novelburst
Chapter 942 - 940 The Longest Path I've Walked Is Your Scheming
Chapter 942 - 940 The Longest Path I've Walked Is Your Scheming
Chapter 942: Chapter 940 The Longest Path I’ve Walked Is Your Scheming
Wen Xin had returned to the Wen family residence after dropping Mu Chengxi off at the airport, only to see Mr. Jiang sitting in the living room playing chess with Wen Huai.
She casually tossed her backpack onto the sofa and sat down next to Wen Huai, her dark, shiny eyes seriously watching Mr. Jiang, who was focusing on the chess game.
“I will be going to the Independent State in a few days, and I hope you keep your people in line. I do not want to see them meddling in what happens there.”
Wen Xin’s words were clear—she didn’t know what Mr. Jiang’s role in the Independent State was, only hoping that he would not further complicate matters there, as she didn’t want anyone fishing in troubled waters.
Mr. Jiang put his chess piece down on the board, lifted his gaze, and looked at Wen Xin with a cold, clear stare. After a long silence, he gave a light smile.
“Wen Xin, do you still not believe that I am on your side? Remember, everything I am doing is for you. I would never help your parents’ enemies.”
Mr. Jiang’s smile did not reach his eyes, and Wen Xin could tell that he was starting to get angry, upset about her lack of trust in him.
Seeing Mr. Jiang’s annoyed expression, Wen Xin felt somewhat awkward. She took the tea offered by the butler and placed it in front of Mr. Jiang, her expression not softening much.
“I do trust you—it’s just that I wanted to clear things up in advance. This time is my final stand. I’m going to stir things up in the Independent State. Since I can’t escape the fate they’ve arranged for me, I might as well play the game—if I can’t control it, I’ll destroy it…”
This time, Wen Xin had made up her mind. Previously, she had done nothing and thought about fleeing the place, but now she knew escaping was impossible, so she might as well make a last stand…
Wen Huai turned his head and looked at Wen Xin. Before he could speak, he heard Mr. Jiang say, “Wen Huai, you go upstairs first.”
After Mr. Jiang spoke, Wen Huai put his chess piece in the box, stood up, and prepared to go upstairs, but before he could leave, he heard Wen Xin speak in a calm tone.
“He doesn’t need to leave. This time I am going to the Independent State, and I plan to take him and Xiao Mi back with me. We are a family, and a family should be together as a whole.”
Wen Xin casually picked up a bag of chips, changed her position on the sofa, and lounged there, giving Mr. Jiang a shallow look that carried a hint of defiance.
Watching Wen Xin’s arrogant demeanor, Mr. Jiang, initially still a bit annoyed, quickly regained his composure and looked at Wen Xin with an indulgent smile.
“I understand what you mean. I will hand over the power in the Independent State to Wen Huai. Don’t worry, with me here, no one in the Independent State can touch a hair on your head.”
After finishing, Mr. Jiang placed his chess piece back in the box and lifted his gaze to Wen Huai, who stood awkwardly in place.
“Go, pack your bags upstairs. You’ll leave with me in an hour. I’ll take you to the Independent State to see the world.”
Listening to Mr. Jiang’s words, Wen Huai looked at Wen Xin, bewildered, unsure if handing over Mr. Jiang’s power to him was what she intended.
Wen Xin lifted her head to look at the puzzled Wen Huai and maintained a very casual and unrestrained attitude, raising her eyebrows at him.
“Didn’t you hear what your foster father said? He told you to go upstairs and pack your things, so just go and pack. What are you waiting for?”
Wen Xin’s tone was very light and cheerful, sounding like she was in a good mood.
Seeing Wen Xin’s demeanor, Wen Huai instantly understood her intention and immediately ran upstairs to pack his things.
Watching Wen Huai ascend the stairs, Mr. Jiang sighed helplessly, his tone indulgent as he spoke, “You little girl, you’re all cunning. What am I supposed to do with you? Do you think I will always indulge you?”
“No, I can swear to heaven, I have never tricked you. I just wanted to make sure you were on my side. You know, I was fighting alone in Independent State, and even with Moore’s help, I was still vastly outnumbered.”
“I would be very sad if the person I trust most were to stab me in the back when the time comes!”
Wen Xin’s bright eyes were filled with sincerity. She did not distrust Mr. Jiang; she was just afraid of seeing the person she trusted most not standing by her in the end.
What she sought was unconditional support, not a choice made after weighing the pros and cons.
In that moment, Mr. Jiang suddenly felt that the little girl he had watched grow up had finally matured. After a moment of stunned silence, a relieved smile appeared on his face.
“Wen Xin, I feel that I have fulfilled the task your parents entrusted to me. I have truly raised you. From now on, you’re a grown woman, you have truly grown up…”
Ah, seriously, what was Grandfather thinking? Why did he have to invite the granddaughters of his friends to come home and study with her?
