In the Li family courtyard, bathed in sunlight, an atmosphere of peace prevailed.
Li Tian was practicing his martial arts, while Li Zhongfu sat in his rocking chair, leisurely eating grapes, observing. Li Shengguo was also nearby, watching, appearing quite relaxed.
Li Se had by now earned the Li family's acceptance, allowing him to essentially move freely within their grounds, though he still needed to announce his arrival.
When the butler announced Li Se's impending visit, both Li Shengguo and Li Tian exchanged peculiar glances, turning towards Li Zhongfu.
It was as if they had anticipated this day, yet they remained silent.
"Oh, my grandson actually came to visit. How rare! Quickly, let him in!" Li Zhongfu chuckled upon hearing this, looking genuinely pleased.
A moment later, Li Se arrived at the courtyard. Seeing Li Zhongfu's kind and approachable demeanor, he felt a complex mix of emotions. He sensed that this grandfather was not the mastermind behind the recent events, but the investigation results from the Ye family were undeniable. This was the reason for his visit today.
"You all may leave." Li Zhongfu, noticing Li Se's grave expression, understood that his grandson had something to discuss with him. He then asked Li Shengguo and Li Tian to withdraw.
Li Shengguo and Li Tian cast a deep look at Li Se, said nothing further, and quickly departed.
"Given your nature, you wouldn't come to the Li family without a significant reason. Has something happened?" Li Zhongfu asked curiously.
Li Se sat down beside him, hesitated for a moment, then asked directly, "Are you trying to kill me?"
The question surprised and puzzled Li Zhongfu, who clearly hadn't expected such an inquiry, leaving him momentarily bewildered.
"Why would you suddenly ask that?" Li Zhongfu inquired, genuinely perplexed.
Li Se, at this moment, was also feeling confused. He had been closely observing Li Zhongfu's reaction. Upon hearing his question, Li Zhongfu's surprise and bewilderment seemed genuine, not at all like someone with a hidden agenda.
"Because of the investigation results." Li Se placed the document Ye Zhizhuan had given him yesterday before Li Zhongfu. "Someone told me that after many things happen, one shouldn't trust appearances too much. This document was investigated by the Ye family, and I won't believe it one hundred percent, which is why I've come to ask you today."
Li Zhongfu glanced at the document, his expression not showing much surprise. He simply said, "Child, you must trust your own feelings about many things. Do you think I would be the one trying to kill you?"
"I don't think so," Li Se replied without hesitation.
Li Zhongfu smiled, his smile as serene as ever. "Then that's all that matters. As for these documents, all this so-called evidence, it can all be faked. What matters is what you believe in your heart. That is enough."
Li Se pondered. To be honest, he didn't entirely trust the results of this investigation. However, he was curious about who could have fabricated such a document, such evidence.
"I understand." Li Se nodded and immediately tore the document to shreds.
"Child, I will investigate your matters thoroughly," Li Zhongfu said suddenly, his tone very serious.
Li Se didn't say anything further. He rose and left. It seemed he had realized who intended to kill him. To silently shift all evidence onto Li Zhongfu, perhaps only two people within the entire Li family could achieve this.
One was Li Zhongfu himself, but Li Se had already dismissed this possibility. He could sense the genuine affection Li Zhongfu held for him.
If it wasn't Li Zhongfu, then it could only be one other person.
As Li Se departed the Li family estate, he looked back. A glint of coldness flashed in his eyes, but it was quickly gone as he left.
Shortly after Li Se's departure, Li Zhongfu got up and hurried towards the back courtyard of the Li family.
"Dad, what are you..." Li Shengguo, seeing Li Zhongfu's somber expression, was about to ask something, but Li Zhongfu ignored him.
"Dad, what's wrong with Grandpa?" Li Tian asked, confused.
Li Shengguo seemed to realize something, his expression changing. "I know who wanted to kill Li Se."
"Who?" Li Tian inquired.
"Your grandmother!" Li Shengguo stated gravely.
In the backyard, there was a garden where an old woman was watering plants, attended by several maids.
The old grandmother appeared incredibly kind, like an amiable elderly person.
As Li Zhongfu entered, he dismissed the maids and began helping the old woman water the plants.
"Why have you come to see this old woman?" the old lady asked, looking puzzled.
Li Zhongfu remained silent, continuing to water the plants. After a long while, he set the watering can aside and slowly said, "Did you send people to kill my grandson?"
"I don't understand what you mean," the old lady replied, feigning ignorance.
Li Zhongfu let out a cold laugh. "He is Shengjun's son, and also our grandson. How could you be so heartless?"
The old woman's body trembled slightly. Her kind face contorted at that moment, and she said fiercely, "Shengjun? Haha, he is your illegitimate son. It's already more than enough that I treated him like a mother. Now he brings back a bastard child, who is not my grandson. If you simply wanted him to return to the Li family, fine, I could treat him like a true grandmother. But that's not it. Your actions are all aimed at making him the future helmsman of the Li family!"
Li Zhongfu fell silent. Did he have that intention? Undoubtedly. Li Se was exceptionally talented, unmatched by any of the younger generation in the entire Li family.
A physician, a martial artist, with extensive connections. In just a few days of arriving in the capital, he had already established his own network.
Such a person, if he were to lead the Li family, would undoubtedly elevate it to greater heights.
Yet, he hadn't expected his own family to obstruct him!
"Sentimental nonsense!" Li Zhongfu reprimanded. "Do you know what Li Se means to the Li family? If not for this old man and that child Shengjun supporting the family all these years, do you think our Li family could still be considered a first-tier aristocratic family, comparable to great families like the Ye and Tang families?"
"That child is very outstanding, the future hope of the Li family. If the Li family is not managed by him, but by the younger generation, do you think anyone can lead the Li family to a higher level?"
"No, none of them can. On the contrary, the Li family will only head towards ruin. Do you understand this?"
Facing Li Zhongfu's cold reprimand, the old woman remained unfazed, sneering, "As expected, as expected, you still intend to let that bastard take charge of the Li family!"