Chapter 220 The Marquis of Anping's Conspiracy and Romantic Past
Zilan walked in from outside and bowed to Song Yi and Li Mufu.
"The young lady only told the Crown Prince's wife and Mama Tao about her decision to go to the blacksmith shop this morning. The Crown Prince's wife and Mama Tao did not tell anyone else about it."
Then, when it was time to leave, Sister Zisu went to the stables herself and told the stable manager to prepare the carriage.
I just found out that right after Sister Zisu left, the servant in the Marquis's courtyard also went to the stables.
They said the Marquis and his second son needed a carriage for their trip and had been chatting with the stable manager for quite a while.
"When the servant was leaving, he asked why one of the carriages was missing. The stable manager casually replied that the young lady was planning to take the carriage to the blacksmith's shop, so he had prepared a carriage in advance."
Song Yi and Li Mu's expressions changed at the same time.
Song Yi looked at Li Nanke with a frightened expression.
"Ke'er, you suspect that the person who killed Jingma was... your grandfather?"
Li Nanke nodded.
"Perhaps someone was already following me when I left home, which is why they knew which blacksmith shop I went to."
"But...but he's your own grandfather! Even if he's biased and doesn't love you, how could he...how could he possibly kill you?"
Song Yi's face was pale, her lips trembled incessantly, and her voice was choked with sobs, but mostly filled with anger.
Even tigers don't eat their cubs, how could Marquis Anping be so cruel!
Li Nanke rested her chin on her hand and sighed softly.
"Although we don't have direct evidence, it's highly likely that the infertility drug on Father's body was administered by Grandfather."
He was willing to poison my father for the sake of my second uncle's family, so what does harming me matter? After all, my grandfather has never given me a second glance since I was a child.
In his heart, the only grandchildren he truly considered were Zhenxuan and Youyou.
Song Yi felt both heartache and resentment. She felt heartache for the grievances her daughter had suffered since childhood, and resentment towards her father-in-law, Gong Pinghou, for his cruelty.
With a gloomy face, Li Mu suddenly jumped up and rushed outside.
"I'm going to find him and get to the bottom of this!"
"My husband, you mustn't!"
Song Yi clung tightly to his waist, crying, "We have no evidence. If you go there rashly now, it will only give him a reason to accuse you and give him a handle to punish you."
Li Mu gritted his teeth, his fists clenched tightly, but he still couldn't suppress the anger and pain surging in his chest.
“From childhood to adulthood, he has never cared about me. He is biased, but I am his son after all, and he owes me a debt of gratitude for my life.”
If he wants the position of heir of the Marquis's mansion, he can go directly to His Majesty to depose me, but what did Ke'er do wrong?
She's only eight years old, what's wrong with her that he can't stand? Why would he want to harm Ke'er?
Li Nanke sighed softly. His father had never received any love from his grandfather since he was a child. Now he realized that his grandfather not only did not love him, but also wanted to harm him, and even his children.
Father must be very sad and in pain.
But that's reality!
She got up and hugged Li Mu's hand, gently rubbing her head against his arm.
“Mother is right. Father, if this was really done by Grandfather, without evidence, he will only punish you.”
"Why don't we discuss what to do next?"
Li Mu closed his eyes, barely suppressing his anger, and sat down again.
Li Nanke said, "I suspect that my grandfather's actions may be related to my second uncle's selection of officials."
Song Yi was puzzled, "What does your second uncle's selection for an official position have to do with harming you?"
Li Nanke had already thought about this matter carefully that afternoon.
"My second uncle has been an official in Nanyang for many years, but his performance has been mediocre and he has never been promoted. This time, my grandfather probably wants my second uncle to return to Bianjing and be promoted."
However, my second uncle had no notable achievements, so even if he asked someone for help, it wouldn't be easy to accomplish this.
"If something were to happen at this time, drawing everyone's attention to the Marquis's residence, including His Majesty, and even making His Majesty feel guilty towards the Marquis's residence, then it would be much easier for Second Uncle to apply for an official position again."
Song Yi looked bewildered.
Li Mu reacted instantly and slammed his fist heavily on the table.
"Ke'er is the princess's companion whom His Majesty has just appointed. If Ke'er is murdered now and the murderer points directly to the Duke Xue's mansion, His Majesty will certainly not be able to severely punish the Duke Xue because of the Empress."
However, our Marquis's title is also inherited from our ancestors, and the deceased was the legitimate daughter of the Marquis's heir. This matter cannot be left unresolved; we can only make amends in other ways.
For example, promoting me or your second uncle, while I…”
As Li Mu spoke, his chest heaved.
Li Nanke interjected, "If something happens to me, my father will be heartbroken. If he finds out that it was the Duke of Xue's mansion that instigated it, he will definitely do something irrational, such as impeaching the Duke of Xue or causing trouble at the Xue family's residence."
Either way, it would annoy His Majesty and gradually cause him to dislike Father. Therefore, His Majesty's compensation would naturally fall to Second Uncle.
Li Mu let out a long breath, his eyes dark and gloomy.
“That’s right, no one would suspect that this was orchestrated by his own grandfather! He might even take the opportunity to take my position as heir and give it to the second son.”
Upon hearing this, Song Yi's face drained of color, and sparks nearly flew from her swollen eyes.
How can someone be so cruel!
How can people be so vicious!
Li Mu pinched the bridge of his nose, his expression solemn.
"Now there's still one problem: how can he command the grooms of the Duke of Xue's mansion?"
Li Nanke rested her chin on her hand, her brows furrowed into a small "川" character.
This is the only thing she can't understand right now.
But that's not the most important thing. What's important right now is that they can't stay in this passive position forever.
Li Nanke said, "I have already asked Zilan to keep an eye on Grandfather and Second Uncle. Didn't Father go to see Old Manager Qin a few days ago?"
Have you found any information about your grandfather's youth?
At this point, Li Mu's expression turned strange for a moment.
Li Nanke immediately sensed something, "Father, what did you find out? Tell me quickly."
Li Mu tugged at his hair, feeling a pang of guilt as a father, discussing his past romantic escapades with his daughter...
It's so embarrassing.
"Father, please tell us quickly! Only by knowing about Grandfather's past can we perhaps find a way to break this deadlock."
Meeting his daughter's urging gaze, Li Mu no longer hesitated and quietly recounted what he had found out.
"Old Manager Qin said that your grandfather lost his mother when he was young, so he grew up in the old house in Changyuan. So I sent someone to Changyuan to inquire about it."
He learned that there was a merchant named Bai near the old house. He had known Bai's daughter since childhood, and they were childhood sweethearts. When they were teenagers, they developed feelings for each other and he wanted to marry her.
But he was already engaged to your grandmother, and your great-grandfather disagreed with him marrying a merchant's daughter, so he forcibly brought him back to Bianjing and made him marry her.
“He refused, and even threatened to go on a hunger strike and kill himself, but your great-grandfather was adamant that he would not give in, so he eventually ran away from the marriage.”
Li Nanke stared in surprise, never expecting that the selfish and ruthless Marquis Anping was such a affectionate person in his youth.
"And then what? Why did the elopement fail?"
Li Mu's expression became even stranger.
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