Li Zhiwei said softly, "Your Highness, the Prince is of noble status and deeply favored by the Emperor, while my Li family... is ultimately somewhat different."
She paused, her voice gentle yet tinged with a hint of detachment, "Some things are not things we can do just because we want to."
"My father listens to me the most. I only want you as my stepmother. As long as I talk to my father, it will definitely be possible!" Xu Qingshi said anxiously, jumping off the stool and putting her hands on her hips. "I'll go talk to my father right now and tell him to go and beg my uncle, the Emperor! You wait!"
After saying that, he turned around and tried to run out, thinking about how to emphasize the seriousness of the matter to his father. He had made a boast in front of Wei He Rui. If his stepmother was gone, where would he put his face?
Just then, a steady footstep sounded outside the door.
Xu Heming strode in with a dark expression.
He had just left the palace and felt he had received more stares than in the previous decades combined. He even vaguely heard some bold commoners gossiping, "Is that Prince An?" "He looks quite sturdy, and he's indeed strong."
...
All of this is thanks to his eldest son!
His gaze first fell on Li Zhiwei, his eyes showing a complex expression for a moment, seemingly carrying a hint of embarrassment and helplessness, before quickly locking onto Xu Qingshi, who was preparing to slip away.
When Xu Qingshi saw his father's expression, his heart skipped a beat. The ominous premonition instantly came true, and his arrogance vanished without a trace. He subconsciously shrank behind Li Zhiwei.
“Father…Father, you’re back…” Xu Qingshi murmured softly.
Upon seeing this, Li Zhiwei quickly stood up and slightly curtsied, saying, "Your Highness."
Xu Heming took a deep breath, trying to make his tone sound calm, but his gaze at Xu Qingshi was sharp as a knife: "Yes. You're back."
He paused, then almost gritted his teeth as he said to Xu Qingshi, "I heard you did something big at the Treasure Pavilion a few days ago?"
Xu Qingshi's small body trembled, and he shook his head like a rattle drum: "No...no..."
"No?" Xu Heming's voice rose slightly. "'My father is incredibly strong,' 'he can run around the capital shirtless,' 'he can even carry me and my stepmother around the yard'? Who said these things?"
Upon hearing this, Li Zhiwei couldn't help but cover her mouth with her sleeve, almost bursting into laughter. However, seeing Xu Heming's face, which was as black as the bottom of a pot, she quickly held back, though her shoulders trembled slightly.
Knowing he was in the wrong, Xu Qingshi hung his head and whispered in defense, "I... I was only doing that for Ying Wei and Rui... who told him to say his dad could walk around three times..."
"You still have the nerve to talk?!" Xu Heming's temples throbbed with anger. "Do you know that because of your 'bold words,' I, your father, have..."
He almost blurted out that he was going to the palace to carry timber for three days, but seeing Li Zhiwei beside him, he held back, as it would really damage his image of being wise and mighty!
He finally just snorted heavily: "Go back and copy the Book of Rites ten times! You're not allowed to leave the courtyard until you've finished copying it!"
Upon hearing this, Xu Qingshi's face immediately fell. The Book of Rites was so thick! Ten times! Did he even want to keep his hands?
He looked at Li Zhiwei for help.
Although Li Zhiwei felt the little guy deserved a lesson, she felt a pang of sympathy seeing his pitiful appearance. Just as she was about to say something to comfort him, Xu Heming spoke first, his tone softening but still leaving no room for argument, addressing her directly:
"Furthermore, His Majesty has already approved our marriage. The imperial decree bestowing the marriage will be issued tomorrow."
"What?" Li Zhiwei was stunned and didn't react for a moment.
Xu Qingshi instantly forgot about copying the book and jumped up in surprise: "Really? Uncle Emperor agreed? That's wonderful! Stepmother! Did you hear that! You can't escape now!"
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