231: Chapter 231 A Marriage Contract with Hidden Motives (Part 2)

Walking into the courtyard, Zhao Lintai was once again stunned by the scene before him.

The residence was built along the mountain's contours, with bluestone paths winding through it. In the courtyard, emerald bamboo and wildflowers were interspersed, and there was even a pond paved with bluestone, crystal clear to the bottom, where a few koi fish swam leisurely, occasionally causing delicate ripples on the water's surface as they turned.

Beside the pond, a vigorous ancient pine stood proudly, its branches lush and full.

Under the shade of the tree stood a pavilion, and on the stone table inside, two cups of tea were still steaming. He figured that while he was struggling to climb the mountain, this Elder Si must have been enjoying himself in this pavilion with the man named Hongbin.

Zhao Lintai pushed his wheelchair onto the bluestone path, passed through an arched corridor, and finally arrived at the main house.

The eaves of the main house were upturned, and the beams were carved and painted. Above the lintel hung a slightly mottled plaque with the four large characters "Eternally Guarding the Southwest" inscribed upon it. The calligraphy was powerful and vigorous, with an extraordinary Aura! However, it was impossible to tell its age, nor was it known who had written it.

"Eternally Guarding the Southwest, what spirit!" Attracted by the plaque, Zhao Lintai stopped and asked curiously, "Grandpa Si, I wonder who wrote the inscription on this plaque?"

Upon hearing this, Si Zhengxiong also looked up at the plaque, his eyes filled with pride. He raised a hand to stroke his beard and smiled: "This plaque was bestowed by the Duke of Qian back when our Si Family Old Ancestor was ordered to lead troops to guard the Southwest frontier and successfully quelled a border rebellion. Counting it up, it has been over four hundred years!"

"Over four hundred years? Truly worthy of the Southwest Si Family. To be able to maintain its Legacy for over four hundred years is truly enviable," Zhao Lintai remarked sincerely.

Si Zhengxiong was very satisfied with Zhao Lintai's reaction. Just then, Si Hongbin walked back to their side and bowed to Si Zhengxiong: "Elder, Young Master Zhao's luggage has already been placed in the guest room."

Zhao Lintai withdrew his gaze from the plaque and nodded in thanks: "Thank you, Brother Bin."

"You are too polite, Young Master Zhao." Si Hongbin's face held no hint of a smile, responding coldly and indifferently before standing by Elder Si's side.

Si Zhengxiong looked at Zhao Lintai and smiled: "Lintai, you've had a long and tiring journey. Why don't you go to the guest room and rest? It's almost dinner time anyway, and then we can have a few drinks together."

"Yes, I was just thinking of freshening up," Zhao Lintai replied with a smile, then tugged at his clothes to sniff himself, continuing with a self-deprecating laugh, "Climbing up all the way here has left me covered in sweat, and I really didn't want to spoil Grandpa Si's mood."

"Hahaha, good." Si Zhengxiong said, looking at Si Hongbin, and instructed, "Hongbin, take Lintai to the guest room and take good care of him."

"Yes!" Si Hongbin bowed slightly and replied.

"Go on~" After saying this, Si Zhengxiong proceeded to push the wheelchair himself, following the ramp into the main house with ease.

Seeing this, Zhao Lintai raised an eyebrow, thinking to himself: As expected of someone who practices martial arts; at such an old age, he still has so much strength.

At this moment, Si Hongbin reached out to Zhao Lintai with a calm expression and invited him: "Young Master Zhao, please follow me."

Seeing that Si Hongbin maintained this aloof and indifferent demeanor, Zhao Lintai was curious. He nodded slightly and followed behind Si Hongbin toward the guest room.

On the way, Zhao Lintai asked: "Brother Bin, excuse me, may I ask who you are to Elder Si? I hope it's okay for me to address you this way?"

Si Hongbin kept walking and replied: "I am the Elder's personal guard. As the Elder has limited mobility, I take care of his daily needs."

