-Jiang Tao-
He would always come to him and mock him to curry favor with the second young master. Of course, he would always limit his mocking to a limit, not going off the line. As much as he was a follower of the second prince, he also knew the viciousness and smartness of third young master. He was afraid that if he crosses the line, then the third young master would make his life difficult. He was just a son of a concubine, his status wasn't enough to contend against a next-in-line hair, not to mention this third young master who was liked by nearly every elder in the council.
Hearing his words, Jiang Jie remembered that today was the so-called Fang Family's daughter supposed to come for a husband. Jiang Chao's father had told him yesterday to be prepared. Due to the incident with Wang Rong, he had completely forgotten about it. But he didn't give Tao any reply, choosing to get used to his new clothes. Even Jiang Chao would often use this strategy to deal with this annoying fellow. This elder brother of Jiang Chao was even a few years older than the second young master, but he would always prefer to call the later big brother.
From Jiang Chao's memories, he remembered that this fellow was a genius when it comes to martial arts, already reaching the level of the 1st layer of Soul Tempering at the age of 18.
"You!" Jiang Tao gritted his teeth in anger as he saw this waste brother ignoring him like usual. It's not the first time that this happened, but today was a special occasion, so he couldn't help but angry after seeing Jiang Jie's dismissal. Although he followed the second young master, he also had his own motive. He wanted to use today's even to rise on the social ladder.
If he could charm the Fang family girl and betrothed to her, then even becoming the clan head won't be impossible for him. He had a hunch that, he who manages to woo that girl today would most likely be the next clan head. It was also the reason why nearly all the sons of the clan head who were of the age were preparing with everything they had to show off in front of the Fang Family's girl.
"Hmph! Showoff while you can. I heard this Fang ZhiLing isn't easy to deal with. Given your trashy talent, I am pretty sure she wouldn't even bother to look at you, hah! I will see what you will do when you are removed from next in line position." Jiang Tao gloated with a disgusting smile on his face.
Jiang Jie looked at him from the corner of his eye, before snorting once more. Then with a not so polite tone, he began to speak "Big brother, care to explain what is the relation between I don't manage to woo that Fang Zhi-whatever and me being removed from the next in line? Because I don't see any connection here!"
"Haha! What? Your oh-so-bright mind couldn't come to a conclusion? Haha. Then let me tell you. Having ZhiLing's favor means having the whole Fang family's support. One who gets the support of another big family, obviously the elder's council would choose him to be the next in line. Besides there was this law in our family, there could only be 3 next in lines in one generation…so you can understand now right?" towards the end Jiang Tao couldn't keep his voice down and started to laugh even more loudly.
"So you are saying that you can woo that Zhi-whatever today, right?" how could Jiang Jie not understand Jiang Tao's hidden meaning? It was as clear as day if his first brother or second brother manages to woo ZhiLing, then there would be no change in third place's status, the only change would occur in between the first and second seat. But if someone else manages to woo her aside from these three, then one on end would be pushed out of the row. This Jiang Tao was implying that he can woo that girl and make her accept him as his betrothed, by doing so he could at least become a chosen hair, thereby kicking him, Jiang Chao out of the competition.
"haha! Of course, I can. I am only 18, and I have already reached Soul Tempering stage, what about you? You have yet to even reach the Peak Body Tempering stage! I heard that girl already the 2nd level of Soul Tempering expert, how can she put you in her eye?" Jiang Tao laughed loudly with a mocking expression.
"But she is only 16, and already a 2nd stage of Soul Tempering, but you are…about to reach 20 years old, what is there to be proud about?" Jiang Jie couldn't understand his source of confidence. Of course, he also felt that this Jiang Tao was a genius indeed. Even with the status as a concubine's son, he still managed to reach Soul Tempering before turning 20. One has to know that those who were sons and daughters of concubines tend to get fewer resources than official hairs. In Jiang Chao's memories, this Jiang Tao's talent could even place him as a genius talent in a 4-star sect.
"Hmph! So what if I am already 20? Once I have access to the same resources as you, I can pretty much soar at lightning speed and increase my cultivation by leaps and bounds." Jiang Tao angrily rebuked. It was a sore spot for him, and he always found it unsatisfying. He was a talented individual, and his cultivation talent could be even compared to sect disciples, but still, the family didn't support his request to be a chosen. Initially, he didn't had any interest in this political struggle between hairs. But when he found that the resources he was getting were unable to cover for his expenses, he couldn't swallow the hard candy and complained instead.
But the elders didn't support him at all, making him despise them even more. As a concubine's son, his status had made him unable to even complain before receiving punishment. Just when he was at his wit's end, the second wife of patriarch approached him and given him a proposal to join the second son's camp. By doing so, he could have access to all the resources he needs.
And form that day his life changed, be it for better or for worse was yet to be seen.
"Hoho! Good luck then! I hope you are successful in your endeavor." Jiang Jie said in a bland tone before sitting down on the sofa near his bed. In the corner, Hou'er started to brew him a cup of tea. Looking at the fuming young man, he smiled and continued "I am pretty sure there were layers upon layers of plans were laid for today's occasion, if you think you can breeze through all of them, then this good luck is something you need the most. Haha!"
Unable to retort anymore, the young man left in a huff, leaving behind a happier Jiang Jie. As he left the premise, the smiling face of Jiang Jie turned to his usual as he muttered under his breath "idiot, didn't even realize that he was being used all this time and speaking about wooing that girl. Hmph! You think the second Madame was that easy to deal with?"
"Jiang Tao, Fate is not that easy to revert…especially for people like you who allow it to toy with them."