Chapter 308 - 306: Li Xiu’s Scheme

Chapter 308: Chapter 306: Li Xiu’s Scheme

"You’re too modest, Big Brother. A small matter like this could never stump you. The thing is, I don’t know what to do either. Jin Chen never tells me about these things. As for the Sun family matter, I only found out because I noticed he seemed troubled for a few days and asked him about it. He only said that the Eldest Miss’s actions put everyone in the Ping Family in a difficult position. There was no other choice but to make a move against the Sun Family as a warning to Director Sun. I didn’t ask for any other details, and he didn’t offer any."

At this, Zhou Lian looked up at Ping Jing and the Eldest Young Madam, the corners of her lips curling into a slight, teasing smile. "You both know Jin Chen doesn’t want me getting involved in these things. Besides, I don’t understand any of it. For you to come and discuss this with me, Big Brother, isn’t that just making things difficult for me! How can a simple woman like me, who knows nothing, possibly compare to the brilliant and talented Eldest Young Master of the Ping family!"

"My dear sister-in-law, you’re being far too modest. You were a top student at Beijing University, you know! How can you be so humble!" Seeing Ping Jing being teased by Zhou Lian, the Eldest Young Madam quickly shot back with a smile.

Smiling at the Eldest Young Madam, Zhou Lian sighed. "Ah, Big Sister-in-law, so eager to protect your husband! But surely you haven’t forgotten? I studied classical literature. It has absolutely nothing to do with any of this!"

The Eldest Young Madam pointed a playful finger at Zhou Lian from across the space. "You and that sharp tongue of yours, my dear sister-in-law. I can’t win against you. I surrender," she said, laughing.

"You flatter me, Big Sister-in-law!" Zhou Lian said with a smile, then turned to Ping Jing, her expression growing serious. "Big Brother, let me be serious with you. I truly don’t understand these matters, and this is no joking matter. However, I’m confident this won’t be a challenge for you. Look, things are going very well now, aren’t they? The way you’re handling things is far more legitimate than Jin Chen’s methods ever were. Jin Chen and I both have faith in you, Big Brother!"

Looking at Zhou Lian’s earnest expression, Ping Jing clenched his jaw. "Fine. I’ll do my best. We can discuss it further when Jin Chen returns!"

Zhou Lian simply smiled and said nothing. ’Wait until Jin Chen gets back? We’ll have to see if he’s even willing to take this back on. We’ll have to see if *I* even let him. The sparks are already flying, and instead of dousing them, you want to add more fuel to the fire? Truly foolish!’

Sister Fang came into the courtyard, smiling. She gave a nod to Ping Jing and the Eldest Young Madam before walking to Zhou Lian’s side and speaking softly, "Xiao Lian, you’ve been out here for a long time. You’re still recovering; you can’t afford to catch another chill. Be good, now. How about I make you some sweet stuffed fruits later?"

"Sister Fang, are you trying to coax me like I’m Nuonuo or Yanyan!" Zhou Lian whined playfully, looking at Sister Fang with a bashful smile. "And with sweet stuffed fruits, no less! Don’t you usually only make those for the children? You always scold me for trying to steal their share!"

Shaking her head gently, Sister Fang replied in a soft, smiling voice, "Then how about I make a portion just for you from now on?"

Nodding happily, Zhou Lian turned her head to smile at Ping Jing and the Eldest Young Madam. "Big Brother, Big Sister-in-law..."

"You should hurry back inside and rest. Your big brother and I will take our leave now. Just focus on getting better these next few days. I’ll take care of things with Shengnan, so don’t you worry!" the Eldest Young Madam said with a reciprocal smile, seeing Zhou Lian looking pleased.

"With you here, Big Sister-in-law, I have nothing to worry about. I’m feeling a little chilly, so I won’t see you and Big Brother out!" Zhou Lian said with a smile.

She then turned to Sister Fang and said, "Sister, please see the Eldest Young Master and Eldest Young Madam out for me."

Upon hearing this, Sister Fang secretly clenched her jaw, but she maintained her smile and made a welcoming gesture toward Ping Jing and the Eldest Young Madam.

