Western Xia Won't Take the Blame (Seeking Recommendations and Collections!)

Great Xiangguo Temple was exactly where Xu Yue had "accidentally encountered" Huang Shang.

Later, after Xu Yue bought the painting, Chen Sheng chased after her. Following a brief confrontation, he was left with his limbs stiffened by frost and collapsed.

However, Xu Yue knew how to temper her actions; unless they were heinous villains, Reincarnators generally did not kill at will.

There was no need for such things; giving the other party a lesson and letting them suffer a severe illness was enough.

Yet, Chen Sheng died later on.

At the time, the attention of both Xu Yue and Xu Feng was entirely focused on Huang Shang, so they did not investigate until they went to confirm the cause of his death not long ago.

Chen Sheng had drowned.

He had been pushed into the Golden Water River and drowned.

Clearly, the murderer who killed him had been watching from the shadows all along.

The Chen family had previously been involved in the underworld and still retained their bandit-like temperament; now that a promising child of their own was gone, they would certainly seek revenge.

This was a case of using someone else's blade to kill.

Xu Feng had already suspected Cai Jing, and now that the other party had mentioned Great Xiangguo Temple, it served as concrete proof.

Xu Feng immediately sent a message to Xu Yue, but her voice on the other end remained calm: "Keep Cai Jing for now; he is still useful."

Reincarnators had no need for so-called evidence in their work. If it were up to Xu Feng, he would have snapped the neck of this future treacherous minister long ago, but Xu Yue clearly had different ideas.

"The current Cai Jing is just a small fry; eliminating him wouldn't mean much. Since Han Zhongyan allowed this group of radical scholars to spread rumors and slander, let him taste that bitterness himself!"

Xu Feng nodded excitedly: "Right, let's go straight for the Han Clan!"

This was not merely a dispute of pride; the two had long-term plans.

It was not just about this imperial examination, but also subsequent promotions and even the reform that would follow shortly.

If the Great Song were to rise, two points were essential: first, a pro-war stance, and second, reform.

Yet, Han Qi was an obstacle to both.

As a remnant of the aristocratic families, the Xiangzhou Han Clan was the greatest opponent of all.

If they could topple the Xiangzhou Han Clan, it would be a heavy blow to the stubborn ruling class.

Of course, this was very difficult.

Han Qi held power over the entire court and had the merit of supporting the next generation of the emperor; if they relied solely on Huang Shang, it would be nearly impossible.

Therefore, this entire process was a stage for the Reincarnators.

As the saying goes, only by creating conflict could Reincarnators fully display their skills.

Xu Yue added: "Stop guarding outside the Han residence; come to the East Gate of the Imperial City."

Xu Feng asked: "What's wrong?"

"Western Xia has been taking the blame for so long; it's finally time for them to live up to the reputation!"

"These days, experts from Western Xia Yipintang have been entering Kaifeng in batches, and many Western Xia spies have been reactivated. This is a sign of a major move."

Perched on a large tree outside the imperial palace, Xu Yue pointed toward Qingning Palace: "Emperor Renzong of Song is dying, and Emperor Yingzong will succeed him. He is very likely the target of Western Xia."

Xu Yue knew quite a bit about history. Although she could not remember the exact years of the emperors' deaths, she knew that Emperor Renzong of Song passed away the year after Bao Zheng died.

The Liao Kingdom was one thing; they did not want Emperor Renzong of Song to die and trigger another war, but Western Xia was different.

After the death of Li Yuanhao, the military strength of Western Xia was no longer at its peak, and they suffered both victories and defeats in border skirmishes. It was undoubtedly extremely difficult to defeat the Great Song on the main battlefield.

But the son of Li Yuanhao remained ambitious, hoping to trample the Central Plains with his cavalry, or at the very least, occupy vast, fertile lands like the Liao Kingdom so they would never have to worry about food and clothing again.

Xu Feng understood: "Emperor Renzong has no sons. Once the crown prince meets with an accident, the Great Song will fall into chaos. If Western Xia sends troops then, their chances of breaking through will be much higher. Sister, is this being pushed by the Reincarnators on the other side?"

