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Chapter 8
Zhou Dingxing looked at his mother, then looked at Ms. Yuan who was gently looking at him. After a while, he reached out to Ms. Yuan. Ms. Yuan's eyes were wet as she picked up Zhou Dingxing and followed Auntie Chun out.
Ms. Liu watched Zhou Dingxing leave and sighed as she looked at Ms. Lu, "The disaster that befell Dingxing was all thanks to my good mother-in-law."
Back then, Mr. Cao, who was still an obedient Madam Candidate, was not satisfied with Ms. Liu becoming the daughter-in-law. She had her sights set on the daughter of her eldest brother's family. But Gongshun Marquis and Heir Apparent Zhou did not like how the Cao family was everywhere currying favor. They firmly chose to have the engagement with Yongshun Earl.
After Ms. Liu married into Gongshun Marquis Manor, with the support of her father-in-law and husband, she quickly gained a foothold and gave birth to her eldest son. But when the child was one year old, the Cao family came to visit the manor and somehow both families' children fell into the water. The Cao family child was fine, but Ms. Liu’s child died from the shock of the fall. Gongshun Manor lost their eldest grandson. It was infuriating that Mr. Cao adamantly shielded his elder brother’s grandson, not allowing Gongshun Marquis and the Heir Apparent to take action against the Cao family. At that time, the Cao family was siding with the Third Prince. The Third Prince was also favored by the Former Emperor and had hopes of ascending the throne.
Ms. Liu had no choice but to endure, but the pain of losing her child - how could Ms. Liu bear it. Her relationship with Heir Apparent Zhou also cracked. For many years after that, neither of them had any children. It wasn't until seven years ago when the Cao family was dismissed from their official positions for siding with the wrong team. The culprit who had killed her child back then also received due punishment. Only then did Ms. Liu reconcile with Heir Apparent Zhou, their feelings restored. After Ms. Liu became pregnant, she gave birth to Zhou Dingxing. After the child was born, the Marquis submitted a memorial to the new emperor passing on Gongshun Marquis's position to his son, and established Zhou Dingxing as the little heir apparent.
Over these years, Mr. Cao had been careful and seemed to have changed his ways. He was also decent to Zhou Dingxing. Ms. Liu relaxed a little and didn't expect that with this slight relaxation, Zhou Dingxing would get kidnapped. After some investigation by Ms. Liu and Marquis Zhou, it turned out to be another scheme by Mr. Cao. He was still thinking of getting the Cao family's daughter into Gongshun Marquis Manor to give birth to a son to inherit the title.
With the new and old hatred, Ms. Liu could no longer tolerate it. She directly exploded. If the Zhou family father and son did not deal with Mr. Cao, she would request an annulment. After making a scene, without waiting for the Zhou family's response, Ms. Liu went back to her natal family to ask for help. Bringing people with her, she chased the human traffickers all the way here. Upon hearing that human traffickers were captured in Bailang County and children were rescued, she rushed overnight to Bailang County.
Ms. Lu handed Ms. Liu a cup of tea, "I didn't expect, sister, that you've suffered so much over the years." The pain of losing a child is unbearable for any mother. Ms. Liu almost endured it twice in succession.
"As long as Dingxing can return to my side, any suffering is worth it," Ms. Liu said with tears in her eyes as she watched Zhou Dingxing playing in the yard.
Among the children who were trafficked, there was actually the little heir apparent from a marquis manor in the capital. The marchioness also brought people to Bailang County. The attitudes of several aunties in the county magistrate's backyard were different regarding this matter.
Auntie An instructed Li Guang and Li Zhou standing in front of her, "You two should go play with the little heir apparent more."
"Auntie, the little heir apparent is just a five-year-old brat. Play with mud with him?" Li Guang was unwilling to do so as soon as he heard it. What was there to play with such a little kid for? "Auntie, please don't make things complicated, okay?"
Upon hearing Li Guang’s words, Auntie An became anxious right away. "I'm doing this for your benefit. This family will belong to your eldest brother in the future. If you two get along well with this noble lady, there will be lots of benefits in the future."
Li Chou glared at Li Guang who wanted to say something again and walked over to Auntie An. “Auntie, father has been monitoring mine and third younger brother’s studies. We are also working hard to study under father, to take examinations and gain titles in the future. This will truly make Auntie proud.”