"Personal guard, what a niche term... Why not just say you're a bodyguard..." Zhao Lintai thought to himself, but showed nothing on his face, instead flattering him: "To be able to serve as Elder Si's personal guard, I imagine Brother Bin's skills must be quite impressive, right?"

"Young Master Zhao is too kind." Si Hongbin didn't care about Zhao Lintai's flattery and responded casually as they continued walking forward.

The guest room was about two hundred meters away from the main house, and soon, the two arrived at the door.

Si Hongbin pushed the door open but did not enter. He stood to the side of the door and said to Zhao Lintai: "Young Master Zhao, this is your accommodation. Your luggage has already been placed inside. There is a shower and hot water in the room, and the towels and bedding were freshly changed this morning. Please feel free to use them."

"Oh, thank you..." Zhao Lintai thanked him and stepped into the room, curiously looking around at the space before him.

At this point, Si Hongbin added: "Young Master Zhao, if you have any needs, you can come to me; my room is next to the main house. I won't disturb your rest any further. When the food is ready, I will come to call you." After saying this, he didn't wait for Zhao Lintai's response and turned to walk back the way they came.

Zhao Lintai came to the door, leaned against the doorframe, watched Si Hongbin's retreating figure, raised an eyebrow, a playful curve appearing at the corner of his mouth, and whispered: "What a weirdo..." Saying this, he turned and entered the room, closing the door.

At this moment, in the main house, Si Zhengxiong was closing his eyes to rest, fiddling with two brass lion heads in his hands, wondering what he was thinking about.

Before long, Si Hongbin returned. He bowed and said: "Elder, Young Master Zhao has been settled in."

"Good." Si Zhengxiong nodded, slowly opened his eyes, looked at Si Hongbin, and asked: "Hongbin, what do you think of this Young Master Zhao?"

Si Hongbin pondered for a moment and replied: "Reporting to the Elder, Young Master Zhao is handsome and his speech and manners are quite humble; he doesn't seem like those ordinary arrogant scions of powerful families. However, he doesn't know any martial arts; he is just an ordinary person."

"Then, what do you think of him as a match for Yaoyao?" Si Zhengxiong asked again.

"Young Miss is intelligent and a rare martial arts genius that the Family has seen in decades." Si Hongbin said, hesitating for a moment before seemingly making up his mind, and continued: "I feel that Young Master Zhao is truly unworthy of Young Miss."

"Hahaha," Si Zhengxiong stroked his beard and laughed, placing the two copper lion heads on the table before continuing: "You are quite blunt, daring to say anything."

"I hope the Family Head will forgive me," Si Hongbin hurriedly bowed, excusing himself while also pleading for Si Yao: "Elder, although I am not of the Si Family Bloodline, I have dared to treat Young Miss as my own younger sister. Young Miss has been by my side since childhood. How can such a Prodigy be married off to a mortal like Young Master Zhao who doesn't know a shred of martial arts? I..."

"Alright, say no more!" Before Si Hongbin could continue, Si Zhengxiong raised his hand to interrupt him. After sighing silently, he spoke slowly: "Sigh, you are not wrong. Back then, if it weren't for the fact that Wenruo had no talent for martial arts, why would I have agreed to the arranged marriage with Zhao Weiguo's unborn grandson and set this engagement for Yaoyao!" As he spoke, regret appeared on Si Zhengxiong's face.

"Elder, please do not blame yourself. Things are unpredictable; who could have known that Young Miss's talent would be so exceptional? At such a young age, she has already entered the Dark Force. In time, when the Family's secret techniques reach Major Achievement, she will surely be able to step into the Transformation Force, and our Si Family will be able to continue its Legacy." Si Hongbin consoled him from the side.

"Sigh," Si Zhengxiong sighed, then asked: "Is there any news from Young Miss's side? Is she still not planning to come back?"

"Yes," Si Hongbin nodded and continued: "Hongfei sent back news yesterday that Young Miss and Young Master Zhao already met in Shanghai yesterday."

"Oh? What did they talk about when they met? Did they get along well?" Si Zhengxiong asked curiously.

