang Guangyi caught the warning in his words and snorted coldly. If he had a way to kill this scoundrel without repercussions, he’d have done it long ago, rather than tolerating such insolence.
Expressionless, Liang Guangyi shot Xiao Yan a glance, then flung his sleeve and stormed out.
“Canglang, see Grand Preceptor Liang out. Don’t let anyone trouble our esteemed guest.”
Canglang followed with a grin.
In the room, only Cao Dejiang and Xiao Yan remained. Seeing the usually composed Liang Guangyi’s retreating figure seething with anger, as if ready to draw a blade, Cao Dejiang shook his head, sitting across from Xiao Yan. “That mouth of yours, aren’t you afraid of truly pushing the Liang family to desperation?”
Xiao Yan smiled faintly. “If I don’t push him, how will I know the clans’ limits?”
He hadn’t dealt much with Liang Guangyi. The grand preceptor had long intended to retire, having ceded control of the clans’ court influence to Lu Chongyuan by the time Xiao Yan returned to the capital.
Though Xiao Yan could gauge some of Liang Guangyi’s temperament, they’d never truly crossed swords. He needed to test the man’s boundaries to know how to tread on them in the future.
“Now that I know his limits, things will be easier going forward.”
Cao Dejiang sighed. “You may find it easier, but he’ll likely hate you for it.” He paused. “I thought you’d ask for two or three hundred thousand gold at most, but who could’ve imagined you’d demand enough to skin them alive? Aren’t you afraid those riches will burn your hands?”
“It’s not like I have a choice,” came a voice.
Tangning emerged from a side room, carrying something. She had been there the whole time, hearing every word clearly.
Seeing Cao Dejiang disapprove of Xiao Yan’s pressure on the clans, she approached and said softly, “The clans are always cunning. If Brother isn’t firm and shows even a hint of yielding, Liang Guangyi and the others will sense what he cares about. Those people are bloodsucking leeches, once they realize he’s concerned for the greater good, they’ll not only suspect his identity but also force him to retreat step by step.”
“The current situation in the court was won at the cost of Brother’s life. He can’t retreat or show the slightest weakness.”
Better to be a wolf, gripping the clans’ throats and making them tremble in fear, than to show weakness and become their prey.
Xiao Yan reached to pour tea for Cao Dejiang, but as he moved to pour for himself, Tangning pressed his hand down.
“Your injuries haven’t healed. Sister Qin said no strong tea.”
His teacup was swapped for a medicinal tonic to nourish his blood.
Xiao Yan grimaced. “This stuff tastes awful.”
“It’s good for you.”
He glanced at Tangning, who gazed back quietly, her clear black-and-white eyes reflecting his image. After a brief standoff, he relented, downing the tonic like tea.
As he frowned, Tangning handed him a candied fruit.
Taking it and popping it into his mouth, Xiao Yan saw Tangning’s eyes curve with a smile.
Cao Dejiang: “…”
“Can you two tone it down? We’re discussing serious matters.”
I’m still here, old man!
Not blind!
Tangning’s lips curved, her dimples demure, while Xiao Yan, chewing the candied fruit, shed the cold menace he’d shown Liang Guangyi.
“Don’t worry, sir. My earlier claim of investigating them wasn’t empty. I’ve looked into their foundations. Eight hundred thousand gold will hurt them, but it won’t push them to desperation.”
“That’s still ruthless…”
“I have no choice.” Xiao Yan spread his hands. “If I were as rich as that dog Gu Helian, would I need to press them?”=================
You can read ahead to chapterr 770 (100+ extra chapters) here
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