Chapter 107
Xu Heming and Li Tianyou hadn’t expected Li Zhiwei to be so perceptive.
However, both men tacitly agreed not to tell her about the court affairs.
"I came to see you and that brat," Xu Heming said, then suddenly realized he had arrived empty-handed. He quickly waved for Qingsong to prepare gifts to send over.
"Who asked you to come?" Li Zhiwei was still holding a grudge over the Liu Ruyan incident.
If this man already had Liu Ruyan, why did he still involve himself with her?
"Zhiwei, can we talk?" Xu Heming felt this issue needed to be clarified. Otherwise, with Li Zhiwei about to leave for Li'an County—who knew how long she’d be gone—this misunderstanding would remain unresolved, casting a shadow over them.
Xu Heming wasn’t the type to keep things bottled up.
Since he had feelings for Li Zhiwei and intended to marry her for a proper life together, he didn’t want things to remain ambiguous.
"Fine." Li Zhiwei walked toward the lotus pond in the courtyard.
Xu Heming let out a relieved sigh. As long as she was willing to talk, there was hope.
"Grandfather, when did Father make Mother unhappy?" Xu Qingshi asked Li Tianyou with a puzzled look.
"Hmm, if they argue, whose side will you take?" Li Tianyou asked seriously, studying the boy.
"Is that even a question? Of course, I’d side with Mother!" Xu Qingshi answered without hesitation.
"Good lad! Remember those words—don’t go back on them!" Delighted, Li Tianyou pulled out a thousand taels in silver notes from his sleeve and stuffed them into Xu Qingshi’s arms. "This is your allowance from Grandfather. When it runs out, come find me for more!"
He then pinched the boy’s adorable cheeks affectionately.
Xu Qingshi’s eyes sparkled at the silver notes. This grandfather, who seemed to have an endless supply of money, was someone he adored beyond measure.
He reflected that ever since Li Zhiwei became his stepmother, his personal savings had grown significantly.
By the lotus pond, Li Zhiwei turned to face Xu Heming, her expression serious. "Your Highness, have you thought carefully about how to explain yourself to me?"
"I have. Zhiwei, I was wrong in that matter. I failed to protect you. That Liu woman is a madwoman—I’ve never had any involvement with her. But as I said, you suffered because of me. Not just you, but even Qingshi’s birth mother, Madam Zhou, lost her life because of her." Xu Heming paused briefly.
"However, rest assured, she will never threaten you again. The Emperor has stripped her of her status and decreed that she and the Liu family women be exiled as camp courtesans. His Majesty said her life and death are in my hands. I will repay her tenfold for what she did to you."
"Is that all?" Li Zhiwei asked, unsatisfied.
Xu Heming frowned. Had he missed something?
"Please enlighten me, my consort," he said, adopting a humble tone.
"Who’s your consort? Don’t spout nonsense!" Li Zhiwei’s cheeks flushed at the title. After all, the Emperor had yet to set their wedding date.
"Zhiwei, I know words alone won’t suffice. I’ll prove myself through actions," Xu Heming said earnestly.
"Prince An, if this happens again, we may truly need to reconsider this marriage." Seeing his sincerity, Li Zhiwei didn’t press further.
Still, the women of the capital were more terrifying than she’d imagined—not only scheming for men but even taking lives.
Who knew if, after Liu Ruyan, another Wang or Yue would appear?
Though she had reservations, she couldn’t let fear dictate her decisions. For now, the marriage would proceed as planned.
"Come, your father has something to discuss with you," Xu Heming said gently, seeing her softened demeanor.
"How do you know my father wants to talk to me?" Li Zhiwei eyed him suspiciously, recalling how both men had returned earlier with grim expressions.
Had they argued?
"Did you quarrel with my father?" she asked cautiously.
"Of course not!" Xu Heming stifled a laugh. How could she think he’d dare argue with Li Tianyou? Even if Li Tianyou wanted to pick a fight, he wouldn’t risk it—not if he wanted to marry her.
"Then why did you both look so strange when you returned?"
"Perhaps your father didn’t want me coming to see you," Xu Heming offered.
"And yet here you are, uninvited?" Li Zhiwei rolled her eyes. Her father wasn’t that petty!
Xu Heming merely smiled.
"Father, are you alright?" Li Zhiwei sat at the table, studying Li Tianyou with concern.
"I’m fine. Did you two settle things?" Li Tianyou sighed. Daughters grew up and left—no matter how long you kept them, they’d eventually belong to another family.
"Father, did you want to speak with me?" Li Zhiwei wondered if this was about his earlier threat to ask the Emperor to annul the marriage.
But if so, why had Xu Heming sent her here?
"We’ve been away for some time now. I worry about your mother alone in Li'an County. Lately, I’ve been dreaming of her often." Li Tianyou sighed again.
He truly missed Lady Yao, but his duties left him no time to fetch her.
"Should I go bring her back?" Li Zhiwei suggested. With her father occupied at court, she was free to travel. Besides, she had Qinghua and Qingyue for protection, and Xu Heming could assign additional guards.
"Would that be appropriate?" Li Tianyou hesitated.
Yet he knew a storm was brewing in the capital, and Li Zhiwei would be safer away from it.
"Father, have you forgotten? I traveled to the capital alone before. And now I have Qinghua and Qingyue with me," Li Zhiwei countered.
"I’ll send a detachment to escort you to Li'an County," Xu Heming interjected.
"Wouldn’t that be improper?" Li Zhiwei worried about the Emperor’s reaction.
In the end, persuaded by both men, Li Zhiwei departed the capital at dawn the next day.
As the carriage rolled away, she mused, "Why do I feel like they couldn’t wait to get me out of the capital?" Something about the situation felt off.
