A change of face

"Uncle Jiao, I have something else to take care of, so I'll be going now. I'll come visit Chengwang again another time."

With that, Zhuang Leyou left with Jiang Nuan.

Once only their own group remained, Jiang Nuan looked at Zhuang Leyou and asked in confusion:

"What did that uncle mean when he said he wouldn't make peace with the court?"

At Jiang Nuan's question, Zhuang Leyou sighed before answering:

"It's a long story."

"Then make a long story short."

Jiang Nuan answered without thinking.

"Hey, you little imp, you really won't let me save any face."

Perhaps Jiang Nuan was so easygoing that Zhuang Leyou had begun speaking just as casually.

"Basically, after he was injured, he needed a medicinal catalyst. The only supply left was with the court. But you know what happened between them and the court before, so it seemed hopeless.

"Then someone proposed making peace with the court in exchange for the catalyst. Everyone else agreed, but Uncle Jiao refused."

"Why? Is his son worth less than his pride?"

Jiang Nuan couldn't understand it.

"It's not about pride. First, he probably thinks the emperor might not hand over the catalyst. Second, with the Black Earth School resisting the court everywhere, he probably feels they'd be sinners if they took the lead in making peace."

Zhuang Leyou offered his analysis based on what he knew of Uncle Jiao.

"If you want him to change his mind, bringing the catalyst and saving Jiao Chengwang should do it."

Jiang Nuan thought it over and suddenly came up with a brilliant idea. Perhaps she could not only bring the Black Earth School in Capital City under the court's authority, but sweep up every branch of the Black Earth School in the realm in one net.

Then she would be