Elder cousin?
Zhang Chen heard Zhang Gaqi’s words, and his gaze turned peculiar: "Could it really be such a coincidence?"
Zhang Gaqi’s voice was full of warmth, and Zhang Chen could see that the other party was genuinely sincere, wishing to take better care of him.
"Could it be that you’re trying to replace my engagement partner?" Zhang Chen asked.
"Now that you have arrived in Jinling, the engagement will naturally be called off. I will mediate the dispute between you two later and have him voluntarily withdraw from this mess." Zhang Gaqi replied.
Upon hearing this, Zhang Chen glanced at Zhang Gaqi, thinking he was a bit too optimistic. Zhang Gaoqiu was still plotting with Shen Qiu on how to frame him; how could they easily give up?
He was about to refuse Zhang Gaqi when he saw Zhang Gaqi’s eyes turn towards the window: "Coincidentally, he is already here."
Zhang Chen turned his head to look out the window and indeed saw a familiar figure appear on the street, the very man who had once conspired against him in front of the Shen Family’s ancestral hall.
He saw Zhang Gaoqiu approaching the private room, his voice carrying even before he arrived: "Uncle, when did you arrive? Why didn’t you notify me earlier? I would have prepared a reception for you."
As he finished speaking, Zhang Gaoqiu pushed open the door of the private room and saw Zhang Chen sitting opposite to Zhang Gaqi, causing his movements to involuntarily pause.
"Come in quickly, I have something to discuss with you." Zhang Gaqi beckoned Zhang Gaoqiu to take a seat.
Zhang Gaoqiu’s eyes were fixed on Zhang Chen, a shadow cast over his eyes, a slight sense of foreboding rising in his heart.
The number of people who could appear in this private room and sit openly opposite Zhang Gaqi in Jinling City could be counted on one hand.
Recalling Zhang Chen’s appearance in the Shen Family, he already had suspicions and thoughts in his mind, a notion dawning on him: "This is troublesome; did that kid overhear what I said to Shen Qiu back then..."
What was the feeling like when someone got caught while plotting behind their back and was overheard by the person in question?
After Zhang Gaoqiu took a seat, Zhang Gaqi said to him: "Let me introduce you to a relative by blood; the two of you share the same grandfather, making you kin closer than ever..."
Zhang Gaqi’s words were interrupted by Zhang Gaoqiu: "Uncle, no need to say more, allow me to guess his identity. Is this the son of my uncle, Zhang Kecheng?"
"You are indeed clever." Zhang Gaqi said.
Upon hearing this, a cold glint flashed across Zhang Gaoqiu’s eyes, which he quickly concealed, then looked at Zhang Chen with a gentle smile and said: "Back when I was four, my uncle was still in Kyoto, he was quite fond of me then. I didn’t expect time to pass so quickly, and everything to change."
Zhang Chen glanced at Zhang Gaoqiu, considering his age, it wasn’t impossible for him to have met Zhang Kecheng. In fact, in his blurry memories, he seemed to recall seeing Zhang Gaoqiu during his childhood.
"Your uncle was very fond of you during his time in Kyoto, treating you generously. Now that your uncle has passed, leaving you and your mother alone in this world, you must take good care of him in the future." Zhang Gaqi said.
"Uncle, rest assured, he is my uncle’s son and no different from my own brother. I will definitely treat him as a real brother in the future." Zhang Gaoqiu replied.
"Since you consider him as your real brother, what do you have to say about the marriage? Shen Ling was the partner chosen by Zhang Chen’s mother while she was alive; as his brother, you can’t break the rules of propriety, can you?" Zhang Gaqi confronted directly.
Upon hearing this, Zhang Gaoqiu’s expression changed, then he smiled bitterly and said: "Uncle, you are right. The reason I intervened before was because I heard of the northern turmoil and thought my brother had perished in the chaos. Hence, I believed it was best not to let outsiders benefit from what belonged to the Zhang Family and wanted to retrieve it from the Shen Family. Now that my brother is back alive, naturally, I cannot commit such heartless acts."
Zhang Gaoqiu spoke with righteous fervor, his voice filled with justice, causing Zhang Gaqi to nod continuously, then looking at Zhang Chen: "Kid, did you hear that clearly? Now all your worries are gone. I told you, Zhang Gaoqiu is sensible and wouldn’t ignore familial ties."
Next to them, Zhang Chen looked at Zhang Gaoqiu, his gaze revealing an indescribable emotion. If he hadn’t personally heard Zhang Gaoqiu and Shen Qiu plotting against him before, he might have believed the lies spewed by the latter.
By now, he had realized how vexing Zhang Gaoqiu was, that little schemer was indeed a hypocrite.
If Zhang Gaoqiu were to refuse with a defiant and arrogant attitude of never yielding, Zhang Chen would actually find him easier to deal with. But like now, with the opponent smilingly pretending to agree, Zhang Chen instead finds the situation troublesome.
He could speculate Zhang Gaoqiu’s intentions; after all, such a blatantly opportunistic act is disgraceful in this strict ancient society. Once word of it reaches the Zhang Clan, his reputation is bound to be ruined, being pointed out by the entire clan. This would have immeasurable impacts on his future official career and development.
