The Favored Heiress
Chapter 737: Got A Mouthful of Dog Food

Chapter 737: Chapter 737: Got A Mouthful of Dog Food

The next morning, Li Qiao received a call from the lawyer Qi Nanhuai.

Seeing the caller ID, her eyebrows raised slightly, and upon answering she heard him say, "The court date for your grandfather’s inheritance dispute is set for the end of the month, and I’ve sent a package with your aunt and uncle’s legal documents to your email."

Li Qiao slowly descended the stairs, responding faintly, "Thanks."

Qi Nanhuai was silent for two seconds before asking, "Will you be attending the trial?"

"Not necessarily, apply for an observer’s seat for me first."

Qi Nanhuai agreed, then suggested, "It’s better if you can come. I suspect your aunt may present additional evidence at the scene that could be unfavorable to you."

Li Qiao walked leisurely to the living room, responding indifferently, "I’ll try my best."

After hanging up, she sat down, caressing the phone screen, her gaze slightly cool.

The evidence in Duan Shuhua’s hands was nothing surprising, merely related to her own origin.

...

At dusk, the sun set behind the Western Hills.

Li Qiao had spent the entire day in the laboratory checking data.

The note given to her by Mu Aoxian contained the British Imperial Royal Academy where Jing Yilan had once studied, as well as her residence and the library she frequented.

Li Qiao found the detailed addresses through the system and planned to make the trip to Britain herself to investigate.

The clock hands moved in another circle; it was not yet a quarter past six when Li Qiao left the laboratory to return to the living room.

As she walked in, the figure on the sofa to the right caught her eye.

Li Qiao paused slightly, her eyebrows arching as she looked at Xi Luo and asked, "When did you get here?"

While asking, she glanced towards the distant platform outside the window, where the fiery red supercar was unmistakably Xi Luo’s mode of transportation.

At that moment, Xi Luo, dressed in beige overalls with her legs crossed and a handbag beside her, sat with poise, "About five minutes ago."

Li Qiao sat opposite her, her eyes scrutinizing, "You here for something?"

She was somewhat surprised that Xi Luo had managed to pass through the multiple checks of South Sea Mountain to reach the mansion, and without anyone informing her—it was apparent someone had allowed her to come.

"Not to see you, just hitching a ride on the plane." Xi Luo placed her hands together on her knees, replying with a grin, "I’ve arranged it with your Master Yan."

Li Qiao nodded nonchalantly, her gaze playful, "So this is... you returning to Britain to visit family?"

"You’d believe that if I said it was for family?"

Li Qiao, with a hand to her forehead, smiled, "Did Bai Yan ask you to accompany me?"

Xi Luo took out a lady’s cigarette from her handbag, and flicking the slender roll between her fingers, she said, "What right does he have to ask for my assistance?"

Li Qiao glanced at her, her smile barely contained, "I remember you’re not one to meddle in others’ affairs."

"Women are fickle. And I’m not meddling, just enjoying the show—is that not allowed?"

Li Qiao fell silent; their eyes met—one cool and calm, the other graceful.

In less than half an hour, Luoyu drove to escort Li Qiao and Xi Luo to the airport.

Li Qiao looked in the rearview mirror, "Who have you brought this time?"

Luoyu responded methodically, "Myself, Liuyun, and Wang Yue."

Ah, Zhui Feng was left to guard South Sea.

Before Li Qiao could react, Luoyu added, "I heard Brother Chen will be there, too. Meng Jun was originally scheduled, but he can’t get away because of the upcoming elections in Aida State."

Li Qiao nodded, noncommittal.

...

At the airport, the Yan Emperor’s special plane was already positioned at the business terminal.

With her hands in her pockets, Li Qiao stepped onto the boarding ladder, pausing after a few steps to look toward the person at her side, "British Imperial Royal Academy, familiar with it?"

