Xia Jing's breath caught for a moment.
It was an elegantly written yet unmistakably clear cursive character: "two."
Second.
Rain.
Send his second brother a downpour.
"Heh."
A faint, cold chuckle slipped from Xia Jing's throat.
What gall!
This was no longer a hint. It was an open conspiracy, an invitation, and a pledge of allegiance all at once.
Gu Shen had not only understood his "think it over"; in an instant, he had also figured out where Xia Jing stood—and even turned around to test him.
The young man who had burst onto the Imperial Court and stirred up the capital with his thunderous methods had more wit and courage than Xia Jing had ever expected.
At first, Xia Jing had simply found this Chess Piece interesting. He had wanted to make a casual move and see how Gu Shen would handle the pressure from Second Prince Xia Yuan. He had never expected that this Chess Piece would not only withstand the pressure, but grow hands and feet of his own, trying to leap off the board and sit at the same table as the Chess Player.
Xia Jing rose and paced around the Study Room.
The fine Persian carpet beneath his feet did nothing to soften his steps. Each one seemed to land on someone's heart.
Work with Gu Shen?
The risk was enormous.
If Gu Shen's plan were exposed, Xia Jing, his "secret ally," would certainly be dragged into it. What his father loathed most was princes forming factions and currying favor with court officials.
But the rewards... were just as staggering.
Second Brother Xia Yuan had always been a thorn in his side. He had disguised himself too well: gentle and refined, respectful of the worthy, with more than half the civil officials in court looking