"This young man only superficially agrees, surely he won’t let it go and will secretly trip me up..." Various thoughts flicker in Zhang Chen’s mind. Despite this, a hypocritical smile appears on his face as he artfully says, "Eldest Brother, you are indeed wise. Before coming here, I already thought that the Zhang Clan is a grand family with strict rules and complete etiquette. How could you, brother, who has been taught and influenced by these rules, commit such an unethical act of forcibly taking one’s sister-in-law like a beast? Even Demon Beasts know benevolence and righteousness, let alone you, Elder Brother?"
As he spoke, Zhang Chen’s eyes turned to Zhang Gaoqiu, his voice filled with inexplicable emotions: "Eldest Brother, it seems I misunderstood. I apologize to you here. You are a virtuous gentleman, how could you do what only a beast would?"
Upon hearing Zhang Chen’s words, the smile on Zhang Gaoqiu’s face stiffened, knowing full well that Zhang Chen was insulting him. The previous discussion with Shen Qiu must not have escaped this young man’s ears.
But what could he do while facing Zhang Gaqi? He could only respond with a false smile, while his heart brimmed with hatred towards Zhang Chen: "You little brat, how dare you indirectly scold me! I will make sure you lose your reputation and disappear without a trace in Jinling City!"
Yet Zhang Gaoqiu’s face displayed a kindly smile: "Little brother speaks rightly. I, Zhang Gaoqiu, am a man. How could I commit such beastly acts?"
"In that case, I’m relieved. Earlier I was worried, afraid that Cousin would kill me and ruin my reputation in Jinling City, trapping me in prison. Now hearing your promise, Elder Brother, I am very relieved," Zhang Chen said with a smile.
Zhang Gaoqiu’s expression changed slightly upon hearing these words.
Unaware of the reason behind the exchange, Zhang Gaqi felt comforted seeing the two getting along: "Indeed, you both are family. In this vast Jinling City, you are each other’s only kin. You should help and take care of each other."
"Come, uncle and nephew, let us drink together," Zhang Gaqi said.
What followed was joyous drinking, during which Zhang Chen, observing Zhang Gaqi and Zhang Gaoqiu, contemplated if he could let the Blood God Child possess Zhang Gaoqiu. However, seeing Zhang Gaqi across, who mastered the Celestial Ghost Power and had keen Qi Mechanism perception, he decided it was best not to act rashly.
Moreover, if Zhang Gaoqiu were possessed by the Blood God Child and a tenth-tier deity from the Shen Family noticed upon returning, it would spell disaster.
While Zhang Chen’s mind flickered with different thoughts, the meal filled with hidden motives concluded, and both parties parted ways.
On their way back to the Shen Family, Zhang Gaoqiu, pretending to be drunk, held onto Zhang Chen’s shoulder, acting like a considerate older brother: "Little brother, you suffered too much in that barren Northern Land. Rest assured, in Jinling City, under my care, no one will dare trouble you again. You can rest easy, knowing that your marriage is arranged clearly and justly by me, without any injustice to you."
He added: "Don’t take my discussion with Shen Qiu that day to heart. I was merely going along to test the Shen Family’s stance—whether they still acknowledge your engagement, and to understand how they plan to harm you, allowing me to protect you in advance. We share the same blood; how could I conspire with outsiders to harm you? If news reaches Kyoto, my reputation would be equally ruined. I certainly wouldn’t do such a thing."
Zhang Chen glanced at Zhang Gaoqiu, also feigning drunkenness, though his eyes showed a hint of coldness, warmly saying: "In that case, I truly thank you, Eldest Brother. You don’t understand how I, alone and destitute in the Northern Land, drifted to Jinling, braving human warmth and struggle, fighting for food with beggars, without a place to call home. Seeing Eldest Brother today, I am overjoyed; finally, I have family again! You are my family, my true brother!"
Appearing truly intoxicated, Zhang Chen expressed his affection towards Zhang Gaoqiu, his voice filled with earnestness.
Hearing Zhang Chen’s ’sincere’ words, Zhang Gaoqiu, seemingly moved to tears, internally sneered: "So he is just a naive fool! This makes the upcoming tasks simpler. Fourth Uncle greatly aided me, allowing me a chance to approach this fool, making it easier to handle him in the future."
Thinking this, Zhang Gaoqiu lightly patted Zhang Chen’s shoulder: "Good brother, with me here, no matter what happens, I’ll stand up for you."
Zhang Chen’s eyes reddened, gazing at Zhang Gaoqiu in disbelief: "Eldest Brother, can you really stand up for me in everything?"
Without thinking, Zhang Gaoqiu replied: "Of course!"
As his words fell, Zhang Chen promptly took the opportunity: "Eldest Brother, the Shen Family bullies me excessively. Please stand up for me!"
Hearing this, Zhang Gaoqiu shivered, the alcohol sobering up, scrutinizing Zhang Chen up and down: "How did the Shen Family bully you?"
In response, Zhang Chen narrated the ordeal with his meals, indignantly adding: "The Shen Family provides me the food of servants, showing utter disregard for me—disregard for the Zhang Family. I beseech Eldest Brother to stand for me!"
Given Zhang Gaoqiu’s feigned interest, Zhang Chen cunningly began exploiting the situation to his advantage.
PS: Additional Chapter for the alliance leader, Bamboo Leaf Seed Crisp.