No one could understand what Shao Ping Bo was feeling deep down. After all, he had been constantly digging pitfalls for Niu You Dao, only to fall into a trap Niu You Dao had prepared for him. What particularly infuriated him was that Niu You Dao seemed to know everything and looked at him as if he were an idiot. How could an arrogant man like Shao Ping Bo possibly accept this?
He had lost, completely lost. Just now, in his rage, he had begun coughing blood. This was also a psychological defeat!
Even if he refused to flee, it was still unknown whether he would survive. Moreover, even if he were to kill his stepmother and brothers now, what kind of reputation would he be left with for the rest of his life? Another loss!
From the very beginning, he had considered himself the most intelligent. Who would have known that he would be led around by the nose like the biggest fool? For him, this was a cruel defeat. How could Shao Ping Bo accept such a thing?
He sneered maliciously, struggling to suppress the rage within, which made him cough again. He stood up, leaning on the table, wanting to pour himself some tea to extinguish the flames of his fury, but in his very rage, he coughed blood directly into the tea...
The governor's palace. In a spacious room, Zhong Yang Xu sat cross-legged. He was reviewing secret letters.
"Ah!" Zhong Yang Xu sighed.
He had just looked at one letter when another was suddenly brought to him. And they were all about the same matter.
The first letter spoke of the rumors circulating about the Ice and Snow Palace. Dachang Mountain was wondering if Shao Ping Bo had started these rumors, and requested Zhong Yang Xu to clarify this matter with Shao Ping Bo.
The second letter also came from Dachang Mountain. It stated that Niu You Dao had placed evidence in Dachang Mountain's shop proving that Shao Ping Bo had initiated the rumors, and that he was holding the witness. He had instructed Dachang Mountain to deal with this matter themselves.
Niu You Dao's intention was clear. Either Shao Ping Bo died, and he would then not investigate the matter. Or the Ice and Snow Palace would personally handle it.
Dachang Mountain was asking Zhong Yang Xu to handle this!
How could this be resolved? Zhong Yang Xu helplessly shook his head and whispered to himself:
"Ah, he overplayed his hand!"
In truth, he had a good impression of Shao Ping Bo. After all, Shao Ping Bo was a capable man; he could bring benefit to Dachang Mountain. Everyone at Dachang Mountain had thought highly of Shao Ping Bo. Who asked him to act this way because of a woman? He had ruined his entire life because of a femme fatale. Who wouldn't pity such talent?
Zhong Yang Xu made a decision. After this matter, he would expel the Supreme Purity Sect from Beizhou. Tang Yi must leave.
Taking the letters, he said to his disciples:
"First, take Shao Ping Bo into custody. I will go to Shao Deng Yun. After so many years together, one must show respect!"
As soon as he finished speaking, a voice called from outside:
"Uncle, the Third Young Master requests an audience!"
Zhong Yang Xu furrowed his brows. He didn't know what Shao Fu Bo wanted at this moment.
He waved his hand, dismissing his disciples to carry out the order, then said:
"Let him enter."
Soon, Shao Fu Bo respectfully approached and, with hands clasped, said very politely:
"Shao Fu Bo greets Master Zhong."
Zhong Yang Xu sighed and said:
"What is your business?"
"Senior, I have come to plead for mercy for my elder brother." As Shao Fu Bo spoke, he knelt down and continued sorrowfully:
"Elder Brother, ignorant of the heights of heaven and the depths of earth, in his conflict with Niu You Dao, decided to use the Ice and Snow Palace to destroy him...." Thus, weeping and wailing, he recounted everything. He immersed himself so completely in the role that he even squeezed out a manly tear.
And so he pleads for mercy? This clearly shows that he rushed here to prepare his elder brother's death sentence. After listening to him, Zhong Yang Xu said with a cold smile:
"What a cruel fellow. You are signing your elder brother's death warrant like this!"— saying this, he shook his head.
"How ruthless! He cut off all paths of retreat. They wanted to snatch his wife, so in return, he decided to snatch their lives. No wonder." Of course, he was thinking of Niu You Dao. How cruel he was, to even force Shao Ping Bo's brothers, despite their familial ties, to ensure their brother's destruction. This was clear pressure on Dachang Mountain. He had cut off all their avenues of retreat, and now they were obligated to kill Shao Ping Bo!
Shao Fu Bo was frightened. He thought he wasn't being believed, so he began to swear:
"Master, your junior is speaking the truth. If I lie, then may I be torn into a thousand pieces!"
He had no idea that everything concerning Shao Ping Bo's affairs was already known here. He didn't know that Niu You Dao was acting on two fronts!
Zhong Yang Xu smiled coldly. Did he not know about the struggle between brothers?
However, at this moment, he had no intention of judging their actions. Now, he needed to report everything to Shao Deng Yun. So, nodding his head, he said:
"I understand you. But do you dare to come with me and report this to your father?"
Shao Fu Bo hesitated. He was, after all, afraid to tell his father such a thing. However, if you ride a tiger, it's hard to get off. All he could do was nod, steeling his heart:
"For the sake of the Shao family, I hope Father can rescue Elder Brother in time."
"Good! I understand your benevolent intentions." Zhong Yang Xu nodded and, shaking his head slightly, said:
"Then, I ask the Third Young Master to follow me."
