Chapter 89 Ancient World: Stepmother (6)

"Brother, are we abandoning Mom?"

Li Huanxi followed Changqing with a conflicted expression, asking cautiously. Today, her brother's performance had impressed her, but it also made her a little worried.

Changqing paused, then said in a deep voice:

“In her heart, Li Qingyue is her son, and Li Xiangling is her daughter.”

The mountain road was rugged, and the wind blew his hair. Li Huanxi paused for a moment, then smiled.

"Too."

The two siblings went into the mountains, and Changqing actually chopped a bundle of firewood. However, instead of rushing home, they found a large, windproof rock behind them and started a fire.

Eat roasted wild eggs!

"Brother, I've noticed you've been having a strange connection with wild eggs lately. How come you ran into one again today?"

Li Huanxi chewed on a fragrant roasted egg, her cheeks puffing out. She was genuinely envious; why didn't she have such good luck?

Changqing used a twig to dig an egg covered in mud out of the fire, gently cracked it open, and a fragrant aroma wafted out.

"That's called being lucky."

He looked up and chuckled.

The two ate until they were half full before carrying their things home. Just then, Li Fusheng was about to leave with two large bundles on his back.

"You dare to come back?!"

Li Xiangling was furious when she saw the two of them. She stood up with her hands on her hips, pointed at them, and questioned them.

Li Fusheng has calmed down a lot now. He is more worried than angry. He will be away from home for at least a month. Although he has sent a message to Qingyue to temporarily return home to take charge, he is still worried. Qingyue is a scholar and may not have experience in managing affairs.

We just have to get through this ordeal first.

When he gets back, we'll deal with this disobedient brat.

Now, he felt uncomfortable just looking at Changqing, and he didn't bother to say anything. He just snorted and strode out the door.

Zhao Lianhua followed after him with red eyes.

"Fusheng, you, you have to come back soon." Her voice choked with emotion.

Li Fusheng glared at her, turned and left. Now, he also harbored resentment towards this woman. She couldn't even control her own son, which not only caused him to lose face but also forced him to perform corvée labor.

Changqing watched as Zhao Lianhua lagged a few steps behind and followed Li Fusheng toward the village entrance.

He scoffed inwardly.

In the story, the original owner went to perform corvée labor. This woman was not upset at all. She just stuffed a few clothes into a small bundle and sent her away. Her exact words were, "There's a lot of work to do at home, so I won't see you off. You have to be obedient and do a lot of work over there."

Unlike now, where people weep and wail as they see their loved ones off for miles.

Changqing couldn't understand this woman's thought process. Could it be that she only realized he was her true love after marrying Li Fusheng, so she loved him so much that she also poured her heart and soul into his children?

Oh well, he wasn't planning on staying in this house any longer anyway.

Once Li Qingyue returns, we'll find a reason to cause a scene, and then we can go back to the old house to live.

Having made up his mind, he felt at ease and simply pulled over a stool and sat down in the courtyard.

Seeing her brother do this, Li Huanxi followed suit.

"Don't you see anything we're doing? You come back and just sit there like this?"

Unable to stand it any longer, Li Xiangling mimicked Zhao Lianhua's tone and sarcastically remarked.

Changqing rolled her eyes at her.

"You weren't doing any work either, were you?"

Li Xiangling's eyes widened. Good heavens, this idiot can even talk back now!

She raised her head, exuding a somewhat domineering air, "I'm studying embroidery, and I'll make a lot of money in the future. My hands are very precious, of course I can't do rough work. How can you compare to me?"

Li Huanxi's expression darkened for a moment, but Chang Qing remained unmoved; he even let out a sneer.

"Who can predict the future? I could say I'll become the top scholar in the imperial examinations, would you believe me? Right now I'm still chopping wood and working in the fields, you're just a freeloader, we're the ones supporting you!"

Okay, okay!

So this idiot can talk! Li Xiangling was instantly furious. Did he think she was a freeloader? How dare this kid talk like that!

