Chapter Twelve: The Failed Persuasion

“Lord Li, there is no need to test me.” Song Xirui’s eyes grew slightly cold as she guessed his ulterior motives and spoke directly, “You must know, you have already become a discarded pawn.”

At her words, Li Cunyi’s heart pounded wildly.

Discarded pawn!

How could he be a discarded pawn? Absurd!

Xiao Yunci raised an eyebrow slightly, no longer surprised that she knew such secrets.

“Lord Li, you have served the Crown Prince with utmost dedication, draining the treasury little by little, delivering silver to the Crown Prince’s hands. Until the Ministry of Finance’s funds are as shallow as a puddle, you have truly earned your merits and sufferings.”

Song Xirui sat down gracefully, her tone casual, but her words were shocking.

Li Cunyi was deeply shaken.

She even knew about his relationship with the Crown Prince?

Clearly, they had kept it extremely secret—even the Emperor was unaware.

His gaze quickly shifted to Xiao Yunci.

But Xiao Yunci reclined calmly, eyes not focused on them.

Li Cunyi gritted his teeth. “I do not understand what the lady means.”

He couldn’t admit it; perhaps they were just testing him.

Song Xirui sighed helplessly.

It seemed Li Cunyi still harbored illusions about the Crown Prince.

In the previous life, it was he who helped the Crown Prince empty the entire national treasury. When the Ministry of Finance tried to aid disaster victims, there was no money left.

The victims had no medicine or food, the capital descended into chaos, nearly shaking the foundation of the nation.

Later, it was Xiao Yunci...

After the Ministry of Finance ran out of funds, the Emperor’s first person to hold accountable was Li Cunyi. But before the officials could reach his home, news spread that Li Cunyi, fearing guilt, had committed suicide.

Song Xirui knew it was the Crown Prince’s doing.

This was a staggering secret she had inadvertently learned from Su Yun.

“Lord Li, has the Crown Prince been fickle with you of late?” Song Xirui continued. “When he asks you for silver, he seems close, but when you inquire about recent plans, he evades you casually, right?”

“Most importantly, he keeps urging you to extract the last bit of silver quickly, yet offers no promise of protection.”

Her voice was crisp and clear, lightly ringing in the room.

Li Cunyi’s face was calm, but his hands clasped behind his back trembled.

This woman knew his every move!

How was that possible?

No spy was flawless.

Even if his men had not noticed, those around the Crown Prince were no fools.

Could it be that the Crown Prince truly intended to kill him?

Song Xirui smiled faintly. “Lord Li, if I said you are a discarded pawn now, am I wrong?”

Those who bargain with tigers know the tiger’s nature best.

Li Cunyi’s gaze grew deep.

It was true the Crown Prince had been cold to him recently, but he had served the Crown Prince for many years, staking his life and family on him.

If he rebelled now, his end would be even more miserable.

Besides, Xiao Yunci’s health was so poor that the Crown Prince still had a chance.

With that thought, he extended his hands from behind his back and poured himself a cup of tea, adopting the demeanor of a host.

“Lady, if you can tell me exactly how you learned these things, I might trust you a little. Otherwise, please leave.”

He needed to know who was silently watching him, so quietly it was unnoticed.

Xiao Yunci chuckled lightly and turned to look at the pale Song Xirui. “Looks like you’ve lost.”

His tone was clearly mocking.

Song Xirui shot him a glare and whispered, “Not necessarily.”

She could never let this general underestimate her.

Then, lifting her chin slightly, she spoke sharply, “Lord, why test me? I am no fool. If you still leave room for the Crown Prince, you might just sell us out.”

“Lady, you are being too arrogant,” Li Cunyi’s face darkened. “If you cannot produce what I seek, why waste words here? Leave quickly.”

He feared that Crown Prince’s men might discover his secret meetings and bring disaster upon him.

Song Xirui did not rise but gave a cold, contemptuous laugh.

That disdainful laugh startled Li Cunyi, who could not help but ask, “What are you laughing at?”

Song Xirui turned away, eyes resting on Xiao Yunci’s strikingly handsome face, then back to Li Cunyi. “I laugh because, though you have eyes, Lord, you cannot see people clearly. You mistake a worthless stone for a pearl, yet ignore the true jewel!”

“Do you mean the Crown Prince is inferior to the General?” At this point, Li Cunyi no longer held back and asked bluntly.

“Inferior?” Song Xirui scoffed, then her expression hardened. “I’d say the Crown Prince is not even worthy to be mentioned alongside General Xiao.”

Hearing such praise, Xiao Yunci raised an eyebrow without a word.

What audacity, daring to use his fearsome reputation as a banner.

Song Xirui continued, “Moreover, at present, only General Xiao can rival the Crown Prince. In court, if the General fights with all his might, even the Crown Prince would have to avoid his edge! Not to mention, the General’s abilities far surpass the Crown Prince. Lord Li, are you not aware of this?”

“Under heaven, only General Xiao can ensure the safety of your family and yourself. If you fall into the Crown Prince’s hands, your wife, children, and elders will likely meet a grim fate.”

Finally, she added, “Don’t be fooled by the General’s poor health. The fortune teller said he will live to a hundred!”

After all, with her around, it simply had to be so.

Li Cunyi’s heart stirred at her words. Hearing the last line, he suddenly looked at Xiao Yunci. “General, is it true you cannot die?”

“...”

Xiao Yunci ignored him but saw the woman winking furiously at him.

He was silent for a moment, then lightly brushed dust from his sleeve. “At least three more years.”

Song Xirui breathed a sigh of relief, fearing the general might not give face.

She smiled, “Lord Li, now that General Xiao has answered so plainly, do you believe?”

Li Cunyi’s mind churned.

If Xiao Yunci truly could not die, then the Crown Prince’s plan...

But what if the Crown Prince really wanted him dead?

Thinking this, he said, “General Xiao, if we were to pledge allegiance to you, could you truly protect me and my family?”

Song Xirui winked hard again.

Xiao Yunci glanced at her, then said coolly, “If the mission is done well, perhaps.”

He made no effort to hide his leniency.

Li Cunyi was silent.

Song Xirui grew anxious; she had used every means, yet Lord Li still hesitated.

This was troublesome.

The general beside her would surely mock her empty boasts.

Fortunately, she still had some tricks left.

“Gentlemen, let’s leave it at that today. I already know what you have said, but cannot make a decision just yet. Please do not take offense.”

Li Cunyi pondered but still could not make a firm choice.