97: Chapter 0097 You've Been Exposed

Upon hearing this, Su Wansha's beautiful eyes sparkled. "What is it?"

Lin Xiao whispered a few words in her ear, and the woman's expression grew more surprised as she listened.

"You think... I can do it?"

"Of course. Your father is in the intelligence business; you definitely have the genes for it."

"What are genes?"

"It means inheritance."

Su Wansha raised her pretty face proudly, her tender, fair swan-like neck appearing even more slender and alluring.

"Fine, this young lady will reluctantly cooperate and put on a show with you..."

"You little vixen!"

After a few cups of wine, Lin Xiao's spirits rose. He pulled the woman close, intending to have his way with her.

However, Su Wansha hurriedly pushed him away and shook her head.

"What's wrong? You're unwilling?"

Lin Xiao asked. It didn't make sense; the woman had clearly been moved just now, her eyes looking like she wanted to devour him!

"Our bodies are gifts from our parents. If you can convince my father and mother, then even without a formal status, I... I will follow your every whim."

After Su Wansha finished speaking, she stepped to the side. Her delicate face held a hint of persistence.

Lin Xiao smiled. Convince Su Chang and his wife? Wouldn't that require a formal status anyway?

But what Su Wansha said made sense. Her situation was different from Xiao Qingxuan and Mu Wanying; she had to consider her family's feelings.

"Alright then, tonight we'll just eat and drink without any wandering hands."

Hearing this, Su Wansha was deeply moved.

In truth, with Lin Xiao's current strength and status, nothing would happen even if he simply took possession of her.

Therefore, Lin Xiao's respect for her thoughts was especially precious, showing that he truly cared for her.

"This humble girl shall pour wine for the General..."

"Save it, I'll do it myself... Tempting me without letting me eat, how dull!"

"Pfft..."

Su Wansha couldn't help but laugh. It took several soft words of coaxing to soothe Lin Xiao's feigned anger.

Meanwhile.

In a small courtyard near the Zhenbei Generals Mansion, someone else was drinking gloomily.

Qi Wenjun, a former garrison general of the Mu Family Army and the adopted son of General Mu Tiexin.

Now, he was the Deputy Commander of the White Kings Army's Secret Guards.

Ever since General Mu Tiexin had publicly opposed the decree to reduce the vassals' power in the great hall, Qi Wenjun felt that the situation was taking a turn for the worse.

He had secretly colluded with Prince Bai's Retainers early on, escaped the purge of the Mu Family Army, and joined the White Kings Army.

Qi Wenjun felt he had done nothing wrong; a fine bird chooses its tree.

The Mu Family was going down, and he certainly couldn't just stand by and become a stray dog.

But after joining the White Kings Army, Qi Wenjun never had the chance to become a general leading troops; he could only perform shady dealings.

This time, he was ordered to come to Baishui City to feign a defection and infiltrate the Zhenbei Army, which was a massive opportunity.

As long as he performed his duties well, Prince Bai promised to let him command troops again, so he would no longer have to be a rat in the dark.

The problem was... things had gotten off to a bad start!

"Unreasonable... That bitch Mu Wanying didn't give me any face at all!?"

"Even for me to return to the Mu Family Army, she has to ask Lin Xiao? Humph!"

Qi Wenjun's expression was dark, but there was nothing he could do. To gain trust, he had to keep trying.

"Forget it. Tomorrow I'll go to the military camp, find General Wu Jinzhe, and have him put in a good word for me..."

The next day.

When Qi Wenjun stepped out early in the morning, he noticed something was off.

Based on his experience over the past two years, someone was likely shadowing him in secret.

Dammit! Had he been exposed?

No, if he were exposed, they would have just made a move. Why bother following him?

They must be suspicious but lack evidence!

Exactly, he must not show any weakness!

Qi Wenjun walked to the military camp as usual. Although he saw General Wu Jinzhe, the other man was very busy.

The two shared some warm pleasantries and agreed to have a drink together that evening.

Qi Wenjun found that everything seemed normal, and the weight in his heart lifted.

Even though someone was tailing him all day, it was also an opportunity to prove his "innocence."