"It’s my alma mater." Xi Luo shrugged her shoulders and then added with a smile, "If you’re thinking of studying there, I can write you a recommendation letter."

Li Qiao twisted her mouth slightly, her tone teasing, "Then let me thank sister in advance."

This was indeed an unexpected gain.

Xi Luo had actually studied at the British Imperial Royal Academy before, so...

Li Qiao pondered while covertly sizing her up, a faint glint of shrewdness in her eyes.

Xi Luo looked straight ahead as she ascended the steps, her voice a ghost of a smile, "Don’t think I don’t know you’re strategizing against me."

"You’re overthinking it," Li Qiao replied calmly as she walked forward, "just making the most of what we have."

Xi Luo paused on the step above, reached out, and ruffled Li Qiao’s hair playfully. "Only you dare to be so blunt. Don’t worry, sister lets you use her, don’t be shy."

Approaching eight o’clock, Shang Yu arrived fashionably late.

Liuyun and Wang Yue followed behind him, both carrying briefcases which was a rare sight.

The man entered the cabin with a cool aura, walked directly to where Li Qiao was seated, stretched out his arm, and asked in a low voice, "Have you been waiting long?"

Li Qiao shook her head lightly and saw Wang Yue and Liuyun placing documents on the table, her eyebrows furrowing slightly, "This busy?"

"Terminating collaboration agreements," Shang Yu said as he ran a finger gently over the skin by her ear, "Weeding out a few partners with divided loyalties."

A few?

Li Qiao looked at the thick stack of documents, easily over a dozen.

She pursed her lips, told him to carry on with his business, and got up to ask the flight attendant about the plane meals.

It’s about an eight-hour trip from South Sea to Britain.

After Shang Yu checked in, the control tower issued the permission to take off.

By Britain time, eight o’clock in the evening, the Yan Emperor’s special plane landed at the Capital London Port.

In November, Britain’s ground was moist, piercing with a chill.

Li Qiao wrapped her coat more tightly about herself as she stepped out of the cabin and was embraced by Shang Yu.

The man opened his coat to envelop her inside, looked down at her delicate, fair face, curved his lips slightly and led her toward the parking lot.

Behind them, Xi Luo wrapped her arms around herself, shivering slightly: "..."

I was careless.

I thought I was just catching a ride on the plane, but instead I got a mouthful of dog food.

Two Bentleys were waiting in the parking lot, and the group got into the cars, heading straight for Charles Manor.

The streets at a little past eight were dimly lit and bustling with people in a hurry.

Approximately forty minutes later, the cars pulled up in front of a grand and elegant manor.

Li Qiao squinted her eyes and leaned lazily against Shang Yu’s shoulder. "Not going to the Royal Hotel?"

The man’s jaw rested against her cheek, his voice magnetic, "This is more convenient."

This was Charles’s private manor.

The two cars stopped by the floral arrangements at the entrance, and Charles had already come out of the castle-like building, "Mr. Shang, you’ve finally arrived."

Shang Yu stood by the door, nodding at Charles and speaking in a pure British accent, "Is everything ready?"

Charles’s posture was very reverent, he gestured invitingly, and then catching sight of Li Qiao, he greeted her with a pleasantly surprised expression, "Miss Li, we meet again."

Li Qiao replied with a light "hello," her gaze lingering on Charles’s face, seemingly deep in thought.

The photo of Jing Yilan, she held in her hand was given to her by Charles.

Given the opportunity, she really could deepen her understanding with him.

In the living room, the servant brought several cups of tea. Charles, bending slightly at the waist, presented the tea cups to Li Qiao and Shang Yu.

Shortly after, Xi Luo entered with a languid stride, her peach blossom eyes narrowed, looking listless.

"Miranda?" Charles called out in surprise, looking around as though he didn’t expect her to appear here.

Xi Luo leaned casually against the red curtain wall at the entrance to the living room and waved her hand without much grace, "Where’s my room?"