Another change of tune

Jiao Ping shot Xue Jian a resentful look. He had wanted to talk things over properly from the start, but this old lunatic had come at him the moment he arrived, and his words had been downright nasty.

Xue Jian looked at Jiao Ping, his tone suggesting he was dispensing charity.

"Fine, then. Speak."

That attitude made Jiao Ping's hands itch. He wanted to rub a hand—or the sole of his shoe—all over the man's face.

But he took a deep breath and calmed himself before he began to explain.

Before explaining, he made a point of asking one more question.

"You said you'd never submit to the imperial court, right? Then what if you do?"

"If I submit, may I..."

Xue Jian was about to swear a dire oath, but when he saw the look on Jiao Ping's face, as though he were waiting for a good show, he sensed trouble and hastily changed his wording.

"May I enjoy wealth and honor for the rest of my life, with no worries about food or clothing."

"Tch. You're no fun."

Seeing that he had refused to take the bait, Jiao Ping felt rather disappointed.

"Here. These are the benefits of submitting to the imperial court. Read them yourself."

Jiao Ping could not be bothered with him anymore and tossed him the benefits sheet Jiang Nuan had previously tossed to him.

Xue Jian had no time to quibble over Jiao Ping's attitude now. He picked up the sheet and began reading it carefully.

The more he read, the heavier his breathing grew. Especially when he saw that he could be made a marquis or appointed chancellor, his whole body perked up.

Though deeply tempted, he deliberately put on an indifferent air and looked down his nose at Jiao Ping. "That's it?