Chapter 2652 — Ulterior Motives
The Blossom Guardian · Page 1 of 2
To fall in a single stroke from a cultivator and contender for the position of young heir to a cripple and a castoff—no one could take that well.
"One day, sure—of course, no problem at all!" Zhao Qibing breathed a sigh of relief and agreed readily. There was no need for Yushan to talk him into it; even if Yushan had said nothing, would Zhao Qibing, now possessed of such strength, ever let Wei Zhao off the hook?
"Fine. Then I'll take the risk and help you this once. But afterward you mustn't give me away—you'll have to shoulder all the blame yourself!" Yushan said.
"Done, no problem!" Zhao Qibing agreed without a moment's thought. After forcing himself on her, he would have to lay his cards on the table with the Yu Family anyway; better to bear the consequences alone than drag Yushan into it. To him the outcome was the same either way—but for Yushan it would certainly mean ruin.
"In that case, let me think of something. I'll see whether, after a meal in the next couple of days, I can invite Yuning out for a walk. Then you bring some men, knock us both unconscious, and carry Yuning straight off—and your plan can go forward," Yushan said. This was in fact a plan he had worked out long before, but had he gone straight to Zhao Qibing and proposed it, Zhao Qibing would surely have grown suspicious, might even have reported his scheme to the Yu Family. By leading the conversation out of the matter of Zhao Qiwu, step by step, it no longer seemed abrupt; and in the end it looked as though Zhao Qibing had made the demand himself, with Yushan reluctantly agreeing.
"Fine. Tell me in advance when the time comes—it takes more than three hours to drive from here to the Hidden Yu Family, so I'll need to get ready ahead of time!" Zhao Qibing nodded.
"What's there to prepare? Why not just come over today and wait around?" Yushan said.
"That works too. I'll be right over!" Zhao Qibing answered hastily.
After hanging up, Zhao Qibing was in a fever of excitement. The scheme was a little despicable, but in his eyes it carried not the slightest danger—for he knew nothing of Yuning being an Inheritor, nor of how vital she was to the Yu Family and to that place. That was why a few words from Yushan had been enough to hook him.
Had he known what astonishing power stood behind Yuning, he would have been scared out of his wits.
But that is how things usually go: ignorance breeds daring. Zhao Qibing believed that once he and Yuning had crossed the line, even if Old Master Yu was unwilling, he would have no choice but to accept his proposal; and he, Zhao Qibing, was at any rate the future young heir of the Hidden Zhao Family, so Yuning would hardly be marrying beneath herself.
Yet Zhao Qibing had not lost his reason. Once the excitement passed, he did not act on his own but went to Old Master Zhao's residence.
"Young Master Bing, looking for the old master?" Elder Mian regarded Zhao Qibing with a smile. He lacked Elder Bi's seniority, and so could never command the same weight—under Elder Bi's backing, whomever he supported had hope of inheriting the position of head of household. Elder Mian, by contrast, curried favor with Zhao Qibing for the sake of his own standing.
"Yes, Elder Mian. Is my grandfather in?" Zhao Qibing asked with a nod.
"He is. The old master has just finished cultivating; you may go straight in, Young Master Bing," Elder Mian said.
"Good. Thank you, Elder Mian." Zhao Qibing nodded and entered the courtyard where Old Master Zhao cultivated.
Old Master Zhao had just finished his cultivation. Hearing the sound at the door, he spoke up: "Qibing? Didn't you just break your leg? Why are you wandering about?"
"Oh, I took a Small Return Pill, Grandfather—it's no longer any trouble," Zhao Qibing said. "Grandfather, I've come because there's an important matter I'd like your advice on. Tell me whether it can be done or not..."
"Oh? What matter? Let's hear it," Old Master Zhao said, motioning for him to go on.