Return to Eighteen, the Spoiled Young Lady Acts Fierce with Her Beauty - Chapter 26: Suppressing the Sheng Family

Chapter 26: Suppressing the Sheng Family

Night fell, enveloping the entire estate in darkness, with only the study’s lamp still glowing.

“Old Mr. Ming, about what Miss mentioned…” Uncle Zhou began, but was cut off before he could finish.

“Personally investigate the Sheng family,” Old Mr. Ming’s voice was low, his knuckles lightly tapping the desk, brows tightly furrowed.

Though they had just been soothing Mingzhu with gentle words, calling it all just a nightmare, both men understood without speaking – this matter was unlikely to be false.

Old Mr. Ming suddenly recalled the fate reading he’d requested years ago from the old Zen master for Mingzhu.

“Miss Ming is the reincarnation of a white jade orchid fairy from the celestial palace, with skin like ice and bones like jade, born to wealth. However…” The old Zen master had sighed lightly before continuing. “Though her peach blossom fortune blooms abundantly, it brings many trials. Her path of love may prove rugged.”

Just as he was about to press further, he saw the Zen master’s brows suddenly relax as he smiled. “Yet this girl is heaven’s favorite. Beyond the dark willow trees lies bright flowers… beyond the dark willow trees lies bright flowers…”

No matter how much Old Mr. Ming questioned him afterward, the old Zen master only smiled without speaking.

“The old Zen master truly was an enlightened one…” Old Mr. Ming murmured to himself.

“I’ll handle it immediately,” Uncle Zhou straightened up, then hesitated. “What about the pocket watch Miss mentioned?”

“Find it,” Old Mr. Ming declared decisively, without a trace of hesitation.

He had promised Mingzhu he wouldn’t search for the watch, but given the gravity of the situation, he had to prepare for rainy days ahead.

After receiving his orders, Uncle Zhou departed quickly to begin the investigation overnight.

Old Mr. Ming sat alone in the brightly lit study, gazing out at the impenetrable night beyond the window, his expression growing increasingly profound.

He understood better than anyone that he couldn’t accompany Mingzhu forever.

If Mingzhu remained unaccomplished, someone would have to shoulder this vast family enterprise for her, someone would need to continue supporting her.

She was his only beloved daughter.

He absolutely had to pave every road for her.

Morning sunlight streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows into the dining room.

Mingzhu sipped her soybean milk in small mouthfuls when she suddenly noticed something amiss. “Grandfather, where’s Uncle Zhou? I haven’t seen him.”

Old Mr. Ming placed a shrimp dumpling in her bowl, smiling as he said, “He’s handling some business. He’ll return later.”

“Then aren’t you going to the company today, Grandfather?” Mingzhu tilted her head, confusion in her eyes. She remembered that at this hour, her grandfather would usually have long since departed.

Old Mr. Ming teased her deliberately: “I was afraid a certain little crybaby would wake up and not find her grandfather, then start shedding tears again. It’s not too late to go later.”

“Grandfather is the best.”Instead of rebutting, Mingzhu bit into her shrimp dumpling and smiled sweetly, her cheeks puffing out like a little hamster.”

The sight melted Old Mr. Ming’s heart.

“Would Zhuzhu like to accompany Grandfather to the company to play?” Old Mr. Ming couldn’t help suggesting.

Mingzhu shook her head, suddenly turning serious. “Grandfather, I want to visit that old Zen master who came to our house before.”

Old Mr. Ming’s hand holding the chopsticks paused slightly. “Why do you suddenly want to see the Zen master?”

“After experiencing all these things,” Mingzhu put down her chopsticks, her gaze clear and direct as she looked at her grandfather, “I feel that everything happens according to heaven’s will. I want to seek some peace of mind.”

Old Mr. Ming studied Mingzhu for a long moment before nodding. “Alright, I’ll have Old Li take you later.”

He turned to instruct the servant to prepare the car, then added, “Remember to bring a jacket. The mountain winds are chilly.”

“Got it, thank you, Grandpa!” Mingzhu smiled, her eyes curving into crescents.

Old Mr. Ming had just arrived at his office when Uncle Zhou returned in a flurry, dust still clinging to his clothes.

“Sir, we’ve verified everything,” Uncle Zhou said, placing a stack of documents on the desk with a grave expression. “It matches almost exactly what the young mistress described.”

That the Sheng family a clan of such standing dared to treat the young mistress poorly! As for Sheng Yuan, forget marrying her; Old Mr. Ming would likely hesitate even to let him carry her shoes.

There indeed was a Sheng family in Capital City, but now they were merely an insignificant second-rate family. And that child named Sheng Yuan was only six years old, just starting elementary school.

Old Mr. Ming clenched the documents, recalling the marriage Mingzhu had described. A cold glint flashed in his eyes.

Since Mingzhu felt that marriage was as disposable as chicken ribs neither here nor there then he, as her grandfather, would naturally clear any obstacles for his granddaughter.

“Make them disappear from the circle,” Old Mr. Ming said calmly, yet with undeniable authority. “No need to be ruthless, but ensure they never have another chance to approach Zhuzhu.”

The Ming family had always conducted business lawfully and would never engage in anything illegal. To deal with the Sheng family, business tactics alone would suffice. Ensuring they could never again enter high society would be a heavier blow than any other.

Uncle Zhou nodded in understanding. “We already have people watching them. Also…” He lowered his voice and continued, “Regarding that pocket watch, there’s an ancient legend in a remote mountainous area near the Alps about an artifact capable of reversing time.”

That they could uncover so much in such a short time was proof enough of the vast reach of the Ming family’s intelligence network.

Old Mr. Ming’s gaze flickered briefly before settling back into calm. “Send A Xin with a team to investigate further. Spare no expense to find it.”

Having held a high position for years, Old Mr. Ming disliked passivity. He always kept every variable firmly under his control.

Standing at the foot of the mountain, Mingzhu looked up at the ancient temple’s outline, faintly visible through the lush forest, and felt a stir of surprise. The temple was far from the resplendent image she had imagined no grand entrance gate, no smooth stone steps. Only primitive steps, carved into the mountain, wound their way upward.

“Young mistress, this…” The assistant following her began, noticing Mingzhu’s puzzled expression.

Before he could finish, Mingzhu had already stepped onto the first step. The marks of pickaxes remained on the steps, the centers worn smooth from use, the edges moss-covered. Many embedded stones made the footing uneven, but Mingzhu, having specifically changed into hiking boots, found it manageable.

“Sir once wanted to fund renovations,” the assistant explained from behind. “But the old Zen master insisted on ascetic practice and declined all donations.”

“Young mistress, perhaps wait in the car?” her female bodyguard suggested, eyeing the steep path. “We can invite the Zen master down.”

Though raised in luxury, Mingzhu’s Ming family upbringing had taught her more reason than most. “No need,” she replied softly, continuing her ascent without pause, fine beads of sweat already forming on her temples.

She recalled the old Zen master’s admonition once more: Sincerity of heart.

The mountain didn’t look high, but the climb was unexpectedly strenuous.

When the mottled, dilapidated temple wall finally emerged through the dense forest,

Mingzhu was already panting heavily from exhaustion.

The people following behind gradually climbed up one after another.

Leaning on her knees, Mingzhu slowly steadied her breathing.

She gazed at the simple, unadorned temple before her.

With its blue tiles and white walls, the upturned eaves still held old bronze bells so worn that they no longer made a sound when the wind blew.

“We’re here.”

Mingzhu let out a long sigh and straightened her collar, damp with sweat.

A few ancient pine trees stood before the temple gate, their bark cracked like dragon scales, adding to the Zen-like atmosphere.