Chapter 457 - 457: Argument, Inquiry

Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios

Zhao Cai and Zhizi walked towards the alley in front of them. When they reached the house, the old woman smiled and opened the door to welcome the two of them in. In a fit of pique, Zhizi did not even look at Zhao Cai. She went straight to the backyard and returned to her room and lay on the bed.

After Zhao Cai washed up, he entered the room and looked at her. He sat on the edge of the bed and asked gently, “Did you go back to your mother’s house today?”

Seeing that Zhao Cai was still as concerned as before, Zhizi propped herself up on the bed and leaned against the headboard with a smile. “Yes! My mother asked me to go back and help draw a flowery appearance. My mother said that my brother brought a letter back and asked Young Master to help him find an errand in the government office.”

“You just returned to your mother’s house yesterday and went again today. Have you gone to see Uncle and Young Master? Are you busy?” Zhao Cai asked indifferently.

“I went back and said a few words to my mother before coming back.” Zhizi shook her head. “I’ve never gone to Young Master-in-law’s house. He has servants at his house and doesn’t need our help.”

“You haven’t even gone there. How do you know that they don’t need your helD?” Zhao Cai’s tone was a little cold.

“Oh! So that’s why you were unhappy. You ignored me all night.” Zhizi’s voice rose as she looked at Zhao Cai angrily. “If you’re willing to help, go. I didn’t stop you. My mother asked you to beg Master to find you a job in the government office, but you weren’t willing. What can you do if you go to the residence all day? What future can you have?”

“Your mother is the only one who says that you have a wooden fish head. Don’t you have your own thoughts?”

Zhizi looked at Zhao Cai self-righteously. “I think my mother is right. Why should I not listen to my mother?”

Zhao Cai looked at Zhizi in disappointment. He thought about how Ji Xiang’s pregnant wife also went over to help. She had been married for almost half a year. In her heart, she still treated the Zhou family as outsiders. The Zhou family’s matter had nothing to do with her.

“I didn’t know that you thought so. I remember that before I got engaged to you, I told you that I wouldn’t leave the Zhou family and would stay in the Zhou family for the rest of my life. If you mind and don’t want to marry me, I won’t force you to marry me.”

“What did you say back then? You said that you didn’t mind. As long as I treated you well and Master’s family didn’t mistreat us, it was fine. Wasn’t it good for us that Master and Madam gave me money to buy a betrothal gift and a house so that you could marry into the family in dignity?”

Zhizi curled her lips. “I didn’t say that you treated me badly, nor did I say that Master and Madam treated you badly. My mother said that if Master didn’t give you your contract, of course we would have to stay in the Zhou family for the rest of our lives. However, Master and Madam have already removed you from slavery. Now that Master is already the Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, it’s not like you don’t have the ability. Why don’t you ask Master to find a job for you and seek a future for yourself?”

“It’s your mother again who said that I married a wife but didn’t become a live-in son-in-law.” Zhao Cai was so angry that he pointed at Jasmine and shouted, “When I returned to the capital from Yunzhou, I told you that Master and Madam had stripped me of my slave status. I also told you that without Young Master, I wouldn’t be who I am today. I won’t leave the Zhou family in this life. I’m still a member of the Zhou family. Do you think I was just saying?

“You have nothing to do all day long, so you went back to listen to your mother and sisters-in-law. Your mother and two sisters-in-law are quite ambitious. They think about climbing up the social ladder all day long. Why don’t they take a look at themselves? They even urged you to go back. Let me tell you, you have to be content and not be too greedy. Greedy people can’t keep anything in the end.”

“What did I do? Why am I greedy because I want you to be ambitious?” Zhiyuan felt that Zhao Cai was not on her side. She was so angry that tears fell. She got out of bed, packed a few clothes, and was about to walk out.

Zhao Cai stopped her and said, “It’s so late. Even if you want to go back to your mother’s house, you have to wait for dawn tomorrow.”

Seeing that Zhao Cai was only stopping her so that she could leave at dawn, Zhizi pushed him away and said angrily, “Go away. I don’t want you to be hypocritical.”

Zhao Cai kept to the side to let her pass. Zhizi walked to the door and thought for a moment before turning around and kicking Zhao Cai before going to the room next door.

Seeing that she had gone next door, Zhao Cai did not want to coax her. He decided to send her back to her mother’s house tomorrow and let her understand his position.

Li Fengqi came out of a teahouse and stood at the entrance. He looked up at the teahouse before walking back. When he reached his house, he stood for a moment before raising his hand to knock. The old woman opened the door and retreated to the side. “Master, someone came from Madam and Cousin’s house today.”

“I understand,” Li Fengqi agreed indifferently and entered the courtyard. Laidi stood under the eaves of the porch and looked at Li Fengqi, who had only returned home after dark. She turned around and returned to the house to take out Li Qing’s wedding invitation. She handed it to him and said, “Ah Qing will get married the next day and is treating us to a wedding banquet. We can’t afford the good ones, and we can’t bring out the bad ones. Back then, Ah Qing also gave us a lavish gift when we got married. What kind of gift do you think we should prepare?”

Li Fengqi took the invitation and flipped it open. He said gently, “You’re right. I still have a Duan Inkstone that was given to me by the High Scholar. Just give me a Duan Inkstone and buy some other things to bring.”

Laidi glanced at Li Fengqi. He looked like he was in a good mood today! He couldn’t bear to use that inkstone himself, but he was willing to give it to Ah Qing. Wasn’t he angry that Ah Qing and Cousin wouldn’t support him?

“It’s hard on you to bear with it. Ah Qing wouldn’t be picky about anything else.”

Li Fengqi smiled at her. “I can’t bear to part with you. Sigh! I remember you saying that your cousin was almost killed by a family with the surname Zhang. Why did that family want to harm her?”

Laidi glanced at him. “Why are you asking about this ancient matter?”

Li Fengqi sat on the edge of the bed with Laidi in his arms. “I just feel that your Cousin and Ah Qing are too capable. We’re far inferior to them. I want to know how much effort they’ve put in to reach their current status.”

“Why are you interested in listening to my old story today?” Laidi looked at Li Fengqi strangely. Seeing his gentle expression, she was happy. “It’s all my uncle’s fault for arranging a marriage for her. That family is greedy…”

When Li Fengqi heard this, he sighed and said, “The Zhang family is too bad.

They’re too inhumane. They probably died in the disaster year, right?”

“No, someone saw them in Tongzhou a few years ago and heard that they were living a very difficult life. The heavens have eyes and let them suffer retribution,” Laidi said angrily.

Li Fengqi’s eyes flickered as he smiled and said, “You have to calm down. You’re pregnant! You can’t be vicious.”

Laidi leaned against Li Fengqi and said gently, “Fengqi, I’ve also thought it through. If you still can’t pass the exam the year after next, let’s go back to Tongzhou! You’re a High Scholar in Tongzhou. You’ll be much more respected there than in the capital, where there are many high officials.”

Li Fengqi said gently, “Alright, I’ve thought it through too. I’ll listen to you. Tell me about the past of Ah Qing and his sister.”

“Alright, let’s start with my uncle saving Zhang Defa…” Laidi leaned on Li Fengqi’s shoulder with a smile and said slowly..