"Then why is my brother unhappy?"
“Because…” Qi Zheng said sadly, “I’m not good at studying. I’m only considered average in school.”
Lili understood. No wonder her mother said that Qi Zheng was only slightly more capable than her half-brother.
Although Lili knew that Madam Qi intended to give the five thousand li as a "gift" to Mr. Liu in order to get Mr. Liu to accept Qi Zheng as his disciple, Lili still wanted to know more.
"In that case, wouldn't it be perfect to go and become an apprentice?"
Qi Zheng shook his head: "No, Mr. Liu is highly learned and of noble character. He never accepts gifts. My mother wanted to give him a gift so that Mr. Liu's Moxiang Academy would make an exception and accept me as a student. If that were to happen, Mr. Liu would definitely look down on me!"
Lili agreed; Mr. Liu was definitely not that kind of person.
"Hmm..." Lili was a little troubled.
She should take Qi Zheng to meet Magistrate Qin.
After all, relying on her few words to find fault with the Qi family is still a bit abstract.
With Qi Zheng in charge, perhaps Magistrate Qin's job will be easier.
However, even if Magistrate Qin could preserve the Qi family's foundation, Master Qi's past misdeeds would be enough to land him in jail for life.
Master Qi did more than just abduct women; he had already secretly gotten involved with Zhou Wukui and was already a lackey of the First Prince.
She had a gut feeling that the courtyard where so many women were hidden must be hiding a shocking secret.
This secret could not only land Master Qi in jail and bring down Magistrate Qin, but it might also be helpful to Gu Ziyi.
But Master Qi is his own father. Would he be willing to ask Qi Zheng to help him capture his own father?
Lili squatted down in the alley with Qi Zheng, her face furrowed as she pondered.
Qi Zheng was still a little down, but Li Li couldn't care less, because Shen Laosan had already knocked on the door, and his slightly anxious voice came through.
"Li Bao, are you done yet?" Old Shen knocked on the door. "Why aren't you done yet? Don't you know how to tie the ribbon?"
"Oh dear!" Lili panicked and quickly let go of Qi Zheng. She hurriedly stepped onto the wooden box, then grabbed the windowsill and flipped her whole body up. "My daddy must be worried! See you in a bit!"
Before Qi Zheng could even ask where they would meet, the little dumpling had already climbed into the house, lifted her skirt, and opened the door: "Coming, coming, Lili is here!"
He saw Lili run into a man's arms. The man picked her up, affectionately pinched her nose, and asked, "Why did it take you so long?"
"This ribbon is so complicated! I'll have Mommy help me with it later!"
"good."
The father and daughter walked further and further away until they disappeared from sight.
Qi Zheng stared blankly in the direction where Lili had disappeared.
He had never seen his father so affectionately before.
"Zheng'er, are you done yet? We'll miss our visit to Mr. Liu!"
Qi Zheng snapped out of his daze and quickly climbed inside, suppressing the envy that welled up in his heart.
Madam Qi's voice rang out from outside the door again, chattering on and on.
Qi Zheng picked up the clothes, lowered his brows, and composed himself.
This is his home.
Lili was wearing a light blue ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress), looking both cute and elegant. Madam Yang praised her repeatedly, saying, "Oh my, my Lili is so beautiful! She looks good in anything!"
Lili smiled shyly and let Madam Yang tie the ribbon for her.
Madam Yang looked at it with satisfaction: "Alright, I'll take this one."
The waiter immediately replied, "Alright, madam, I'll wrap up that piece of cloth for you. You can go over there to pay!"
Yang went to the front to get the money, and Shen Laosan carried Lili out to wait for her at the shop entrance.
A carriage was parked in front of the shop, bearing the Qi family's mark. Lili glanced at it a few more times and sure enough, she saw Qi Zheng following behind a woman whose attire was the most luxurious in Liucheng.
Qi Zheng was taken aback when he saw her.
Lili immediately smiled back at him and secretly mouthed, "See you later."
Qi Zheng smiled and got into the carriage.
Yang also came out carrying a cloth bag and said to Shen Laosan, "Alright, your lunch break is almost over. Go back and rest for a while. We're leaving now."
Shen Laosan said, "Wanniang, let me take you to the carriage."
The two pushed each other, each wanting to see the other off, but Lili covered their mouths and said decisively, "Alright, alright, let's take Daddy back to the academy. Uncle Liu took us in this morning, we should say hello to him!"
Mrs. Yang nodded: "Lili is right."
Shen Laosan hesitated for a moment, then agreed: "Okay, let's go back to the academy and say hello to the dean."
"Uh-huh!"
The three of them headed back towards the academy. Lili winked at Qi Zheng, who had just lifted the carriage curtain.
The streets were crowded, and the carriages moved slowly.
Qi Zheng watched through a corner of the curtain as Lili walked with him to the entrance of the academy.
Qi Zheng and his wife got off the carriage, and a servant came in to ask if Mr. Liu was in the academy.
Shen Laosan glanced at it again before entering the academy.
Qi Zheng was somewhat surprised. So, the time Lili mentioned meeting later was at Moxiang Academy.
Seeing that Lili had disappeared, Qi Zheng couldn't help but feel anxious. Fortunately, the servant came over to report that the academy's page said that Mr. Liu had invited him.
Madam Qi smiled, took Qi Zheng's hand, and repeatedly instructed him, "Have you remembered everything I told you? When you meet Mr. Liu later, be sure to be polite and warm to him, understand?"
Qi Zheng pursed his lips. Although he was only seven years old, he looked preoccupied and depressed: "...Hmm, I'll remember."
Madam Qi then called for someone to bring over the five thousand taels of silver notes, and also carried a basket of calligraphy, which was led inside by a page from the academy.
The page led the group through the front yard, turning around and around.
Madam Qi was in high spirits, looking at the scenery of the academy with a smile that never faded, as if Qi Zheng was already a student who had been exceptionally admitted to Moxiang Academy.
Qi Zheng remained silent behind him, looking at his new clothes and feeling a pang of bitterness.
The first time her mother took her out to buy clothes, it was for this reason.
Thinking back to how I left home full of joy, and now...
"Uncle Liu is not old at all; he is in his prime."
A familiar voice rang out, and Qi Zheng looked up to see the little dumpling sitting next to the renowned Mr. Liu, beaming with joy.
Yang originally only wanted to say hello to fulfill her formalities, but Lili certainly wouldn't let things be so simple. Otherwise, if she left after saying hello, how would she proceed with her plans?
So Lili subtly prolonged the conversation, and sure enough, Qi Zheng came over.
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