Chapter 319 - 317: Brotherly Candor
"Big Brother, Li Xiu told me, ’You think Elder Ping will smooth the way for you. You think that even if he doesn’t, the other families and powerful figures will protect you and the Ping Family out of respect for him. Ping’an, you have to understand—since the dawn of time, haven’t there been countless cases of fathers and sons, of blood brothers, turning on each other and slaughtering one another for power and profit? Yet you still fantasize that others will protect you out of some vague, intangible sentiment. Ping’an, are you a fool, or just hopelessly naive? Stay alive. Live well. Hold fast to your principles. Even if your methods become ruthless and cruel, as long as you don’t cross your own lines, you can live with a clear conscience!’"
"’Have you read all those books at my place for nothing? As long as you don’t harm the common people and hold fast to your principles, with Elder Ping’s remaining influence and my help, I can’t promise your name will echo through the ages, but I can guarantee you won’t live a life of mediocrity or be condemned by history! Think it over. Once you have, come find me. If you’d rather just drift through life, then don’t ever bother looking for me again! I’m only going to say this once, today. Think it over carefully!’"
"Big Brother, all these years, I haven’t dared to forget a single word he said. You know that before... that incident... you were the eldest son, the big brother. I lived recklessly under your protection for more than a decade. After that, our parents wanted me to step up. You know all this. You also know what happened next. Mother was taking a desperate gamble when she personally handed me over to Li Xiu. It was a long shot—if he succeeded in teaching me, it was a win. If he didn’t, there was nothing to be disappointed about!"
Watching Ping Jing, Ping’an gave a bitter smile and continued slowly, "Big Brother, in less than two years, Li Xiu taught me everything he knew. There was also that conversation in the second-floor study at the Imperial Palace—even though Father overheard part of it. Big Brother, everything I have now was built by Li Xiu, piece by piece. Why don’t you trust him? Without him, you wouldn’t be seeing the man I am today!"
"I don’t know," Ping Jing asked, skeptical. "It’s just... what does Li Xiu get out of it?"
"I don’t know how he’s managed to do all this either. But Big Brother, his desire to protect me is no less than yours. He once said he would never, and could never, train a mere politician. He said he wanted the Ping Family’s Ping’an to be a man of flesh and blood, of passion—unrestrained, free-spirited, and bold. He said he wanted the Ping Family’s Ping’an to live freely in this world while also leaving a legacy for the ages! He said he wanted the Ping Family’s Ping’an to live a life with no regrets, to both himself and others. He said he wanted Ping’an to cultivate his character, manage his family, govern the nation, and bring peace to the world, all without letting the pursuit of power and profit corrupt his nature!"
Gazing calmly at his brother, Ping’an smiled faintly. "I remember when I left the Capital City for my post, Li Xiu saw me off. As I got in the car, he gave me eight words: *Carpe diem, for time and tide wait for none.* That is his greatest hope for me! Big Brother, he has no designs on me. At first, it was just to repay our parents for the protection they gave him. But later... later he and Sister weren’t doing it for anyone else. They were doing it just because it was me, Ping’an!"
"You trust him that much?" Ping Jing asked with a wry smile, looking at the younger brother he had practically raised. ’To trust a man whose intelligence is almost demonic? Ping’an, don’t you realize that if he has even one ill intention, you’ll be doomed beyond salvation! And his wife, Zhou Lian... when she gets ruthless, she terrifies even a grown man like me. Her strategic thinking and methods are likely beyond even what I, the once-renowned top young master of the Capital City, could match!’
Ping’an chuckled, his tone becoming light. "Big Brother, Mother used to complain to Father that he shouldn’t blame her for spoiling me. The truth is, the ones who’ve spoiled me most all these years are Li Xiu and Sister. You must have heard from Father, right? Since I’ve already stepped into this arena of fame and fortune, I might as well aim for the very top. After all, you can only do what you want when you hold the power. What are your thoughts on my marriage?"
"Your wife is a fine woman, but her family doesn’t offer you much help. After all, you have the Wang family, the Zhang Family, the Lan Family, and the Sun Family to consider. Your Yue Family is a bit weak in comparison," Ping Jing said, stating the facts. He had also been wondering lately why their mother had chosen a marriage alliance with his sister-in-law’s family in the first place.
A smile crept into Ping’an’s eyes as he looked at his brother. "Sister and Li Xiu picked the short list, but she was the one I fell for. Big Brother, Li Xiu told Mother that he would never let me marry someone I didn’t love, no matter how powerful her family was. He said that the woman I marry must be someone I love, and someone who can make me happy. Big Brother, why do you think he would do that?"
"He just wants you to be happy. Nothing else matters!" The moment the words left his mouth, Ping Jing realized what he’d said. But he couldn’t take them back, and they weren’t wrong. ’Wasn’t everything Li Xiu did for the sake of Ping’an’s happiness? For Ping’an, who was aiming for the top, the support of a powerful family was paramount. But for Li Xiu, Ping’an’s happiness was what mattered most!’
’So that’s how it is. No wonder Ping’an trusts him so much. Even I might not have been able to resist the temptation back then. I might not have let Ping’an marry for love, without regard for the family behind her. After all, in this world of fame and power, a marriage alliance is the most solid form of partnership!’
"Big Brother, he told Father to let me marry someone I love, and that he could make up for the lack of a powerful alliance in other ways. Big Brother, you of all people should know how difficult that would be! You watched Shengnan grow up, too. You know what her temperament was like. Big Brother, just look at her now!" Ping’an said, a little smugly.
Shooting his younger brother a frustrated look, Ping Jing asked quietly, "What exactly is your point?"
"Big Brother, I just wanted you to see what kind of person Sister can mold."
’To be fair, the Liu Shengnan of today was indeed far more impressive than before. And he had to admit, her transformation was so natural that it didn’t feel the least bit awkward.’
"She’s excellent. So what?" Ping Jing asked wearily, looking at the smug Ping’an. ’Li Xiu and Zhou Lian are good to my brother and his wife. Fine, they’re great. Exceptionally so. But I don’t know them. I don’t understand them at all. Isn’t it normal for me to be suspicious?’
Staring at his brother, dumbfounded, Ping’an said with great agitation, "Then what are you still suspicious about? Sister and Li Xiu have been more than just good to me—they’ve poured their hearts and souls into helping me! Why do you have to doubt them?"
"Are you an idiot?" Li Xiu snapped as he walked in carrying a tray, having heard Ping’an’s agitated voice. "Your sister and I are good to *you*, not to your brother. Why wouldn’t he be suspicious?!"
"Bro, I’m not wrong. You and Sister..."
Li Xiu set down the tray and shot Ping’an an irritated glare, cutting him off. "Just shut up and come eat!"
Feeling wronged, Ping’an walked over to the table. His eyes grew misty as he looked at the steaming food. He could tell at a glance that Li Xiu had made it himself—it was his favorite zhajiangmian and side dishes!
"Big Brother, don’t mind him," Li Xiu said to the uncomfortable-looking Ping Jing, letting out a soft sigh. "I think he hasn’t slept for a full day and night. His brain is probably mush."