You don't want your secret to be revealed by others, right?

Chapter 237 237: 35. Secret_2

"""

This time, the number of buds on Qi Yinmo's plum tree was the same as on Qi Tianxing's plum tree.

"Hmm? Lord Qi actually supported the Fifth Miss?"

"Strange. Why would Lord Qi support the Fifth Miss to be the Family Head?"

"However, now there are only sixty-five buds in total on the three plum trees. Logically, there should be a hundred and eight buds."

"Elder Gu hasn't decided yet, and there are still three Red Blood Cicadas and thirteen White Jade Cicadas undecided. It's hard to say."

Many Guest Elders were observing the situation with the three plum trees.

"Your Highness, Lord Qi also wants to quell public opinion, so he released the Purple Golden Cicada to express his stance early." Wu Nu sighed.

"No problem, too early is not good, too late is also not good; now is just right."

Lin Yue nodded slightly, suddenly saying, "What do you think? If there is a tie, who would Elder Gu choose?"

Wu Nu paused in silence, then said, "According to Elder Gu's personality, he would probably choose the Third Young Master, even if Qi Tianxing had slightly fewer buds, Elder Gu might not choose the Fifth Miss."

"Indeed."

Lin Yue said, "The opinion trend in the Duke Heng's residence is probably mostly supportive of Qi Tianxing. For someone like Elder Gu, who values stability, it's really hard to say, but... as long as the number of buds on Yinmo's plum tree is much more than Qi Tianxing's, so much so that even Elder Gu's Purple Golden Cicada can't make up the difference, then there would be no problem."

Wu Nu was taken aback.

"Let's go."

Lin Yue didn't say more and immediately turned to walk out of the courtyard, "I'll go talk with the Guest Elders."

...

Dongqin Courtyard.

This was the residence of the Minister Elders of Duke Heng's residence, the Martial Arts Grandmaster 'Zhao Feinan.'

As a Minister Elder, naturally he had the qualifications to occupy such a spacious and luxurious courtyard in the Duke Heng's residence.

"Your Highness came in person, my apologies for not welcoming you earlier, please forgive me."

In the main hall, Grandmaster Zhao cupped his hands and bowed towards Lin Yue politely. Although not particularly respectful, it was courteous enough.

Although he was a Martial Arts Grandmaster, able in cultivation to kill Lin Yue with one palm even without the Heaven and Earth Law, he was, after all, dealing with a prince. Moreover, the female guard who never left this prince's side actually exuded an aura of the Heaven and Earth Law, making him have to tread carefully.

"No worries."

Lin Yue sat down in the main seat, casually setting down the teacup, "The purpose of my visit today, I'm sure Grandmaster Zhao knows very well."

Grandmaster Zhao calmly said, "The purpose of Your Highness's visit? Please, do explain."

"Last night, Lord Qi assigned you a Red Blood Cicada. Have you released the Jade Cicada?" Lin Yue looked at him, "If not yet, I hope Grandmaster Zhao will do me a favor and support Qi Yinmo."

"I'm sorry."

Grandmaster Zhao said helplessly, "I have already released the Red Blood Cicada, and Young Master Tianxing approached me earlier, and I clearly promised to assist him."

Lin Yue smiled and said, "The Jade Cicada isn't set in stone, it can be changed."

"One must keep one's word; how can one break a promise?" Grandmaster Zhao shook his head.

"You can't change it?" Lin Yue asked.

"Your Highness, truly sorry." Grandmaster Zhao spoke sincerely, but his expression remained unchanged.

"It seems there's nothing more to discuss." Lin Yue nodded slightly, then said as if casually, "Then I want to ask, how many benefits did Prince Cheng promise you? That made you so resolute?"

Grandmaster Zhao's eyes slightly changed, then he furrowed his brows and said, "Prince Cheng? What does this have to do with Prince Cheng? Your Highness must be joking."

"Joking? It's quite amusing indeed."

Lin Yue smiled faintly and said, "For me to come visit you in person, asking you to do me a favor. If there were no Prince Cheng backing you up, how could you refuse so decisively?"

As a prince and a disciple of the Main Hall Master, his status was higher than that of an ordinary Martial Saint!

This Grandmaster Zhao was not one with a straightforwardly fierce character, yet he dared to refuse so directly. Even if he looked down on him now, was he not afraid of the future him?

So, it probably was a prince backing him up!

"Although Your Highness is noble as a prince, shouldn't accusations be made without basis?" Grandmaster Zhao's face turned sullen, clearly prepared to deny it firmly.

"If I were to go to Lord Qi and accuse you, would I still need evidence?"

Lin Yue smiled a little, then said, "You, as a Minister Elder, surely know that the eldest son was harmed by Prince Cheng. Not remembering this enmity but instead aiding the villain... oh, being an accomplice, what do you think Lord Qi would think? What would the Qi Family think?"

Baili Fengzhi listened, feeling somewhat puzzled.

Did His Highness intend to threaten a Minister Elder with such baseless claims?

How could that be possible?

Sure enough, Grandmaster Zhao furrowed his brow, took a deep breath, and said, "If Your Highness insists on saying so, I cannot and dare not stop you. So please, feel free."

"It seems Prince Cheng did offer quite a lot, quite resolute indeed." Lin Yue clicked his tongue, "Well, you probably all believe that Lord Qi's time is nearing, nothing to fear anymore, finding the right person to align with is the key."

"Your Highness, watch your words."

Grandmaster Zhao furrowed his brows, stood up, "I have some urgent matters to attend to. If there is nothing else, Your Highness, please excuse me from accompanying further."

After speaking, he walked towards the back room.

"Grandmaster Zhao, are you sure you want to leave?"

Suddenly, Lin Yue's jovial voice came from behind him, "If I have someone forcibly keep you here and push you to your limit, would you end up using the 'Sword Heartless' secret technique?"

The words 'Sword Heartless' caused Grandmaster Zhao's footsteps to halt abruptly, his body becoming somewhat rigid.

Baili Fengzhi was taken aback.

Lin Yue did not continue speaking, merely watching Grandmaster Zhao with a smile on his lips.

Grandmaster Zhao slowly turned around, silently looking at Lin Yue, with an indescribable shock in his eyes.

"""