Chapter 94
When Li Zhiwei heard Xu Qingshi’s words, the corner of her mouth twitched. She thought to herself, Goodness, has Xu Heming abandoned his son and decided to dump him on the Li Family to raise?
Beside her, Li Tianyou, however, was delighted.
“Did your father agree to this?” Li Tianyou mused. The Prince of An didn’t seem like a good son-in-law candidate, but his son was quite sensible.
If Xu Heming didn’t want him anymore, it wasn’t as if the Li Family couldn’t afford to raise him.
With that thought, Li Tianyou turned to Zhou Tong and said, “Zhou Tong, quickly arrange accommodations for the young master.”
“Thank you, Grandfather!” Xu Qingshi immediately changed his address, beaming with joy.
“Haha, I like being called ‘Grandfather’!” Li Tianyou was overjoyed. This boy really knows how to act!
What a shame he’s still so young. Otherwise, he’d make a fine son-in-law.
“Grandfather, from now on, I’ll be called Li Qingshi. If you don’t like that name, you can even rename me Li San or Li Si—I’ll answer to anything!” Xu Qingshi clung to Li Tianyou’s arm affectionately, speaking in a sweet, coaxing tone.
“Haha! Good, then from now on, you’ll be Li Qingshi—a grandson of the Li Family!” Li Tianyou was thoroughly pleased.
Xu Heming can keep his distance, but how could we refuse a grandson delivered right to our doorstep?
“Father!” Li Zhiwei frowned. She had never heard of a failed marriage negotiation resulting in someone else’s child being taken in.
“Mother, Grandfather has already agreed to let me be part of the Li Family. From now on, I’ll take your surname and be registered in the Li Family’s records. Isn’t that good?” Xu Qingshi looked at Li Zhiwei with wounded eyes.
“Young Master, our Li Family is merely a merchant household—far beneath the status of the Prince of An’s estate. Besides, no matter whom your father marries, it won’t change the fact that you are the Prince of An’s heir.” Li Zhiwei sighed. Though Xu Qingshi’s actions warmed her heart, she knew the Li Family could never compare to the Prince of An’s household.
Moreover, Xu Heming had never mentioned marrying Madam Liu. Xu Qingshi was worrying over nothing—his identity as the Prince of An’s son was indisputable.
“What? The Prince of An is breaking off the engagement?” Li Tianyou, unaware of the full situation, grew even angrier.
Not wanting my daughter to marry Xu Heming is one thing, but him marrying someone else is another matter entirely!
“Grandfather, please take me in. That wicked woman will never let me live in peace!” Xu Qingshi hugged Li Tianyou fearfully.
Li Tianyou looked at Xu Qingshi with mixed emotions.
The moment I remember he’s Xu Heming’s son, I can’t bring myself to agree.
“Young Master, my daughter is right. Our Li Family’s status is inferior to the Prince of An’s. Besides, if the marriage between your father and my daughter falls through, your presence here would only invite gossip.” Li Tianyou sighed.
He wasn’t sure if Xu Qingshi, still a child, could fully grasp his meaning.
Meanwhile, at the Prince of An’s estate, Xu Heming remained oblivious to the fact that his son had been spouting nonsense in front of his prospective father-in-law—even fabricating a timeline for his supposed marriage to Liu Ruyan—all just to stay with the Li Family.
“Master, I’ve had someone investigate. Before Concubine Liu entered the palace, she did see you, but you never spoke to her alone,” Qingsong reported truthfully.
“So there was no connection between us?” Xu Heming relaxed slightly. No entanglement is good.
“But it’s not entirely accurate to say there was none. I also uncovered something about the late Madam Zhou’s passing.” Qingsong hesitated, unsure whether to bring it up, given how long ago Madam Zhou had passed and the fact that the Prince was about to remarry.
“Speak!” Xu Heming’s expression darkened.
Previously, he had been too busy to investigate deeply and had assumed Madam Zhou’s death was due to childbirth complications—after all, many women died in labor in those days.
If even my mother noticed nothing unusual, Concubine Liu’s methods must have been extremely discreet.
“At the time, Concubine Liu bribed someone from the Zhou Family to instruct the midwife to administer safflower during Madam Zhou’s delivery, causing her to hemorrhage and die. This information came from Concubine Liu’s former wet nurse, whom I stumbled upon while investigating her past.” Qingsong hurriedly explained.
“Good! Very good!” Xu Heming was furious. Because of that woman’s obsession, she not only killed my first wife but now threatens Li Zhiwei and Xu Qingshi, who are about to become my new family.
What a venomous creature.
“Your Highness, Concubine Liu didn’t just target Madam Zhou. She was also behind the misfortunes of Miss Wu and Miss Qin in the capital,” Qingsong added.
“Hmph. The daughter of a mere Ministry of Revenue official dared to extend her reach so far. I’ve been too lenient.” Xu Heming had initially thought little of Minister Liu’s retirement, but now, leaving the Liu Family unpunished would make him appear weak.
With that, Xu Heming gathered a group of men and marched straight to the Liu residence.
Li Family
After hearing his daughter’s explanation, Li Tianyou fell into deep thought.
The Liu Family?
He had taken over Minister Liu’s position and found the accounts left behind riddled with discrepancies.
Originally, he had planned to sort them out before reporting to the Emperor, but now, it seemed he couldn’t afford to wait.
Otherwise, they’ll think Li Tianyou is someone to be trifled with.
Though unfamiliar with court politics, he knew exactly what he wanted.
Imperial Palace
Zhu Jingchen frowned as he read the reports delivered by his secret guards.
A mere concubine dared to meddle in the affairs of other officials’ families?
Those in the know would recognize it as her personal vendetta, but others might assume it was my doing.
What chilled him most was learning that Concubine Liu had a hand in the death of Xu Heming’s first wife.
At this moment, Zhu Jingchen wasn’t sure whether to feel happy or sorry for Xu Heming.
To be the object of such a malicious woman’s affection is nothing short of a family curse.
“Did the Prince of An and Concubine Liu have any prior contact?” Zhu Jingchen pressed further.
“Your Majesty, the Prince of An and Concubine Liu never interacted privately. According to my investigation, Concubine Liu developed feelings for him after seeing him on official business. Her infatuation was sudden—and terrifying.” The secret guard, though inexperienced in matters of love, found the intensity of her obsession alarming.
“Hmph! Then why did she enter the palace?” Zhu Jingchen demanded.
If she loved the Prince of An so much, why not marry him? Why come here?
He had already confirmed that Concubine Liu’s pregnancy was real, but she had deliberately miscarried by jumping into the lotus pond. When Consort Jing happened to pass by, Concubine Liu seized the opportunity to frame her.
At the time, I assumed no one would sacrifice their own child to slander another. How wrong I was.
