After My Heart Turned Cold and I Divorced My Wife, I Rose as the Strongest Prince of Great Feng Empire - Chapter 17:

Chapter 17: Commander Lin Chao, A Blade Borrowed for Revenge!

Knock, knock, knock—

The sound of a brass lock being struck echoed sharply. Lin Chao stood in his armor, sword at his side, his expression dark. As the eldest son of the Lin family and Gu Yuan’s adjutant, he had led 800 elite troops in a surprise raid behind Xiliang lines, beheading their commander, seizing the battle flag, and setting their granary ablaze. The Xiliang main force had crumbled, forced to retreat. For his contributions, Lin Chao had received the highest honors and been granted the title of Commander of a Thousand, holding the rank of 5th class.

But now, rage burned in his eyes.

He had just finished his duties and returned home, only to find his mother sobbing and the house looking as if it had been ransacked. Only then did he learn what had happened. That scoundrel Ning Que had once again pushed the Lin family into chaos.

To win back Lin Xianhong, he had stooped to every despicable tactic—this time, even dragging Prince Ning’s spirit tablet to the palace to petition the Empress Dowager. Everyone knew how guilty she felt about Prince Ning. With Ning Que’s manipulative stunt, what could the Empress Dowager do but act?

To Lin Chao, using one’s father’s honor for personal gain was despicable. As a military man, he valued battlefield merit above all else. Gu Yuan, in his eyes, was a hundred times the man Ning Que would ever be. Young yet accomplished, Gu Yuan had risen through the ranks by his own merit. He had defended the borders for three years, and Xiliang forces had not crossed even a centimeter under his watch. He now commanded large battalions, and none in the military doubted him.

And Ning Que? Petty and calculating over trivial matters. Always scheming, dragging up old accounts from years ago. A so-called prince with no honor. Lin Chao despised him.

So he had come—to visit Gu Yuan. Since Ning Que had gone so far, how could the Lin family not strike back? If Ning Que wanted to make them suffer, then no one would get to live in peace!

“Your identity?”

“Lin Chao, Commander of a Thousand in the army.”

“Ah, Commander Lin. Please, come in.”

There was no need to announce him. Gu Yuan had given orders—Lin Chao was always welcome. If Gu Yuan was to solidify his position in the army, he needed to recruit reliable officers like Lin Chao.

At that moment, Gu Yuan had already recovered. He was in his study, preparing invitations. The Gu family was one of Chang’an’s most influential clans. Having achieved a great victory and inherited the title of Marquis of the Tiger, Gu Yuan had also been appointed as a First-Class General. A banquet was in order to celebrate and entertain the court officials and aristocrats.

Even sending out invitations required tact. Done poorly, it could offend many and make the Gu family the laughingstock of Chang’an.

“Young Master, Commander Lin has arrived.”

“Quick, let him in.”

“At your service, General.”

Gu Yuan smiled warmly and rose to greet him.

“Brother Lin, you’re too polite. This isn’t the battlefield. Between us, there’s no need for formalities. Come, sit! I’ll have food and drink prepared. Tonight, we drink until we’re drunk!”

“Many thanks, General.”

Lin Chao looked at Gu Yuan with admiration. Now this was the demeanor of a noble general—refined in character and decisive in battle. In the army, he was known for caring deeply about his troops. He personally oversaw their food and health, even sharing rations with them. His men would charge into death itself for him.

Compared to Gu Yuan, what was Ning Que? A man born into privilege, who had done nothing to deserve it.

“Why the late visit tonight, Brother Lin?”

“Because of Ning Que, of course!”

“Him?”

Gu Yuan set down his wine cup, a cryptic smile forming on his lips.

He had been wondering how to trouble Ning Que. And now Lin Chao had walked right in.

Lin Chao was rash by nature. A good warrior, but impulsive. He had once charged hundreds of miles with just 800 troops, raiding Xiliang’s rear, capturing their flag, and torching their granary, forcing their main force back 300 kilometers.

But he was also reckless. Though he’d earned accolades, he’d caused more than a few problems too. That was why he remained a Commander of a Thousand all these years. A perfect pawn—easy to manipulate with a few kind words.

After a few cups of wine, Lin Chao had forgotten himself, grumbling nonstop.

“So, what are you planning to do, Brother Lin?”

“Money is nothing. But I can’t stomach the humiliation!” Lin Chao slammed his cup. “Why should that bastard Ning Que have the right? I’ve fought in over a hundred battles! Why does he get to lord over my family? Petty, conniving, and spineless—worse than a woman! I have to get back at him!”

Gu Yuan nodded calmly and refilled Lin Chao’s cup.

“There are many ways to get revenge. Ning Que is currently in Jingyang helping with disaster relief. I hear he’s made a public vow to succeed—or else. If he fails, what do you think will happen?”

“What?”

Lin Chao, drunk and flushed, caught on.

“You mean…”

“Oh, I didn’t say anything,” Gu Yuan said with a smile, pouring more wine. “I was just thinking how you once burned down Xiliang’s granary, forcing them to retreat.”

Lin Chao hesitated.

Burning a granary? That was a capital offense.

“No need to worry, Brother Lin,” Gu Yuan reassured him. “You’re still Lin Xianhong’s elder brother. What can Ning Que do to you? Even if he arrests you, so what?”

Lin Chao frowned, deep in thought.

True! Back in Chang’an, he had gotten into a brawl at a brothel. Beat someone so badly they almost died. It was Ning Que who paid off the officials to free him—all to win over Lin Xianhong.

“I get it now.”

Gu Yuan smiled faintly. “There are many methods. Just make sure Ning Que’s relief effort doesn’t go smoothly. Let him suffer a little. In the end, he won’t be able to do anything to you. He’ll have to swallow it.”

“That makes sense.”

Lin Chao nodded seriously.

Gu Yuan was right. Ning Que had no power over him. If he was being pressured, then fighting back was only natural.

“I’ll head to Jingyang right now!”

“Take care, Brother Lin.”

“Just wait and see!”

Fueled by wine, Lin Chao rose with bloodshot eyes. Once he left, the steward returned.

“Young Master, was that really necessary? The Lin family’s not exactly respectable.”

“You don’t understand,” Gu Yuan replied, sipping his wine with a sneer. “Fools like him are easy to control. Give them a little, and they’ll be grateful forever. And look—now we don’t even need to touch Ning Que ourselves.”

His gaze darkened.

All trace of his earlier elegance vanished, replaced by hatred and cold calculation.

“That bastard made my family lose tens of thousands of silver taels. And besides, Prince Qi won’t tolerate him either. A Great Feng without princes is the best Great Feng.”

Gu Yuan’s eyes glinted coldly. Power struggles were never clean. Princes with too much authority were just one step beneath the Emperor. Now that Prince Ning was finally dead, how could they allow Ning Que to inherit his title?

They had to stop him—no matter the cost.