Chapter 193 - 190: Debut in the Capital City

Chapter 193: Chapter 190: Debut in the Capital City

The old guard from the Imperial Palace was quite supportive. They arrived neither too early nor too late, but right after about a third of the guests had come. Even Elder Ping and Mrs. Ping arrived together. Seeing Li Xiu and Ping’an greeting guests at the entrance, they felt very gratified. Ping’an had always been more kind than cunning, but now, it seemed the results of his training were excellent.

As for the others, aside from Old Sir Sun, they all felt a pang of jealousy. ’This Li Jincheng’s strategic mind is unparalleled, even surpassing his master’s. It seems he’s truly taken the Ping Family’s boy under his wing. Oh well, you can’t force destiny. Look at that little rascal from the Sun Family—Li Jincheng managed to whip him into shape and send him off to the army. He’s bound to become a formidable general. And our own...’

Ping’an shot Li Xiu a look. Li Xiu glanced back at him, and the sharp-eyed Mrs. Ping noticed the hint of a smile and gratification in Li Xiu’s eyes as he did. Li Xiu then smiled and guided the dignitaries and their wives to a private room. Spotting Li Bao checking on the banquet, Li Xiu gave him a meaningful glance. Li Bao understood immediately, looked toward the entrance, and hurried to the private room to fetch Ping’an’s spare jacket for him. Mrs. Ping saw it all. While softly murmuring her agreement with the other ladies, a faint smile appeared on her lips. ’I don’t need to worry about An’er anymore,’ she thought. ’Jin Chen is looking after him!’

The banquet officially began at 7:18 PM. By then, Yanyan was sound asleep. Mrs. Ping pulled the small cot closer to her and said to Zhou Lian, "I’ll watch Yanyan. You and Jin Chen can take Nuonuo, and have An’er accompany you to go toast the guests."

Zhou Lian suppressed a smile. Seeing how Mrs. Ping’s eyes hadn’t left Yanyan since she’d entered the room, she said with a smile, "Aunt Zhou, thank you for your trouble!"

Li Xiu, carrying Nuonuo and with his wife by his side, went from table to table making toasts, accompanied by Ping’an. As they moved through the room, Li Xiu and Zhou Lian conducted themselves with grace and composure, appearing neither servile nor arrogant. This, combined with the well-behaved Nuonuo in Li Xiu’s arms, completely changed everyone’s perception of the family. ’The husband is handsome and vibrant, the wife is gentle and refined, and their little girl is so well-behaved and cute. The rumors must be false. This Li Xiu doesn’t seem like a deeply calculating man at all!’

Only much later, when crisis struck, did they realize how naive, simple-minded, and utterly foolish their judgment had been. The depth of Li Xiu—Li Jincheng’s—cunning was simply unbelievable. This group of old veterans, who had survived an era of war, was being run in circles by a man just over thirty. Of course, they didn’t know that at the time. In a few years, they would be regretting it to their very bones.

Madam Sun murmured to Mrs. Ping, "They’re such a pleasure to look at. A truly picture-perfect couple. How did that old fellow, Yun Qi, get so lucky? To think he could unearth such a promising talent in some quiet corner of the countryside. It truly makes one envious!"

Mrs. Ping glanced at her with a smile and said, "Indeed. That old fox was unparalleled in his cunning, and he trained such a remarkable disciple. I’m sure he is resting peacefully now." ’If Ping’an can just learn half of what Jin Chen knows,’ she thought, ’he’ll be able to protect the Ping Family in the future!’

"Yes, that old fox," Madam Sun said softly, her eyes on Li Xiu and Zhou Lian as they finished their toasts. "But the disciple he raised has the same impeccable character. Truly, ’A humble gentleman, fit to cross the great stream.’ ’An elegant lord, cut and filed, carved and polished.’" She thought of her own grandson, who had been at his most rebellious in his teens. She never imagined Li Jincheng would be able to straighten him out so quickly. ’It seems my husband’s faith in him was not misplaced.’