Xu Yue nodded: "Nine times out of ten!"

Reincarnators were not skilled at leading armies in war, but they loved individual assassinations.

Assassinating a crown prince and changing the course of history could yield massive rewards, and by establishing great merit within the Western Xia faction, they could better utilize the power of the plot. Naturally, some would be happy to do it.

Just as Xu Yue was about to say something, she suddenly looked behind her.

Two figures, one black and one white, drifted out; Wu Que and Nightingale had also arrived in the tree.

Wu Que was dressed in flowing white, while Nightingale had donned her black cloak once again.

The former got straight to the point: "With Western Xia invading, we can form an alliance."

Xu Yue narrowed her eyes, and Xu Feng clenched his fists: "Are you out of your mind?"

Wu Que was not annoyed: "Everyone has their own expertise. When it comes to finding spies, a bottle of Truth Serum from Nightingale is more effective than any interrogation. That is the first point."

He opened his folding fan and fanned himself in the middle of winter, the cold wind whistling: "As for the second point, Queen, haven't you found it strange that the minor conflict between us has followed us all the way to this world?"

Xu Feng's expression changed, while Xu Yue nodded in realization: "So, it really was a premeditated cross-world pursuit?"

She had indeed been suspicious before.

After all, was it worth it for Wu Que and Nightingale to spend such a high price to come to Kaifeng and set an ambush?

Reincarnators always prioritized cost-effectiveness in their actions.

Undoubtedly, the time and resources spent by Wu Que, Nightingale, and Tu Xingsun on this trap were disproportionate to their potential gains.

With that kind of effort, they could have targeted plot factions for a much greater return.

However, it was hard to say; after all, enemies often cross paths, and they had a history of grievances.

If everyone acted purely on logic, there wouldn't be so many conflicts in this world.

Now, Wu Que laid his cards on the table: "We and Tu Xingsun were merely the first wave to deal with you. Killing you would be ideal, of course, but if that failed, forcing out your trump cards for survival was just as good. There is a second wave of attacks coming."

Xu Yue immediately realized: "So the assassination of the Crown Prince by Western Xia this time was a feint, and the ultimate target was us?"

Wu Que laughed: "So you understand now? I have provided such precious intelligence; this is the sincerity of our cooperation!"

Xu Yue responded with a cold sneer, showing no appreciation: "You are doing this for Huang Shang, aren't you? After all, once Huang Shang places first in the Departmental Examination and becomes famous throughout the world, other Reincarnators will surely take notice. I suspect their methods will be even more ruthless. You are afraid you won't be able to snatch him from them, which is why you want to form an alliance with us!"

The two threatened each other, their gazes locked, their expressions a mix of half-smiles and absolute confidence.

As for what they were truly thinking, only they themselves knew.

Ultimately, however, it was Xu Yue who took a step back: "Huang Shang's current achievements are largely due to our two sides. Let's keep the benefits within our own circle; how about we deal with the opponents from Western Xia and the Liao Kingdom first, and then compete internally?"

Wu Que also smiled and folded his fan: "Cooperation benefits both, while division harms both. A wise choice."

In this brief clash, the efforts Xu Yue and Xu Feng had previously made in the capital were effectively reduced to wedding clothes for Wu Que and Nightingale.

This deal was worth it.

Xu Feng realized this and turned red with rage, while Xu Yue's chest heaved slightly. She silently consoled herself to stay calm and asked: "Do you have specific intelligence on the Reincarnators from Western Xia?"

Wu Que shook his head: "No, but the price for our move was 1,000 Reincarnation Points, while theirs was 1,500."

This proved that the second wave posed a greater threat.

Xu Yue had a clear idea now.

She had originally looked down on Wu Que and intended to use him, but now she regarded him with genuine seriousness and extended her hand: "Happy cooperation, for the sake of Huang Shang!"

Wu Que shook her hand: "Happy cooperation, for the sake of Huang Shang!"

The tenth day of the second lunar month.

The second stage of the Imperial Examination.

The Departmental Examination had arrived.