Chapter 8

Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio

Zhou Ji’nan looked for a long time but did not find out anything. He was wondering.

Zhao Yi glanced at him and said, “Let’s go.”

Zhou Ji’nan touched the back of his neck. He somehow felt a chill and cowered a little. Then, he turned and followed Zhao Yi away.

On the other side, Li Baojia had finished her prayer to Matchmaker and walked out of the temple. Madam Huang and Li Jiaying were already waiting.

Madam Huang was a bit helpless. “Where have you been again? You made me and your sister wait for a while.”

Li Baojia stuck out her tongue and helped Li Jiaying get into the carriage.

Inside the carriage, Madam Huang said, “Jiaying came out with us today, so let the carriage take her back to the assistant minister’s residence before we go back.”

Of course, Li Baojia agreed.

In her previous life, Uncle Wei was involved in the salt-making case. She wondered if Sister Jiaying knew about it.

Evil deeds should not bring disaster upon a married daughter. In her previous life, Sister Jiaying was already married to the assistant minister’s family, so she was not involved in trouble.

But the Li family lost their power and Uncle Wei’s family was exiled. Many women were accused harshly for many reasons in the current world, and her mother’s family suffered from the disaster. If Assistant Minister Zhang’s family was mean, Li Baojia didn’t know how much her Sister Jiaying had to suffer.

Thinking about these things, Li Baojia couldn’t help but ask, “Sister Jiaying, I haven’t seen you for a long time. How is Uncle Wei doing in Su Province now?”

Li Jiaying laughed as she said, “I’m doing well. I’m stronger than ever. Su Province is near the sea and the seasons are like spring. The doctor said it’s good for recuperation.”

The Li family had two branches. The senior branch was the family of the Grand Preceptor, Li Wangde. He was the crown prince’s teacher, and further up the line, Old Mr. Li was also the emperor’s teacher at that time. So, it could be said that the Li family had been the crown prince’s teacher for several generations and had won the emperor’s favor.

Old Mr. Li was not well in his early years and passed away when Li Baojia was very young, so she did not have much impression of Old Mr. Li. She only remembered that he was an amiable grandfather.

Her uncle, Li Wei, on the other hand, had been in poor health since he was a child. Although he had chosen the path of taking the Imperial Examinations, his performance was far inferior to that of his brother, Li Wangde, and he had even less hope of becoming the crown prince’s teacher. His interest was in business, but he gave up the idea due to strong opposition from his family.

He served in the Imperial Court of Justice as a Chief Justice for a few years and then became the salt commissioner of Su Province. At the moment, he had some achievements in his career and was said to be trusted by the emperor.

But why did things turn out that way in the end?

Li Baojia did not understand and couldn’t figure out the matter with her brain. With her understanding of Uncle Wei, she believed that he was not a profit-oriented person.

She could only say, “Isn’t there a lot of work for Uncle Wei as the salt commissioner? His body needs to recuperate. Why not change to a leisurely position?”

Madam Huang patted her forehead. “Don’t talk nonsense. Although the salt commissioner is not a leisurely position, he has real power and can even compare to your father, the emperor’s close official. How can you persuade him to change his position so casually?”

Li Jiaying also shook her head and said, “I don’t know anything about the official affairs of the imperial court, but the career of the salt commissioner can’t be changed at will.”

Li Baojia sighed.

Li Jiaying thought that she was worried and smiled. “No need to worry about my father’s health. Some time ago, my mother wrote and said that my father is now in great spirits.”

Li Baojia thought about it and knew that Uncle Wei would not change his position because of her word.

But things were very unpredictable in the future. Now that she had come back to take advantage of the situation, she wanted to get to the bottom of it and see if there was any way out.

She thought with a bit of sadness, if only she could accompany her Sister Jiaying on a trip to Su Province.

She couldn’t find a reason to go to Su Province except to accompany Sister Jiaying back.

She said inwardly, “Wait!”

Out of the blue, she recalled her previous life. Her mother seemed to have mentioned to her that Sister Jiaying would return home to nourish her fetus.

So, she cautiously asked, “Sister Jiaying, are you going back to Su Province to take a rest?”

“Your sister is not pregnant for enough months and her belly is getting bigger. Su Province is quite far from Imperial City, so how can she go back to Su Province for rest?” Madam Huang was amused but a little angry at the same time.

“Are you still worried that the assistant minister’s family can’t take good care of your sister? This child is the Zhang family’s child, so there is no reason to go back to her mother’s house to nourish her fetus.”

Li Jiaying also said, “I will bring the child back to my mother’s family when the child is born and one month old.”

Li Baojia thought, “Yes, Su Province is not close to Imperial City. So, why did Sister Jiaying go back to Su Province for rest in her previous life?”

Something else must have happened after this and made Sister Jiaying change her mind and have to go to Su Province.

She should pay more attention during this time to see what the opportunity for change was.

Li Baojia took Li Jiaying’s hand and said, “Sister Jiaying, I don’t have anything to do now and you are pregnant, so I want to come to your house to play with you. We can both relieve our boredom.”

Li Jiaying quickly agreed. “Of course, you can come. I’m happy to have you stay at my house every day.”

