Chapter 944

Yang Yu is one who plans thoroughly before acting, with a meticulous mind.

He has long shown his interest in Shendu; it's not just a day or two. Making such arrangements now is only natural; perhaps he is waiting for Chen Wuji's reply.

"Yang Jinglve is still very reasonable; if it were me, I wouldn't need to go through all these twists and turns—just dive right in. Shendu has only lost half its territory; it's not gone entirely, so what's there to fear?" Chen Luozi laughed and said.

Chen Wuji glanced over and said, "You're not wrong; they really did give me enough face."

Right now, Shendu is like a prey animal stared down by both a lion and a leopard; the leopard has already mauled it half to death, and if the lion wants to get involved, there are only two options.

Just grab it outright; as long as the lion is confident, the leopard can't stop it.

Or, negotiate amicably with the leopard and together finish off the prey.

As for what the prey thinks, that's nowhere in the lion's or leopard's considerations.

You're just prey—do you even deserve to have an opinion?

"Put simply, there's only one reason: in Yang Jinglve's view, cooperating with us is more advantageous than opposing us, and there's no need to create ill will over petty matters." Chen Li saw that Chen Wuji's tea cup was empty, picked up the pot, and poured him a cup, adding casually.

Chen Luozi watched Chen Li finish pouring tea for Chen Wuji, then casually set the pot aside with no intention of refilling him, and immediately grew unhappy, saying, "Hey hey hey, Shi Yi Shu, your look isn't very good—pour me, your elder brother, a cup of tea, okay?"

"Do it yourself; don't try to pull the old‑man act on me. In looks, I'm older than you!" Chen Li waved his hand and said, "You're not within my duties."

"You bastard… the older you get, the more aggravating you are." Chen Luozi flared.

Chen Wuji rose, laughing as he poured tea for Chen Luozi, saying, "Let me, let me—you two, settle down your divine tricks."

"Family Head, don't interfere—I must straighten things out with Shi Yi Shu today; being disrespectful to an elder brother could also count as unfilial, right?" Chen Luozi shouted, "This Shi Yi Shu is getting more and more outrageous; for such a trivial matter, he deliberately went around me—infuriating!"

Chen Li smiled faintly, "I did it on purpose."

"Tsk, Family Head, hear me out—what do people say?" Chen Luozi flared, turning to shout at Chen Li, "Shi Yi Shu, what have I done to offend you now? If you can tell me the exact Zi, Chou, Yin, Mao, then as long as you're around, I'll fetch you tea and water—how about that?"

"Disrespecting the Family Head!"

Chen Luozi stared, stunned, "I… am I being disrespectful?"

"Yes."

Chen Luozi scratched his forehead, "I need to reflect on this."

He really began to think seriously.

After a moment, Chen Luozi asked uncertainly, "I was just exaggerating my tone a bit—doesn't that count?"

"It counts; I'm talking about this very matter—the Family Head's status is no longer what it used to be." Chen Li nodded solemnly, "I trust you, and the Family Head trusts you, but if you carry yourself like that in the eyes of those with ulterior motives, it's not good."

"If that's the case… then I really will have to fetch tea and water for Shi Yi Shu from now on; what you say makes perfect sense." Chen Luozi actually didn't argue further, lowering his posture to admit the matter.

Chen Wuji waved his hand, "Enough, you two—we're family, why quibble over trifles? Among ourselves, being so rigid makes you uncomfortable, doesn't it? Never mind—just do as you will."

These three elders of his have strengths and weaknesses that are really too stark.

Chen Bushi appears refined on the surface, but inside he's as sly as a fox.

Chen Luozi acts unconventionally; although he never slips up on important matters, he trips over every little thing, as if born to oppose rules.

As for Chen Li, he's like an NPC—rigid and stern, meticulous about everything; every word and deed must stay within the rules.

Chen Luozi shook his head, "Family Head, I really do need to pay attention—what Shi Yi Shu said is correct. In the future, the people around the Family Head will only grow more numerous; if I don't watch my words and deeds, I'll surely be dragged into factions, creating the same mess we see in court today—and that's no small matter."

Chen Li picked up the pot and stood beside Chen Luozi, glancing at the tea cup Chen Wuji had just filled for Chen Luozi in front of him, then jerked his chin.

Chen Luozi burst out laughing, "Shi Yi Shu, I'm not saying this about you, but you're… damn it, ha ha ha, I have to admit, you've got me beat."

He lifted the cup, drained it in one bold gulp, slammed it down on the table, pointed a finger, and said, "Shi Yi Shu, pour the tea!"

Chen Li poured tea for Chen Luozi, "Drink slowly."

Chen Luozi laughed like a duck, "You damn… even Lao San is convinced—you're really something!"

Chen Wuji was speechless, shaking his head.

This eleventh uncle of his sure thinks far ahead.

"Shi Yi Shu…" Chen Wuji murmured, suddenly thinking of Yu Shuomei.

This is also someone who bears the title Shi Yi Shu.

Chen Luozi asked curiously, "Family Head, does Shi Yi Shu have any problem?"

"Nothing's wrong; in Lìng, an eleventh princess is being held captive, and she's also called Shi Yi Shu." Chen Wuji laughed.

"A princess so down‑to‑earth? I'll go take a look later." Chen Luozi chuckled mysteriously and asked, "Family Head, what's the appearance and conduct of this eleventh princess like?"

"Her looks are decent; she's rather aloof, and she's also a master."

"Aloof? That's not really a big deal." Chen Luozi stroked his chin, pondering, "Family Head, why not just take this eleventh princess in as well? A man who makes two Family Heads marry into his family—based on that alone, the Family Head will surely become the most admired hegemon of all time in Qing history."

"Stop feeding me bad ideas—I can't subdue that woman; if Jiu Shu has any thoughts, I'll call the shots and get you two married." Chen Wuji said.

Yu Shuomei's temperament, while not quite as deadly as a poisonous snake, is still not something just anyone can handle; he doesn't want to go to sleep at night worrying whether his head might roll off.

"Family Head, are you serious?" Chen Luozi's eyes lit up.

"Naturally!"

Chen Luozi rubbed his hands together, "Then I really ought to give it a try."

Chen Li glanced askance, "You clearly have your own ideas, yet you insist on using the Family Head as an excuse."

"I ought to first ask the Family Head whether he has any designs; if I were to vie with the Family Head for a woman, what would that be? Only if the Family Head has no interest can I make a move." Chen Luozi said.

"Depravity!" Chen Li muttered reprovingly.

Chen Luozi wasn't annoyed, laughing like a duck, "Family Head, I'll go see the person first."

"You're really that impatient?"

"I've already seen a princess just now, but I haven't yet seen one who's imprisoned—I need to have a look. Other matters, I'll report to the Family Head later; anyway, it's nothing major." Chen Luozi said, already hurrying out the door.

……