Chapter 112: The Scumbag Father

Li Qingluo felt instantly as nauseous as if she had swallowed a mouthful of flies.

Knowing that Zhuang Sanlang's heart was completely set on Li Qingzhu, she hoped her grandmother and that scumbag father would stop meddling.

"Que'er, go to Ziwei Tang for a moment…"

When they reached the front courtyard, dinner was already laid out in the study.

Seeing Qu Shi absent and Zhuang Sanlang still seated in the room, Li Qingluo wanted to turn and leave immediately.

Is her father mentally defective?

Even in Jiangjun Fu, he personally paired his own daughter with an outsider at the same table; if this got out, everyone in Jinling City would be laughing their teeth off!

Such a thing couldn't even be done in the mountains!

He may disregard etiquette, but he shouldn't act so absurdly!

Li Qingluo's displeasure instantly showed on her face without any concealment.

And it seemed Li Chao Jing still wanted to claim the Zhuang family's marriage arrangement for himself?

But why?

Hasn't he always, like Qu Shi and Li Kechuan, adored the adopted daughter Li Qingzhu immensely?

Li Qingluo will never forget, after her soul left her body in the previous life, seeing Li Qingzhu cooing beside them in the front courtyard.

Li Chao Jing's gentle smile reached his eyes, a tenderness and pampering she had never seen before.

Such affection, yet he wants Li Qingzhu's marriage for himself; Li Qingluo feels this must be a deception!

Even if Li Chao Jing sensed some issue with Li Qingzhu, he still couldn't confirm her connection with Prince Yun; otherwise he would have dealt with her long ago.

Nevertheless, even with her return, the unsettled marriage should still belong to Li Qingzhu.

His maneuver suggests he sees this marriage as compensation for his own biological daughter?

After Li Qingluo gave Li Chao Jing a cursory bow, she pretended not to know Zhuang Sanlang, standing like a post at the side.

Li Chao Jing didn't mind Li Qingluo's perfunctory attitude or expression, and smiled gently, "Sit, Luo'er. This is Sanlang; have you met him before?"

Li Qingluo replied, "Father, that's a joke; have I ever seen any Sanlang? I don't recognize this gentleman."

Zhuang Sanlang, equally displeased, said, "……"

She really is good at speaking nonsense with her eyes open!

And who is she putting that expression on for?

Just because she doesn't like seeing him, does she think he would gladly see her?

If it weren't for her own stubbornness and deep feelings moving her mother, the family would have already settled with the Li family, and this would truly have benefited her!

Nevertheless, even if he died, he would never betray Zhu'er.

Zhuang Wei silently swore in his heart, then heard Li Chao Jing say, "Both children, don't be unhappy."

"Today, I invite you both to dine together, with no other intention. It's just that Sanlang will be staying at home soon, so I felt a bit sentimental."

"Luo'er, consider Sanlang as a familiar older brother from an old acquaintance family; no need to fuss over trivialities."

Li Qingluo still didn't sit, merely standing aside, looking as if she were obediently listening to Li Chao Jing's lecture.

Seeing he couldn't persuade his own daughter at all, Li Chao Jing had to temporarily give up.

Li Chao Jing sighed, "Sanlang, do you still remember when you were three, following your grandmother to Chao Xiasi?"

"That was the time the Zhuang family and our Jiangjun Fu formed this marriage contract. Back then, when Luo'er was still in her mother's womb, he had already looked at her countless times. Back then, he even joked that if her mother were carrying a girl, he would take her as his wife."

Li Qingluo showed no hint of shyness, only awkwardness.

Her father's audacity to arrange a marriage with Zhongyi Hou Fu was truly repulsive.

It would be fine if she had known Zhuang Wei since childhood, but clearly she grew up as childhood sweethearts with Zhuang Wei, and the one they both loved was Li Qingzhu.

Does she truly disregard all taboos, willing to eat anything disgusting?

Even if she's inexperienced, she knows an unfaithful beast is unusable!

Let alone a future husband!

She would not only fail to be grateful, but feel deeply disgusted!

"Father, that was many years ago, right? Yet the past you mentioned coincidentally forming a marriage contract between the Zhuang gentleman and Sister Zhu'er does count as their fate."

Li Chao Jing glared at Li Qingluo.

This foolish girl—doesn't she understand that she must correct this mistaken marriage contract?

Before Li Chao Jing could say more, Li Kechuan's voice came from outside.

"Father, I heard you invited Sanlang to this banquet and ordered fine dishes from Zui Xian Lou; why didn't you invite your son as well?"

As Li Kechuan's figure was ushered in, Li Qingzhu followed behind.

"Zhu'er!"

The previously silent Zhuang Wei's eyes filled with surprise, and he immediately sprang up to rush to Li Qingzhu's side.

"Zhu'er, why are you here? Ah, Zhu'er, don't misunderstand; I'm just having a meal with my uncle. I didn't expect her to come… Zhu'er, please don't be angry with me, okay?"

Li Qingzhu forced a smile, yet said, "Sanlang, what are you saying? Why should I be angry? Father's arrangement must have his intention…"

Although Li Qingzhu felt uneasy inside, she actually welcomed it.

If Liu Caoer's marriage with Zhongyi Hou Fu could be settled quickly, she could then discuss marriage with Prince Yun.

Since she returned home, many days have passed without seeing Your Highness.

She wonders whether Your Highness still thinks of her.

Li Qingzhu's heart now feels as painful as a cat's claw.

She can't let go of this, yet can't forget that.

Li Chao Jing's face darkened as he looked at the uninvited pair of children and asked, "What are you here for?"

Staring at Li Chao Jing, Li Qingzhu wore a face full of grievance.

Father, have I, Zhu'er, done something wrong? Since Zhu'er came home, you have ignored Zhu'er completely. Zhu'er can't bear it any longer; please just tell Zhu'er straight.

If Zhu'er has done something wrong, Father, however you punish Zhu'er, Zhu'er will accept it.

Li Qingzhu knelt on the ground, face streaked with tears, crying and looking utterly helpless; Li Kechuan and Zhuang Wei's faces instantly filled with pity.

Zhuang Wei couldn't help but step forward half a step: "Zhu'er… Uncle Li, Zhu'er has already suffered so much; why do you still treat her like this?"

Li Kechuan: "Father, have you misunderstood Zhu'er about something?"

Li Chao Jing glanced at Zhuang Sanlang, then at Li Kechuan, and finally at the adopted daughter kneeling and crying on the ground; a strong sense of strangeness welled up in his heart.

Is she today trying to force me, her father, to...?

Well, quite the talent!

He hasn't yet cleared up her involvement with Prince Yun, yet she dares to run straight to him, thinking someone is backing her, so even he, Li Chao Jing, can be manipulated!?

Since Zhu'er wants me to ask you for clarification, then Zhu'er can stay.

Luo'er, you all go out.

Li Qingluo didn't want to stay another moment; she immediately turned and left.

Just as she passed by Li Kechuan's side, she heard him say: "Don't get too cocky… just wait and see."