Chapter Seventy-Two
"Ah!" Xie Jincheng quickly tucked the banknotes into his robe, his heart brimming with joy. Who would have thought that his son’s injury could bring him such benefits?
He couldn’t help but regret not sending the boy to Rushan Academy sooner.
Thinking of Lady Yao’s earlier distress, Xie Jincheng decided he would visit a jewelry shop later to pick out a beautiful piece for his wife—something to cheer her up.
Lost in his thoughts, he failed to notice Old Master Xie’s displeasure.
"Hmph! Don’t just spend my money on pampering your wife. That silver is meant for my precious grandson’s schooling," Old Master Xie grumbled, his face sour.
"Of course, Father!" Xie Jincheng replied cheerfully. After all, his father had footed the bill, and where money was involved, he saw no harm in saving a little extra—perhaps enough for a gold hairpin for Lady Yao.
Meanwhile, elsewhere...
"My poor grandson has suffered terribly this time! That useless Xie Jincheng grows more irresponsible by the day. What kind of wretched academy did he pick for my boy?" Grandma Xie complained bitterly.
Lady Yao kept her head lowered, her heart heavy. Though she resented her husband’s choices, she dared not criticize him in front of her mother-in-law.
"Take these. Make sure the child wants for nothing," Old Madam Xie said, handing Lady Yao a box from her maid.
"Mother-in-law..." Lady Yao hesitated before opening it. Inside lay an exquisite hair ornament, a stack of banknotes, and what appeared to be land deeds beneath.
Tears welled up in her eyes, caught between falling and retreating.
Was her mother-in-law rewarding her for their son’s injury?
"Enough of that. Our Yanzhi is a good boy. After this ordeal, his path will surely be smooth from now on. I heard that Miss Li Zhiwei protected the children. Later, you must take gifts to thank her," Old Madam Xie added, mentioning Li Zhiwei.
"Of course, Mother," Lady Yao agreed. She had no objections—after all, if not for Li Zhiwei’s bravery, Xie Yanzhi’s injuries could have been far worse than mere scrapes.
"That Lin family has no eyes. That Li girl seems decent, yet they favor some cousin instead. Hmph! Now that the Ruan Marquis Residence is in decline, and with Miss Li set to marry Prince An, we must remember her kindness in saving Yanzhi. If we can help her in the future, we should," Old Madam Xie declared, determined to repay the debt.
"You’re right, Mother," Lady Yao nodded.
"Spend the silver freely. If it runs out, come to me. My grandson must not suffer," Old Madam Xie added, her heart aching as she looked at Xie Yanzhi.
She suspected that the couple’s limited funds had led them to choose Rushan Academy over the Imperial Academy. Had they sent him to the latter, none of this would have happened.
At the Li Residence...
"Father, don’t worry. I’m truly fine," Li Zhiwei said, watching her father sigh by her bedside. Guilt gnawed at her.
But in that moment, there had been no time to think.
Those children were so small—if she hadn’t shielded them, their injuries would have been far worse than hers.
They might even have lost their lives.
"Fine? You call this fine?" Li Tianyou sighed, exasperated by his daughter’s constant brushes with danger.
"Father, I know I was wrong," Li Zhiwei said quickly, recognizing his worry.
"Wei’er, you’re our only child. Your mother and I couldn’t bear it if anything happened to you," Li Tianyou murmured, his voice heavy.
Yet, he couldn’t bring himself to scold her—she hadn’t done anything wrong.
"Father, I promise I’ll be more careful next time," Li Zhiwei said softly, her heart aching at his expression.
In her past life, her parents must have been devastated when she died.
The Lin family had exploited her name to extort money from her father—how desperate he must have felt.
"Your mother’s health is fragile. Why not return to Li'an County?" Li Tianyou suggested, thinking that away from the capital, she might be safer.
After all, in over a decade in Li'an, she’d never faced as many mishaps as in these past few weeks in the capital.
He would gladly let her live there forever if it meant her safety.
"Father, you’re now the Vice Minister of Revenue. It’s not right for Mother to stay in Li'an forever. Why not bring her to the capital?" Li Zhiwei countered.
Since she was to marry Xu Heming, she would settle here. With her father’s rising status, having her mother nearby would allow her to care for her better.
"Wei’er, what I meant was... we should all return to Li'an," Li Tianyou said seriously.
To him, his daughter’s safety mattered more than his official position.
"Father, that’s impossible," Li Zhiwei replied gently.
Her marriage to Xu Heming was decreed by the Emperor, and her father’s rank was no longer something he could simply resign from.
"Ah! I’m useless!" Li Tianyou sighed, feeling powerless.
Xu Heming was the Emperor’s trusted aide, while he, despite being favored, was merely a Vice Minister. Even an audience with the Emperor required the Minister of Revenue’s presence first.
"Father, why are you sighing again?" Li Zhiwei asked, puzzled. Was he missing her mother?
"I’m thinking... how to earn His Majesty’s greater favor," Li Tianyou murmured, gazing outside.
"Father, you’re already remarkable," Li Zhiwei reassured him after a pause.
Li Tianyou left her room soon after, sitting silently in the courtyard, his mind consumed by one thought: how to climb higher—high enough to surpass Xu Heming.
When Xu Heming arrived at the Li residence with gifts, he found Li Tianyou sitting alone in the courtyard.
"Uncle?" Xu Heming called hesitantly.
Li Tianyou glanced at him, then turned away without a word.
"Young Master, you’re here!" Lan'er hurried forward eagerly, reaching for Xu Heming’s parcels.
Frowning, Xu Heming stepped back. He didn’t recognize this maid.
Lan'er, a temporary replacement for the injured Cuiguo, froze at his reaction before adopting a coy tone.
"This servant is Lan'er, here to attend to the young mistress."
Two women accompanying Xu Heming swiftly intervened.
"Miss Lan'er, please take us to see Her Highness."
Li Tianyou’s dark expression softened slightly, though he was displeased with Lan'er’s forwardness.
If not for Cuiguo’s injury, he would have sent her away immediately.
"Uncle!" Xu Heming gazed in the direction of Li Zhiwei's room, not daring to enter without Li Tianyou's permission.
Given Li Tianyou's current attitude, it was clear he held a deep dissatisfaction toward him.
"Who are those two girls to you?" Li Tianyou asked, eyeing Xu Heming with displeasure.
