The Favored Heiress
Chapter 308: The Cunning Shang Zonghai

Chapter 308: Chapter 308: The Cunning Shang Zonghai

At the same time, Li Qiao followed the butler and Luoyu on the path that led to the church.

The butler occasionally pointed out some scenery, to which Li Qiao responded absentmindedly.

The Gothic architecture of the church with its brown walls and black tiles slowly came into view.

Above the spire of the bell tower stood a blazing red cross.

Li Qiao passed a discreet glance to Luoyu, who nodded slightly, then timely asked, "Housekeeper Xiao, is the church open today?"

Housekeeper Xiao looked around with an earnest expression and nodded, "Open, open. If Miss Li wishes to go in for a while, I can have someone unlock the door."

"Hmm, then please trouble you to do so."

Housekeeper Xiao bowed slightly to them, said it was no trouble, and turned to make a call not far away.

Near the church, Li Qiao surveyed her surroundings as if admiring the view, but spoke in a hushed tone, "Is it normal for the old house to have this many people around?"

Luoyu kicked a stone tile with the tip of her foot and answered cautiously, "It wasn’t before, but recently they have brought in quite a few more people, I heard there’s been activity from the collateral branches."

Li Qiao lifted her eyes to the distance, her lips barely moving, "Because he’s back?"

At this, Luoyu’s eyes flickered, "Yes, it’s definitely related."

That conversation was cut short as Housekeeper Xiao returned from the front. Li Qiao lowered her gaze, ripples of emotion appearing in her eyes.

Indeed, just as she’d thought, Shang Yu was truly beset with enemies within the Shang family clan.

Just the threat from the collateral branches alone was enough to make the old house guard itself so strictly. If there were other external forces infiltrating, the Parma Shang clan really wouldn’t be able to maintain peace for much longer.

...

Elsewhere, at the Water Garden Fishing Platform.

At this moment, having listened to Shang Zonghai’s praise, Shang Yu met his gaze with deep-sea like depths, "You mean to say, you’re happy to see it happen?"

For so many years, he had rarely seen his father display such an "understanding" side.

There must be a reason for this anomaly.

A smile played at the corners of Shang Zonghai’s eyes. He looked back at the fishing pond and toyed with the fishing rod, speaking meaningfully, "If I didn’t agree, would you let go?"

"I wouldn’t," Shang Yu answered without hesitation, not the slightest bit of indecision.

The smile on Shang Zonghai’s face deepened as he glanced sideways at him, "Then, aside from being happy to see it happen, what other choice do I have?!"

Although he said that, it was clear he was avoiding the issue altogether, playing Tai Chi with his words.

Shang Yu looked intently at his father, knowing that in terms of craftiness, he was likely no match.

A moment later, the man took a cigarette case from his pocket, drew out a slim cigar, and offered it to Shang Zonghai.

As the cigarette was lit, swirls of white smoke dissipated into the air. Shang Zonghai waved it away casually and, looking at the cigarette in hand, remarked pointedly, "Not bad, your taste has improved."

Shang Yu narrowed his eyes as he smoked, arrogantly changing the subject, "When do you plan to translate the content of your memoir?"

Shang Zonghai flicked ash off his cigarette, "What’s the rush? The text has too many obscure characters, I’ll let you know when it’s translated."

With a faint smile, Shang Yu looked at the fishing pond, "Really? Between the ancient medical text and your memoir, which has more obscure characters?"

It was a verbal trap.

Shang Zonghai picked up on it instantly.

Composed, he picked up the fishing rod, running the line through his fingers, with the cigarette clamped in his mouth, he said vaguely, "If you’re so curious, you could study it with me."

The conversation ceased, and the silence once again engulfed the surroundings.

It didn’t take long before Shang Zonghai made a suggestion, "I’ve had the Yuezhai Hall prepared with a meal. Have lunch before you leave."

As he spoke, he scattered a handful of fish feed into the fishing pool, fell silent for a moment, and then added, "Consider attending the Clan Assembly with the young lady in five days."

As soon as his words hit the air, Liuyun and Wang Yue exchanged a very subtle glance for a second, and quickly lowered their heads again.

In the presence of the elder patriarch, they dared not be presumptuous or show any additional expressions, fearing that even a moment’s inattention might betray their thoughts.

Their surprise stemmed from the fact that the Shang Family Clan Assembly was held annually, typically scheduled at the year’s end or the start of the new year.

Why had it been suddenly moved to the middle of this year?

At that moment, Shang Yu’s thin lips exhaled a faint wisp of smoke, his profound eyes stormy, then settled back into calm.

He lowered his gaze, his expression inscrutable, and after a long while snuffed out his cigarette, meeting Shang Zonghai’s gaze with a heavy sigh, "You went to such lengths to prepare and schedule the Clan Assembly in advance, was it not in hopes that she would attend?"

Ignoring his comment, Shang Zonghai conversely stared thoughtfully at the fishing pool, murmuring to himself, "The water in this pool is muddled; it needs to be changed."

...

Approaching midday, Li Qiao followed the housekeeper to the Yuezhai Hall.

The ancient setting gave the illusion of being in the royal court.

Next to the Yuezhai Hall was the ecological garden, surrounded by verdant greenery, the atmosphere serene and tranquil.

Li Qiao sat beside Shang Yu, with only the three of them seated at the rosewood square table.

It was peculiar that, from the time she entered in the morning until now, besides Shang Zonghai, the housekeeper, and the hidden bodyguards, she had not seen any relevant Shang family members in this grand main residence.

Before long, the servants brought in a variety of local specialty dishes, and Shang Zonghai, after wiping his hands with a warm towel, looked kindly at Li Qiao, "Young lady, you should try this chickpea puree with bread, a traditional dish that we Parma people have grown up eating."

We Parma people...

Under ordinary circumstances, Li Qiao would have regarded such a statement as nothing more than polite small talk.

But given the old gentleman Shang Zonghai’s shrewdness, every word he spoke likely carried a deeper significance.

Li Qiao regarded the chickpea puree and specialty bread and nodded politely, "Since Uncle has recommended it, I will certainly give it a good try."

Shang Zonghai seemed very pleased, his gaze growing warmer and more benevolent as he looked at her.

After the meal, the servants brought in some fresh tea.

Li Qiao sat across from Shang Zonghai, her demeanor calm, her eyes clear, always maintaining the propriety expected of a junior member.

Shang Zonghai, sipping his tea, then turned to Shang Yu, "It’s the girl’s first visit; set aside your matters these next few days, take her around Parma, show her around. The new vacation homes on the neighboring Diaoyutai Islands are quite nice, you two could go there and relax."

Shang Yu leaned forward against the edge of the table, glanced at Shang Zonghai, and responded with a single word without saying anything further.

In less than five minutes, Shang Zonghai got up from his chair, "Alright, it’s about time for me; I have to visit the pharmaceutical factory this afternoon. You two should head back first."

Li Qiao and her companion bid farewell to Shang Zonghai and left the Yuezhai Hall.

Not until she stepped outside did that piercing gaze, like a thorn in her back, finally vanish.

Li Qiao pursed her lips, her tense emotions easing, releasing a barely audible sigh of relief.

Shang Yu heard her sigh, and turned to glance at her while taking her hand, "Tired?"

Her palm, soft and slightly damp, seemed much more relaxed in its posture.

Li Qiao lowered her gaze to the fingers he held, and with a hint of a smile, said, "Don’t you feel like Uncle’s words to me are always loaded with hidden meanings?"