A Couple's Rebirth to 1977 Before Marriage

Chapter 178: Chapter 175: Mrs. Ping Teaches Her Son

Mrs. Ping seemed to suddenly understand why Li Xiu was dead set against joining the establishment. She asked softly, "An’er, what else did he say?"

Ping’an thought for a moment. "He said that the ancients spoke of cultivating oneself, managing one’s family, governing the state, and bringing peace to the world. It sounds grand and impressive, but how many people have ever truly achieved that? He said that great men are always chasing one of three things: governing the state, bringing peace to the world, or power, money, and women. But a man’s first duty is to figure out how to protect his own family and what he’ll use to do it."

"He also told me I need to think about what I’ll do once Father is gone. How will I support the Ping Family? How will I protect my loved ones and pave the way for the younger generation? He said Father’s legacy won’t shelter the Ping Family for long. He told me that he dares to take on several major families all by himself because he’s still protected by the legacy of his master. But I won’t be so lucky. His master was a once-in-a-generation talent and an excellent judge of character, which is why his legacy still provides protection. I’m different, though. My father is too impartial, and his position... it’s not the same. I don’t quite get it. Father is definitely impartial, but what does that have to do with his position?" Ping’an asked, confused.

Mrs. Ping smiled. ’No wonder those old-timers all say Li Jincheng has surpassed his master. Just look at that Seven-orifice Exquisite Heart of his!’ Gazing at her still-clueless youngest son, she said in a thoughtful tone, "Li Jincheng is right. Your father’s position is the key. Why do you think Li Jincheng earned the genuine protection of your father and those other men in the Imperial Palace? For one, it’s because of his master, Ge Yunqi. He and your father were the closest of friends, sworn brothers even. Now that he’s passed, it’s only natural for them to look after his successor. But the most crucial factor is Li Jincheng himself. He’s magnanimous and sensible, with a crystal-clear understanding of the world. He always knows what to do and what not to do."

Seeing that her son still didn’t understand, Mrs. Ping patiently explained, "To put it simply, Li Jincheng has earned the esteem of your father and his colleagues. But you’re different. Once your father is gone, what awaits our family isn’t protection, but political pressure. Everyone fears a ’father-to-son’ inheritance of power during a transition. Do you understand? If you don’t join the establishment and strive, what’s waiting for you is to be completely crushed!"

"Mother, why is that? I always thought... I always believed..."

"You always believed what? That your father’s legacy would protect you and your siblings forever? An’er, you’re wrong," Mrs. Ping said sternly. "Once the older generation is gone, no one will be there to shelter you. Besides, power is a tempting prize, and the human heart is unpredictable. How can you be so naive? Your brother is too discouraged and disappointed, and your sister is married. She can’t protect you and your brother. Or would you have the heart to make her, a married woman, fight desperately to protect you?"

’Since Li Jincheng has already started this conversation, I’ll see it through. There are some things he can’t, and shouldn’t, say to An’er. As his mother, I have to be the one to strip away his innocence and naivete. Otherwise, even if he did join the establishment, he’d be eaten alive.’

Ping’an stared at Mrs. Ping in shock, speechless. Over the past few days, his conversations with Li Xiu had given him a vague sense of reality’s cruelty, but he had still clung to a sliver of false hope. Now, his mother’s words made him finally understand what Li Xiu meant when he said his hands were tied.

"An’er, what’s your impression of Li Jincheng?" Mrs. Ping asked, looking at her thoughtful son.

"Brilliant. Absolutely brilliant," Ping’an blurted out.

"Then do you know why Li Jincheng is so dead set against joining the establishment?" Mrs. Ping asked quietly.

"He admires the free-spirited scholars of the Wei and Jin dynasties, right? He probably doesn’t want to be tied down," Ping’an said after a moment’s thought.

Mrs. Ping smiled. "That’s partly right, and partly wrong. Jin Chen certainly learned the essence of what his master taught, but he’s not the same as his master. He is both more ruthless and more devoted. His master was a man who lived by his feelings, but he is not. Li Jincheng has poured every ounce of affection he possesses into his wife. Anyone or anything that gets in her way, he will deal with ruthlessly. That includes his own children."

"Mother, what do you mean by that? I don’t think I understand," Ping’an said, scratching his head in confusion.

Mrs. Ping smiled, gesturing for Ping’an to come closer. She pulled him down to sit beside her and took his hand. "Your father and the others—none of them see the obsession rooted deep within Li Jincheng. But I’m different. I’ve only met him once, but during those few hours at the gala, I watched him and his wife closely. None of you noticed the adoration and madness in his eyes when he looked at her."

"Madness?" Ping’an asked, looking at his mother with a surprised and quizzical expression.

"Yes, adoration and madness," Mrs. Ping said softly. "When I was younger, I studied abroad and read a book on human psychology. Li Jincheng is a perfect match for one of the personality types described in it—a sort of pathological paranoia. Everything he does in life, he does for his wife. That’s why I say he’s both ruthless and deeply devoted."

"Is that so? He is unbelievably good to his wife, that’s for sure. But is it really as... scary as you make it sound, Mother?" Ping’an asked, looking pensive.

Mrs. Ping chuckled. "Why would it be scary? Li Jincheng has a very strong moral compass, from what I’ve seen. And his wife must be aware of his nature. Think about it. For those entire few hours, Zhou Lian let Li Jincheng hold her hand. You have to realize, forget about being at a gathering of powerful figures, when do you ever see a couple acting like that even in their daily lives? One look at Zhou Lian tells you she’s a gentle and elegant woman. And she’s brilliant—she got into Beijing University without any formal schooling, after all. But that night, she was completely indulging him."

Ping’an shook his head. "Mother, let’s not talk about this anymore. I can’t wrap my head around it. Can you please tell me something I *can* understand?"

"In short: be good to Zhou Lian. And not in the way you might be thinking. I mean, ensure she is protected. If you do that, you can win Li Jincheng to your side. That man understands how the world works and the subtleties of human nature. Spend half a year learning from him, and after that, the family will never interfere with what you choose to do," Mrs. Ping said with conviction. ’Six months,’ she thought. ’It will be enough if Li Jincheng can mold An’er into someone even half as capable as himself.’

Ping’an looked at his mother pensively. ’Does she really hold Li Jincheng in such high regard?’ Well, he supposed it was fine. After all, he rather admired Li Jincheng’s character himself.

「That evening」

When Elder Ping returned home, Mrs. Ping told him about her decision. He looked at her, amused. "You have that much faith in Jin Chen? The boy is only two or three years older than An’er."

Mrs. Ping smiled at Elder Ping. "You can’t judge a person by their age. Back when Yun Qi was making a name for himself on the battlefield, he was only in his twenties, wasn’t he? He’d take on the world and challenge anyone who stood in his way. But look, he was still the sharpest of all. Do you really think the star pupil he personally taught could turn out to be a dud? Besides, Li Jincheng is someone all you old-timers hold in high regard."

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