Transmigrated as a Stepmother: Time to Bring the Family to Prosper!-Chapter 410: What a Vicious Thing

The first move: Avoid all direct conflicts.

Observe first when meeting, confirm what the other party wants, and steer clear of any potential points of conflict.

As long as there is no conflict of interest, peaceful coexistence is not a problem.

The second move: Cater to their preferences.

This is more skillful; under the premise that the enemy is strong and I am weak, this move requires a bit of finesse.

If done well, it can turn the tide and accomplish oneself.

Qin Yao reminded, "Do you remember the horse riding skill I taught you? Hold the reins in your own hands and control the speed yourself."

"Play to your strengths, avoid your weaknesses, use your strengths to counter theirs, and do not pit your weaknesses against their strengths."

Finally, Qin Yao’s tone became serious, and she instructed:

"You must make your father, brothers, and stepmother reach a consensus—that your family is a community of shared interests!"

Internal strife is not a path to success.

Mr. Ding still has a long political career ahead of him.

The reality is that not only does Mr. Ding need to rely on the strength of his stepwife to rise, but she also needs to support him to enjoy the power bestowed upon Mr. Ding by Sheng Country.

The same rules apply to the children as well.

Ding Xiang seemed to understand, yet also seemed not to fully understand.

It wasn’t until after finishing a meal at Qin Yao’s house and leaving with her father and brothers that she showed a sudden look of realization, as if an idea had formed in her mind.

Qin Yao helped her onto the horse, and when the two of them touched hands, a small porcelain bottle slipped into Ding Xiang’s sleeve.

Ding Xiang clearly was startled, but under Qin Yao’s stare, she quickly returned to normal, grasped the reins, urged the tall horse beneath her into a trot, and followed her brothers to lead the convoy away.

"Mr. Ding, Young Master Ding, Miss Ding, have a safe trip. See you in the Capital next time!" Liu Ji waved confidently.

Watching the Ding family leave Liu Family Village and disappear into the mountain pass, Liu Ji finally put away his nearly stiff smile, leaned toward Qin Yao, and excitedly asked:

"Dear, what good thing did you just give Miss Ding?"

Qin Yao smiled without speaking, inviting the Da Lang siblings who came out to see off the guests to come into the house.

Liu Ji was itching with curiosity, thinking to himself that he knew that little bottle was given to her by Ah Wang.

He walked into the kitchen, blocking Ah Wang, who was about to dump out swill, and asked in a lowered voice, "What’s in the bottle you gave to the madam?"

Ah Wang, so as not to be delayed by the master during his work, replied expressionlessly, "Yang Absorption Powder."

With that, he gently pulled aside Liu Ji, who was blocking his way, and headed toward the livestock shed in the back mountain, to feed the cows.

Liu Ji was left in the courtyard, repeatedly pondering what this ’Yang Absorption Powder’ really was.

He knew about aphrodisiacs, but what the hell is Yang Absorption?

But just like Ah Wang, who is straightforward, the name must have no extra meaning, so literally... is it impotence?

"Oh my heavens!"

Liu Ji was startled by his own thoughts—how could there be such a malicious thing in this world!

The vicious woman actually handed this to the young Miss Ding, intending to use it on whom?

Could it be meant for Mr. Ding?

Liu Ji took a deep breath; Mr. Ding had just been promoted, made a fortune, and married a new wife. He’d reached the pinnacle of life that men could aspire to, something to be envied by any man.

But at night, amidst romantic moments, Mr. Ding finds himself wanting but unable to... oh dear...

Liu Ji admonished himself again that it’s better to offend petty people than women; it’s truly lethal!

Qin Yao came out of the house and impatiently called Liu Ji, "Why are you dazed? I’ve called you several times, and you didn’t hear?"

"Ah?" Liu Ji snapped out of it, instinctively shivering.

Qin Yao gave him a questioning glance, "What nonsense are you thinking about again? Come inside, Second Lang has a math problem to ask you."

The academy would soon reopen; the teacher had assigned homework before the break, which would be checked upon reopening.

It was rare to have a long break once a year, especially for the New Year, so the children were more relaxed, and Qin Yao didn’t mind.

But with the school reopening soon, if they remained relaxed, they would be kicked out of the academy on the first day!

Seeing Qin Yao’s impatience, Liu Ji quickly brushed off his random thoughts and strode into the main house.

"What’s the math problem you can’t solve? Liu Erlang, aren’t you usually proud of yourself? Even you need to ask your old man for help?"

Qin Yao: "Will you die if you say less nonsense?!"

"I’ll shut up, I won’t say anything." Liu Ji coughed twice, composed himself, and sat down at the table, gently asking his eldest son what he didn’t understand.

Second Lang snorted, reluctantly laying out his math paper and telling his father the parts he couldn’t figure out.

The problem wasn’t difficult but was required to be solved using a specific algorithm by the teacher, which was a bit beyond the flexibility for Second Lang and Da Lang at their level.

The "Magic Book" borrowed from Gongliang Liao was long memorized by Liu Ji.

This was a peculiar person; if you were nice and asked him to memorize, he wouldn’t take in a single word.

But if you held a knife over his head, he could memorize it easily.

Although Liu Ji hadn’t fully grasped the contents of the Magic Book, when needed, choosing a part to study and teach Da Lang and Second Lang was quite simple.

However, the children’s lack of perception shouldn’t be blamed on the old father’s bad temper.

The commotion in the main house continued until late at night before it quieted down.

Qin Yao, foreseeing this, hugged Sanlang and Si Niang and returned to the bedroom, stuffing cotton in her ears and sleeping soundly.

Yet, regarding the effects of the Yang Absorption Powder, Liu Ji was still not content.

Early in the morning, he waited outside Qin Yao’s bedroom with a book in hand, and as soon as the door opened, he immediately stood up and asked:

"Dear, have mercy on me, stop keeping me in suspense and tell me what is the purpose of the medicine you gave to Miss Ding?"

Pointing at his two dark circles, he continued, "I spent the whole night thinking about it. I can’t believe you would give Miss Ding such medicine, making a daughter use this on her own father, that’s hurting people..."

The more he spoke, the more absurd it got, and Qin Yao knew that his mind didn’t have anything good in it.

She raised her hand, signaling Liu Ji to stop his babble, and skeptically asked, "How is that hurting people? Explain it to me."

Liu Ji: "I don’t dare to say."

Qin Yao chuckled, "You already know about Mr. Ding remarrying, and you only envy others for their promotion, fortune, and new wife. Have you considered Ding Xiang’s situation?"

Liu Ji sighed, "But you can’t make him impotent; that’s mean."

Realizing he spoke out of turn, he quickly covered his mouth and retreated three large steps.

The anticipated slap did not come, and Liu Ji looked on in astonishment to see Qin Yao looking at him as if he were a fool, her mouth slightly curled, ridiculing him, "If you were Ding Xiang, in the same situation, what would be the biggest threat to you?"

This question Liu Ji could answer without thinking because he had experienced it himself.

"Of course, it’s the new little brat born to your father and stepmother."

"Exactly~" Qin Yao shrugged, "You understand the logic."

Moreover, the medicine doesn’t cause impotence; it’s a contraceptive.

She asked Ding Xiang to openly discuss it with Mr. Ding; if Mr. Ding isn’t muddle-headed, he should know how to use this bottle of medicine.

The amount isn’t much, just enough for a year.

A year is enough to see through many people and make many preparations.

People have rich emotions, so there will be a ranking of closeness and distance.

Of course, Qin Yao favored the girl she had personally taught, hoping she could gain more initiative.