Chapter 63

Li Chao Jing already knew about this several days earlier.

He remained silent for a while, then told Qu Shi: "From now on, don't say such things in front of Luo'er that you are not as good as Zhu'er."

Qu Shi trembled all over, tears nearly falling: "Why, why? Father, Zhu'er is also our daughter!"

Li Chao Jing glared at her fiercely: "You're still muddle-headed! Don't you think? Chuan'er spoke with certainty, again and again saying he really saw Zhu'er! Otherwise, how could he stubbornly go mad, insisting on barging into Prince Yun's private residence?"

"That residence is now empty. I found nothing. But this matter, I am not a fool, and Chuan'er is even less so!"

Qu Shi, her whole body icy cold, clung to the table, nearly falling.

"Father, what do you mean? Could it be that Zhu'er... truly is Zhu'er's soul...?"

Li Chao Jing shook his head speechlessly.

"Forget it, you ignorant woman, what's the point of talking to you!"

"Now Zhu'er is dead, Chuan'er has become like this, do you think I can still ignore Luo'er?"

"If she truly acquires some real skill and marries into the Zhongyi Hou Fu, then later she and Zhuang Sanlang can together prop up the household; with Zhuang Sanlang's talent he will never be mediocre in this life! Our Jiangjun Fu will not decline rapidly after me."

Li Chao Jing strode away after speaking, giving Qu Shi no chance to catch her breath.

After a while, Qingyi came to Qu Shi and said Li Chao Jing had gone to Lou Shi's quarters; only then did Qu Shi react.

She was naturally so angry she nearly went mad, overturning all the porcelain on the table onto the floor, smashing them to pieces.

"This slut! At her age, she still manages to lure Father to her quarters!"

"Since she returned, I haven't had time to properly deal with her, yet she dares to be dishonest first! Since she is so unruly, don't blame me for forgetting old affection!"

On Qu Shi's usually gentle face, a hint of viciousness now appeared.

Luoxiayuan.

Lou Shi knelt tremblingly on the ground, holding up the hot tea to Li Chao Jing.

"Father, please have some tea."

Li Chao Jing gestured for her to raise her head.

Lou Shi tried to appear gentle, her eyes misty as she lifted her head.

She lightly bit her vermilion lips, looking pitiful.

Li Chao Jing sighed, shook his head: "We haven't seen each other in six years; how have you become like this?"

Lou Shi's face instantly turned ashen, even her lips lost color.

Actually, she merely had a couple of fine lines at the corners of her eyes; where exactly is she truly old?

It's just that she's no longer as dewy as before.

She reddened her eyes in grievance: "Father, I... am indeed old. But Father, your vigor remains, your bearing still impressive; it's my fault for not expecting to see you again, so I didn't take good care of this face."

Lou Shi was once lovely as flower and moon; otherwise she wouldn't have been able to win Li Chao Jing's favor even in Qu Shi's presence.

Li Chao Jing's eyes flashed with disdain, then he turned his gaze to his concubine-born daughter.

A timid little girl, standing at the door, not daring to come forward.

Her appearance is rather lovely, bearing some resemblance to both himself and Lou Shi.

"What is her name?"

Li Chao Jing came today, indeed not to renew old feelings with Lou Shi.

Lou Shi: "Father, I dare not give the girl a name, so I have just called her Huan'er. Please bestow a proper name on the third young lady."

"Huan'er, come quickly and greet your father!"

When the concubine daughter knelt before him together with her wet nurse, Li Chao Jing slowly said a name: "Then let her be called Li Qinghuan. You are her aunt; you have worked hard these years caring for her."

"However, Lou Shi, I intend to send Huan'er to the lady's side to be raised."

"You know Zhu'er and Chuan'er met misfortune one after another; the lady has lately been depressed and joyless, her mood greatly changed. Perhaps raising a child by her side will improve her spirits."

Lou Shi's expression shifted uncontrollably: "Father, how could this be? Huan'er grew up in the countryside, ignorant of etiquette; if she offends the mistress, I would deserve ten thousand deaths and still not be able to atone!"

Li Chao Jing had long decided on this matter, so he had little patience.

He rose and swept away Lou Shi's approaching hand: "Enough! I decide this. As a concubine, what good can you teach a child? Following you, what future could she have? Think it through yourself!"

"In two days I'll have someone take Huan'er to Chunzaitang; tell her beforehand not to throw tantrums before the lady."

Having said that, Li Chao Jing ignored the tears streaming down Lou Shi's face and had her continue serving him, taking off his shoes and washing his feet.

Hongfenguan.

Que'er returned from the West Market, looking angry.

Li Qingluo saw she still held a box, curiously asking: "What's up? Who provoked our Que'er?"

Que'er set the box down, face dissatisfied and angry: "Miss, you said you had an appointment with the blacksmith's shop; I went and reported your Li Langjun's name, but they said they wouldn't accept your goods!"

"What kind of people are these? Aren't they just playing us?"

"Miss, from now on never go to that blacksmith shop again!"

Li Qingluo full of doubt: "They won't take my things? Did the blacksmith open the box and look inside?"

Que'er shook her head: "They didn't even accept the delivery; just hearing your Li Langjun's name changed their faces!"

Li Qingluo: That means they don't want to do business with her anymore.

But why?

Clearly the first two times, the blacksmith shop had taken the initiative; yet after only three days, their attitude suddenly changed!

Seeing Que'er's bad expression, she dared not complain further.

Just then Cui Er entered with tea and snacks.

Li Qingluo also had no appetite.

Suddenly she thought of something.

Li Qingluo looked at Que'er: "That day when we returned to the manor, you said you kept feeling someone behind us watching us; you turned to look but found no one. Que'er, do you think someone might really have been following us that day?"

Que'er nodded repeatedly: "Yes, miss. I've just had the feeling that someone has been watching us all along; this feeling only disappeared after we returned to the manor."

Li Qingluo nodded slightly: "Then I understand. Forget it, if he doesn't want it, then let it be; this matter isn't urgent for now."

It must be that the blacksmith shop sent someone to follow her that day, wanting to know exactly where she came from.

And perhaps the owner behind the blacksmith shop had some grudge with the Jiangjun Fu, which is why his attitude suddenly changed.

Li Qingluo was just thinking about this when Deng Mama came in again and said: "Miss, the master has gone to Madame Lou's quarters."

Li Qingluo's hand paused, "Oh……?"

Madame Lou has been back for some time now.

To avoid suspicion, Li Qingluo did not see her.

Originally, Li Qingluo wanted to bring back both Madame Lou and Aunt Zheng, not only to thoroughly stir up the rear courtyard but also to cause trouble for her biological mother, Qu Shi, and divide the affection.

However, Li Qingluo had little confidence in being able to divide the affection.

After all, these old folks are getting on in years, and she had thought she needed to quickly round up some beauties to make it work, but she never expected… that just a few days after Li Kechuan's mishap, their father would already be seeking solace with another woman.

But she didn't think Li Chao Jing would be such a person.

"Granny, please check whether Luoxiayuan needs water tonight."