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  It's officially launched on June 1st! Hope you all can give it a lot of support. I, Zi, will definitely work hard: )

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  Outside the study of Li's residence, only one Zhao servant stood with his head bowed, while the other maids and young servants all stood far away under the eaves, each with a worried expression, but their eyes were full of curiosity. They just didn't dare to make a sound because of Zhao's presence, so they communicated silently with their eyes.

  The second young master, who has been away from home for almost four years, has returned. This should be a grand joyous occasion, but since the rumors about the second young master emerged in the capital a month ago, the atmosphere in the mansion has become very strange. The old master is always frowning, with "I'm fed up" written all over his face; the mistress seems to be worried, but according to the news from the kitchen, she has been having a good appetite lately and has been ordering the kitchen to make delicious food; the eldest young master and his wife had a fight and have not spoken to each other since.

  The second young master who is currently in a precarious situation is in the study.

  Li Jingxian stared at his son standing in the center of the study, whom he had not seen for nearly four years. His son had grown much taller and had lost the naivety of youth, becoming calm and elegant, carefree and content, like still water, with a subtle and unspoken depth. Li Jingxian silently sighed: Mingyun truly looked more and more like his mother...

  With a sigh, Li Jingxian suddenly remembered those rumors and his heart was filled with anger. He suppressed the urge to scold Mingyun severely and put down his teacup, asking in as calm a tone as possible: "What's going on with that woman?"

  Li Mingyun didn't show any expression, what's going on? I suppose Chen Ziyu has already made it very clear, and Father also knows very clearly.

  "She is the doctor from Ganxi Village, who saved my son's life. My son wants to repay her kindness and has decided to marry her." Li Mingyun said in a declarative tone, stating a fact rather than seeking anyone's opinion. "That's it!" Li Jingxian was enraged by his seemingly polite but clear and firm tone, and let out a stern low growl.

  "Does repaying kindness necessarily mean marrying her? Doesn't he consider his own status and hers, this is simply ruining his future." Li Jingxian scolded.

  Li Ming said calmly: "A man's future is based on his own ability to strive, if he relies on a woman to get ahead, the son will feel ashamed."

  It was a sharp stab at Li Jingxian's weakness, but he would never admit it, so despite his anger, he had to divert the topic.

  "It's good that you have this ambition, but don't forget that as a son of the Li family, every word and action of yours is related to the reputation of the Li family. To disregard the honor and shame of the family and act recklessly is truly an unfilial and unrighteous move. Have you read the classics of sages and worthies to no avail?"

  "My son doesn't think he has done anything wrong." Li Mingyun said calmly.

  Li Jingxian was furious: "Your self-righteousness has already made Father a laughing stock among the ministers, and every member of the Li family can't hold their heads up."

  Li Mingyun smiled slightly, looking up at his furious father. In his memory, his father rarely spoke to him in a gentle tone or with a pleased expression. Whenever he was slightly dissatisfied, he would scold him severely. Li Mingyun used to think that his father's strictness was for his own good, fearing that he would become like other rich family sons who were idle and didn't strive to improve themselves. So, he had always worked hard, studying diligently, regulating his words and actions, trying to be a good son in his father's eyes. From the age of three, he dressed himself, fed himself, and did everything within his power, just to get a smile or a word of praise from his father. Later on, he came to understand that his father's coldness and strictness were due to Li Mingtian's existence. It was said that when Li Mingtian acknowledged his ancestors, the father-son duo cried bitterly in each other's arms. That scene must have been very moving!

  Li Mingyu sneered with a smile: "Father is worrying too much! When you married your stepmother, didn't the whole court applaud? The emperor even praised you for being kind and righteous. And isn't your stepmother just a village woman? Speaking of which, Lin Lan may be from a farming family, but she's a female doctor!"

  It's almost there~

  Li Jingxian's old face turned a deep crimson, his beard quivering with rage as he glared at his son with an unfamiliar and furious gaze. Yes, very unfamiliar - the son before him was no longer the one who had always obeyed him, who had been so cautious in front of him. At this moment, Mingyu seemed calm and smiling, but his words were laced with mockery and disdain, sharp and piercing... He clearly realized that Li Mingyu hated him.

  Li Ming calmly met his father's gaze, watching as he became enraged, feeling an inexplicable sense of pleasure in his heart.

  Li Jingxian's gaze suddenly dimmed, his expression tired and pained, as he said: "Ming Yun, Father knows you're angry with him about Mother's matter. Father doesn't blame you. It was Father's fault for not explaining things clearly to her in time, causing her misunderstanding. Ah...Mother has always been a gentle and virtuous woman. I thought she could understand my difficulties, but unexpectedly, she would be so resolute. In these few years, Father hasn't had a single peaceful day. Thinking of Mother...it pains his heart..."

