Chapter 341 - 338: Ping’an’s Predicament

Chapter 341: Chapter 338: Ping’an’s Predicament

After traveling for about ten days, Li Xiu and Zhou Lian had just returned to the Capital City when Ping Jing, who had been waiting for a long time, intercepted Li Xiu and whisked him away. Zhou Lian frowned as she watched their hurried backs. ’What could have happened to make Ping Jing stake out the courtyard house, waiting for Li Xiu to come back?’

Zhou Lian chatted with her mentors and the two children for a while, giving them the gifts she brought back. She watched the two children happily return to their room, clutching their presents, then saw her mentors back to their rooms to rest. Only then did she find the time to speak with Sister Fang.

"Sister Fang, when did Ping Jing get here?" Zhou Lian asked with a small smile.

Understanding the meaning behind Zhou Lian’s question, Sister Fang said softly, "He came once the day before yesterday in the afternoon, once yesterday afternoon, and then came this morning. Professor Fan told him you two should be back in the next couple of days. He even had lunch here. It must be a tricky and urgent matter; otherwise, the Eldest Young Master wouldn’t have kept watch for three days straight!"

"Did he say anything to our mentors?" Zhou Lian asked Sister Fang softly, her brows slightly furrowed. ’Three straight days of waiting... It must be trouble on Ping’an’s end. It couldn’t be in the Capital City. After all, Li Xiu had arranged everything before we left; no major chaos could erupt. So, the only thing that could make Ping Jing this anxious and wait for three days must be Ping’an!’

Shaking her head, Sister Fang said, "Teacher Xiao and Professor Fan didn’t ask, and the Eldest Young Master didn’t say anything."

"Alright, I understand." Zhou Lian nodded, a look of realization on her face. ’So it’s something our mentors shouldn’t know about.’ She then said softly to Sister Fang, "Sister Fang, could you ask the team leader to come to the study? I have something to ask him."

Zhou Lian had just sat down in the study when the team leader knocked on the door. Only after hearing Zhou Lian call out, "Come in," did he properly open the door and enter.

"Have a seat. First, tell me about the recent situation here in the Capital City," Zhou Lian said with a smile, pouring a cup of tea and gently pushing it across the desk toward the team leader.

First thanking her, the team leader picked up the cup, took a sip of tea, and looked at Zhou Lian seriously before speaking. "Ma’am, for the past ten days or so, the Capital City has been relatively peaceful. Although Elder Ping has retired to a secondary position, his influence lingers. No one would be foolish enough to cause trouble for the Ping Family at a time like this, especially since the Master left behind contingency plans and the Ping Family’s Eldest Young Master is holding down the fort."

"Oh? Then why did Ping Jing come to the house and wait for three days straight?"

"Ma’am, it seems there’s a situation with the Ping Family’s younger young master. The day before yesterday, a letter from the Northwest was sent back to the Capital City through a special channel. The letter was addressed specifically to the Master. Since both the Master and you were not in the Capital City at the time, the letter was given to the Ping Family’s Eldest Young Master," the team leader said grimly, setting down his teacup.

Her fingers tapped lightly on the table as thoughts raced through Zhou Lian’s mind. ’At present, the country is relatively peaceful and prosperous. But Ping’an is now stationed in the Northwest—a border region with a large multi-ethnic population and fierce local customs. Although Ping’an has been in office for many years, his experience in handling this kind of situation is still immature. He’s been at his post in the Northwest for half a year now. It seems he’s lifted the lid on something but can’t quite handle the fallout yet!’

Having figured it out, Zhou Lian instantly relaxed. ’It’s best to leave these matters for the men to handle. I won’t get involved.’ She smiled at the team leader and said, "I brought back some local specialties for you all. Go find Sister Fang. The things are still in the car. You guys can unload them and share them amongst yourselves."

"Yes, ma’am. Thank you!" The team leader didn’t stand on ceremony, offering a direct thank you before leaving.

Watching the team leader’s clean and efficient departure, Zhou Lian couldn’t help but chuckle. ’Just as you’d expect from someone from the army—so crisp and decisive in everything he does!’

Now that she knew the reason for the urgency, Zhou Lian set the matter aside. The new school semester would start in a little over half a month, and it was time to bring their family members over from their hometown. Li He, living up to everyone’s expectations, had gotten into Beijing University. The congratulatory call was made by Li Guo, and one of her mentors had taken the call.

They would need to arrange at least two cars to go back to their hometown to pick people up: one for the Zhou family members and one for the Li family members. As for Huaitai, who had spent several years under the watchful eyes of her mentors, the moment his acceptance letter arrived, her mentor had sent a telegram. Zhou Huaitai was admitted to a military academy, the best in all of China. With connections and backing, Zhou Huaitai’s future path would surely be a smooth one!

Li Xiu didn’t return until evening. After dinner, he doted on their two children for a while before reluctantly sending them back to their rooms. When he returned to the bedroom, he saw Zhou Lian leaning against the headboard, watching him with an ambiguous smile.

Li Xiu rubbed his nose, a bit embarrassed. "Bao’er, it’s just... I haven’t seen my son and daughter in over ten days. I missed them!"

"I didn’t say anything. What are you so guilty about? Guilty that you willfully abandoned the children to go have fun for over ten days?" Seeing Li Xiu’s rare, sheepish look, Zhou Lian couldn’t help but tease him. ’He was the one who insisted on going on the trip, and now he’s the one missing the kids!’

Gathering his clothes, Li Xiu said softly, "Bao’er, I’m going to take a shower. We’ll talk when I get back."

Watching Li Xiu flee in disarray, Zhou Lian couldn’t help but burst out laughing. She had said at the time that one week would be enough; she was afraid the children would miss their parents, and she missed them too. But this man, stubborn as a mule, had muttered that the kids were grown up and there was nothing to worry about, insisting on doubling the length of the trip. ’And yet, who was it just now, hugging the children and refusing to let go!’

After his shower, a freshly changed Li Xiu came to the bed and sat beside Zhou Lian, putting an arm around her. He asked gently, "Bao’er, what are you thinking about? Are you worried about why Ping Jing came to see me?"

"Not really. I have a rough idea of what it’s about, so I’m not too worried. I know you can handle these things. I was just thinking about when would be a good time to send cars back to our hometown to pick everyone up. Li He lived up to expectations and got into Beijing University, and Zhou Huaitai got into the military academy he’s always dreamed of—the best military university, no less. I imagine both the Zhou family and the Li family will want to hold celebratory banquets. I just wonder when they’ll have them," Zhou Lian said lightly, shaking her head.

Li Xiu said happily, "They really got in? That’s great! That kid Huaitai is brave, resourceful, and values relationships—he’ll do well in the army. It suits him. And He is amazing too! She really got into Beijing University. Back then, she swore she’d get into Beijing University to become your student, and she actually made her dream come true!"

"What? He wants to be my student? Since when? How come I didn’t know?" Zhou Lian asked, looking at Li Xiu in surprise. She knew that her younger brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law were fond of her, but she never imagined this sister-in-law liked her so much that she wanted to become her student!

"When you first got into university, that girl said she wanted to get into the same school as you. Later, when you stayed on to teach, she told the family she would get into Beijing University to be your student. She probably applied for the Chinese department, right? I heard from Li Guo that she’s carefully studied the courses you teach. She’s determined to follow in your footsteps. That girl has always been persistent, in both lifetimes. Train her well, and when she graduates, she can be your assistant!" Li Xiu said with a laugh.

Zhou Lian looked at Li Xiu, at a loss for words. Was he really just selling his own sister out to her like that? What kind of older brother was he?