Xia Qián eyed his nephew—always sharp, but too soft in his ways.

Lacking the Xia clan’s signature hot-blooded grit, Xia Qián feared Xia Chen might veer off, relying solely on dark ploys like a snake coiled in shadows.

But now? He’d misjudged.

This nephew blended steel and silk, yin and yang—thoughtful yet armed with thunder.

“Among three generations, Chen’s martial talent isn’t tops—but brains? None of the young match him. When I’m gone, he could shoulder the clan’s load, steer the ship. With brawn and brains, the Xia might thrive another century!”

Xia Qián sank into thought—Xia Chen’s recent moves showed guts and guile, a born patriarch.

The Xia thrived six hundred years by picking the able and wise, no rigid rules.

Xia Qián rose that way—clan first. His sons shone, but Xia Chen’s big-picture view outstripped them.

“Uncle, I’m moving out of the marquisate!”

As Xia Qián dreamed of the clan’s next century, Xia Chen’s words jolted him.

“Why leave out of the blue? Is your courtyard too remote, staff too thin? I’ll fix it now!”

Xia Qián frowned, gaze stern—six hundred years, few direct heirs ever left the marquisate. Leaving meant splitting the clan.

“Not that!”

Xia Chen shook his head, smiling—warm as jade, a spring breeze.

“You’re splitting the clan?”

Xia Qián’s frown deepened—he’d just envisioned Xia Chen as future head, groomed to lead, and now this?

“Not quite that drastic—but I can’t stay in the marquisate anymore!”

Xia Chen sipped tea, soothing Xia Qián’s flare, then spoke slow.

“His Majesty prizes our marquisate but distrusts us—merit too high spooks the throne, an old tale.

“We flourish still because the realm’s not unified, chaos lingers—His Majesty needs us, yet fears us.”

“My spot’s tricky—marquisate heir, Imperial Son-in-Law. His Majesty’s wooing me—shoving me into the Lamplighters shows it.

“Maybe he’s got bigger plans—like using me to fracture the Xia, ideally into two.

“In outsiders’ eyes, I was overlooked in the marquisate from youth, parents indifferent, left to fend for myself—so they reckon I’m estranged from the marquisate, even His Majesty thinks so.

“That’s why he picked me. Next, I can’t seem too chummy with the marquisate—and you can’t favor me too much.”

Xia Chen laid it out, Xia Qián’s eyes shifting—wanting to argue, but words failed, until he rasped:

“Is it really that dire? These years, your grandpa and I shed military power—your dad’s stayed tame. Can’t His Majesty stomach us?”

“Even without rebellion, a united, talent-rich Marquis of Zhendong threatens the crown—any emperor dreads that.”

Stars gleamed in Xia Chen’s eyes, deep as voids—his tone hushed, tautening nerves.

“Don’t bet on a cold emperor’s warmth. Fifty-plus years ruling, he’s a political machine—anything slipping his grip, threatening his reign, he’ll crush.”

Xia Chen met Xia Qián’s gaze, dead serious.

“So, His Majesty wants the Xia split—us at odds, three generations frayed. We play it out, ease him, then build our strength in the dark—that’s your plan?”

Light danced in Xia Qián’s eyes, fixed on his nephew, voice grave.

“Exactly. The worse I seem with you, the more he’ll trust me—give me more reins. The Xia stays safer!”

Xia Chen locked eyes—unmasking his edge, a blade unsheathed, confidence blazing, dazing Xia Qián.

After a long pause, Xia Qián spoke slow.

“I get it—go, do it your way!”

…

Next day!

Lamplighters’ Government Office, Eagle Eye Division!

“This hour already, and the new Head Director hasn’t shown? I was itching to see his play today!”

“Word is, rotation starts today. Young as he is, he’s ruthless—Zheng Ping’s crew begged for it yesterday, and he made them kneel three hours at his door before letting them in!”

“No ordinary man—rotation’s his rule, yet they had to plead for it, handing him the knife to cut. Sharp moves!”

…

Chatter buzzed, but noon neared—no Xia Chen.

“Trouble’s up—don’t wait, he’s not coming today!”

Someone rushed in.

“What happened—another twist?”

Questions flew—then a bombshell hit.

A rumor tore through the capital’s elite, jaws dropping.

The city’s headline star—His Majesty’s favored, Eagle Eye Division’s new lord, Marquis of Zhendong’s heir, and Imperial Son-in-Law—Xia Chen’s backyard was ablaze.

Shock rippled—what? The marquisate on fire? Save it!

“What fire? With the marquisate’s muscle, it’d never burn—it’s the Imperial Son-in-Law clashing with them. He’s moved out!”

“My cousin’s brother-in-law’s nephew’s wife’s uncle’s kid saw it—Xia Chen’s picking a new place with his crew, paid up. He’s split from the marquisate!”

“What sparked it? This big a rift—splitting’s no small deal. No direct heir’s left the marquisate in ages!”

“Dunno—heard it’s a mess. Clan head Xia Qián called the elders, wielded family law—nearly struck Xia Chen from the rolls!”

…

From nobles to riffraff, the capital buzzed—teahouses and taverns hummed with it.

The city boiled!

Meanwhile, the hot topic himself—Xia Chen—led Xia Qian into a new three-courtyard estate!

Trailing him was a pretty maid—Bi Zhu!

“Young Master, Lamplighters tomorrow?”

Xia Qian whispered behind—new to the reins, taming the crew took effort; too long away risked trouble.

“Day off tomorrow—Literary Gathering the next. Lamplighters? Let it simmer!”