In the evening, General Wu Jinzhe specially hosted a banquet at Baiyu Pavilion.

Several veterans of the Mu Family Army also attended, chatting enthusiastically with Qi Wenjun.

The group of Mu Family Army soldiers loudly praised Lin Xiao's bravery and how the Zhenbei Army was flourishing...

Qi Wenjun agreed verbally, but in his heart, he was full of disdain.

A mere twenty or thirty thousand troops—Prince Bai just hadn't taken them seriously. If the Prince ever decided to launch a campaign in anger, wouldn't they be wiped out in an instant?

He wouldn't be so foolish as to join such a ragtag army. Once his mission was done, he would leave immediately!

The third day.

The Zhenbei Army and the citizens of the entire city gathered before the monument.

Tens of thousands of people saw off the heroes who had died in battle, with the sounds of sobbing rising and falling.

Qi Wenjun felt somewhat sentimental watching this, secretly remarking that Lin Xiao's methods for winning people's hearts were indeed clever.

However... he didn't want his name carved on a stone tablet! He wanted to live until the end!!

After the memorial ceremony for the heroic spirits, Qi Wenjun returned to the courtyard where he lived.

Strangely enough, when he went out this morning, the people following him had disappeared.

But to avoid showing any flaws, he still tried his best not to go out.

Not long after, a knock came from outside the courtyard.

"General Qi, it's me..."

Qi Wenjun went to open the door and found it was the Old Butler from the Generals Mansion.

"General Qi, Madam Mu asked me to come and see if you lack anything."

"Oh, my life is very simple, I don't lack anything. Butler, you can go back. Just say that I only wish to return to the Mu Family Army as soon as possible!"

Qi Wenjun was about to close the door when the Old Butler suddenly said in a cold voice—

"You are exposed! You fool!"

Qi Wenjun's whole body jolted, but he quickly put on a look of bewilderment.

"Butler, what are you saying?"

"Deputy Commander of the White Kings Army's Secret Guards..."

The Old Butler narrowed his eyes and said, "Am I right?"

A flash of killing intent instantly appeared in Qi Wenjun's eyes, but he soon thought of something.

"You... are also one of His Highness's people?"

"Let's go inside before we talk!"

At the Old Butler's reminder, Qi Wenjun hurriedly welcomed him into the courtyard.

Qi Wenjun's expression shifted uncertainly. "Who exactly are you?"

"You don't have the right to know who I am yet. I only ask you, if this continues, how do you plan to complete Prince Bai's mission!?"

Qi Wenjun didn't answer; he still couldn't be sure of the Old Butler's identity.

"Aside from anything else, Lin Xiao already suspects you. If I hadn't stepped in, you would have been assassinated today. Do you know that!?" the Old Butler said with glaring eyes.

Qi Wenjun finally realized. "So the reason no one followed me today was that you helped me in secret?"

"Wait, where did I expose myself? Lin Xiao doesn't have evidence, yet he dares to try and kill me?"

The Old Butler sneered. "Lin Xiao is a ruthless man. If he doesn't trust you, he doesn't need evidence. He'll kill you and then blame it on the Imperial Court or Prince Bai!"

Just then, the Old Butler made a gesture for silence.

With that, he leaped over the courtyard wall with a swiftness that didn't belong to an old man.

When he jumped back in, he was holding a person who had been knocked unconscious.

Qi Wenjun looked at the "handsome young man" and his gaze froze. "Isn't this... the owner of that restaurant?"

"Her name is Su Wansha, and she belongs to Lin Xiao. Yesterday, when General Wu Jinzhe and the others called you to Baiyu Pavilion, it was to get you drunk and trick you into talking."

"The people tracking you were also arranged by Su Wansha. She is Lin Xiao's intelligence scout."

The Old Butler said with a look of displeasure, "You have too many flaws; it's impossible for you to complete the mission. Leave quickly!"

Qi Wenjun panicked. Fortunately, he had been cautious last night and didn't get drunk.

"Sir, I can't leave. If I leave, what if something goes wrong with Prince Bai's iron ore trade with the Qiang Tribe!?"

Qi Wenjun said with a tearful face, "If I go back like this, I'll lose my head! You have to help me find a way!"