After the court session ended, Hu Jie returned to his residence, with Nangong Wenqing following close behind.
Nangong Wenqing was the clan leader of the Jiangnan Nangong Clan. The Nangong Clan held a pivotal position among the Jiangnan Aristocratic Families, and the many clans of Jiangnan all looked to them to lead the way.
It was thanks to Nangong Wenqing's help that Hu Jie had been able to bring such a vast power as the Jiangnan Aristocratic Families under his command with ease.
So ever since pledging himself to Hu Jie, Nangong Wenqing had been one of Hu Jie's most trusted confidants.
Only after returning to his residence did Hu Jie turn to Nangong Wenqing and say, "Uncle Nangong, after the court session, you said there was something important to discuss!"
"Now that we're at my private residence, with no ears in the walls, speak freely. What is it?"
Nangong Wenqing's expression was grave. "May I ask, Marshal, was what you said in the palace today true? Did a Peerless Powerhouse really come to your aid?"
"Uncle Nangong, what I said in the palace wasn't entirely true."
Nangong Wenqing had always been his trusted confidant, so Hu Jie no longer hid anything from him and answered honestly.
"Then what was true, and what was false?"
There was a note of urgency in Nangong Wenqing's voice.
Hu Jie looked at him in surprise. "Uncle Nangong, why are you in such a hurry?"
"Marshal, it's not that I'm in a hurry. You nearly lost your life, and the circumstances are far too suspicious."
"According to our original plan, you would use yourself as bait, then escape by means of the golden cicada shedding its shell, striking a crippling blow against the Great Li Royal Army."
"The plan should have been flawless. Yet