Watching the Ping Family’s Eldest Young Master and Eldest Young Madam disappear past the ornamental gate, Zhou Lian leaned back, closed her eyes, and let out a long breath. ’Finally, that’s over. A bunch of fucking thousand-year-old foxes, all of them. What was the point of all that?’

Sister Fang looked at Zhou Lian, who seemed to have just endured a grueling battle of wits, and shook her head with a soft sigh. ’What a mess this all is.’ Her heart ached as she went to help Zhou Lian up and into her room. Noticing the cold sweat on her forehead, she led her straight into the bathroom.

"Xiao Lian, you’re sweating again. I’ll draw you a hot bath to soak in, or you’ll catch another chill!" As she spoke, she quickly prepared the water in the large tub, helped Zhou Lian out of her clothes, and eased her into the water.

After helping the now-changed Zhou Lian out of the bathroom, Sister Fang settled her onto the bed and said gently, "Don’t think about anything now. Just close your eyes and rest for a while."

Zhou Lian smiled and nodded at Sister Fang. The bath had left her feeling drained, and she closed her eyes almost immediately. ’I’m not sleepy, just... exhausted, body and soul. Ah, that Eldest Young Master of the Ping family. No wonder a single setback was enough to leave him demoralized for over ten years. There’s a fundamental problem with his character.’

’She carefully recalled their interactions with the Ping Family over the years, and Li Xiu’s attitude. Li Xiu had openly disliked the Eldest Miss and her husband; everyone in the Ping Family was well aware of that. So what about the Eldest Young Master? Wait a minute... Li Xiu seemed completely indifferent to him, but he held a sliver of appreciation for the Eldest Young Madam. It seemed Li Xiu was also aware of the Eldest Young Master’s flawed character.’

’So, what was Li Xiu’s motive in letting the Eldest Young Master take over these affairs? He had handed over all matters related to the estate to the Eldest Young Master. And ever since the Eldest Young Master moved into the estate, Li Xiu had frequently taken him out with him.’

A small smile touched her lips. ’It seems Li Xiu understood the Eldest Young Master’s disposition perfectly: not a bad heart, but deeply suspicious. No wonder Li Xiu agreed so readily to leave me behind in the Capital City by myself this time. He left so obediently to put my mind at ease. At the same time, he knows me. He knew what I would do if I stayed in the Capital City. He was giving me his silent permission to do all of this!’

’So, it’s not possible that he intended for me to hand everything over to Ping Jing. The most critical parts... I don’t know the details, so I couldn’t hand them all over. But Ping Jing knows Li Xiu too well. He’ll assume Li Xiu has already entrusted everything to me. After all, when it comes to the title of the world’s biggest wife-doter, if Li Xiu claims second place, no one would dare claim first!’

’And once Li Xiu returns, with everything already in Ping Jing’s hands, Li Xiu would be too embarrassed to ask for it back. That’s why the Eldest Young Madam and the Eldest Young Master came today—to sound me out and see if I truly have control over everything. The more I claimed to be ignorant and unclear, the less Ping Jing would believe me. After all, when I dealt with the Sun Family the other day, the contacts I used were all pretty much the ones Li Xiu had previously established!’

She smiled, her eyes still closed. ’Li Xiu really does trust me, doesn’t he? He’s not even afraid I’ll mess it all up.’ This unspoken understanding between them made Zhou Lian’s mood soar. ’And damn, is he clever!’

’He killed so many birds with one stone. He allowed me to see the true character of the Ping Family’s Eldest Young Master and his wife. He protected me, someone who’s driven by her emotions, from getting hurt. He offloaded this thorny problem onto Ping Jing. He let the ever-suspicious Ping Jing see the truth for himself. At the same time, he showed the Eldest Young Madam that the Li family has no desire for this power. What’s more, it allows Liu Shengnan to understand the situation clearly, which will in turn give her an explanation for Ping’an!’

’As for what Ping’an will think, that all depends on whether Liu Shengnan is clever enough, whether her perspective is broad enough, and whether her character is fundamentally upright. As for Ping’an himself, whether he decides to open his heart or not... this is probably Li Xiu’s final test for him. If he passes, Li Xiu will undoubtedly help him with everything he has. If he fails, Li Xiu will, at most, support him for a little while longer. After that, he’ll be on his own!’