"Understood!" Shao Fu Bo stood up, wiped his tears, and followed him.
The group arrived at Shao Deng Yun's room. Announcing their visit, Zhong Yang Xu instructed Shao Fu Bo to remain outside and wait.
Inside the room, Shao Deng Yun and Ruan Shi were standing and talking about something. From his conversation with his wife, Shao Deng Yun was in a joyous mood.
Seeing Zhong Yang Xu enter, the two approached and greeted him. Shao Deng Yun smiled and said:
"What matter brings Brother Zhong here in person?"
Ruan Shi behaved timidly and did not dare to meet Zhong Yang Xu's gaze. She presumed that Zhong Yang Xu had come precisely because of her sons.
Zhong Yang Xu calmly stated:
"I come with ill tidings and will most likely spoil your mood."
Shao Deng Yun: "You don't need to be formal with me. Brother Zhong, speak plainly."
The two men had known each other for so many years, and their relationship was indeed good. Of course, not as close as Li Wu Hua and Hai Ru Yue's.
Sooner or later, Shao Deng Yun would find out anyway, so Zhong Yang Xu immediately spoke, pulling out a letter:
"Brother Shao, please look at this letter."
Shao Deng Yun took the first letter and began to read. Gradually, the smile on his face began to disappear.
The letter spoke of Dachang Mountain's suspicions regarding the rumors surrounding the Ice and Snow Palace.
After reading the letter, Shao Deng Yun remained silent. No one knows a son better than his father. He himself began to suspect that his son had indeed done it. However, he could not admit it, and sighed, saying:
"Ping Bo, though bold, wouldn't dare to use the Ice and Snow Palace. Brother Zhong, you may investigate; I have no objection."
Zhong Yang Xu returned the letter and took another from his sleeve.
"Brother Shao, a second letter arrived after the first. You may read this one too."
Upon receiving the second letter, Shao Deng Yun's face tightened.
Ruan Shi, standing by, couldn't understand if Dachang Mountain already knew everything. And was this not related to her sons? What would her sons do then?
Outside, Shao Fu Bo stood completely tense. His mouth felt completely dry. He could imagine his father's fury.
A maidservant approached with a tray holding a cup of tea:
"Third Young Master, please drink some tea!"
Shao Fu Bo immediately drank, wetting his throat, and placed the cup back on the tray. Then he waved her away, signaling her to leave.
The maidservant bowed and departed.
In the governor's room, Zhong Yang Xu noticed that Shao Deng Yun remained unresponsive, and spoke:
"Niu You Dao is holding a witness. He is clearly threatening us... Brother Shao, this also puts me in a difficult position. If I handle this matter, Brother Shao will grieve. But if I don't carry out this task, the commotion will not only draw in the entire Shao family but also Dachang Mountain. Brother Shao, tell me, what should be done?"
Shao Deng Yun returned the letter with trembling hands and said in a hoarse tone:
"Everything is clear here. I also don't wish to put Brother Zhong in a difficult position, nor can I embarrass Dachang Mountain. But this matter needs to be thoroughly investigated."
He wanted to buy time, somehow find a way to save his son, and give him some chance.
"Brother Shao speaks logically!" Zhong Yang Xu nodded and, turning to the door, said:
"I request the Third Master to enter!"
Shao Deng Yun froze. "How is the third son involved in this?"
Ruan Shi, standing nearby, clutched her handkerchief tightly. Ever since Shao Ping Bo started pressuring them, she had constantly feared him.
Shao Fu Bo, with head bowed, entered and greeted his parents.
Shao Deng Yun cried out: "Why have you come?"
Zhong Yang Xu calmly said:
"Third Young Master, tell your father everything you told me."
"Thump!"
Shao Fu Bo fell to his knees and, still weeping, began to speak:
"Father, Elder Brother, because of his enmity with Niu You Dao, decided to use the Ice and Snow Palace...." He repeated the entire performance anew.
Shao Deng Yun's face, however, turned ashen. He didn't want to hear it, so he shouted furiously:
"Silence! Disobedient son! Be quiet!"
Shao Fu Bo continued to weep and speak, not stopping.
He now knew there was no turning back, so all he could do was steel his heart and continue speaking. For he was afraid to imagine the consequences if his elder brother survived.
"Bastard!" Shao Deng Yun's face contorted, and he yelled furiously. He stepped forward, intending to kick Shao Fu Bo.
However, Zhong Yang Xu, standing nearby, blocked his path, extending a hand.
"Servants! Guards! Get him out! Take him away! Cut him down! Cut him down!" Shao Deng Yun roared in fury. His face bore an expression of profound grief. His heart began to bleed. His greatest fear had come to pass.
He had already received guarantees from his eldest son that he would release his stepmother and brothers. Yet they hadn't let the eldest go!
They were harming each other and trying to kill each other. And what's more, while Shao Deng Yun was still alive. Right before his eyes.
People entered from outside and, seeing the enraged Shao Deng Yun, who wished to kill his own son, were somewhat lost. What to do? After all, the governor was simply in a rage right now.
At this moment, Ruan Shi rushed to her son, embraced him, and also burst into tears:
"Husband, if anything is wrong, then I am to blame. I failed to raise my son well. If you wish to kill, then kill me too!"
Mother and son sat embracing, weeping.