Chapter 94
When Li Zhiwei heard Xu Qingshi’s words, the corner of her mouth twitched. She thought to herself, Goodness, has Xu Heming abandoned his son and decided to dump him on the Li Family to raise?
Beside her, Li Tianyou, however, was delighted.
“Did your father agree to this?” Li Tianyou mused. The Prince of An didn’t seem like a good son-in-law candidate, but his son was quite sensible.
If Xu Heming didn’t want him anymore, it wasn’t as if the Li Family couldn’t afford to raise him.
With that thought, Li Tianyou turned to Zhou Tong and said, “Zhou Tong, quickly arrange accommodations for the young master.”
“Thank you, Grandfather!” Xu Qingshi imdiately changed his address, beaming with joy.
“Haha, I like being called ‘Grandfather’!” Li Tianyou was overjoyed. This boy really knows how to act!
What a sha he’s still so young. Otherwise, he’d make a fine son-in-law.
“Grandfather, from now on, I’ll be called Li Qingshi. If you don’t like that na, you can even rena Li San or Li Si—I’ll answer to anything!” Xu Qingshi clung to Li Tianyou’s arm affectionately, speaking in a sweet, coaxing tone.
“Haha! Good, then from now on, you’ll be Li Qingshi—a grandson of the Li Family!” Li Tianyou was thoroughly pleased.
Xu Heming can keep his distance, but how could we refuse a grandson delivered right to our doorstep?
“Father!” Li Zhiwei frowned. She had never heard of a failed marriage negotiation resulting in soone else’s child being taken in.
“Mother, Grandfather has already agreed to let be part of the Li Family. From now on, I’ll take your surna and be registered in the Li Family’s records. Isn’t that good?” Xu Qingshi looked at Li Zhiwei with wounded eyes.
“Young Master, our Li Family is rely a rchant household—far beneath the status of the Prince of An’s estate. Besides, no matter whom your father marries, it won’t change the fact that you are the Prince of An’s heir.” Li Zhiwei sighed. Though Xu Qingshi’s actions ward her heart, she knew the Li Family could never compare to the Prince of An’s household.
Moreover, Xu Heming had never ntioned marrying Madam Liu. Xu Qingshi was worrying over nothing—his identity as the Prince of An’s son was indisputable.
“What? The Prince of An is breaking off the engagent?” Li Tianyou, unaware of the full situation, grew even angrier.
Not wanting my daughter to marry Xu Heming is one thing, but him marrying soone else is another matter entirely!
“Grandfather, please take in. That wicked woman will never let live in peace!” Xu Qingshi hugged Li Tianyou fearfully.
Li Tianyou looked at Xu Qingshi with mixed emotions.
The mont I rember he’s Xu Heming’s son, I can’t bring myself to agree.
“Young Master, my daughter is right. Our Li Family’s status is inferior to the Prince of An’s. Besides, if the marriage between your father and my daughter falls through, your presence here would only invite gossip.” Li Tianyou sighed.
He wasn’t sure if Xu Qingshi, still a child, could fully grasp his aning.
anwhile, at the Prince of An’s estate, Xu Heming remained oblivious to the fact that his son had been spouting nonsense in front of his prospective father-in-law—even fabricating a tiline for his supposed marriage to Liu Ruyan—all just to stay with the Li Family.
“Master, I’ve had soone investigate. Before Concubine Liu entered the palace, she did see you, but you never spoke to her alone,” Qingsong reported truthfully.
“So there was no connection between us?” Xu Heming relaxed slightly. No entanglent is good.
“But it’s not entirely accurate to say there was none. I also uncovered sothing about the late Madam Zhou’s passing.” Qingsong hesitated, unsure whether to bring it up, given how long ago Madam Zhou had passed and the fact that the Prince was about to remarry.
“Speak!” Xu Heming’s expression darkened.
Previously, he had been too busy to investigate deeply and had assud Madam Zhou’s death was due to childbirth complications—after all, many won died in labor in those days.
If even my mother noticed nothing unusual, Concubine Liu’s thods must have been extrely discreet.
“At the ti, Concubine Liu bribed soone from the Zhou Family to instruct the midwife to administer safflower during Madam Zhou’s delivery, causing her to hemorrhage and die. This information ca from Concubine Liu’s forr wet nurse, whom I stumbled upon while investigating her past.” Qingsong hurriedly explained.
“Good! Very good!” Xu Heming was furious. Because of that woman’s obsession, she not only killed my first wife but now threatens Li Zhiwei and Xu Qingshi, who are about to beco my new family.
What a venomous creature.
“Your Highness, Concubine Liu didn’t just target Madam Zhou. She was also behind the misfortunes of Miss Wu and Miss Qin in the capital,” Qingsong added.
“Hmph. The daughter of a re Ministry of Revenue official dared to extend her reach so far. I’ve been too lenient.” Xu Heming had initially thought little of Minister Liu’s retirent, but now, leaving the Liu Family unpunished would make him appear weak.
With that, Xu Heming gathered a group of n and marched straight to the Liu residence.
Li Family
After hearing his daughter’s explanation, Li Tianyou fell into deep thought.
The Liu Family?
He had taken over Minister Liu’s position and found the accounts left behind riddled with discrepancies.
Originally, he had planned to sort them out before reporting to the Emperor, but now, it seed he couldn’t afford to wait.
Otherwise, they’ll think Li Tianyou is soone to be trifled with.
Though unfamiliar with court politics, he knew exactly what he wanted.
Imperial Palace
Zhu Jingchen frowned as he read the reports delivered by his secret guards.
A re concubine dared to ddle in the affairs of other officials’ families?
Those in the know would recognize it as her personal vendetta, but others might assu it was my doing.
What chilled him most was learning that Concubine Liu had a hand in the death of Xu Heming’s first wife.
At this mont, Zhu Jingchen wasn’t sure whether to feel happy or sorry for Xu Heming.
To be the object of such a malicious woman’s affection is nothing short of a family curse.
“Did the Prince of An and Concubine Liu have any prior contact?” Zhu Jingchen pressed further.
“Your Majesty, the Prince of An and Concubine Liu never interacted privately. According to my investigation, Concubine Liu developed feelings for him after seeing him on official business. Her infatuation was sudden—and terrifying.” The secret guard, though inexperienced in matters of love, found the intensity of her obsession alarming.
“Hmph! Then why did she enter the palace?” Zhu Jingchen demanded.
If she loved the Prince of An so much, why not marry him? Why co here?
He had already confird that Concubine Liu’s pregnancy was real, but she had deliberately miscarried by jumping into the lotus pond. When Consort Jing happened to pass by, Concubine Liu seized the opportunity to fra her.
At the ti, I assud no one would sacrifice their own child to slander another. How wrong I was.
User Comments
0 comments from readers