Chapter 213 2/3

Moreover, seeing Li Zhu’s influence in the capital, Li Qingzhi realized he would need to rely on her to take action against Prince Jin and Prince Yan.

He hadn’t been in this world long enough to build up a substantial network.

As for He Yi… actually, back in Yuxian County, the original Li Qingzhi had noticed that He Yi seemed to have feelings for Li Zhu.

At that time, their social statuses were vastly different, so He Yi did nothing, and the original Li Qingzhi pretended not to notice.

Now that they were together, with Li Zhu entrusting He Yi with important tasks, He Yi must indeed be trustworthy.

The biggest advantage of his special ability was that it could heal people, something Qian Fugui and Qian Changsheng had already experienced. There was no need to hide it from Li Zhu.

“Sister, I really am Ah Zhi. If you don’t believe me, you can ask me some questions,” Li Qingzhi said, then turned to He Yi, “He Yi, let go of me. You’re hurting my hand.”

He Yi looked at Li Zhu, and upon her signal, he released Li Qingzhi.

Li Qingzhi sat where Madam Qian had previously been seated and grabbed a snack from the table: “Sister, ask me anything. I really am your younger brother.”

Li Qingzhi’s appearance wasn’t completely different from his original look, but only about thirty percent of it remained the same.

Madam Qian had only seen the original Li Qingzhi before he hit puberty, so she found nothing strange about his appearance. However, Li Zhu and He Yi, who had seen him at seventeen or eighteen, would certainly be puzzled.

Fortunately, this could be explained.

Li Zhu immediately began asking questions.

There were many things only they, as siblings, knew, and Li Qingzhi answered all these questions correctly!

“Where is our younger brother’s birthmark? What does it look like?” Li Zhu asked.

Li Qingzhi responded, “On the inner thigh, about the size of a fly, shaped like a small gourd.”

That was indeed correct…

Li Zhu fell into deep thought, and Li Qingzhi turned to He Yi: “He Yi, I always remembered you. That time we were digging ditches, I talked to you…”

Li Qingzhi recounted some of He Yi’s stories, including some things He Yi had said to him privately.

As he continued, Li Qingzhi said, “That time we met in Minli Village, you asked me about my sister…”

He Yi immediately confirmed, “Miss, everything he said is true.”

Li Qingzhi realized He Yi wasn’t yet his brother-in-law. He smiled at He Yi and then turned to Li Zhu, “Sister, let me show you my ability to change my appearance.”

Li Zhu and He Yi both looked at Li Qingzhi. Could someone really change their appearance? It seemed too incredible.

“Earlier, I made Lu Mingshan’s eyebrow turn white. This time, I’ll make a pimple appear.” Li Qingzhi pointed to his face, and then a pimple suddenly appeared on his face…

Li Qingzhi created a pimple and then did nothing more.

He was exhausted.

“Sister, this is how I can change a bit of my or others’ appearance. I altered my face to avoid being recognized,” Li Qingzhi explained.

Li Zhu and He Yi now fully believed Li Qingzhi, but the miraculous event left them both a bit bewildered.

Li Qingzhi added, “If not for this ability, I might have died in the quarry and wouldn’t have made it back alive. Also… sister, besides this ability, I also gained an eidetic memory after the injury.”

Li Qingzhi and Li Zhu talked for a long time, during which he showed his calligraphy skills, thus claiming his identity as the Lone Wanderer.

Throughout their conversation, Li Qingzhi observed Li Zhu and He Yi, growing more convinced that they were trustworthy.

Once Li Zhu was certain of Li Qingzhi’s identity, she hugged him tightly and began to cry, “Ah Zhi…”

He Yi, who had previously been a bit jealous of Li Qingzhi, now treated him with utmost kindness.

“Sister, it’s all right now, everything is fine…” Li Qingzhi comforted Li Zhu, then asked, “Sister, what have you been through all these years?”

Earlier, Li Qingzhi had shown some of Li Zhi’s impulsiveness, but now, after both sides had opened up, he appeared more composed.

Li Zhu recounted what she had told Madam Qian, adding, “I’ve been so useless. For years, I accomplished nothing. If not for your books, ‘Record of Injustices’ and Records of Escape from Famine,’ Prince Jin might still be in power.”

“Sister, you’ve done wonderfully.” Li Qingzhi praised Li Zhu, adding, “Sister, since I got this special ability, I need to eat a lot. I’m hungry.”

Not only was he hungry, but Jin Xiaoye and the others were probably waiting too.

He Yi immediately responded, “I’ll have food prepared right away.”

Before long, He Yi had a table full of hot dishes brought in, along with the food Li Qingzhi and his group had brought. The lunch was plentiful.

Li Qingzhi ate a lot.

The others didn’t find this strange. Thinking of Li Qingzhi’s earlier words, Li Zhu and He Yi repeatedly added food to his plate.

“What happened earlier?” Madam Qian asked.

Li Qingzhi had Zhang Zao and the children, along with Li Laogen, eat at another table, while he sat with Li Zhu, He Yi, Jin Xiaoye, and Madam Qian. Hearing Madam Qian’s question, he explained, “Aunt, I’ve changed a lot these past years, so my sister was a bit wary.”

“Aunt, it’s my fault. I’ve been so stressed and paranoid these years,” Li Zhu said apologetically.

“It’s not your fault,” Madam Qian immediately replied. “Ah Zhu, you’ve suffered so much.”

Jin Xiaoye, already aware of Li Zhu’s identity, said nothing but occasionally glanced at Li Zhu while eating.

Her sister-in-law was indeed beautiful, far more so than her siblings.

Li Zhu, who had already taken a liking to Jin Xiaoye, now, knowing she was her sister-in-law, adored her even more.

She had heard from Li Qingzhi that without Jin Xiaoye, he might not have survived even if he had escaped the quarry.

The meal stretched into the late afternoon, and it was time for them to return.

Li Zhu decided, “I’ll go back with you.” She had much more to discuss with Li Qingzhi.

As for her original plan to spread rumors about Fan Weiyan… He Yi would handle it!

That day, on this estate filled with plum blossoms, many things happened, and many things were also unfolding in the capital.

Qian Fugui, looking much older and more haggard thanks to the dark circles, bags under his eyes, and white hair that Li Qingzhi had created, went to see Prince Yan.

Prince Yan was shocked by Qian Fugui’s appearance.

Only last year, Qian Fugui had appeared elegant and youthful, looking younger than his actual age.

But now… Qian Fugui seemed to have aged more than ten years overnight.

Previously, Prince Yan had suspected Qian Fugui of faking illness to avoid helping him after he arranged for someone to take over Yulong Trading Company.

But seeing Qian Fugui now dispelled his doubts.

Qian Fugui was genuinely ill.

Prince Yan talked at length with Qian Fugui, urging him to find ways to make money for him.

Qian Fugui hesitated, “Your Highness, I’ve been unwell lately, and I’m afraid I can’t take on such responsibilities…”

“Manager Qian, don’t you want to avenge your wife and nephew? I’ve discovered that the person who killed them was someone under Lu Qingxi. This past year, Lu Qingxi has been causing me trouble…” Prince Yan continued to persuade him.