He, too, found this very strange.
His father had put the two brothers in charge of various affairs. Advisers such as Shen Pei and Xu You could only assist and offer suggestions, not handle things directly for them.
That was because his father wanted to see the two brothers' abilities.
It was the first time either of them had done this sort of work, yet Yuan Shang's performance far surpassed his, with every affair handled in perfect order.
He had thought Yuan Shang's ability and talent exceeded his own.
But now... there seemed to be more to it?
Xu You nodded slightly, then said, "I am on fairly good terms with Feng Yuan Tu. I learned from him that an adviser serving the third young master, a man named Guo Jia, has been helping him devise strategies and handle military and civil affairs all along."
"The rumors spread last time to prevent your marriage alliance with the Zhen Clan were also this Guo Jia's handiwork."
Xu You had only recently learned this himself. After careful deliberation, he had decided to do the second young master, Yuan Xi, a favor by telling him.
"What?!"
Yuan Xi's expression changed at once. He could not help gritting his teeth. "No wonder, no wonder! That bastard! He's cheating!"
At that moment, Yuan Xi was furious.
No wonder Yuan Shang could handle military and civil affairs, great and small, in perfect order. No wonder those rumors had suddenly appeared last time, and he had immediately produced a countermeasure.
It turned out someone had been helping him behind the scenes all along!
Once he understood this, Yuan Xi did not hesitate. He rose immediately and said, "I'll tell Father right now!"
The rumors last time had been extremely dangerous. The slightest misstep could have dealt a