Chapter 97

......

Wang Shouzhe knew that this simple-minded young man probably didn’t have a clue.

As the legitimate son, he was obsessed with cultivation and battles, and normally wouldn’t bother with external affairs.

Moreover, the insiders of the Zhao family wouldn’t wear “I am a bad person” on their faces all day.

Furthermore, good and evil are not absolute terms.

From the Zhao family’s perspective, they were merely striving for more survival space, albeit by any means necessary. The world is inherently cruel and full of competition.

Wang Shouzhe said calmly, “Invading and swallowing the interests of the innocent by any means will naturally make people dislike you.”

“Then, aren’t you also using any means to invade our Zhao family?” Zhao Dingteng, with his simple-minded look, pointed at Liu Yuanrui and said, “He said your schemes kill people without a trace.”

“The Zhao family is not innocent. It was your Zhao family that broke the rules first, making us enemies,” Wang Shouzhe said calmly. “Secondly, if your Zhao family hadn’t been doing evil deeds and long-term infringing on the interests of the innocent, offending so many people, my plan wouldn’t have caused such a stir. Ultimately, if a family is not upright, it will eventually be destroyed.”

Wang Shouzhe wasn’t afraid of his plan being leaked, because it was a powerful move that the Liu and Zhao families were powerless to resist. Given their reputation, even if they tried to be good, the common people wouldn’t believe them.

“Then... can our two families still become friends?” Zhao Dingteng’s simple face looked troubled, “I don’t want to be a bad person.”

“No.” Wang Shouzhe said calmly, “Once you start down that path, there’s no turning back. You’ve already eaten your fill, so go home. Your father is now discussing with your great-grandfather how to eliminate me.”

Ah?

Zhao Dingteng looked shocked, you can even figure that out?

In the end, Zhao Dingteng left with a disappointed look, unable to understand why he couldn’t choose to be a good person.

After Zhao Dingteng left.

Liu Ruolei sighed, “This simple-minded Zhao is quite pitiful. Born into a certain family, he is destined to bear the indelible mark of that family.”

“So, we need to become even stronger,” Wang Shouzhe said with a sigh, “Only true strength can break free from constraints and control one’s own destiny.”

“Break free from constraints and control one’s own destiny?” Liu Ruolei murmured softly, her eyes flickering.

“Uh...” Wang Shouzhe suddenly felt a bit uneasy. This future sister-in-law was in her rebellious phase; instilling such ideas in her would only make things worse.

Immediately, Wang Shouzhe’s expression turned serious, and he said sternly, “But the reason we are called a civilized world is because we have a complete society. All our actions need to be responsible to ourselves and others. Take me, for example, I want to become strong because I want to protect the people around me, the people I care about.”

“Hmm~ Thank you, Brother Shouzhe, I understand.” Liu Ruolei immediately brightened up.

?

Wang Shouzhe was confused, what are you thanking me for? What do you understand?

At this moment.

Liu Yuanrui bowed deeply and said, “Brother Shouzhe, my sister and I have been staying at the Wang residence for a long time. It’s time to take our leave.”

Wang Shouzhe’s body stiffened. Even Yuanrui has noticed?

Immediately, Wang Shouzhe also bowed and said, “Since Yuanrui is eager to leave, I won’t detain you.”

He was also worried. If the Liu siblings stayed any longer, this rebellious future sister-in-law might cause some trouble.

“Why are you leaving? Little brother, I haven’t had enough fun yet.” Liu Ruolei looked displeased.

Oh, my dear little lady, Liu Yuanrui inwardly groaned, if we stay any longer, something might happen to the little brother.

Immediately, Liu Yuanrui’s expression turned serious, “Ruolei, you can’t be so capricious. Brother Shouzhe, as the clan leader, has many things to handle.”

“It’s fine, Brother Shouzhe can go about his business.” Liu Ruolei said innocently, “I can play with Sister Luo Yi, Sister Luo Miao, and the others. Let me tell you, Sister Luo Miao is so much fun, she even revealed all of Brother Shouzhe’s embarrassing childhood stories.”

Upon hearing this.

Liu Yuanrui shuddered, almost crying.

Sister, if you like the Wang family’s sisters and sisters so much, are you planning to stay here forever? If something happens, how will I explain it to my family?

Didn’t you say before that you were going to help your sister discipline her future brother-in-law? How did you end up getting involved yourself?

In a moment, Liu Yuanrui’s mind was filled with a dramatic story of love and betrayal, and a falling out between sisters.

What to do? What to do?

“This, what Yuanrui said is correct.” Wang Shouzhe also said, “Recently, I have a lot of important matters to handle, and I might not be able to take care of you.”

“Alright.”

Although Liu Ruolei was reluctant, she could hear the hint in Wang Shouzhe’s words and said unhappily, “When Brother Shouzhe finishes his business, you can visit the Liu family. My sister can’t come out to receive you, but I can entertain you on her behalf.”

“This... let’s not.” Wang Shouzhe politely declined, “I am not yet married to your sister, and visiting the Liu family might cause a bad impression.”

This is a subtle rule among the Xuanwu families.

Just like Wang Shouzhe’s future brother-in-law, Chen Fangjie, if he frequently visited the Wang residence, he would probably be kicked out after a couple of times.

Therefore, even when Chen Fangjie helped Wang Shouzhe with tasks, he never entered the Wang residence to avoid being seen as an impatient suitor.

“Alright, after Brother Shouzhe and my sister get married, there won’t be so many concerns.” Liu Ruolei said regretfully, “Brother Shouzhe, keep the courtyard I stayed in, and don’t let anyone else live there.”

Wang Shouzhe broke out in a cold sweat.

This little lady really plans to stay at the Wang residence? But he couldn’t refuse her request, so he said, “Alright, I’ll make the arrangements.”

