Human hearts are the most difficult to fathom.
Even the most accomplished masters of psychology cannot use rules and regulations to decipher a person's innermost thoughts; at times, even the individuals themselves are unclear.
The royal family wishes to topple the Elton family.
Yet, they have never resorted to direct methods. Instead, they aim to orchestrate the downfall of the great Elton family from the shadows.
Is this strange?
If the royal family, the highest authority in the entire Tatu Kingdom, truly desires the Elton family's ruin, they need only issue a decree.
The Elton family would find it difficult to withstand such a move.
However,
Despite this simple approach, the royal family has not chosen to act so directly.
They have many considerations.
They attempt to minimize the impact, at least to ensure the merchants of the Tatu Kingdom do not attribute the problems entirely to the royal family, aiming to keep them at ease.
Otherwise, all merchants within the kingdom would feel vulnerable.
At that point, the kingdom's commerce would collapse.
Merchants would relocate to other kingdoms, and the Tatu Kingdom's economy would suffer greatly. As economic prosperity is the most crucial factor in a kingdom's development,
Such a loss is unacceptable to them.
It is precisely because of this mindset that Fuhua Elton found a window of opportunity to breathe. From initial concessions, they eventually began to contend with the royal family.
It is believed that the royal family is aware of these implications.
If subtle suppression cannot completely dismantle the Elton edifice, then they will shift their focus to the core members of the Elton family.
Fuhua Elton and Roni Elton are the primary targets of the royal family.
Everyone knows that Fuhua Elton is the soul of the entire Elton family, the one whose presence elevated the Elton family to its current standing.
Roni Elton represents the future of the family.
As long as she lives,
The flame of the Elton family will not be extinguished.
If the royal family can eliminate these two from the Elton family, then the Elton family, leaderless, will gradually descend into internal strife.
At that point, without the royal family needing to intervene, the Elton family will head towards its demise.
To destroy a person,
Killing is the most direct method, but it is only one method.
There are many methods more terrifying than killing.
Lu Xilide of Yunxiao Restaurant maliciously slandering Roni, smearing her name, and attacking her with vicious words is a form of psychological torment.
Of course, this will not cause Roni Elton to collapse.
But what about over the long term?
Sustained psychological torture can lead a person to a mental breakdown. Endless disparagement and the occurrence of various unforeseen events, with all problems pointing towards Roni Elton, will foster voices of doubt within the family regarding Roni Elton, and Roni will also fall into self-doubt.
In that scenario, even if Roni truly inherits the Elton family, what then?
What ripples can she create?
Once the seed of doubt is sown, it will only slowly take root and sprout. Removing it is extremely difficult.
Lu Xilide's incident is actually more of a test.
Those hidden in the shadows will use this event to decide how to proceed. They also wish to gauge the Elton family's tolerance.
If, this time, Roni did nothing at Yunxiao Restaurant,
And responded with explanations,
She would subsequently face even more extreme malice.
Conversely, if Lu Xilide were dead,
To this day, no one from the City Lord's mansion has come to investigate.
Could the City Lord's mansion not investigate to uncover the truth? Even if their efficiency is low, several days have already passed, and they still have not arrived.
"Hey, what are you thinking about?"
Through the projection, Jiang Yaqing's exasperated shout brought Chen Yu back to reality.
"My apologies, what were you saying to me just now?" Chen Yu, leaning against the bed, slightly raised his eyebrows. Jiang Yaqing, amidst a scene of ice and snow, looked speechless. "Chen Yu, can you show me a little more respect? You always get distracted when you talk to me. Do you really have that many things to attend to?"
"Do you think I'm as idle as you are?"
Chen Yu spread his hands, nodding towards the iceberg behind Jiang Yaqing.
"You're just blowing up mines every day, and other resources are prepared for you by your subordinates. Honestly, classmate Jiang Yaqing, you've become a bit complacent."
"Complacent about what?"
"Naturally, it's the urgency of survival!" Chen Yu stated matter-of-factly. "Why don't you think about it carefully? How long have you been stuck on this ice mountain? Do you really plan to eat away at your resources until they're gone, expecting to live off this ice mountain forever? Or are you not leaving until this ice mountain is completely depleted? Your actions are significantly impacting the ecological balance!"
"Are you out of your mind?"
Jiang Yaqing, dressed in a cotton coat, looked speechless, the ice crystals on her eyebrows shimmering.
"How long has it been since you explored other areas and felt the pressing urgency of the unknown beyond the door? The underground world is vast. Don't you think staying here now is a waste of your youth? Aren't you going to explore the treasures of the underground? Perhaps your next treasure will be a divine artifact," Chen Yu said earnestly.
"Why don't you say this to Yu Pu?" Jiang Yaqing replied.
"If I can have a stable income, isn't that good? Why would I tell him that?" Chen Yu shrugged. Jiang Yaqing immediately glared at him after hearing this. "His mining is stable income, but mine is complacency. Chen Yu, aren't you being a bit too biased? That's not good."
"Oh, I'm so biased. I'm actually jealous of you. Hurry up and go on an adventure."
Chen Yu had been in contact with Jiang Yaqing during this period. Her presence could be considered a solace for Chen Yu in the main city.
To be honest, Chen Yu was quite anxious.
The City Lord's mansion still hadn't come to arrest him, causing him to waste several days in the main city inexplicably.
"I see your background is always this darn bed. Are you paralyzed?" Jiang Yaqing blinked curiously. Chen Yu gave her an exasperated look. "Paralyzed, my foot! I'm in the main city of the underground kingdom right now. I just killed a wealthy merchant in the royal city a few days ago and am waiting for the City Lord's mansion to come and arrest me."
"You're sick."
"If you don't know how to speak, then don't speak?"
"Did I say something wrong?" Jiang Yaqing spread her hands in bewilderment.
Foreigners should do what foreigners are supposed to do: be law-abiding and make wealth quietly.
There is no place in this underground world for foreigners to seek justice, nor is there anyone who will stand up for them. All they can do is strengthen themselves as much as possible.
At least, in this unfamiliar environment, they should avoid being bullied.
That would be quite good!
Chen Yu, however, went to the kingdom's main city to kill someone and then waited for the City Lord's mansion to arrest him instead of fleeing.
"What do you know? I have a purpose in doing this," Chen Yu pouted. Jiang Yaqing pondered for a moment, then said, "Oh, I get it. You've offended someone and are using this situation to deflect disaster, aren't you?"
???
Chen Yu suddenly looked at Jiang Yaqing with astonishment, disbelief in his eyes.
This is outrageous!
Jiang Yaqing's intelligence has finally kicked in!