Cultivation Begins with Caring for Sister-in-law

Chapter 866: Chapter 872, 873: Conquering Zhao Yushu

River Sea, Chaoping County.

Nangong Family.

After both sides exchanged insincere compliments, Wu Changlin appeared extremely relaxed. Leaning his back against the chair, he gently tapped the armrest of the Master’s Chair with his fingers and turned his head to look at Nangong Jin, smiling, "Marquis of Chaoping, have you offended someone recently?"

Upon hearing this, Nangong Jin’s hand, which had just lifted the tea cup, paused slightly. After taking a sip of the now-cold fragrant tea to moisten his mouth, he said, "Throughout my life, I have always treated people with kindness and do not recall offending anyone. What does Lord Wu mean by this?"

Nangong Jin also turned his head to look at Wu Changlin, and the two exchanged glances.

"That’s strange," Wu Changlin did not evade and said, "But it might also be someone deliberately framing the Marquis of Chaoping or trying to deceive by pulling the wool over one’s eyes."

"Oh?"

Nangong Jin raised his eyebrows, sensing the underlying meaning in Wu Changlin’s words. He chuckled softly, "Interesting, Lord Wu, please elaborate."

Wu Changlin straightened his head and looked outside the hall: "Recently, the Maritime Trade Bureau has uncovered several major smuggling cases. The goods seized, just in estimation, are valued at one million taels, which is astonishing. Upon interrogation, the smugglers claimed that these are the Nangong family’s goods.

I asked which Nangong family they referred to, and they replied it was the Nangong family from Chaoping County where the Marquis resides."

At this point, Wu Changlin paused his speech and turned his head again to look at Nangong Jin, saying, "I wonder if the Marquis of Chaoping has heard of this."

Though Wu Changlin spoke with a casual demeanor, the atmosphere inside the hall became exceedingly peculiar at that moment, as if even the air was on the verge of becoming stagnant.

Zhang Feng’s face darkened, and if Nangong Jin had not tightly pressed his hand right now, he might have erupted on the spot.

What was Wu Changlin implying?

This was entirely a provocation face-to-face.

Stabbing at their most sensitive point.

Even though Nangong Jin sat between the two, making Zhang Feng’s actions less noticeable across Nangong Jin, Wu Changlin was clearly not an ordinary person and had undoubtedly noticed.

Nangong Jin also knew Wu Changlin had noticed, but both parties tacitly chose not to pierce through this thin veil, maintaining a very delicate equilibrium.

"Matters related to the Government Office of the Maritime Trade Bureau, how could an outsider like me possibly know," Nangong Jin said with a smile that did not reach his eyes and a tone devoid of warmth, "My Nangong family knows the law and abides by it. Involvement in such a massive scale of smuggling is enough to exterminate my entire Nangong family. How could I possibly have such audacity? Surely, someone jealous of my Nangong family has falsely accused us, Lord Wu, you must investigate thoroughly."

"In the Marquis of Chaoping’s undertakings, this official naturally trusts. Plus, the Nangong family is as wealthy as ten thousand coins, possessing vast lands and endless gold and silver, making it unnecessary to engage in such a dangerous business like smuggling, wouldn’t you agree?" Wu Changlin laughed.

"Lord Wu is wise. However, as for the vast lands, Lord Wu has misunderstood; my Nangong family has never owned so much land. It was merely during the famine years when the people couldn’t farm and entrusted my Nangong family to manage for a period. Now, with the world at peace, these lands have long been returned to the original owners by my Nangong family.

As for the allegedly endless gold and silver, it’s merely a fabrication by outsiders; my Nangong family is merely more affluent than an average household." Nangong Jin spoke flawlessly.

"That is my mistake," Wu Changlin hurriedly laughed and apologized, then continued to say, "On the way here, I instructed my subordinates that this has nothing to do with the Nangong family, but they didn’t believe it. This time, see how I will reprimand them when I return.

These smugglers are bold indeed, not only smuggling, involving enormous sums of money, but also daring to frame the Marquis of Chaoping. I must report to Your Majesty, punish them with severe penalties, seize their goods, and submit everything to the national treasury."

"Lord Wu acts with integrity, loyal to the state; I admire you."

"The Marquis of Chaoping’s words embarrass this official, it’s merely my duty. Speaking of admiration, it is actually this official who admires the Marquis of Chaoping." Wu Changlin said with a smile, "Before arriving at River Sea, Your Majesty specially instructed this official, saying the Marquis of Chaoping is loyal and kind-hearted, a rare sincere person. This official was told that upon encountering difficulties in River Sea, I should consult the Marquis of Chaoping frequently."

"Lord Wu flatters me, but if there’s anything you need, feel free to ask, Lord Wu."

"Then this official won’t stand on ceremony. Well, I’ve disturbed the Marquis of Chaoping; this official takes his leave."

"Brother Feng, accompany me to see Lord Wu off."

"The Marquis of Chaoping, please stay; there’s no need."

"..."

After seeing off Wu Changlin, Zhang Feng couldn’t hold back any longer, slamming his palm onto a corridor pillar, instantly leaving a palm print inches deep on an adult-embracing thick red-painted corridor pillar. Several penetrating cracks appeared on the entire pillar, with dust falling off.

If not for this corridor being supported by twelve pillars, the entire corridor might have been demolished by Wu Changlin’s palm just now.

"Brother-in-law, what’s his meaning, directly bullying us to our face? Don’t think that just because he’s from the Wu Family, with Chen Mo as his backer, we’d be afraid of him. At worst, we’ll kill him and move our entire family to Boli Kingdom; why suffer his arrogance here?" Wu Changlin fumed.

"It’s not yet come to that," Nangong Jin deliberated, "What he said earlier shows he’s aware of our dealings. The reason he didn’t disclose it is merely to warn us not to engage in smuggling anymore. As long as we cease immediately, the matter can be treated as if it never happened."

"If he says it didn’t happen, does that mean it didn’t happen? The one million taels worth of goods, who’s going to compensate for that?" Zhang Feng said angrily.