Chapter 296 - 294: 3 Women

Chapter 296: Chapter 294: 3 Women

The Eldest Young Madam and Liu Shengnan were both stunned. ’That’s right,’ they thought. ’When has the Ping Family’s situation ever *not* been serious?’ They had been taking things for granted. How could they have forgotten the cruel, bloody reality of the world of fame and fortune? At best, the family would decline and its members would become mediocre. At worst, the family would be destroyed, its members scattered and lost.

The two exchanged a wry smile. They had only enjoyed a few days of peace, and already they had forgotten their past hardships and struggles. Liu Shengnan said to Zhou Lian, looking ashamed, "Sis, I’m sorry. I got a little carried away!" ’Yes, carried away,’ she thought. ’Marrying the man I love and carrying his child nearly made me forget the lessons Sis taught me all those years ago. It nearly made me forget my original purpose.’

"Shengnan, let me give you one more piece of advice: ’He protects the world, and you protect him.’ This is the best way for you and Ping’an to coexist. Think about it carefully," Zhou Lian said lightly, looking at the ashamed Liu Shengnan. ’As long as a person never forgets their original purpose, they can achieve their ultimate goal,’ she mused. ’I just don’t know if Liu Shengnan can do it.’

"He protects the world, and I protect him! Sis, thank you, I understand!" Liu Shengnan was indeed clever and immediately grasped the meaning of those eight words. It was just like Zhou Lian’s situation; Li Xiu fought his battles out in the world, while all Zhou Lian had to do was protect him.

The Eldest Young Madam was also taken aback by Zhou Lian’s words. ’Such a clear and simple principle, yet how many people truly understand it?’ she thought, shaking her head with a wry smile. She said to Zhou Lian, "Sister-in-law, everyone has completely misjudged you! A treasure like you, coddled in the palm of Li Jincheng’s hand—how could you possibly be as gentle and unremarkable as you appear?"

"Sister-in-law, it’s not a matter of being misjudged. It’s simply a case of getting what one desires," Zhou Lian said with a casual smile. "Jin Chen often says he wants to give me a life of peace and quiet, so I live a life of peace and quiet. That’s the only way to be worthy of all his effort and hard work, isn’t it?"

’Gentle? In both of my lives, I’ve had nothing to do with that word. If I were gentle, I wouldn’t have fought with Li Xiu in my past life to the point where we almost never saw each other again. And in this life, Li Xiu spoils me so much I could tear down the heavens and burrow into the earth. Gentle? Ha! That might fool a few blind people, I suppose.’

The Eldest Young Madam was so taken aback by her words she was left speechless. Liu Shengnan couldn’t help but laugh out loud. "Sister-in-law," she said, "who could be so blind as to call Sis gentle? A man like my brother-in-law—unruly, roguish, and absolutely magnificent—has never even said the word ’no’ to her. To make a man as demonically intelligent as him bend the knee... that’s not something ’gentleness’ can achieve. Seriously, who is that blind?"

Shooting her sister-in-law a helpless glare, the Eldest Young Madam couldn’t help but smile as well. "You’re right, who could be so blind? In our circles, Li Jincheng is a titan that countless scions of prominent families look up to. So why did no one ever stop to think that the treasure he coddles in the palm of his hand couldn’t possibly be an ordinary person?"

In truth, everyone understood. They were just parroting what they heard. Li Xiu’s reputation was just too immense, and surpassing him in any way was a dream for many. Perhaps that was why they did it—treating a piece of fine jade as if it were a worthless stone, just to secretly reassure themselves, ’See? Li Xiu isn’t so divine after all. Look at him, treating a piece of rubble like it’s a treasure!’

Hearing this, Zhou Lian just shook her head with a helpless smile. "Sister-in-law, sister-in-law," she said, addressing both, "I’m not as formidable as you make me out to be. It’s just some of a woman’s petty little schemes. Simple and gentle? To be honest, ’gentle’ and I have never been acquainted. My own mother used to say that I look soft on the outside, but I’m actually explosive. As for ’simple’... Sister-in-law, Shengnan, in this world, how many people can truly afford to live simply? It’s just an excuse to deceive yourself and others. If you want to live a spectacular life, being simple probably isn’t an option."

