Two young and handsome men, each with the demeanor of a noble young master, were staring wide-eyed at each other, neither expecting the other to be here. "Shouzhe, didn’t you say you weren’t going to be involved in this mission planning phase?" The slightly older handsome man, Chen Fangjie, the Young Clan Leader of the Chen Family, said awkwardly. "I was worried, so I came to take a look. But you, Brother Chen," Wang Shouzhe touched his nose, suppressing the urge to hit someone, "why are you here? Could it be..." "Misunderstanding, a real misunderstanding." Chen Fangjie was sweating profusely and quickly explained, "First, we needed someone to play the role of a noble young master from a powerful family in Shouzhe’s plan. I couldn’t find a suitable candidate and thought the challenge was interesting, so I took on the role myself. Second, alright, I’ll be honest. I heard from Fanghua that Miss Luoxian is as beautiful as a celestial immortal, like an exiled immortal descending to the mortal world. I was curious, so I joined this mission to broaden my horizons." "Hehe~ Let me ask first, before deciding." Wang Shouzhe believed him mostly, observing Chen’s expressions and words, then turned to Wang Mei, "Wang Mei, tell the truth, did this young master act disrespectfully towards you?" "Reporting to the Patriarch," Wang Mei said seriously, "when this young master first saw me, he seemed mesmerized for about three seconds before turning away and dared not look again. Aside from that, he did nothing disrespectful." Upon hearing this, Chen Fangjie finally breathed a sigh of relief, proving his innocence. Otherwise, one wouldn’t know what future brother-in-law Wang Shouzhe might have done. However, he was soon stunned and said in surprise, "Wang Mei? Could this be Miss Luoxian’s real name? She’s actually Shouzhe’s subordinate, possibly a Wang Family General?" "Hehe, so what if she’s my Wang Family General?" Wang Shouzhe half-smilingly retorted, "What, does the ’brother-in-law’ wish for my Wang Family to send a general as dowry?" "Absolutely not, absolutely not." Chen Fangjie was shocked, breaking into a cold sweat, and hurriedly said with hands clasped, "Please don’t misunderstand, I, Chen Fangjie, can swear by the heavens, my heart for Luoyi is as clear as day and earth. I won’t have divided loyalties or waver like the wind." A solemn oath from Young Clan Leader is no trivial matter, showing how urgent the situation was for him. Seeing he had pressed enough, Wang Shouzhe laughed and cupped his hands, saying, "I naturally trust Brother Chen’s character. Please, have a seat. Wang Mei, serve the tea." Wang Shouzhe sat down first, displaying an air of host-like demeanor. Chen Fangjie wiped a non-existent bead of sweat from his forehead, thanked Shouzhe, and returned the gesture. He then seated himself opposite Wang Shouzhe. Only then did he feel something amiss – wasn’t he supposed to be the host of this boat? How did the roles reverse so easily? Wang Mei, graceful as a descending celestial, akin to a noble daughter from a celestial human family, obediently brewed tea, her movements elegant and tranquil, exuding a unique charm. "Patriarch, please enjoy the tea. Young Master Chen, please enjoy the tea." Their dialogue had already indicated to her that the slightly older young master present was indeed the Chen Family’s Young Clan Leader, and the future husband of Miss Luoyi. He was quite handsome, with extraordinary presence, but he still fell short compared to the Patriarch. As she poured the tea, she silently made that assessment. "Shouzhe, when did you acquire such a remarkable general?" Chen Fangjie asked, finally calming down after sipping some tea, but unable to curb his curiosity, "Excelling in both looks and demeanor, I can’t even see through her cultivation. I mean no offense, it’s just quite unbelievable." Not seeing through the cultivation was intentional, otherwise the Little Spirit Jade Pendant – the Concealing Breath Pendant, bought by Wang Shouzhe for a thousand Qian Gold, would’ve been a waste. Originally, Wang Shouzhe intended to use it to conceal his own cultivation. But it served far better when used by Wang Mei. Everything else could be disguised, but the aura of cultivation wasn’t easy to fake. Just imagine, how could a noble lady from a prestigious family only possess a third-layer Qi Refining Realm cultivation? "Brother Chen," Wang Shouzhe said with a smile, "have you heard curiosity killed the cat? Perhaps you should ask my sister?" "I wouldn’t dare, absolutely wouldn’t dare." At that moment, despite his curiosity, Chen Fangjie couldn’t ask Wang Luoyi. Even with incredible bravery, he dared not. "Brother Chen, your vessel is not bad." Wang Shouzhe glanced around, smiling, "This boat is luxurious and high-end, oh, there’s even a bedroom over there. Tsk tsk, Brother Chen, you lead quite the carefree life." "Please, Shouzhe, stop teasing." Chen Fangjie helplessly smiled, "If I dared to craft such a luxury houseboat for my own use, my father would’ve broken my legs long ago." He realized for the first time how sharp his future brother-in-law’s words were, often hiding a knife in them. "This boat is borrowed from the Little Master of the Tantai Family of the King of Eastern Sea." "The one from East Sea Guard, known as the Tantai Family of the King of the Eastern Sea?" Wang Shouzhe was intrigued, "Brother Chen, you have quite extensive connections, being able to associate with even the young master of the Tantai Family." Compared to the remote Hundred Islands Guard, the neighboring East Sea Guard often interacted with the Changning Guard. One of the most famous families in East Sea Guard was the Tantai Family of the King of the Eastern Sea, said to have a fleet that dominated the East Sea with unparalleled might. Although East Port Chen Family was doing well, it could not compare in