Chapter 224: Chapter 224 Conspiracy
"Interests and dangers coexist," said Old Master Jin in a steady voice, much calmer compared to Jin Yuyan’s excitement.
Seeing her grandfather had made up his mind not to change his decision, Jin Yuyan instantly felt a headache coming on. "But I already agreed with Xu Ke about cooperating last night. Suddenly going back on our word now, I’m afraid he might not hold back at targeting us, and it seems Xu Ke has already begun to act against my eldest uncle." Jin Yuyan revealed what she hadn’t reported to her grandfather the night before, and suddenly felt a weight lifted from her heart, leaving her feeling light as air.
"What? You’ve already made the agreement? How could you not tell me about such an important matter first?" Upon hearing Jin Yuyan’s words, Old Master Jin felt his vision blur, his eyes momentarily blackening.
"I thought it was urgent, so I settled it last night. Plus, I didn’t expect my eldest uncle to have this attitude, so I didn’t tell you. Now things have come to this point, we must make a choice." Jin Yuyan said, looking at Old Master Jin.
"Do I need you to tell me that? How could you not tell me such a big matter sooner? Now we’re in a dilemma." For the first time, Old Master Jin felt dissatisfied with the heir he had otherwise regarded highly.
Jin Yuyan lowered her head and didn’t refute Old Master Jin’s words. The living room fell silent, but just as Jin Yuyan thought it would remain quiet, Old Master Jin spoke up.
"Since things have come to this point, we can only choose your eldest uncle," Old Master Jin said with a sigh. Jin Yuyan looked at him in surprise, seeing his aged and weary eyes, Old Master Jin seemed to have aged visibly.
"What about Xu Ke? If he finds out we betrayed him, he definitely won’t let us go," Jin Yuyan said worriedly with a frown.
"The winner is king, and the loser is the bandit. As long as we win, what can he do even if he doesn’t let us go? We would be the ultimate winners." Old Master Jin gave Jin Yuyan, whose state of mind had already become a bit chaotic, a light glance and continued, "And don’t underestimate your eldest uncle. His means are far more formidable than mine. If the two sides truly clash, it’s hard to say who would win. Besides, Bai City is your eldest uncle’s territory, Xu Ke doesn’t have much chance of winning. Once he loses, we don’t need to worry about his retaliation." Old Master Jin slowly said.
"But if we side with Xu Ke, the chances of winning are greater," Jin Yuyan couldn’t help but retort.
"He’s your eldest uncle, our flesh and blood, we can’t move against him unless absolutely necessary. While interests are good, family ties are more precious. You must never, for the sake of tiny gains, turn your blade on your own family, do you understand?" Looking at his granddaughter who still seemed stubborn, Old Master Jin sternly lectured.
"I understand," Jin Yuyan said with her head down.
"What I just told you is something you not only need to know, but also to remember. This is the difference between a human and a beast," Old Master Jin said with a deep look at Jin Yuyan.
"Yes, I will remember," Jin Yuyan replied.
Since her grandfather had chosen to stand against Xu Ke, Jin Yuyan put away the little admiration she had in her heart and began diligently organizing information on Xu Ke and Lin Mengyao for Jin Zhengxiong, so that Jin Zhengxiong could have the utmost understanding of them both in the shortest amount of time.
Looking at the records of Xu Ke’s various activities since he came to Luo City, Jin Zhengxiong’s expression became serious, "What a pity, if he hadn’t been involved with Jin Ling and Jin Long, he could have been a protégé I admire. He’s a good seed, but unfortunately, this seed is destined to be ruined by my hands." Jin Zhengxiong’s expression showed a hint of pity, but even more, calculation.
"His wife’s parents and relatives are really outstanding, but I like them," Jin Zhengxiong said, flipping two more pages of information with a mocking smile on his face, "Why is there no information about this person in Shangjing?" After going through all the information without finding anything on Xu Ke in Shangjing, Jin Zhengxiong lifted his head to look at Jin Yuyan, not quite politely.
In matters related to Jin Ling and Jin Long, Jin Zhengying was after all his brother, and decades of affection allowed Jin Zhengxiong to forgive his brother’s cowardice. However, for Jin Yuyan, with whom he wasn’t very familiar, Jin Zhengxiong didn’t show any kindness, and not laying a hand on her could already be considered for Jin Zhengying’s sake. Expecting him to be gracious to Jin Yuyan was impossible.
Jin Yuyan quietly took a breath and spoke softly, "After all, we don’t have much influence in Shangjing, so I couldn’t find information on Xu Ke there. All I could find was his information in Luo City."
"Useless. Fine, you may go. I’ll have another look myself," Jin Zhengxiong said coldly, looking disdainfully at Jin Yuyan.
Jin Yuyan took a deep breath, understanding why he was taking his anger out on her—and could only grit her teeth and tell herself to endure it. "Okay, then I wish you a good rest, don’t stay up too late. I’ve instructed the small kitchen to prepare some bird’s nest soup, remember to drink it before bed," Jin Yuyan said with a smile.
"I know, hurry up and leave, don’t bother me," Jin Zhengxiong said with a somewhat sharp tone.
Jin Yuyan’s expression froze for a moment, but in the next instant, she acted as if nothing had happened, calmly saying to Jin Zhengxiong, "Okay, then I’ll be off."
Jin Yuyan left Jin Zhengxiong’s room with a smile, her fists at her sides slightly unclenching, revealing the bloodstained flesh of her palms.
Jin Yuyan gazed at the door for a while, her eyes filled with an inexplicable emotion before she finally turned away.
She had never been treated in such a manner, trampled on like a dog. Even if this person was her own eldest uncle, she couldn’t swallow this indignation. Jin Yuyan’s eyes suddenly turned dark.
At this time, Jin Zhengxiong, staying in his own room, didn’t yet realize what sort of venomous snake he had offended. This snake, lurking in the shadows, would deal a severe blow to him in the future.
Jin Zhengxiong reviewed the documents in his hand repeatedly, thought for a while, then beckoned his assistant to come closer, whispering instructions in the assistant’s ear.