“Then you two should focus on your studies. Your father was a second rank Jinshi graduate back in the day." As soon as Auntie An heard about abandoning the little heir apparent, she shifted her attention.
"Auntie, third younger brother and I are going to study now," said Li Chou as he pulled the still reluctant Li Guang away to study in the front yard.
In Aunt Wang's Bingqing Courtyard, Li Shan impatiently listened to Aunt Wang's nagging. "Auntie, what you said is useless. Can I just casually enter my mother's Wild Goose Pavilion? "
"Silly girl, I've already prepared everything for you," said Aunt Wang as she took out the handkerchiefs, shoe pads and other needlework that she had prepared. Looking at these things in front of her, Li Shan was confident that she would definitely catch the noble lady’s eye.
At this moment, in Plum Blossom Pavilion, Li Xia, who was being stared at by Auntie Mei, couldn't help but shudder. "Auntie, just say what you want to do." Being stared at by such deep eyes, Li Xia could not bear it.
"Xia'er, don't go to Wild Goose Pavilion or Elegant Refinement Pavilion in the near future, understand?" Auntie Mei instructed Li Xia.
"Why?" Since Li Xia decided to cultivate supernatural powers, she had been focusing on cultivation. As to the matters inside the manor, she rarely paid attention. Qiu Shui was also not one who loved gossiping. So Li Xia was unaware that a noble lady had come.
"Don't ask why, just listen to me." Auntie Mei instructed again.
"Alright, I’ll stay obediently in Plum Blossom Pavilion without going anywhere." Having experienced the apocalypse, Li Xia was not interested in liveliness to begin with. The only reason she always wanted to go watch the spring plowing was because there would be lots of delicious food.
Ms. Lu soon found out about the reactions from various pavilions. Regarding Aunt Wang’s little scheme, Ms. Lu was too lazy to bother since Aunt Wang was close to giving birth.
Li Xia was not concerned about the aftermath of the human traffickers, but Auntie Mei was very concerned. She talked about subsequent developments during meals. After interrogation, the head trafficker's mouth was pried open. They learned about one of their old dens. By tracing the vine to get the melon, they broke up this large-scale inter-regional and inter-provincial human trafficking gang, capturing the main criminals.
Li Ming was praised by the magistrate for this reason. This time, Li Ming would definitely get a promotion. It was just a matter of how big the promotion would be. Recently Li Ming walked with the wind at his back wherever he went.
It was Li Xia who first discovered the human traffickers. Although it was somewhat inappropriate for a young lady to do so, since Li Ming benefitted from it, he sent someone to summon Li Xia to the study.
Upon receiving the servant's message, Li Xia was puzzled. What did Li Ming want her for? Could it be that he also wanted to reward her with money? Thinking of Ms. Lu's generosity, Li Ming here probably wouldn't be stingy either. Li Xia went to the study in high spirits.
Li Ming did want to reward Li Xia because he was happy about the promotion. So exceptionally, he took out his beloved inkstone to reward Li Xia. In Li Ming's eyes, this was his beloved possession. Li Xia should be grateful and delighted.
But Li Xia's expression was not as happy as he had imagined. Instead, it was a somewhat disappointed look. Li Ming's expression was not very good either. He never liked Auntie Mei to begin with, so naturally he wouldn't pay much attention to the daughter she gave birth to, Li Xia. If this were given to Li Shan instead, even if Li Shan didn't like it, she would still happily accept it. But Li Xia wouldn't. If she didn't like it, then she didn't like it.
Li Hui also understood Li Xia’s character. He stepped forward, “Father, I have finished summarizing the petition regarding this case. Please take a look to see if there are any adjustments needed. If there are none, I will hand it to Tutor Lin to archive it into the archives.” Li Hui hinted to Li Xia at the same time.
Having received Li Hui’s signal, Li Xia curtsied to Li Ming. “Father and elder brother have matters to attend to. Daughter shall take her leave first.”
At this time, Li Ming no longer paid attention to Li Xia. His whole mind and heart were on the confessions Li Hui had handed over. Hearing Li Xia, he waved his hand indicating for Li Xia to leave.