Chapter 292 - 290: Li Xiu’s Mind

Chapter 292: Chapter 290: Li Xiu’s Mind

Li Xiu came back and headed straight for the garden. Looking at the three people seated across from him, he said softly with a half-smile, "She’s been transferred. It’s a decent place—one part heaven, one part hell. If she makes the right choice, consider it my gift to the Eldest Miss. If she chooses poorly, it’ll just be practice for Ping’an. Secretary Sun has probably told Elder Ping by now. I imagine Elder Ping has already given his tacit approval."

"Jin Chen, don’t overthink it. Everyone walks their own path. You can’t blame others if you make a wrong turn. As for the Eldest Miss, it’s up to her now. She’s nearly fifty, after all. We can’t hold her hand for her entire life. It’s about time she learned to walk on her own!" the Eldest Young Madam said bluntly.

’This sister-in-law of mine is utterly spoiled. I usually can’t be bothered with her, but the child in my belly is the Ping Family’s only heir right now. If anyone dares to get any funny ideas, I’ll gut them myself!’

Li Xiu smiled and said softly, "It’s fine. Don’t worry, Sister-in-law. I’ve already had Secretary Sun arrange for people to look after the Eldest Miss. We can’t risk damaging the porcelain for a worthless tile, can we?"

"You’ve been through a lot for this, Jin Chen," Ping Jing said, looking at Li Xiu with gratitude. There was so much more he wanted to say, but he couldn’t. To say more would be to belittle Li Xiu’s heartfelt efforts.

After a full morning of classes, Zhou Lian saw Li Xiu waiting to pick her up. Her brow furrowed almost imperceptibly, but she got into the car and headed home with him, just like any other day.

After lunch and a short rest, Zhou Lian looked at Li Xiu and said gently, "Jin Chen, you don’t need to drive me to school. I only have two classes this afternoon. Let the others take me. You should stay home and get some proper rest. You’re exhausted."

"Bao’er, I..."

"Jin Chen, it breaks my heart to see you like this."

Seeing Zhou Lian’s hushed voice, Li Xiu opened his mouth to protest but couldn’t bear to upset her further. He simply smiled, nodded, and arranged for two bodyguards to accompany her to the university.

As he watched the two bodyguards escort Zhou Lian through the ornate courtyard gate, Li Xiu took a deep breath. He walked slowly to his study, sat at the desk, and buried his head in his hands. He began to meticulously mull over the recent chain of events. ’It would be a lie to say I’m not tired, that it hasn’t been hard. In my last life, I was just an ordinary man, someone people described as simple, honest, and foolishly filial. Even though I met a good master, my unrequited love and fruitless pursuits left me a dejected man for half my life.’ 𝘧𝓇ℯℴ𝓂

’Being reborn into this life, all I wanted at first was to protect my beloved Zhou Lian and ensure she had a lifetime of peace, that our family could live quiet, untroubled years. But ever since Zhou Lian got into university, one thing has happened after another. I never imagined that my master, a simple cattle herder from a farming village, could have such a monumental background. The events that followed went far beyond my predictions. The Ping Family, the Sun Family, the Lan Family, the Wang family, the Zhang Family... the entire Imperial Palace, the whole upper echelon of the Capital City, was suddenly and unexpectedly laid bare before me.’

’It would be a lie to say I wasn’t intimidated back then. The most powerful family I dealt with in my past life was my son’s in-laws, a Zhang Family that wouldn’t even count as third-rate in the Capital City. But what could I do? My precious wife is intelligent, yes, but since our last life, she’s been so sheltered by me, our daughter, and our son that she’s remained far too naive. Even with this second chance, she’s still the same clever but utterly guileless woman. So what choice did I have? I just had to grit my teeth and push through!’

