Chapter 194 1/3

Li Qingzhi was feeling a bit emotional, but he actually knew very well that Jin Xiaoye and Qian Changsheng had nothing going on.

He made Qian Changsheng sit in the sun, actually for Qian Changsheng’s own good.

Qian Changsheng used to eat little and didn’t exercise, staying indoors all day without going out. His health was poor, and he was calcium deficient.

In the middle of winter, it wasn’t hot, so he should be getting more sun.

Speaking of this, Qian’s second wife used to worry that her son would get sick from sun exposure and wind, but seeing her son’s health improving day by day, she wished she could let him sunbathe every day.

At this moment, Qian’s second wife was talking to Qian’s first wife: “Sister-in-law, I used to think Ah Zhi was just boasting about his medical skills, but now it seems… his skills might really be good. Ever since Changsheng started going to him and taking the medicine he prescribed, his health has been getting better and better!”

They had previously consulted many doctors, and almost all of them had given up on Qian Changsheng, saying he wouldn’t live long.

At the end of last year, when Qian Fugui sent word for them to take Qian Changsheng and leave the Qian family to come to Chongcheng County to find Li Qingzhi, Qian’s second wife cried bitterly.

Her son, always unwell at home and frequently falling ill, might not survive the journey south, especially with the threat of “bandits” along the way.

Qian’s second wife harbored some resentment towards her sister-in-law’s family.

Although she knew it wasn’t their fault, without this connection, the Qian family could have lived peacefully in their hometown.

Her parents-in-law might still be alive, and her husband wouldn’t have a crippled leg.

After being told to go south, her discontent grew stronger.

If something happened to her son along the way, she would hate her sister-in-law’s family forever.

Fortunately, her son was safe!

With her son unharmed, Qian’s second wife started thinking about other things, such as… perhaps Li Qingzhi could adopt a son for her son?

Li Zhao had been exonerated and even praised as a good official.

On deeper reflection, if the Qian family had stayed in their hometown, they might not have been able to get good doctors, and her son might not have survived!

Qian’s second wife’s resentment diminished significantly, and her attitude towards Li Qingzhi became very enthusiastic.

Recently, seeing her son looking better each day, she found everything pleasing to the eye.

Qian’s first wife had heard from Qian Fugui about Li Qingzhi’s persistent efforts to treat his uncle’s back injury.

Qian Fugui didn’t believe Li Qingzhi could heal his back but appreciated his filial piety, so he didn’t stop him.

As for Qian Changsheng’s situation… Li Qingzhi wouldn’t harm him, and Qian Fugui was confident about that.

Qian’s first wife said, “If it really works, that would be great! Ah Zhi is helping his uncle with his back, maybe he can really cure it.”

Qian’s second wife said, “It will definitely work!”

Qian’s first wife added, “We’ve been here for some time now. Tomorrow, let’s go to Jin Ye Embroidery Workshop together and get to know Xiao Ye? It would be good to keep in touch.”

Qian’s second wife readily agreed.

Qian’s second wife was truly beautiful, with a small and sharp face. When Qian’s first wife first met her, she was delicate and weak…

Qian’s first wife was a bit worried at the time, fearing she would be difficult to get along with.

She had previously met young ladies from scholarly families who looked down on merchants and liked to talk about poetry and literature…

Luckily, Qian’s second wife wasn’t like that. Although literate, she didn’t enjoy reading poetry but loved eating various delicacies and was a bit lazy and greedy.

Unfortunately, Qian Changsheng’s poor health kept Qian’s second wife preoccupied with her son, leaving little time to seek out good food.

But recently, with Qian Changsheng’s health improving… Qian’s second wife had people buy delicious snacks from Juewei Zhai every day and had even put on some weight herself.

While the two sisters-in-law were chatting, a boat silently entered the courtyard; Qian Fugui had arrived.

After disembarking, Qian Fugui saw Qian’s first wife’s outfit and was stunned: “Wife, why are you dressed like this?”

Qian Fugui had studied in his early years and aimed to become a scholar, so the Qian family didn’t rush to arrange a marriage for him.

It wasn’t until he gave up on the exams at twenty that his family started looking for a match.

Qian’s first wife frequently visited the Qian family, her intentions clear to all. The two families were well-matched… Qian’s first wife married Qian Fugui as she wished.

At that time, Qian’s first wife was fifteen, and Qian Fugui was twenty-two.

Qian’s first wife, now forty-three, was seven years younger than Qian Fugui.

Qian Fugui was handsome and youthful-looking, and Qian’s first wife had always dressed youthfully to match him.

She had no children, and with the Qian family’s wealth, she didn’t show her age much—though in her forties, she looked like she was in her thirties.

On the other hand, Qian’s second wife, who worried about her son, looked older, even older than Qian’s first wife.

However, Qian’s second husband also looked older than Qian Fugui, so neither couple mentioned it.

But today… Qian’s first wife was dressed in old-fashioned clothes, with a headband…

Her face was still the same, with few wrinkles, but she looked much older.

Qian Fugui felt a bit uncomfortable.

Qian’s first wife said, “I’m going to be a grandmother soon; I can’t dress like before.”

She planned to approach Jin Xiaoye and meet Li Damao and Li Ermao.

If she dressed too youthfully… how could she expect Jin Xiaoye to call her aunt?

She needed to coax Li Damao and Li Ermao to call her grandma!

After all, many women her age were already grandmothers, and they dressed like this.

Qian Fugui: “…” Should he also dress a bit older?

Well, now wasn’t the time to think about that. Qian Fugui called his trusted aide to find Li Qingzhi and Qian Changsheng: “Tell them to come over quickly.”

He had something important to discuss with Li Qingzhi.

Upon hearing that Qian Fugui had arrived, Li Qingzhi, carrying Qian Changsheng’s chicks, led Qian Changsheng to the Qian family’s residence.

Qian Changsheng, having had few friends and never kept pets, was quite lonely and deeply loved the chicks he had hatched himself.

“Brother Li, Changming and Baisui love eating millet the most. They’re yellow, and so is millet, they peck at it…” Qian Changsheng gestured animatedly, wanting to carry the basket himself.

Li Qingzhi didn’t let him; Qian Changsheng’s health was no match for his, and the basket was a bit heavy for Qian Changsheng.

As they walked, Li Qingzhi suddenly felt someone watching him. He turned to see Shen Xuniang smiling gently at him.

Shen Xuniang ran up: “Hello, I’m new to Chongcheng County and need directions…”

Li Qingzhi looked at her speechlessly: “Haven’t you always lived in Chongcheng County?”

Shen Xuniang froze.

She had embarrassed herself at Li Laogen’s place and wanted revenge.

Her plan? If she could become Li Qingzhi’s concubine…

Li Qingzhi was about the same age as Yao Zhenfu. If she could get Yao Zhenfu, maybe she could get Li Qingzhi too?

Li Qingzhi, who had always been at home studying and hadn’t seen much of the world.

Li Qingzhi continued, “Yao Zhenfu is my neighbor. I’ve seen you with him. They sold four acres of land to me to raise the hundred taels of silver you demanded.”

Li Qingzhi was blunt. Seeing Shen Xuniang stunned, he walked on without changing his expression.

“Brother Li, who was that?” Qian Changsheng asked Li Qingzhi.

Li Qingzhi thought for a moment and told Qian Changsheng about Yao Zhenfu and Shen Xuniang.

Qian Changsheng was about the same age as Chang Zhan.