CHAPTER 761: CHAPTER 466: GOING AGAINST THE GRAIN

But such a relationship couldn’t be easily revealed, because the company had only been born a year ago and was currently in a period of lying low. They had prepared very carefully; it was the two families’ largest project in the past decade. Seizing this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, they were ready to rise to prominence.

Indeed, if handled well, according to original estimates, they would become the biggest winners in this round of international competition.

But now someone had their sights set on them.

"So, we must be vigilant to ensure that Junshi Castle does not become the next Ron and Foss... Although their methods are despicable and shameless, they are undoubtedly effective and can easily destroy a noble family’s reputation that has been established for centuries," Mu Sang said somewhat helplessly.

The others probably shared similar thoughts; they were already vaguely aware of the tragic fate that had befallen the Ron families.

"Their methods... are unimaginable. Under what circumstances can someone transform superior material into inferior... It’s as if a tiger is turned into a cat in the blink of an eye."

Direct material transformation.

Unfathomable tactics.

Otherwise, the opponent’s imitation skills must have reached the pinnacle, having forged the unique markers of the two families and even arranged for an insider to handle things, bypassing the quality assurance bureau...

This was a monumental task, and the difficulty was off the charts.

Losar put down his hand that was propping up his chin and said, "Now that Moro Company has been exposed, we need to disclose as much of the family’s business information as possible to the public."

Ah?

This decision was shocking, but a minority of those present understood immediately.

Like the young man.

"The Family Head’s idea is to increase transparency and exposure, to build a foundation of trust with the public in advance; should we be unable to withstand the opponent’s framing, at least the public would have the judgment to infer our innocence.."

"The worst-case scenario is that we are caught like the Ron Family, suffering a terrible crisis of credibility. But sometimes, blind restraint and secrecy may not work. In Chinese terms, it’s about taking an opposite approach," Losar said sharply, with a cold tone.

"Junshi Castle has been too secure for many years; it would be good to get the whole family moving with this opportunity... especially the younger generation. Don’t become like those brats from the Ron and Foss families!"

Clearly, Patriarch Losar had great contempt for the likes of Pei Si, Mo Ao, and the other young nobles from before.

Next, various family directives were relayed, carried out by those present, who were the controllers of various subsidiaries and heads of family departments; they were the backbone of Junshi Castle...

After the meeting, Losar added, "There’s a small issue with the police department. Mu Sang, check on it."

Mu Sang nodded. However, she suddenly said, "Duke, the young lady who saved you from China, she’s truly formidable."

At the mention of this, the atmosphere changed somewhat.

"Oh, is that Chinese Kung Fu?"

"Duke, we saw it... Her fingers... whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!"

Alright, chinesegongfu was a worldwide joke. Although families at their level had many strong individuals, they were still inherently curious about the mysterious and powerful Chinese warriors.

"Cough, cough, cough," Cao Qijun coughed. She addressed her wide-eyed brothers and sisters, "Well, that’s the Flicking Finger Divine Skill, one of our Chinese secret techniques. So you must never ask her how she performs these incredible moves in front of her... because that would be an infringement of professionalism."

Losar looked somewhat dejectedly at his Duchess. Duchess, was it really okay for you to trick them like that? Flicking Finger Divine Skill, why not claim it’s the Six Vein Excalibur instead~~

"Oh, oh, we understand; so you’re saying we can go see her now?"

"...Can I say no?"

The group responded with a resounding NO!

Alright then.

Cao Qijun could only watch as the previously intelligent and serious tycoons rushed out... leaving behind the couple and their butler, along with that young man.

"Duchess," Xius suddenly spoke up, causing the Duke and Duchess, who had been about to leave to see their only son, to stop in their tracks.

Xius stood stiffly with meticulous posture, his voice slightly hoarse, "Your friend from China... is very impressive."

Eh?

They all knew of Sui Yi’s capabilities, but they also knew how formidable Xius was. If Xius deemed someone impressive, could Sui Yi actually be far more formidable than when she fought against Rong Ghost?

"Xius, have you discerned anything?" asked Losar.

Xius shook his head, "Not yet; however, I can confirm that her strength is likely no less than Xiluo’s."

The young man, who had been looking through files, looked up at Xius with a mixture of ruefulness and amusement, "Grandfather, are you urging me to challenge this highly skilled warrior from China?"

"Oh~ if that’s what you’re thinking, you’re being very rude, Xiluo~~" Xius looked at him critically, then bowed respectfully to the Duke and Duchess, "Duchess, Duke, in Xius’s opinion, it is not this behind-the-scenes mastermind who poses the greatest threat in this crisis, but rather we should consider the forces that previously kidnapped young master Cao Yu. If they are still active today and intend to make use of our United Kingdom’s maritime trade routes, then, tonight’s Hua Sha banquet should not be missed... and among those people, some have the backing of the Northern Ice Wolf Clan."

