"Uncle, you're asking me for money? Even the Bai family's assets can't fill your bottomless pit. Do you want me to tell everyone why we moved out?" Wu Caiwei looked at him with ill intent.
No matter how scoundrel Master Zheng was, he could tell something was wrong, especially with everyone looking at them with the eyes of gossips.
Zheng Yiming had only gone out to see off two guests. When he returned, he saw this scene. Although he didn't know what had happened, his intuition told him he had to get his father away quickly.
"Dad, there are still many guests waiting for you in the mourning hall. Why are you here?"
"Oh, oh, I'm coming." Seeing his son giving him a way out, Master Zheng hurried away.
The crowd was quite disappointed that there was no more excitement to watch. They had intended to get the scoop and brag about it, but the other party didn't give them the chance.
Bai Jinxiu hadn't even been sent off when Master Zheng, reverting to his old ways, gambled a few times in the gambling den. It was Zheng Yiming himself who brought him back.
Finally, on the day of the burial, Wu Caiwei, with her younger brother, sent her off for the last time.
Then, she began to prepare for her own wedding. The deeds to the courtyard and the land were all written under Bai Yang's name. She used the money she earned from her business to prepare her dowry. It might not be a dowry of ten miles, but it was no less impressive than other girls' weddings.
The wedding day was different from others. Normally, the groom would ride a tall horse and lead a procession to greet the bride. However, the Li family was in a special situation. Li Yuqun was in poor health and couldn't ride a horse, so he had to travel by sedan chair. Originally, Old Madam Li had planned for her nephew to pick up the bride for her grandson, but Li Yuqun refused. The thought of someone else bringing back his bride made him uncomfortable, and he insisted on doing it himself, no matter what.
The Li family was the wealthiest family in the city. The wedding of the young master of the Li family attracted prominent families from all over the city, making it a grand affair.
Amidst the cheers of the crowd, the two completed the ceremony and were about to be escorted to the bridal chamber. However, to everyone's astonishment, Li Yuqun collapsed. Old Madam Li stood up abruptly, looking at her grandson with concern. "Quick, quick, quick, get him to the bridal chamber."
Although Old Madam Li was very worried about her grandson, she couldn't neglect her guests. She asked Qiao'er, who was by her side, to check on him while she entertained the guests.
"Everyone, please be seated. Let's continue, let's continue." The festive atmosphere, which had fallen silent due to Li Yuqun's collapse, was quickly restored by Old Madam Li.
Seeing Old Madam Li taking charge, everyone resumed their congratulations.
Due to Li Yuqun's health, a physician was always kept in the mansion. Under the physician's treatment, he quickly regained consciousness.
The moment Li Yuqun opened his eyes, he saw Wu Caiwei and said apologetically, "I'm so sorry. I didn't want this to happen. I wanted to give you a grand wedding, but I couldn't hold on."
"I know, it's not your fault." Wu Caiwei looked at his guilty expression and quickly comforted him, "Don't think too much about it. Your health is the most important thing."
When they both looked around, they realized they were alone in the room, with no one else present. Everyone had thoughtfully left the newlyweds with enough space.
Wu Caiwei quickly stepped forward and felt his pulse. It seemed that the Li mansion was not as peaceful as she had imagined. Li Yuqun's pulse indicated that he had been poisoned for a long time. If he hadn't met her, he would have succumbed to the poison sooner or later.
Although Li Yuqun was surprised that she could diagnose pulses, a voice deep within him told him that this was how it should be.
"How is it? The physician in the mansion said I'm naturally frail and might not live long. Don't worry. I've already spoken with Grandma. If I unfortunately pass away, she will adopt you as her granddaughter and give you half of the Li family's fortune, so you can marry well." Although Li Yuqun was heartbroken and felt like his heart was bleeding as he said these words, he forced a smile.
"You want me to marry someone else? Watch me beat you!" Wu Caiwei said jokingly. "Don't worry, with me here, you won't become a widow. From now on, anything you eat must pass my inspection."
"What? Is there a problem?" Li Yuqun was an exceptionally intelligent person. The moment Wu Caiwei said it, he guessed the possibility.
"Of course. This isn't an illness you were born with. You've clearly been poisoned with a slow-acting poison, which has gradually depleted your body over the years. Don't worry, I'll slowly help you recover." Wu Caiwei quickly comforted him to ease his mind.
"The physician in the mansion was hired by Grandma at a great cost from outside. He is said to be very skilled. He didn't notice it, and I've been drinking tonics for many years."
"You fainted just now, and he came to treat you. The way he used the acupuncture needles showed his skill. Although your symptoms are very similar to an inborn condition, which ordinary physicians might not detect, I believe him. But if he couldn't detect it, there's definitely something wrong." Wu Caiwei shared her findings with him.
"Fortunately, I married you. Otherwise, I wouldn't even know how I died." Li Yuqun felt fortunate. Although he had accepted the fact that he was going to die, now that he had hope of living, who would want to fade away at such a young age?
Li Yuqun wanted to say more, but Wu Caiwei heard footsteps and quickly gestured for him to be quiet. Soon, there was a knock on the door. Qiao'er, Old Madam Li's maid, entered with a bowl of medicine.
"Young Master, it's time to drink your medicine," Qiao'er said respectfully, looking at Li Yuqun with concern. Seeing that he was fine, she breathed a sigh of relief.
"The medicine is a bit hot. Leave it here to cool for a while. Go and see where my personal maid, Fu'er, is, and ask her to come and serve." Before Li Yuqun could speak, Wu Caiwei gave the order.
"Yes, Madam." Qiao'er didn't think much of it and quickly went to find Fu'er, whom the Madam had mentioned.
As the footsteps faded away, Wu Caiwei stood up, picked up the bowl of medicine, and walked to a flowerpot, pouring all the medicine into it.
"There's something wrong with this medicine? This is a bowl of medicinal soup that Grandma instructed the maid to deliver every night. The physician said the prescription is good, and I've been drinking it for many years." Li Yuqun was not angry, just extremely surprised.
As soon as he spoke, he realized his words might be inappropriate and feared Wu Caiwei might misunderstand. He quickly explained, "I didn't mean anything else. I was just too surprised. Since this medicine was provided by Grandma, I never doubted it. No matter what, Grandma wouldn't want to harm me. There must have been a problem somewhere."
Seeing his anxiety, Wu Caiwei quickly comforted him, "I know. You are the only heir of the Li family, so Old Madam would definitely not harm you. She dreams of you continuing the Li family line. I'm very curious about what happened to your elder brothers."
Speaking of his two brothers, Li Yuqun became a little sad. When his elder brothers were around, they doted on him. In the blink of an eye, he was the only one left in the mansion. Seeing Wu Caiwei ask, he had nothing to hide and directly said, "Big brother was bitten by a venomous snake that entered his room while he was sleeping. He died of poison due to delayed treatment. Second brother was killed by a group of bandits with knives while he was out collecting debts."