novelden Chapter 1878 Feigning Ignorance
Chapter 1878 Feigning Ignorance
Good guy!
Shangguan Wuji has finally revealed his true intentions!
Although he didn't explicitly mention the ledgers, it was practically an open secret!
The purpose of this guy's visit today is probably to confirm with me whether or not I have this thing.
Li Xiangnan knew that Shangguan Wuji's last words were both a warning and a final test, trying to capture his reaction to the shocking information and find his weakness!
I don't care if it's notes or ledgers; you won't get any information from me.
Li Xiangnan forcibly suppressed the turbulent thoughts arising from Shangguan Wuji's words, his face showing only complete incomprehension and bewilderment, even a hint of innocence typical of a young person hearing old stories.
"Uncle, what you're saying is so confusing to me. A notebook left by Grandma? A record of the past? It's all my fault. I've never heard anyone mention it at home, and Grandma never said anything about it. Besides, to be honest, I'm too young to have met Grandma since I was little, so I don't know anything about these things! Sigh, are these things really that important? Uncle, where did you find out about this notebook? And why would someone use this notebook to target me?"
Li Xiangnan's performance was impeccable. He even perfectly portrayed a character who knew nothing about it and found it somewhat incomprehensible. He even went so far as to ask Shangguan Wuji for information, trying to extract some information from him.
Shangguan Wuji gave him a deep look, his gaze sharp as an eagle's, as if trying to see through his skin and into his soul.
After a moment, Shangguan Wuji laughed and waved his hand, but the smile didn't reach his eyes. "Ignorance is bliss. Maybe I remembered wrong. Ah, I'm getting old, I always overthink things! Especially when I see such an outstanding junior like you, I can't help but want to give you a few more pointers! Since there's no such thing, that's for the best. Anyway, you're always careful in your actions, so my nagging wasn't in vain!"
"Thank you for your concern, Uncle!" Li Xiangnan smiled innocently, then went over and brought the water bottle to refill Shangguan Wuji's tea.
At this moment, Shangguan Wuji glanced at his attendant and gestured to him, who then stood up and unveiled the red silk on the gift tray.
Inside were not gold, silver, jewels, pearls, or agate, but a set of exquisitely crafted pure silver longevity locks and a pair of delicate and warm mutton fat jade bracelets, which were obviously very valuable.
This thing does have auspicious connotations.
"It's just a small token of my appreciation for the child, please accept it!" Shangguan Wuji's tone was firm and left no room for refusal. His attendant had already folded the red silk and placed it aside, clearly not intending to take the tray back.
Li Xiangnan knew he couldn't refuse the gift, otherwise it would be a complete breakdown in relations.
He immediately showed a flattered expression and solemnly accepted the gift: "I dare not refuse such a generous gift from an elder. On behalf of my daughter Xitang, I thank Uncle Shangguan for his kindness! When she grows up and understands my feelings, I will definitely tell her that this is Grandpa Shangguan's lucky charm!"
"Good! Good, good!" Shangguan Wuji nodded in satisfaction, then headed towards the door, seemingly preparing to take his leave.
Although this trip did not yield any clear information about Mu Huanying's whereabouts, and the attempt to probe with the account book came to nothing, it was still worthwhile to have personally confirmed that Mu Huanrong was not at the Li family's residence.
Besides, having given the gift and establishing a brief "friendship" with Li Xiangnan also means there are many possibilities for future contact with him.
Li Xiangnan naturally understood the intention and turned around to see him off.
"Nan Nan, have you seen my old pipe? I had plans to meet Xiao Hai and Qian Kun this afternoon..."
Just as the two were about to leave the house, a figure happened to walk over.
The man who came was Li Dequan. He was brushing the dust off his sleeves from delivering tiles and bricks when he asked casually.
But when he looked up, he saw a stranger standing in the living room, and his words came to an abrupt halt. A hint of doubt flashed in his eyes, which were still clear despite the hardships he had endured, and his gaze naturally fell on the distinguished Shangguan Wuji.
The atmosphere inside the room instantly shifted subtly.
Li Xiangnan's heart stirred, and he immediately stepped forward to welcome the old man inside.
