Feng An risked his neck to keep teasing, “When did Third Master learn how to be so tender and protective of a fair lady? In the past, whenever you lost your temper, you didn’t care if it was a man or a woman!”
Li Juechen didn’t bother wasting words with him. Walking ahead, he instructed, “Pick ten skilled soldiers from your unit and leave them behind. Whenever she goes out, someone must be with her to protect her. Remember to have them change into civilian clothes—do not wear military uniforms and scare her. Also, find two clever maidservants to serve her well. Look at those old women you brought before—every single one was dull and rigid. How could they keep her company and entertain her?”
Feng An looked like he had just seen a ghost. Staring wide-eyed at Li Juechen, he couldn’t believe his usually cold and ruthless Third Master would actually care so deeply about such trivial matters.
Li Juechen frowned slightly and pressed in a stern tone, “Did you understand what I said? I’m telling you, if she loses even a single strand of hair, I’ll hold you personally responsible!”
Snapping back to reality, Feng An quickly took a step forward to open the car door, respectfully inviting Li Juechen inside. He nodded repeatedly, “Yes, Third Master, please rest assured. I know how to arrange it!”
Once in the car, Feng An immediately cast aside his previous playful demeanor and reported in earnest: “Third Master, we just received news. The prisoner in the dungeon broke under torture and confessed. It was a escaped confidant of the Green Gang’s chief. He held a grudge against you for wiping out their stronghold, so he sought revenge by hiring someone to assassinate you.”
Li Juechen’s originally calm face suddenly darkened. He said coldly, “The Green Gang? How convenient—not earlier, not later, but he chose to strike on the exact day I was meeting with President Qin? Feng An, have you been living too comfortably lately? Has your brain turned this dull? You actually believed a lie so full of holes!”
Feng An was momentarily taken aback. “My brother, Feng Ping, has been secretly monitoring Fourth Master for months and found no contact or dealings between him, his people, and outsiders. Could it be Fifth Master’s doing?”
Li Juechen cast a casual glance at him. “Old Fifth has always been the slickest and most diplomatic. Even if his subordinates were behind this, with his shrewdness and schemes, absolving himself completely would be child’s play. Continuing to investigate is likely pointless. Don’t waste any more time and energy on it.”
After a moment’s thought, Li Juechen further instructed, “Go prepare extra silver dollars for the soldier who took the knife for President Qin. Then, buy a brand-new residence as soon as possible and have a few top-tier chefs on standby there. From now on, whenever there are important matters to discuss, it must be on our own turf.”
Feng An nodded repeatedly in agreement. Suddenly, as if remembering something, a goofy smile appeared on his face. He suggested, “Miss Tang’s place is plenty big, and you go over whenever you’re free anyway, Third Master. Why not just set the meeting location at Miss Tang’s? Think about it—discussing business always involves drinking and socializing. After drinking, you could rest right there, saving you the trouble of running back and forth, right?”
At the mention of Tang Lichu, Li Juechen’s tense expression finally softened slightly. The corners of his lips even turned up in a subtle, indescribably tender smile as he murmured, “Arrange it that way, then. But station more people over there—accidents are bound to happen. You must ensure her safety!”
Feng An breathed a sigh of relief. When his Third Master wasn’t smiling, he was truly terrifying. Even after being by his side for so long, Feng An still broke out in a cold sweat.
The car pulled up in front of the Paramount Ballroom. Li Juechen knitted his brows slightly, a trace of displeasure showing on his face. “What kind of place did Old Six pick?”
Feng An hopped out of the car to open the door for him. “Sixth Master said that since you’re throwing him a welcome-back banquet, the venue must suit his taste. He also said you should unwind a bit too.”
Li Juechen stepped out with one long leg, sneering, “Unwind, my ass. It’s full of cheap, vulgar women inside—every single one caked in heavy makeup. It’s enough to suffocate a man to death!”
Feng An secretly rolled his eyes. Who in all of Beiping didn’t know that Sixth Master Li loved drinking and dancing the most? He was someone who even dared to talk back to the Commander himself, yet he was completely obedient to his Third Master!
Marshal Li Xiao, the warMaster of the North, had a total of eight children: one official wife and four concubines.
The First Wife bore two sons and a daughter. Her eldest son, Young Marshal Li Jueliang, was brave and extraordinary; while fighting alongside the Marshal, he sacrificed himself by taking a fatal bullet for Li Xiao. The second daughter, Miss Li Yuzhu, had married Meng Qinian, the eldest son of Jincheng Bank, a year ago and was living happily. The last was Marshal Li’s only surviving legitimate son, Li Juechen.
Fourth Master Li Zhenting and Seventh Miss Li Baozhu were born to the Second Concubine.
Fifth Master Li Yuzhang was born to the Third Concubine.
As for Sixth Master Li Yuanzhou, he was the child of the Fourth Concubine.
It was worth noting that the Fourth Concubine was the First Wife’s trusted dowry maid, raised by her side since childhood. Thus, her son, Sixth Master, had been fiercely loyal to Li Juechen—the family’s sole legitimate heir—since they were young, following his lead in everything.
The Fifth Concubine was the last to join the family. Formerly an opera singer of low standing, she had worked her way up using her seductive charms and bore Marshal Li his eighth child, Miss Li Yunzhu, who had just turned nine.
Inside the private room, Sixth Master Li sat with an arm around a dancing girl on each side—one lighting his cigarette, the other pouring his wine. They catered to his every need, and he looked thoroughly content, indulging in the lively company.
Entering the room, Li Juechen frowned and quickly scanned the people on the sofas. Li Family’s Fourth and Fifth Masters were indeed seated there, along with Meng Qinian the eldest son of Jincheng Bank, Liu Xuan (the only son of Liu Hongsheng, known as the Coal King), and Sheng Enrong (the notoriously spendthrift son of Sheng Wen, the late Qing dynasty’s richest man). They were currently laughing and bantering with the hostesses around them.
Besides the men, Meng Qinian’s concubine-born younger sister Meng Lingwei, Seventh Miss of the Li Estate Li Baozhu, and Huang Xuejian ,the only daughter of the wool manufacturing tycoon Huang Qiusheng were also present.
When everyone saw Li Juechen walk in, they stood up in unison. Li Yuanzhou enthusiastically stepped forward, intending to give him a hug. “Third Brother, I missed you to death!”
Li Juechen pushed him away with sheer disgust, waved his hand in front of his nose, and frowned. “Stay away from me. Did you fall into a pile of perfume? You’re reeking of that pungent smell!”
Li Yuanzhou wasn’t upset at all; instead, he grinned, showing a mouthful of bright white teeth. “Third Brother, we haven’t seen each other in two months. Aren’t you happy to see me?”
Li Juechen gave him a cold, indifferent glare before walking over to sit at the edge of the sofa. Li Zhenting, Li Yuzhang, and Li Baozhu called out in unison, “Third Brother.”
Huang Xuejian was even happier to see Li Juechen than Li Yuanzhou was to see his brother. Swaying her hips, she walked over holding a glass of red wine. As she approached, she asked in a coy, sweet voice, “Third Brother, may I sit next to you?”
Li Juechen ignored her completely, treating her as if she were invisible. Taking the initiative before Huang Xuejian could, Li Yuanzhou plopped himself heavily onto the sofa and said to her with a smile, “Miss Huang, my Third Brother and I haven’t seen each other in two months and have plenty to catch up on. Why don’t you go play with Baozhu and the others instead?”