Chapter 1433 — Yu Ning's Worry
The Blossom Guardian · Page 1 of 2
"I understand, Father. I already instructed Li Cihua earlier that we must keep a lower profile," Zhao Guangyin said with a nod.
With Old Master Zhao's approval, Zhao Qibing naturally took up formal residence in the Zhao household. Though doubts murmured on every side of the family, Old Master Zhao had already entered seclusion; dissatisfied as they might be, they had no way to raise an objection—and in any case, what Old Master Zhao had decided admitted no questioning.
That, of course, was not all. The news that Old Bi had taken Zhao Qibing as a disciple struck the others' ears like a thunderclap, and only then did Yu Xiaojin begin to feel the danger. Zhao Qibing's return to the Zhao family was, plainly speaking, no great matter; at worst it would leave Yu Xiaojin uneasy, and it would change nothing.
But Old Bi taking Zhao Qibing as a disciple revealed something far more intriguing. Could it be that Old Master Zhao intended to make Zhao Qibing the heir of the Zhao family?
Yu Xiaojin erupted the very night Zhao Guangyin came back to their rooms. She had to get to the bottom of it—just what had this Zhao Qibing come here for?
"Zhao Guangyin! You had better explain yourself clearly—what do you mean by bringing this bastard back?" Yu Xiaojin had backing of her own, so she had no need to be humble in the Zhao household. "And having Old Bi take him as a disciple—is it your plan to make him the next head of the family? Let me tell you now, that is impossible. The head of this family must be a child of mine and yours!"
Yu Xiaojin had never been a shrew, but this matter had gone beyond anything she had foreseen, and she had to understand it.
"Xiaojin, it was Father who asked Xiaobing to come back, and as for the apprenticeship, Old Bi raised it himself!" Zhao Guangyin said. "Do not shout at me. Even I do not know the inside story—this is no secret, and if you do not believe me, go ask Old Bi yourself. Enough. I am tired; I want to rest."
It was the first time Zhao Guangyin had been so cold to Yu Xiaojin. Between the two of them there was not much to speak of in the way of affection; Zhao Guangyin had enjoyed countless women in his life, and his union with Yu Xiaojin was nothing but a joining of interests. In the past he had given way to her because the Zhao family needed the Yu family's influence—but now that his father was about to become a Heaven-rank expert, they stood on equal footing with the Yu family, and there was no longer any need to indulge Yu Xiaojin's temper.
Besides, when it came to Zhao Qibing, Zhao Guangyin truly had no way to explain anything to Yu Xiaojin. The pill had been seized from the Yu family's hands to begin with; the more he said, the more he would give away. So Zhao Guangyin simply kept silent.
Yu Xiaojin was visibly taken aback by Zhao Guangyin's attitude. But she too had come from a great family, and it suddenly struck her how very strange this whole affair was—how contrary to all reason. And if Zhao Guangyin would not speak to her, then she would not keep making a scene either; that would only make things between them more awkward and more unbearable.
Yu Xiaojin decided she would call her elder brother after all. Their father spent his years in seclusion, a figure who served as the Yu family's patron deity and rarely emerged; at present the affairs of the Yu family were all decided by Yu Xiaojin's elder brother, Yu Xiaochen.
"Hello? Who is this?" The call was picked up—but the voice on the other end belonged to a young girl.
"Is that little Ning? This is your aunt!" Recognizing Yu Ning's voice, Yu Xiaojin smiled. "Is your father there? I have something I need to discuss with him."
"Auntie, would you wait a moment? Father is receiving his subordinates and discussing business. When he comes back, shall I have him call you?" Yu Ning asked.
"That will do. When he returns, have him call me—on my mobile, mind you. Whatever you do, do not call the house phone," Yu Xiaojin said.