Chapter 419: Li Family Turmoil (Part 4)

"Oh, so there are guests at today's family banquet."

Wu Qingkui walked into the study and saw that, besides Li Shizheng, Zhou Xiangyun and Han Bailing were also there.

As well as the juniors standing behind them, Zhou Xinda and Han Chengfang.

However, when they saw Wu Qingkui, they did not stand up to offer greetings, but instead remained sitting upright on the chairs on both sides, watching her.

Wu Qingkui did not mind, walking straight toward the main seat to sit side-by-side with Li Shizheng, separated by the table.

"The three families are all here. Judging by this posture, the matter to be discussed must be a major one." Wu Qingkui picked up the teacup at her side, took a sip, and said unhurriedly.

Li Shizheng first exchanged a glance with Han Bailing and Zhou Xiangyun, then said, "Adopted sister, let us change how we address each other while here in the Li Family today and only speak of family matters."

Wu Qingkui set down her teacup and smiled. "Adopted brother, please continue."

Li Shizheng got straight to the point: "The three of us have discussed it; you should no longer hold the position of Sovereign of Xia."

Hiss—

Once these words were spoken, the study instantly fell into a strange, deathly silence.

Wu Qingkui silently watched Li Shizheng, and the latter met her gaze with equal composure and dignity.

An invisible pressure rapidly permeated the room; the three juniors, Li Ziming, Han Chengfang, and Zhou Xinda, were instantly covered in sweat and could not help but swallow their saliva again and again.

Even those two old foxes, Han Bailing and Zhou Xiangyun, were now silently gripping their chair armrests, cold sweat sliding down their temples.

After a long while, Wu Qingkui was the first to break the silence, smiling: "It seems that after years of forbearance and lying low, you are not planning to hide it anymore today, brother."

"I have hidden for too long; I had almost forgotten what I was originally like."

Li Shizheng said slowly, "Since it has already been brought into the open, then with the doors closed, I will speak plainly about many things."

"Adopted sister, to be honest, I admire you. From the day I met you, I felt you were a unique woman, and the facts have indeed proven this to be true."

"Over these years, although you snatched the position that was originally mine, I still respect you. For a woman to achieve this level is truly remarkable. You have already proven your ability, but now it is time to yield the position."

Li Shizheng said slowly.

Wu Qingkui said unhurriedly, "Li Shizheng, do you know why the old man passed the position to me instead of you? Or to anyone else in the Li Family?"

"Just as you said, I am clearly an outsider, yet the old man would rather abandon his own blood relatives than support me to this position."

Li Shizheng sneered, "That is only because you have your ways! A woman always has unique methods to make a man obedient. Furthermore, the old man was already that old back then; with a woman who could outshine the world by his side, how could he not have had other thoughts?"

"Adopted kin? You know better than anyone whether things between you two were pure."

Facing Li Shizheng's insults, Wu Qingkui remained unmoved, still drinking her tea with composure before slowly saying, "Your words just now are the reason the old man gave up on you."

"The old man once said personally that among his many descendants, you were the one he thought most highly of, and your abilities were the most outstanding. But there was one point: your mind was too deep, and what filled your inner heart was not the nation and the world, but rather base, treacherous, and mean-spirited schemes."

"It is a pity I only took half of those words to heart; only today do I understand how accurate the old man's judgment of you was."

Li Shizheng sneered, "What is the use of saying these things now? The old man is already dead. Even if he were still alive, the Li Family today is under my command; he could not save you today either."

Wu Qingkui sighed and said, "Fine, then let us talk about your conditions."

Li Shizheng said, "It is very simple. As long as you pass the position to me and let your disciples leave Xia, I can guarantee that you will live. Furthermore, considering our relationship, I can give you several Li Family properties so you can live in luxury and enjoy your old age."

Wu Qingkui's gaze landed on Han Bailing, then on Zhou Xiangyun, and finally drifted slowly back to Li Shizheng. Even at this moment, she remained calm and composed, her regal bearing fully on display.

"To wear the crown, one must bear its weight."

Wu Qingkui said, "Li Shizheng, I admit you have ability, but you cannot bear the weight of this position. Not to mention that the Chen Family was wiped out because of your entire clan, just the single act of colluding with the Easterners means you will never have a chance to turn things around."

