A show of weakness.
Weakness in strength.
Whether by intention or circumstance, the Xiao Family would draw covetous eyes from all sides, with troubles coming one after another.
Just like the Liu Family of Jingzhou and the Zhu Family to which Zhu Hao and Zhu Lingchuan belonged, striking at the Xiao Family openly and in secret.
Just like the Shu Provincial Administration, the Commander's Office, and the Surveillance Commissioner's Office, outwardly complying while secretly obstructing every Xiao Family affair, great or small.
Even most of the Imperial Court's dignitaries in Capital Prefecture did not stand on the Xiao Family's side.
Chen Yi had a vague grasp of the reasons, but he was still missing one main cause.
Or rather, all along, he had overlooked one person's intentions—His Majesty, the reigning emperor.
In this world, imperial authority was, after all, bestowed by Heaven.
His Majesty reigned supreme within the Imperial City, looking down upon the realm. A single word from him could decide the life or death of its countless subjects.
Then was the Xiao Family's plight connected to the sovereign within Capital Prefecture's Imperial City?
The answer spoke for itself.
If that man stood on the Xiao Family's side, even if he merely spoke one fair word, their situation ought to have been far better than it was.
Seen in that light, the White Tiger Guard's schemes in Shuzhou, deliberately or otherwise stirring up disputes to make trouble for the Xiao Family, all made sense.
Chen Yi even understood why the White Tiger Guard had targeted him and Chen Yunfan.
—Use "his" hand to steer the Xiao Family.
—Use Chen Yunfan to control Shuzhou.
*"Someone as proud and learned as 'I' was, crushed for five long years, would surely clutch at this straw upon finally escaping, even if 'I' was