Chapter 303: Han Chi’s Persuasion
Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation
Han Qiao tried to ask the Princess Consort out a few times but she refused.
She couldn’t inquire about what happened in the Imperial Residence, and she couldn’t peep.
It was best not to do things that violated taboos.
Compared to Li Zhao who was silent, Li Mi was more talkative, “Han Chi, how was your exam?”
“I think I can pass.”
Han Chi could also talk with Li Mi.
He could talk to anyone as long as they were willing.
“Then congratulations! If you get first place, you have to treat me.”
Han Chi was more or less looking forward to being ranked first.
“Alright!”
“It’s a deal. Don’t go back on your word!” Li Mi said, covering her giggles with her hand.
If he ranked first, Han Qiao would have immediately arranged a banquet.
Therefore, Li Zhao and Li Mi followed them too.
Li Mi naturally sat next to Sun Xiu, Sun Yi, and the others, and with Han Qiao, the adult who could take care of her, there was no need for private carriages.
Han Chi nudged Li Zhao, “What’s wrong? Why do you look so unhappy?”
Li Zhao did not speak.
First, they went to the bookstore to buy ink, paper, and inkstone. Han Chi had a few books that he wanted to read, but they were very expensive. He wanted to borrow them and copy them down first. Then, they would be his.
Han Qiao expressed her support for his decision.
If he wanted to buy books, she would pay for them. If he wanted to borrow them and copy them, she would also support it.
However, Han Chi was not stingy when it came to buying brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones. These were all consumables. Having seen the Prince’s mansion use a room to pile up paper, Han Chi had gained some knowledge.
Han Qiao and the others still had to go to the light clothes shop and jewelry shop, so they might as well go to the restaurant and book a private room first.
Han Chi noticed Li Zhao was still in a bad mood and planned to talk to him. So they went ahead to book a room in the restaurant.
After Li Zhao left, the smile on Li Mi’s face faded.
There were a few times when she felt a little unhappy and looked as if she was about to cry.
Han Qiao’s heart ached when she noticed this.
“What’s wrong?” Han Qiao asked Li Mi.
Li Mi shook her head. She couldn’t say that her father and mother had been fighting recently, and now her father was forcing her to stand with her brother.
She was still alright. Her father usually did not think much of her.
However, her brother was different. Her brother was the prince. Her father wanted to teach her brother a lesson, but her brother had no power to resist at all…
Although she and her brother did not say anything, they were definitely biased towards their mother. However, she was worried about her brother. Only then did she drag him out to the Heng family to play, hoping that Han Chi’s talkative mouth could enlighten him.
Some people should have understood it long ago.
Han Qiao patted the back of Li Mi’s hand,”‘ When the carriage comes to the mountain, there will always be a way. When the boat comes to the bridge, it will naturally straighten out. When the mountain is heavy, there is no way to get through’. Look, so many poems have been said. And there are always more ways than difficulties, don’t you think?”
Li Mi was a smart girl.
She had been well-protected in the early days and was a little innocent and kind, but that didn’t mean she was stupid.
“Yes, thank you, Auntie Han. I understand.” Li Mi said softly.
Han Qiao nodded, her eyes full of praise, “Alright, go look around with Ah-Xiu and the others choosing fabric to make a purse. Don’t you like the pearl purse they make? Hurry up and choose the fabric and let them make it for you.”
Her thoughts were clear, and she understood it with just a little talk.
This girl was a rare good child.
“I would rather we make it together. I’m proud of my needlework too. I also have pearls. 1 can also use other beads. I also have agate, southern red, and Hetian jade beads.” As Li Mi spoke, she already had many designs she was planning to make in her mind.
“Then maybe you make one for your mother,” Han Qiao reminded.
Li Mi nodded vigorously, “I’ll make one for Auntie Han too.”
“That’s good. I’ll be waiting.”
“As long as you don’t mind my poor cooking skills.”
Li Mi smiled and went to choose the fabric and thread.
Han Qiao also pursed her lips and smiled.
She did not lack money.
Sun Xiu and Sun Yi would do it for her when they had nothing to do. She had received quite a lot of these.
However, she had to cherish the children’s intentions.
In the private room of the restaurant, Han Chi sent everyone out. Zeng Bao’er was very sharp. He called Li Zhao’s manservant to the side to eat melon seeds. He could not only keep an eye on them and not let other people enter the private room to disturb them, but he also couldn’t hear what the two of them were talking about in the private room.
He killed two birds with one stone.
In the private room, Han Chi poured tea for Li Zhao, “What happened? I realized that you’ve been acting weird since the new year. You’re no longer the same person I first met. Earlier, I was busy with the exam and didn’t have time to ask you. Now that I’m free, tell me and 1’11 think of a way for you.”
Li Zhao drank the tea in one gulp.
Han Chi clicked his tongue.
It seemed that things were quite troublesome.
“My father asked me to give Master Wei to Li Ting as a teacher. Master Wei was found by my grandfather. You and 1 are good friends. It’s not that I’m stingy, but I’m just indignant.”
Han Chi understood.
Li Ting must be the Gong Prince’s bastard son.
It was either Secondary Consort Wen or Secondary Consort Xu’s son.
“Whose son is Li Ting?”
“Secondary Consort Wen.”
Han Chi’s mind immediately clicked. This also explained why Li Zhao was unwilling.
The Gong Prince and the Gong Prince’s consort had a conflict because of Secondary Consort Wen.
And they still hadn’t reconciled.
“You definitely can’t send Master Wei away and Master Wei can’t leave either. We can only let him teach Li Ting.”
“I’m not willing to accept this.” Li Zhao clenched his teacup.
If not for his upbringing, he wanted to smash the teacup to vent his anger.
“So what if you’re willing or not? Can you beat your father up for that? In my opinion, it’s just a teacher. You should communicate with Master Wei privately and ask him for his opinion. If he wants to stay, you don’t have to worry about it. If Master Wei didn’t want to, he would have plenty of excuses to leave.”
“Besides, you don’t only have one illegitimate brother. You can’t be biased and have to take care of everyone, right?”
“With more children, there will be more conflicts. Wouldn’t it be easier for you to cause trouble in the dark?”
“If Master Wei is angry, he can just leave with any excuse. If word gets out, your brother will be accused of disrespecting their teachers and having no etiquette.”
“Don’t tell me that you don’t want to fight for the position of the King of Qin. Let me tell you, you’re different from me. I don’t want to know that those things don’t belong to me, and I don’t have the right to fight for them. If you don’t fight, you’ll die.”
“Let me tell you, Secondary Consort Wen has already begun to fight. More accurately, your father is already prepared to support that bastard son against you.”
Han Chi’s words pierced Li Zhao’s heart.
He stood up with a whoosh.
He looked at Han Chi with anger in her eyes, “How is that possible?”
“How is it impossible? Because you’re disobedient and want to be biased towards your biological mother. Don’t be biased towards him, this fickle father who dotes on his concubine and kills his wife. You’re not of the same heart as him. Even if it wasn’t sincere, don’t you feel disappointed, Li Zhao? That is your biological father.”
“The parents in this family aren’t even my biological father or mother. My father would spend a few months looking for a good horse for me. He taught me how to ride a horse and asked me to practice martial arts. When I learned how to ride a horse, he would lead the horse for me..”