Li Shizheng's expression turned gloomy. "So, you are not agreeing?"

"My meaning is..." Wu Qingkui stared into Li Shizheng's eyes and said word by word, "You—are—not—worthy!"

"Hahahaha..."

Li Shizheng laughed maniacally, "Good, very good! Anyway, I never expected you to agree honestly."

"Since that is the case, let us talk about the chips we each hold."

Li Shizheng smiled with certainty, "I believe you will definitely agree in the end!"

Wu Qingkui chuckled, "I have already seen your chips, but I need to remind you that the Li, Zhou, and Han families of today are no longer what they once were."

"National Lord, you are the one who has not seen the situation clearly," Han Bailing said. "Although our three families were previously besieged by the Inspection Bureau and suffered countless losses to our industries and Martial Artists, how do you know that was not a performance we put on for you to see?"

Wu Qingkui frowned, "What do you mean?"

"Clap, clap!"

Li Shizheng clapped his hands. The study door opened, and Luo Lin walked in. She stood in the center of the room, first offered a respectful bow, and then said, "My Lord, Xie Wanning is asleep; I am afraid she cannot accompany you to the banquet."

"Luo Lin?!"

Wu Qingkui stared at her in disbelief, "You actually betrayed me?!"

"National Lord, to be precise, I have never betrayed you."

Luo Lin said, "But I did indeed deceive you. My surname is not Luo, but Li. I have always been a member of the Li Family."

Wu Qingkui's expression turned dazed. She turned her head to look at Li Shizheng, "So that is how it is. From the moment I established the Inspection Bureau, you were already laying your plans. Truly a fine scheme."

Li Shizheng smiled, "Adopted sister, you really should not have abandoned the Li Family and favored the Chen Family. Although you are an outsider, the Li Family is, after all, your true home."

Wu Qingkui sneered, "I am actually glad I did not wallow in the mire with you."

"To be able to remain so calm even now, National Lord, I truly admire you."

Zhou Xiangyun said, "The Inspection Bureau is now in our hands, and Xie Wanning holds the Imperial Guard, but since she cannot wake up for the time being, the Imperial Guard is also paralyzed."

"Moreover, Tang Yu'e is still at the northern border; she cannot rush back for three or five days. As for Chen Che..."

Mentioning Chen Che, Han Bailing gritted his teeth and said, "Gao He has already gone to intercept him on his way back. By now, he has surely chopped that bastard's head off... National Lord, this game of chess has not even begun, and you have already lost."

Li Shizheng smiled triumphantly, "Adopted sister, do you have any other moves? If not, then obediently accept your fate."

Wu Qingkui remained calm and composed, slowly sipping her tea, "If I do not accept it, do you intend to kill me?"

"We know that you are a Martial Artist, adopted sister, and that you possess a special constitution, but you cannot manifest it today."

Li Shizheng said, signaling to Luo Lin with his eyes.

Luo Lin took a button out of her pocket and pressed it.

Wu Qingkui's body trembled instantly, and she knitted her brows as she looked at the Jade Bracelet on her right wrist.

"My lord, you know the Patrol Bureau's Limiter better than anyone; now, all your paths of retreat are blocked, so I ask you to see the situation clearly, lest things end badly," Luo Lin said.

A faint, powerless smile tugged at the corners of Wu Qingkui's mouth: "This trap, it truly is delicious."

"Hahahahaha..."

Li Shizheng, Han Bailing, and Zhou Xiangyun all burst into laughter, their laughter filled with smugness and mockery.

"My dear sworn sister, I never expected you to have such a powerless day; where is that ruthlessness you had when dealing with us before? Why aren't you using it? Hahahaha..."

"So even the Empress can be afraid; if you had known, you should have honestly found a man to marry, raising children and serving your husband would have been so much better, why insist on meddling in these affairs, what for!"

"It's not too late to raise children and serve a husband now; our Empress's reputation for peerless beauty is also widespread, if this news were released, who knows how many people would scramble to come and propose!"

"Rest assured, sworn sister, as long as you listen obediently today, I guarantee this trap will be the most delicious feast, and as your elder brother, I will certainly find you a good man!"

………

Facing the three people's mockery, Wu Qingkui let out a cold snort and said: "When did I ever say I was afraid? Also, it is a bit too early for you to be certain that you have won."

………