Transmigration: Space-Aided Rise to Power and Prosperity-Chapter 861 - 697: Vicious Scheme

Liao Cheng smiled awkwardly, "I’m just curious, Qu Clan Leader, don’t mind me. Since the treasure map is safe, I am relieved. As for the introduction matter, Clan Leader Qu, rest assured, I will fulfill my promise. But now that the Yi Family’s half of the treasure map is missing, what do you plan to do about it, Clan Leader Qu?"

Liao Cheng was a bit unhappy that Qu Huaiyun would not reveal where the treasure map was, but for now, he had to keep Qu Huaiyun steady.

Once Qu Huaiyun obtains the other half of the treasure map, he would find a way to seize it.

The Prime Minister has already issued an order, instructing him to obtain the treasure map by all means. When he personally presents the map, his future prospects would certainly be limitless.

As for the Qu Family, well, apologies are all he can offer. Once he climbs up the ranks, would he still fear a mere Magistrate of Sunan Prefecture?

He has been stagnant in Hejian Prefecture for six years, knowing full well that he hasn’t made any significant accomplishments in front of the Prime Minister, with mediocre performance—the lord doesn’t value him at all.

But if he succeeds in this matter, the Prime Minister is bound to summon him back to the Capital.

Thinking of this, Liao Cheng was suddenly filled with excitement.

"That Yi Lanshan thinks he can deceive everyone, but he doesn’t realize he can’t fool me. I’ve sparred with him for so many years, how can I not understand his nature? His claim of the treasure map being stolen is likely false." 𝘧𝓇ℯ𝑒𝓌𝑒𝑏𝓃𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭.𝒸ℴ𝓂

Qu Huaiyun snorted coldly, piercing through Yi Lanshan’s scheme with a single sentence.

"Oh? What do you mean by this?" Liao Cheng showed a joyful expression, waiting for Qu Huaiyun’s elaboration.

"That old fool likely used a fake treasure map to fool people. His performance was so fake that I can see through it at a glance."

Initially, Qu Huaiyun did believe that Yi Lanshan lost the treasure map, as Yi Lanshan’s initial expressions and actions didn’t seem fake.

However, later on, Yi Lanshan no longer appeared as anxious, as if his initial worry was just a facade.

If the treasure map truly was stolen, how could Yi Lanshan still be squabbling with Gu Chengyu in broad daylight? He would’ve long since led a chase.

Combining this with his understanding of Yi Lanshan, with a little thought, he could discern the truth behind it.

In reality, he had no idea that Yi Lanwen’s initial heartache appearance was indeed genuine.

But what he was heartbroken over wasn’t the treasure map but the valuables in the study worth Silver.

"Are you saying that half of the treasure map is still in the Yi Mansion?" Liao Cheng was greatly shaken. If this were true, obtaining the map would be much easier for him.

The Yi Mansion currently has no one entering officialdom; whether there will be someone in the future is beside the point.

For now, the Yi Family is merely a family with some reputation. As they say, a County Magistrate destroys a household, a Magistrate exterminates a family.

He’s an official, while the Yi Family is just common folk—could the Yi Family really contend with him, a court official?

Though through these years, the Yi Family has formed numerous marital connections, with some having a say in the court.

But Liao Cheng is not worried about that—how distant are those relatives?

Now already in such decline, even if something happens to the Yi Family, would those people still help? They’d likely steer clear!

"We must think of a way; no matter what, we must get hold of that half of the treasure map."

As Liao Cheng pondered a strategy, the calculative gleam in his eyes caused Qu Huaiyun’s heart to sink.

Though he has sparred with Yi Lanshan for years, constantly at odds, he still acknowledges the Yi Family as a prestigious old family of Hejian Prefecture.

This Liao Cheng’s methods are ruthless, and being an official, how could the old fool Yi Lanshan face him without suffering losses?

Thinking thus, Qu Huaiyun couldn’t help but feel a sense of shared fate.

Alas! He sighed inwardly—oh well! Who asked the Yi Family to have experienced such a mishap back then?

Within three generations, no one is to enter officialdom; a prestigious aristocratic family is almost brought down.

Gu Chengyu, seeing the two whispering together, estimated they were plotting against someone again.

However, his purpose for coming tonight was to find out where the treasure map was hidden, but since Qu Huaiyun didn’t mention it, he couldn’t help but feel disappointed.

Gu Chengyu was growing a bit impatient, thinking to wait a while longer; if there were no clues, he’d head back to rest and think of something the next day.

The Qu Mansion was so vast that without knowing the place, naturally, he couldn’t find the treasure map. Searching place by place was too time-consuming.

"How about it? Do you think this plan is feasible?" Liao Cheng whispered the plan into Qu Huaiyun’s ear and then sought his opinion.

"This? It’s not very appropriate! This plan seems a bit too low," Qu Huaiyun’s face showed difficulty, his expression indicating reluctance.

Gu Chengyu was a bit curious, wondering what kind of plan the two were discussing. Earlier, their whispering was unclear to him.

"This plan is guaranteed to work. You know Yi Lanshan’s weak point better than I do."

Liao Cheng, seeing Qu Huaiyun’s hesitance, felt somewhat embarrassed.

"His grandson Min is his lifeblood. If we truly lay hands on his grandson, I’m afraid Yi Lanshan will fight to the death with me!"

Qu Huaiyun did not expect Liao Cheng to come up with such an idea—it was hardly presentable.

"Hmph! Those who achieve great things do not bother with trifles. We’re not asking you to take his life. It’s just to make Yi Lanshan exchange the treasure map—I believe he will make the right choice."

Squatting on the roof, Gu Chengyu finally understood the plan through their conversation.

Yi Lanshan’s young grandson, Yi Yuanmin, loved reading since childhood and, at age eight, could recite the Four Books and Five Classics, considered a budding prodigy.

In Yi Family, by the fourth-generation Yi Yuanmin, not only did he possess a good reading aptitude, but he also strove for success.

Yi Lanshan had pinned his hopes on Yi Yuanmin, expecting him to revive the Yi Family and bring them back to the court.

Gu Chengyu had heard of these upon arriving at Hejian Prefecture. Indeed, Yi Lanshan regarded this grandson as his lifeblood.

In Yi Lanshan’s view, this was the root of the Yi Family’s prosperity.

Their idea was merely to capture Yi Yuanmin, holding him hostage, forcing Yi Lanshan to choose between his grandson and the treasure map.

This was undoubtedly a vicious scheme, as both were entwined with family interests.

However, given Yi Yuanmin’s intelligence, he might excel in future civil examinations.

Moreover, Yi Yuanmin was, after all, a life; Yi Lanshan invested significant effort into him, and naturally, their grandparent-grandchild bond was deep.

But Liao Cheng overlooked one point—while Yi Yuanmin was skilled at studying, who could ensure he would become an Advanced Scholar?

The tale of Shang Zhongyong is an example—to this day, there have been numerous prodigies, but where did they all go?

Furthermore, even if he did become an Advanced Scholar, it would not necessarily ensure a promising path in the court.

Meanwhile, the treasure map was different—once surrendered, it could secure benefits for the clan.

Even without Yi Yuanmin, nurturing another outstanding grandson shouldn’t be difficult, right?

As long as they utilized the treasure map to gain a promise, securing an official position in the future would be inevitable.

But are these the main points? No, they are not!