Seeing Shi Hui's expression, Shi Xie immediately understood what had happened. His most doted-on son had actually chosen such a method to inherit power at a critical moment. But how could he possibly outplay Lan Tian?
"Unfilial son... unfilial son!" Shi Xie's breathing suddenly grew ragged. He spat out a mouthful of old blood, then his vision went black and he fell from his horse.
"Father!" Shi Hui, Shi Gan, and Shi Song cried out in unison. Several Shi Clan attendants hurried to the front lines and "snatched" Shi Xie back into their own formation.
Because Shi Xie's fall had been so sudden, Lan Tian made no further move.
After a brief display of "grief," Shi Hui rode forward and cupped his fists in salute. "Prefect, my father is advanced in years, his old eyes dim and muddled. It was all my eldest brother and Sun Quan's envoy whispering poison into his ear. Fortunately, no grave mistake has yet been made. The old man was injured when he fell just now; I beg you to forgive him for his failure to see clearly. If punishment must be dealt, this subordinate is willing to bear my father's guilt in his stead."
Shi Hui knew Lan Tian would not punish him, so he deliberately put on the air of a deeply filial son. That righteous, awe-inspiring pose of accepting punishment for his father was all for the soldiers before the lines to see.
Shi Xun had been ordered to remain behind to guard Longbian City. With Shi Xie suddenly injured and unconscious, among the army's principal commanders, aside from Shi Yi, only the third son, Shi Hui, still had any say. Seeing how convincingly he performed now, they did not look too deeply into Shi Xie calling him an unfilial son.
"Lord