: A Fatal Mistake

Author: Gu Zhenren

Date: 2024-07-31

"If he collaborates with the Zhou and Zheng families, what will our clan think?"

"They'll definitely see him as a traitor to the family!!"

"By then, his reputation will be ruined."

"The key point is, as his closest relatives, we'll be implicated too. If Ji'er performs well in the future and has a chance for promotion, just being Ning Zhuo's cousin will be enough to disqualify him."

"Do you understand?!"

Wang Lan gasped, her face filled with panic as she nodded nervously: "I understand, I understand, dear!"

"I'll do everything I can to persuade Ning Zhuo to return to the Modification Team!"

"Even if... even if it means sacrificing my..."

Ning Ze was startled, then heard Wang Lan continue: "...sacrificing my dignity, I'll kneel and beg him to make him come back!"

Ning Ze secretly sighed in relief and added: "If you kneel, do it publicly. He won't be able to withstand that!"

"Also, most importantly, when the time comes, don't be stingy. Make sure to offer enough money."

"As long as I get out, there's hope. We can recover our losses and make up for everything we've lost."

Wang Lan nodded repeatedly: "I understand, I understand everything, dear. I'm going now!"

"You must succeed."

"Understood!"

Watching Wang Lan's retreating figure, Ning Ze, still uneasy, added: "If you don't succeed, we can think of another way. Don't do anything foolish."

Wang Lan turned back, forcing a faint smile: "Don't worry, dear."

Seeing Wang Lan's desolate expression, Ning Ze felt even more uneasy and worried.

Ning Xiaoren, in his study, received a detailed report.

The report contained a verbatim record of the conversation between Ning Ze and his wife, Wang Lan.

Ning Xiaoren nodded slightly, feeling secretly satisfied.

Whether Wang Lan's persuasion succeeded or not, it would severely damage Ning Zhuo's reputation.

Currently, what truly restrained Ning Xiaoren from taking action was precisely Ning Zhuo's reputation.

As a victim of unfair punishment, he had garnered too much sympathy from the broader Ning family branches!

"If Ning Zhuo despises the Ning Ze family and rebels, truly cooperating with the Zheng or Zhou families, that would be a fatal flaw." Ning Xiaoren's eyes gleamed coldly; he was anticipating it.

Wang Lan carefully prepared her makeup, specifically waiting until the moment when Ning Zhuo was demonstrating spells to his classmates, when the crowd was largest.

She rushed into the courtyard.

"Xiao Zhuo." She walked straight towards Ning Zhuo.

Ning Chen, Ning Yong, and others looked over curiously.

Ning Zhuo stopped casting spells: "Aunt, is there something you need?"

Under everyone's watchful eyes, Wang Lan walked up to Ning Zhuo, then suddenly knelt on both knees, crying out: "Xiao Zhuo, your aunt is kneeling to you, I beg you!"

"Please save your uncle!"

"He is your own uncle, your only relative in this world."

Everyone in the courtyard was shocked.

Thud.

Before anyone could react, Ning Zhuo knelt too.

He knelt on both knees, deeply moved, and said to Wang Lan: "Aunt, please get up! How can I accept such a gesture from you!"

"Although we are not related by blood, you raised me. I owe you a great debt, and I will repay it."

"Even though Uncle embezzled my cultivation resources for over ten years, he is still my uncle."

"If his life is in danger, I will do everything I can, set everything aside, to rescue him!"

"Ning Chen! Ning Yong!"

Ning Zhuo called out sharply.

Ning Chen and Ning Yong immediately stepped out of the crowd, supporting Wang Lan on both sides and helping her to her feet.

Only after Wang Lan stood up did Ning Zhuo rise.

Wang Lan wept: "Xiao Zhuo, you've actually wronged your uncle. He never embezzled or withheld any of your cultivation resources. That was a lie spread by the young master, Ning Xiaoren!"

Ning Zhuo gasped: "Aunt, what do you mean?"

The crowd in the courtyard was confused.

Wang Lan's next words gradually made the truth clear to everyone.

Wang Lan said: "It was all Ning Xiaoren's scheme. He learned of your talent and ability, and wanting to win you over, he deliberately framed your uncle, falsely accusing him of embezzling large sums of cultivation resources."

"But the truth is, he hasn't given you any resources over the past ten-plus years. He just wanted to drive a wedge between you and your uncle, so he could step in and successfully win your favor."

"He wanted you to believe that he is the only one in this world who treats you well, to gain your endless gratitude and make you serve him in the future!"

"What?!" Ning Zhuo was shocked, "Aunt, this is no small matter, you can't just say things like that..."

Wang Lan shook her head, resolute: "It's true. It's just that our family was intimidated by Ning Xiaoren's authority and didn't dare to speak out before."

"But this time, he has gone too far!"

"He threatened me with your uncle's life, forcing me to use our family ties to pressure you, to make you return to the Modification Team, obediently follow his arrangements, and accept all unfair treatment."

"I can't take it anymore, and your uncle can't either! He contacted me secretly, telling me to do this."

"Because what Ning Xiaoren is doing is pushing you, pushing our family, to the brink of destruction."

After hearing this, everyone was stunned, exchanging bewildered glances.

Ning Zhuo lowered his head, frowning deeply. He thought for a long time before slowly looking up: "Aunt, is everything you said true?"

"To be honest, I'm very hesitant now because I don't know who to believe!"

Wang Lan was prepared. Gritting her teeth, she said: "Ning Xiaoren framed your uncle and fabricated a lot of false evidence. I've collected quite a bit, and you should have some too, right?"

"In his haste to drive a wedge between you and your uncle, he must have been sloppy. There are many flaws in these false evidences!"

"Another point: if Ning Xiaoren had been providing you with resources for over ten years, there would definitely be traces left. It's impossible for there to be nothing."

"You just need to verify it, and you can prove everything!"

"Good." Ning Zhuo said firmly, "Ning Chen, Ning Yong, and all my classmates."

"Please help me verify this matter thoroughly before tonight!"

Having received his favors and not being on the battlefield, none of the classmates hesitated; they all responded.

Ning Xiaoren's framing of Ning Ze had indeed been rushed and couldn't withstand such meticulous and strict verification.

As various small flaws were connected, the truth gradually became clear to everyone.

"The young master actually did something like this!"

"He was never a good person to begin with. I remember my grandfather's pension was withheld by him."

"With him around, our clan can never have fair rewards and punishments. Look at A Zhuo: he's talented, capable, someone we deeply admire. Even someone like him is treated this way, let alone us?"

For a moment, the crowd was seething with anger.

"The timing is about right." Ning Zhuo thought to himself.

He decisively requested everyone's help to spread the news, hoping more people would learn about it.

"This is unbearable!"

"Does Ning Xiaoren really deserve to sit in the young master's position?"

"I'm going to the clan ancestral hall to demand an explanation!"

Ning Zhuo raised his arm and called out.

The others responded: "We'll go with you! We'll go with you!"

(End of )