Wang Zishan was no longer breathing.
Jia Xu was silent. He retracted his hand from Wang Zishan's neck.
A force had destroyed Wang Zishan's heart meridian. It seemed that he had committed suicide.
Duke Ning suddenly felt that the air in the Black Prison seemed a little cold.
This is ridiculous, he thought.
But Wang Zishan's words were like poisonous vines, instantly taking root in his heart.
Do you think that your nephew is really your nephew?
What a ridiculous statement, what a clumsy lie.
But … but, in this case, many questions could be answered …
Jia Xu took a deep breath.
Calm down, calm down, he thought.
But many messy thoughts came one after another, making him unable to control himself.
This was simply too ridiculous, too crazy, too unbelievable.
However, all sorts of suspicious points about his nephew, from before the great battle to after, surfaced in his sea of memories.
For example, after he ran away from home for three years, there was no news of him. Then, in a flash, he became a famous general of the current dynasty who was proficient in both civil and military strategies. Putting aside his rapid improvement in martial arts for the time being, what was with his almost demonic, wise and decisive military strategy?
Back then, he had been suspicious and had even secretly investigated a few of his nephew's famous battles. After his research, he discovered that his treasured nephew, who had amazed the world with a single brilliant feat, was experienced in using troops, had a vicious vision, was decisive in his actions, and was ingenious in his schemes. He was able to predict the enemy's moves, and knew himself as well as his enemy. How was he like a kid in his early twenties? He was more like an old monster who had fought against the Heavenly Demons for hundreds of years.
How could the Rongguo Mansion teach such a genius?
Even if all the people of three generations were tied together, they would not be able to fight against him.
Also, it was said that his nephew was known for his unique vision and profound knowledge in the army. He could talk about everything from astronomy and geography, local customs, and even the changes in Yin and Yang of all things in the world. He could even talk about the political systems of various countries. It was said that he could even scare foreign barbarians.
Furthermore, he was also good at telling stories. His head was filled with many strange stories that had never been heard of before, and he was enthusiastically sought after by the soldiers in the army. Although his impression of his nephew was that he did not like to practice martial arts and was instead fond of reading, where the hell did he read those erotic stories that he told?
Rongguo Manor didn't have such a thing.
At that time, Jia Xu did have a lot of doubts. The more information about his nephew spread, the more suspicious he became. In the end, he could not hold back and went to the Northern Theater of Operations to visit his nephew. The result of the meeting temporarily dispelled his doubts because his nephew did look like what he remembered. When he asked about his nephew's family story, his nephew answered him fluently.
When he asked about his nephew's self-taught, almost demonic military strategy, it was the relevant personnel of the court who revealed and explained it to him with reservations. It was about the secrets of the Imperium, and it was inappropriate for him to ask too much. After all, his nephew did seem to be his nephew.
Later, this suspicion slowly faded away because his nephew's contributions were getting bigger and bigger, and he was very filial to his grandmother. Later, Lin Daiyu and Xue Baochai went north, and even Jia Shidao came to his cousin's side. They got along well with him and even admired him. The status of the Jia Mansion also rose. Many people knew that the Rongguo Mansion was probably unparalleled in wealth for at least 50 years.
Gradually, Jia Xu's suspicion turned into admiration, envy, and even jealousy.
Because compared to him, his son was simply a retard.
But now … the suspicion in his heart was aroused by Wang Zishan's words.
Because there were still many suspicious points after the war.
Why did the court hide his nephew's contributions and seal the secret of the Great Barren Mountain?
He was not dead, but why did he not return home for two or three years and did not even say a word? If he was disheartened and hid his identity, it would be fine. First, it was Mingzhou, then Qinzhou. Why didn't he think of his grandmother when he was already fighting against the court?
And Jia Shidao's strange behavior.
Even his estrangement from the Rongguo Mansion … He did not feel the joy and eagerness to go home. Instead, he felt a faint sense of alienation and strangeness to his family.
The more Jia Xu thought about it, the more frightened he was.
He had to admit that smart people were good at imagining things. With just one sentence, he automatically associated all the evidence and doubts.
After realizing this, he could not help but smile bitterly.
Because Duke Ning knew that an invisible net had enveloped him. This was a long-planned plot, a well-thought-out plot.
"Sowing discord …"
He murmured.
Simple but effective.
Because this was not a clumsy attempt to sow discord, but to magnify the doubts in his heart. It was not to create conflict, but to let nature take its course. Because … that might be the truth.
Therefore, it was a sowing discord.
A simple but brilliant sowing discord.
Because even if they were uncle and nephew, even if they were from the same sect, even if they had a pleasant cooperation, he could not directly verify this matter with the person involved.
If he did not ask, the suspicion and doubts would only grow in his heart.