"Get out! All of you, get out of my house! This is my house, you're the ones who are freeloading—"

Snap!

Before she could finish speaking, Changqing suddenly stood up, swung his hand, and slapped her across the face, making her head turn to the side.

“Disrespecting your elder brother is something I’m doing on behalf of your father.”

Standing nearby, Li Huanxi was stunned. This guy is too crazy! He actually dared to lay a hand on Li Xiangling!

Li Xiangling was stunned for a moment, and a burning pain came from her face. She felt humiliated and helpless. Suddenly, she burst into tears and ran out.

"Daddy! Daddy! Don't go! Someone is bullying your daughter!"

Only Changqing and his sister remained in the courtyard.

"Brother, you beat her to a pulp," Li Huanxi said, suppressing a laugh.

Evergreen is dried in the sun.

"He's just a freeloader; even if he collapses, it won't make a difference."

Li Xiangling left quickly, but returned just as quickly. The brother and sister had barely exchanged a few words when she was back.

However, when she returned, she had regained her confidence, because a tall and handsome young man was following behind her—

Li Qingyue!

"Brother, he's the one who hit me."

After rushing into the yard, she pointed at Changqing and began to complain.

Li Qingyue, dressed in a blue long gown and scholarly attire, was half a head taller than Changqing. He had come back to say goodbye after hearing that his father was going to perform corvée labor. Who knew that he would find out that someone in the family was bullying his younger sister? So, he stepped forward.

His father had told him to spend this time getting along well with Changqing, but seeing his sister's swollen face, he was still very angry.

Why should I?

That kid eats at my house, lives in my house, and still dares to hit me?

Does he really think that no one can control him just because his father isn't around?

It's important to know that Li Qingyue wasn't exactly known for his good temper at this time. Otherwise, he wouldn't have accidentally injured someone in a fight in the story. It was only after experiencing the fear of getting into trouble that he changed his temperament and became more composed. Later, he passed the imperial examination and entered officialdom, broadened his horizons, and even earned the reputation of being mature beyond his years.

At this moment, he was on the verge of exploding with rage. He strode forward and grabbed Changqing by the collar.

"Li Changqing, who gave you the audacity to hit my sister!"

With a loud shout, his hand slapped Changqing across the face.

"ah!"

Li Huanxi stood up, screamed, and tried to pull him away, but Li Xiangling grabbed her from the side.

"Get out of my way, you little bitch!" A look of vengeful satisfaction appeared on her face. She grabbed Li Huanxi's hair and tightened her grip, causing Li Huanxi to cry out in pain and almost fall over.

Clang!

The next moment, a loud bang was heard.

Li Xiangling's smile froze, and she took a step back in fright, her eyes almost overflowing with shock and fear.

It turned out that Changqing had just grabbed Li Qingyue's head and suddenly exerted force, causing him to slam heavily onto the small square table in front of him.

At this moment, Li Qingyue had already fallen to the ground, unconscious, and the table was overturned on the ground, with his four legs in the air.

"Murder! Murder!"

Li Xiangling screamed and ran out again, this time even more frantically than before. She tripped and fell at the door but didn't dare to stop, practically tumbling and crawling as she disappeared around the corner.

"Brother, he, he..."

Looking at Li Qingyue, whose face was covered in blood and who was lying on the ground, his life hanging in the balance, Li Huanxi felt a little scared. Could he really be dead?

"Don't worry, he just fainted."

Changqing clapped his hands, not flustered at all. He figured Zhao Lianhua and the clan leader would probably arrive soon, which would be perfect for dividing the family.

He thought for a moment, then fetched a basin of cold water and poured it on Li Qingyue's face. Then, he watched him wake up with a smile.

"Heh, another freeloader, no wonder he's useless."

Changqing kicked him.

"Get up. We'll have guests soon. Who will you embarrass yourself in front of?"

"You, you....."

Li Qingyue was both shocked and furious. She wanted to say something to save face, but she felt that every time she moved her mouth, her whole face hurt. Just then, she heard hurried footsteps outside.