Remarrying Chun Yuan

Chapter 127 12

Liang Ye was utterly disdainful of the Bai family patriarch's words.

"They're just a few spoiled brats, why make such a fuss? The more energy you put into the Liu family, the more face you're giving them. They're just a family that sells paintings, what great things can they possibly achieve?"

"Don't underestimate these younger generation; they're not easy to handle."

"How come your vision is getting narrower as you get older? If I had known it was for this reason, I wouldn't have needed to come to this meal. I'm too busy with things at home."

He was the half-brother of the Imperial Concubine, and he managed the Earl's mansion's assets and affairs, big and small. Anything the Earl's mansion couldn't do openly was entrusted to him to do secretly.

He groveled before his elder brothers, who were born of the same father, and after leaving the mansion, countless people knelt before him.

The Bai family patriarch's face burned with sarcasm. Hadn't he underestimated Liu Yuechu back then?

“That young lady from the Liu family is indeed extraordinary. I always felt that she had someone backing her, not one of those playboys.”

"She's just clinging to that little bit of family fortune and marrying a poor scholar. What powerful backer could she possibly have? You're really going downhill. When you get old, you should get your son to take over the family affairs. Don't just occupy a good position and not be able to do anything about it."

Liang Ye said this and got up to leave.

He had to prepare for the Empress Dowager's birthday celebration, so he had no time to deal with that old man from the Bai family.

The Bai family patriarch was utterly humiliated and could only snort coldly as he stayed to drown his sorrows. He certainly didn't want to target Liu Yuechu, but she was already affecting the Bai family's business.

The reason the Bai family became the head of the eight major official-merchants was not because silk was expensive, but because they had shares in the Liang family's business operations.

The Liang family controlled the major operational businesses, while he handled the smaller, scattered cargo transportation services.

Liang Ye didn't care because the Liu family's horse farm had nothing to do with the Liang family's interests, yet they had swallowed up his business.

"No, we can't let that little brat get away with it!" The Bai family patriarch took a swig of wine and stood by the window, enjoying the breeze.

He longed to gaze upon the myriad lights of the capital city, indulging in the overwhelming desires that money brought him.

"Hmm? Wei Gongming?"

He suddenly saw a man on horseback below the restaurant. Even though he wasn't wearing his official robes today, but just casual clothes, his dashing and imposing figure made him instantly recognizable.

Bai Shuncai knew about Wei Gongming's feud with the Liu family, and since he was also serving the Third Prince, he could be put to use.

But this man was too greedy, and his mother was even more greedy.

But greedy people are easier to take advantage of; all they need is money.

Bai Shuncai summoned his attendant and whispered a few instructions in his ear. The attendant immediately rushed downstairs to the restaurant.

“Magistrate Wei, our master saw you passing by and specially sent me to pay his respects. He would like to ask when you have time to chat?” The attendant immediately presented an exquisite box containing fine tea, with fifty taels of silver notes underneath.

Wei Gongming did not immediately accept it, but glanced sideways at the top of the restaurant. Bai Shuncai was standing there, bowing with his hands clasped, greeting him.

Wei Gongming withdrew his gaze and said to his attendant, "I do indeed need to have a talk with your Bai family. The two escort agencies have caused trouble one after another, and even nearly killed someone. This is, after all, the capital!"

"Yes, yes, then why don't we wait for you here tomorrow night?" The attendant immediately climbed up.

Wei Gongming glanced at the carriage beside him, "The day after tomorrow."

"it is good."

Upon seeing the sign hanging on the carriage, the attendants dared not disturb them any further and quickly bowed to see them off.

Wei Gongming squeezed the horse's belly with his legs and continued to lead the carriage forward.

The carriage curtain was lifted a crack. "If Brother Gongming is busy, there's no need to specially escort me back to my residence. I still know the way home."

The voice was soft and timid, with a hint of probing, but the gaze never left Wei Gongming.

It's as if if I don't take a second look today, I'll never see it again.

Wei Gongming did not turn his head, his voice firm, "If you're going to help someone, help them to the end. I will naturally escort Lady Li home before leaving."

Li Shu's hand froze. She wanted to say something more, but all the words she wanted to say stuck in her throat. She could only give a soft reply and lower the carriage curtain.

Who could have imagined that, perhaps it was a karmic debt, she would encounter him on her way back from the temple.

Since the downfall of the Wang family, the demotion of Consort Le, and the punishment of the Seventh Prince, her marriage to the Seventh Prince naturally fell through.

To avoid gossip in the capital, Madam Li sent Li Shu to a temple for quiet contemplation. A change of scenery would also help her clear her mind.

It was also because the Empress Dowager's birthday was approaching that she chose this day to return to the capital.

Li Shu was in a good mood during her time away.

She stayed away from trouble and no one gossiped about it, so she no longer touched on the grievances hidden in her heart.

But who would have thought that on the way back to the capital, she saw Wei Gongming walking alone, drenched in sweat. She didn't know why he had gone to the outskirts of the capital, but he seemed to be in a hurry.

After struggling internally for a long time, she still asked the driver to chase after them and ask if they wanted to travel with her.

Wei Gongming hadn't expected it to be Li Shu either.

Thinking of the woman he once despised, who was still tolerant and generous, his dejected and frustrated mood eased somewhat.

He should have refused, but the journey back to Beijing was still long, and he was really tired.

Wei Gongming then said that he had lost his money bag on the way and could only walk. He also borrowed one tael of silver from Li Shu as collateral and borrowed a horse from a farmer's house by the roadside, telling him to go to the county government office early the next morning to collect it.

It was only a tael of silver; Li Shu would naturally lend it.

Wei Gongming, still on horseback, didn't rush off. He followed her carriage into the capital and even escorted her home.

Li Shu's feelings were complicated.

She knew she shouldn't have any more hopes, but the people around her were polite and courteous, and even though they had had unpleasant experiences, they still cared about her safety. How could this not shake her long-dormant feelings? She had to admit that she still loved Wei Gongming.

Moreover, her marriage prospects had repeatedly failed, and she had even earned a reputation for being "disheartened." Just as she was discussing marriage with the Seventh Prince, he and Consort Le suffered misfortune. Previously, Wei Gongming had also publicly rejected her proposal, and she had already prepared herself for the possibility of never getting married.

The two continued walking in silence.

When they arrived at the Li family's gate, the Li family already knew of Li Shu's return and all went to the gate to greet her.

Madam Li quickly spotted the carriage and then saw that the person following it was Wei Gongming. Her expectant expression froze instantly, and her hands trembled involuntarily!

"What a tragic fate! How could this be..." She was so angry that she couldn't utter a complete sentence.

The servants of the Li family were also shocked. How come the young lady hadn't escaped her karmic debts after all this time? Was she still entangled with this Wei Gongming?

Wei Gongming sensed the Li family's rejection, but his expression remained unchanged as he dismounted. He greeted Madam Li and expressed his gratitude to Li Shu for her unexpected help.

"I just received some tea from the Bai family head on the way, so I'll take this opportunity to offer it to Madam Li." He had already taken the fifty taels of silver notes below.

Before Madam Li could even utter her refusal, Wei Gongming had already ridden away.

Li Shu then got off the carriage.

Seeing Madam Li's hesitation, she seemed to have transformed into a different person, losing her former coquettishness and willfulness. "Mother, I have been tricked by Liu Yuechu into becoming an unmarriageable old woman. No one will marry me except him. He may be my only chance to get married in this life."