That night, Chu Mo and Xu Fufu did not return to the Fan Residence, but found a random small tavern instead, where the two brothers drank to their heart's content.

Many people saw Xu Fufu with blood at the corner of his eye, looking rather shabby.

By sunrise the next day, the people of Yanhuang City were stunned by sudden news that left them agape.

"The Tenth Young Master of the Xu Family, for unknown reasons, has incensed the head of the family... his grandfather, Minister Xu Zhongliang, has cast him out of the house and cut all ties!"

"Minister Xu Zhongliang suddenly went to the north of the city for inspection, leaving all his attendants clueless of the reason…"

"Minister Xu goes into a small courtyard and calls a gentle lady in her 30's 'sister'!"

"Minister Xu explained to the people around him that this woman is a distant relative of the Xu Family who has been engaged in business operations in Great Qi. He was quite cheerful to receive news from his little sister after losing contact for so many years."

"Chu Mo publicly announces that the current owner of Gluttonous Pavilion, Liu Mei'er, is his sworn sister! Being the King of Chu, his sworn sister... naturally becomes a princess!"

"Gluttonous Pavilion suddenly announces a sale to the public, with prices astonishingly down to half of the market price!"

"Xu Fufu, who was expelled from his family, announced that he will be marrying soon..."

An overwhelming amount of news was coming in.

However, everyone had a sense of 'the calm before the storm'.

Why has the calm and established Xu Family, the first servant family of the current dynasty, suddenly become the subject of so many incidents?

At the Fan Residence.

At this moment, old master Fan Wudi was pacing back and forth anxiously within his residence.

Sui Hongru left earlier. He was left perplexed by this news and sought to clarify what was really going on.

The Fan Residence was entirely quiet.

After pacing around in his room, Fan Wudi finally opened the door, with a furrowed brow, he muttered: "What's dealing with that lad… why has he suddenly created such a mess? Even Fufu was implicated?"

As he was speaking, Chu Mo and Xu Fufu entered through the front door one after the other.

On seeing that the two of them were in high spirits yet reeked of alcohol, Fan Wudi frowned immediately.

"Grandfather, just hear me out," Chu Mo gathered some inner strength, dispelled the lingering alcohol, and then looked at his grandfather: "We can no longer stay in Great Xia."

"Huh?" The corners of the old man's mouth twitched as he looked at Chu Mo: "Say that again?"

"It's like this…" Chu Mo roughly recounted the exchange he had with Xu Zhongliang last night.

Though the old master is astute, he isn't familiar with matters concerning politics. So, he looked at Chu Mo with a furrowed brow: "Didn't Minister Xu not say much about it? He was simply expressing how the royals and some people in court view you…"

"Just their view?" Chu Mo laughed and shook his head: "Grandfather, unless we rebel against the court now and kill the emperor, we no longer have a place in Great Xia. It's better to leave early than to continue waiting here. This way, the emperor could be at ease…"

"Why?" Fan Wudi staggered a couple of steps backward, with a look of despair: "What have we done wrong?"

Xu Fufu, at the side, gathered some inner strength to dispel the alcohol in his body. His apparent drunkenness was only for show. Over the course of the night, they had already discussed all the matters thoroughly. Xu Fufu finally understood his grandfather's difficulties.

Xu Zhongliang held Chu Mo in high regard!

In other words, even if Chu Mo were to rebel and seize control over Great Xia's territory, Xu Zhongliang would still support him!

If that wasn't the case, Xu Zhongliang would not find such a shaky excuse to cast out Xu Fufu.

As a long-time official, Xu Zhongliang was well aware that influencing the emperor to change his mind would be close to impossible.

Although the current emperor of Great Xia was both talented and open-minded... This aspect could be gleaned from his numerous ennoblements of Chu Mo. He wasn't the type of emperor who felt threatened by meritorious officials.

However, his greatest flaw was his distrust!

Though outsiders may not know, Xu Zhongliang was completely aware that the emperor did not even trust his own sons, let alone outsiders.

The reason for Xia Jing's sudden dismissal from his position as Premier Minister... was it really due to his son's actions? That was merely an excuse.

Xu Zhongliang went to the north of the city to reveal that Dragon Qiushui was his sister, to express a stand to the emperor.

At the same time, Chu Mo was endorsed!

Once Chu Mo did something rebellious in the future, Xu Zhongliang… would undoubtedly be implicated, as he was Chu Mo's grandmother's brother!

This relationship would also reassure the emperor.

The implications behind all this were exceedingly complex!

In essence, the best approach would be for Xu Zhongliang to banish Fufu from the Xu Family, clear the boundary and nullify any connection with Chu Mo.

However, Xu Zhongliang still decided to do so.

From that, Xu Fufu understood that his grandfather was still the responsible person he always admired! He was still his idol!

"Grandpa Fan, you did nothing wrong. The only thing 'wrong' is that your achievements are too outstanding, making the emperor uncomfortable and stirring jealousy among the court officials. It's as simple as that." Xu Fufu remarked quietly.

"That's it?" Fan Wudi found it unbelievable.

Xu Fufu nodded: "Yes, that's all!"

As Fan Wudi hesitated: "Even if he's uncomfortable, even if they're jealous… shouldn't they be worried that such actions would affect the army morale during a war?"

Chu Mo chimed in: "Grandfather... apart from the army under your command, which army's morale could possibly be affected by us?"

Slowly, Fan Wudi fell silent.

Though the old master may have a slight understanding of the situation, his thoughts were not as deep-rooted. At this point, he was enlightened through the words shared between the two youngsters.

Finally, this lifetime warrior who never bowed down to anything, sat blankly at his own doorstep, spiritless.

He hung his head, speechless.

Seeing his grandfather's distress, Chu Mo gently said: "Grandfather, let's go. It may be better to leave after all. We should depart while everyone has yet to make their moves, once we leave, we leave."

Fan Wudi lightly nodded: "Let's do as you say, we should leave."

At this moment, what Fan Wudi felt most was self-blame. He believed that if not for him wanting to give Dragon Qiushui a status, Chu Mo would not have sought out Xu Zhongliang. Then, this series of incidents would not have transpired.

Watching his defeated grandfather, Chu Mo said: "These things... would have eventually surfaced. Grandfather Xu's actions… simply emphasized the contradictions, then contained the situation within a minimal range. Otherwise, if these contradictions were to erupt between me and the Emperor, the situation won't be as it is now!"

"This is already the best outcome!" murmured Xu Fufu at the side.

"I understand, but I can't wrap my head around it…" the old master sighed heavily. (To be continued. If you like this novel please visit m.qidian.com to vote. Your support is my biggest motivation.)

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