Chapter 223: Taking Advantage of Vulnerability, Confession
The Jin Family’s Old Madam caught a chill the night before last and has been unwell, suffering from a slight cough and cold. She hasn’t recovered after a day of rest, and various family members have gone to visit her.
Even Jin Zhengchuan, who was not stationed in Sijiucheng, specially returned to the Capital City to see the Old Madam.
Time seems to be kind to those who are heartless, not dealing them harsh blows. Jin Zhengchuan, nearing sixty, has deep and handsome facial features, black hair, and an elegant demeanor, yet he exudes an aura that keeps people at a distance.
Even after stepping down from his position of power in the Capital City, the nobility and arrogance ingrained in him could not be erased.
Chen Shifei lightly tugged at the soft silk shawl on her shoulder, standing at the main hall entrance. She looked at Jin Yan Ting, who was seated upright in a rosewood chair, and then at Jin Zhengchuan.
The depth of Jin Yan Ting and Jin Shi Yue’s schemes was no less than that of their father, Jin Zhengchuan.
Jin Zhengchuan’s power in the Capital City was sidelined. Old Master Jin issued a document, arranging for him to take up a post in another city.
Given Jin Zhengchuan’s status, the other city would undoubtedly be a first-tier bustling metropolis. However, no matter how prosperous, it was not the imperial capital. Being kicked out, it would be as difficult as ascending to heaven to get back in.
Chen Shifei, as Jin Zhengchuan’s capable wife, constantly worried about household matters for him, such as Jin Yan Ting and Lian Li, and also Jin Shi Yue and Lian Li.
At first, they didn’t pay much attention to Lian Li. After all, she was just a girl who was content with her lot and diligently studied. What kind of storm could she stir up?
No one expected that this insignificant girl would be so difficult to handle.
She was impervious to both soft and hard tactics, and utterly unrestrained.
Inside the room, Jin Shi Yue casually picked up a book from the coffee table and flipped through it absentmindedly.
“Are you staying up late again to do this, old timer?”
The incense burner continuously emitted wisps of mist. The calming agarwood lingered and swirled in the air.
Old Madam Jin sat on the white leather sofa, took a shallow sip of the medicinal meal, and tacitly replied, “I’m old, I can’t stay up late anymore.”
Jin Shi Yue tossed the book back onto the coffee table. “I’ll find someone to sing for you to accompany you another day.”
The Old Madam wasn’t idle; she simply loved translating ancient texts.
She put down her cup and looked at the noble young master with his languid posture. “How are you and that child?”
“We’re doing great.”
“It’s good that you’re doing great.” The Old Madam understood Jin Shi Yue. He was stubborn at heart; once he set his mind on something, he wouldn’t let go, and no amount of persuasion or opposition would be effective.
Since the outcome was already decided, why bother with the struggle, expending energy and effort?
The doctor had seen the Old Madam, and it wasn’t a serious illness; she would be fine after a period of rest. Jin Shi Yue chatted with her for a few more words. Before leaving, he took a photograph from his suit pocket and gave it to the Old Madam.
“Your granddaughter-in-law. She’s beautiful. Look at her often; it’s good for your health.”
Old Madam Jin picked up the photograph and carefully examined the girl in the picture, who was wearing academic dress and a graduation cap, with outstanding looks and brimming with youthful vitality. She couldn’t help but smile.
“This child…”
Jin Shi Yue walked out of the room with a leisurely stride, passing by Jin Zhengchuan and Chen Shifei as they entered.
Jin Zhengchuan’s expression was solemn, and he said calmly, “She is not suitable for you.”
“She doesn’t call you father, so it’s not your place to point fingers,” Jin Shi Yue said, his hand in his pocket, speaking gently but without any politeness.
Young people are impetuous and act on impulse. Jin Zhengchuan was unconcerned. “The Jin Family will not allow her to enter.” After a pause, he added, “Even if she is Ji Tan’s daughter.”
Jin Shi Yue curled his lips indifferently. “Whether she can enter depends mainly on whether she wants to.”
The atmosphere suddenly became heavy. Chen Shifei gave Jin Shi Yue a look, signaling him to stop. She then linked her arm through Jin Zhengchuan’s.
