Chapter 122
Li Zhiwei was not unaware of the strange looks everyone was giving her, yet her expression remained unchanged. After all, she had experienced a lifetime's worth of transformation.
Being a stepmother was nothing compared to the tragedy of losing one's entire family.
It was insignificant.
Moreover, these people were merely curious, with no ill intent.
Thinking this, Li Zhiwei felt even more at ease.
"That's right, this is my fiancé's child, and also my own child. Qingshi, say hello to Uncle Liu!" Li Zhiwei said with a smile, beckoning to Xu Qingshi.
"Hello, Uncle Liu. Your sugar figurine is very well-made, I really like it," Xu Qingshi said, revealing a bright, sunny smile that made the sugar figurine vendor, Brother Liu, smile as well.
After all, who doesn't like being praised?
"Thank you for the compliment, young master," Brother Liu said, his hands still busy. Quickly, he molded a small sugar figurine that looked very much like Xu Qingshi and handed it to him. "If you don't mind, young master, this is a little gift from me."
"Mother, this sugar figurine looks just like me!" Xu Qingshi said happily.
"If you like it, you can accept it. Remember to thank Uncle Liu," Li Zhiwei said, smiling as she patted Xu Qingshi's head.
"I really like it, thank you, Uncle Liu," Xu Qingshi said joyfully.
"Thank you, Brother Liu," Li Zhiwei said with a smile, signaling to Qingyue beside her to remember to pay later.
"No need for thanks," the vendor said, feeling a bit embarrassed now.
However, seeing that Xu Qingshi genuinely liked his craftsmanship, he was also very happy.
He thought to himself, although Miss Li was becoming a stepmother, this child seemed very attached to her. That must mean it's a very kind family.
Miss Li is blessed.
Seeing this scene, the others also took out items from their stalls, saying they wanted to give them to Xu Qingshi.
A bit embarrassed by the enthusiasm, Xu Qingshi hid behind Li Zhiwei; it was a bit too much for him to handle.
"Qingshi is still a child. We appreciate everyone's kindness, thank you all," Li Zhiwei quickly said to the crowd with a smile.
After this incident, Xu Qingshi enjoyed strolling through the streets even more.
"Mother, the people in Li'an County are so nice, I really like it here," Xu Qingshi said happily.
He thought they were just letting him take things without asking for money.
Li Zhiwei couldn't help but laugh. This child probably really thought no one was collecting payment.
In reality, the vendors had all seen that even if they didn't take money directly, the maid would pay later, and always more than enough.
They naturally wouldn't miss out on such a good deal.
"Cousin, is it appropriate for you to say that?" Yao Shuheng said with a frown.
He believed that Li Zhiwei had referred to the child as her fiancé's to avoid misunderstandings.
But considering they would continue to live in Li'an County, such misunderstandings would be hard to dispel.
Then again, with Li Tianyou serving as an official in the capital, it was possible the Li family might move there.
"It's fine, people will find out sooner or later," Li Zhiwei said indifferently.
"But how will this make the people of Li'an County view you? The esteemed eldest daughter of the Li family, actually becoming a second wife... it doesn't sound good," Yao Shuheng frowned, expressing his disapproval.
"People can say whatever they want; that's their freedom. As long as we ourselves know what we are doing and whether it's good or not, that's enough. Thank you for your concern, cousin, it's really alright," Li Zhiwei said, thinking Yao Shuheng was worried about her reputation and offering a few words of comfort.
Yao Shuheng's mouth twitched. Did he really look so unattractive that Li Zhiwei had not a single thought about him?
However, even if Li Zhiwei had no interest in him, his plans would still proceed as scheduled.
Capital City, West Willow Lane.
Li Tianyou returned to his residence. Looking at the empty courtyard, he felt a pang of loneliness. His daughter had returned to Li'an County.
His wife was also in Li'an County, leaving him alone, an old widower, in the capital.
"Zhou Tong, bring the wine His Highness sent today. I, your master, won't stop until I'm drunk tonight," Li Tianyou said, suddenly sentimental. He thought, this wine was, after all, the first gift from his son-in-law; he should savor it properly.
If he wasn't satisfied, he would definitely have a serious talk with the Emperor about terms—this son-in-law might not be acceptable.
"Master, I'll have the kitchen prepare some side dishes for you right away," Zhou Tong replied.
Drinking alone wasn't enough for Li Tianyou, so he pulled Zhou Tong to sit down and have a few cups with him.
"This wine... why does it taste different?" After the first sip, Li Tianyou felt it was somewhat different from what that rascal Huo Yunxuan had given him before.
"Master, is there something wrong with the wine?" Zhou Tong, drinking it for the first time, only found it mellow and fragrant—the best wine he had ever tasted.
"Nothing," Li Tianyou thought to himself, perhaps the brewer found by Xu Heming wasn't as skilled as the Huo family's master brewer.
But overall, this wine was still quite good.
Normally, Zhou Tong wouldn't be allowed to sit and drink with Li Tianyou. But today, Li Tianyou was missing his family in Li'an County. Since Zhou Tong had accompanied him from Li'an, he insisted on having him stay for company.
The master had given an order, so Zhou Tong had no choice but to comply.
As they drank, the pot of wine was soon empty.
"Go, fetch another pot from my room!" Li Tianyou, seeing the empty pot, was somewhat displeased.
He hadn't had his fill yet.
Zhou Tong stood up to get more wine but suddenly collapsed to the ground, his body beginning to convulse.
"Hey, weakling, such a lightweight," Li Tianyou said, looking at the fallen Zhou Tong, thinking he just couldn't hold his liquor.
"Master, help me!" Zhou Tong felt a sharp, cramping pain in his abdomen.
Could the wine be poisoned?
That was Zhou Tong's first thought.
"Alright, you, with your poor tolerance!" Li Tianyou waved his hand, and a servant stepped forward.
"Take him away," Li Tianyou said softly.
But as soon as he finished speaking, Li Tianyou himself collapsed onto the floor.
"Go fetch a doctor, quickly!" Zhou Tong, clinging to his last shred of consciousness and enduring severe pain, urgently told someone to call for a physician.
Seeing the situation, the servant didn't dare delay and rushed out.
The hidden guards lurking in the shadows also grew uneasy and quickly jumped down to carry Li Tianyou to his bed.
Although the servants were startled by the sudden appearance of these men, they didn't have time to be shocked, especially with Zhou Tong still wailing in pain nearby.
"Is Master Li alright?" Hidden Guard One asked Hidden Guard Two, looking at Li Tianyou who seemed to be merely asleep.
"Probably just drunk, right?" Hidden Guard Two replied, also uncertain.
"But look at the one wailing next door?" Hidden Guard One pointed towards Zhou Tong, who was still howling in the adjacent room.
They were genuinely worried that if something happened to Li Tianyou,
would His Highness blame them?