If he asked, it would be even worse. If the other party was really an imposter … then he would expose himself and alert him. He would be on guard and even want to kill him. The consequences would be unpredictable.
"F * ck …" It was rare for Jia Xu to swear. He muttered to himself, "The person who set this up is very smart. But what is his motive for telling me this and saying that there will be more people coming to find me?"
He looked at Wang Zishan's body and shook his head with a bitter smile. Not to mention other things, this guy's sudden death was one of the problems. How would he explain it to his nephew?
How would he lie?
This setup, this sowing discord, this move, was indeed set up against Jia Xu. Because the person who set this up had sharply grasped Jia Xu's personality. The more intelligent he was, the more meticulous and cautious his way of thinking would be. Therefore, he would never take the initiative to speak frankly with Sun Lang. Because he was never used to exposing his trump card to others, and was not used to putting himself in a situation where he could not retreat.
Jia Xu sighed again. He had to think carefully.
And …
Duke Ning's gaze moved from Wang Zishan's body to the dark exit.
He seemed to have thought of something, and his expression changed slightly.
If Wang Zishan's last words were a plot by the mysterious person, then the other party would definitely not only use one move.
Wang Zishan was sent to Duke Ning's residence to delay him. After being captured, he said those words. This was a sinister attempt to sow discord. Then … what were the plans of the Wang family, who was in a standoff in Duke Ning's residence?
When Jia Xu thought of this, he could not help but worry. The earlier incident had caused him to lose his composure, and he had lost his usual calm and collected state of mind.
He no longer cared about Wang Zishan's body and quickly walked toward the exit. The steward in charge of this place was waiting at the entrance. He bowed and said, "Master is back."
Jia Xu said concisely, "He committed suicide. Seal the entrance and guard it tightly. Do not approach!"
The steward was shocked at first, but then he replied, "Yes."
Ask less and do more. Learn to forget. This was a very useful survival rule.
The door closed with a rumble, locking the dark prison in darkness. Jia Xu and his servant had left, but in the darkness, a dim light quietly flashed and then disappeared. It came from Wang Zishan's body.
After Jia Xu left, the body underwent some changes under the influence of a mysterious force.
After all, this sowing discord that even Jia Xu found difficult was only half done.
At this moment, the confrontation between the two parties continued in the Rongguo Residence.
Seventh Master Wang said coldly, "Third Young Lady, a straightforward person does not resort to insinuations. I would like to ask you if there was a murder in the East Garden of the Rongguo Residence when Brother Zixing came to visit, right?"
Although Jia Tanchun did not say anything, her pupils shrunk.
Sun Lang, who was secretly observing, said faintly, "The Wang Family has an expert guiding them. Jia Tanchun might not be able to handle it."
Third Young Lady also felt that it was troublesome, so she could only avoid answering, "Where did Seventh Uncle find out?"
Seventh Master Wang said directly, "I'm asking you if there was a murder in the East Garden!"
Jia Tanchun sighed inwardly. Even if she was quick-witted, she was still a little flustered. She did not consider that the other party would not argue with her or confront her. He did not even mention Jia Xu. Instead, he went straight to the point.
She could only say, "This is a private matter of the Rongguo Residence. Seventh Uncle, please don't make wild guesses …"
Before she finished speaking, Seventh Master Wang said angrily, "Private matter?
My brother's whereabouts are unknown, and someone from the Rongguo Residence happened to die. Naturally, I suspect that the body is my brother Zixing's!
Is there a problem? "
Jia Tanchun wanted to say something, but Seventh Master Wang didn't give her time to continue. He continued, "Third Young Lady, if you have a clear conscience, then bring the dead body out to have a look. See if it really belongs to my Brother Zixing!"
Tanchun forced herself to calm down, "Body?
When did I say that someone died?
This is just third uncle's groundless speculation. Something did happen in the East Garden, but it did not involve a life … "
"I've been waiting for you to say that!"
Seventh Master Wang said sternly, "There must be a lot of witnesses that day. Call them out and ask them. Check their testimonies and see if anyone died!"
Jia Tanchun's expression changed slightly. At this time, Xue Baochai said coldly, "Mr. Wang, you're so powerful. Have you come to the Rongguo Residence to investigate a case?"
"You flatter me!"
Seventh Master Wang cupped his hands and smiled proudly, "I am a commoner and indeed do not have the responsibility to protect the land and the people. However, I am a good citizen of the Empire. I heard that there was a murder in the Rongguo Residence, but the residence was eager to cover it up. What are you trying to do?
A human life is as important as the sky. Since I heard about it, I naturally have to report it to the magistrate and ask him to investigate the matter impartially and strictly. Who died, how did they die, who witnessed it, naturally, I have to pass on the information one by one, interrogate them, and find the murderer … "
He said to Xue Baochai, "This is the law of the Empire. General Xue, you have no objections, right?"