“A Yue, your father has rarely returned to the Capital City. Don’t argue with him.”
“Zhengchuan, let’s go in and see Mother first. She’s been coughing lately.”
It wasn’t uncommon for scions of prominent families to go astray and fall for someone their family disapproved of. However, most of those people were easy to deal with.
They would use power and benefits to bind the scions, making them cut ties with outsiders, or make the other party understand their place and retreat.
But neither of these methods would work now.
Jin Shi Yue passed through the octagonal door and headed to the study to see Old Master Jin. On the way, he encountered Jin Yan Ting and Jin Shuyu talking in the corridor.
“A Yue,” Jin Shuyu called out.
“Aunt,” Jin Shi Yue replied lazily.
“Are you going to see your grandfather? Hurry along.”
Jin Shi Yue and Jin Yan Ting exchanged a glance and passed by as if nothing had happened, their long legs stepping over the stairs.
Jin Shuyu suddenly remembered someone saying that the young girl in Jin Shi Yue’s Moments photo was the girl Jin Yan Ting had raised for ten years. She turned to Jin Yan Ting and asked, “Did you introduce Li Li to A Yue?”
Jin Yan Ting paused for a barely perceptible second. “No.”
After a moment, he added, “You’ve met Little Li?”
“Yes.” Jin Shuyu was rather outgoing and didn’t hide things from her nephew. “Last Christmas, A Yue brought her to the tea house to eat noodles. I felt then that the two of them were unusual. This boy has had countless admirers since he was young, but he never got involved with anyone. He didn’t even fancy a good girl like Jing Xi. I originally thought he would be alone for life, but then one day he suddenly brought a girl.”
“He didn’t prepare a gift himself and asked me to get a Christmas gift for Li Li. He shamelessly brought someone to the tea house to eat fried sauce noodles and ask for gifts, like a bandit.”
Jin Shuyu said a lot, but Jin Yan Ting only precisely captured one time point.
Last Christmas.
Were they in contact back then?
When did it start?
Was it the day Lian Li came to Wan Yi Hua Fu for dinner, and Jin Shi Yue brought two jars of wine? He considered pouring her wine, their eyes met, and they fell for each other then?
The more he pondered, the deeper he delved.
A certain emotion in Jin Yan Ting’s heart grew more and more, as if it were approaching a critical point, about to explode.
—
In the East Wing Room of Rui Kong Ju, the layout and decoration were antique. A newly acquired Chinese painting, “Washing Inkstone,” hung on the wall 《》.
Behind a screen, a beautiful woman in a flowing qipao was playing the pipa and singing softly. The notes fell like pearls on a jade plate, melodious and pleasant to the ear.
Lian Li hadn’t been here for a long time. The manager still remembered her face; such a stunning appearance with her bone structure and complexion was hard to forget once seen.
Zhong Yang had asked the manager to keep an eye out and inform him when Li Mei arrived. Therefore, as soon as Lian Li entered the private room, Zhong Yang immediately came to greet her.
“Li Mei, do you want to drink today? How about low-alcohol wine? Or juice? Let’s get a glass of Sangria for Li Mei.”
Several exquisite and beautiful young ladies were sitting on the sofa. Upon seeing Lian Li, they all quieted down in unison.
They had all privately spread the news about the Second Young Master Jin’s Moments post.
Although Jin Shi Yue hadn’t explicitly stated, “This is my girlfriend,” when a man posts a woman’s photo, and that woman isn’t his relative, anyone with a brain knows he’s publicly announcing their relationship.
Xue Shufan’s card skills were average. Every time her Junior Sister came, she would conveniently fold her cards and exit the game.
“Crown Princess Xue, are you admitting defeat already?”
“Who said I’m admitting defeat? This is a delaying tactic, conserving energy!”
Xue Shufan abandoned her card partners and brought her Mojito to find her Junior Sister. She plopped down on the sofa next to Lian Li and started praising her:
“Li Li, you’re amazing.”
A message from Jin Yan Ting popped up on her mobile phone, unread. Lian Li hadn’t had time to check it yet. She tilted her head and asked her Senior Sister, “Amazing?”
