NFBE Chapter 1971 Are you sure Wanqing won't betray us?
Chapter 1971 Are you sure Wanqing won't betray us?
The night was deep, but in the study of the Shangguan family's grand yet aloof Chinese-style villa deep in the Xishan Farm, the lights were still on.
The study was large and decorated in an antique style. The rosewood display shelves reached from floor to ceiling and were filled with all kinds of ancient books and modern tomes, but there were few signs of anyone reading them; they were more like decorations.
The walls are adorned with valuable calligraphy and paintings from various eras, and the air is filled with the scent of fine sandalwood mixed with old paper. Despite this scholarly atmosphere, it cannot dispel the invisible oppression and scheming within.
Shangguan Wuji sat at the huge mahogany tea table, pouring tea.
His square face exuded authority even without anger, and the gray hair at his temples did not make him look old; instead, it added to his depth and shrewdness.
But at this moment, his eyes, which were usually gleaming with a sharp and controlling light, revealed a rare hint of respect and even fear.
The tea in front of me had been brewed countless times, but the person opposite me hadn't drunk any of it.
His gaze did not fall on the documents on the table or the calligraphy and paintings on the wall, but was directed to the inside of the study, opposite a heavy brocade screen embroidered with intricate auspicious cloud patterns.
Behind the screen, the light was even dimmer, and only the outline of a person sitting cross-legged could be vaguely seen, along with a corner of a dark brown monk's robe of peculiar texture.
The figure was playing with prayer beads, making a soft, rhythmic clinking sound.
"Sir," Shangguan Wuji said after drinking the second pot of freshly brewed Biluochun tea, "based on confirmations from various sources over the past few days, the news is basically confirmed. Mu Huanying is most likely in the back room of the Li family, living a secluded life and being well protected. As for that account book..."
He paused, a glint of greedy determination flashing in his eyes. "Although Li Xiangnan is a bit cunning, he seems to have overestimated himself this time! Our people have repeatedly verified with his maid, Lan Cuihua, that the account books are indeed in his hands, and the kid is quite confident, as he hasn't moved them!"
Behind the screen, the rhythmic clinking of prayer beads paused slightly, and a voice, its age indiscernible and somewhat ethereal, rang out, its tone calm and devoid of any emotion.
"It seems that Mu Huanying has indeed grown old and is no longer able to guard that ledger, so he has finally handed it over to his grandson!"
Having received the Zen master's approval, Shangguan Wuji was about to nod when the other man changed the subject and asked, "Have you confirmed this with multiple sources? Besides that girl, who else could it be?"
Shangguan Wuji bowed slightly: "Sir, you are wise! The Li family seems peaceful these days, but in reality, the people coming and going are a complex mix. When the Xu family had a new baby, many of the people who went to offer their congratulations were our spies. We've been close to the back building; there was a faint smell of medicine coming from inside, and we could hear an old man coughing late at night. These details match up!"
"Even Li Xiangnan has been unusually attentive to a locked drawer in his dresser lately. An informant caught him frequently examining an old notebook with a serious expression! Considering all this, it's highly credible that it's the ledger!"
"Eyeliner?"
The voice inside remained calm, yet it inexplicably tightened Shangguan Wuji's heart. "You, Shangguan Wuji, have really gone to great lengths for that ledger! You've been monitoring the Li family for so many years, you must have used at least five hundred, if not a thousand! You're truly persistent!"
These words, though neither clearly praising nor criticizing, caused Shangguan Wuji's facial muscles to twitch a few times.
He chuckled dryly, "Sir, you flatter me. It's all for the greater good! To fulfill my long-cherished wish, anything I, Wuji, do is only right!"
“A long-cherished wish…” The voice inside repeated these two words, seemingly carrying a certain meaning, but quickly returned to its usual calm. “The Li family is about to hold a full-moon celebration banquet. There will be many guests, and it will be a time of great excitement and attention! It is indeed a good opportunity!”