"That’s true. The human heart is unfathomable. Simplicity just doesn’t work in the adult world," the Eldest Young Madam sighed with a wry smile after hearing Zhou Lian’s words.

The three women instantly fell into silence. Life in this world wasn’t easy for anyone. Some sought power, some sought profit, and some sought love. As long as you desired something, you had to fight, compete, and snatch it for yourself. To hope for a good life in this world without any cunning was probably unrealistic.

"Sister-in-law, Shengnan, there’s no use thinking so much. It’s better to live in the present and seize the day. Besides, you only live once. Who knows what the future holds? We might as well live it up while we can and worry about the future when it comes," Zhou Lian said, glancing at the silent Eldest Young Madam and Liu Shengnan. Her tone was uncharacteristically wild and unrestrained.

The two Ping Family sisters-in-law exchanged a smile. That was true. All that thinking did nothing but sour their moods. It was better to do as Zhou Lian said: live for today and worry about the future when it comes.

Glancing at Zhou Lian, the Eldest Young Madam said softly, "By the way, Sister-in-law, what do you think Shengnan should do after the baby is born? Should she go find Ping’an right away, or should she stay in the Capital City?"

"Staying in the Capital City permanently is definitely not an option. Ping’an needs her. But the child will be so young, I’m afraid the two of them won’t be able to manage on their own. Sister-in-law, Jin Chen and I are here in the Capital City. Why don’t you and Eldest Brother go help them for a couple of years? What’s more..."

Glancing at Liu Shengnan, Zhou Lian continued softly, "Elder Ping will likely be slowly retiring over the next few years, but these next few years are the most critical time for Ping’an. He’s just reached his thirties, so having Eldest Brother by his side to help patch up any gaps might be for the best. Moreover, Shengnan has so much to learn, and her time will be tight when it comes to caring for and spending time with the child. With you there, Sister-in-law, wouldn’t things be a little better?"

Sweeping her gaze over the two sisters-in-law, Zhou Lian lowered her eyes and said slowly, "Of course, this is just a thought of mine. As for what to actually do, Eldest Brother, you, Shengnan, and Ping’an should all discuss it thoroughly. After all, this concerns the Ping Family, so you should probably consult with Elder Ping and Aunt Zhou. But let’s leave this conversation for after the child is born. Shengnan will have to do her postpartum confinement here in the Capital City anyway. A month or so should be plenty of time for all of you to discuss it."

’Sighing to herself, the Eldest Young Madam found herself looking at Zhou Lian with ever-increasing admiration. She’s so meticulous in her speech and actions, never leaving a single vulnerability for anyone to exploit. No wonder a man more cunning than a fox like Li Jincheng pampers and protects her like a treasure in the palm of his hand.’

"You’re right, it’s a bit too early to talk about this now," the Eldest Young Madam said, looking at Zhou Lian with a smile. "But Sister-in-law, are you really planning to just keep teaching? It seems like a bit of a waste, don’t you think?"

Zhou Lian just smiled and said nonchalantly, "Waste? What waste? The environment at a school is a bit simpler. I’m not one for all the scheming and backstabbing. My life is very good right now, and I have time to do the things I enjoy."

"Sis, what do you enjoy doing? And I mean besides things related to my brother-in-law, of course," Liu Shengnan asked teasingly.

Giving Liu Shengnan a helpless glare, Zhou Lian said casually, "You both know I was a Chinese major, specializing in the literature of the Tang and Song dynasties and the Wei and Jin periods. As society progresses, some of the things our ancestors left behind are slowly being forgotten. But some of those things were the culmination of their life’s blood and sweat. It’s a real shame to just let them fade away. I’m already thinking of a plan, but we can talk about it after Shengnan has her baby. These things can’t be rushed. They have to be done slowly."