Chapter 241 - 238: Zhou Lian’s Condition

Chapter 241: Chapter 238: Zhou Lian’s Condition

"Really? You won’t go back on your word?"

"A man of his word always keeps his promises! I definitely won’t go back on it!" Ping’an declared loudly, patting his chest.

Zhou Lian glanced at Ping’an, pouting. "Fine, then. Clear out the whole day this Saturday. I have something for you to do!"

"What kind of task takes a whole day?" Ping’an asked, a little wary.

She shot him an annoyed glare and pursed her lips. "That’s none of your business. Agree or not, it’s up to you!"

Seeing Zhou Lian act like this, Ping’an felt relieved. ’It’s probably not what I was thinking. Otherwise, she wouldn’t give up so easily.’ He said softly, "I promise, sis. Now hurry up and go. I said I’ll do it!"

As the others in the house went about their business, Li Xiu shot Ping’an a look that was not quite a smile, then ignored him and went straight to the study.

Ignoring Li Xiu’s attitude, Ping’an followed him into the study. Seeing the massive stack of thread-bound books on the desk, Ping’an’s head throbbed. ’I just want a few comfortable days off. Why is that so hard!’

Li Xiu pointed at the books on the desk, his expression blank. "These. Finish reading them within four days. Read them thoroughly. It would be best if you could memorize and understand them."

Ping’an nodded silently and carried the books over to a nearby desk. ’Jin Chen’s aura was just too intense and overwhelming. It was so oppressive I didn’t even dare to speak. I’d better just behave. Li Jincheng is in a volatile mood today; I shouldn’t poke the tiger!’

Glancing at Ping’an, who was sitting there obediently reading, Li Xiu rubbed his eyes, a headache coming on. ’Finding a wife for this kid is a real challenge. I can’t let Zhou Lian get involved, or my good intentions might be misinterpreted. This is something I have to handle myself!’

"You stay put at home. I have to go out and take care of something. I might not be back for lunch. If I’m not, remember to have someone deliver a meal to your sister. She has an assignment today and won’t be back at noon. Tell Sister Fang what you want to eat. If you dare run off, just see how I’ll deal with you then!"

Seeing Ping’an nod obediently in agreement, Li Xiu closed the door, went to the outer courtyard, and drove away.

’It’s rare for Ping’an to be back for this long,’ Li Xiu thought. ’He’s already twenty-seven; it’s time he started a family. Elder Ping and Mrs. Ping must be getting anxious. Ping’an’s wife can’t be just anyone. After all, if he wants to reach the top someday, his wife can’t be a liability like the Yue Family.’ He tapped his fingers on the steering wheel. ’I need to have a good talk with Mrs. Ping about this.’

He slowly drove into the Imperial Palace grounds, nodding to the guards on duty, and headed straight for Elder Ping’s small courtyard house. Li Xiu got out of the car and knocked on the door. When the housekeeper saw it was him, she smiled and said, "Ma’am is home. Please, come in!"

Seeing Li Xiu walk in, Mrs. Ping was taken aback for a moment. ’Didn’t Ping’an go to his house? What’s going on?’

"Aunt Zhou, I’m here." Li Xiu smiled and greeted Mrs. Ping, who was sitting on the sofa.

Putting down her book, Mrs. Ping took off her reading glasses and said with a smile, "Li Xiu, you’re here. Have a seat. What brings you here today?"

Li Xiu picked up the tea the housekeeper had prepared and sat on the sofa across from Mrs. Ping. "Aunt Zhou," he said softly, "I’ve come because there’s something I need to discuss with you."

Seeing the look on Li Xiu’s face, Mrs. Ping’s pupils constricted. She turned to the housekeeper in the kitchen and said, "Xiao Zhang, Li Xiu will be staying for lunch. Go buy some groceries. Get some of his favorite dishes."

The housekeeper agreed, came out of the kitchen, took off her apron, and left with a market basket in hand.

