Chapter 187

If Qian Changsheng’s health inexplicably improved, it would raise suspicion. So, Li Qingzhi claimed he had some medical skills and wanted to help treat Qian Changsheng.

He had no real experience, and normally, anyone else would be hesitant to receive treatment from him or to take the medicine he provided. However, the Qian family had great trust in him, and considering Qian Changsheng’s condition… All previous doctors had declared Qian Changsheng congenitally weak and unlikely to live past the age of twenty.

The Qian family had long been prepared for Qian Changsheng’s premature death. If Li Qingzhi wanted to treat him, they figured it was worth a try—treating a dead horse as if it were still alive, so to speak.

Thus, each day at noon, after eating, Qian Changsheng obediently drank the decoction Li Qingzhi prepared.

As for the medicine… Li Qingzhi told others it was a secret recipe, but it was actually just some tonics that were harmless to the body.

To ensure Qian Changsheng didn’t experience any adverse effects, Li Qingzhi also added some non-toxic wild herbs, which gave the concoction a peculiar taste.

After lunch, Qian Changsheng drank the medicine without batting an eye.

Seeing him drink it, Li Qingzhi extended his hand, “Let me check your pulse.”

Qian Changsheng obediently extended his hand.

Taking this opportunity, Li Qingzhi secretly treated his heart condition.

Qian Changsheng felt a warm current in his chest after drinking the medicine… Could it be that his body was really getting better?

Filled with hope, it was at this moment that Jin Xiaoye entered from outside.

Although Li Qingzhi had known Qian Changsheng for several days, Jin Xiaoye had yet to meet him.

During the day, she was usually busy at the Jin Ye Embroidery Workshop and never ran into Qian Changsheng.

Today, she had come back specifically to meet Qian Changsheng, to get to know him, and then find an opportunity to meet the first and second ladies of the Qian family.

Upon seeing Qian Changsheng, Jin Xiaoye was taken aback.

She had heard from Li Qingzhi about Qian Changsheng and knew his health was poor, but she hadn’t expected him to be so handsome!

He was undoubtedly the best-looking man she had ever seen!

Just as Li Qingzhi was about to introduce Qian Changsheng to Jin Xiaoye, he noticed the look in her eyes and suddenly became alert.

Wait a minute, this cousin of his… is a bit too handsome, isn’t he?

Although Qian Changsheng still looked sickly, he had been happier recently, which had improved his spirit and made his appearance more striking.

Fortunately, Jin Xiaoye quickly regained her composure and smiled at Li Qingzhi, “Ah Qing, is this your friend?”

“Yes, this is Qian Changsheng, Brother Qian,” Li Qingzhi introduced with a smile.

“Hello, Brother Qian,” Jin Xiaoye greeted Qian Changsheng warmly and began chatting with him.

After all, he was Li Qingzhi’s relative!

And… anyone this handsome would attract a few extra glances.

Jin Xiaoye had always liked good-looking people. When she first met Fang Jinniang, she thought having such a beauty around was particularly pleasing to the eye.

Now, she felt the same about Qian Changsheng.

Seeing Qian Changsheng’s frail appearance, she fetched a hat she had previously made for Li Qingzhi, which he never wore, and put it on Qian Changsheng.

Qian Changsheng, rarely exposed to sunlight, had snow-white skin. His face resembled his mother’s and looked quite young. With the hat on, his face appeared even smaller.

Jin Xiaoye said to Li Qingzhi, “Changsheng is so handsome. I hope Damao and Ermao will grow up to be this handsome!”

Her two kids looked like little monkeys, but this child was so well-behaved!

Li Qingzhi coughed lightly, “I’m also handsome.” His current appearance was even better than the original, definitely a dashing young gentleman!

Jin Xiaoye responded, “Yes, you’re handsome too, but you’re a bit thin.”

Actually, Qian Changsheng was also thin, but his sharp face made it seem natural.

Li Qingzhi, however, was different.

His face wasn’t as small or sharp, and he was indeed a bit thin… lacking a bit of flesh on his face.

Li Qingzhi: “…” He had been too busy lately, burning a lot of energy and hadn’t had the chance to gain some weight…

He couldn’t gain any weight for now; all his energy was being used to treat Qian Changsheng.

That being said, Qian Changsheng’s looks were quite different from his own. Once he filled out, he would be a tall, handsome man, while Qian Changsheng had the delicate looks of a pretty boy.

That day, as Li Qingzhi saw Qian Changsheng off, he advised, “Changsheng, getting more sunlight is good for your health. You should spend more time in the sun this afternoon.”

He was completely sincere; sunlight would definitely benefit Qian Changsheng!

Once Qian Changsheng tanned, Jin Xiaoye would surely find him more handsome.

