Even Fang Qianyuan had to admit that the Wen had played this move cleverly.
Cultivation meant defying heaven to change one's fate, turning the impossible into the possible. Aristocratic clans, like people, were unwilling to remain beneath others forever; they too harbored the heaven-defying ambition to transform, rise, and elevate their family status.
Worldly affairs were a game of chess. As local powers, they truly had no right to leap out and stir up wind and waves.
But now, they intended to turn having no right into having that right.
Their methods were inevitably somewhat aggressive.
Unfortunately, their vision was still too narrow. They thought sacrificing a little to win a lot and leaving themselves room to maneuver made them clever. It never occurred to them that some things must not be touched at all. If this weren't so serious, why would I have leaked secrets out of personal favoritism and deliberately told Qingfei those things in advance?
Fang Qianyuan sighed inwardly, finally understanding.
In truth, the Wen had taken advantage of his affection and regard for Qingfei. His good intentions had instead done harm and brought trouble upon them.
By informing Qingfei, he had allowed the Wen to anticipate the coming upheaval and seize the initiative. Having also confirmed that Qingfei enjoyed a close relationship with him, they felt they had someone to rely on and naturally grew bolder.
Had he not informed them, they would have remained ignorant and made no plans. Even when they learned of it later, they would have had no one to rely on and would instead have hesitated to advance.
No wonder the sages of old had said that the supreme must forget worldly attachments. Without doing so, this entanglement in cause and effect was the result.
Returning from his thoughts, he spoke