Chapter 112
Huo Yunxuan was stunned when he heard what Li Tianyou said. He really hadn't sent anyone to inquire about this matter.
On normal days, even if he heard others talking about it, he definitely wouldn't take it seriously. After all, Prince An and the Li family were not even remotely related.
One was a powerful prince in the capital, and the other was a young merchant girl from Li'an County.
However, he had heard that Li Tianyou had promised his daughter to a marquis in the capital.
How could it have become an imperial bestowed marriage to Prince An?
Moreover, if he remembered correctly, Prince An should have already married a princess, right?
He even had a legitimate son. Was Li Zhiwei going to be Prince An's concubine?
Or a side princess?
Thinking of this, Huo Yunxuan felt a bit self - deprecating. Back then, when he proposed to Li Tianyou to marry his daughter, Li Tianyou had sworn that his daughter would stay at home to marry a son - in - law.
Now it seemed that having a son - in - law was not a must; it just depended on the person.
His own status was, after all, not as good as those marquises and princes in the capital.
Obviously, they looked down on his status.
Li Tianyou felt his heart sink when he saw the inquiring look from Huo Yunxuan. This matter wasn't what he wanted either; it was really forced by the situation.
At first, when the Ruan Marquis Residence came to propose marriage, he was initially reluctant. However, on one hand, the marquis of Ruan had spoken sweetly, and he had believed their nonsense.
On the other hand, as a small merchant, he really didn't dare to refuse for fear that they would play some dirty tricks on them.
Who would have thought that his compromise wouldn't bring his daughter a good marriage either.
He wanted to refuse the imperial bestowed marriage, but could he?
He couldn't.
Back then, when Huo Yunxuan had told him that he wanted to marry Li Zhiwei, he actually had some thoughts about it. However, the tone in which Huo Yunxuan had said it made him think that he was just joking.
Moreover, what was their relationship? They were rivals. Who knew if he was just teasing him?
At that time, he had just brushed it off as a joke.
After that, Huo Yunxuan hadn't mentioned it again, right?
"This matter is a long story!" Li Tianyou could only sigh helplessly. This matter was really impossible to explain clearly.
It was better not to explain at all.
Huo Yunxuan quietly looked at Li Tianyou. There was still a bit of regret in his heart. At that time, he had seen Li Zhiwei and was attracted by her beauty. On impulse, he had proposed to Li Tianyou to marry her as his wife. But Li Tianyou had said that the Li family only wanted a son - in - law. At that time, he had angrily turned around and left, thinking that Li Tianyou was rejecting him.
After that, he never mentioned it again. Whenever there were business matters with the Li family, he would let his subordinates handle them. Today, when he saw Li Tianyou come to him, he couldn't help but ask. But as soon as the words came out, he felt a bit self - deprecating. After all, he knew that the Li family's daughter was supposed to marry someone from the capital, and it was a marquis.
He hadn't sent anyone to inquire if there had been any changes in the middle, and it had actually become an imperial bestowed marriage.
Ultimately, it was really because their fates were too shallow.
After thinking this through, Huo Yunxuan was considering going to see the emperor.
Going to see the emperor, no matter what the emperor's purpose was, it would be beneficial to the Huo family. After all, which merchant didn't want to have a chance to get close to the royal family?
Now, the opportunity was right in front of him. No matter what the emperor wanted him to do, he should give it a try, right?
If he didn't try, how would he know if this opportunity was good or bad?
Although Li Tianyou was not right in not wanting to marry his daughter to him, water flowed downhill and people strived for a better life. There was nothing wrong with that.
"Then I'll trouble Lord Li to make the introduction. If I can help the emperor, it will also be an honor for me, right?" Huo Yunxuan didn't keep Li Tianyou waiting long and gave a definite answer.
"Since that's the case, then I'll trouble Young Master Huo to go to the palace with me tomorrow." Li Tianyou had already discussed it with Zhu Jingchen today. Now that Huo Yunxuan had agreed, he would lead him into the palace to see the emperor early tomorrow morning.
However, they might have to wait until after the emperor finished the morning court to see Huo Yunxuan.
"Okay." Huo Yunxuan readily agreed.
While everyone in the capital was in a state of panic, Li'an County was as quiet as usual. When Li Zhiwei returned to the mansion, she didn't make a big fuss. The carriage she used had a rather ordinary appearance, and the maids Qinghua and Qingyue beside her were also strangers. Except for the carriage stopping at the Li family's mansion, not many people noticed that Li Zhiwei had returned.
However, after learning about the current status of the Li family, Yao Shuheng was even more determined to marry Li Zhiwei.
Firstly, Li Zhiwei was extremely beautiful and had a gentle and considerate personality, which Yao Shuheng was very satisfied with. Additionally, Li Tianyou was now a high - ranking official, the second - rank assistant minister of the Ministry of Revenue. Yao Shuheng would be a fool to let go of such a great opportunity.
Yao Shuheng even secretly rejoiced in his heart that it was him and not his second brother, Yao Shuyi.
However, Yao Shuheng still hadn't figured out the identity of the child Li Zhiwei had brought back.
Judging from his extraordinary clothes and good conversation, he didn't look like a child from an ordinary family.
What puzzled Yao Shuheng the most was that this child kept calling Li Zhiwei "mother".
And Li Zhiwei never denied it.
Yao Shuheng specially went to Ruyi Zhai, the most famous pastry shop in Li'an County, and bought some pastries. He walked towards Li Zhiwei with a smile and said, "Cousin, I heard that you like the osmanthus cakes from Ruyi Zhai the most. When I went out just now, I specially bought some for you."
"Thank you, cousin. I haven't eaten the osmanthus cakes from Ruyi Zhai for a long time. I do miss them a bit." Li Zhiwei smiled and took the pastries from Yao Shuheng. For some reason, she always felt that the way Yao Shuheng looked at her was a bit strange.
But she couldn't tell exactly what was strange about it.
"Mother, is this the pastry from Ruyi Zhai? I also want to have a taste." Xu Qingshi looked at Li Zhiwei expectantly and said.
"If Qingshi wants to eat, then have a taste." Li Zhiwei didn't hesitate at all and handed the pastries in her hand to Xu Qingshi.
Xu Qingshi took them without being polite.
Seeing this, Yao Shuheng frowned tightly.
His pastries were clearly bought for his cousin, and this child didn't even have the sense to know his place.
"I'm really sorry. I forgot there was a little guest in the mansion. Next time, I'll remember to buy an extra portion." Yao Shuheng said with an apologetic look.
Then he stared coldly at Xu Qingshi, as if saying, "This isn't for you. As a guest, you should be sensible and not grab things from the host."
But Xu Qingshi didn't even give Yao Shuheng a glance. In front of Yao Shuheng, he opened the pastries and then exaggeratedly said, "Oh, Young Master Yao, your pastries are all spoiled."
The accusation in Xu Qingshi's eyes when he looked at Yao Shuheng made Yao Shuheng a bit angry.
This damned kid, what was he talking nonsense about?
But when Xu Qingshi took out the broken pastries one by one, Yao Shuheng didn't know what to say for a moment.