  Looking at his father's painful and regretful appearance, Li Mingyun only felt ridiculous. Can a single misunderstanding cover everything? Can a single misunderstanding make one feel at peace? Can a single misunderstanding bring mother back to life? It seems that Mother leaving was right, staying with such a hypocritical and shameless person for even a moment is unbearable.

  "My father thought my mother was just being stubborn, and that once she calmed down, I would go pick her up again. But unexpectedly, what I waited for was the news of my mother's passing... For three whole days, I didn't drink a drop of water or eat a single grain of rice, and fell severely ill. All I could think about was following my mother to the afterlife..." Li Jingxian spoke with sorrow, his eyes brimming with hot tears, his emotions sincere and heartfelt.

  Li Ming sneered inwardly, pretending to be seriously ill? Just going through the motions!

  "I originally wanted to bring my mother's memorial tablet back to the capital, but my grandparents... I know they are heartbroken, and not understanding the truth, it is normal for them to have grievances against me. I just thought that after they calm down, I would go to Feng An... Alas! The world is unpredictable, and now the Emperor has entrusted me with a heavy responsibility at this moment..."

  Li Mingyun had to use a lot of patience to finish listening to this hypocritical and shameless speech, and at the same time couldn't help but admire his father's acting skills, with a sincere expression and earnest words. After all, he has been in the official circle for many years, and this kind of shamelessness has already penetrated into his bones and merged with his lungs.

  Li Jingxian took two steps forward, patted Li Mingyun's shoulder like a kind father, and sighed: "Mingyun! Dad doesn't ask for forgiveness, but you've always been Dad's pride and hope. Dad is truly doing this for your own good, don't be stubborn and do something that hurts both yourself and others. It really pains Dad to see this. As for Lin'niang's matter, Dad will resolve it, whatever she wants, the Li family will try our best to satisfy her, we won't let her suffer a loss. The imperial examination is approaching, Dad has high hopes for you, I hope you'll focus on preparing and not be angry with Dad anymore."

  So humble and self-effacing, if Li Mingyu hadn't already figured out the truth, he might have even shed tears of gratitude.

  He subtly dodged his father's hand on his shoulder, bowed and said seriously: "Since childhood, Father has taught me that a man must keep his promises, only then can he be considered a gentleman. I have already made a promise to Lin Lan in front of the villagers of Jianxi Village, I cannot go back on my word, it would be shameful, Lin Lan, I must marry her."

  Li Jingxian felt that he was about to be burned by the flames of anger in his heart. He had wasted so many words, moving with emotion and explaining with reason, but Mingyun not only couldn't understand his kindness, but also insisted on doing things her own way. Since soft methods didn't work, he could only use hard ones, no matter what, he couldn't let that village girl enter the house and ruin his plans.

  Li Jingxian's tone turned cold: "Ming Rong, think carefully again, Father won't harm you."

  He immediately shouted loudly: "Zhao Guan Shi."

  Zhao the steward came in at the sound of his name and bowed his head to receive orders.

  "Send Second Young Master back to Xun Yun Xuan, take good care of him. Second Young Master has been through a lot and needs to rest well, don't let anyone disturb him." Li Jingxian ordered in a cold tone.

  Li Ming was shocked, was his father going to put him under house arrest?

  This was something Li Mingyu had not expected, that his father would take such drastic measures. It seemed this struggle was going to be a long one. Li Mingyu couldn't help but secretly rejoice that Lin Lan hadn't followed his father's arrangements and gone to "Ling Xian Ju" but instead went to the Zhou family home of Jing Bo Hou. Otherwise... But could the Zhou family take in Lin Lan? Li Mingyu again couldn't help but worry, hoping Wen Shan and Dong Zi would be clever and not also get trapped, able to pass on a message to the Ye and Lin families so they could prepare.

  Just as Li Mingyu was sent back to Xiu Yunxuan, a maid hurriedly ran back to the backyard to report to Han Shi.

  "Do you know what they all said?" Madame Han lay on the kang, one maid standing beside her fanning her and another squatting on the floor massaging her legs.

  The maid said: "The master has dismissed all other servants and only left Zhao waiting outside, so..."

  Han gave her maid a dissatisfied glance.

  The maid lowered her head timidly and said, "However, the second young master was surrounded by five or six family guards when he went to Xiu Yun Pavilion. When Master came out, his face didn't look too good."

  Han's family carefully considered the maid's words, and after a moment, she said to her mother beside her: "Mother Jiang, go and instruct the kitchen to prepare tonight's welcoming banquet even more grandly."

  "Apparently, Master and Second Young Master didn't have a pleasant conversation. Is this welcoming banquet still necessary?"

  Han's mouth curled up in a cold smile, she knew that the conversation between father and son was unpleasant, so she had to show extra enthusiasm, this way could deepen the old man's prejudice against Li Ming.

  "Call him over, and he'll come." Mr. Han said leisurely, closing his eyes in enjoyment.

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