Master Li said he wouldn’t concern himself with his son, but in reality, he still sent people to gather information.
"Master, the young master has been thrown into prison, awaiting disposal!"
"What?" Master Li slammed the table in agitation, gasping for breath uncontrollably.
Before he could catch his breath, he heard the urgent shouts of a house servant from outside, who ran while shouting, "Master, master, it’s bad, the government officials have come again!"
Master Li collapsed on a chair, his heart sinking to the bottom, this was the end.
Arrest officer Guan walked into the front hall, "Master Li."
"Arrest officer Guan! How fares my foolish son’s case?" Master Li steadied his breath, bracing himself mentally, and asked arrest officer Guan.
"I am here precisely for this matter. To settle it, fifty thousand taels of silver and exile to the army."
Only to hear a loud clang, Master Li fell straight toward the ground, but in the nick of time, was caught by arrest officer Guan.
"Master, master!" The house servant, seeing his own master fall, hurried forward to take over, continuously shouting, "Someone come quick, the master has fainted! Someone come quick!"
The doctor was taking Master Li’s pulse, his expression grave, continuously shaking his head. Madam Li, seeing this, was anxious in her heart; her son was already in prison, and now her husband too might be no more.
Seeing the doctor stop taking the pulse, Madam Li immediately asked, "Doctor, how is my husband!"
"Madam Li, Master Li has been shocked. He is old and cannot withstand such shocks. He must not be subjected to further stress, otherwise..." the doctor kept shaking his head.
"He doesn’t have much time left! However, as long as he doesn’t endure further stress, he can still live out his natural life."
Upon hearing this, Madam Li felt relieved as long as he was well cared for and not stressed. She immediately arranged for the servants to fetch and boil medicine.
It was not until the evening that Master Li regained consciousness.
Madam Li had been waiting by his side. Seeing her husband wake up, she said, "Master, how do you feel? I’ll get you some water!"
As Madam Li was about to fetch the water.
"Summon everyone from the second household. I want to separate Fugui to make his own way," Master Li said weakly.
The water pitcher fell to the ground with a clang, splashing hot water all over Madam Li, who, oblivious to the scalding water, exclaimed, "Master, what are you saying?"
"Madam, don’t blame me. I’m doing this to preserve our home. Fifty thousand taels! We only have a few taverns, we can’t afford to pay that amount of silver!"
Upon hearing this, Madam Li wept incessantly. What to do, abandon their son?
She immediately knelt down in front of him, gripping Master Li’s arm, "Master, are you really going to abandon our son? We only have one son!"
Master Li, shaken by Madam Li, coughed continuously, hardly able to breathe, "If you don’t agree, then you may separate with Fugui as well!"
Madam Li remained silent. She had grown accustomed to a life of luxury and couldn’t bear those harsh days. She needed to rely on her husband, and only by staying in this household could she have a chance to save her son.
Master Li couldn’t withstand the shock, and if she continued to disagree and made a scene, she feared that she could not save either her husband or son, so she finally said, "I understand, master. I will follow your decision!"
Soon, all the family members were gathered, and Master Li instructed, "I’ve called you here to tell you that I have separated Li Fugui to make his own way. Give him the cabbages in those storehouses and that small courtyard west of the city. From now on, whatever trouble he gets into has nothing to do with our family."
Thus, Li Fugui became the scapegoat cast out by his family, waiting in the dungeon to be sent to the army.