Though his tone remained respectful, there were now barbs hidden beneath the softness of his words, utterly unlike his former cautious flattery. He had changed!
Some could not accept this attitude. Meng Xuan flew into a rage.
Seeing this, Long Xiu swiftly raised a hand to stop him, not allowing him to push his words too far. He feared that if the words were made too absolute, both sides would be left unable to back down and would have to lock horns to the bitter end. Now was not the time to take things that far.
Meng Xuan caught the meaning and forcibly swallowed the words that had reached his lips.
Guan Fangyi was secretly alarmed. She realized that Niu Youdao was becoming ever more forceful.
Long Xiu changed the subject. "Niu Youdao, first make your affairs with Dawn Moon Pavilion clear. What exactly is going on between you and Dawn Moon Pavilion?"
Niu Youdao said, "I had no choice but to cooperate with Dawn Moon Pavilion. Back then, who was vigorously attacking Thatched Cottage Manor? Everyone knew perfectly well. Had I not cooperated with Dawn Moon Pavilion, I would not have lived until now. Yet once I reached the Capital City, that person tried to murder me again!"
Seeing how he kept dragging Shang Jianxiong into the matter, Long Xiu did not take the bait and continued asking about Dawn Moon Pavilion. "They protected your safety on the condition that you would use Southern Prefecture's forces to suppress Zhao Kingdom and aid their uprising?"
No matter what the truth was, Niu Youdao admitted it. "That's right."
Long Xiu asked, "What do they intend by raising troops?"
Niu Youdao said, "They should be seeking to replace Zhao Kingdom."
Meng Xuan sneered. "What a joke. Do they think Zhao Kingdom will