Li Huai'an, seething with anger, headed straight for the main courtyard.
When he arrived, he found the main courtyard deserted, and even Bai Lian was nowhere to be found. He went to Qingfeng Courtyard, which was closer to the main courtyard, but it was also deserted.
He returned to the Lotus Courtyard in a state of restlessness.
Seeing Li Huai'an's dejected appearance, Zhao Yun guessed that he must not have found Bai Wei. She gently instructed Yu Ming to make him a cup of hot tea, then slowly sat down beside him, took his hand, and said softly, "My mother-in-law has always been decisive. Since she has made up her mind to divorce my father, she must have made preparations in advance. Huai'an, don't worry, I will persuade my father to separate from Hongyi. After this period of time, once my mother-in-law's anger subsides, she will naturally come back."
Li Huai'an silently drank the tea in his cup, then asked Yu Ming for another cup. He drank three or four cups in a row before stopping and telling her that he had discovered the shop had been transferred.
"Wh-what?" Zhao Yun was so startled that the teacup in her hand wobbled slightly, and tea spilled onto the back of her hand, but she stubbornly did not drop the teacup on the ground.
“No, it’s unlikely that Father did it. I think so.” She analyzed incoherently.
"As far as I know, the land deeds, farmland, and shops are all managed by my mother-in-law herself. My father never interferes with these household affairs."
Li Huai'an listened to Zhao Yun's analysis, growing increasingly alarmed. He couldn't help but consider a terrifying possibility: his mother had indeed made preparations in advance; she planned to divorce his father as punishment for his betrayal of their marriage. She knew her father was not adept at scheming; for so many years, the entire Duke's mansion had relied on his mother's income from her land and shops for all its expenses. His father's salary was meager, insufficient to support the social interactions among colleagues and the mansion's overall costs.
Li Huai'an suddenly understood that his mother was using a radical solution to counter his father's betrayal.
However, the series of repercussions of this incident meant that Li Huai'an, who had been used to being waited on hand and foot for more than 20 years, had to learn to be self-reliant.
Li Huai'an felt a surge of panic; he had never imagined he would face such a situation.
He hated his father even more.
He resented his father for letting the entire household suffer from famine because of his own selfish desires.
At this moment, Li Huai'an felt unprecedented pressure and anxiety, as if the whole world had changed overnight.
He looked up at Zhao Yun, his eyes filled with helplessness and confusion.
Seeing this, Zhao Yun sighed inwardly.
She muttered to herself, "If only my mother were still in Lingyang. She and my mother-in-law were very close, and my mother-in-law would definitely be willing to listen to her advice."
Zhao Yun's words reminded Li Huai'an of the time Zhang Fang sent his mother a painting with a hidden meaning. He was silent for a while, then said in a low voice, "Yun'er, although I don't know where your uncle and aunt are, I can tell you one thing for sure: I have received reliable information that where they are living now is very safe."
Upon hearing this, Zhao Yun's face lit up with joy. She excitedly grasped Yu Ming's hand, repeatedly saying, "Yu Ming, did you hear that? My father and mother, they're still alive! They're still alive!"
"Father and Mother are still alive?!" Zhao Rou, who had just reached the doorway, was so excited by the good news that tears welled up in her eyes. "It's good that they're alive, it's good that they're alive."
Li Huai'an looked up at Zhao Rou, his gaze falling on her barely noticeable lower abdomen, and asked her with concern why she was there.
Zhao Rou said that her courtyard was quite far from the main courtyard. She had just heard that her mother-in-law and the Duke had a conflict, so she came to the Lotus Courtyard to find out what was going on.
"It's all because of the red dress. Mother won't forgive Father, and Father, in a fit of anger, hit Mother again." Li Huai'an's words were hesitant. He took a deep breath and slowly said, "Mother has sold off all the shops in the city. She's not planning to leave herself any way out!"
Upon hearing this, Zhao Rou's brows furrowed with worry.
She was silent for a moment, then slowly said, "Master, now that Mother-in-law is determined to divorce you, it is only right that she settles her dowry. However, have you considered whether you plan to live with Master in Lingyang City or go back to your maternal grandparents' home in Chaoyang County with Mother-in-law if Mother-in-law really divorces you?"
Upon hearing this, Li Huai'an's sharp, hawk-like gaze suddenly turned to Zhao Rou. He simply couldn't believe that these words could come from the mouth of Zhao Rou, a concubine.
Zhao Yun also stared at Zhao Rou with complicated emotions.
Zhao Yun had considered this point earlier, but fearing to offend Li Huai'an, she kept it to herself and dared not mention it. But now Zhao Rou had actually brought it up, and judging from Li Huai'an's expression, he was shocked, yet also showed a hint of admiration.
"Rou'er, your words are timely. It's time for me to think about this issue." Li Huai'an's brows furrowed even more.
He turned and left, heading to the main courtyard.
He was determined to wait for his father tonight to test his father's attitude towards the woman in red.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