’Events pushed me forward, one step at a time, until Mrs. Ping placed Ping’an in my hands. At that point, there was no turning back. To protect my wife and children here, Under the Imperial City, I had no choice but to take on that hot potato. I desperately tried to recall everything my master taught me in my past life. Fortunately, my memory is excellent. Fortunately, I was given a second chance. Fortunately, I’d managed to collect a trove of ancient books and paintings during a period of chaos. But most importantly, I was fortunate that fate had been kind to me.’

’Through careful study of countless ancient texts, combined with my master’s meticulous guidance and the bonus of my previous life’s experience—and thankfully, with Ping’an being such a promising talent—I was finally able to train him and live up to everyone’s expectations.’ Li Xiu gave a bitter smile and wiped his face. ’It was so damn hard back then. I had to hide things from my wife, who was also living a second life. I had to keep a constant eye on Ping’an, manage my fledgling business, and on top of that, carefully maintain a delicate balance of distance and contact with the old patriarchs in the Imperial Palace.’

’Thankfully, I made it through those two years. Then Ping’an was assigned to a regional post. Elder Ping had to avoid suspicion, the Eldest Young Master was in a deep depression, and Secretary Sun was in too conspicuous a position to make any moves. That left only me. It could only be me. I had to carve a path through the thorns to protect Ping’an, who was still just a greenhorn. Was I tired? Of course I was. I had learned from my master and from books, but this was my first time applying it in the real world. Even with an extra lifetime of experience, I had never been exposed to that level of intrigue, backstabbing, and deceit. The harshest realities of the world forced me to keep moving forward, one step at a time.’

’Thankfully, all my stumbling around behind the scenes, getting beaten and bloodied, was worth it. In exchange, Ping’an achieved smooth governance and won the people’s support. In exchange, I earned the sincere protection of the Ping and Sun families. In exchange, my dear wife and children could live in peace and happiness. Just when everything was finally starting to settle down and I was getting used to it, this new chaos erupted over the past two years. I hadn’t wanted to get too involved. This wasn’t something I was supposed to meddle in, nor was it something I thought I could.’

’But who could have predicted that at this critical moment, Liu Shengnan would get pregnant? With the Ping Family’s only grandchild to date. What could I do? Leaving her in the Ping household inside the Imperial Palace would be like painting a target on her back. Our family and the Ping Family are now inextricably linked. The only thing I can do is give everything I have to protect Ping Jing’s wife and child. But right now, a storm is brewing over the Capital City. So what now? Just have to grit my teeth and bear it!’

He gave another bitter smile. ’My master loved the free-spirited, romantic style of the Wei and Jin dynasties, and I learned it from him to perfection. But can I afford to be so carefree and unrestrained now? The wild, reckless abandon others see is just an act I put on for them. What else can I do but endure? The only time I can truly relax is when Zhou Lian is with me. That’s the part of the day I crave the most.’

This turmoil would likely drag on until the end of next year. By then, Liu Shengnan would have given birth, and things should get easier. At this thought, Li Xiu’s spirits lifted. The Eldest Young Master would be staying here in the garden at least until Liu Shengnan delivered the baby. ’In these next six or seven months, I have to get him back on his feet. That way, my own burden will be lighter in the future.’

His fingers tapped lightly on the desk as he began to mentally sort through all of Ping’an’s alliances and semi-alliances. ’The Sun Family is secure. Three generations of them are my genuine allies. The Wang family is also fine, with Wang Song there, not to mention Zhang Hongying. As for the Lan Family...’ Li Xiu smiled faintly. ’Old Madam Lan is highly ambitious, but she’s a smart woman, and smart people don’t do foolish things. And the Zhang Family... with my backing, they’ve developed rapidly and have now firmly entered the ranks of the second-rate families.’

’The military, the economy, popular support, and public opinion... they’ve all formed a great net, firmly protecting Ping’an, who is still just a sapling. Furthermore, Elder Ping has now switched to the doctor I recommended; he’ll have no problem living for another twenty years. So, I’ll use these twenty years to make a bet. A bet on whether I can pull off this reversal. A bet on whether I can protect Ping’an until he reaches the very summit! A bet on whether I can change the history of this nation!’