Qi Zhenzhen skillfully flipped the white jianbing, "It's not really pitiable; isn't it better to discover Li Shan's true nature early? Sister-in-law Ruixue is still young and has many choices. It's better than being delayed for a lifetime by such a scumbag."
Song Mingyue found Qi Zhenzhen's words very reasonable and nodded, "That's true. We can't jump to conclusions about this matter now; we'll take it one step at a time. Huh? Why are you even washing rice? Are you preparing some new delicacy I don't know about?"
"I'm preparing to make some pot-baked rice crusts; Huzi really loves them," Qi Zhenzhen said casually.
"Zhenzhen, I love pot-baked rice crusts too. If they were a bit spicier, they'd be even more perfect," Song Mingyue said, pulling at Qi Zhenzhen's clothes coquettishly.
"Eat, eat, eat, all you know is to eat. Haven't you looked in the mirror to see how round your face is? If you keep eating so unrestrainedly, you'll become plump. Aren't you afraid your cousin won't like you then? By the way, I haven't even asked you, what was it like meeting your cousin?" Qi Zhenzhen asked with a mischievous smile.
Song Mingyue's face instantly turned red, and her usually quick tongue became stammered, "What, what could it be like? It's not the first time we've met; we've met countless times since childhood."
Qi Zhenzhen tapped her on the head, "Meeting as cousins before is different from meeting now, isn't it? This is the future husband your mother has found for you."
Song Mingyue fidgeted shyly, "It, it didn't feel like much, just a little nervous. He said he really liked the inkstone I gave him and uses it every day when he writes. He also said, he also said I've grown into a young lady, and, and asked me to wait for him at home. That, that's all he said."
Although he didn't say much, he was quite charming.
Qi Zhenzhen was a little curious about what kind of person Song Mingyue's cousin was.
"I heard from my mother that cousin's scholarship is better than my cousin's. Next spring, if he takes the imperial examination, he might even become a Xiucai."
"Wow, then when you marry him, you'll be a Xiucai's wife. That's great, great," Qi Zhenzhen teased.
"Who says I'm going to marry him? I haven't agreed yet. My mother and aunt have this idea, but it hasn't been decided yet."
"Alright, alright, then I'll congratulate you when it's decided," Qi Zhenzhen appeased Song Mingyue. The little girl was so shy her face turned as red as a dyed red egg. If she said any more, she would be utterly embarrassed.
"Revenge is sweet, and ten years is not too late. Zhenzhen, you wait and see how I'll tease you then."
"Okay, okay, I'll wait, but let me remind you, you're not a gentleman, you know."
As the two chatted and laughed, the roujiamo and pot-baked rice crusts were ready. Qi Zhenzhen put them in a small basket, "I'm going to deliver them to Huzi. Do you want to come with me?"
Seeing the three people inside talking animatedly, Song Mingyue nodded, "Okay, I'll accompany you. Maybe I can see that little white flower you mentioned."
The Li family's main gate was tightly shut. Qi Zhenzhen and Song Mingyue exchanged a look. This was too strange. For village households, if someone was home, they wouldn't keep the main gate shut during the day.
Song Mingyue raised her hand to knock, but Qi Zhenzhen pulled her back. Qi Zhenzhen pulled out a hairpin from her head and inserted it through the gap in the door. In a short while, she managed to slide the bolt open.
Gently pushing the door open, the two entered the courtyard.
"Brother Shanzi, come catch me..."
"Good Lian'er, let's see where you can hide..."
Song Mingyue's face instantly turned red, and she pulled Qi Zhenzhen, wanting to leave.
Qi Zhenzhen stopped her with a look. Such an opportunity was rare.
No, Lin Ruixue said Huzi was at home reading. If there was someone at home, how could these two be so shameless? Unbelievable!
Qi Zhenzhen pulled Song Mingyue and tiptoed towards Huzi's room.
The door was ajar. A gentle push opened it.
Huzi was indeed at home, but he was sleeping, slumped over his desk.
Qi Yi had said more than once that Li Hu studied very diligently and hard. How could he be sleeping at his desk in the middle of the afternoon? If he wanted to sleep, wouldn't it be more comfortable to sleep on the kang?
Qi Zhenzhen stepped forward and poked Huzi's shoulder. No reaction. She used a bit more force, still no reaction. How could a normal person sleep so soundly?
The two of them worked together to help Huzi onto the kang, but they couldn't wake him up in the process.
Qi Zhenzhen basically concluded that Huzi had been drugged.
As for who did it, anyone could guess. When this person stoops to such low tactics, they truly have no bottom line.
She covered Huzi's mouth with one hand and vigorously pinched his philtrum with the other.
Huzi's eyes suddenly opened wide, tears rolling down from the corners of his eyes, and his face turned crimson.
Qi Zhenzhen put her index finger to her lips, making a shushing gesture. Then, she slowly released her hand from Huzi's mouth.
Li Hu was bewildered. He had been reading just now, so how did he end up on the kang? And why was Aunt Zhenzhen here?
Li Hu got off the kang, his head still feeling dizzy. He swayed, and if Qi Zhenzhen hadn't supported him, he would have fallen to the ground.
After he stopped feeling dizzy, Qi Zhenzhen pulled him out of the room. They didn't even need to go to the west room; they could hear the laughter of a man and a woman from the courtyard.
Li Hu's face turned extremely red, and he hurried towards the west room. Qi Zhenzhen tried to stop him but couldn't. She could only follow behind Li Hu.
Li Hu kicked the door open violently. Li Shan, with his eyes covered and arms outstretched, grinned. He didn't react immediately to the door being kicked open and instead lunged towards the entrance following the sound. Li Hu couldn't dodge in time and was embraced tightly by Li Shan.
"Good Lian'er, I caught you."
Bai Xuelian stared dumbfounded at the person who burst in. Her clothes were disheveled, her shoulder clothing had slipped down, revealing more than half of her body.
Even as a child, Li Hu wasn't so innocent as to not understand the scene before him.
His father, taking advantage of his mother's absence, was getting intimate with the beautiful young maidservant in the house, kissing and touching shamelessly.
Li Hu shoved Li Shan hard. Caught off guard, Li Shan stumbled several steps before steadying himself.
He ripped off the black cloth covering his eyes and was about to make a teasing remark. However, he saw his son standing there with a dark expression, along with Qi Zhenzhen, who had a mocking look, and Song Mingyue, whose face was flushed with embarrassment.
Not only was his scandalous behavior witnessed by his son, but also by two young girls.
Li Shan was shocked and looked sheepishly at Li Hu, "How, how did you wake up? And you two, how did you get in?"
"It's not important how I woke up, and it's not important how they got in. What's important is what you're doing, Father? Are you worthy of my mother doing this?" Li Hu glared fiercely at Li Shan and Bai Xuelian with a dark expression.
"Oh, Miss Lian'er, what do you mean by that? I don't know whose servant dares to serve a master like this!" Qi Zhenzhen added.
Bai Xuelian fearfully pulled her clothes together, cowering to the side. She looked at Li Shan, then at Li Hu, and knelt before Li Hu, "Young Master, it's all my fault. I was completely infatuated with Master, and it was me who pestered Master. Madam is pregnant and cannot be stimulated..."