Imperial henchmen? Never been struck by the sword of the Six Doors (a secret police agency).

The main hall of the Chu family residence.

"Elder, do we really want to cooperate with the Li family?" The Chu family patriarch looked at the elder sitting in the head seat, a shadow of gloom flashing in his eyes, but his face remained very humble.

"Of course, the Li family is nothing to fear. We'll stall for time, especially... let the Lin family play with the Li family for a while longer." The First Elder waved his hand and stroked his beard.

"Could there be a trap involved?" the Chu family patriarch asked with some concern.

"What kind of trickery could there be? The forces behind us... don't even look down on a small Qingfeng City. Once the guards have mastered their military formations, we will be the masters of Qingfeng City." The First Elder waved his hand, giving the Chu family head a reproachful look.

“That’s right, you’re not brave enough to be the head of the family. Our goal is not just the small Qingfeng City anymore. Following them… we might be able to become a powerful family.” The Second Elder nodded in agreement.

"The elders are right," the Chu family patriarch hurriedly nodded, secretly regretting his words.

The forces behind the Chu family could crush the Li family like an ant. By saying such a thing, aren't you just handing over a handle to yourselves?

"By the way, send someone to deliver a letter to the guards, telling them to train harder and get them up to speed as soon as possible. Pretending to be polite is exhausting." The First Elder looked at the Chu family head and gave the order.

"Yes, sir." The head of the Chu family lowered his head, his eyes unfathomable.

And the other side.

......

The Li family's main hall.

“The Chu family is definitely up to something. Li Wu, I’m leaving the matter in the suburbs to you.” Li Yinian looked at the reserved Li Wu.

"Yes, patriarch." Li Wu knelt on one knee and answered calmly.

After Li Wu left.

"These are turbulent times," Li Yinian said, turning his teacup and shaking his head with a hint of helplessness.

“This is also an opportunity.” The Grand Elder opened his eyes, his gaze deep.

"The Lin family's eldest son has regained his talent," the Second Elder suddenly said.

“One person is useless, but the tide has already turned. The Chu family has forgotten why Qingfeng City is called Qingfeng City.” Li Yinian shook his head slightly and smiled calmly.

Upon hearing this, the three elders nodded in unison.

......

Street.

"Thank you," Lin Ling said, looking at the boy who was half a head taller than her.

"No need. I was young and ignorant at the time and made a big mistake. I hope you won't take it to heart," Li Junhao chuckled.

“But…they are from the Chu family…” Lin Ling still kindly reminded them.

"Just a clown, wait for my second brother..." Upon hearing this, Li Junhao almost revealed his true nature again, but fortunately he stopped himself at the crucial moment.

"Where...is he now?" Upon hearing this, Lin Ling vividly recalled the innocent figure of the little boy under the setting sun years ago, and felt somewhat dazed.

"It's not convenient to discuss family matters. Your family has arrived, so I'll take my leave." Li Junhao gracefully cupped his hands in greeting, then turned and disappeared into the crowd.

His lecherous nature as a child almost ruined Li Junsu's life, and since then he has become much more composed.

......

The Li family's residence is located on the outskirts of the city.

Unaware of the extraordinary feats in Qingfeng City, Li Junsu was currently focused intently on practicing his martial arts.

Even the dumbest person, if willing to put in the hard work to practice a move, won't be too bad, let alone a genius like Li Junsu who is both talented and hardworking.

"The Azure Dragon Invites the Moon must have a follow-up move." Li Junsu murmured to himself, feeling the discomfort of a move being forcibly broken.

"Second Young Master, dinner is ready!" Just as Li Junsu was pondering, Li Changchun interrupted his thoughts.

"Coming!" Li Junsu replied.

"Forget it, let's focus on refining this move first, and then we can think about the future." Li Junsu shook his head.

He still doesn't have a clear understanding of his own strength, so he can only continue to improve himself to avoid being overconfident and getting instantly killed by others.

......

In the banquet hall.

