Who Is Truly the Eldest Legitimate Grandson?

Do you still have any pink tickets left? If you do, please vote for me~

Yu Ziqi was a person of exceptional intelligence. Just by observing the expression on Ning Qian’s face, he could easily discern what was on her mind. He gently turned her to face him.

Those deep, enigmatic eyes seemed capable of captivating the soul. Whenever he smiled, it was as if the surface of a tranquil lake rippled slightly, a gentle disturbance in their depths.

“My lady, may I share a few words from the heart?”

“O-of course,” Ning Qian replied, inexplicably nervous.

“There’s no need to be so tense; it’s merely a casual conversation between husband and wife. Come, let’s go over there. Eastward, about a hundred meters is the highest point of this mountain. From there, you can take in the surrounding scenery.”

“All right,” Ning Qian agreed with a nod.

Her barely audible whisper did not escape Yu Ziqi’s ears. He took her hand and led her east.

Yu Ziqi was clearly familiar with the area, for a hundred meters away, there was indeed a high slope. When she saw the nearly vertical incline, Ning Qian was momentarily stunned. “My lord, how are we to get up there?”

“You silly thing, do you expect to fly? This way.” Yu Ziqi led her around a bend. “Look, we can ascend from here.”

On the far side of the slope, there was a staircase, built neatly—not straight up, but at a gentle angle, clearly designed for easy passage.

“Up we go.”

“Very well.”

Yu Ziqi held her hand, carefully guiding her up the slope. Only upon reaching the top did Ning Qian realize that it concealed a delightful surprise. A small, exquisite pavilion stood atop the slope, surrounded by railings on all four sides. The structure was stone, and the carvings were far from simple, suggesting great expense. Even the wooden carvings on the railings were extraordinary.

“This is a little pavilion I had built especially for enjoying the view. What do you think? On idle days, to bring some tea and pastries here, to chat and gaze at the scenery—it is truly a pleasure.”

“Yes, this is indeed a perfect spot for taking in the view.”

“My lady, standing here and looking down, what do you feel?”

“A feeling?” Ning Qian stepped closer to the edge and looked down. Everything below seemed so small. Only now did she understand what it meant to ascend and see afar, to overlook other mountains from on high. “Standing here, everything below feels minuscule, as though I alone am master of all I see.”

“Hahaha… Well said. Master, yes, that is the desire of all: to stand above others, to have their word matter most. Tell me, my lady, do you ever wish for such a thing?”

Ning Qian stole a glance at him, an unexplainable worry rising in her heart. To stand above others? That was a bold ambition. Though he was the third young master of the Yu family, the eldest son was the true heir. He could never helm the Yu family. Unless… unless he meant to seize power?

“My lady, you don’t answer. Is it that you have no such desire, or that you dare not think of it?”

“My lord, I… I simply don’t know what to say. I am but a woman; how could I understand such things?” Ning Qian decided it was best to say little; the more one says, the more likely one errs.

“My lady, I ask only: if one day I need your help, will you give it?”

“That…” Ning Qian hesitated. Who could know what he might ask of her?

“My lady, I will be honest with you. I am determined to be someone whose voice carries weight in the Yu family.” Yu Ziqi looked straight ahead, his face devoid of expression, as if he had uttered something utterly ordinary. But Ning Qian could see the excitement simmering in his small, subtle gestures—the veins that pulsed beneath his skin, the fist that clenched ever tighter—all attested to the turmoil beneath his calm exterior.

Her heart softened. She sighed softly. Scenes from the story Yu Ziqi had just told flickered through her mind. If she was not mistaken, the boy in that story must have been him. She did not know why such things had happened, but she could not help but feel a pang of sorrow.

How important childhood was—if a child suffered such treatment, it was a wonder his heart had not been twisted by it. No wonder he claimed to have no heart; his past was one to wring the heart.

Seeing Ning Qian’s expression, Yu Ziqi understood that she had grasped the meaning behind his story. In truth, he had not intended to hide it from her. Since he had married her, he would take responsibility. He knew that affection could be cultivated, and it was rare for two people to come together as they had. For her, he realized, he would have to give even more.

“My lady, I will never ask you to do anything that would trouble you.”

“I understand. It’s just that I am merely a woman; I may not be of much help. I know nothing of business.” Seeing that Yu Ziqi remained silent, Ning Qian continued, “My lord, though my family is well-off, I have little experience in such matters. And as for what you said… I, I simply don’t know what to say.”

Ning Qian was truly at a loss. Out of nowhere, he had come to her with talk of seizing power. Was it so simple a matter? One misstep, and it could spell disaster.

“My lady, if something were to happen to me, would you truly refuse to help?”

“My lord, it’s not that I would not help; I just don’t know how. This is such a weighty matter; I am confused. My lord, why do you wish for power? It is impossible. Eldest Brother is the firstborn, the rightful heir of the Yu family. For you to do this—if word got out, not only would Father and Mother be angry, but I fear even the elders of the clan would not easily forgive you.”

At this, Yu Ziqi narrowed his eyes, excitement flickering across his face. “He is not the true firstborn heir. I am. I am the real firstborn grandson of the Yu family.”

Ning Qian’s mouth fell open in shock. “My lord, are you jesting?”

Yu Ziqi sank down in anguish. “I wish it were only a jest. But it’s the truth. I am the firstborn grandson of the Yu family. Yet, they took everything from me. And… In any case, I will reclaim what is rightfully mine.”

“How… how could such a thing be?” Ning Qian was so astonished she could barely speak. This was no small matter—Yu Ziqi was truly the firstborn grandson of the Yu family? How extraordinary! If this was true, the affairs of the Yu family were more muddled than anyone could imagine.

“My lady, you know well the situation I am in. Unless I strengthen myself, the dream of holding power will be nothing but an illusion. Will you help me?”

“I…”