They were just here to share her misery!
Luckily, there was the pleasing First Son to look at, otherwise, she would have gone crazy listening to those boring heavenly books every day.
Lin Qingluo glanced at the three dispirited girls from the general’s family with sympathy, sighed quietly, and focused on the lecture.
*
On the 16th day of the first month, Lin Jinyu took his four brothers, bade farewell to their elders, and returned to Mystic Canyon.
Feng Yi accompanied his mother and sister on the journey, escorting them back.
Wang Meng and Shitou stayed behind, responsible for supervising the six young boys’ martial arts training in the Duke’s residence.
Little Twelve and Little Thirteen also happily joined the martial arts training under their brothers’ lead.
The two young boys imitated their brothers’ movements, practicing the Lin Clan’s basic martial arts techniques. Their clumsy and cute appearance made the entire Martial Arts Arena burst into laughter.
Once the New Year passed, Lin Yixuan couldn’t stay in the palace any longer, so he sneaked out of the palace under various pretenses and came to Duke of Zhen’s residence to practice martial arts with Wang Meng and Shitou.
During her breaks from studying, Lin Qingluo also came to the Martial Arts Arena to stretch her body and teach the teenagers.
With her brothers away, she was the eldest sister.
The six younger brothers were very obedient.
Whenever their sister came to the Martial Arts Arena, they would joyfully gather around her, like six happy little horses, frolicking around her.
Little Eight Lin Jinhao was eleven years old, and Little Nine Lin Jinlei was ten. The two believed their martial arts skills were top-notch among the brothers, so they often entangled their sister to spar with them when their brothers were not around.
Pretending to learn from each other, they couldn’t even touch the corner of their sister’s clothes.
However, the two were not discouraged and became more motivated after every failure, displaying the Lin Clan’s characteristic fearless spirit.
**
Wei Shumin was very considerate and grateful for Lin Qingluo’s kindness to her. She took great care of her little mistress’s diet and daily life.
Lin Qingluo often joked with her, saying that a ten-year-old girl was worrying like a thirty-year-old aunt.
If one didn’t know better, they would think she was her sister!
Zizhu was still as carefree as ever, following Wei Shumin around every day, happily circling around her mistress.
Her simple and honest smile made everyone feel relaxed and comfortable.
With the company of the two maids, Lin Qingluo had given up on the idea of selecting new maids. She clearly told her grandmother and mother that the two girls were enough and that there was no need to add more people.
The old lady initially disagreed, feeling heartache for her granddaughter.
However, when her beloved granddaughter displayed a sweet smile and called her grandmother sweetly, her heart would melt instantly.
All her reluctance was left behind, and she held onto her precious granddaughter tightly, not wanting to let go.
Ye Xue’e knew her daughter was right and let her make her own decisions without imposing any restrictions.
Thus, the matter of choosing new maids for the Fluttering Snow Residence came to an end.
From then on, Wei Shumin and Zizhu, as first-class maids, stayed at the Fluttering Snow Residence and served by Lin Qingluo’s side.
**
The Third Imperial Princess, who had been lurking for years, finally stepped onto the stage and gradually gained a foothold with the support of her hidden family’s power, revealing her ambitions.
Second Imperial Princess did not want to admit defeat and secretly colluded with the Western Region Barbarians to buy a large number of weapons, preparing for an uprising.
“I will always remember what my mother told me after my ‘divine election’ ended. She said I could no longer live in arrogance and recklessness, that I would always carry a responsibility on my shoulders…”
“So, after they passed away, I have always tried to live in defiance. I want to show my mother that I can live for myself…”
As Wen Xin finished speaking, her eyes slightly reddened and her emotions became somewhat agitated; the potato chips in her hand also crunched noisily as she squeezed them.
In front of Mr. Jiang, Wen Xin never controlled her emotions. She felt she was already living a tiring life and didn’t need to hide her feelings in front of the people closest to her. She wanted a place where she could express her emotions.
Seeing Wen Xin’s state, Mr. Jiang gently took a breath, his heart aching as he placed a tissue in front of her.
“You’ve already done wonderfully. You are my pride, and I believe you are your parents’ pride too. Rest assured, whatever you do, I am your strongest support. Back then, I couldn’t destroy Independent State for your mother, but now it’s different. I believe I still have the ability to protect you completely!”
Mr. Jiang had vowed to protect Wen Xin’s mother for a lifetime, and to this day, there was no other woman by his side. He could keep his promise to protect Wen Xin thoroughly.
“I understand all the care foster father offers and I keep it all in my heart. I believe that since you can say it, you can definitely do it. I will never forget your kindness, foster father. I will always remember it,” replied Wen Xin.