This new life in her womb brought her immense hope in life.
This was her biggest secret, but she never imagined that a few days later an outsider would reveal it with a single sentence.
How could she not be shocked and terrified?
In Fang Yuan's memories of his previous life, it was Wei Dexin who had helped Shang Pulao defeat Shang Qiuniu, once making her a leading candidate for the young clan leader position.
But during the war between righteous and demonic factions, Wei Dexin secretly contacted Wei Shenjing to help the Wu family scheme against the Shang family from behind. She completely destroyed the Wei family stronghold, avenging her husband's death. When the matter was exposed, Wei Dexin became famous for making Shang Yanfei suffer his first defeat.
Shang Pulao was implicated as a result, exiled, and met a miserable end. It could be said that Wei Dexin was his rise and also his fall.
Wei Dexin's talent was outstanding, and now she had fallen into Fang Yuan's hands. Controlling her and putting her to use for Shang Xinci was not a difficult matter for Fang Yuan.
"Wei Dexin, don't be afraid. As long as you diligently assist Shang Xinci, I won't harm you. Even more, I will help you properly raise the son in your belly. Also, I advise you not to seek your brother Wei Shenjing for now. He has already been recruited by the Wu family and is under constant surveillance. If you don't believe me, you may go and investigate."
Fang Yuan sat on a stone bench, rubbing his fingers, and his tone fully displayed the composure of one who had everything under control.
Wei Dexin was intimidated by this composure.
She knelt on the ground, her expression fluctuating. Several times she opened her mouth to speak, but in the end she chose to keep silent.
Finally, she bowed deeply to Fang Yuan, pressing her forehead to the floor tiles. In a respectful voice, she said, "This concubine..."
But as soon as she began, Fang Yuan interrupted, "There's no need to say more; too many words are useless. The actions of you and your clan will be the best answer. You may go."
Fang Yuan waved his hand.
Wei Dexin submissively withdrew.
Fang Yuan sat in the pavilion for a while without getting up.
He watched Wei Dexin's back gradually disappear into the green shady path. He knew that after this talk, she would certainly do her utmost to assist Shang Xinci.
After all, in his previous life, Shang Pulao had also used the child in her belly to induce her to fully assist himself.
A cool wind blew, and Fang Yuan gazed at the lake. The shimmering of the water reflected in his dark, deep eyes.
He was lost in thought.
"Now, Shang Xinci has the Wei clan members. This gives her a backbone of middle and lower levels. With Wei Dexin, she can form a female guard, creating a strong and stable armed force. And the three Xiong brothers can serve as capable generals. The close maids Xiao Die and Xiao Lan can be trusted confidants."
"In this way, the general framework of power is already built. This is enough to handle the young master competition. But if she can recruit Zhou Quan and let him serve as steward, then the young master competition will certainly be won! Wei Dexin, the three Xiong brothers, Xiao Die, Xiao Lan—all are capable officers, but Zhou Quan is the commander."
Fang Yuan knew it clearly. With Zhou Quan's rich experience and outstanding talent assisting her, Shang Xinci would definitely win the young master position and become more and more stable. Even if Shang Xinci herself did not work hard, with Zhou Quan's help, her power would become increasingly solid and slowly expand.
Only Zhou Quan could keep Shang Xinci's subordinates in check.
Now, even Shang Xinci could not intimidate these talents. After all, Shang Xinci was still too young, her talent not high, and her cultivation insufficient.
In the world of Gu Masters, the rules of the game were cruel and real. The first priority was power. Everything else stood aside.
But to recruit Zhou Quan was not so easy. Especially now with rumors flying about, vividly depicting the scene of Shang Xinci failing to recruit Zhou Quan more than a dozen times.
Fang Yuan knew perfectly well that someone was secretly manipulating. Using this matter to attack Shang Xinci's prestige.
But although Fang Yuan knew, he did not stop it.
The timing was not yet ripe, and he had already made plans.
A few nights later, in the secret chamber of Nanqiu Garden.
Swish, swish, swish…
In the aperture, waves surged violently, rolling up thousands of silver snowflakes.
Peak rank three true essence, under the command of Fang Yuan's will, swept towards the surrounding aperture walls.
Like ten thousand beasts stampeding, like a galaxy surging, ninety percent of the true essence ocean swept in all directions, its momentum far more grand and majestic than that of a medium or low grade Gu Master.
Countless amounts of true essence continuously washed the aperture walls.
Bit by bit, the nourishment caused a subtle, hidden transformation in Fang Yuan's aperture walls.
When this transformation accumulated to a certain degree, quantity would lead to quality, leaping forward to reach another realm.
This realm was the fourth rank!
Fang Yuan had become a peak rank three Gu Master with the help of the Relic Gu. And with the help of Bai Ningbing and the Flesh and Bone Reunion Gu, his cultivation had been advancing fiercely. Every day he made great progress, unimaginable for ordinary people.
"Fourth rank, I am only one step away from fourth rank…" This realization grew stronger in Fang Yuan's heart.
But the true essence sea surface was getting lower and lower.
The silvery white true essence was severely depleted. Assaulting the fourth rank consumed too much true essence. Even ninety percent was useless, and although the aperture walls had been polished to crystal clarity, no mutation occurred.
Although only one step away, it was like a deep ditch and long rift, difficult to cross.
From third rank to fourth rank, this step had stumped countless Gu Masters, trapped many lofty ambitions.
As the aperture was about to run dry, at that moment, a golden waterfall poured down from above into the aperture.