Chapter 110: Returning To Xia Family Manor

For three feverish days, Wang Li focused his efforts on two crucial tasks. First, he sought to solidify his hold on Song Jingyan.

Their nights were filled with a desperate, almost violent passion, a storm fueled by grief, revenge, and an unspoken desperation.

He carved his mark on her skin, leaving behind angry red marks and gentle kisses that served as a constant reminder of their twisted bond.

During the day, he was the enigmatic advisor, whispering strategy in her ear.

Concurrently, Wang Li orchestrated the foundation of his plan to dismantle Ye Fan's reputation. He selected establishments strategically, taverns and inns with bustling clientele, news outlets with wide circulation, places where whispers could bloom and flourish.

He identified individuals within the Song Family, those expendable pawns who would act as the conduits for these rumors. There were disgruntled servants, power-hungry underlings, anyone desperate enough to be swayed by promises of wealth and a guaranteed escape route in case things went south.

These chosen pawns were summoned to a clandestine meeting, Wang Li's imposing figure shrouded in the familiar white mask. He laid out the plan, his voice cold and calculating.

"Rumors," he declared, "are weapons more potent than swords. And Ye Fan, the so-called hero, shall be brought low by these whispers."

A nervous cough rippled through the group. One brave soul, a young stableman, dared to speak. "But... why, Eagle Masked Expert? Ye Fan, he protects us from the demonic hordes. Slandering him... isn't that a betrayal towards humanity?"

Song Jingyan, her face pale but her eyes burning with a fierce loyalty, stepped forward to answer. "Ye Fan," she stated, her voice laced with a venom that surprised even herself, "is a wolf in sheep's clothing. His feats are a facade. Do not be deceived by his supposed heroism."

Doubt clouded the faces before her. But who were they to question their Matriarch? Her words, heavy with authority, silenced further inquiries. They had their orders, a hefty sum of spirit stones as payment, and the promise of a safe haven if the rumors backfired. Their greed and fear outweighed any moral qualms they might have harbored.

With the foundation laid, Wang Li finally deemed it time for his departure. Bidding farewell to Song Jingyan, he savored the tremor in her hand, the longing in her eyes. He knew he had her firmly under his thumb, a pawn in his own twisted game.

His journey back to the Xia Family was swift. He yearned for the comfort of his own chambers, for the familiar scent of sandalwood and plum blossoms that permeated his quarters. And more importantly, he craved the company of two very different women.

His first stop was Xia Qingwu, his dear lover who is the Acting Matriarch of the Xia Family. He found her tending to a meticulously pruned bonsai tree in the courtyard, her white robes contrasting sharply with the dark soil. As he approached, her head snapped up, a hint of amusement flickering in her eyes.

When the storm subsided, a tense silence descended upon the room. Xiangyi, her face flushed and hair disheveled, burrowed her head into Wang Li's chest. "Don't leave again so soon, Li," she pleaded, her voice muffled.

Wang Li stroked her hair, a wave of conflicting emotions washing over him. He cared for Xiangyi like he cared for his dear lover Qingwu.

However, Wang Li knew that he needed the Song Family. He needed them, not just as allies, but as pawns in his game against Ye Fan.

"I'll try my best," he murmured, his voice devoid of any real promise. "But things are... complicated right now."

Xiangyi pulled back, her eyes searching his. Instead of jealousy clouding her features, Xiangyi's gaze sharpened with curiosity. "Complicated how?" she inquired, her voice laced with concern. "Is it about our enemy, Ye Fan?"

Wang Li, surprised by her lack of jealousy, offered her a sly smile. "Astute as always, my dear cousin," he chuckled. "Yes, Ye Fan is indeed a thorn in my side. A hero to the masses."

A glint of understanding flickered in Xiangyi's eyes. "So, what do you plan to do about him?" she pressed, her voice a mere whisper.

Wang Li leaned closer, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial tone. "First, we dismantle his reputation," he declared, a predatory glint in his eyes. "We need to turn the tide of public opinion against him. Make him seem like a hypocrite, someone who cares more about power and carnal pleasures than protecting the innocent."

Xiangyi's lips curved into a wicked smile. The idea of toppling a self-righteous hero like Ye Fan was undeniably appealing. "Starting rumors from within the Song Family would be a good first move," she suggested, her voice dripping with mischief. "After all, they were once allies. A betrayal from them would be a devastating blow to his reputation."

Wang Li's smile widened. "Indeed," he agreed, a hint of admiration for his clever cousin flickering in his eyes. "The Song Family will be the ones to plant the seeds of doubt. And once those seeds take root, Ye Fan's heroic facade will crumble when the next phases of our plan start to take action."

Wang Li stared at his dear cousin intently.

"You are precious to me, Xiangyi," he murmured, his voice sincere. "Your loyalty and understanding mean more than you know."

Xiangyi leaned into his touch, seeking solace in his presence. Despite the jealousy gnawing at her, she couldn't deny the truth: she loved Wang Li, and that love, forbidden as it was, was all she had.

The first rays of dawn peeked through the intricately carved lattice windows of Xia Qingwu's chamber, casting long shadows across the silken sheets. Despite the vigorous exertions of the previous night, Wang Li felt an unexpected surge of energy. His liaison with Xiangyi, while passionate, had been tinged with a sense of forbidden desperation. And now he wanted to please his lover Qingwu as well.