When they arrived at the assistant minister’s residence, Li Baojia helped Li Jiaying get off the carriage and enter the house before returning to the carriage.

The carriage was going steadily to the Li family’s house.

Madam Huang didn’t stop Li Baojia from going to the assistant minister’s residence. She only urged her to take good care of Li Jiaying and not to get into trouble at the assistant minister’s residence.

After all, in her opinion, Li Baojia should go out and see more about the lives of married ladies, which might help her in her future married life.

It was the East Palace.

Zhao Yi was reading official documents in front of the desk. After two days of experimentation, he could be sure that they were not phantom hearing. He really seemed to be able to hear the thoughts of others.

It seemed to have started from the time he saw Li Baojia.

Why did Li Baojia suddenly want to marry Zhou Ji’nan for no reason? No, it was not exactly Zhou Ji’nan. It seemed like she just didn’t want to marry him.

He thought, “Didn’t she look so attentive when she saw me before? Has she changed so much in just a few days? Or was she just pretending before?”

After seeing her two times, he suddenly realized that she was full of secrets, and he was eager to explore.

Although he did not like the fact that Li Wangde was somewhat insatiable, he thought that the gift Li Wangde gave was interesting.

Also, accepting the gift was not so overwhelming.

Li Baojia and Madam Huang had just gotten off the carriage and arrived at the residence when they met Grand Preceptor Li, who had also just returned to the residence.

Li Baojia went up and bowed. “Father.”

Grand Preceptor Li looked at his daughter. She was graceful and beautiful. Although she had some baby fat on her cheeks, she could already be considered a beautiful sort.

He didn’t realize she had grown before.

He helped her up with a smile and said, “Jiajia has grown up. It’s time to get married.”

In Li Baojia’s opinion, it sounded like he was weighing her weight and said, “You’re grown so fat and can sell for a good price.”

The alarm bells in her heart rang loudly. “Your daughter is still young. There is no hurry.”

Madam Huang agreed with Grand Preceptor Li’s words for the first time. “Your father is right. You are an adult now and it is time to get engaged.”

The rare happiness scene was interrupted by the arrival of Madam Qin, who had heard the news.

“What are you talking about?”

Madam Qin was nearly 40 years old but had a fine figure. At that moment, she was looking sideways at Grand Preceptor Li with a smile. She had fair skin and a small red mole at the corner of her mouth, making her look more attractive.

She was so charming. No wonder Grand Preceptor Li took fancy to her.

Madam Huang hated the look on her face. “We are just talking about some private things and mentioning Jiajia’s marriage. It should be decided as soon as possible.”

Grand Preceptor Li also said, “Yes, Jiajia’s marriage should indeed be decided early. She is not a child now.”

Madam Qin took a handkerchief and carefully wiped Grand Preceptor Li’s forehead. Then, she said, “You worked hard all day today. Why don’t you go to Furong Courtyard for dinner in the evening after washing up? You have been busy for a few days, and Lili has not seen you for a long time. I’m afraid he will not know who his father is.”

Lili was the youngest son of Madam Qin. Madam Qin had one daughter and two sons. Her youngest son was only eight years old and considered a January chick, so he was quite loved by Grand Preceptor Li.

Grand Preceptor Li laughed and quickly agreed.

Madam Huang stood beside them, her chest heaving up and down with anger.

Li Wangde cared about his daughter because Li Baojia was about to get married recently. So, he said to Madam Huang, “You are outside today too and must be tired. So, I’ll visit you tomorrow.”

Huang Ru’er forced a smile and agreed.

After they left, Li Baojia said she was tired and also left with a bow.

She knew her mother would talk with her again if she didn’t leave.

It was the Furong Courtyard.

Qin Ke cleaned her hands with the water in the basin brought by the servant and asked, “Has the antler soup been cooked?”

Xixi, the maid next to her, said, “Madam, the kitchen has already been ordered. How dare they be late since Mr. Li is coming!”

“Even if Mr. Li doesn’t come, they wouldn’t dare to be late.” Qin Ke slowly wiped her hands.

She then asked, “What about the matter you were asked to inquire about last time?”

“Madam, it was said that last time, Miss Baojia wanted to see His Highness, but she was scolded and chased out. Her eyes were red and she was crying sadly.”

Qin Ke laughed out loud. “Huang Ru’er can’t compete with me, and her daughter is also a stupid one. She can’t grasp the heart of His Highness but still thinks she can make a great coup. How ridiculous!

“It’s a pity that Rulan was born a little too early. Otherwise, how can it be Li Baojia’s turn to do such things? She is such a submissive girl and just as useless as her mother.”

Xixi also agreed. “It was a mistake for Mr. Li to have high hopes for Miss Baojia. It seems that His Highness does not accept her at all. Ms. Rulan is now firmly established in Duke Guangping’s family, so Miss Baojia is not comparable to Ms. Rulan.”

Qin Ke was obviously very proud of this. “How can she compare with Rulan? I’ll wait and see which family in Imperial City wants her after she cannot be married to the crown prince and becomes an old girl. By then, she and her mother will be a joke. I want to let them see what will happen to them when they try to marry Li Baojia to the crown prince.”