The next day, Ning Jin openly brought a box of account books to see her at her newly built general's mansion.
"The mansion is newly built and a bit simple. Please have a seat."
Xiao Zhixing gestured for Bai Mei to take the account books away; she needed to look at them slowly.
Ning Jin sat down. "Master, my men will arrive in three days, and we can begin work immediately."
Xiao Zhixing nodded to Ji Bai, who was waiting there, and said, "You go and discuss it with him. Mr. Ji Bai is our logistics manager."
Ning Jin narrowed her eyes. Why is this kid so eye-catching?
Ji Baitao's eyes flickered slightly, naturally noticing the similarity between his and Xiao Zhixing's eyes.
So he bowed slightly and said, "Please come with me, Mr. Ning, to mark the land and sign the agreement."
Xiao Zhixing waved them off, happily becoming a hands-off manager.
Her attention was drawn to Li Jun's live stream.
Here it comes, the gossip drama in the backyard, she loves watching it too.
The viewers in the live stream were eager for more drama, calling on their friends to join in the gossip.
Li Mansion.
Li Jun knelt before the Duke of Li, while his mother clutched her handkerchief, her face full of worry. The atmosphere among the three of them was tense.
"You scoundrel!" The Duke of Li grew angrier the more he thought about it, and couldn't help but throw down the cup beside him.
Snap!
Madam Li trembled in fright, "My lord!!"
Duke Li stood up, pointed at Li Jun, and cursed in a low voice, "You can't even manage a woman properly. How can I hand over the Duke Li's mansion to you like this?"
"A troubled home is a sign of impending ruin!"
Li Jun had been looking disheveled these past few days. "Father, the most urgent thing is to appease the Li family's dissatisfaction. I was wrong in this matter, and I will personally go to apologize."
He'd already done it, so he accepted it.
For the first time, he experienced the helplessness, anger, and humiliation of being manipulated by the women in the inner quarters.
He was somewhat confused. Did Qi Mengshu not want his future favor by deceiving him so decisively?
This contradicts his study of human nature. What normal woman wouldn't try her best to please and win over her husband?
He couldn't understand it.
There's even a sense of absurdity in Qi Mengshu's insistence on having only the child and leaving the father behind.
Duke Li paced around in anger, "Bear the thorns to apologize? Hmph, Lord Li is furious and personally told me that if you are not satisfied with the marriage, they will call it off!"
Li Jun took a deep breath. "My son will go in person, kneel in front of the Li residence, and apologize."
The Duke of Li pointed at him with trembling fingers, both impressed by his determination to lower his head and shocked by his ruthlessness towards himself.
This matter has caused quite a stir in the city, and everyone is waiting to see the two governments make fools of themselves.
If Li Jun really knelt in front of the Li residence for a long time, he didn't know how outsiders would see him.
Willing to kneel in pursuit of power? Willing to bow down for a concubine's son? Able to bend and stretch?
This forced the Li family to continue with the marriage arrangement; otherwise, they would become enemies.
Mother Li couldn't contain her anger any longer, "You...you didn't even consider the possibility that the child wouldn't be born?!"
The methods used in the backyard can make you miscarry or even die silently.
Mother Li was filled with resentment. "Qi Mengshu, if only I had known, if only I had known!"
Upon hearing this, Li Jun shook her head, "Mother, you mustn't lay a hand on her. She's Xiao Yuanshan's niece."
Even if the other party claims to have severed ties with Qi Mengshu, given their temperament, the Li family might still dare to harm or kill Qi Mengshu.
Marshal Xiao, who once stormed into the inner palace and beat up Consort Zhang, would never let the Li family off the hook.
Regardless of bloodline, it concerns the face and prestige of the Zhenguo Royal Palace.
Furthermore, he harbored a most secret thought in his heart.
Qi Mengshu is that person's cousin.
Mother Li gritted her teeth in hatred, rubbing her chest in anger, and closed her eyes, not wanting to say a word.
