You're the one who wants to marry a mistress, and I'm marrying someone else, yet you still

Chapter 118 The Methods of Grand Tutor Lou

However, because his plan failed, Xiao Yan sent Lou Yao back to the Lou family mansion not long afterward. He told the outside world that Lou Yao missed her family, but Lou Yao cried and made a scene as soon as she returned to the Lou family mansion.

"I don't miss home at all. It's obvious that he has changed his mind and doesn't love me anymore."

Lou Yao was unaware of the private affairs between her elder brother and Xiao Yan. She only felt that Xiao Yan was different from before and no longer loved her.

Lou Li knew that Xiao Yan was taking his anger out on his sister because she refused to submit and because she had provoked him.

But those people were arranged by him. Xiao Yan was nothing except for the title of the Third Prince. He wanted to make him understand that without Lou Li, Xiao Yan could not have ascended to that position.

However, Lou Yao's outburst made him feel sorry for his sister, so he immediately went to find Xiao Yan.

"Snapped!"

A plan landed heavily on Lou Li's face, and Xiao Yan gripped Lou Li's collar tightly.

"Do you think that just because you don't help me, I can't get what I want? I am the Emperor's son, the Third Prince of the Great Zhou Dynasty, and that will never change. Today, the Emperor has granted me five hundred soldiers. I only need to proceed slowly and gradually increase my prestige so that the world can see that I, Xiao Yan, am the most suitable ruler for that position. As for you... heh heh."

Xiao Yan chuckled softly.

"You will be a useless person who has chosen the wrong master."

After saying this, Xiao Yan released the person and was about to leave when he heard a contemptuous laugh from behind him.

"So Your Highness has already got Xie Wanru under control? She probably doesn't know that you were the one who had her third brother kidnapped. If I tell her, do you think she'll believe me?"

Lou Li sneered.

They all knew that Xie Wanru had gone to the Northern Border, and that it was Xie Wanru who had rescued Xie Yanting. However, Xie Wanru probably didn't know that they were the ones behind it all.

Because both he and Xiao Yan were very cautious, the people they sent out were unaware of their identities.

"If you dare to say it, just wait for your Lou family to be implicated as well, and we'll all die together. Lou Li, we're all in the same boat."

Xiao Yan showed no fear whatsoever; instead, he laughed wildly.

If Xie Wanru hadn't been reborn, she truly wouldn't have known. But since Xie Wanru was secretly reborn, she knew without Lou Li telling her.

Lou Li didn't expect that after being slapped by Xiao Yan, he would turn around and return to the Lou family, only to be slapped again by Grand Tutor Lou.

“You unfilial son, if you ruin your master’s plans, you’re dead.”

Grand Tutor Lou's face turned red with anger.

Lou Li, who was beaten senseless, had blood seeping from the corner of his mouth. He couldn't understand why his father was as cowardly as that other person.

“Father, my cooperation with Xiao Yan has nothing to do with the master, and no one will suspect anything.”

Lou Li dared not question his father, because he had indeed acted somewhat willfully and recklessly this time.

"Unrelated? Ha! Our Lou family put in so much effort to establish even a small connection with the Northern Barbarians, and you've used it all up with this mess? And you still say it's unrelated? If there's a next time, will the Northern Barbarians still cooperate with us? Are you a brainless idiot?"

Grand Tutor Lou was still furious. He had been recuperating at the villa these days, accompanying his so-called "master." Lou Li had done everything without asking him first. By the time he found out, the Northern Barbarians had already withdrawn their troops.

"Father, rest assured, the Northern Barbarians have not suffered any losses this time. As long as we can continue to guarantee the sale of their cattle, sheep and horses, provide them with a stable grain trade and processed goods, they will help us again next time."

Even though spring had arrived and flowers were in bloom, Lou Li felt his hands and feet were ice cold. His father only had eyes for that "master," and if anything happened to that master, everything he had done would be ruined.

"Father, I only wanted the Lou family to become the head of the four major families, so that I could better assist our master. I didn't expect Xie Wanru to rescue them so easily..."

Grand Tutor Lou chuckled, interrupting Lou Li's almost useless explanation, "So what? You haven't even had time to pretend to be her ally? Do you think Xie Wanru will believe you just because of a few words? Li'er, do you think that just because you told her that the mysterious person was your man, that you deliberately leaked the information, she would believe that you are on her side? Heh, and do you think that just because you pledged your loyalty to the Xie family, the Emperor would trust you? Heh, you underestimate our Emperor."

Grand Tutor Lou's question left Lou Li speechless, but he truly hadn't expected Xie Wanru to find the person so quickly. He hadn't even had a chance to mention the matter to His Majesty before Xie Wanru found him.

His plan did indeed fail, and fail miserably.

But despite his scolding, after scolding Lou Taifu, he pulled Lou Li up, straightened Lou Li's robes, and once again appeared as a loving father.

"Master, don't be in a hurry, and don't be too anxious either. We just need to watch them fight amongst themselves, preferably to the death, until they are childless and their lineage is wiped out."

Lou Taifu's eyes were filled with intense hatred.

He is a patient and composed man, not in a hurry to seize power. How could he possibly achieve this with just a few small skirmishes? These children are too naive.

Lou Li listened silently to his father's teachings. Only after Grand Tutor Lou finished speaking did he look up into his father's deep eyes.

Lou Taifu's eyes held a thirst for power and an obsession with the past, which made Lou Taifu feel both awe and a sense of unfamiliarity.

At this moment, Lou Li suddenly realized that although he was named the son of the Lou family, he was in reality just a pawn on his father's chessboard. Every move he made had to be precise, or he would end up like this today.

Sometimes... they even fight more fiercely.

“Father, I understand. But Xiao Yan is becoming increasingly arrogant. If we don’t get rid of him soon, he may become a great threat. Yao’er… shouldn’t have married him.”

Lou Li said in a low voice, his tone carrying a hint of resentment and determination.

Upon hearing this, Grand Tutor Lou's lips curled into a cold smile, and a ruthless glint flashed in his eyes.

"Xiao Yan? He's nothing but a clown. Your sister is infatuated with a man like that, she deserves it! Our real enemies are those who lurk in the shadows, eyeing the throne. Remember, what our Lou family wants is never just the head of the four great families. As for Xiao Yan, if he obeys, we'll spare his life; otherwise, we'll make him a stepping stone for us to ascend the throne."

Lou Li was shocked upon hearing this. He had never imagined that his father had such great ambitions, even to the point of sacrificing everything to achieve his goals.

"Li'er, those who achieve great things do not concern themselves with trifles, do you understand?"

At this moment, Grand Tutor Lou transformed into a ruthless devil once again.

Lou Li thought about it again and realized that this was also his own wish.

He craved power, wanted to prove himself, and longed for everyone to know that Lou Li was the one who could lead the Lou family to glory.

"Son, I obey."

Lou Li lowered his head respectfully, his eyes gleaming with determination.