Chapter 2970 — A Letter from Home: So Either Something Momentous Has Happened, or Some Disciple Who Knows No Manners Has Arrived.
The Blossom Guardian · Page 2 of 3
This was a matter he could not help but concern himself with. Now that Zhao Qilei had returned, if the relationship with Zhao Qiwu were not handled well, it would inevitably undermine the unity of the Zhao family in days to come. If Zhao Qiwu were merely an ordinary Earth Rank expert, it would not matter; but if he had reached the Heaven Rank, then should a conflict arise with Zhao Qibing in the future, how would that be resolved?
"He should be at the Heaven Rank by now..." Zhao Qilei was in fact not particularly certain. After all, the letter Zhao Qiwu had sent home had been read by everyone in the Zhao family; what he knew, the others knew as well.
"This being so: if you have no pressing business in the days ahead, make a trip to the Ice Palace. Tell him I sent you to look in on him, and that whatever he lacks, the Hidden Zhao family will see to it. I shall write a letter home in my own hand presently, to give him encouragement. When he returns having mastered his craft, I shall make him a figure like Yu Yi of the Hidden Yu family, standing at Zhao Qibing's side!" Old Master Zhao said.
Hearing Old Master Zhao's words, Zhao Qilei said nothing on the surface, but inwardly he gave a cold laugh. How could he fail to see through the old master's little scheme? Dangle rich rewards before Zhao Qiwu and make him one of Zhao Qibing's men!
In Old Master Zhao's view, Zhao Qiwu might once have followed Zhao Qilei, but in the end he was still a Zhao. His loyalty to the Zhao family ought to run deeper than his loyalty to Zhao Qilei. So long as he served the Zhao family, he could, without betraying the family, throw in his lot with Old Master Zhao's faction.
And Old Master Zhao's method was in fact an open stratagem. Once the old master's letter in his own hand was delivered, Zhao Qiwu, as a disciple of the Hidden Zhao family, would by every rule of feeling and propriety have to send a reply. It would be well-nigh impossible for Zhao Qilei to hide the old master's letter and not pass it on—for that would amount to betraying the family again, just after he had made a show of goodwill toward it.
Of course, Old Master Zhao had also underestimated Zhao Qiwu's loyalty. Zhao Qiwu was cast in the same mold as Zhao Qilei: during the Ice Palace trial he too had enjoyed Wei Zhao's kindness, and like Zhao Qilei he was overflowing with gratitude toward Wei Zhao. So long as Zhao Qilei did not betray Wei Zhao, Zhao Qiwu would never betray Zhao Qilei.
What was the Hidden Zhao family to the present Zhao Qiwu but a passing cloud? If he simply stayed on at the Ice Palace, he could at least secure the standing of an outer sect elder; and though the Ice Palace's inner sect had no men, was not Steward Li, who managed the Ice Palace's inn, living quite comfortably?
"Yes, Grandfather!" Zhao Qilei made a show of hesitating, as though turning the matter over, before nodding in assent—though his expression was a shade unnatural. Feigned, of course.
Old Master Zhao noted it and was well pleased with Zhao Qilei's performance. Had Zhao Qilei nodded and agreed straightaway, the old master would not have believed him. The more Zhao Qilei hesitated, the more it betokened an inner struggle—and only a decision reached after such struggle could be trusted as genuine.
"Mm. I shall write the letter now." Old Master Zhao had his reasons for sending Zhao Qilei away. Zhao Qibing was at the Night Palace studying and was not at home; if Zhao Qilei remained here, he might well cultivate his own connections in private and quietly ally himself with other members of the Zhao family. Old Master Zhao might be the family head, but he knew well the pitfalls involved. The only solution was to have Zhao Qilei away from the Zhao household—and even without the pretext of visiting Zhao Qiwu, he would have found some reason to send him off.