This time it’s not a brothel, but the very tavern where Xie Jingchen met the Heir of the Duke of Guardian.

Last time he used the excuse of fearing his wife to avoid the brothel; there’s no excuse to refuse this tavern.

If he could go with the Heir of Marquis Changning, there’s no reason he can’t accept the Heir of the Duke of Guardian’s invitation.

The servant knocked on the door, "Young Master, the guests have arrived."

"Let them in."

The servant opened the door, and after Xie Jingchen walked in, he closed the door.

In the room, besides the Heir of the Duke of Guardian, there was another man, the Eldest Young Master of the Minister of War Mansion of Nanliang.

Before any words were exchanged, the Eldest Young Master of the Minister of War Mansion came at Xie Jingchen with a fist.

As he charged over, he didn’t forget to say, "Let me test your martial arts, don’t hold back."

Xie Jingchen didn’t hold back.

He kicked out.

The Eldest Young Master of the Minister of War Mansion was kicked by Xie Jingchen and rolled off the Imperial Concubine’s Couch.

After the fight, he went to help him up, adding casually, "I didn’t hold back."

The Heir of the Duke of Guardian, "..."

The Eldest Young Master of the Minister of War Mansion, "..."

He was told not to hold back, so he really didn’t hold back?

Is it necessary to be so earnest?!

Being so earnest will make enemies!

However, recalling Xie Jingchen’s fear of being beaten up by his wife, the Eldest Young Master of the Minister of War Mansion felt wronged by that kick.

He could save the Heir of Marquis Changning three times, his martial arts were hardly ordinary.

The Heir of the Duke of Guardian clapped his hands and said, "Your martial arts are indeed impressive, no wonder you could save the Heir of Marquis Changning three times."

"I wonder, with such great achievements, what position do you hold in the military now?"

"A captain," Xie Jingchen replied.

"..."

The Eldest Young Master of the Minister of War Mansion rubbed his chest in disbelief, "Just a small captain?"

A captain is a rather insignificant officer in the military, overseeing only a few hundred men.

Thinking about the military, where armies often number in the tens or hundreds of thousands.

The Heir of Marquis Changning’s distinguished status goes without saying; he is also General Shi’s nephew. Having saved him three times and only being appointed as a small captain?

Yet he’s still standing up for the Heir of Marquis Changning?

Though he is helping them.

The Eldest Young Master of the Minister of War Mansion suspected that Xie Jingchen might be expressing dissatisfaction by saying that.

The Heir of the Duke of Guardian invited Xie Jingchen to sit, and then said, "To save General Shi’s nephew three times and only be appointed as a small captain, General Shi is indeed underestimating this talent."

Xie Jingchen remained unreactive, saying calmly, "I’ve been in the camp for just over two months; being a captain is already quite good."

The Heir of the Duke of Guardian aimed to recruit Xie Jingchen; saving the person three times but being appointed only a small captain gave him an opportunity to sow discord. He said, "On the battlefield, which soldier doesn’t rely on battle achievements to advance in rank?"

As he tried to persuade him, Xie Jingchen listened quietly.

The Eldest Young Master of the Minister of War Mansion poured wine for Xie Jingchen, to which Xie Jingchen said, "I don’t drink alcohol."

"How can a man not drink?" said the Eldest Young Master of the Minister of War Mansion.

"Wouldn’t it be your wife controlling you, not allowing you to drink?"

Xie Jingchen shook his head, "It’s my drinking capacity that’s no good."

Drinking capacity no good?

This is good news!

Getting him drunk is the best way to get him talking.

The Eldest Young Master of the Minister of War Mansion poured wine for Xie Jingchen, "Don’t worry, my drinking capacity isn’t great either; just have a few cups."

Xie Jingchen looked at the wine cup, feeling a bit tempted but still hesitant.

The Eldest Young Master of the Minister of War Mansion handed the wine cup to him.

Xie Jingchen sniffed the aroma of the wine and reached out to take it.

He drank it all in one gulp.

"Excellent wine!" he praised without hesitation.

Every time Xie Jingchen drank a cup, the Eldest Young Master of the Minister of War Mansion refilled it.

After drinking half a jug of wine, Xie Jingchen started feeling slightly intoxicated and dared not drink anymore.

But the Heir of the Duke of Guardian and the Eldest Young Master of the Minister of War Mansion did not let him go and continued pouring him another half jug.

After finishing the whole jug, Xie Jingchen slumped over the table.