"Second Young Master, Chu Yi really made a big splash yesterday."

Chu Dali was displeased. He heard that Chunhua Pavilion's new top courtesan had died last night. Li Changchun began gossiping with great interest.

"He's unlikely to achieve great things." Li Junsu shook his head upon hearing this.

"By the way, you went this morning..." Li Junsu picked up some food, and started to get mischievous again.

"Remember to give them extra money," Li Junsu finally instructed.

"I'll get on it right now," Li Changchun said, immediately standing up.

The young master truly wanted the Chu family to fall apart on its own.

"Isn't this a bit too hasty?" Li Junsu murmured silently, watching Li Changchun's retreating figure.

"Second Young Master, Chu Dali is the Patriarch's nemesis, so it's perfectly normal for the Patriarch to react this way," the maid explained, looking at Li Junsu's handsome profile.

"I see. Go and eat." Li Junsu turned his head upon hearing this, nodded to the maid beside him, and then waved his hand.

"Go quickly, go quickly. Li Changchun won't do anything to you. From now on, eat before you work. You can't do anything on an empty stomach." Li Junsu waved his hand again, looking at the maid who still wanted to say something.

"Thank you, young master." The maid bowed in delight upon hearing this.

"Ahem, it's the Second Young Master," Li Junsu said with a light cough.

"Yes, Second Young Master." Upon hearing this, the maid changed her address and withdrew.

......

dining room.

“Our second young master is much better than that hypocrite from the Chu family.”

"Who says otherwise? Although the second young master looks noble, he is actually very easy to talk to."

"That's true. I accidentally broke a vase before, and the second young master didn't punish me at all and just let me go."

"So it was you who broke it. The second young master said he bumped into it by accident."

......

Unlike the peaceful Li family, the atmosphere in the Chu family was becoming increasingly cold and austere, with even the servants secretly dividing into two factions.

Chu Dali is the legitimate head of the branch family, while Chu Yi has the support of the people and the favor of the eldest daughter of the main family. The two of them have actually formed a balance of power.

The Chu family's secret chamber.

"Patriarch, are we not going to the camp today?" Wang Gui asked Chu Dali cautiously.

"What could possibly happen at the camp? We're the ones with a thankless wretch here," Chu Dali said irritably.

“Yes, since that’s the case, why don’t we…” Upon hearing this, Wang Gui immediately lowered his head, but then made a throat-slitting gesture.

"Not for now. If Chu Yi dies, and that crazy woman Chu Yan goes berserk, none of us will have a good life." Chu Dali scratched his head in frustration.

"What's going on outside?" Chu Dali asked, frowning as he listened to the conversation outside the courtyard.

"Master... the Second Young Master plans to go and distribute porridge." Wang Gui swallowed and spoke softly.

"What?!" Upon hearing this, Chu Dali slammed his hand on the table, which instantly turned to dust.

"Damn it." Chu Dali looked at the dust in his hand, flicked it away in disgust, and his eyes were gloomy.

......

door.

"Young Master, you don't need to go, do you?" The maid looked at Chu Yi and said softly.

"It's alright, I also want to do my part." Chu Yi smiled gently as he heard this.

"Young Master..." The maid's eyes were so tender when she looked at Chu Yi that they seemed to overflow with affection.

"Let's go," Chu Yi said with a light laugh, his tone elegant.

"Yes, young master!" the maid replied loudly, snapping out of her daze.

"Where is Young Master Chu going?" an uncle passing by asked curiously.

"Our young master is going to distribute porridge in the south of the city." Upon hearing this, the maid proudly raised her head.

"Oh my! Young Master Chu is truly kind-hearted." The uncle said admiringly upon hearing this.

"Not at all, I was just trying my best," Chu Yi said modestly, bowing slightly.

That's exactly what he wants. Only with more public support... will Chu Yi have a chance to rise above others.

"Why didn't I notice this method?" Chu Yi thought to himself as he looked at the maid chatting happily with the uncle.