Losar nodded, "I’m aware of that; it’s also why I didn’t bring it up just now. But everyone understands that the Northern Ice Wolf Clan’s martial prowess is formidable, and our family will have a tough time coping -- especially with others eyeing our predicament."

"Indeed, so Xius thinks that these three... especially Miss Sui Yi, are truly valuable allies worth recruiting..."

The "alliance" he spoke of was one established on the grand cause of family, not the personal feelings of friendship behind the scenes.

Cao Qijun was startled, then laughed, "Xius, you probably don’t understand that in our China... friendship is often more reliable than the alliance of power, but when the situation changes, people will also make corresponding responses... If she’s in trouble, I won’t fail to help, and if I’m in trouble, I won’t expect her to put herself in a difficult position for me. This is my bottom line, and besides, she has helped Cao Yu several times, and this time she even saved me and Chark. It’s both morally and rationally impossible for me to overstep."

"However, good or bad, I’m willing to share the fate with Junshi Castle; that’s my belief,"

This was a warning.

After speaking, she gently patted the back of her husband’s hand and turned to leave.

Losar gave Xius a helpless smile and turned to chase after and embrace his wife... it was clear they were showing off their affection.

Behind them, Xius sighed softly, "The Family Head really married an extraordinary wife."

"We’ve known that for a while now, haven’t we?~ But grandfather knows full well that the Duke and Duchess would never agree, yet he proposed it... perhaps it’s a reminder to the Duke not to position this Chinese Master based on family stances,"

This was also the opposite approach.

And it worked very well.

The Duke got the message.

"In fact, grandfather doesn’t need to remind him; the Duke would not interact with the other party based on family stances anyway, since he needs to give the credit to his wife..."

Regardless of the vast assets of the jade mine or the individual strength, forming ties with Sui Yi was absolutely a sure win, but this kind of interaction had to be initiated by the wife.

The more important she is, the more stable the Duchess’s position in the Duke’s Mansion will be—in addition to having the Cao Family as a background, she also needs to add some capital of her own.

In Xiluo’s view, the Duke really adored his wife.

If it weren’t for his careful planning behind the scenes, the entire family and even the British upper echelons wouldn’t have accepted the Duchess so quickly, so easily, and so deeply.

Even the most outstanding person wouldn’t do, because the British circle is a bit... proud!

"Ah~ Xiluo, if you had met her personally, you’d know... she’s a very mysterious person, you can’t deduce her with common sense, but I just know she’s a very worthy friend to make,"

"By the way, you’re still single, aren’t you..."

Xiluo’s expression at the time—o(╯□╰)o~

So that’s your point, Grandfather!

--------

Mu Sang and the others saw Chark, the young master had already stood in front of Sui Yi.

His chubby paws were grabbing onto the table, looking up at the red and white Chicken Blood Stone laying on top, with wide-open, transfixed eyes...

Sui Yi stood at the other end of the table and, turning her head, looked down at the young master Chark, who was dressed in overalls and looked naïvely cute.

He seemed quite scared of her, and quickly retracted his paws when he saw her looking his way, stepping back, placing his paws behind him, interlocked together, twisting and squirming...

The nearby attendants couldn’t help but snicker at this, often teasing that the little fatty who looked small but acted big—Fatty Gao really wanted to rush over and pinch Little Fatty, but couldn’t, after all, he’s the Duke’s Son, a born noble...

Since they couldn’t bully the Duke’s Son, Fatty Gao could only find other ways to pass the time, "Boss, this Chicken Blood Stone looks really good, why not have someone carve something out of it... a seal? I think you need a seal,"

All those unlettered bandits had seals to pass themselves off as cultured people, and their own boss, who really is well-read, deserved a seal too, didn’t he?

"I’m not too fond of that," Sui Yi shook her head, not having any particular fondness for seals, but she turned to look at Chark.

"Do you like pandas?"

To his surprise, Sui Yi asked him. Chark was taken aback and reflexively replied: "panda?"

"Hmm?"

He nodded vigorously, "yes, yes, I like, very much!"

Fatty Gao noticed that this fellow would blurt out his mother tongue when he got emotional.

But then he suddenly came back to his senses, feeling like he had exposed something and seriously shook his head, switching to Mandarin: "No, that’s too childish, I don’t like it,"

"Really?"

"Really really really!"

"Then I won’t give it to you..."

"Ah? NO, NO, NO~~"

Chark quickly pounced forward, hugging Sui Yi’s leg, "I want~~," and when he looked up, he brought a burst of cute charm... (To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to vote for it with recommendations or monthly tickets at Qidian (qidian.com). Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please visit m.qidian.com to read.)