Above the Galaxy

Chapter 897 - 559: A Cunning Snake-Like Scoundrel

"Based on my understanding of Uncle Sheng, he wouldn’t do something so rash and expose a secret. This time he’s acting unusually... could something have gone wrong?"

"No, it’s only because he has foreseen the outcome in advance."

"Hmm?"

"If Shen Wuxiang asks him to take sides, will he or will he not? If he decides to stand with Shen Wuxiang, then he must go all out to help them deal with us..."

"If he’s unwilling to side with Shen Wuxiang, how could Shen Wuxiang tolerate him? The position of Finance Minister is so crucial, controlling the rise and fall of a nation’s economy... Shen Wuxiang would certainly replace him with someone from his own."

"So... if I’m not mistaken, Uncle Sheng is unwilling to stand with Shen Wuxiang."

Phoenix sized up Tang Fei thoughtfully and said, "It seems he’s really treating you as a prospective son-in-law."

Tang Fei, with the thick skin of a city wall, surely wouldn’t be embarrassed by Phoenix’s slight tease.

He waved his hand dismissively and said leisurely, "It’s all just embellishment from busybodies... Mr. Sheng and I are clear and innocent, nothing like the rumored version."

"Isn’t it? Uncle Sheng has a strict and old-fashioned disposition, he rarely praises others, and it’s even more unlikely for him to invite anyone to his home for a meal."

"I also heard that he neither drinks nor likes Sheng Kuang and Sister Xin Huai drinking... yet only when you visit, he’ll proactively suggest having a few drinks with you."

"That’s because we are friends despite the age difference, for good friends a thousand cups are too few... mostly because I benefited from you. If you hadn’t introduced Mr. Sheng to me, how would I have gotten the chance to dine at the Finance Minister’s house?"

Phoenix smiled, easily letting go of the topic.

She wasn’t genuinely trying to bring suit; if she truly cared, she wouldn’t have mentioned it so casually.

Like that one matter.

She buried it deep within her heart, covering it with flowers and green grass, making it appear beautiful and lush.

But once the surface’s scar is uncovered, foul pus would flow out.

The pain was too intense, she feared she couldn’t endure it.

Phoenix sighed heavily and said, "If Uncle Sheng continues to delay declaring his stance, Shen Wuxiang will lose patience. The more intense the battle on their side, the more urgently we apply pressure on ours, the more dangerous the Sheng Family becomes."

However, can they stop progressing because of the Sheng Family?

They can’t.

This is war!

Tang Fei expressed agreement with Phoenix’s analysis and said, "I believe Uncle Sheng’s side must have some precautions. He’s been Finance Minister of the Empire for years, not a person to be underestimated, surely he has some means of self-protection."

"It’s true, but..." Phoenix’s brows furrowed, her gaze turned to the distant horizon, her voice low, "I still worry."

Tang Fei reached out to hold her, softly comforting, "It’s okay, I’ll have people in Phoenix City pay attention... if things seem amiss, we’ll find a way to get them out."

"Hmm." Phoenix nodded.

She knew Tang Fei had many hidden operatives in Phoenix City yet never asked about them.

She supported him but didn’t want to affect him.

She didn’t want to sow any seeds of doubt.

This embrace wasn’t just for warming each other but also for reminiscing about friends far away.

Just then, there was a knock on the door.

"Enter." Tang Fei released Phoenix, tidying his military uniform.

The Ghost Team member Lin Hai came in and reported, "General, someone has sent a message through a secret channel wishing to meet you."

"Who?" Tang Fei inquired.

"An envoy from Prince Philip of the Aus Empire."

Tang Fei exchanged glances with Phoenix and said, "Invite them to my small yard residence."

"Yes, General." Lin Hai replied sternly.

"From now on, you should address him as Lord." Phoenix reminded beside him.

Lin Hai was taken aback, then overjoyed, respectfully saluted, and exclaimed, "Greetings, Lord."

Lin Hai wasn’t stupid; he understood what the change in titles meant.

Tang Fei waved his hand, smiling, "Alright, alright, we’re all our own people."

Every Ghost Team member is meticulously selected, personally trained, and managed by Bai Wuxin.

They are capable and loyal, the inner circle of Tang Fei’s most trusted and direct lineage.

Thus, Tang Fei valued them highly as well.

Tang Fei himself couldn’t shout everywhere ’all of you should call me Lord from now on’, so Phoenix spoke it out.

Phoenix informed Lin Hai, and Lin Hai, being clever, would notify all staff around Tang Fei.

Hmm, so very "workplace" indeed.

It’s said that ’flattery’ originated from the culture of the Yuan dynasty when Mongolian people often met while leading horses, familiar friends would pat the other’s horse, comment on the horse’s condition, and casually praise ’good horse’, trying to win the horse owner’s favor.

Clearly, a horse can’t flatter itself; it’s left for others to do.

Hmm, modern people mostly don’t have horses, so they opt for pampering their children.

The same principle.

After Lin Hai left, Phoenix looked at Tang Fei and said, "Congratulations, Lord, the person you’ve been awaiting finally arrived."

Tang Fei’s mood was quite good, stating, "Same joy, same joy, having friends visit from afar is delightful. Come, accompany me to welcome our friends from afar."

------

City Lord Mansion. Tang Fei’s small yard.

Tang Fei looked at the two middle-aged men in front of him, clearly disguised, and asked, "Are you sent by Prince Philip? How do you prove it?"

"Yes, Mr. Tang Fei." The middle-aged man with golden hair gave a slight bow, crossed his arms in a noble gesture of the Aus Empire: "Prince Philip sends his greetings through us to you."