A glint flashed in Shangguan Wuji's eyes, his tone resolute and ruthless: "That must be the perfect opportunity! During the banquet, the Li family will be busy with the reception, and their attention will inevitably be diverted. Even if he invites this person or that person to guard him, oversights are bound to occur! Moreover, according to our observation, Li Xiangnan seems to be intentionally using this opportunity to lure the snake out of its hole, setting up some simple traps..."
"Haha!" He said, then suddenly gave a disdainful laugh. "The young man is still a bit green. He wants to fish, so let's follow the trail and let him fish! But who gets the bait and the fishing rod in the end is not up to him!"
His words revealed a shrewd confidence and disdain for Li Xiangnan, as if he had everything under control.
"That kid from the Li family isn't as simple as you think! He's gotten himself involved in the mess at Pudu Temple. Yuan Neng is dead, and that old fellow Yuan Tong seems to be getting restless too... This pool of water is much deeper than he imagined!"
When Pudu Temple was mentioned, Shangguan Wuji's expression became more solemn.
“What you say is true, sir. However, Yuan Tong has his own concerns and constraints, and may not directly interfere in the Li family's affairs! As long as we act quickly and plan carefully, we can take action before he realizes what's happening. Even if he finds out afterward, he will be helpless! After all, we share the same goal: what's behind that ledger!”
His words were both an analysis and a probe into the attitude and understanding of the people behind the screen towards Yuan Tong.
"Shared goals?"
A very faint laugh came from behind the screen, short and indistinct, making it impossible to discern the true emotion. "Perhaps! However, Wuji, let me remind you, if you want to do good deeds, you must be free of worries and absolutely avoid trouble at home! Things haven't been peaceful at your residence lately, have they? Your daughter, Wanqing, has been getting quite close to that Li Xiangnan. Aren't you afraid she'll reveal your plans? She's approached this study more than once; she clearly has something on her mind..."
Shangguan Wuji's face suddenly darkened, a hint of gloom and anger flashing in his eyes, but when facing the screen, he regained his respect, though his tone became a bit stiffer.
"My daughter is young and ignorant, lacking understanding of the bigger picture, and has been misled by outside influences! I have already disciplined her strictly, and recently I have even ordered her to reflect on her mistakes in her room and not to go out at will! She is of no great importance to the overall plan and will not cause any trouble, so please rest assured, sir!"
"Oh? Reflecting on your mistakes?" The voice behind the screen carried a hint of amusement. "But a few days ago, I seemed to vaguely hear a woman crying out in pain in the backyard... The head of the Shangguan family really is... ruthless in disciplining his children!"
Shangguan Wuji's face flushed slightly. He cursed inwardly at the old monster for his sharp ears, but feigned helplessness and sighed, "Ah, children need discipline! Especially girls. At this age, they're going through a rebellious phase. They're quick-witted and disobedient. If we don't keep them in check, they'll cause trouble sooner or later! Giving her a beating is for her own good. If the Shangguan family prospers, she'll prosper too! For the sake of our greater cause, sacrificing her is no big deal!"
"For the sake of the bigger picture..."
The person behind the screen pondered these words for a moment, then suddenly let out a low, ambiguous chuckle, "You really go to great lengths for other people's children! Patriarch Shangguan, you are indeed resolute in your mind, far beyond what ordinary people can match!"
These words, seemingly a compliment but actually a veiled insult, stung Shangguan Wuji, leaving him feeling stifled. He dared not retaliate, and could only vaguely reply, "Sir, you flatter me… Those who achieve great things never concern themselves with trifles! Let's not mention my daughter, let's not mention my daughter…"
"Is that so?" The man's voice was playful. "Wuji, are you sure my daughter won't ruin our plans?"
"That's natural..."
Shangguan Wuji was taken aback, but before he could react, he heard the Zen master chuckle softly.
"Go and see if your daughter is in her room!"
Shangguan Wuji suddenly stood up, astonished, and asked, "What do you mean, Zen Master? Could she possibly be going to inform Li Xiangnan?"
"Whether it is true or not, we'll see soon enough!"
Shangguan Wuji's beard trembled with rage, and he immediately roared, "Guards!"