Li Zhi, don't be a coward

Chapter 64
Li Qinzai is only 20 years old, and he is only a 200-month-old baby...

This big baby was kicked out by his own father just now, and the yard was full of chickens and dogs.

Who would have thought that he would have a child.

When he crossed over, Li Qinzai knew that his predecessor had committed a lot of sins, and he was mentally prepared to bear these evil karmas. He was used to being blamed, and whenever he encountered any troubles, he just took action to solve them.

However, as a normal person, a normal young man who has raised children in two lifetimes, suddenly a child falls from the sky, and he can tell at a glance that it is his own species without blood.

Just ask, how should this normal person react?
It can't be ecstatic, looking up to the sky and laughing, congratulating yourself on becoming a father, right?

Li Qinzai's first reaction was to be suspicious, but looking at the child in front of him whose eyebrows and eyes were almost exactly the same as his own, the doubt was immediately dispelled.

He is so similar to himself that there is no doubt that anyone can tell the blood relationship between the two at a glance.

Li Qinzai's second reaction was to refuse.

This is a normal reaction, and the knee-jerk reaction of anyone who suddenly finds out that a son has fallen from the sky is denial.

Because of the lack of participation and the lack of seeing the process, God was caught off guard and only threw him a result. Who can easily accept this result?

Anyway, Li Qinzai couldn't accept it for a while, it was too shocking.

His eyes couldn't help looking at the child, he is the protagonist of today.

The child was very young, about four or five years old, and his body was thin and weak. Li Qinzai looked at him as if looking in a mirror, but his facial features were a little smaller than his, which felt weird.

The child's expression was very cowardly. He hid behind the old woman, holding on to the corner of the woman's clothes with a pair of small hands, as if it was the only life-saving straw.

His clear eyes revealed deep anxiety, and he couldn't hide his panic in this completely unfamiliar environment.

Li Qinzai looked at him carefully, for a long time, the child's eyes met Li Qinzai's, and he trembled, and instantly avoided his eyes, his small body flashed, and he hid himself behind the woman.

The little hand that was pulling the corner of the woman's clothes was even stronger, and Li Qinzai clearly saw that the knuckles of the little hand were turning white.

Xue Na and Gao Qi were just bystanders, and they only found the commotion interesting. Judging from their expressions, after the initial surprise, they didn't think it was a big deal.

After poking Li Qinzai lightly, Xue Na smiled and said, "Congratulations, Brother Jingchu, I'd love to have more people."

Gao Qi also smiled and bowed to Li Qinzai.

Li Qinzai stared at Xue Na, as if he was trying to distinguish whether this guy's "congratulations" was sincere or gloating.

Seeing that his eyes were not friendly, Xue Na quickly explained: "Is there an illegitimate child? Is there not many rich and powerful families in Chang'an City? We have never been short of money or women. Do you think they are good men and women who have been playing outside these years?"

Gao Qi also laughed and said: "Yes, it's normal. When I was 16 years old, I also had a child with a maiko from Neijiaofang. This year I am two years old, and I was raised in an outside house. People even give money and things to mother and son during New Year’s festivals.”

Li Qinzai was surprised and said, "You have it too?"

Gao Qi smiled embarrassingly, and said: "When I was young, I just learned about the relationship between men and women, so it was inevitable that I would have played too much. It is not a bad thing for the family. It is not difficult for the child to grow up and be a rich man."

Li Qinzai let out an oh.

Judging from the attitudes of the two, it seems that in the Tang Dynasty, it was not uncommon for concubines to have illegitimate children, and it had nothing to do with morality.

It is a bit cruel to say that the so-called "morality" in ancient times was based on equality of status.

People like maiko and maidservants belong to the lowly family, and their value is about the same as that of a cow or a horse, or even worse than a cow. No matter what the master does to the lowly people, it has nothing to do with morality. Even if they are beaten to death, the officials will only fine them two hundred coins money.

When you meet a conscientious master, such as Gao Qi, maiko can be raised in an outhouse if you have a big belly, so as to give mother and child a stable life. If you meet someone who has no conscience, it is not strange to throw them in the well all the time.

Li Qinzai sighed and rubbed his face vigorously.

In fact, he really wanted to slap himself, and he didn't know whether to punish himself or his physical predecessor.

No amount of reason is an excuse to forgive yourself.

The child was sent to Li's house, and it was regarded as a recognition.

The old lady bowed to Li Siwen and Li Qinzai. She had fulfilled Lin Nu's last request, she had fulfilled her responsibilities, and she was about to leave.

"Forgive me, Wu Shaolang, but the old woman wants to say a few more words before leaving."

It can be seen that the old woman's words and deeds are very educated. She was also from an official family back then, but later the family fell into poverty. Although her life was a little poor, her education was not lost.

Li Qinzai said humbly, "Say it."

The old woman touched the top of the child's head reluctantly, and said: "Lin Nu is also from a family of officials. Her father was originally a Jinshi in Zhenguan for 21 years. He has served as a county magistrate for many years. He has a good official reputation. The fate of death."

"Fortunately, Grandpa Li rescued and saved the lives of several women and children of the Han family. Lin Nu was also adopted by the noble mansion as a maidservant, so as to avoid the suffering of falling into the world. The child was born to you and Lin Nu. The life of the child is bitter. Then I lost my mother, and the old woman begrudgingly begs, and hopes that Wu Shaolang will treat the child well."

Li Qinzai pursed his lips and nodded.

