He scanned the circle and said in a serious tone:
"The Young Marquis has already gained momentum; he is no longer someone that human efforts can resist. We must reconsider our strategy."
A middle-aged man in a creamy white scholar robe asked, "Elder Tong, what are your plans?"
"When I think about the previous rumors, I feel anxious, afraid that the Young Marquis will discover..."
Elder Tong sighed, "Alas... The best plan now is to visit in person and plead guilty, hoping for the Young Marquis's forgiveness."
"Visiting in person and pleading guilty is not scary; it's just losing face. But... do any of you know the cause of last night's slaughter?"
"Oh? Elder Tong, feel free to speak directly."
"Yes, we are all grasshoppers tied to the same rope now. Don't hold back your words."
"Just now, the servant reported that the Zhao family on Fengtong Street is finished!"
"What? The Zhao family? Minister of Rites Zhao Ruixiang, what happened to them?!"