The ladies at the table were all formidable and direct women who, in their day, had been bold enough to follow their husbands onto the battlefield. They didn’t mince words. Hearing Mrs. Ping and Madam Sun, Lady Lan said bluntly, "What are you two so envious for? One of your boys went off to defend the country, and the other is being personally mentored by Li Jincheng. Are you really worried they won’t have bright futures?"

Mrs. Ping and Madam Sun exchanged a knowing smile. It was true. But there was a reason for all this; it was a matter of reaping what they had sown. Years ago, the patriarchs of their two families had treated Ge Yunqi as a brother. If they hadn’t, they wouldn’t have spent over twenty years searching for him after they lost contact. When they finally found news of him, it was only to learn that he had already passed away. That was why they had taken such great care of his only disciple, sheltering him diligently. Now, Jin Chen had repaid their kindness, stepping in to solve their problems with ease. ’That young man is a grateful one,’ they thought. ’Otherwise, given his temperament, he wouldn’t have taken on so much trouble.’

The banquet ended on a perfect note. Elder Ping paid them the honor of staying until the very end, which also sent a clear signal to all the families and individuals in the Capital City. It was a warning to any blockheads not to provoke someone they couldn’t afford to offend. ’This Jin Chen is utterly devoted,’ he was signaling. ’He’d do anything for his wife. To prevent a repeat of last year’s incident, it’s best to remind everyone of that fact.’

That night, families throughout the Capital City gathered to discuss Li Xiu. Some were conceited and thought themselves clever, while others saw the situation with clarity. Different views were voiced in every household, but the general consensus was to keep a safe distance for the time being. After all, the embers of last year’s incident were still warm. Regardless of whether Li Xiu was behind it, given how highly Elder Ping valued him, no one was foolish enough to go looking for trouble by provoking him.

「The Sun Family」

Secretary Sun said with a smile, "Father, Mother, rest assured. Our family isn’t foolish enough to knowingly attempt the impossible."

"How foolish does your son have to be?" Old Sir Sun retorted irritably. "Now that Jin Chen has knocked some sense into him, he’s finally behaving, isn’t he!"

Glancing at his father, Secretary Sun said softly, "He was rather foolish, I agree. But what could I do? Whenever I tried to discipline him, you would always shield him. Of course he turned into a fool!"

"You brat! What are you saying!"

"That’s enough. Our son has a point," Madam Sun interjected, first chiding her husband, then placating him. "But the outcome was good, and Li Jincheng only stepped in out of respect for the bond you share with him." Seeing Old Sir Sun fall silent, she smiled.

「The Lan Family」

Looking at the hall full of her children and grandchildren, Lady Lan said softly, "That Ge Yunqi was a devilishly clever man, and the disciple he raised is even more so. That little terror from the Sun Family, who fears nothing, was actually subdued by Li Jincheng. And for a shrewd vixen like Zhou Ying to feel comfortable placing Ping’an under his guidance... it seems this Li Jincheng really is exceptionally capable."

Mr. Lan looked at her and said quietly, "I want to send Xiao Wu to serve under Ping’an."

Stunned, Lady Lan looked at him and asked, "Are you sure?"

Mr. Lan lit a cigarette and took a harsh drag before speaking. "I made my decision after watching Ping’an tonight. You’re well aware of Ping’an’s nature—kind and sincere, but not very shrewd. Look at how he carried himself tonight, and then look at Li Jincheng’s attitude towards him. I’ll tell you the truth: last year’s affair was all Li Jincheng’s doing, single-handedly. By the time we received word, Elder Ping had only just found out himself. The only thing we could do was help with the cleanup. Just think how deep his strategies run. I even suspect that he intentionally let the news reach us."

Lady Lan sucked in a sharp breath. Gritting her teeth, she said, "So be it. Our family will never reach the absolute pinnacle anyway. If we send Xiao Wu to serve under Ping’an, at least we know Ping’an isn’t the type to cast people aside once they’ve served their purpose."

Meanwhile, Ping’an, who was in utter agony as he worked through the "homework" Li Xiu had assigned him, had no idea that his future right-hand man was already being packaged up by his father to be delivered to him.