"Madam, young master, Li Fugui’s mother just died by crashing into the front gates."
Upon seeing the original madam dead at the entrance, the house servant immediately went to report. The Li Residence had changed hands, and thus the servants had all changed their appellations.
Li Fuyou thought for a moment, "How inauspicious! Carry her in!"
"Son, she’s already dead, why carry her in? Just throw her away!" Li Fuyou’s mother asked, not understanding.
A cunning smile appeared on Li Fuyou’s face, "Keep her, she still has her uses!"
Afterward, the Li Residence grandly arranged the affairs for the late Lord Li and his wife. Li Fuyou’s reputation as a filial son spread through the streets and alleys, letting people know that apart from the useless Eldest Young Master, the Li Family also had a capable and promising Second Young Master— the Li Family couldn’t fall with the support of Second Young Master.
A few days later, Yuelai Restaurant received a carrier pigeon message from Chu Lian, agreeing to Yang Ming’s proposal, and Shopkeeper Wang immediately went to the county government office to discuss the compensation matter with Magistrate Li.
Yuelai Restaurant agreed to use cabbages to settle the account directly, and Magistrate Li had no objections whatsoever; he couldn’t wait to settle this case.
As soon as Shopkeeper Wang took charge of the cabbages, he instructed his staff non-stop to prepare kimchi in full force, taking advantage of everyone’s eagerness to buy the national dish and dispose of all the cabbages.
County Government Prison
Li Fugui was sitting on the floor of the prison cell, barely able to hold on. This was no place for humans; it was foul and dirty, the food was hard to swallow, and he had to endure beatings. When had he ever suffered ?
In his moment of despair, he saw a government official coming, "Li Fugui, you can leave now!"
Li Fugui quickly stood up, "Officer, can I really leave now?"
The official spoke impatiently, "Yes, yes, hurry up and go. You’re lucky to have such a good brother!"
"..." A good brother? Could it be Fuyou? Had he saved him? That quiet brother?
Fugui was overjoyed to be getting out. He walked out of the cell, breathing in the fresh air outside, feeling as though he had been reborn.
Just as he was about to take a step, he hesitated. Where should he go now? He had been disowned by his family; he was alone now; he had nothing.
"Big brother!" As he was contemplating, he heard Li Fuyou’s voice. Turning around, he saw his brother had come to pick him up.
"Second brother, thank you. I never expected that you would be the one to save me in the end!"
His gratitude was sincere. After the incident occurred and his own parents abandoned him, it was ironically his unassuming brother who saved him.
"Big brother, how did it feel inside?"
"..." Why did second brother’s tone not sound friendly?
"I originally wanted to have you sent to the army, but I felt that wasn’t satisfying enough. It’s better to let you experience the suffering of the living world!"
"What do you mean?" Li Fugui, hearing Li Fuyou’s words, displayed a look of terror. He couldn’t believe his ears. What was he hearing?
"It means exactly what it sounds like. Oh, right, your parents are dead! I’ve taken back the house I gave you. Now you really have nothing! I want to see how you, the Eldest Young Master, are going to live now without anything!" Li Fuyou continued provocatively.
Parents dead? To hear such news was like a bolt from the blue. Although he harbored hatred towards his parents for abandoning him, he didn’t wish them dead!
"Li Fuyou, what on earth are you saying?" Li Fugui, furious, stepped forward and grabbed Li Fuyou by the collar. He didn’t believe it, not a single word. How could his parents be dead?