Lin Xiao Tian explained his current relationship with the Lin family to Qin Yu Xiang, including the matters concerning Jiang Li and Fang Wen Hua.
It was only at this moment that Qin Yu Xiang realized how precarious Lin Xiao Tian's position had always been.
Because Cao Yun Tian intended to act against her, Lin Xiao Tian had to confront Cao Yun Tian, thus necessitating his reliance on Fang Wen Hua. And because of Fang Wen Hua, Lin Xiao Tian was forced to oppose the Jiang family.
Jiang Li of the Jiang family was the most likely heir to the Lin family in the future. If Fang Wen Hua's child could not control the Lin family, Lin Xiao Tian would inevitably face retaliation from the Lin family after they gained power.
All along, Qin Yu Xiang had stayed at home, only knowing that Lin Xiao Tian worked very hard, but unaware of the immense pressure he faced.
And the fuse for all of this was actually herself.
Thinking of this, Qin Yu Xiang couldn't help but feel guilty.
"Am I too much of a burden? If it weren't for me, and it was just you, you probably could have lived a very good life!"
Qin Yu Xiang felt she was dragging Lin Xiao Tian down.
Given Lin Xiao Tian's circumstances, if he had abandoned her, he wouldn't have had to face so much danger.
"Silly girl, how can I do without you? I wouldn't be happy living without you," Lin Xiao Tian gently brushed aside a strand of Qin Yu Xiang's hair from her forehead.
They looked at each other.
Lin Xiao Tian continued, "However, Cao Yun Tian has now been dealt with by me, finally removing a disaster. I had considered that if Fang Wen Hua eventually lost favor with the Lin family, I would take you and leave. We would find a secluded place to live in seclusion, or go abroad, anywhere where the Lin family's influence wasn't so great. We'd live a simple life like that..."
Lin Xiao Tian began to outline his plans.
He always prepared for the worst; these were things he had considered long ago.
Now that his strength was growing, even alone he could ensure Qin Yu Xiang's safety, though their life might not be as prosperous as it was now.
But as Qin Yu Xiang listened, her eyes reddened.
"Silly girl, why are you crying!" Lin Xiao Tian wiped away her tears.
"But now it's better. You are from the Qin family, and I can finally feel at ease. This way, even if I lose power in the future, you will have a place to rely on. At least those people will be somewhat hesitant to act against you, as long as you don't get involved with me."
"Then what about you?" Qin Yu Xiang choked out.
"I don't care. With their capabilities, how could they possibly do anything to me?" Lin Xiao Tian said confidently.
"I don't want anything to happen to you."
"Nothing will happen to me."
"You promise!"
"Alright, I promise, nothing will happen to me."
After speaking, Lin Xiao Tian lightly tapped Qin Yu Xiang's nose.
In the following days, Lin Xiao Tian still resided at the Lin family's residence.
During this period, people from the Qin family also came to contact Qin Yu Xiang. Qin Hai also visited once, wanting to take Qin Yu Xiang to the Qin family's ancestral hall, where the memorial tablet of Qin Yu Xiang's birth mother was kept.
Qin Yu Xiang had no memory of her birth mother. Her memories of her mother were mostly from when she was in Yuehai Village.
The Qin family claimed that person was just a bodyguard, but to Qin Yu Xiang, she was still her mother. Although they were poor, her mother had always given her the best.
However, this was her birth mother's memorial tablet after all, and Qin Yu Xiang still wished to pay her respects.
With Lin Xiao Tian's encouragement, Qin Yu Xiang finally left with Qin Hai.
Qin Hai also invited Lin Xiao Tian to go with them, but Lin Xiao Tian declined.
Considering the future, the less contact he had with the Qin family, the safer it would be for Qin Yu Xiang.
Although both the Qin and Lin families were reclusive clans, if he became too close to the Qin family, it was inevitable that the Lin family would suspect he was siding with them.
If the Jiang family gained power in the future, and used this as a pretext, it was hard to say whether the Qin family wouldn't be hesitant.
Old Madam Qin was old, and Qin Yu Xiang had only recently learned of her origins. The Qin family might not necessarily protect her fiercely, but Qin Yu Xiang was still a member of the Qin family. These reclusive clans cared a great deal about their own family members and would not easily allow their children to be harmed.
As long as Lin Xiao Tian did not give the Lin family an excuse, they would not be able to trouble Qin Yu Xiang.
After Qin Yu Xiang left, Lin Xiao Tian asked her to keep in touch with him at all times. Qin Yu Xiang nodded and left with Qin Hai.
In the following days, the Qin family also sent people. On a few occasions, Old Madam Qin also came.
Qin Yu Xiang and the old madam seemed to have become quite familiar with each other, and their conversations were very pleasant when they met again.
According to the information Lin Xiao Tian received, Old Madam Qin had two daughters. Her second daughter, Qin Yuan, had lost her husband early and had no offspring. Qin Yu Xiang was the sole heir of the old madam's lineage.
Old Madam Qin was from the main branch of the Qin family and held a high position within the clan. Since Qin Yu Xiang was her only descendant, Qin Yu Xiang's status also rose accordingly.
Lin Xiao Tian had also privately inquired about the relationship between Qin Yu Xiang and the old madam. Seeing that the old madam treated Qin Yu Xiang very well, Lin Xiao Tian felt somewhat relieved.
Later, Old Madam Qin even took Qin Yu Xiang to meet the current elder of the Qin family.
The elder recognized Qin Yu Xiang and added her name to the family genealogy. From that moment on, Qin Yu Xiang officially became a member of the Qin family.
Qin Yu Xiang, who had transformed from a peasant girl into a noble princess overnight, felt a little uneasy about such a change in identity. Fortunately, the old madam doted on her, and Qin Yu Xiang had always managed things smoothly.
Of course, in Lin Xiao Tian's view, there were still unstable factors.
For example, Qin Yuan, as the old madam's daughter, seemed to harbor hostility towards Qin Yu Xiang.
Lin Xiao Tian speculated that it was likely because Qin Yu Xiang's mother had eloped, which forced Qin Yuan to marry into the Yang family and eventually become a widow. Hence, she harbored resentment.
This would also explain why Qin Yuan wanted Qin Yu Xiang to marry Li Da Zhu; she wanted to see Qin Yu Xiang's marriage be unhappy, thus compensating for her own experiences.
Lin Xiao Tian often reminded Qin Yu Xiang to be careful of Qin Yuan, but he didn't know if Qin Yu Xiang had taken his words to heart.
However, fortunately, the Qin family had accepted Qin Yu Xiang, and Qin Yu Xiang herself was not at all concerned about family inheritance. This greatly reduced the hostility from the younger generation of the Qin family towards her. In fact, some even intentionally or unintentionally sought to befriend Qin Yu Xiang because of Lin Xiao Tian's influence.
Everything seemed to be developing in a positive direction, until one day, Xiao Ming suddenly found Lin Xiao Tian with an anxious expression.
"Xiao Tian, it's urgent, come with me quickly." Xiao Ming didn't elaborate on the matter.
But the more he was like this, the more it indicated the seriousness of the situation.
Lin Xiao Tian didn't ask further, nodded, and followed Xiao Ming out.