Liu Yuanrui felt like crying on the side.

How is it that our Liu family’s legitimate daughter seems to be coming with a bonus?

......

Almost simultaneously, in a secret estate.

Here, the elders and high-ranking members of the Liu and Zhao families gathered. The two old ancestors sat in the main seats, their faces grim.

They had gone to the Wang residence with confidence, but ended up losing many men and returning in disgrace. More importantly, the Liu and Zhao families’ reputations had been completely ruined by Wang Shouzhe, losing the people’s hearts and becoming a laughingstock.

“Brother Zhide.” Zhao Bojun, the old ancestor of the Zhao family, said solemnly, “With that Wang boy’s methods, he will continue to strike at us. At this critical moment of life and death, our two clans must set aside suspicions and work together.”

“Yes, that boy is indeed formidable.” Liu Zhide said heavily, “But he underestimates the strength of our two clans. Brother Bojun, isn’t your Zhao Daoyuan about to advance to the Lingtai realm?”

Zhao Bojun’s face stiffened, then he laughed heartily, “I knew I couldn’t hide it from Brother Zhide. But isn’t Brother Zhide’s Zhao Shenghao also close to his breakthrough?”

Zhao Daoyuan and Liu Shenghao were both talented clan members on the path to the Lingtai realm.

Not all families would always fully cultivate the clan leader. Sometimes, for long-term benefits, they would prioritize some well-qualified direct descendants.

Like the Wang family, they had also focused on cultivating Wang Xiaohan.

“Alright, let’s speak openly.” Liu Zhide said, “Our two clans will spare no expense to buy the necessary materials to help Daoyuan and Shenghao advance to the Lingtai realm. As long as we have one more Lingtai realm ancestor, even with Gongsun Mang and Wang Longyan protecting Wang Shouzhe, we can still forcefully eliminate him. Then, the Wang family will be leaderless, and we can do as we please.”

After this, their main target was Wang Shouzhe.

“But before that, we need to sign a hundred-year mutual development pact to avoid mutual suspicion.”

“Of course, our two clans will jointly control Ping’an Town. Let’s move quickly and aim to break through within a month.”

After the alliance.

The Liu and Zhao families seemed to have gone silent, while the Wang family continued to expand the Zhuiwei Lake project. The three families seemed to have entered a brief period of peace.

However, a dangerous undercurrent was brewing.

One day.

Near Dingpu Ferry.

There was a small, elegant estate with a large pond full of lotus flowers, named “Xia Garden.”

It was the season when the lotus flowers were in full bloom, and the two hundred-acre pond was filled with various lotus flowers.

A winding wooden walkway led to the center of the pond, where a bamboo and wood house, “Tinghe Pavilion,” stood on stilts.

On this beautiful night.

Living in Tinghe Pavilion, enjoying the night breeze, the bright moon, and the enchanting lotus flowers, with the continuous croaking of frogs, it was a delightful and elegant experience.

Unfortunately, Tinghe Pavilion was only comfortable during this season.

This estate, which the Liu family had spent a lot of money and effort to build, was originally intended to please a noble lady from the Lei family of the Tianren lineage.

But now, it belonged to the “goddess” Zhong Luoxian.

That night, the moon was bright and the wind was gentle.

Two young noblemen in cloud-patterned brocade robes were sitting cross-legged on the second floor of Tinghe Pavilion, drinking the fine spirit tea, “Hongniangzi,” and chatting about some anecdotes.

A beautiful and ethereal woman served the two young noblemen, and her eyes often fell on the younger and more handsome one.

“Brother Chen, are you bored recently?” The younger one in the brocade robe was the current head of the Wang family, Wang Shouzhe. He spoke with a hint of impatience, “Don’t come to Ping’an so often, it’s not good.”

Wang Shouzhe was a bit drunk. He had just sent away his clingy future sister-in-law. He hadn’t had two days of peace when his future brother-in-law came to bother him again. Life was not peaceful.

“I’m not that idle.” The other one was naturally Chen Fangjie, the young leader of the Donggang Chen family. He said with a thick-skinned smile, “Since you’ve been planning this grand scheme for so long, and I played a minor villain role, I feel it would be a pity not to see it through.”

“I heard that you made a grand show at the Wang residence, beating the Liu and Zhao families to a pulp and driving them away in disgrace,” Chen Fangjie said, “I missed the first act and don’t want to miss the second. I don’t understand why you don’t want me to participate in the finale. Don’t worry, I’m just here for the show, I don’t want any benefits.”

Wang Shouzhe was speechless. His future brother-in-law was thick-skinned and insisted on joining the show. He couldn’t really kick him out. Fine, if you like the feeling of “envy and jealousy,” I’ll indulge you.

The attendant, Wang Mei, no, “Zhong Luoxian,” gently covered her mouth and laughed, her voice soft and sweet, “Master, before the main act, would you like me to provide some prelude to get you in the mood?”

Prelude?

“Cough, cough~” Wang Shouzhe, who was drinking tea, almost choked to death.

“Zhong Luoxian” and Chen Fangjie looked at Wang Shouzhe with strange expressions. It’s just a prelude, why such a reaction?

“Cough, cough~” Wang Shouzhe coughed even more violently. Alright, he admitted his thoughts were more “advanced” than these people. It seemed his brother-in-law and Wang Mei were still quite innocent.

Suppressing the strange feeling, Wang Shouzhe said seriously, “Wang Mei, what kind of prelude have you prepared?”

“Master, please call me Luoxian.” She gave Wang Shouzhe a playful glare and then drew out a jade flute, “I’ve been bored lately and learned to play the flute. The long night is boring, so let me play a tune for you to enhance the mood.”

...