scale and strength with the King of the Eastern Sea. Chen Fangjie composed himself and thoughtfully said, "I met that young master during a joint operation to eliminate a group of pirates." "That young master from the Tantai Family is exceptionally talented, greatly favored by the ancestors of the Tantai Family. However, he is ultimately the second legitimate son in the direct lineage. As per the Black Tortoise Clan’s rules, the eldest is always prioritized over the younger." "Yet this young master, being talented and ambitious, doesn’t want to live his life as just another steward of a family estate. Thus, he’s generous, making wide connections, and establishing an extensive network. He will likely form his own branch family in the future. This vessel is merely one of his rides on the Inner River, unused at the time, so I borrowed it." As Chen Fangjie spoke softly, some of the causes and effects became clearer. The East Port Chen Family, overall, is much smaller than the Eastern Sea Tantai Family. However, a future prospect of having three Spirit Platforms is already faintly becoming apparent, and as the Young Clan Leader of the Chen Family, Chen Fangjie’s personal character, talent, and abilities are excellent, with unlimited future prospects. Having had the experience of fighting together and with both parties meeting their needs, naturally comes collusion, no, collaboration, no, it counts as intimate association. "Brother Chen, is your plan this time directly impersonating Young Master Tantai?" Wang Shouzhe raised an eyebrow, smiling, and said, "Do you need to play it so big? I was merely writing a letter to Brother Chen earlier to find a clan member to impersonate a seller from a certain power in the East Sea. It’s just a matter of selling a wave of grains, why such a fuss?" "Since Shouzhe, you wrote such a formal letter asking me to handle matters, how dare I neglect?" Chen Fangjie said with a smile, "Now that this phase of the plan has been entrusted to me, I have my own considerations on how to execute it and do it better. You shouldn’t thank me too much, just speak well of me in front of Luoyi after things are done. Also, during my wedding, have mercy while drinking." "Moreover, it seems Luoxian is supposed to impersonate Miss Zhong from the Hundred Islands Guard, isn’t she? To have the qualification to conduct major trades with the Zhong Family, it would most likely be a formidable noble family. Additionally, the identity of the King of the Eastern Sea would make the plan proceed more smoothly." Wang Shouzhe touched his chin, musing for a moment, "Would impersonating the King of the Eastern Sea descendants pose any risk?" "It’s merely conducting a transaction in line with Daqian Law with two nouveau riche lower-rank noble families, what risk could there be?" Chen Fangjie said confidently, with an imposing attitude, "Not to mention, Tantai Heyu wouldn’t know. Even if they knew, they would just laugh it off. Would the Liu Family or the Zhao Family actually dare to seek verification from the Celestial Human Family? But Shouzhe, you utilized the situation so skillfully, laying such a delicate trap to bury the Zhao Family and Liu Family together, this foolish brother is greatly impressed." This is one of the reasons why Chen Fangjie placed such emphasis and effort after receiving Wang Shouzhe’s letters. Yet he couldn’t figure out, where did Wang Shouzhe get so much grain? All evidence suggests that this future brother-in-law is probably not someone who can be measured lightly, and the Ping’an Wang Family under his leadership is very likely to prosper. Chen Fangjie naturally is happy to see the Wang Family’s prosperity. With the depth of the alliance between them, they are undoubtedly natural allies. "That’s only because the Liu Family and Zhao Family themselves are unrighteous, giving me an opportunity to exploit. In this, Shouzhe must thank Brother Chen personally for his support." Wang Shouzhe toasted with tea instead of wine. "Mutual support, mutual support." Chen Fangjie returned the courtesy and said with a smile, "Next year around this time, you’ll have to start calling me differently, we’ll be all one family, Shouzhe don’t be too polite." "Then I won’t be polite, I’ll have Brother Chen step out, I have some confidential matters to discuss with Household General Wang Mei." Wang Shouzhe lifted his hand holding the tea, looking like he was issuing a guest expulsion order. Really so unceremonious, considering this is a borrowed ship. However, as the carefully nurtured Young Clan Leader of the Chen Family, he is ultimately a person of patience and grace, reluctantly clasped his hands and said: "This foolish brother happens to feel somewhat uneasy internally, I’ll go catch some air, Shouzhe please go ahead." With that, Chen Fangjie left the pavilion and went to the foredeck. Even in summer, the night wind in Anjiang is still somewhat chilly. Chen Fangjie occasionally glanced towards the pavilion, secretly becoming suspicious. Shouzhe coming here in the middle of the night to discuss confidential matters with Wang Mei, and even specially asked him to step out. Chen Fangjie’s heart skipped a beat, no way, right? A voice inside said, why not, that Wang Mei with such exceptional elegance, resembling an exiled immortal, her every word and slight frown makes one inadvertently feel that she has extraordinary origins. Such a brilliantly beautiful woman, her aura so deeply concealed, is not one that could be nurtured by an ordinary family, how could she be a Wang Family General? To think Wang Shouzhe, even fabricated a mediocre general’s name —— Wang Mei! Isn’t that intentionally hiding something? Meeting secretly in the middle of the night? The night wind disheveled Chen Fangjie’s hairstyle somewhat. Shouzhe, oh Shouzhe, don’t act rashly. If Miss Liua came to know, it would be a major issue.