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At dusk, the red sunset cast its glow upon the earth, the red light resembling fresh blood spilling over the land.

Chu Xiong sat in the courtyard, savoring the high-proof liquor brewed by the North Prince Mansion as he reviewed the latest intelligence gathered about the Chu Family in the South.

Although he had already led part of the Chu Family to side with his grandson, he still couldn’t completely let go of the Chu Family in the South, considering his ungrateful son was still there.

When he saw in the intelligence that the rebels were continuously defeated by the Imperial Army, Chu Xiong couldn’t help but sigh; he had anticipated this outcome from the start.

Despite the fact that the aristocratic families in the South possessed formidable weapons like the Piercing Cloud Bow and Piercing Cloud Arrows, the strength of the court was undoubtedly greater. Moreover, it was the Sum Emperor who had forced the southern aristocratic families into rebellion; since he dared to press them into revolt, it proved that the Sum Emperor had already prepared to deal with them. Lu Shuyun’s aspiration for the throne was not as easy to realize as he had thought.

While Chu Xiong was sighing, a servant entered the courtyard, “Family Head, a member of the Brocade Guard is looking for you.”

Upon hearing this, Chu Xiong was startled.

The Brocade Guard?

What would the Brocade Guard want with him?

Could it be that Lu Chen had something to communicate to him?

Having been in the North Country for quite a while now, Chu Xiong had basically figured out the political structure of the North Country and had a rough idea about the key people around the North Prince.

Chu Xiong was well aware that the Brocade Guard was one of the most important institutions around Lu Chen. If a Jinyiwei Guard sought him out, it most likely meant they brought orders from Lu Chen.

Chu Xiong then said to the servant, “Quickly, invite them in!”

Soon after, the servant led Qin Yushan into the Chu Family courtyard. Upon entering, Qin Yushan greeted him with a smile, “Master Chu, I pay my respects.”

Seeing that the visitor was Qin Yushan, Chu Xiong was taken aback. Qin Yushan was the Commander of the Brocade Guard. As far as he knew, besides the North Prince, the highest authority over the Commander of the Brocade Guard was the Commander himself.

The Commanders of the Brocade Guard were always busy; why would one personally visit the Chu Family unless there was a matter of great urgency? A foreboding feeling surged within Chu Xiong, and he directly asked, “Commander Qin, what wind has blown the Prince’s favored one to my doorstep?”

Qin Yushan responded with a smile, “What favored one? I am merely a loyal hound raised by the Prince.”

At this point, Qin Yushan glanced at the servants inside the courtyard and then added, “The Prince sent me to discuss a matter with you. This is not the place for such a conversation.”

Chu Xiong instantly understood Qin Yushan’s implication and immediately replied, “Commander Qin, please follow me.”

Chu Xiong then led Qin Yushan to his study. Once inside, he shut the door of the study and asked, “May I know what the Prince has instructed?”

Qin Yushan produced a piece of intelligence from his sleeve and said, “There are no specific instructions, but the Prince asked me to show you this intelligence.”

At those words, Chu Xiong, curiosity piqued, took the paper intelligence from Qin Yushan and began to read seriously. With just one glance, Chu Xiong’s brows furrowed instantly, and his expression turned increasingly somber.

He had not expected that among the members of the Chu Family who had accompanied him to the North Country, there would indeed be a traitor. His biggest concern had always been the possibility of a betrayal within the Chu Family.

They had come to the North Country seeking the support of the North Prince. If there were traitors among these Chu Family members, it could lead to the North Prince distrusting them, or even suspecting that they had not joined the North Country in good faith, but with ulterior motives.

However, Chu Xiong could also see that Lu Chen had sent Qin Yushan to personally deliver this intelligence without raising any alarm, which likely meant that he wanted Chu Xiong to take care of the traitor issue himself. For the time being, Lu Chen was not apt to doubt them over a few traitors.

Chu Xiong promptly said, “Please convey my message to the Prince, Commander Qin. I will surely deal with those who spread rumors, and furthermore, I will ascertain who is the mastermind behind it all.”

Qin Yushan acknowledged, “Very well.”

“I shall not disturb you any further.”

With these words, Qin Yushan turned and left the study. Chu Xiong quickly said, “Commander Qin, take care.”

After Qin Yushan left the Chu Household, Chu Xiong immediately began an investigation based on the intelligence Qin Yushan had shown him to determine who was spreading rumors.

In just two hours, Chu Xiong had identified several individuals who were spreading the rumors.

Looking at the kneeling servants in the courtyard, Chu Xiong’s face was ashen. He then demanded, “Speak, who instructed you to do this?”

Realizing their actions had been exposed, the servants hastily kowtowed, pleading, “Family Head, spare us! It was all at the order of the Second Young Master!”

Hearing the servants’ words, Chu Xiong felt no surprise; he had long suspected his disobedient son was behind this mischief.

Chu Hongfei had always coveted Chu Yuqin, and he had long wished to have Chu Yuqin taken back to Sufeng City. However, the North Prince’s strength had suddenly increased, and the North Country had become the most militarily powerful among the feudal states; this had forced Chu Hongfei to abandon the plan of forcibly taking Chu Yuqin back to the Chu Family.

But this did not mean Chu Hongfei had given up.

At this moment, Chu Xiong’s expression fluctuated, as if he was contemplating something.

The southern rebels were currently engaged in battle with the Imperial Army, and Chu Hongfei, as a member of the Chu Family in the South, should have focused on assisting Lu Shuyun. Instead, he was instigating rumors and causing trouble in the North Country.

Chu Xiong then inquired, “When you all followed me to the North Country, was it also on his behest?”