Chapter 429 - Chapter 429: Chapter 436: Dare Not Acknowledge Randomly (2/2)

The servant hadn’t expected that without Chen Li’s help, his own master would’ve already made a decision. Although he was being punished, ten boards was a relatively light sentence, and he went to receive his punishment in high spirits.

Those with insight in the room grasped the implications of what had transpired, though they didn’t show it outwardly, having made their own assessments internally.

Yin Shi knew Liu Xiu might be dissatisfied with his attitude, but Liu Xiu was his future brother-in-law. Seeing him, as the eldest brother-in-law, acting this way with another woman, it was only natural he had such a reaction. However, Yin Shi was a man who understood the bigger picture—an attribute generally true for the Yin family—so he quickly moved on from the incident to again discuss the matter concerning Marquis Bei’an Mansion.

“Uncle Wen, the matter with Marquis Bei’an Mansion requires a swift decision; you can’t ruin the bigger picture over a few words from a woman.” Yin Shi’s main target remained Han Yu. Although having Chen Li around was annoying, a woman of her sort couldn’t make much of a splash. Once his younger sister married into the Liu Mansion, she could handle her. Chen Li, lacking in both beauty and wit, would be no match for his sister.

Liu Xiu’s mood, which had relaxed a bit because of his understanding of Chen Li, became sullen again because of Yin Shi’s words. He didn’t blame Yin Shi for bringing it up, as the matter at hand couldn’t be ignored—it had to be resolved.

Chen Li, hearing Yin Shi’s words which clearly had an underlying meaning, also appeared displeased. What right did this sinister and despicable person have to look down on her!

“Ah Li, you’ve clearly heard the matter discussed outside. Do you have any opinions?” Liu Xiu didn’t ask for the opinions of others present because they had already stated their thoughts earlier. Asking again wouldn’t make a difference. In fact, Liu Xiu didn’t want to adopt Yin Shi’s idea, which was too malicious and went against his usual principles. Liu Xiu, though ambitious, was still fundamentally honorable. Especially since Chen Li had exposed what everyone wanted to keep hidden, he disdained to engage in such actions, hence turning the question to Chen Li.

Firstly, Chen Li held a dissenting view; secondly, her mind was full of unusual and clever ideas which might just provide him with a good solution. If Chen Li’s reasons failed to convince everyone, at least he would feel less guilty for going through with it.

Gentlemen have their own principles, and Chen Li’s words held no destructive power over someone like Yin Shi; at most, they’d have revealed the pretext they used to justify their shameful actions. But for someone like Liu Xiu, who had grown up at the Imperial College reading sage books and was a gentleman, the impact was profound.

Everyone was taken aback by Liu Xiu’s decision to consult Chen Li, a woman, for her opinion. In their eyes, Chen Li was nothing more than a flirtatious woman unworthy of the public stage, who had climbed to her current position by her ability to entice men. However, since Liu Xiu had spoken, even though they were dissatisfied, they wouldn’t voice it, especially in light of the fact that even Yin Shi had failed to secure approval. They were content to hear what this woman would suggest before it threatened their interests.

Eager to assert herself and wanting to provoke Yin Shi, Chen Li seized the opportunity provided by Liu Xiu, speaking without referral, “Since Big Brother Liu has asked me, I am someone of forthright nature, never fond of concealing or being evasive. Forgive my outspokenness, but Lord Yin’s idea is truly inappropriate, not to mention sinister and vicious. Even if it were successful, do you truly believe that Big Brother Han would act as if nothing happened and continue to serve you loyally?”

After Chen Li finished speaking, without waiting for anyone to respond, she continued, “Such a notion is far too naïve. To say that one must be considerate of the greater good out of loyalty is just too easy for those not in that position, a grandiose way to excuse your shameful behavior with a cover. Put yourselves in their shoes—if you were faced with such a situation, could you really act like that? To be able to do so isn’t to be a loyal minister but a fool. What loyal servant would want to serve a master who so easily disregards his subordinates?!”