Duke Li calmed down and said, "Since you already have your own ideas, go ahead and do it. You will bear the consequences yourself."
It's good that I learned my lesson when I was young; I won't make the same mistake again in the future.
Being young means there's still room for growth and change.
Li Jun kowtowed, "Your son has caused your father and mother worry."
"I will keep Qi Mengshu confined in the courtyard and will never allow him to step out of the courtyard again without the permission of his legal wife!"
"From now on, I will entrust all matters in my home to my wife. I will trust and respect her, and we will love each other without doubt."
Li Guo then smiled slightly, "You should say these words to your future wife yourself. A true man establishes himself in the world with integrity, and only then can he achieve something."
"Yes, son will heed father's teachings!"
Not long after, the father and son visited the Li residence, and the Duke of Li entered the residence to pay his respects to Grand Tutor Li.
Under the watchful eyes of everyone, Li Jun lifted her robe and knelt before the Li residence, loudly repenting:
"This student has come to apologize to my master!"
Grand Tutor Li was indeed the teacher of all the powerful and influential officials in the court, and even the Duke of Li was taught by him in his youth.
When Li Jun calls out "Grandmaster," it's not an act of flattery; this kneeling is merely a junior apologizing to an elder.
It doesn't count as flattering one's wife's family.
Xiao Zhixing expressed his admiration, saying that Li Wenxiu was indeed intelligent, but lacked practical experience.
The Li family had a decent family tradition; by the standards of that era, they could be considered a prosperous and upright family.
He was the head of all the young masters in Shengjing, and that title was well-deserved.
[Li Jun handled the situation quite well. He didn't deceive or feign ignorance, his attitude in admitting his mistakes was sincere, he was courageous and responsible, he was flexible and adaptable, he didn't cruelly harm his concubine or bloodline, and he gave his wife a promise. He was neither too soft nor too hard, and he considered all parties involved.]
[Tsk, so he's trying to create another persona for himself?]
How can you call it creating a persona? This is positive management of one's image! It allows people to see his style of handling affairs, his personality, and his skills, which is very beneficial for someone about to enter officialdom.
[His decision not to kill the child demonstrates benevolence and love for his offspring; his punishment of the concubine shows impartiality, fairness, and a lack of lust or incompetence; his promise to his wife's family ensures her loyalty and peace in the household.]
Admitting mistakes and having the courage to humble oneself are the actions of a gentleman!
[I believe that after today, no one will bring this up again. The focus has shifted, and the matter is perfectly closed.]
【admire! 】
[Brilliant! Absolutely brilliant!]
Therefore, any strong person can turn an unfavorable situation into an advantageous one!
[Family members, do you understand? So stop complaining about the environment, get back to work!]
Sure enough, half an hour later, the head of the Li family, Li Ningxiu's father, came out in person, snorted coldly, and summoned Li Jun into the mansion.
Xiao Zhixing, still engrossed in the story, flipped to the previous pages to see the scene of Li Jun and Qi Mengshu confronting each other.
Qi Mengshu sat on the bed with her head down and remained silent, while Li Jun stood not far away with a stiff face, her chest heaving.
Neither of them spoke.
Qi Mengshu neither pleaded nor defended himself, leaving Ren Lijun angry.
Finally, Li Jun flicked her sleeve and said, "You'd better watch yourself."
After saying that, he turned and left, his face full of anger.
Qi Mengshu looked up and watched him leave, clutching her stomach, "It'll be alright—"
Xiao Zhixing frowned.
Not to mention Li Jun, she couldn't understand Qi Mengshu's plan either.
When she willingly became a concubine to marry into the Li family, shouldn't she have held onto Li Jun's heart tightly?
Now that she has a child, she can soften her tone and coax him a little, at least until the official wife enters the family, and completely win over Li Jun.
It's good for her future too.
What is this person thinking?
Xiao Zhixing, with his elderly face on the subway, was someone who, for the first time, couldn't fathom people's hearts.
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