Chapter 174 - 171: Li Xiu’s Bad Thoughts (Part 2)
The old gentlemen watched him, their faces blank as he put on a wronged expression, all of them thinking the same thing: ’Yeah, right!’ This kid really would stoop to anything, whining and playing innocent to get his way!
"It doesn’t matter how you handle me, really. I never intended for this to blow up so big. See? The moment I sensed something was wrong, I came and told you, didn’t I? Besides, this is an internal issue within the system now. I’m just a common citizen, so I shouldn’t get involved," Li Xiu said softly. He had, in fact, deliberately caused this whole mess. The moment he realized how far-reaching the implications were, and that one or two people with real power were involved, he had secretly arranged for the news to be leaked to Secretary Sun. It wouldn’t do for him to overreach; when things reach an extreme, they tend to swing in the opposite direction. After all, everyone has their own selfish motives.
Elder Ping pointed a finger at him from a distance but didn’t give him a hard time. He just sighed to himself. ’This kid... he sees things too clearly. No wonder he’s dead set against joining the system. With his perceptive nature, he’d probably be stifled to death in that cesspool. Forget it. He’s the only thing Yun Qi left behind in this world for us to worry about. We have to protect him—protect his character, preserve his clarity. That way, when I see my old friend again, I won’t feel ashamed or guilty.’
"Let’s leave this matter here," Elder Ping said, his tone a bit heavy. "Jin Chen has caused too big of a stir this time. He’s probably on the radar of every major family now. You all need to watch over him. The boy is audacious, toppling several families all by himself. I’m afraid this won’t end well. King Yan is easy to meet, but his minions are a pain to deal with. We can’t let this kid get tripped up by some nobody in the shadows."
Hearing this, Mr. Sun’s heart sank. He’d had the same thought; the smaller fries were always the hardest to handle. He turned directly to his son and said, "This is on you now. If a Secretary-General like you can’t protect Jin Chen in a place like the Capital City, then don’t even bother coming home anymore. You’d be a disgrace!"
Secretary Sun stared at his father, completely exasperated. ’I know you held that old gentleman in high esteem back in the day, and it’s fine to protect his beloved apprentice like your own grandson. But if you’re going to protect him, then protect him! Now you’ve just dumped it all on me. I’m busy enough as it is, and you keep finding more trouble for me. What a dear old dad he is!’
"Say something! Don’t tell me you’re so incompetent you can’t even protect Jin Chen!" Old Sir Sun shouted irritably when his son didn’t answer. ’This is Yun Qi’s only beloved apprentice, the only person he left in this world for us to look after. We have to protect the boy, no matter what. It’s the only way to honor the bond we forged through life and death.’
Secretary Sun gloomily wiped his face and said, "Don’t worry, Dad. I’ll make sure Jin Chen is safe, one way or another. That way you won’t feel ashamed and guilty when you see your old friend again."
"Alright, Old Sun," Mr. Lan said loudly. "We’ll all go back and instruct the younger generations in our families. I refuse to believe that with us old-timers around, we can’t protect Yun Qi’s beloved apprentice!" ’Besides,’ he thought, ’Jin Chen knows how to handle things. Although he was a bit reckless this time, I can’t shake the feeling that this kid did it on purpose. He’s usually so cautious. This time, his methods were far too crude!’
Li Xiu didn’t know whether to laugh or cry as he watched the old gentlemen discussing how to protect him. ’Is it really necessary? I’m just a small fry. Who’s going to pay any attention to me? Besides, the families that were toppled by this are all too busy scrambling to find a way out. How could they have time to worry about me?’
Still, Li Xiu appreciated the old gentlemen’s concern. They were, after all, powerful figures with real authority. For them to go to such lengths for someone like him—so insignificant you’d lose him in a crowd—was purely because of the old friendship between his master and them. Now that his master was gone, for them to still care so much about him spoke volumes of their loyalty and integrity.
"Thank you, gentlemen, for your concern for me," Li Xiu said, rising to his feet and giving a deep bow to the old gentlemen, including Elder Ping. He then added with a light smile, "You are all men who handle great affairs. I feel truly unworthy that you’ve spent so much effort today on me, the junior of an old friend."
Elder Ping quickly helped Li Xiu up and said kindly, "Jin Chen, you’re being too formal. Your master, Yun Qi, and we were comrades who faced death together. He passed away too soon, and you are the only one he left for us to worry about. We have to help our old pal look after you. That way, when we see him again, we’ll have something to report!"
The old gentlemen were very pleased with Li Xiu’s politeness and understanding. Although they were protecting him out of loyalty to their old friend, having someone who knew how to be grateful was deeply comforting. After all, a person with good manners and sense is always more likable.
Back from the Imperial Palace, Li Xiu saw a worried Zhou Lian and was filled with regret. ’How could I have forgotten to tell her? Making her worry like this, especially while she’s pregnant.’ He hurried forward and said gently, "Bao’er, it’s nothing. A few of the old gentlemen just wanted to ask me about some things."
Seeing Zhou Lian let out a sigh of relief, Li Xiu told her the whole story from beginning to end. Rather than let her worry, it was better to let her know everything clearly. He knew his Bao’er too well; she had a forbearing and level-headed nature. Besides, with the exception of one thing, he never planned to hide anything from her.
After listening carefully, Zhou Lian gently asked Li Xiu, "Will this have a big impact on you? Will anyone try to get revenge?"
Gently pulling Zhou Lian into his lap, Li Xiu toyed with her fingers and said, "It’s not a big deal. The old gentlemen have already considered everything, and Secretary Sun will figure something out. Besides, it’s not as dramatic as it sounds. Think about it: now that things have gone south for them, they’re all scrambling to find an escape route. Who has time to think about getting revenge on me right now? Plus, the only ones who know about this are a few bigwigs. The grunts at the bottom have no idea I was involved. Don’t worry, Bao’er!"
Zhou Lian thought for a moment and knew Li Xiu had a point. One shouldn’t overestimate their own importance; the world keeps turning no matter who is gone. Releasing the anxiety she’d been holding, she was finally able to ask, "Jin Chen, is the Wang family deeply involved in this? What about the Zhang Family?"
"The Zhang Family is fine," Li Xiu said casually. "The Wang family isn’t in too much trouble either. It’s just that the head of the family, Wang Song’s father, has hit the ceiling in his political career. There’s no hope for further promotion. This will have some effect on Wang Song, but not a huge one. Who can they blame but themselves for having such a disastrous woman in their family! Wang Song’s maternal family will likely be stripped of everything, with no chance of recovery. Besides, the other families that got caught up in this won’t let them off the hook either!"
’People have to pay the price for their mistakes. How could he let someone run up to his door to insult and threaten the treasure he held in the palm of his hand? Did she really think he was a doormat? Even in his past life, when he was just an ordinary farmer, no one had ever dared to casually insult or threaten his Bao’er. Back then, there were people in the village who didn’t get along with Bao’er, and some even caused trouble, but he had dealt with all of them discreetly. He had never encountered someone like Wang Song’s mother, who dared to swagger into someone else’s home and cause a scene. An official’s wife, no less. Whatever she relied on for her arrogance, he would destroy it. Let’s see how high and mighty she can be then!’