"Hongfei did not follow closely, so he doesn't know what they talked about. However, it should have gone reasonably well. I heard that Young Master Zhao even treated Young Miss to a meal, though it seems she fleeced him hard, saying a single meal cost nearly a million. Perhaps you can chat with Young Master Zhao when you eat later; you might be able to find out a thing or two."

"Hahaha," Si Zhengxiong chuckled helplessly, stroking his beard. "Yao Yao is still as headstrong as ever~" As he spoke, his eyes were filled with doting affection, but then, as if recalling something, he sighed and continued, "Sigh, ever since that child began to Cultivate the Family secret technique, the Blazing Sun True Art, her temperament has become even stranger. Come to think of it, she hasn't been home for over a year since she left, right? I wonder if she has changed at all..."

"Elder Si, if you miss the Young Miss, why not give her a call? She still listens to you quite well..."

"Call her? Sigh, forget it. It was I who forced her to Cultivate the Blazing Sun True Art; she must still be holding a grudge against me..." Si Zhengxiong said, shaking his head helplessly.

"But, your health... you should at least let the Young Miss know that you aren't lying to her..."

"Alright," Si Zhengxiong waved his hand. "It's getting late. Go prepare some food and wine. A visitor is a guest; regardless of anything else, he is the grandson of Zhao Weiguo. The Zhao Family has shown grace to our Si Family, so we must not neglect him."

"Yes," Si Hongbin replied helplessly before turning and leaving.

After Si Hongbin left, only Si Zhengxiong remained in the main house. He clenched his hands into fists, instantly channeling the power throughout his body. His lower body trembled slightly as he attempted to stand, but alas, after barely managing to stand for two seconds, he sat back down heavily into his wheelchair.

His chest heaved rapidly, his internal Qi and blood churned, and after coughing heavily a few times, he shook his head with a sigh: "Sigh, without reaching the Transformation Stage, it is ultimately difficult to pass this hurdle."

...

Meanwhile, in the main urban area of the Southwest, two 300-meter-tall twin skyscrapers stood towering.

This was the headquarters of the Southwest Si Family's massive commercial Empire — the Southwest International Group building!

On the top floor of the building, Si Zhengxiong's eldest son, Si Yao's father — Si Hongjun — was sitting behind his desk, frowning and rubbing his temples. Opposite him, the driver who had taken Zhao Lintai to the old residence stood with a respectful expression.

"Old Hou, did the Elder Si really only arrange a van to pick up the Young Master Zhao?" Si Hongjun asked, frowning at the driver with some confusion.

"Yes, Elder Si's original words were that since this grandson of Zhao Weiguo neither serves in the military nor in politics, and spends his days idling about, he doesn't know what his character or Heart-Nature is like, so he wanted to test him first." The driver, known as Old Hou, imitated Elder Si's tone as he continued to relay the message, "Although there is a marriage contract between our Si Family and the Zhao Family, the one worthy of my granddaughter must be a true man capable of shouldering responsibilities! When Heaven is about to place a great burden on someone, it first tests their resolve; let him suffer a bit first to see what his Heart-Nature is like!"

"Heh," hearing this, Si Hongjun couldn't help but shake his head with a bitter smile. "This old man, the older he gets, the more he loves to torment people." He said, then looked at Old Hou and continued to ask, "So, how did Young Master Zhao react?"

Before Old Hou could respond, a man about thirty years old sitting on the sofa nearby, wearing half-rimmed glasses and looking refined, spoke up first: "Dad, what reaction do you think he could have? It must be smiling on the outside while cursing on the inside... How many of these Young Masters from the capital can actually endure hardship?" The person speaking was none other than Si Yao's older brother — Si Wenruo.

"Hahaha," the driver Old Hou laughed and added, "Young Master Wenruo is right. However, in my opinion, this Young Master Zhao is actually quite capable of forbearance; he has some depth to him, unlike those arrogant and conceited sons of ordinary powerful families."

"Tch~ That just means this Zhao... Zhao what's his name?" Si Wenruo responded, frowning.

"Zhao Lintai." The driver Old Hou reminded him.