As the door closed and the footsteps faded away, Li Xiu set down his teacup. He looked at Mrs. Ping and said gently, "Aunt Zhou, Ping’an is already turning 28 this year by traditional counting. It’s time for him to start a family. He’s so far away; if there were someone by his side to take care of him, we could all rest easier."

Mrs. Ping was surprised to hear Li Xiu’s words, then gave a bitter smile. She looked at him helplessly. "Yes, he’s 28. But look at him—does he seem like he has any intention of getting married? Yesterday, the moment he walked in the door, he tricked me because he was afraid I’d arrange a blind date for him. This morning, he ran off before I even got out of bed. What am I supposed to do?"

"This Sunday is Nuonuo’s birthday. Let’s host a party at my place. Aunt Zhou, you can give me a list of the candidates you’ve picked out. I’ll have Bao’er send them invitations, and you can come and see them for yourself," Li Xiu suggested after a moment’s thought, seeing Mrs. Ping’s helplessness.

"That’s a good idea. Let’s discuss it, the two of us, and see who to invite," Mrs. Ping said, giving Li Xiu a deep look. She stood up and led him to the study, where she handed him a list she had previously compiled.

Sitting on the sofa, Li Xiu carefully examined the names on the list. ’There are more than a dozen of them.’ He couldn’t help but chuckle. ’Just how anxious must Mrs. Ping be to come up with a list like this.’

"Aunt Zhou, these four won’t do," Li Xiu said, pointing to names on the list for Mrs. Ping, who sat beside him. He explained softly, "This one has character issues. This one is too ostentatious. This one, frankly, has a good appearance and temperament and would be a decent match for Ping’an, but her family is problematic and would drag him down. As for this last one..."

Mrs. Ping looked at the hesitant Li Xiu and asked curiously, "What’s wrong with her? Her family should be fine. She’s attractive and has a charmingly naive personality. I’ve met her; she’s a very nice girl."

"Aunt Zhou, her family is fine, and she is a good person. But Aunt Zhou, think about her mother," Li Xiu said with a hint of helplessness.

Mrs. Ping gave Li Xiu a strange look. "Her mother is just like her—simple-minded. She’s been around for decades, but she still has the disposition of a little girl. That’s a good thing, isn’t it?"

Li Xiu rubbed his forehead. Mrs. Ping was usually such a sharp person, how could she be so... "Aunt Zhou, if Ping’an marries a wife like that, he’ll be exhausted. Who would be taking care of whom? Besides, Ping’an’s path doesn’t just end here. Think about that girl’s naive nature, and then think about your own nature. Could she handle the diplomatic duties of a high-ranking official’s wife in the future?"

Hearing Li Xiu’s words, Mrs. Ping was dumbfounded. ’Of course a girl like that couldn’t handle it.’ Looking at Li Xiu, she was, for once, speechless. She had forgotten what Elder Ping told her last night: that Li Xiu intended to help Ping’an reach the top, and that her youngest son was already inclined to move in that direction. ’If that’s the case, then most of the people on this list are unsuitable!’

"Now you see, Aunt Zhou," Li Xiu said with a casual smile.

Nodding, Mrs. Ping asked softly, "Have you two thought this through? This path is not an easy one to walk. And didn’t you always hate these things?"

Li Xiu looked at her and said seriously, "Aunt Zhou, when I first met Elder Ping, it was on account of a deceased mutual friend. He then stepped in to protect me. That was probably the only selfish act of Elder Ping’s entire life. When I first met Ping’an and his older brother, I could see that the Ping Family lacked a suitable successor. The elder son is obstinate, and Ping’an was young and lacked ambition. You placed Ping’an in my hands, and I knew you didn’t have high hopes. But out of respect for my bond with you and Elder Ping, I thought I would offer him some guidance. To be honest, back then, I couldn’t be bothered with these matters. You know my master’s temperament. I was trained by him personally—you couldn’t have expected much from me!"