Taking a quick glance at the timid child, Li Qinzai asked, "Does the child have a name?"

The old woman sighed: "The name has not yet been taken, because he was born in a bitter life, his mother died and his father was not recognized, and the women and children of his mother's family could not give him a good life. He was hungry and full. His life was like bitter buckwheat, so Everyone in the family calls him 'Qiaoer'."

"Qiao'er..." Li Qinzai silently repeated it several times.

The old woman knelt down, pulled Qiao'er in front of her, pointed at Li Qinzai, and said, "Qiao'er, he is your father, go and bow down."

Qiao'er was frightened, her small body trembled suddenly, and she involuntarily took a few steps back.

The old woman frowned, and said in a deep voice: "How to teach you at home, have you forgotten? No matter how poor we are, we must be polite."

Qiao'er looked at the old woman timidly, seeing the old woman's face downcast, Qiao'er was frightened, turned around and knelt down to Li Qinzai.

"Qiao'er pays respects to Father."

The voice is very small, baby-like, a little cute.

Li Qinzai stretched out his hands to help him up, but just as he touched Qiao'er's arm, Qiao'er dodged like an electric shock.

Obviously he was not used to Li Qinzai's touch, so he turned around and threw himself into the old woman's arms.

The old woman rubbed his hair pityingly, and sighed: "Finally, you have a destination, I hope you have come to the end of all your hardships."

Speaking of which, the old woman bowed to Li Qinzai and said: "The child will be entrusted to Wu Shaolang, you are his father, how to discipline him, the old woman will not talk too much, just for the sake of Lin Nu's poor child , making Qiao’er’s life less bitter.”

Li Qinzai instantly understood what she meant.

Naturally, the big family is not short of money or food, but Qiao'er is an illegitimate child, unknown, so it is easy to be despised and treated with contempt in the big family.

What the old lady meant was to ask Li Qinzai to ensure his food and clothing as much as possible.

Li Qinzai has gradually accepted the reality. There are too many unexpected accidents in life. If they can't be resolved, they can only choose to accept it.

Any troubles and misfortunes can be solved, but Qiao'er is a real child, how can Li Qinzai solve him?Should it be left outside?
"I will treat him well." Li Qinzai looked the old woman in the eyes and promised earnestly.

The old woman saw the sincerity in Li Qinzai's eyes, and sighed in relief: "In this way, the old woman can also have an explanation to Lin Nu. It is the old woman's crime to disturb your mansion today, and I invite all the nobles of the Duke's Mansion to Forgive me, the old woman apologizes to everyone."

After the old woman knelt down and bowed, Li Qinzai hurriedly helped her up.

The old woman touched the top of Qiao'er's head reluctantly again, turned around and left.

Li Qinzai felt sore, and hurriedly ordered Steward Wu to pay 20 taels of silver cakes from the cashier, intending to give it to the old woman to improve the lives of her and her family.

The old woman refused to accept it.

"If I took a penny from your house today, it would be unfair for Qiao'er to admit his relatives. The old woman sent him here to recognize his relatives, not to sell a child!"

Just as she was about to leave, the old woman was grabbed by the corner of her clothes.

Looking down, Qiao'er looked anxious: "Grandma, don't leave Qiao'er behind!"

The old woman sighed, knelt down and said softly, "Qiao'er, this is your home. Your father and grandfather are all here. They are your real relatives."

Qiao'er was very young and didn't understand the truth, she just shook her head with tears in her eyes: "No!"

"Qiao'er, how did grandma teach you when you came here? How could you be tolerated by a high-ranking family if you don't know the principles and etiquette! Don't be self-willed!" The old woman's expression was already a little stern.

Qiao'er was still holding on tightly to the hem of her clothes, and burst into tears.

The old woman couldn't stop crying, and the eyes of everyone present were red.

Li Qinzai took a deep breath, squeezed out a smile, squatted in front of Qiao'er, and said softly, "Qiao'er, do you know who I am?"

Qiao'er choked and said, "You are Father."

Unobtrusively turning Qiao'er's body around so that he faced him, Li Qinzai took out a copper coin from his bosom, blinked and said, "My lord father will do a trick for you, will you?"

Qiao'er didn't say anything, she was still crying.

A copper coin was in Li Qinzai's palm, he grasped it, and then spread it out, and the copper coin disappeared miraculously.

After all, Qiao'er is only a child less than five years old, and his attention span and sorrows and joys are only short-lived.

Seeing Li Qinzai's miraculous tricks, Qiao'er stopped crying and opened her eyes curiously.Attention has been completely attracted by Li Qinzai.

Li Qinzai turned his palm over again, and the copper coin appeared in his palm again.

Qiao'er became more and more surprised, and leaned closer to examine Li Qinzai's palm carefully.

Li Qinzai let him check with a smile, and quickly glanced at the old woman.

The old woman understood, turned her back to Qiao'er, saluted him silently, then turned and walked out of Li's residence.

After leaving the gate of Li's Mansion and blending into the tide of people, the old woman couldn't control herself, she squatted on the ground covering her face and burst into tears.

In the front yard of Li's mansion, Li Qinzai was still playing tricks with Qiao'er happily.

Seeing that Qiao'er's attention was still on the copper coin in his palm, Li Qinzai also smiled.

Children are too young to bear the joys and sorrows of the world too early.

It's good to say farewell without a sound.

From now on, this responsibility should be shouldered by him.

(End of this chapter)