One Arrow, Two Eagles

That very day, Li Chengwen replaced the people in several of the most critical positions with men he trusted.

At the same time, he reassigned several suspicious-looking workers to inconsequential odd jobs.

The move proved effective indeed!

Over the next few days, there were no more cases of anyone suffering so-called "accidental injuries."

However, things were far less peaceful than they appeared on Second Young Master's side.

Li Jiwu was sitting in his study at that moment.

His fingers lightly tapped the tabletop, his brows drawn tightly together.

The people he had sent to cause trouble at the Sword-Forging Courtyard had failed one after another.

Either they had been transferred away from key positions, or they could not find an opening to act.

As the delivery date for the first batch drew ever nearer, Eldest Brother's progress not only remained steady but continued advancing. The restless anxiety in Li Jiwu's heart became harder and harder to suppress.

Just as Li Jiwu was in a state of vexed confusion, the door was gently pushed open.

Madam Liu entered gracefully with a cup of tea. She set it by his hand, glanced at his furrowed brow, and chuckled. "What is it? Still worrying over Eldest Young Master?"

Li Jiwu could not help but sigh. "I've used all the overt methods already. That fatty has grown clever now—he's guarded himself like an iron barrel. There's simply no way to get a hand in."

Madam Liu sat down opposite him, picked up the cup of tea meant for Li Jiwu, slowly blew away the foam floating on top, and handed it to him.

At the same time, a meaningful smile curled across her lips. "Since open spears are easy to dodge, then let us make sure hidden arrows are hard to guard against."

Li Jiwu froze. "Then Madam Liu means...?"

"If we cannot move the people, then we move the goods."

Madam Liu gave a soft laugh and lightly traced a circle over the tabletop with one finger.

"The Sword-Forging Courtyard produces so many finished goods every day. What if some of them develop quality problems before delivery? Say, cracks in the blade, chipped edges, or insufficient hardness because the quenching was not done properly...

"What do you think the authorities' reaction will be when they inspect them?"

Li Jiwu narrowed his eyes slightly, clearly tempted, but a trace of hesitation soon appeared on his face.

"But wouldn't that delay the authorities' schedule? If it damages the Li Residence's reputation, it might even implicate me..."

Madam Liu snorted and cut him off without the slightest politeness. "My Second Young Master, do you take yourself for some innocent, spotless good man? You were already sabotaging the progress. Yet now you're pretending to be a bodhisattva?"

Li Jiwu's expression stiffened slightly at her rebuke.

But Madam Liu gave him no chance to argue. She leaned forward a little.

She was wearing a loose garment that day, its collar slightly open. As she leaned forward, the expanse of snow-white skin beneath caught the light with a warm, lustrous sheen, while the lines of her collarbones became even more graceful and distinct.

Lower still, the fabric was pushed into a tempting curve by the full, towering swell of her chest.

It rose and fell faintly with the rhythm of Madam Liu's speech, as though it might break free from her loose neckline at any moment.

At the same time, a warm fragrance of powder and natural scent washed over him, gently brushing across Li Jiwu's cheeks.

His gaze slid downward of its own accord. His Adam's apple bobbed slightly, and only after staring hard for several moments did he realize the occasion was improper. He hurriedly lifted his teacup and took a sip to conceal that fleeting lapse.

Madam Liu naturally noticed Li Jiwu's embarrassment, but she pretended not to and laughed lightly.

"Besides, between delaying the authorities' business and delaying the great matter of your Second Young Master's inheritance, which is more important? Can't you weigh that for yourself? Yes, Master Li once favored you, but times have changed. This order was negotiated with Eldest Miss's help! With Eldest Miss around, Eldest Young Master will have an unending stream of support. If that fatty truly completes this order and gains a firm foothold, what will be left of the Li Family's estate for you, Second Young Master?"

Those words struck precisely at the most sensitive place in Li Jiwu's heart. His face visibly darkened.

His fingers clenched tightly into fists!

Eldest Miss was his eldest sister. Though she was a woman, her voice in the Li Family was no less influential than that of any man. Even Master Li sometimes had to watch her expression.

She spent most of the year away from home and had built up many connections. Several of the Li Family's major business deals had only been secured through her introductions and matchmaking.

It could be said—

If Master Li did not listen to her, he might not even be able to remain the master of the household!

Yet what frustrated Li Jiwu was this:

Although Eldest Miss had always been closer to Li Chengwen and neither warm nor cold toward him, her younger brother, she had never helped Eldest Brother this much in previous years. Why was she suddenly so invested this time?

If she said a few more good words for Eldest Brother before their father, on top of Eldest Brother's accomplishment this time...

Li Jiwu did not dare think any further.

He fell silent for a moment. Then the gloom on his face suddenly dispersed, replaced by a smile. He raised his head to look at Madam Liu, a probing note suddenly entering his voice.

"Madam Liu, I have reasons for doing these things. But why are you helping me so wholeheartedly? What are you after?"

Madam Liu rolled her eyes at him, reached out, and lightly patted the back of his hand. "Silly boy, am I not doing this to help you? More importantly, I simply don't want that fatty to win."

At this point, her voice paused slightly, and a chill flashed through her eyes.

"If that fatty inherits the family estate, will there still be any good days for us in this residence? Besides, my distant cousin Zhao Dezhu was perfectly fine, and then he vanished just like that—neither alive nor dead, no body to be found. In my opinion, this matter definitely has something to do with Eldest Young Master. He may not say it aloud, but who knows how pleased with himself he is inside?"

After hearing this, the last trace of doubt in Li Jiwu's heart vanished.

He nodded, rose to his feet, and walked to the window. As he watched the wisps of cooking smoke rising from the direction of the Sword-Forging Courtyard, his gaze gradually turned cold and resolute.

"Madam Liu is right. We cannot be softhearted about this any longer!"

Only then did Madam Liu nod in satisfaction. After the two exchanged a few teasing remarks, she departed with lotus-like steps.

Li Jiwu watched Madam Liu's swaying figure, greed flashing through his eyes, though he quickly concealed it.

Afterward, he summoned a trusted confidant and gave him several quiet instructions.

The confidant nodded repeatedly, then hurried away.

Li Jiwu stood before the window, looking toward the distant Sword-Forging Courtyard. A cold smile unconsciously curled at the corner of his mouth.

Madam Liu's words made sense, of course, but he could not follow them completely.

After all, this was the Li Family's property!

Li Jiwu had already arranged a backup plan in secret. Even if the sabotage caused problems in some areas, he could step in at the crucial moment to remedy them—making Eldest Brother lose face before the authorities while earning merit before his father.

One arrow, two eagles!