"Grandpa, you're back, why did you go to deliver the tiles? Let me introduce you, this is Comrade Shangguan Wuji, he came especially to see Xitang and brought the child a generous gift!"
He specifically mentioned the other person's surname and pointed to the gift on the table.
"Shangguan?"
Upon hearing those two words, Li Dequan's previously calm gaze suddenly sharpened, as if a sleeping lion had abruptly opened its eyes.
He straightened his previously casual posture, and his entire demeanor underwent a dramatic transformation in an instant.
He transformed from an ordinary old man next door into the iron-blooded military doctor who once dominated the battlefield and struck fear into the hearts of the enemy.
Li Dequan did not speak immediately, but instead used his all-knowing eyes to calmly scrutinize Shangguan Wuji with an invisible pressure.
And what about the other party?
The moment Shangguan Wuji saw Li Dequan's gaze, his heart skipped a beat!
Li Dequan!?
When did he return to the courtyard house?
Why didn't the people I arranged nearby give me any advance warning?
His smile froze slightly, and his hand, which had been easily moving the ring, tightened unconsciously as he tried his best to remain calm. However, his slightly faster breathing betrayed his shock and nervousness.
He quickly glanced at his attendant out of the corner of his eye, his eyes filled with barely concealed questioning and anger.
When the attendant met his gaze, he did not show any fear of his master. Instead, he gently shook his head, his eyes filled with a hint of wariness.
This Li Dequan has always been extremely cautious in his actions, and his whereabouts have been particularly elusive lately.
In addition, for some unknown reason, several secret observation points they had set up near Nanluoguxiang have been cleared out by the Song family for various reasons in recent days, resulting in a fatal delay in their grasp of Li Dequan's movements.
"So it's Comrade Shangguan!" Li Dequan finally spoke, his voice steady yet carrying an undeniable weight of authority, as if each word weighed a ton. He looked directly at Shangguan Wuji and nodded, saying, "It's an honor to meet you!"
Although he spoke calmly, the words "I have long admired you" emanating from his eyes carried an unspeakable depth of meaning to Shangguan Wuji.
It's as if it's saying: I know you, I know your Shangguan family, and I know the stories behind you!
Shangguan Wuji took a deep breath, forced a smile, nodded slightly, and lowered his posture considerably.
"You flatter me, Elder Li. I've always wanted to pay you a visit, but I haven't had the time. I've come today mainly to congratulate my friend Xiang Nan on the birth of his daughter. I never expected to have the honor of meeting you, Elder Li. This is truly a delightful surprise!"
His words were extremely polite, a stark contrast to the air of superiority he had subtly displayed when speaking with Li Xiangnan earlier.
"Thank you for your thoughtfulness!" Li Dequan replied casually, his gaze still fixed on Shangguan Wuji's smiling face, as if trying to see through him. "Comrade Shangguan is an honored guest, and it is our privilege to have him come to the Li family. However, I am a country bumpkin who is used to a leisurely life and does not like social engagements. I am afraid that I may not be able to entertain him properly!"
"Elder Li, you are too kind. It was I who disturbed you!" At this moment, a little sweat appeared on Shangguan Wuji's forehead, and he felt an invisible pressure enveloping him, making it difficult for him to breathe.
When facing Li Xiangnan, he felt that the other party was young and could handle things with ease and composure. But when facing Mu Huanying's husband, this old revolutionary who had truly fought his way out of a mountain of corpses and a sea of blood, his scheming and cunning seemed somewhat pale and laughable!
The other party has actually killed people.
And there are far more than him!
At that moment, Shangguan Wuji's mind raced, and he immediately glanced at his attendant. The two exchanged a knowing wink.
Although there was pressure in facing Li Dequan, it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to finally see him!
He is Mu Huanying's husband!
He must know more inside information than Li Xiangnan!
God help me too!
Now that we've met the right person, wouldn't news about Mu Huanying be readily available?
Shangguan Wuji was filled with both anxiety and elation, wondering how to find out the whereabouts of the account books.
I really came to the right place today! It's like finding a needle in a haystack!
Hahaha!