738: The First Strike (Part One) [Monthly Passes, Please]

"What? Ganzhou's granary?"

Shen Tang's voice shot up several pitches. Even Ning Yan outside the room could hear her. Though Shen Tang had weathered countless storms, she couldn't keep her expression from cracking. It wasn't that she lacked composure; it was just that Xie Qi's move was utterly unexpected.

She immediately lowered her voice and asked, "Is this really true?"

"Absolutely. I'm willing to stake my head on it, Lord Shen." This was Xie Qi's greatest political bargaining chip. He had originally kept it in reserve for a rainy day, but plans never kept pace with change. At least now it could be put to use—making the best of what he had.

Shen Tang didn't look particularly pleased.

Her brows seemed to draw together as she set down the object in her hand. "Zheng Qiao is so wary. It's unlikely he truly trusts anyone. Shi Cang, aren't you worried this is a smokescreen he deliberately laid? He let your family leave of his own accord. That in itself is suspicious."

Xie Qi was taken aback. "Does Lord Shen suspect me?"

Shen Tang hurriedly waved her hands and explained, "No, no, no, that's not what I mean. I wouldn't dare boast of having an infallible eye, but I haven't misjudged anyone over the years. I trust Shi Cang's character, and I'm glad you're willing to confide in me... It's just that Zheng Qiao is devious, so we can't let our guard down. He really could use Shi Cang to scheme against me. We mustn't take this lightly."

Xie Qi heard her out and calmed down, breaking into a cold sweat.

Shen Tang's concerns weren't unfounded.

It was exactly the sort of thing Zheng Qiao would do.

That bastard loved to scatter a handful of bait and lure fat fish onto the