Chapter 264 Am I happy tonight?
"And... Ninth Brother, yours too."
"I want to design a special outfit for Ninth Brother. Would you be willing to wear the outfit I designed for you at the New Year's Eve palace banquet?"
Li Nanke grinned and moved closer to him, tilting her head to look at him.
Her grape-like eyes blinked repeatedly, making her incredibly adorable.
The slight dissatisfaction that had just arisen in Shen Cong's heart dissipated considerably in an instant. He snorted coldly, put his hands behind his back, and walked out of Tingfeng Tower.
"That depends on how good or bad your design is. If it's not good, of course I won't wear it."
Li Nanke patted his chest and guaranteed.
"Don't worry, I will definitely design a set of clothes that will satisfy Ninth Brother."
She made a firm promise.
Shen Cong smiled slightly.
"Okay, I'll wait."
Li Nanke smiled and said goodbye to him. Looking at the still bustling night market, she couldn't help but whisper, "I think we should still buy a teahouse here with Master Huang."
The area is densely populated, making it incredibly easy to gather information.
I've made up my mind. I'll go back and discuss this with Master Huang.
Shen Cong's brows furrowed slightly.
Li Nanke had already boarded the carriage, waved to him, and left.
Shen Cong turned to look at Er Feng.
Erfeng grinned and leaned closer, "Your Highness hasn't been this happy in a long time."
Shen Cong was slightly taken aback.
Am I...happy tonight?
Erfeng nodded vigorously.
"The prince's lips have been turned up at the corners all night, just like him..."
Erfeng held up the porcelain doll in his hand.
Shen Cong took the porcelain doll, stroking its upturned lips, his eyes gradually warming.
"Go and tell Huang Sheng that if she opens a teahouse in a place like this, a place where all sorts of people mingle, she should stay away from it."
"yes."
Li Nanke returned home, but Li Mu had not yet come back.
Since taking on the post of Water Envoy, Li Mu has been extremely busy these days.
Although the Bian River had already begun to freeze over at this time of year, making construction impossible, there were still some officials to be selected from under the jurisdiction of the Water Conservancy Bureau.
He also needs to formulate the procedures and systems for handling affairs.
Li Mu was living a life where he got up earlier than the rooster and went to bed later than the dog, so he didn't know that Li Nanke had invited Shen Cong to go to the night market.
When he returned, Li Nanke had already changed into casual clothes and was waiting for him in the main room of Fanghua Courtyard.
"Ke'er, are you still awake so late?"
Li Nanke recounted what Nangong Qiang had discovered during her investigation.
“They’ve reunited as a family of three outside, and I think they’ll do something soon, so I wanted to tell Dad to be careful when he goes out.”
Song Yi and Li Mu looked at each other in bewilderment.
After a moment, Li Mu murmured, "It really is Bai San Niang, the matriarch of the Chen family in Quanzhou. She has already married into the Chen family, so why does she still want to reunite with them and their son?"
What exactly does Bai Shi want from him? The Chen family of Quanzhou is incredibly wealthy; wouldn't it be better to be the matriarch of the family?
Li Nanke couldn't figure this out either.
Song Yi speculated, "Perhaps it's a mother's heart that can't bear to part with her son, so she wants to acknowledge him as her son?"
Li Nanke said, "Regardless of what they mean, Father recently became a fourth-rank Water Envoy, and I was also granted the title of County Princess."
I reckon that Marquis Anping is definitely planning something big soon, so our whole family needs to be careful.
Mother, you and Grandmother must be careful at home, especially with food and supplies. When Father goes out, take two more servants with you.
As for Marquis Anping, I've already asked Master Nangong to keep a close eye on him, so we can react promptly should anything happen.
Li Nanke gave him careful instructions.
Li Mu reached out and gently stroked her little nose.
"I know, little housekeeper. Don't worry, your mother and I will be careful. It's too late, go to sleep."
Nothing was said that night.
The next day, Li Nanke got up and, as usual, followed Nangong Qiang to practice horse stance and martial arts.
After having breakfast, she looked at the medical books that Mr. Guiliu had left her for a while, and then took out the sketches she had drawn before, preparing to pick out a dress for Shen Cong.
In those days, she drew many clothing styles that would be popular for the next ten years or so, based on the scenes in her dreams.
That would be a perfect opportunity to pick one out and make it as a gift for Shen Cong.
Shen Cong usually wore a vermilion robe, but he often coughed up blood and his face was pale, so the vermilion robe made his complexion look even worse.
After much deliberation, she chose a style and specifically instructed Zisu to use light blue brocade.
Yun Jin took the draft and delivered it to Yun Qiwu.
Although it hasn't officially opened for business yet, Huang Sheng is very quick to get things done.
In just a few days, the fabric procurement channels and fabric arrangements were in place, and more than a dozen skilled embroiderers were gathered.
Everything is ready, just waiting for the opening!
Two days later, Yun Qiwu finished making the first batch of clothes.
Song Yi and Li Nanke went to the Wang family and the Duke of Xin's mansion to deliver clothes.
When they went to the Duke of Xin's mansion, the Duchess of Xin looked noticeably thinner, with dark circles under her eyes, and her complexion was very poor.
Song Yi was startled and asked with concern, "It's only been a few days, why do you look so unwell? Did something bother you?"
Lady Xinguo instructed her servants to bring some snacks to Li Nanke. She forced a smile, but upon hearing Song Yi's words, her face darkened.
"It's all because of that rebellious son."
"Ayi, I treat you like my own sister, so I'm not afraid to hide anything from you. Do you know what that unfilial son Xie Xuanxiao has been doing these past few days?"
Lady Xinguo gritted her teeth and said, "After he came back a few days ago, I don't know what got into him, but he knelt in our courtyard and kept insisting that we go to the Xue family to propose marriage."
We've tried everything to persuade him, good or bad, but he just won't listen. I don't know what kind of spell he's been cast on; he's completely fixated on Xue Shu.
"He knelt there for a whole day and night, refusing to get up no matter what anyone said, which angered the Duke so much that he whipped him severely."
They only threw him onto the bed after he was completely unconscious, but when he woke up, he started a hunger strike again, saying he'd rather starve to death than not marry Xue Shu.
Li Nanke almost choked on the snack in her mouth.
Unexpectedly, Xie Xuanxiao actually used the methods of kneeling for a long time and starving himself.
I'm speechless!
The Duchess of Xinguo grew increasingly angry as she spoke, nearly crushing the teacups on the table.
“Our Xie family has been loyal to His Majesty for generations and has never taken sides. We agreed to the marriage proposal with the Xue family because of his wishes and because the Empress had no children.”
Now that the eldest prince has returned, the situation has changed. Besides, the Xue family is certainly not a good match.
Song Yi patted her hand and gently comforted her.
"The young master is still young at heart. The feelings of young people are simple and passionate. The more you oppose him, the more you push him toward the Xue family."
Besides, the prince is still injured and is on a hunger strike; his body can't possibly withstand it."
Lady Xin was furious.
"This little brat is determined to drive us crazy. He's been starving for two days and two nights. Let him really starve to death if he dares."
"The sons of the Xie family have always died on the battlefield. If he truly starved to death, even in the afterlife, he will be chased and beaten by the ancestors of the Xie family."
Song Yi was helpless.
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