Return to the capital?
Qian Yi fell silent. For the past two days, people from the Yulong Pavilion had been near his ho, monitoring him constantly, preventing him from contacting his benefactor’s people. What was the next step?
Usually, they would act one step at a ti, telling him the plan bit by bit instead of revealing everything at once, as a precaution.
But Qian Yi didn’t mind this, considering the matter was too important to allow even the slightest mistake!
What to do now?
Qian Yi pondered for a mont, then pretended to deliberate and said, "This... my mother’s health is not good, and she is not fit for a long journey. Could she rest for a few more days?"
"Sure, but how long would that be?"
"Seven days. You may leave now and return in seven days!"
The three spies suspected nothing and imdiately agreed.
Once they left, Qian Yi breathed a slight sigh of relief. Without surveillance, he was much freer. Although those three didn’t dare monitor Qian Yi directly, it was best not to create trouble during this critical ti.
"Son, this... this is already a tiger you can’t dismount from. What should we do next? Go to Shengjing City?"
Qian Erniang asked uneasily, and Qian Lao’er was also very anxious.
Qian Yi squinted, gently stroking the mottled old marks on the desk. "Don’t worry, don’t worry, it’s happening, it’s happening..."
Just as he finished speaking, a shadow suddenly appeared before them.
"Ah, you... who are you?"
Qian Erniang exclaid, only to be covered by Qian Lao’er, who signaled with his eyes.
Realizing her mistake, Qian Erniang saw her son was neither surprised nor shocked to see the figure; rather, he seed delighted.
She awkwardly looked at the man in black across from her. "Is this the person who saved my son?"
"I am not!" the person said, "I am rely responsible for delivering the master’s orders."
"Is that so? Then..."
"The master orders: return to the capital in seven days!"
Qian Yi trembled slightly, unable to contain his excitent, and said shakily, "I solemnly obey the benefactor’s orders!"
The man in black glanced at him and then left.
After his departure, the Qian family descended into utter madness!
Heading to the capital! They were finally leaving this dilapidated village to go to the Capital City!
That’s Shengjing City, the most prosperous place under the sky, full of nobility, endless wines and delicacies, scholars, and wealth everywhere!
Qian Erniang felt her body tremble with excitent!
"I-I need to pack up, I’m going to pack right now!"
Qian Yi frowned, "Mother, take it easy, don’t let anyone see through."
"Ah, ah, I won’t, just packing so essentials."
Qian Yi wanted to say, "What essentials worth packing do we have at ho?" But seeing his mother’s excitent, he didn’t want to dampen her mood, so he only cautioned her once more before heading to the back room to read.
Yes, read books!
Two years ago, Qian Yi was uneducated and didn’t like reading; he was a complete vagabond. But now, after two years of secret training, he turned to love reading.
Because within books are houses of gold and beauties like jade. Without knowledge and literature, a prince makes a laughingstock!
As for competing for the throne? It’s just an outlandish fantasy!
This ti when he returned to the capital, he planned to amaze everyone, letting them know that the prince who ca from a rural background was also outstanding!
...
Qian Erniang didn’t have as much scheming or thoughts as Qian Yi; the only thing she wanted now was to flaunt.
Her son was going to beco the Emperor’s son, and might one day beco the Emperor himself. As his mother, might she beco the Empress Dowager one day?
This thought was sowhat unrealistic, but seeing the impending opportunity, a village woman like Qian Erniang lacked insight, so she was daydreaming.
With a calm smile of pride on her face, walking on the path between fields, her head was slightly raised. When villagers passed by, they’d ask out of curiosity.
With full pride, Qian Erniang said, "My son is going to Shengjing City to beco a big official, and he’s taking us there, tsk tsk. We’re going to enjoy good fortune! Enjoy good fortune, do you understand? We won’t have to do any dirty or tiring work between these fields anymore, tsk tsk!"
"Ah, is it to beco an official’s wife then?"
A nearby woman heard this and showed envy, her eyes even carried a hint of jealousy.
Qian Erniang loved seeing their envious looks; it greatly satisfied her vanity.
With a smug smile, she looked around before walking away like a peacock on display.
"Pfft, what are you showing off for? Isn’t it just a bit of money your son has? There are more and more wealthy families in Qingshui Village now; who cares about your little money?"
"Exactly! Who knows if her son’s money is earned properly? What if it’s from ill-gotten gains or worse? Tsk tsk, truth be told, that Qian Duoduo was never good, and I don’t believe he’s turned over a new leaf!"
Of course, Qian Erniang’s antics attracted so discontent. So didn’t dare speak openly, but whispered behind her back and said unpleasant things.
All this was really out of jealousy!
Qian Erniang’s flaunting naturally drew attention from those with intentions; the Li family’s people noticed.
Mrs. Li Zhou, having returned ho recently, relayed the street happenings to Old Li and several of their children.
"Hey, tell , you tell , didn’t that Qian Yi disappear for two years? How is he back now? And not only back, but dressed even better than us? Why? Hey, huh, Mrs. Wang, why?"
Mrs. Li Zhou sat herself on the chair at the entrance, grumbling impatiently, glancing at the eldest daughter-in-law cracking lon seeds at the courtyard threshold.
The eldest daughter-in-law didn’t respond. Life was good now: there’s food, clothing, and the son attended school. She thought best not to argue with Mrs. Li Zhou and reasoned, "Maybe he’s just pretending! Mother, that Qian Duoduo is just a hopeless case. Why worry about them? Isn’t it troubling yourself if you get worked up?"
Listening to her daughter’s-in-law advice, Mrs. Li Zhou felt more balanced, but recalling Qian Erniang’s last gloating deanor, she beca unsettled again.
She wasn’t convinced!
The Qian family’s condition was better than theirs, lowering their heads in presence. Finally, having money, they managed to surpass them, Mrs. Li Zhou felt glad only for others to gain a successful son?
Seeing her own children, the wastrels A Hai and A Yuan, only knew how to stay ho and rely on her, squawking even when doing chores. What honor could they bring?
Speaking of honor, Mrs. Li Zhou couldn’t help but think of Li Qingmu.
That little rascal, apart from having good grades, had no other ability. How is he doing now?
She heard people say he went to the Capital City to beco an official. Who knows if it’s true?
If it is true, Mrs. Li Zhou wouldn’t mind scamming him for so cash.
Now that he beca an official, shouldn’t he support his adoptive father and mother? Otherwise, his reputation would be ruined!
Thinking of this, Mrs. Li Zhou felt better and turned back up the steps: "A qiu, you used to be familiar with the third son, go and find out what the third son is doing now?"
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