Unaware of Li Qingzhi’s thoughts, Jin Xiaoye left to check on the Jin Ye Embroidery Workshop.

There, she couldn’t help but feel a bit disgruntled upon seeing Jin Xiaoshu.

Li Qingzhi’s brother was so handsome, but her brother was dark and burly…

Life in Chongcheng County was very smooth, but in the capital, things were turbulent.

The flood incident from seven years ago had been re-investigated.

It was confirmed that County Magistrate Li Zhao of Yu County had not embezzled disaster relief funds; it was the imperial envoy who had stolen a substantial amount.

The emperor, enraged, dismissed several officials and rebuked the King of Jin for poor supervision.

But as Li Qingzhi had predicted… the King of Jin did not suffer any significant punishment.

He remained an exalted prince!

Shopkeeper Mu gritted her teeth in frustration, deeply resentful.

They say the law applies equally to princes and commoners… but in reality, it’s just talk.

These royal relatives have committed numerous atrocities, yet they face no consequences!

It’s not just the King of Jin… The eldest princess of the current dynasty is notoriously arrogant. Recently, rumors spread that she had beaten a maid to death.

Publicly, it was claimed the maid had stolen her jewelry, but everyone knew the truth was different.

Taking a deep breath, Shopkeeper Mu felt a bit relieved.

The current situation was actually quite good.

Her father had been exonerated, and the King of Jin had lost the emperor’s favor…

As she was thinking this, someone reported that Duan Jin was looking for her.

She immediately let Duan Jin in.

Duan Jin had helped her with many things over the past year, and Shopkeeper Mu had a high opinion of him.

When Duan Jin arrived, Shopkeeper Mu asked, “What brings you here?”

“Shopkeeper Mu, I’ve obtained some information that I’d like you to deliver to the palace,” Duan Jin said.

Duan Jin was skilled in cooking, and Lü Qingxi enjoyed his dishes. He used to visit Duan Jin’s Qingyun Restaurant frequently, allowing Duan Jin to pass on some information directly to him.

But recently, with the cold weather and the emperor’s poor health… Lü Qingxi hadn’t left the palace in over ten days, so Duan Jin couldn’t see him.

He had no choice but to ask Shopkeeper Mu to send the message into the palace.

“What information have you obtained?” Shopkeeper Mu asked.

Duan Jin replied, “I discovered something suspicious about the disaster relief in Yuxi Prefecture.”

Shopkeeper Mu waited for him to elaborate.

Duan Jin continued, “I found out that the King of Yan also embezzled a portion of the disaster relief funds and deliberately left clues to frame Magistrate Li Zhao.”

After Li Qingzhi and Qian Fugui had this suspicion at the end of last year, Qian Fugui immediately started investigating.

He indeed found some evidence.

Upon confirming the suspicion, Li Qingzhi had immediately sent word to Chang Duan, asking him to relay the information to Lü Qingxi.

Chang Duan received the message a few days ago. It wasn’t urgent, so he planned to wait until Lü Qingxi left the palace, but as Lü Qingxi didn’t leave… he decided to inform Shopkeeper Mu to be cautious of the King of Yan.

According to his knowledge… Some of Lu Qingxi’s people here have a favorable impression of the King of Yan, and there’s even some interaction.”

“Shopkeeper, I’ve also received word that the Yulong Trading Company belongs to the King of Yan. It’s said that the son of the King of Yan is now managing it,” Chang Duan continued.

Qian Fugui knew quite a bit about the King of Yan, things that Li Qingzhi had shared with Chang Duan.

Now, Chang Duan was relaying them, although he didn’t mention much about the Qian family.

Currently, Qian Fugui was sick in Jiang’an Province and wasn’t managing the Yulong Trading Company.

The shopkeeper listened attentively and, when she finished, she suddenly smiled. “I’ll send the message to the palace immediately.”

Meanwhile, in the King of Yan’s residence…

The King of Yan was discussing Qian Fugui with his advisor. “Sir, Qian Fugui’s family has encountered misfortune. Is someone targeting us?”

Qian Fugui had once asked the King of Yan to find a doctor for Qian Changsheng’s illness, so the King had specially arranged for a trusted aide to check Qian Changsheng’s condition.

As far as he knew, Qian Changsheng’s health was truly poor, and it was no surprise his family took him out for treatment.

Now that Qian’s family had encountered trouble, the King of Yan didn’t suspect Qian Fugui but rather suspected someone was targeting them.

After a moment of thought, the King’s advisor said, “Let’s wait and see! Also… Regarding Qian Fugui, perhaps this is an opportunity for him to withdraw from the Yulong Trading Company…”

They did have some grievances with Qian Fugui. They had used him when they needed manpower before, but now that they had enough people trained, there was no need to rely on him anymore.

Once their people fully controlled the Yulong Trading Company, they would eradicate the Qian family completely.