Chapter 789: Ruin and Death

Editor: Henyee Translations

An old man commanded a few people to lift a huge stone onto the bridge pier, but after three attempts, they were unsuccessful.

“We can’t lift it. The stone is too heavy.”

The old man knew everyone had tried their best, so he turned around and shouted, “Is there anyone stronger to help out here?”

By chance, Chu Qingzhi walked up, “What needs to be done?”

The old man pointed at the giant stone helplessly, “We need to place that stone on the bridge pier, but we don’t have the strength to lift it.

Chu Qingzhi said, “Let me do it!”

The old man was stunned.

He meant the huge stone, not the smaller one beside it. She must have misunderstood, so he began to explain, but his mouth fell agape in astonishment.

In his view, Chu Qingzhi pried the stone with a wooden stick, reached under it, and, with a heave, moved the stone and placed it on the bridge pier.

Everyone was astonished.

Her strength was immense. There were rumors about people born with divine strength—could she be one of those people? Immediately, everyone looked at her with deep admiration.

Chu Qingzhi asked, “Is there any other stone that needs to be moved?”

The old man hesitated for a moment, “Miss, this way…”

Chu Qingzhi walked over and placed the huge stone in the designated spot, then continued to help move several more stones. In no time, the story of Chu Qingzhi’s divine strength spread far and wide.

Later, when patrolling, everyone looked at Chu Qingzhi with utmost respect.

Fengxin County.

Chu Xuhua brought four new gift boxes to the residence of Li Tingzhao,

“Greetings, Your Highness.”

Li Tingzhao appreciated Chu Xuhua for his connection to the Chu family, invited him to sit, and offered him tea, “What brings Manager Chu here today?”

Chu Xuhua presented the gift boxes to Li Tingzhao, “These are new products made by my fifth sister recently, specially brought here for you to try.”

Li Tingzhao immediately had the boxes opened and sampled the contents.

Only through this, he felt closer to Chu Qingzhi.

As Chu Qingzhi’s reputation grew, he dared not disturb her anymore and could only silently wish from afar.

After tasting, Li Tingzhao expressed his desire to purchase some of each kind for sale in his store and promised to send a contract to Chu Xuhua.

Chu Xuhua’s visit was genuinely to let Li Tingzhao try the new products— without his help, business in Fengxin County would not have been so smooth. The second reason, naturally, was for business.

Unexpectedly, before he even mentioned it, Li Tingzhao expressed interest in buying, saving Chu Xuhua a lot of effort.

“I won’t disturb Your Highness any longer.”

“Wait!” Li Tingzhao stopped Chu Xuhua, hesitated, then asked, “How is your fifth sister doing?”

Chu Xuhua didn’t think much of it. After all, Chu Qingzhi was already engaged, so he straightforwardly answered, “She’s fine. She’s been busy with the road construction recently and has lost weight.”

Li Tingzhao quickly responded, “Then take good care of her. Prepare some of her favorite foods.”

Chu Xuhua felt something was off and looked at Li Tingzhao suspiciously. Was his concern for Chu Qingzhi a bit excessive?

Li Tingzhao, noticing Chu Xuhua’s suspicion, coughed to hide his emotions, “Just saying, don’t take it to heart.”

Chu Xuhua stopped speculating. After all, there was no connection between them, “Our family takes good care of her and won’t let her be wronged.”

“Right.” Li Tingzhao didn’t say much more, fearing Chu Xuhua would sense something and cause misunderstandings.

At that moment, a guard came to report, “Your Highness, Master Lin is here.

Li Tingzhao fell silent for a while, “Let him in later.”

“Yes.”

Over the past few months, the Lin family’s business had plummeted to the brink of bankruptcy, nearly losing everything.

The Lin family knew Li Tingzhao was behind their misfortune but could do nothing against him.

Master Lin had tried to see Li Tingzhao many times, mostly in vain. He was the last person who wanted to see Li Tingzhao but had to for the sake of his family.

Now, he was stopped at the door again, but this time he was asked to wait, not to leave.

Master Lin’s wife anxiously waited across the street, knowing if the Lin family collapsed, he would divorce her, blaming her for their downfall.

In the reception room, Li Tingzhao suddenly asked Chu Xuhua, “What would you do if someone hurt you?”

Chu Xuhua answered, “I would definitely retaliate, no, repay double.”

Li Tingzhao nodded, “I think so too.” He gestured to the guards, “Bring Master

Lin in.”

“Yes.”

Chu Xuhua felt out of place and said, “I’ll leave first, Your Highness.”

Li Tingzhao saw Chu Xuhua’s sweaty face and wanted him to rest more, “No need. You can stay and watch. It’s fine.”

Chu Xuhua was puzzled. Their grudge had nothing to do with him, right?

Master Lin was brought in, surprised to see Chu Xuhua but had no time to think much, bowing to Li Tingzhao, “Your Highness!”

Li Tingzhao looked at Master Lin with disdain. He remembered how Master Lin barely acknowledged him in the past. He hadn’t cared then, but now, it felt like indifference.

He realized too late.

He casually said, “You may dispense with the formalities. What brings you here?”

Chu Xuhua sat there, quickly looked at Master Lin, then averted his gaze, thinking, “If only I had known, I wouldn’t have come!”

Master Lin earnestly pleaded, “Can you spare the Lin family, Your Highness?”

Li Tingzhao, playing with a ring on his finger, asked, “How do you propose I ‘spare’ you?”

Master Lin lowered himself, “Please stop pursuing matters with the Lin family.

If you must vent, vent on me alone.”

Li Tingzhao retorted, “Are you worthy?”

Master Lin stiffened, “Your Highness, my wife acted that way believing you were my… illegitimate son. If she knew your true identity, she wouldn’t have dared.”

Li Tingzhao scoffed, “Why didn’t you tell her? Even if I was an illegitimate child, does she have the right to mistreat me?”

Master Lin couldn’t argue. What was done was done, “Your Highness, if you’re willing to spare the Lin family, I’ll do anything.”

Li Tingzhao angrily said, “You don’t have that much face. Leave!”

Master Lin pleaded, “Your Highness…”

Li Tingzhao lost patience, “Are you forcing me to call security?”

Master Lin hurriedly said, “No, but Your Highness, the Lin family raised you for so long, even if you hate us, you shouldn’t be so heartless, right?”

Li Tingzhao stared at Master Lin and said word byword, “That’s why I haven’t hurt anyone from the Lin family!”

Master Lin turned pale, realizing that although Li Tingzhao hadn’t harmed any individuals, he intended to let the Lin family fall into ruin.