Chapter 297 - 295: Zhou Lian’s Philosophy

Chapter 297: Chapter 295: Zhou Lian’s Philosophy

"You want to revive classical literature?" the Eldest Young Madam asked, looking at Zhou Lian with some surprise. "That’s a long and tedious affair. I never imagined you’d be interested in such things."

Zhou Lian gently shook her head. "Not exactly. I just can’t stand how so many people blindly worship the West. Our ancestors have thousands of years of cultural heritage, unlike in the West where people often don’t even know who their ancestors were three generations back. It’s frankly ridiculous. I’ll admit, some parts of our culture don’t fit modern life, but most of it is what’s best suited for our people!"

Thinking of the current trends, both the Eldest Young Madam and Liu Shengnan felt a shared sense of concern. It was easier said than done. It was the kind of work that might not yield any results in a lifetime. Moreover, it had only been a few years since that movement ended. The people’s suppressed way of thinking hadn’t been fully liberated, and many cultural legacies had been destroyed during that time.

"Sister, do you have a concrete plan already?" Liu Shengnan knew Zhou Lian fairly well. If she was bringing this up, she must already have a well-developed idea; otherwise, she wouldn’t have mentioned it.

Nodding, Zhou Lian said slowly, "Mmm, it’s more or less ready. I just need to finalize some details. We can get things started in the second half of next year!"

"Is there anything I can help with?" the Eldest Young Madam asked, looking at Zhou Lian seriously.

Smiling at the Eldest Young Madam, Zhou Lian said cheerfully, "Of course! It would be a real shame not to make use of talents like you and Eldest Brother. Rest assured, I won’t hesitate to ask for your help when the time comes!"

The Eldest Young Madam pointed a playful finger at Zhou Lian and chuckled. "Alright. When the time comes, just say the word. Your Eldest Brother and I will certainly do our part."

"Sister, what about Ping’an and me?" Liu Shengnan asked hesitantly, raising her hand slightly.

"As for you two, not just yet. But in a few years, I really will need you and Ping’an. So keep working hard!"

After glancing at the time, Zhou Lian said, "It’s getting late. You two go on with what you were doing. I have a few things to take care of. If you need anything, just send someone over to get me."

The two sisters-in-law of the Ping Family watched as Zhou Lian, having just stepped out of the small building, was immediately surrounded by a crowd of people and escorted away. They both let out a simultaneous sigh of relief. They never realized before that Zhou Lian had such a powerful presence. Only today did they see it. No wonder she and Li Jincheng were a couple; their intimidating aura was the real deal. It was a good thing they had been brought up in a certain way since childhood; otherwise, it would be difficult to even get a word in edgewise around her.

"Eldest Sister-in-law, I always thought Sister was just very smart, gentle, and intellectual. Now I realize I completely misjudged her. It’s a good thing..." Liu Shengnan trailed off.

Glancing at her, the Eldest Young Madam smiled. "A good thing what? That she and Li Jincheng are on the Ping Family’s side? Shengnan, you’re mistaken. Li Jincheng has never acted for the Ping Family. He and Zhou Lian are only doing this for one person: Ping’an. You know their history with our family. If Ping’an hadn’t treated them with true sincerity, Li Jincheng and Zhou Lian would never have gotten mixed up in this world of fame and fortune. Remember what Mother-in-law once said? Li Jincheng is a man of extreme passions—he values sentiment above all, but he can also be the most heartless. Do you understand, Shengnan?"

"Eldest Sister-in-law, I think I’ve been getting a bit paranoid," Liu Shengnan said softly with a wry smile. "Ever since I got pregnant, I’ve been on edge about everything. It’s thrown my mind completely off balance. Eldest Sister-in-law, I’m sorry. Right now, I’m..."

Gently patting Liu Shengnan’s hand, the Eldest Young Madam smiled. "It’s alright. You’re pregnant, and you’ve been under too much stress lately. Don’t overthink things. Look at how many people around you are working hard to protect you. Taking good care of yourself is the best way to repay them. Shengnan, you have to understand that Li Jincheng and Zhou Lian aren’t the kind of people who chase fame and fortune. Otherwise, Li Jincheng wouldn’t have fought tooth and nail to avoid a government position back then. Zhou Lian has a scholar’s characteristic integrity, and moreover, her vision is so grand that people like you and I aren’t even on her radar."

She glanced at Liu Shengnan and continued, "And when I say we’re not on her radar, I’m talking about our external statuses. When she interacts with us, she sees you simply as the woman Ping’an loves, and I’m just the sister-in-law who came along for the ride. She doesn’t need any of that external validation. You heard her—Li Jincheng has already given her a life of peace and tranquility. So, Shengnan, no matter how far or how high you and Ping’an climb, you must always remember that Zhou Lian is your sister. Engrave it in your heart. In the end, she will be your most gentle and reliable source of comfort."

"I understand, Eldest Sister-in-law. Before Ping’an and I were married, she went to the Imperial Palace to discuss my future with Mother-in-law. I knew then that she was doing it for Ping’an’s sake, but also for mine. She was afraid I wouldn’t be able to make Ping’an happy, and she was also afraid Ping’an might fail me. She went to great lengths to pave a smooth path for our marriage. Eldest Sister-in-law, everyone says Sister is the happiest woman in the whole Capital City, but really, I think I’m the luckiest one!"

Looking at her Eldest Sister-in-law, who was watching her with a constant smile, Liu Shengnan smiled and said, "Look, Eldest Sister-in-law. Before I was married, I was showered with my parents’ love. Then I married a good man, have an understanding mother-in-law, a sister-in-law who dotes on me like a real sister, and even a sister, though not by blood, who pours so much energy into my well-being. I’ve never been wronged a day in my life. After marrying, my in-laws all protect me, and now I’m having a child. Eldest Sister-in-law, sometimes I think, so many people must be envious or even jealous of me!"

The Eldest Young Madam gently patted her hand and smiled. ’No wonder Ping’an chose to marry her. To be honest, all the young women in their circle had their eyes on Ping’an back then. Liu Shengnan was wonderful, but she wasn’t the most exceptional of the bunch. He chose her, though. At the time, I didn’t quite understand it, but now I do. This sister-in-law of mine is the most clear-sighted of them all.’

’No wonder Zhou Lian, who never went out of her way for anyone, took the initiative to help and guide her. That equally clear-sighted woman must have seen my sister-in-law’s true nature long ago. That had to be the reason!’

Back in her study, Zhou Lian stood by the window, gazing at the bare pomegranate tree in the courtyard. She sighed softly. ’Another year is coming to an end. Time passes so quickly. Before I knew it, more than ten years have gone by.’ Thinking back to how she was when she had just been reborn, Zhou Lian couldn’t help but smile.

’I was so naïve back then,’ she thought. ’All I could think about was my two children. I never would have imagined that in just over a decade, I, Zhou Lian, would be living a life most women dream of. And I never expected that I would fall in love with the man from my past life—and fall so deeply, so intensely!’

’It must be almost noon. I wonder if he, the kids, and our parents have eaten. They should be about halfway through their journey by now.’ She thought of her two sweet, well-behaved children, but the one she truly longed for was that man. The man who was so domineering and unrestrained with the rest of the world, but who had never once said "no" to her. She missed him dearly. The man who shouldered every hardship and every difficulty on his own, never letting her touch any of it.