Chapter 58: How About This Excuse?

“You think you can use Grandfather to pressure me? You’re mistaken. When I came here, I had just spoken with Grandfather, and he said all the debts should be settled together. Do you understand what that means?” Su Yu looked at Su Jing with a sly smile.

“Four years ago, you drugged me, and these past few years, you’ve been causing trouble for me in business. Su Jing, do you really think I can’t deal with you? Isn’t the loss this time harsh enough for you?” Su Yu taunted Su Jing playfully.

“It’s you.” Su Jing suddenly understood what Su Yu was talking about, and his eyes were filled with anger.

“So, you never realized it was me all along? I put aside many things to come here and face you, expecting at least that you would know who your assailant was. Turns out, you’ve disappointed me,” Su Yu said with disappointment, looking at Su Jing. He had thought Su Jing would at least recognize the person behind the attack, but he had overestimated Su Jing.

Su Mingche, quite interested, asked, “How much money did you swindle from them this time?” When this guy aimed to swindle someone, it was never just a small sum; it could be a thousand taels or ten thousand taels.

Su Yu stroked his chin, looking serious as he contemplated for a while before answering, “Over a hundred thousand taels?”

“That’s ruthless! Do you give anyone a chance?” Su Mingche teased.

Su Yu glanced at Su Mingche but didn’t say anything. His expression conveyed the message that thinking about it would suffice.

Su Mingche put his arm around Su Yu’s shoulder. “Aren’t we still brothers? Don’t brothers share?”

“No, you’re my cousin,” Su Yu said, pushing away Su Mingche’s hand with disdain.

[Note: In the Chinese culture, the distinction between cousins and siblings is important. Cousins are not considered as close as siblings.]

“Why can’t you share some of that money with me? You’ve got so much, and there’s nothing to spend it on,” Su Mingche complained.

“Who says I have nowhere to spend it? Once I find someone, won’t I have to support my wife? And when we have kids, won’t I have to take care of our son and daughter?” Hmm, it would be nice if they had another daughter in the future, as cute as Little Treasure.

Su Mingche twitched his lips as he looked at Su Yu. “You’ve been searching for four years, haven’t you ever thought of giving up?”

This brother was too dedicated.

“I can’t give up,” Su Yu shook his head.

“Alright, for saying that, I won’t compete with my future sibling and nephew/niece,” Su Mingche generously declared, pretending to be magnanimous.

Su Yu gave Su Mingche an appraising look and said disdainfully, “You can talk about competing once you actually stand a chance.”

“You little brat, I’ve really wasted my efforts on you.”

“Let’s get back to business. According to Su Yu’s suggestion, we should bring Su Jiu back and turn him in to the authorities,” Su Long said, looking at the four individuals with a direct tone.

As a powerful and influential elder of the family, if one couldn’t carry out their duties fairly and impartially for personal gain, then they were better off not being an elder at all.

“This will bring trouble to the Su family, Lord. Aren’t you worried at all?” one of the elders exclaimed angrily.

Su Yu, annoyed by the other’s bluster, responded, “What’s there to worry about? When the Su family discovers someone involved in smuggling private salt, they’ll be furious. So, we righteously eliminate our own. How’s that for an excuse? Isn’t it perfect?”

Su Jing felt a chill run down his spine. If they framed their actions as “righteously eliminating one’s own,” the Su family wouldn’t be implicated at all; instead, they might receive praise from higher authorities.

“Su Yu… this is about not tolerating your own half-brother,” Su Jing struggled to say.

Su Yu nodded in agreement, “Yes, you’re right. I can’t tolerate you. This has been the case for a long time now. What? Are you just realizing it now? How naive can you be?” Su Yu said with a disgusted expression.

His dislike for Su Jing had been going on for a long time. How could he only realize it now? Wasn’t that foolish?

Su Mingche patted Su Yu on the shoulder. “It seems like you’ve already figured out what to do.”

“Of course, when I plan to deal with him, I need to think everything through. But…” Su Yu’s gaze shifted to Su Jing. He was now curious about who might be backing Su Jing. If it was one of those individuals, things would get interesting.

“But what?” When did this guy start teasing like this?

“I’m just considering, Su Jing had the audacity to get involved in smuggling private salt, so who do you think might be behind him?” As Su Yu said this, his gaze remained fixed on Su Jing’s eyes, and he indeed saw a hint of anxiety.

Indeed, some people dreamed of taking shortcuts to reach the top.

Unfortunately, he didn’t know that many of those who took shortcuts often ended up in dire straits.

“Little Yu, you’re back?” As they were talking, Su Jiu had already arrived, accompanied by a few soldiers.

“Brother, all the evidence is here. You must remember that our family is ‘righteously eliminating our own,'” Su Yu said to Su Jiu with seriousness, a hint of wickedness in his eyes.

Su Jiu hesitated for a moment and then nodded. “I understand, Brother. How long will you be staying this time?”

“I might leave in a couple of days.” If it weren’t for this mess, he’d be spending time with his son and Wife. Wasn’t it better to be with them? Why bother coming back to engage in this intellectual battle with these people?

“You’re always running around. Don’t you realize that people might get the wrong idea about our family?” Su Jiu said with a helpless sigh as she looked at Su Yu.

“Hmph, can’t I find some people displeasing?” Su Yu snorted proudly.

“Young Master, we brought back some watermelons,” one of the soldiers reported.

“Brother, why don’t you take one to enjoy? The weather has been quite hot recently,” Su Jiu suggested.

“Where did you get such a huge watermelon? It’s enormous! I’ll take a couple more and send one to the Emperor,” Su Jiu exclaimed in surprise, looking at the over ten-kilogram watermelon.

Su Yu glanced at Yuanbao, who had picked out the best ones for Su Jiu.

“Take them away,” Su Jiu instructed her subordinates.

When Su Jiu returned, Su Jing already knew that today’s matter wouldn’t end well. When Li Shi saw Su Jing being apprehended, she rushed forward to block them. “No, you can’t take my son away.”

Su Jiu, feeling impatient, cast a glance at Li Shi. “If you cause any more trouble, we’ll take you in as well. You can’t afford to obstruct official business. Uncles, I’m leaving.”

“Go and attend to your duties”

Li Shi watched helplessly as her son was taken away. She clenched her fists and glared at Su Yu with hatred in her eyes. “Su Yu, why didn’t you die out there? Your luck must be incredibly good.”

“It’s you, after all,” Su Yu said casually as he looked at Li Shi, recalling the several assassination attempts on him. He chuckled coldly.

“You think you can harm me with your limited skills? Do you think the martial arts I’ve practiced with my maternal grandfather over the years were in vain?” Su Yu sneered.

His maternal grandfather was the number one martial artist in the martial world. Since childhood, he and his elder brother had trained with their maternal grandfather. However, few people knew how skilled Su Yu had become in martial arts.

“As a concubine, you dare to curse the legitimate son. Li Shi, you’ve got quite the audacity,” Su Yu remarked.