Chapter 45
"Stepmother, I heard you were kidnapped?" Xu Qingshi's voice burst in energetically from the doorway.
"Child, what nonsense are you spouting?" The Old Princess was taken aback at first, then glanced uneasily at Li Tianyou beside her, afraid he might take offense.
"I mean, Stepmother, why didn’t you call for me when those villains took you?" Xu Qingshi panted as he rushed in, scrutinizing Li Zhiwei before voicing his dissatisfaction.
Li Zhiwei paused briefly, then chuckled softly. "Why should I have called for you, Young Master?"
"If you had, I could’ve beaten those scoundrels away for you!" Xu Qingshi glared at her, his expression full of indignation.
Li Tianyou, whose expression had been grim, relaxed slightly at these words.
"With those skinny arms and legs of yours, who could you possibly defeat?" The Old Princess retorted, exasperated.
"Hmph! I’m plenty strong! I could punch one villain dead with a single blow. If one comes, I’ll take one down; if two come, I’ll thrash them both!" Xu Qingshi raised his tiny fist, boasting with all the bravado of a hero.
"Pfft—" Li Zhiwei couldn’t help but laugh at his declaration.
"Well then, Young Master, you’d better train hard. Otherwise, if I encounter villains again, your little fists might not be strong enough to protect me," Li Zhiwei teased gently.
"I don’t need you to tell me that," Xu Qingshi huffed, lifting his chin proudly. Seeing that Li Zhiwei was unharmed, he exhaled like a little adult, relieved.
Li Tianyou observed Xu Qingshi’s grown-up demeanor. Though a trace of displeasure lingered in his heart, his expression softened nonetheless.
He had never liked the An Prince’s household, much less Xu Heming. But the boy’s genuine concern for Zhiwei was undeniable.
Still, that didn’t mean Li Tianyou would ever consider marrying his daughter into the An Prince’s family.
"Young Master, though young, shows such sincerity. I am deeply grateful," Li Tianyou said, nodding slightly to Xu Qingshi.
Xu Qingshi, however, seemed not to hear. He sidled up to Li Zhiwei, looking up at her with utmost seriousness. "Stepmother, don’t be afraid. From now on, I’ll protect you! Starting tomorrow, I’ll train hard with the martial arts master!"
A warmth spread through Li Zhiwei’s heart. She bent down and gently patted his head. "Alright, then I’ll be counting on you, Young Master."
"Hmph, of course!" Xu Qingshi puffed out his little chest, brimming with pride.
---
In the Imperial Palace
Xu Heming recounted the incident to Zhu Jingchen in full detail.
"Such audacity from the Ruan Marquis Residence!" Zhu Jingchen fumed upon hearing it.
"Your Majesty, the Ruan Marquis Residence’s actions are utterly lawless," Xu Heming said after a moment of silence, his voice low.
"Indeed!" Zhu Jingchen had long been displeased with the Ruan Marquis Residence’s schemes against Li Tianyou’s family fortune.
Now, it seemed the Ruan Marquis Residence had outlived its usefulness.
"Your Majesty, this humble subject believes that though the Ruan Marquis Residence is weak in influence, their ambition to manipulate the Li family is clear. Consider this—what couldn’t one accomplish with the Li family’s wealth behind them?" Xu Heming spoke respectfully.
The Ruan Marquis Residence’s ambitions were far from small!
Zhu Jingchen’s fingers drummed lightly on the imperial desk, the dull thuds mirroring his suppressed rage.
He fixed his sharp gaze on Xu Heming. "The An Prince speaks wisely. The Li family’s wealth rivals the state’s treasury. Controlling them would mean possessing an inexhaustible silver mine—whether for raising private armies, courting officials, or other schemes, the possibilities are endless. The Ruan Marquis Residence… their greed knows no bounds. Do they not fear choking on it?"
He paused, his voice turning icy. "Previously, when they schemed for the Li family’s assets, they could at least claim it was a matter of marriage alliances, and I could not interfere too heavily. But now, after I explicitly declared the betrothal void, they dare escalate matters, resorting to such despicable means—kidnapping someone right at the palace gates! Have they no regard for my authority?"
Xu Heming bowed his head. "Your Majesty is wise. This incident sets a terrible precedent. If not dealt with severely, it may embolden others, sowing fear among the nobility and disheartening loyal subjects."
His mind raced, plotting how to exact justice for Li Zhiwei.
Zhu Jingchen understood his intent perfectly. He gave a slight nod. "Such insolence will not be tolerated. Li Tianyou has served the nation with distinction—his daughter shall not be humiliated by petty villains."
"Xu Heming."
"Your servant is here."
"Take my decree and coordinate with the Supreme Court to seal the Ruan Marquis Residence. Confine all its members within their estate pending further judgment. Investigate thoroughly—uncover every act of defiance they’ve committed against the throne!" Zhu Jingchen’s tone was steely, his decision final.
"Your servant obeys!" Xu Heming bowed deeply, a glint of satisfaction flashing in his eyes.
The Ruan Marquis Residence had been a thorn too long in their side. It was time to pluck it out.
---
Ruan Marquis Residence
Lin Jitong shut himself in his room after hearing of the Leng family’s imprisonment.
Panic gnawed at him.
He didn’t know if the Leng family’s downfall was tied to Leng Qi’s abduction of Li Zhiwei. But if Leng Qi confessed under Xu Heming’s interrogation…
No. He couldn’t fall into Xu Heming’s hands.
"Husband?" Zhou Yutang called outside the locked door, baffled.
No matter how much she knocked, Lin Jitong refused to open it.
"Leave. I don’t wish to see you," Lin Jitong snapped impatiently.
"Husband, what’s wrong? Are you ill?" Zhou Yutang couldn’t shake a growing sense of foreboding.
She had thought marrying her cousin would bring her happiness.
But ever since Li Zhiwei refused to wed into the Ruan Marquis Residence, Lin Jitong, his father, and his mother had all turned against her.
They blamed her for the family’s humiliation.
The promised position as his rightful wife? Demoted to a mere concubine by his father’s decree!
The bitterness in Zhou Yutang’s heart festered. All of this—because of Li Zhiwei, that lowborn merchant’s daughter.
If she hadn’t wanted to marry into the Lin family, why drag Zhou Yutang down with her?
"I’m fine. Go away," Lin Jitong muttered weakly, drowning in regret.
If only he hadn’t married Zhou Yutang. Would things have turned out differently?
Li Zhiwei might have been of humble birth, but her dowry was substantial, and she wasn’t unattractive.
Had he married her, his father wouldn’t berate him constantly.
And Zhou Yutang wouldn’t nag him endlessly.
---
Meanwhile, Xu Qingshi browsed the Treasure Pavilion, intent on picking a gift for Li Zhiwei. After all, everyone was talking about how she’d nearly met with disaster.
If he gave her something nice, maybe she’d be happy enough to make him more delicious treats.
Just as he was carefully examining a hairpin, a mocking voice cut in.
"Well, well, if it isn’t the An Prince’s heir, who picked himself a down-and-out stepmother!"
