Chapter 370: Thorny

Mu Xianqi's expression turned solemn, "The clues Mu Yichen uncovered show that Shen Yecheng has been secretly contacting the old noble remnants on M Guo's side for the past six months; this line wasn't just picked up in this kidnapping, it goes back to half a year ago..."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over everyone's varied expressions, adding the crucial time point: "Not long after Youbao was crowned princess by Y Guo, he began his move."

Half a year ago?

During that period, my sister was in Y Guo having fun; only later was it made public—it's said that not long after being crowned princess, he began to act.

Shen Yecheng could set up his plan immediately then, planting covert agents in Y Guo, and that person is very likely hiding within Y Guo's aristocratic circles.

Nobody ever took Shen Yecheng, this seemingly insignificant junior of the Shen Family, seriously.

Nor did anyone think to investigate this direction, being completely unaware, thus letting the other side exploit the loophole.

Song Yusui frowned, "Youbao had just been crowned, living well in Y Guo, only after a period of time returning home was it made public—how could that person have set his sights on her?"

Jiang Liangjin didn't answer; the answer was faintly forming in his heart.

He dared not think about it—if this kidnapping truly succeeded, if Youbao suffered even the slightest harm.

How should he face her, whom he regards as his very life, how face others, and forgive himself?

Jiang Liangjin barely suppressed the surging guilt in his heart, a flicker of fear crossing his eyes: "His target isn't Youbao, it's me."

This idea is pretty much what Mu Xin thought.

Mu Xianqi and the others all gathered their attention, waiting for him to continue.

Jiang Liangjin lowered his gaze to the table before him, "In this generation of the Shen Family, my maternal grandfather's health was poor; at first he passed the position to my maternal uncle, my uncle wanted to pass it to my mother, but she had no interest, so it was decided that I would inherit all of the Shen Family's assets upon coming of age."

"My maternal uncle has no children; he's always regarded me as his own since childhood, and he's willing to let me inherit the Shen Family's headship—a fact my mother has publicly acknowledged."

"From now on I will inherit the Shen Family, but there are people in the Shen Family who are unwilling."

Everyone vaguely understood.

Jiang Liangjin is originally the sole heir of the Jiang Family, destined to hold all of the Jiang Family's power and later inherit the Shen Family—this is something both families and outsiders take for granted.

Not everyone in the Shen Family accepts this arrangement; Shen Yecheng is the one who opposes it.

As an outstanding young man of the Shen Family's generation, Shen Yecheng is arrogant and ambitious, always believing that since his maternal uncle has no children and Jiang Liangjin will inherit the Jiang Family, the future successor will surely be chosen from a cadet branch, making himself the primary candidate to hold power in the Shen Family.

Until the summer when Jiang Liangjin went to take over the Jiang Family company, and also managed...

Only then did he realize that as long as Jiang Liangjin exists, he can forever only be a young master of the Shen Family, never able to become its head.

"He wants to use the matter of Mingxi's sister to create a rift between you and the Mu and Song families?" Qing Wei exclaimed in disbelief, "Is he crazy?"

Mu Xin calmly retorted, "On the contrary, he's very clear-headed."

"If this kidnapping succeeds and something happens to Youbao, Brother Yusui, what do you think our relationship with the Jiang Family will become?"

Qing Wei froze, and Song Yusui's expression also changed.

If my sister really comes to harm, if those kidnappers really succeed... will the Mu Family, Song Family, and Pei Weika Family let the Shen Family off?

The answer is no.

Even if everyone knows this incident wasn't done by Jiang Liangjin, that he's innocent.

But the Shen Family is his maternal clan; this estrangement will certainly exist.

What about Shen Yecheng? He doesn't need to do anything; he just needs to sit in the shadows and watch it all unfold.

Killing with a borrowed knife, two birds with one stone.

Eliminating his most feared rival, while also driving a wedge between the Jiang-Shen alliance and the Mu-Song families.

Qing Wei still found it hard to grasp, "Even if his plan succeeded, the Shen Family's estate wouldn't end up in his hands, right? The inheritance right originally belonged to your uncle's line; no matter what, it could never go to him."

Jiang Liangjin nodded slowly, his voice cool: "He won't fail to understand this logic—if he can't have it, he can destroy it, so that no one can have it."

Song Yusui slapped the table and sprang up, "Is this guy sick? What did my sister do to provoke him? Just for a succession dispute, he'd dare harbor such thoughts?"

Qing Wei pressed his friend's shoulder, "Sit down, don't get agitated."

Song Yusui took a deep breath, sank heavily back into his chair, yet the anger in his eyes showed no lessening.

Qing Wei and Ruo Ya exchanged a glance, "This matter is a bit thorny."

Mu Xianqi looked at Jiang Liangjin, his tone unusually tinged with probing: "A Jin, what do you plan to do?"

The matter concerns his sister; he thought, if this person's plan isn't up to standard, he'll replace them.

Jiang Liangjin didn't back down, raised his head, and spoke seriously: "Brother Qi, I'll handle Shen Yecheng's affair."

Before Mu Xianqi could reply, Qing Wei frowned, "You? He's from your mother's side—how are you going to handle him?"

It seems, dealing with one's own family is difficult.

"This is exactly why I should handle it." Jiang Liangjin stood, his gaze solemn, "Give me some time for this matter; it won't take long."

If the Song and Mu families intervene, even if justified, it would trigger a direct confrontation among the four major conglomerates excluding the main houses, dragging in the innocent.

Mu Xin looked at him, "Are you sure?"

Jiang Liangjin met his gaze, "I'm sure, Brother Xin."

Mu Xin didn't ask further, "Okay, I'll talk to Second Brother later. If you can't handle it, I'll step in—but I'd rather you succeed."

In other words, if Jiang Liangjin mishandles it, being soft on account of so-called familial ties, he will personally step in to seek justice for his sister.

Jiang Liangjin also understands; Mu Xin asked because he knows Jiang Liangjin doesn't have much contact with his distant relatives.

Conversely, Mu Xin would handle it himself.

"I'll do my best."

What needed to be said has been said; no one else tried to dissuade further.

The meeting thus ended.