Chapter 220 3/3

“Master, there are private rooms on the second floor, but we have to take the stairs. Should we eat downstairs?” Concubine Liu glanced at the stairs, worried the Emperor might not be able to manage, and thus made the suggestion.

The Emperor replied, “No, let’s eat upstairs.”

Suddenly, he felt capable of walking.

Since the Emperor insisted, the group headed upstairs. If he truly couldn’t manage, the guards could assist him on either side.

Qi Jun ascended the stairs on his own, albeit slowly.

Once they were upstairs, they entered a private room.

As soon as they sat down, Qi Jun said, “That Li Scholar, I feel he looks somewhat familiar and very pleasant.”

Hearing this, both Lü Qingxi and Concubine Liu were surprised.

They had intended for Li Qingzhi to become the false prince, and naturally, they wanted the Emperor to have a favorable impression of him. Yet, they had barely done anything, and the Emperor already liked him after just one meeting?

Concubine Liu, observing Qi Jun’s expression, realized he was sincere and said, “Do you feel that way too, my lord? I had the same feeling. The first time I saw Li Qingzhi, I thought he looked very friendly.”

Lü Qingxi added, “I feel the same way. He bears a resemblance to Your Majesty.”

“Really?” The Emperor was a bit surprised.

Lü Qingxi said, “Your Majesty, his nose and eyes resemble yours when you were young.”

In those days without glass mirrors, Qi Jun wasn’t very familiar with his own appearance, and he had long forgotten what he looked like when he was young.

But generally, unless someone is extremely self-conscious, people tend to think they look good.

Qi Jun believed he had been quite handsome when he was younger, so perhaps Li Qingzhi did resemble him?

No wonder he felt an instant liking for Li Qingzhi upon first sight.

In a good mood, Qi Jun praised Li Qingzhi a few more times, adding, “Jiang’an Province has a strong literary tradition. As a top scholar from there, his knowledge must be impressive. He might even become a top scorer in the imperial exams.”

Lü Qingxi quickly agreed.

While they chatted and ordered food, on the other side, Li Qingzhi and Du Yongning also placed their orders.

Li Qingzhi was unaware of Qi Jun’s favorable impression of him, but even if he knew, he would find it understandable.

After all, just now, when he supported Qi Jun, he had transferred all his energy into Qi Jun’s body.

Qi Jun’s body was riddled with ailments, similar to the state of the original body Li Qingzhi had inherited upon his arrival—malnourished and unable to sustain itself. Qi Jun, though well-fed and treated with various life-prolonging medicines by imperial doctors, wouldn’t survive much longer.

Given Qi Jun’s condition, treating him would be a monumental task.

If he indeed became Qi Jun’s son, he would undertake this massive project. If not, treating Qi Jun would incur the displeasure of Prince Jin and Prince Yan, making it a dangerous mission where failure could mean his own demise before even beginning.

Returning to the present, in the moment he supported Qi Jun, Li Qingzhi’s energy had entered the Emperor’s body, assessing his condition while providing some minor healing.

This might be a drop in the ocean for the Emperor, but it still had some effect, making him feel a bit better and more energetic.

Thinking about this, Li Qingzhi suddenly recalled another detail.

While checking the Emperor’s body, he had noticed a small mole on his back.

The Emperor had no birthmarks, only this mole. Should he get a similar mole in the same spot on his own body?

After all, it was just a mole. He decided to do it.

Li Qingzhi quickly made up his mind to add a mole to his body once his energy recovered.

“Brother Li, who was that you were talking to earlier?” Du Yongning asked Li Qingzhi.

“Someone I knew from before. Madam Liu is very close to Xiaoye and is a big client of Jin Ye Embroidery Workshop,” Li Qingzhi explained.

Du Yongning said, “Those two seemed extraordinary… Brother Li, your wife is truly impressive. Before coming to the capital, I didn’t know Jin Ye Embroidery was so renowned here!”

In Jiang’an Province, Du Yongning had hardly heard of Jin Ye Embroidery, but since coming to the capital…

People in the capital considered Jin Ye Embroidery a famous workshop from Jiang’an Province, with even Concubine Liu being a fan.

Appearances can be deceiving! He had thought Li Qingzhi’s wife was a country girl, but years ago, she had already established her business in the capital!

“My wife is very smart,” Li Qingzhi laughed. “She’s planning to open a shop in the capital in partnership with others. You must visit when it opens, Brother Du.”

“Rest assured, Brother Li, I will definitely be there!”

As they chatted, their dishes were served.

Coming to Qingyun Tower, they had to try the specialties! Du Yongning ordered two spicy dishes, while Li Qingzhi chose two hearty stews suitable for the northern winter.

With a large appetite, Li Qingzhi ordered extra dishes.

In addition to the dishes, Li Qingzhi ordered some steamed buns, taking one and biting into it while also helping himself to the stewed ribs.

As they were eating, Du Yongning suddenly exclaimed with joy, “It’s Taoist Lu! I’ve been looking for him for days, and now I finally see him!”

Li Qingzhi looked up to see Lu Mingshan, dressed in a brand new Taoist robe, walking in from outside.