Chapter 416: Li Family Turmoil (Part 1)

"Hehehe... hehehe..."

In a room within the Forbidden City, a burst of heartfelt, joyful laughter was ringing out.

Wu Qingkui leaned back in her leather office chair, staring unblinkingly at the tablet on the desk, laughing until she was shaking all over.

Xie Wanning, standing to the side, was also unable to hold back her laughter and said, "Who would have thought that our third sister, a Divine Doctor, would actually have a talent for being a diplomat? I really underestimated her."

"I didn't expect it either," Wu Qingkui said, her smile undiminished. "Seeing the Easterners get frustrated is just too satisfying. Although I shouldn't be so uncomposed, I still find it hilarious!"

"Of course. These Easterners are despicable and shameless. After doing something like that, they still had the audacity to try and splash dirty water on our Junior Brother. Just this alone is letting them off too lightly!"

Xie Wanning said indignantly.

Wu Qingkui waved her hand. "Don't you know Chen Che's temper? Is he the type to suffer a loss? The Mingzhi Shrine was burned, the Ninja God was killed, and the Shadow leader was killed too... Although he harvested some wealth, the control of the Qingyuan Group is still in our hands. In this game of chess, the Easterners have lost, and they lost in an extremely ugly fashion."

Xie Wanning said with considerable pride, "Chen Che never lets us down."

Wu Qingkui turned off the tablet, took a few deep breaths, and calmed down. "However, the news he sent over is indeed very useful. Li Shizheng has been lying low for so many years; now that the matter in the East has failed, he should have new moves."

"Yes," Xie Wanning said. "Informants reported that Han Bailing and Zhou Xiangyun went to the Li Family together today."

"It seems they are looking to pull together an alliance..." Wu Qingkui remembered something and asked, "How is the battle going on the second sister's side?"

Xie Wanning replied, "It has already subsided. There are still some loose ends to tie up; it is expected to take about another week before she returns."

Wu Qingkui nodded. "Then let's wait until she returns before discussing it. Although there is the Patrol Bureau within Beijing, if those three families want to rebel, the other noble clans and factions in Beijing will surely follow. After all, I am an outsider by surname, and a woman at that. Although these people submit on the surface, I fear that as soon as they have an opportunity, they will try every possible way to trample me down."

"Mistress need not worry. I hold the Imperial Guard, Luo Lin has the Patrol Bureau, and the second sister is the God of War of the military. Besides, there is still Chen Che. He alone can hold off three divisions; you have absolutely no need to be afraid."

Xie Wanning comforted her.

Wu Qingkui laughed in spite of herself. "Hold off three divisions? Since he is so capable of holding things off, I might as well just give my position to him."

"I don't think... Chen Che would want it," Xie Wanning said with a serious expression.

"So, are you implying that if he wanted it, I would give it to him?"

"Doesn't Mistress want to give it to him?"

Wu Qingkui looked at Xie Wanning meaningfully, then suddenly teased with a smile, "It seems you have already given it."

"Ah..."

Xie Wanning was startled, her face turning bright red, and she said in a panic, "Mistress is talking about you, why are you talking about me?!"

"Giggle..."

Wu Qingkui laughed a few times, stretched, and said, "Alright. Don't forget, there is still Zanpu Dunzhu who has never shown his face. He remains a variable, so we must plan for the long term."

Xie Wanning nodded, cupping her burning cheeks.

"Knock, knock, knock..."

A knock sounded at the door, and Xie Wanning went to open it.

Luo Lin and a man also wearing the uniform of the Patrol Bureau walked in.

"My Lady."

The two of them bowed to Wu Qingkui together.

Wu Qingkui gave a hum, sat up straight, and regained that regal air of hers.

She carefully scrutinized the man standing side-by-side with Luo Lin and asked, "Is this the... Gao He you mentioned?"

"It is."

Luo Lin said, "Gao He is my trusted aide. In recent years, he has performed countless meritorious deeds in the Patrol Bureau. His Martial Dao Cultivation is also top-tier among his peers; he has already reached the Post-Heaven Earth Master realm."

"Not bad," Wu Qingkui praised. "The Patrol Bureau is full of talented people; this is a good thing."

Gao He bowed his head in salute. "Thank you, My Lady."

