護花近衛 - 第2401章 暗中達成條件 - 翰墨軒

The submission of Wu Chengtian, the hidden Han family, and the hidden Pi family had all come with specific conditions attached—and Chief Zhu had submitted after a single conversation? That hardly seemed realistic.

"Phew..." Chief Zhu let out a breath of relief and said, somewhat gratefully, "Much obliged..."

"What's the story with Chen Xi?" Wei Zhao asked.

"Chen Xi is the young master's illegitimate daughter... I'm the man he placed at her side... That's all I can tell you. As for the rest, I can't say for now. I hope Mr. Lin understands and doesn't force me," Chief Zhu said.

Everything he had said was something Wei Zhao could later confirm from Chen Xi's mother, so Chief Zhu did not bother to conceal it.

"Oh?" Wei Zhao was taken aback. He had not expected Chen Xi to be Zhao Guangyin's illegitimate daughter. The man had certainly been busy in his younger days—wasn't Zhao Qibing enough? Now here was an illegitimate daughter as well? But what astonished Wei Zhao was that a fine young lady of the Zhao family should be out picking through garbage.

"The Zhao family holds to a very strong preference for sons over daughters, and they draw a sharp line between the legitimate and the illegitimate..." Chief Zhu saw Wei Zhao's confusion and explained.

"So that's how it is." Wei Zhao nodded. That did explain things—and it was likely the reason Zhao Qilei was held in such low regard as well! Zhao Qibing was the son of Zhao Guangyin, the young master; when the line passed down again, it would be his son who became heir. There was no way the position would ever fall to Zhao Qilei. Thinking of Zhao Qilei, Wei Zhao asked, "How is Zhao Qilei doing now?"

"At the hidden families' summit, Zhao Qilei tried to call Mr. Lin to tip him off—to tell him that Zhao Qibing's car had been modified. But he was caught in the act and is now under house arrest," Chief Zhu did not conceal this either. None of it was particularly important; in a few days, when the Xuandan Sect held its trial, Zhao Qilei would tell Wei Zhao himself. Chief Zhu was merely getting ahead of the story.

"Tipping me off, and put under house arrest..." Wei Zhao was astonished. What he had not expected was that Zhao Qilei had been confined because of him! It seemed Zhao Qilei truly acknowledged him as his chief—otherwise he would never have done such a thing. That caught Wei Zhao somewhat off guard.

But now that he knew the truth, Wei Zhao could hardly ignore Zhao Qilei. The man had been confined because of him, and this time his participation in the Xuandan Sect trial was surely a "forced" participation as well. It seemed the Zhao family meant to use the occasion to dispose of him.

"Mr. Lin, there's nothing I can do about this. When it comes to the Zhao family's affairs, I have no say," Chief Zhu said, thinking Wei Zhao wanted him to help. He explained with a bitter smile.

"No need. Just pass a message to him—tell him to go to the trial with an easy mind. He has me," Wei Zhao said.

"That's easy enough." Chief Zhu nodded. This much he could manage.

"As for the hidden Pi family, don't mention it once you're back. The parties involved are all dead anyway—no witness, no case," Wei Zhao instructed mildly. "How you make up your story is your own business."

"Understood." Chief Zhu sighed. Though he had not yet declared himself openly, he was already aboard Wei Zhao's pirate ship. But what choice did he have? If he refused, so what? If Wei Zhao wanted to be rid of him and Uncle Zhu, it was the work of a raised hand, and no one could protect him. He had no choice but to submit.

"Chen Xi is in your hands. I don't want anything to happen to her again," Wei Zhao said in a tone that brooked no doubt. "If something does happen again, something will happen to you as well."

"I understand!" Chief Zhu answered hastily.

"All right, since you're here, take Chen Xi back with you." Having finished his instructions, Wei Zhao was no longer worried. "You know what to do?"