This drinking capacity wasn’t bad, but in the eyes of seasoned drinkers, it was very ordinary.

The Eldest Young Master of the Minister of War Mansion nudged Xie Jingchen, "Brother Li?"

"Drink, drink..."

"Is he really drunk?" asked the Eldest Young Master of the Minister of War Mansion.

"No, I’m not drunk..."

The Eldest Young Master of the Minister of War Mansion looked at the Heir of the Duke of Guardian.

The Heir of the Duke of Guardian shook his jade fan, "See if you can get anything out of him."

The Eldest Young Master of the Minister of War Mansion started asking questions.

As long as he asked, Xie Jingchen answered.

Sometimes his answers were intermittent, so they asked again.

The Eldest Young Master of the Minister of War Mansion asked about the Duke’s plan to seize General Shi’s military power, according to the Heir of Marquis Changning. Xie Jingchen, in his drunken state, said, "It’s impossible to take away..."

"Why can’t it be taken away?" asked the Heir of the Duke of Guardian.

"Brother Dong said General Shi has the Red Book Iron Certificate, which is a good thing that can pardon a life even for murder; as long as it’s in place, the military power will eventually return to him."

"If someday the Red Book Iron Certificate is gone, really gone... it would be truly dangerous."

As he spoke, he hiccuped, spraying wine vapor on the Eldest Young Master of the Minister of War Mansion’s face, who fanned away the disdain.

After that, Xie Jingchen didn’t speak again because no one asked.

Indeed, with General Shi holding the Red Book Iron Certificate, this weighs heavily; it’s not a glory that can be taken away by losing one or two battles.

To completely seize General Shi’s military power, first, they must destroy this honor.

The Heir of the Duke of Guardian instructed the servant to help Xie Jingchen back to the inn.

As soon as Xie Jingchen was gone, the Eldest Young Master of the Minister of War Mansion looked at the Heir of the Duke of Guardian, saying, "With General Shi holding the Red Book Iron Certificate, it’s indeed not easy to topple him."

The Heir of the Duke of Guardian smirked coldly, "Then let’s take his Red Book Iron Certificate!"

"How to seize it?" asked the Eldest Young Master of the Minister of War Mansion.

"Didn’t the Heir of Marquis Changning say having the Red Book Iron Certificate allows one life to be spared even for murder?"

A flash of murderous intent crossed the Heir of the Duke of Guardian’s eyes.

The Eldest Young Master of the Minister of War Mansion instantly understood, laughing, "This time we really have to thank that young captain for reminding us."

However, burdening the Shi family with a murder won’t be easy; it requires careful planning.

The servant from the Duke’s Mansion assisted Xie Jingchen back to the inn, where the servant from the Marquis Changning Mansion happened to arrive to fetch Xie Jingchen. Seeing this, his brows furrowed tightly.

The Heir of Marquis Changning and the Heir of the Duke of Guardian have always been at odds.

The servants from both mansions would clash at the sight of each other.

Taking Xie Jingchen from the Duke’s Mansion servant, the Marquis Changning Mansion servant wore a look of displeasure.

Getting him drunk so that the Heir of the Duke of Guardian thought he could inquire about his Young Master and General Shi’s matters?

Captain Li is someone who, once drunk, can’t even speak a word when carried out and discarded!

The servant helped Xie Jingchen into the carriage and took him back to the Marquis Changning Mansion.

The Marchioness Changning was grateful to Xie Jingchen for saving her son and felt that saving him three times and only being promoted to a captain was somewhat beneath his talent.

If the Heir of the Duke of Guardian’s plan to sow discord succeeded, wouldn’t her son’s side lose a capable helper?

He saved her son three times.

This is her son’s lucky star.

Xie Jingchen slept and woke up after two hours; upon waking from the drunkenness, his head throbbed.

He looked around and asked the servant, "How am I here?"

The servant said, "The Heir of the Duke of Guardian and the Eldest Young Master of the Minister of War Mansion got you drunk."

The Heir of Marquis Changning came in and asked, "What did the Heir of the Duke of Guardian ask Brother Li?"

"Just sowing discord," Xie Jingchen replied truthfully.

"Probably trying to get something out of me by making me drink."

The Heir of Marquis Changning felt relieved.

Actually, he was already quite reassured because Xie Jingchen hasn’t been by his side for long. Apart from saving him three times and catching him in the act of stealing his pants, there’s nothing else.

To prevent the Heir of the Duke of Guardian from exploiting loopholes and drawing Brother Li in, Brother Li must not be left alone.