Luo Lin smiled with satisfaction and asked, "My Lady, intelligence indicates that the fishing boat carrying Special Commissioner Chen has already entered the territorial waters of Xia. It is expected to land in three days. Do you think we need to go and meet him?"

"Of course we must go and meet him!" Wu Qingkui revealed a bright smile. "This kid has performed another great service this time; I must reward him well."

Gao He volunteered, "My Lady, let me handle the matter of welcoming Special Commissioner Chen. I have long heard of Special Commissioner Chen's great name. This time, he has caused the Easterners to suffer a heavy blow to their Vital Energy; I truly admire him very much and have long wanted to meet Special Commissioner Chen."

Wu Qingkui smiled. "Very well, then you go."

"Thank you, My Lady."

Wu Qingkui remembered something else and muttered, "He's returning in the early hours; should we prepare a welcome banquet?"

Xie Wanning leaned in and said, "Mistress... My Lady, we just received news that the Li Family invites you to attend a banquet at the Li Family in three days."

"A banquet? What trick is this Li Family trying to pull?" Wu Qingkui furrowed her delicate brows.

"Li Shizheng called it a family banquet," Xie Wanning said, expressing her own thoughts. "I believe we should not go; there is definitely a trap."

Wu Qingkui pondered for a moment and said, "We are all well aware of the situation now, so there is little difference whether we go or not. Besides, we are all in Beijing; no one can hide from anyone."

"Let's do this."

Wu Qingkui looked up at the three of them and issued her orders, "Xie Wanning and Luo Lin, you two will accompany me to the Li Family banquet in three days. Also, Luo Lin, make arrangements in advance to have people from the Patrol Bureau guard the outside of the Li Family."

"Yes."

"Understood."

Wu Qingkui looked at Gao He again: "Gao He, after you meet Chen Che, bring him to the Li Family immediately."

"Understood."

The vast sea rippled, the scenery as beautiful as a painting.

After being unconscious for a day and a night, Chen Che finally opened his eyes faintly.

What came into view were beautiful, smiling faces, each one looking forward to his recovery with bated breath.

"You're awake!!"

"You finally woke up, you scared us to death!!"

"If you hadn't woken up, we would have considered air-dropping our third sister Li Qingyan here!"

Chen Che slowly sat up, rubbed his forehead, and asked, "How long have I been asleep?"

"A day and a night," Song Jinhe said, touching Chen Che's forehead.

"What is the situation now?" Chen Che glanced at the window and asked again.

"Rest assured."

Cheng Kexin said, "We have already entered the territorial waters of Xia; in three more days, we will arrive in Beijing."

Chen Che felt relieved: "That is good."

Miyanaga Rika walked over at this moment carrying a bowl of soup: "This is kudzu root soup. You haven't eaten for a day and a night, so drink some soup first to soothe your stomach."

"Thank you."

Chen Che held the bowl and drank it mouthful by mouthful, then suddenly looked up and discovered that the women were all staring at him, "Uh... why don't you all have some too?"

"No need, we're fine just watching you eat," Song Jinhe said, cupping her face with both hands and blinking her large eyes, "The way you eat is especially charming."

"Pfft, cough, cough..."

Chen Che choked, and Miyanaga Rika immediately and virtuously offered a tissue to help him wipe it away.

"Thank you." Chen Che quickly finished the soup and was about to get out of bed to walk around; being watched by these people made him feel somewhat uncomfortable.

However, just as Chen Che lifted the quilt, he discovered that there was one more person watching him, whose expression of seriousness was no less than that of these women, but the meaning in their eyes was completely different.

Chen Che revealed a smile, bent over to look at Gongyong Zhibo, who was standing by the bed with his hands gripping the edge, and laughed: "Little brother, what are you looking at?"

Gongyong Zhibo asked back with a serious face: "Big brother, are you an immortal?"

Chen Che laughed: "I am not an immortal."

"Then how are you so powerful?! Even the ocean listens to you!"

Gongyong Zhibo stared at Chen Che with a look of admiration and skepticism.

Chen Che was charmed by his appearance and couldn't help but laugh: "That is an Artisan Technique; if you want to learn, I can teach you."

"Really?! That would be amazing!" Gongyong Zhibo cheered and jumped for joy, "Thank you, brother-in-law!"

"Pfft!"

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone present choked, to the point that they all overlooked the faint pattern of half a World Tree at the boy's navel, revealed when his shirt lifted as he jumped.