"Right, right, Zhao Lintai. He must have his eyes on our Si Family's assets. Everyone knows that Yao Yao is the apple of Elder Si's eye, and in the future, the Si Family will surely be inherited by Yao Yao!" Si Wenruo said indifferently.

"Alright, what nonsense are you spouting!" Si Hongjun glared at Si Wenruo, then smiled and looked at the driver Old Hou, thanking him, "Old Hou, thank you for your hard work today, making a special trip over here."

"You are too kind, sir. This is all part of my duty."

"Sigh, what part of your duty? Your job is to take good care of Elder Si," Si Hongjun said, pulling open a drawer and taking out two stacks of hundred-yuan bills, handing them to Old Hou as he continued, "Take this twenty thousand. Your wife has a weak constitution; buy some supplements to help her recover."

"Oh, sir, how could I accept this..." The driver Old Hou declined.

"Eh, just take it if I give it to you. Why be so polite with me? Just do your job well, and there will naturally be benefits for you." Si Hongjun shoved the money directly into Old Hou's arms.

"Thank you, thank you, sir." The driver Old Hou thanked him repeatedly, then bowed and took his leave, "Then, sir, I shall head back now."

"Alright, go ahead."

After the driver Old Hou left, Si Wenruo stood up from the sofa and came to the desk, asking: "Dad, do you really intend to let Little Sister marry that Zhao Lintai? Their Zhao Family is clearly on the decline. If we wait until the Zhao Family Elder passes away, the Zhao Family will have no pillars left. Why must we push Little Sister into a fire pit?"

"What do you know? If not for the marriage arrangement made at birth, would the Zhao Family have helped our Si Family so much over the years? Do you think that without connections in the court, our Si Family could hold onto this fortune on its own?"

"But Dad, times have changed. How old is the Zhao Family Elder? He is already counting his days. While he is still here, the second generation of the Zhao Family has already moved away from the center of power. Do you really expect this third generation of the Zhao Family to accomplish anything?"

"Sigh, do you think I want this? It's just that your Little Sister's marriage is a matter of great importance to your Grandpa. Your Grandpa's health is getting worse by the day, and the older generation values integrity above all else. How could a marriage decided so long ago be easily changed?" Si Hongjun said, shaking his head helplessly. "Come to think of it, this must be Karma; the Zhao Family hasn't treated our Si Family poorly over these decades. This time, your Grandpa had him come over to see the character of this Young Master Zhao. If your Grandpa doesn't relent, I'm afraid this marriage will be hard to change."

"But Little Sister has become increasingly distant from the Family over the past two years. I worry that she won't agree, and at that time, it will be inevitable that things will turn sour with the Zhao Family..."

"That is true. Sigh, we will take it one step at a time. Come to think of it, you bear a significant responsibility for your Little Sister's current state. If you hadn't been weak since childhood and lacked the talent for martial arts, your Grandpa wouldn't have let Yao Yao practice that Family secret technique... and Yao Yao wouldn't have changed so drastically..."

"Dad, you can't blame that all on me, right? I'm not martial arts material, but are you?"

"Get out, get out, get out! You have no respect for your elders. Do you believe I'll arrange for you to go mine in Africa right now?" Si Hongjun waved his hand, warning him.

"Fine, fine, I'll shut up, I won't say anything else." Si Wenruo quickly raised his hands in a gesture of surrender, but continued anyway, "However, Dad, aren't you going back to the old residence to see that Young Master Zhao?"

"Wait a bit longer. Let's see how the conversation goes between your Grandpa and that kid first."

"Understood. Then, if you have nothing else, I'll be going now." Si Wenruo said, turning to leave.

"Wait," Si Hongjun said, taking a tri-folded black gold-stamped invitation card from the drawer and handing it to Si Wenruo.

"What is this?" Si Wenruo asked curiously as he took the invitation card.

"An invitation card for a centurion black card membership. It's being held in Magic City on Saturday night. Since you're free anyway, go on my behalf. It's also a good opportunity to go see your sister."

"Understood~" Si Wenruo snapped his fingers, pocketed the invitation card, and walked out of the office.

...