United in Appearance, Divided in Spirit: Who Was Wei Tiger? (Part 1)

The Crown Prince had not paid much attention to what those two were discussing.

The Chen Commandery Xie Clan and the Langya Wang Clan were both great families that had flourished for generations. Never mind one young lady—even ten would be theirs for the taking, plump or slender, each with her own charms.

Beyond their own strength, aristocratic clans and powerful families were even more skilled at weaving such a vast net. They fought everywhere without ever breaking apart, forming a combined force at every turn. Long ago, the pattern had become one where you were in me and I was in you.

Sometimes, when the Crown Prince woke in the middle of the night, he would search his own heart and ask himself: if he wished to move against the Wang and Xie Clans now, even the Yingchuan Yu Clan and the Duling Su Clan at his side would likely object.

The entanglements between the great clans ran too deep, and if he bypassed them, the court had no other strength it could draw upon.

White Deer Grotto might once have been an option, but that was no longer possible.

If the Duling Su Clan wished to forge a marriage alliance with the Wang-Xie Clans, then let them. Yet the Crown Prince knew very well that Lord Su had always been clear about his own position, and that of the Su Family.

In truth, the Yong-Liang military men led by Wei Huaiwen and Su Gui had always kept a considerable distance from the Wang-Xie Clans.

Hooves thundered in waves, armor plates clanged, banners snapped in the wind, and killing intent gathered like clouds.

The Dark Cloud Guard surged forward like a cold, indifferent tide. When Su Gui, at their head, came within roughly fifty paces of the Crown Prince,