Chapter 271: 271: The Cost

Seeing Luo Ziling’s agitated face, Ouyang Feifei glanced at him with a hint of disdain and gave the answer, “The Ling Family made significant concessions, politically and financially. Originally, the Ling Family had a higher status than the Yang Family, but their main strength lies in the military, which is a weakness for them, so they wanted to form a marriage alliance with the Yang Family. On the other hand, the Yang Family’s weakness lies in the military, and they have never been able to enter the ranks of the elders. I believe, given the current situation, you understand without me saying what the Ling Family has given up and what the Yang Family has gained.”

After thinking for a moment, Luo Ziling began to understand.

“So, it’s for this reason that Yang Qingyin’s grandfather now holds his current position.”

“Not too dumb,” Ouyang Feifei said, feeling suddenly more cheerful.

“Heh, I’ve never been involved in these matters, so it took me a moment to grasp it fully,” Luo Ziling did not take Ouyang Feifei’s sarcasm to heart.

Of course, Ouyang Feifei’s words just now weren’t exactly sarcasm, either.

“Compared to your grandfather, Yang Yuanshan’s abilities fall quite short, which is something many are aware of,” Ouyang Feifei continued. “Without the Ling Family’s concessions and compensation, Yang Yuanshan could never have achieved what he has now.”

After thinking it over, Luo Ziling agreed with Ouyang Feifei’s statement.

For such a trivial matter as his, Yang Yuanshan took the matter into his own hands and pressured Yang Qingyin. Luo Ziling believed that on the Ling Family side, Sir Ling Jinhua and Grandfather Ling Mingrui certainly wouldn’t personally come forward to lean on him. This was the difference in realms.

Yet he was still somewhat puzzled and asked Ouyang Feifei again, “Since the Ling Family made such great concessions and offered compensation to the Yang Family, that means the Yang Family has already accepted favors from the Ling Family. Logically, they shouldn’t have any new demands. So why are they so riled up about my return to Yanjing?”

“The agreement back then stated that you and your father could never return to Yanjing, but now you’re back, and it’s a slap in the face to the Yang Family. Do you not understand this point?” Ouyang Feifei looked at him strangely.

“Okay,” Luo Ziling thought and agreed.

Ouyang Feifei’s face took on a sarcastic tone again, “Not only did you return to Yanjing, but you also got close to the Yang Family’s granddaughter and are planning to take her away. It’s a wonder Yang Yuanshan’s heart condition didn’t flare up from the anger. I can’t believe a man of his temperament could tolerate this.”

After saying this, Ouyang Feifei realized she had been too impassioned today, and she had spoken too much, letting slip things she shouldn’t have, so she quickly shut her mouth.

Hearing Ouyang Feifei’s words, Luo Ziling couldn’t help but grin. He too felt he had really slapped the faces of the Yang Family.

However, he had never intended to slap the Yang Family in the face.

When he and Yang Qingyin started seeing each other, he didn’t know her identity.

If he had known from the beginning, would he have continued interacting with her the same way?

Luo Ziling asked himself this question, but after some thought, he still didn’t know the answer.

“If Sir Ling and your Grandfather are willing to accept you, willing to help you, then you have no need to worry. Even if Yang Yuanshan takes action himself, he won’t be able to do anything to you. But they definitely won’t take action themselves, so the Ling Family’s support you can count on will only come from your mother,” Ouyang Feifei said, bringing up something she had mentioned to Luo Ziling before, “That’s why, I suggest that when you’re treating Li Haiyang, you should bring this up. He will surely help you. Even if he doesn’t help you directly, it’s only normal that he’ll support you in some way.”

Ouyang Feifei didn’t mention that the Ouyang Family was also willing to help, because she had made the offer last time, but Luo Ziling had been noncommittal.

To have Luo Ziling act as her fiancé and shield her from pursuers.

To say more would be too embarrassing.

“Thank you for telling me all this, and also for providing suggestions,” Luo Ziling looked at Ouyang Feifei, sincerely expressing his gratitude.

Ouyang Feifei today was not like her usual self, who cherished words like gold and feigned aloof arrogance, nor did she display the indifference to everything as usual. She spoke a lot more than he expected, which surprised Luo Ziling. Moreover, her expressions while speaking were vivid, with both smiles and playful scolding.

Ouyang Feifei, at this moment, seemed much prettier than her usual cool demeanor, and a lot cuter too.

Perhaps it was because of their past engagement and the times they played together as children, his impression of Ouyang Feifei was never that bad to begin with. After their exchange today, he felt even better about her.

Seeing Luo Ziling like this, Ouyang Feifei was also in a good mood, feeling a hint of achievement in her heart.

After talking with Luo Ziling last time about matters related to the Ling Family and the Yang Family, Ouyang Feifei realized she didn’t understand these issues deeply enough, so she went back to ask her grandfather.

After some persuasion, Ouyang Lingyun finally shared many things with her. Knowing these matters brought a bit of happiness to Ouyang Feifei, as she believed that by sharing them with Luo Ziling, he would surely be grateful to her.

Today, Luo Ziling’s reaction did not catch her by surprise, and she felt she had successfully changed his impression of her.

Changing strategies seemed to have some effect.

“Alright, I’ve said so much to you, I can’t say any more, just think about it yourself.” In fact, Ouyang Feifei had almost said everything she knew.

She planned to find another time to question her grandfather, Ouyang Lingyun, to understand the situation more clearly.

She knew Luo Ziling was most interested in these matters. By discussing them and adding some opinions and suggestions, he was sure to be grateful.

Ouyang Feifei still harbored strong feelings about Luo Ziling, who had come to her house to call off their engagement, repeatedly expressing his disdain for her; and then, he quickly got together with Yang Qingyin. If calling off the engagement was a trampling of her self-esteem, Luo Ziling’s getting together with Yang Qingyin was a slap in her face.

She always considered herself superior to Yang Qingyin, and Luo Ziling’s choice to reject her and later get together with Yang Qingyin made her feel as though her dignity had been trampled on. She could not tolerate such a thing, as it related to the pride and face of a haughty woman.

Therefore, she changed her strategy, adopting a different approach with Luo Ziling.

She still intended to take her revenge on Luo Ziling.

“Alright then, I should head back,” Luo Ziling said, as he stood up ready to leave.

Ouyang Feifei also stood up, but softly asked, “You promised to treat me, when do you plan to?”

Seeing Ouyang Feifei’s slightly shy demeanor, Luo Ziling really wanted to promise to treat her right then and there, but considering Yang Qingyin might contact her shortly, he decided to excuse himself by saying he had other matters to attend to and left first.

As he was leaving, he also promised that he would definitely come to treat her as soon as possible.