Chapter 320 - 318: Untying the Heart’s Knot

Chapter 320: Chapter 318: Untying the Heart’s Knot

"Jin Chen, I..." Ping Jing thought for a moment, unsure how to continue. He knew he was being too suspicious, but Li Xiu was truly the person his own younger brother trusted most—even more than him, his older brother!

Unable to hold back a sigh, Li Xiu rubbed his forehead and said softly, "Big Brother, it’s normal for you to have doubts. I just didn’t expect them to be this severe. To be honest, if I were merely Ping’an’s advisor or strategist, your suspicions would be perfectly understandable. But my relationship with Ping’an isn’t what you think it is, which is why he got a little emotional. Big Brother, please don’t blame him."

"Jin Chen, even now, you’re still protecting him. It’s no wonder he trusts you so much," Ping Jing said, his voice laced with dejection. ’That’s the little brother I raised myself!’

Shaking his head gently, Li Xiu said seriously, "Big Brother, what I’m about to say stays in this room. After it’s said, it’s done. Back then, you went through a major crisis and fell into a deep depression. Ping’an has a pure heart and didn’t want to get involved in the world of fame and fortune. But what would happen to the Ping Family when Elder Ping is no longer with us? What would happen to you and Ping’an? Big Brother, you were once the talk of the Capital City. A simple question like this shouldn’t be too difficult for you."

"Ever since I came to the Capital City and met Elder Ping, I’ve been under his and his wife’s protection. When she personally entrusted Ping’an to me, I didn’t think too much of it. I just wanted to teach him some strategies and political skills so that he could one day support the Ping Family. It would be my way of repaying Elder Ping and his wife for their kindness and support."

Glancing at Ping’an, who was engrossed in his food, Li Xiu smiled and continued, "You raised him, Big Brother, so you know him best. He has a pure heart; he’s honest and kind. It’s hard not to like him. Within half a year—just six months—I decided I would personally pave his way to the top. I’ve told Elder Ping this before, and I’m telling you again today."

"Elder Ping once asked me, ’Didn’t you swear you’d never join the establishment? Don’t you despise all of this?’ Big Brother, I told Elder Ping that in this life, no one can remain completely untouched by worldly affairs. We all eat the same food and are raised by our parents. No one can live in true detachment from the world. ’You think too highly of me,’ I told him. ’My master taught me from a young age how to live freely and unrestrained, not how to be aloof, arrogant, and untouched by the dust of the mortal world. Though I admire the free-spirited style of the Wei Jin period, I care far more that the people I value live with joy and freedom. Ping’an is a man of noble character and a kind heart. If he were to serve as an official, he would surely bring blessings to his jurisdiction. If he achieves even greater things, it will be a blessing for the entire nation!’"

"Big Brother, those were my exact words, and they came from the heart. I truly do dislike this world of fame and fortune, this circle of scheming and backstabbing. Life is hard, and who knows if we’ll get a second chance? I naturally prefer to live a carefree and unrestrained life, doing as I please. But human emotions aren’t something you can be reckless with! I taught Ping’an. He is the brother I’ve accepted in my heart!"

"You also know I have few close relatives, Big Brother. I treat my three cousins as my own blood brothers, and in my heart, Ping’an is just as important as them, if not more so. Ping’an is my younger brother, my friend, and my confidant. The last thing I want is for him to become a mere politician. I want the Ping Family’s Ping’an to live a life of flesh and blood, full of passion—unrestrained, free, and brilliant. I want the Ping Family’s Ping’an to be able to live freely in this world while also leaving a legacy that will last for ages!"

Staring at Li Xiu, Ping Jing was both shocked and at a complete loss. ’Are these Li Xiu’s true feelings? His love and care for Ping’an are even greater than my own, as his brother. Have my suspicions been completely misplaced?’

He turned to look at Ping’an, who was happily eating away, and said, still dazed, "Jin Chen, I didn’t know any of this. I don’t know if I was wrong, but for Ping’an, I..."

"Big Brother, whether it’s your thoughts or your methods, your intentions were always for Ping’an’s sake. Outsiders have no right to blame you, and Ping’an certainly doesn’t. I only told you all this so you would understand the full story. However," Li Xiu said, looking at Ping Jing with a casual air, "this kid daring to drive back to the Capital City all by himself... he’s in need of a lesson. Big Brother, you can’t let him off easy this time."

Ping’an, who had been happily eating, choked on his food at these words and started coughing uncontrollably. ’I’ve really gone too far this time,’ he thought. ’Li Xiu rarely gets angry, but when he does... I’m so dead!’

Li Xiu quickly poured a glass of water and handed it to Ping’an, patting his back gently to help him. But his words were full of disdain. "How old are you, still choking on your food? Look at you. You’re not even as capable as Yanyan."

Watching this scene unfold, Ping Jing began to understand why his younger brother trusted Li Xiu so much. He let out a self-deprecating laugh. ’I really need to think about this.’

Wiping his mouth with a napkin, Ping’an took his cup, walked over to the sofa, and sat down. He glanced at Li Xiu, then at his own brother, and said with a helpless sigh, "Big Brother, I really never thought you’d become so suspicious."

"Ping’an, what a way to talk. Apologize to your brother!" Li Xiu said, shooting Ping’an a stern look. ’This kid really is asking for it.’

Seeing Li Xiu’s stern expression and Ping Jing’s hurt look, Ping’an knew he had gone too far. He lowered his head and said softly, "Big Brother, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it like that."

Ping Jing gave another self-deprecating smile, but he didn’t know what to say. He wanted to tell Ping’an it was okay, but...

"Big Brother, this kid needs to be taught a lesson, but don’t be angry. You know he’s always been blunt with family—he speaks his mind without any ill intent."

Seeing Ping Jing’s expression, Li Xiu sighed in exasperation, shaking his head and pressing his forehead. He looked at Ping’an, who had his head down and was afraid to speak, and said gently, "Ping’an, anyone else could have said that, but you can’t. Everything your brother does is for you. He was once the brilliant and stunning young master of the Ping Family, the talk of the Capital City. That senseless disaster was too much for anyone to bear, and combined with Elder Ping’s own ups and downs, it’s what made your brother find it so hard to trust others."

"Ping’an, you’re thirty years old now. There are some things you can’t do and some words you can’t say. You’re the person your brother cares about most in this world. I know you speak without thinking, but you have to understand that thoughtless words from the people closest to you are the ones that cut the deepest. Who do you think he’s suspicious of me for?"

Looking at the stern Li Xiu, then at his heartbroken brother, Ping’an mumbled, "I get it now... Big Brother, I was wrong."

Looking at Ping’an curled up on the sofa, Ping Jing felt truly helpless. ’Should I blame him? I’m the one who raised him. But if I don’t blame him, my heart still aches. Li Xiu is right. Isn’t everything I’ve done for his sake? But he’s my little brother, the one I raised with my own two hands. What else can I do?’

Li Xiu looked at the two brothers, utterly speechless. ’What the hell is all this?’ he thought. ’As I thought, this kid Ping’an really needs to be taught a lesson!’ He grit his teeth. Ping’an definitely needed to be disciplined properly, at least enough to make him understand what can and cannot be said.