Chapter 160: The Stepping Stone for Her Ascent
Chapter 160: Chapter 160: The Stepping Stone for Her Ascent
Zhao Nuan Yang and the Little Red Carp were indeed great playmates. They had a lot in common!
"Heh, yes," Hua Yusen nodded. ’It’s a good thing we have the Little Red Carp. When I go on dates with Zhao Nuanyue or go out to cook for the old folks, Zhao Nuan Yang will have to take the Little Red Carp with him instead of tagging along with us.’
’Just the two of us, we can finally have some romantic time together.’
After Zheng Delin was taken down, Nianqiao Village fell into a period of peace. Even though Wang Dadan and Li Siming were released, they were assigned the most strenuous labor and watched by the villagers, leaving them with no opportunity to cause trouble.
Although the few elders had to work hard every day, they weren’t mistreated. They preferred the exhaustion and labor to being wronged.
However, beneath this peaceful life, turbulent undercurrents were hidden.
Because of a directive from the municipal authorities, Zhao Liqiang didn’t dare make a move. He could only pull back his influence, conserve his strength, and wait for an opportunity to strike. As for Zheng Delin, he had become Zhao Liqiang’s disposable pawn. Condemned by all, he was exiled to the most arduous post, barely scraping by.
In the distant Jincheng City, several people were seated inside a room in a large courtyard house.
"Dongmei, your engagement to Hua Yusen cannot be broken off just yet," said an old man with a full head of white hair, looking at his daughter. His face was wreathed in smiles, his spirits high, and he seemed even more vigorous than the middle-aged man sitting on the other side.
Guo Dongmei was displeased to hear her father’s words. "Father, you promised me we would break off the engagement with the Hua family. After all, they’re in decline now. How could I possibly marry into the Hua family? The Li family is on the rise, and Li Gongming has feelings for me. Marrying him is the only way to bring more benefits to our Guo Family."
"My dear daughter, I am naturally very happy that you think of the Guo Family’s interests. I’m proud to have a daughter as wonderful as you," Mr. Guo said excitedly. "But a family of the Li family’s standing is far above our own. Li Gongming’s affection for you alone isn’t enough to make the Li family value you highly. You must do something to prove to them that you have what it takes to help their family prosper and reach even greater heights."
Hearing her father’s words, Guo Dongmei fell into deep thought.
Seeing his sister’s silence, Guo Donghai also tried to persuade her. "There’s a golden opportunity right now. If you succeed, you’ll have one foot in the Li family’s door. I can guarantee it."
"But... but something like that must be very difficult. I’m just a delicate woman. How could I possibly complete such an arduous task?" Guo Dongmei hesitated. While she knew she was capable, she wasn’t omnipotent.
She was beautiful—everyone in high society knew it, and many men admired her. But she didn’t just want the most outstanding man; she wanted the most powerful family. Only then could she guarantee a future where she would be above everyone else, looking down from on high.
Back then, the Hua family and Hua Yusen had met her criteria. But the Hua family had fallen on hard times. Times had changed, and Hua Yusen was no longer good enough for her.
"This matter might be difficult for others, but for you, it’s incredibly simple," Guo Donghai said with a self-satisfied smile. This was the plan they had devised with their strategist.
Since the Hua family had already fallen, there was indeed no need to cling to the engagement. Instead, before breaking it off, they could use this connection to accomplish something big.
"Really?" Guo Dongmei was skeptical. "What is it? Brother, just tell me. If I can do it, I definitely won’t refuse."
Mr. Guo and Guo Donghai exchanged a look, and smiles appeared on their faces.
"The Hua family is protecting the Li family’s old rival, Gu Qingyu. If you ’take care of’ Gu Qingyu, don’t you think the Li family will value you?" Guo Donghai said slowly. "Wouldn’t that be a tremendous contribution?"
Guo Dongmei was stunned for a moment, then it dawned on her. She nodded repeatedly. "It certainly would be a huge contribution! Every time the Gu Family or Gu Qingyu is mentioned, everyone in the Li family grinds their teeth in hatred, even Li Gongming. If I can kill Gu Qingyu, I’ll be the Li family’s greatest benefactor."
"Correct," said Mr. Guo. "The Hua family used to be our allies, but they were too stubborn, too inflexible. That’s why they’ve fallen to this state. They can no longer be considered one of Jincheng City’s upper-class, meritorious families."
"To think Hua Yusen is protecting Gu Qingyu... he’s really determined to go down a dead-end path," Guo Dongmei sneered. "Still, using him one last time before we break off the engagement will make up for the fact that I was ever engaged to him."
"Exactly," Guo Donghai laughed. "When you two got engaged, we originally planned to use the Hua family to climb higher. We never expected to nearly get dragged down with them. Luckily, little sister, you established a connection with the Li family, allowing us to escape unscathed. Since the Hua family can no longer help us, let’s make them our stepping stone."
"Alright, fine. I’ll do my best to complete this mission," Guo Dongmei nodded. "When do I leave? What do I need to do?"
Guo Donghai took out a small porcelain vial and handed it to Guo Dongmei. "Inside is a medicine powder that will cause a person’s body to slowly weaken. You just need to slip it into Gu Qingyu’s tea or food. As long as you’re careful, no one will ever know."
Guo Dongmei opened it and saw only a small amount of medicine powder. "How much is in here?"
"Heh, just a small pinch is enough to make a whole pot of water effective," Guo Donghai said. "Consuming this medicine powder doesn’t cause immediate death. Depending on the dosage, it will slowly cause the body to break down. Death will come in a year or so, so no one will suspect you were the one who administered the poison."
"Oh my, to think such a wonderful thing exists in this world," Guo Dongmei said with a smile, carefully putting it away. "So, when do I leave? Are there any preparations I need to make?"
"Heh, you’re going to ’visit’ Hua Yusen, so of course you need to bring some daily necessities and gifts. Show him a lot of concern to make him lower his guard. Then you’ll be able to make your move," Guo Donghai instructed. "The future of the Guo Family, as well as your own life of wealth and glory, all depend on this. Sister, you’re so smart and clever, I know you’ll succeed."
"Brother, don’t worry. I’ll do my best to succeed," Guo Dongmei nodded solemnly. ’This is about the Guo Family’s future and my own life of wealth and glory. Anyone who stands in my way must die, even my former fiancé.’
Being engaged to Hua Yusen for so long hadn’t brought them any tangible benefits, and they were almost dragged down with him. This left both the Guo Family and Guo Dongmei deeply dissatisfied. Now that Hua Yusen still had some use, it would be a waste not to exploit it. He would be her compensation—a stepping stone for her ascent.