Self-Deception

"Actually, there's a simpler way..."

Zhang Qingyue's heart was complicated. After a long hesitation, she spoke, "The one who tied the bell must be the one to untie it."

Her voice was a little dry.

"Since the alchemy room issue is a mess Zhang Yu left behind, he should be the one to fix it.

As for Chen Dongpeng, others might not be able to find him, but Zhang Yu... he'll definitely find a way to bring him back.

As long as that old man returns, the formation problem might be solved with ease."

As soon as these words were spoken, the hall fell silent.

Qin Xuehua, Zhang Wanning, and Zhang Heng were stunned, their expressions shifting in various ways.

"That's right."

Zhang Wanning's tone was filled with righteous indignation. "This mess was caused by Zhang Yu, so why should Xiao Heng take the blame? He has to take responsibility."

In an instant, she precisely shifted all the blame and hatred back onto Zhang Yu.

As long as Zhang Yu could be brought back to solve the problem, the collapse of Dingsheng Workshop wouldn't be due to Zhang Heng's incompetence, but Zhang Yu's "conspiracy." The pressure of the enormous compensation would then have an outlet.

Upon hearing this, Qin Xuehua's face showed a hint of hesitation and conflict.

Although she also hated Zhang Yu, the memory of his cold eyes and resolute attitude in the Heavenly Prison made her feel uncertain.

She hesitated, "But... but that scoundrel Zhang Yu is still furious. You all saw how he looked in the Heavenly Prison yesterday. Would he be willing to help?"

"Why wouldn't he be willing?" Zhang Wanning shrieked, her tone utterly self-righteous. "This is the mess he made, who else is going to fix it? Besides, didn't he always listen to Mother the most? If Mother just gives him a little kindness, says a few soft words, won't he obediently fall in line?"

In her perception, Zhang Yu's "flattery" and "obedience" over the past three years were deeply ingrained. Subconsciously, she couldn't believe Zhang Yu had truly changed. She only thought he was "throwing a tantrum," "being difficult," and using these extreme methods to "gain attention" or "get revenge." As long as they "bestowed" a little kindness, that "sycophantic" Eldest Brother would immediately wag his tail and return, continuing to work himself to death for them.

"Sister Xi is right," Zhang Heng chimed in immediately.

At this moment, he most needed someone to bear the responsibility for his failure and solve the current crisis. Hearing that the blame could be shifted to Zhang Yu, he immediately perked up, but then he put on a wronged and worried expression, poisoning the well against Zhang Yu. "Eldest Brother has always been jealous of how much the family dotes on me, thinking I stole his spotlight. He was definitely waiting to see me fail with this matter. If he knew the alchemy room had problems because I took over, who knows how gloating he'd be, how could he possibly help sincerely? Maybe... maybe he'll take this opportunity to make some excessive demands, or deliberately make things difficult for me."

His words not only cleared himself but also inoculated his family against future possibilities, while also hinting that Zhang Yu might "take advantage of the situation."

After Zhang Wanning and Zhang Heng spoke, Qin Xuehua's lingering hesitation gradually faded.

Yes, Zhang Yu was so obedient before! He would endure any hardship and do anything for a word of praise from her. Although he was making a big fuss this time, he was, after all, her son, a member of the Marquis Estate. If the Marquis Estate truly collapsed, what good would that do him? As long as she, his mother, lowered her stance a little and gave him a way down, could he really ignore it? Besides, just as Wanning said, this was a mess he created, who else would fix it? Would she really let him watch his own brother and the Marquis Estate fall into despair?

"Yes, that's what we'll do," Qin Xuehua finally made up her mind. "After all, he is my son, the eldest son of the Marquis Estate. I was too harsh on him before, I neglected him, so it's normal for him to be upset. This time, I'll personally go to the Heavenly Prison and have a good talk with him. As long as he's willing to find Chen Dongpeng and resolve the trouble with Dingsheng Workshop, I can let bygones be bygones."

"Even... in the future, the Marquis Estate might not be without a place for him."

She seemed to already see Zhang Yu, under her "earnest" persuasion, weeping tears of gratitude and agreeing to help.

"Mother is wise!"

Zhang Wanning immediately clapped her hands in approval. "As long as we give him a little incentive, Zhang Yu will definitely back down immediately."

Zhang Heng also secretly breathed a sigh of relief, a flash of smugness and coldness in his eyes.

As long as Zhang Yu was willing to "clean up the mess," his failure could be covered up, and he could even push all the problems onto the "hidden dangers left by Zhang Yu."

As for the future... once the crisis was resolved, it wouldn't be too late to deal with that waste slowly.

"There's no time to lose, let's go to the Heavenly Prison immediately."

Qin Xuehua tidied her collar, regaining her usual composure, as if she were bestowing a favor rather than asking for one.

Only Zhang Qingyue, looking at her mother, sister, and brother's self-righteous, even slightly superior expressions, felt a faint sense of unease and absurdity in her heart.

Alright, let's depict the absurd scene where the people of the Marquis Estate, due to misinformation, deepen their misunderstandings and completely block their own path to rational judgment:

"Mother, things are different now. We should adopt a more humble attitude towards Zhang Yu."