The Aloof Lord's Mysterious Wife
Chapter 343: Seeking Another Candidate

Chapter 343: Seeking Another Candidate

Cheng Wei squinted his eyes. Xue Shengnan had visited the Cheng Residence before, but back then, she was timid and unremarkable—vastly different from her current confident demeanor tonight.

"Who would have thought that Miss Xue possessed such abilities? You’ve certainly opened my eyes," Cheng Wei said, his gaze sharp and penetrating. As a deeply embedded spy, he was intended for significant future use. Thus, during Xuan Lianzi and the others’ conspiracies, he had never revealed himself. Unexpectedly, his well-hidden identity as a secret agent was discovered by Xue Shengnan.

With measured politeness, Xue Shengnan responded, "I merely picked up a few minor skills that proved useful. If I can assist General Cheng, it would be my honor." Her choice of words was so deliberate that it immediately put people at ease.

Cheng Wei circled Xue Shengnan twice, admiring her appearance and figure. A man’s intentions become apparent when he starts having improper thoughts, and his eyes betrayed his desires.

He said, "Miss Xue, you can help me tonight."

Shuang’er, understanding the implication of his words, felt a chill of disgust. This General was over forty, old enough to be her mistress’s father! Fear and anger gripped her as she realized they had walked into a wolf’s den, making escape unlikely.

Yet, Xue Shengnan remained unperturbed, a faint, cold smile playing on her lips. "Beautiful concubines are easy to find, but capable subordinates are rare."

Cheng Wei laughed heartily at this, his tone dripping with sarcasm.

"You talk big for a woman. What can you possibly accomplish?"

"General Cheng, you’re mistaken. Chu Nanli is also a woman, yet she single-handedly thwarted the plans of four Qi Nation Daoists and even caused their deaths in Mu Nation," Xue Shengnan said, standing tall. "I too can, like her, use Daoist arts and talismans to turn the tide! I aspire to be an eagle soaring through the skies. Now, it’s up to you to give me that opportunity."

Cheng Wei was secretly astonished. He had assumed Xue Shengnan would trade her beauty for a chance at survival, but she had far grander ambitions.

As a Zhonglang General, he followed orders from the Heir’s Palace and was well aware of the larger schemes. Knowing Xue Shengnan could craft soul-stealing talismans, master the Bewitched Worms Technique, and return to the Capital despite the Black Armor Guard’s searches was indeed shocking.

He sat down, humming lightly, "Have you come to your senses? All your previous efforts were aimed at marrying Chu Ye. Are you now willing to forsake your family and forget about this man to serve Qi Nation?"

"Such a family is better left behind. General Cheng, having navigated officialdom for so long, you should understand that only by becoming strong oneself can one achieve what one desires," Xue Shengnan replied.

"Excellent!" Cheng Wei slapped the table, his eyes gleaming with admiration. "What, then, is Miss Xue’s pledge of loyalty?"

"Qi Nation’s new emperor, while still the Royal Heir, had thousands of craftsmen build an exceedingly luxurious mansion. Everyone knows it was prepared for his younger brother," Xue Shengnan adjusted her sleeves, "and I know where this Fifth Prince is. I can bring him back to Qi Nation, reuniting him with the new emperor."

Cheng Wei’s eyes widened, his breathing quickened as he urgently asked, "Where? Where is the Fifth Prince?"

Finding his younger brother was Emperor Qi’s greatest wish. Accomplishing this would be a monumental achievement, securing Cheng Wei’s position upon his return to Qi Nation.

Xue Shengnan tilted her head slightly, her smile deepening, "He is in the Mansion of Marquis Anyang."

---

Chong Jiu returned to his secret chamber and immediately used a talisman to temporarily seal the holes in his body. The malevolent black mist stopped dispersing. Sweat beaded on his forehead, and his body grew increasingly cold. Looking at the jar on the table, his eyes reflected guilt and pain.

He trudged over, step by step, touching the jar with a trembling voice, "Master, I have failed. I fell into someone else’s trap."

The three souls and seven spirits in the jar were dormant and couldn’t respond.

Gritting his teeth, Chong Jiu reflected on his repeated failures against Nanli. Even though he narrowly escaped this time, Nanli might guess his plan. And with his exposure, there was no chance of targeting Xiao Wanyi’s unborn child.

Sighing, he patted the jar again, "Rest assured, Master. I’ve found another unborn child’s body. But you’ll have to endure some hardship."

He should have meditated and used talismans to suppress the malevolent spirits within him, but unease drove him to venture out under the cover of night, cradling the jar, heading straight for a mansion.

Climbing over the wall, he knocked on a door in a specific pattern: three long, one short.

Inside, the sounds of a man and woman coupling abruptly ceased.

A man, hastily pulling up his pants, opened the door. Recognizing Chong Jiu in the moonlight, his eyes lit up with delight, "Chong Jiu, you’ve finally come!"

Chong Jiu, catching the scent of rouge on him, scowled, "Yuan Liang, I warned you about indulging in women. It will only deplete your fortune and make it harder for you to rise."

"Yes, yes, Chong Jiu, I remember. At dawn, I’ll sell this woman off and commit to self-discipline," Yuan Liang replied hurriedly.

He quickly tightened his belt and ushered Chong Jiu into the adjacent hall.

Offering to serve tea, Chong Jiu declined, "No need. I have something important to discuss. Listen carefully."

He activated a talisman to ensure their conversation remained private. Placing the jar on the table with utmost care, he said, "This jar houses a divine spirit. Place it in your legitimate wife’s chamber to ensure the health and safety of your unborn child."

Yuan Liang’s eyes filled with anticipation, "Will it ensure this child is a son?"

"No," Chong Jiu replied honestly, "Your wife’s child will be a girl."

Yuan Liang’s expression soured, and he cursed, "Another girl! Her womb is utterly useless. I should divorce her!"

Chong Jiu’s face darkened as he grabbed Yuan Liang’s collar, "Yuan Liang, you’ll never have a son. Stop wasting your efforts."

Yuan Liang paled, incredulous, "How...how can that be? Without a son, how can I secure my position as head of the family?"

"Follow my instructions, and you will maintain your position," Chong Jiu reassured.

Yuan Liang straightened up, quickly agreeing, "Of course, I’ll do whatever you say, Chong Jiu."

Three months ago, while personally delivering goods, Yuan Liang was ambushed by bandits who stole his cargo. This shipment was pre-ordered by a client, and failing to deliver would cost the Yuan family a substantial sum, jeopardizing his status as head of the family.

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