Deceiving Themselves

"Actually, there's another simple way..."

Zhang Qingyue's feelings were tangled. After a long hesitation, she finally spoke. "To untie the bell, we must find the one who tied it."

Her voice was a little hoarse:

"The Alchemy Room's problem started with Zhang Yu leaving a mess behind, so he should be the one to fix it.

As for Chen Dongpeng, no one else can find him, but Zhang Yu... he must have a way to track him down.

Once that old man comes back, the formation problem might resolve itself."

At her words, the flower hall fell silent.

Qin Xuehua, Zhang Wanning, and Zhang Heng all froze, then wore different expressions.

"Exactly."

Zhang Wanning spoke with righteous indignation:

"Zhang Yu made this mess. Why should Xiao Heng take the blame?

He has to take responsibility."

In an instant, she once again shifted all the blame and resentment squarely onto Zhang Yu.

If Zhang Yu could be made to come back and solve the problem, then Dingsheng Workshop's collapse wouldn't be due to Zhang Heng's incompetence, but Zhang Yu's "conspiracy." The pressure of the enormous compensation bill would also have somewhere to go.

At that, Qin Xuehua's face showed a hint of hesitation and conflict.

She hated Zhang Yu too, but when she thought of his cold gaze and resolute attitude in the Heavenly Prison, she couldn't help feeling unsure.

She hesitated. "B-but that wretch Zhang Yu is still furious.

You all saw how he was in the Heavenly Prison yesterday. Would he really be willing to help?"

"Why wouldn't he?"

Zhang Wanning snapped, utterly self-righteous:

"He caused this disaster, so who else should clean it up?

Besides, wasn't he always the most obedient to Mother?

As long as Mother shows him a little kindness and speaks a few gentle words, won't he come meekly around?"

In her mind, Zhang Yu's "flattery" and "obedience" over the past three years were deeply ingrained.

Her subconscious refused to believe he had truly changed. She thought he was just "throwing a tantrum" and "being difficult," using such extreme measures to "get attention" or "get back at them."

As long as they "bestowed" a little kindness on him, that "simp" eldest brother would come wagging his tail right back and keep working himself to the bone for them.

"Eldest Sister is right," Zhang Heng chimed in at once.

What he needed most right now was someone to shoulder the blame for the failure and solve the crisis before them.

Hearing that Zhang Yu could be saddled with the blame, his spirits immediately lifted. But then he put on a hurt, worried expression, poisoning their minds against Zhang Yu:

"Eldest Brother has always been jealous of how much the family favors me. He thinks I stole his spotlight.

He must have been waiting for a chance to see me make a fool of myself.

If he finds out the Alchemy Room ran into trouble after I took over, who knows how gleefully he'll gloat? How could he possibly help us in earnest?

Maybe... maybe he'll use this chance to make some outrageous demands, or deliberately give me a hard time."

With those words, he not only absolved himself of blame, but also put the family on guard and hinted that Zhang Yu might "take advantage of their misfortune."

After Zhang Wanning and Zhang Heng said their piece, the last of Qin Xuehua's hesitation gradually faded.

That was true. How obedient Zhang Yu used to be!

He would endure any grievance and do anything just to earn a single word of praise from her.

Though he had made a scene this time, he was still her son, a member of the Marquis Estate.

What good would it do him if the estate truly fell?

As long as she, his mother, lowered her stance a little and gave him an out, could he really refuse to help?

Besides, as Wanning had said, he had caused this mess. If he didn't fix it, who would?

Would he really watch his younger brother and the Marquis Estate fall into dire straits?

"Right. That's what we'll do."

Qin Xuehua finally made up her mind:

"After all, he's my son and the eldest son of the Marquis Estate.

I was too harsh on him before and neglected him. It's only natural that he resents me.

This time, I'll go to the Heavenly Prison myself and have a proper talk with him.

As long as he's willing to bring Chen Dongpeng back and resolve Dingsheng Workshop's troubles, I can let bygones be bygones.

And perhaps... there may even be a place for him in the Marquis Estate again."

She seemed already to see Zhang Yu weeping with gratitude and agreeing to help after her "heartfelt" words of advice.

"Mother is wise!"

Zhang Wanning immediately clapped her hands in approval. "Just give him a little sweetness, and Zhang Yu will definitely cave at once."

Zhang Heng also secretly breathed a sigh of relief, a trace of smugness and malice flashing in his eyes.

As long as Zhang Yu agreed to "clean up the mess," his failure could be covered up. They could even pin all the problems on the "hidden dangers Zhang Yu left behind."

As for what came after... Once the crisis had passed, they could deal with that useless waste at their leisure.

"There's no time to lose. We'll go to the Heavenly Prison right away."

Qin Xuehua straightened her collar and regained her usual composure, as if she were going to bestow a favor rather than ask for one.

Only Zhang Qingyue, looking at her mother, sister, and younger brother, who seemed so self-assured and even faintly superior, felt an inexplicable unease and absurdity in her heart.

All right, let's depict how the Marquis Estate's people, misled by false information, deepened their misunderstandings and completely shut off any path to rational judgment:

"Mother, things are different now. When dealing with Zhang Yu, we should still lower our stance a little.