Chapter 436 - Refining a War Puppet (1/2)
Translator: StarReader
Editor: Elitecoder
“That devious Regent Estate, and Leng Wuchang, that snake!” Grandmother gnashed her teeth.
Zhuo Fan sighed, “Grandmother need not say that. They’re not that vile. It was me who betrayed you despite our ties. It is all on me. The only one you can take it out on is also me. A man has to do what a man must. I can take it.”
“Oh, no, no, no, Steward Zhuo, I am not so unwise as to take it out on you. I could never blame you now that I know the source of our misfortune. Elder Xue is right. Anyone would’ve done it if it were them, including me. It is not within my right to judge you, Steward Zhuo!”
The more Zhuo Fan gave his head on a platter, the more he made Grandmother feel bad; riddling her with guilt and shame.
She ended up cursing Regent Estate some more, “That wretched and vile and degenerate Regent Estate wanted to incite discord among us. Leng Wuchang is even worse. I bet he came up with that despicable plan. He stands back while Regent Estate is put to work, forcing you into driving a wedge between us. Alas, I did fall for their ploy, doubting Luo clan and resulting in today’s calamity. This is all my fault.”
Grandmother cried again. Zhuo Fan blinked.
Whether Leng Wuchang aimed for this when forcing him to get the Bodhi Root, he didn’t know. But one thing he was certain of, Regent Estate was packed with experts, while Drifting Flowers Edifices’ women are impulsive.
Not to sound narcissistic, but the task of stealing their great treasure could and would only be done by yours truly. No one else had the skills nor the expertise to pull off such a heist.
Yet Grandmother was here denouncing Regent Estate and he couldn’t agree more.
Zhuo Fan patted her shoulder, “Grandmother, now you know that it was all a trick. We must now stand more united than ever, to have nothing come between us again.”
“Yes, Steward Zhuo, Drifting Flowers Edifices is now at its weakest and we will do everything you ask of us, for vengeance and rebuilding Drifting Flowers Edifices!” Grandmother nodded with conviction.
Zhuo Fan did the same, “You honor me with your deep sense of duty. I will never let you down. I noticed you are poisoned with the Rainbow Cloud Palm. I will have someone give you the antidote.”
“Thank you, Steward Zhuo.” Grandmother bowed again and the disciples helped her into the city. Zhuo Fan watched her go.
Drifting Flowers Edifices’ every member passed by him with apologies.
At Peony Overseer’s turn, she dodged his gaze and was no longer as fiery.
“Well I’ll be honest. Steward Zhuo, you sure know how to turn excuses into a high class act. We could’ve just told them when we first met. Why drag it all out till now? I felt my ears explode hearing that Peony nag us on and on.” With the coast clear, Xue Qingjian looked at him puzzled.
Zhuo Fan sighed, “These ladies have just experienced a change of heart.”
And supplied with, “Elder Xue, do you know the difference between fetching and sending?”
Xue Qingjian shook her head.
“Ha-ha-ha, like they say, easy come easy go. When someone gives you something, you don’t give it much value. If you had used the same excuse from the start, no matter how good, they still wouldn’t believe you. Only through their constant inquiry, forcing me to say it, did they take it as truth. And another thing, these excuses cannot come out from me. It has to be from a third party. That’s why, Elder Xue, thank you for your hard work along the way. Your ears must be in agony, ha-ha-ha…”
Zhuo Fan laughed, “Drifting Flowers Edifices are in ruins and my helping hand will be seen as godsent. Now that all doubts are cleared as well, they will trust no one more than me. This trust will also affect the incoming houses as well, making the reform of the three houses a done deal.”
“Elder Xue, Regent Estate must be gunning for Veiled Dragon Pavilion and Sword Marquise Abode now. Send them a word. Urge them to leave their homes and come to Luo clan. Homeless, they will only have us to rely on in the end.”
“Yes, Steward Zhuo.” Xue Qingjian cupped her hands. But paused, “Steward Zhuo, what is sir’s age again? Why do you look more and more like a sly old fox? Human yet vile at the same time, you still got the three destitute houses moved to tears from your generosity.”
“Ha-ha-ha, it’s not me who made them homeless, but society.” Zhuo Fan said, “The signs of conflict and chaos have appeared, and I can’t stop it. All I can do is stave off the anarchy at my gates. Elder Xue, you will learn in due time. What I have in store for them is for their own good. While I want them integrated and re-educated, everyone else would have them purged.”
Xue Qingjian just bobbed her clueless head.
[You’re telling me it’s common sense to thank the guy for wrecking your thousand year old legacy? It makes total sense.]
[The vile and deceitful Steward Zhuo sure acts quite a nobleman!]
Xue Qingjian didn’t understand, and it wasn’t like Zhuo Fan wanted her to, “How is it going on Elder Qiu’s end?”