Chapter 454: Development

Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios

Speaking of which, Li Jinghua was really unlucky. That day, she was merely feeling frustrated and wanted to go out for a walk since she didn’t feel better after walking around the house.

After she arrived in the capital, no one restricted her. She only had to take care of things in the Zhaode Hall where she lived, so she had a lot of time. Every few days, she would either go to visit people or go out with a couple of friends. Therefore, it was very normal for her to go out when she was feeling frustrated that day.

When the carriage passed by the embroidery workshop, she suddenly remembered that she had asked the shopkeeper to keep an eye out for soft fabric last time. She wondered if it had arrived, for she wanted to prepare a few more swaddling clothes for the baby.

Hence, she alighted from the carriage and brought her people into the embroidery workshop.

The lady from the embroidery workshop invited them to a private room. After choosing two pieces of soft fabric, Li Jinghua held Wen Cui’s hand as they walked out. Unexpectedly, in just a short while, there was already a commotion outside.

The women of the Zhang and Shu families were quarreling with the women of the Zhou families.

Because of the Zhang family’s status, although she wasn’t familiar with them, she had met them before. As for the Shu family, they had interacted three or four times because they were from the same hometown in Jingzhao Prefecture. However, because they didn’t exactly hit it off, they didn’t interact much after that. When they saw each other outside, they were acquaintances who would merely nod at each other.

However, in this situation where the three families had conflicts, Li Jinghua could not just leave. Hence, she wanted to send Wen Mian to ask if they needed any help.

Her original intention was to remind them that it was better to restrain themselves now that they were outside. If there were any conflicts, they could resolve them in private to avoid being laughed at.

Unexpectedly, before Wen Mian could reach them, a lady from the Zhou Family suddenly pushed the lady from the Shu Family. The lady from the Shu Family fell to the ground, then jumped up in anger to fight with the lady from the Zhou Family.

Seeing this, Wen Mian could not go forward anymore. Li Jinghua was also dumbfounded.

She came from an aristocratic family, so she knew how people would verbally mock each other. There were even many who fawned upon the strong and trampled on the weak. However, she had never even seen women in that circle get into a physical brawl themselves before, let alone experienced it. At most, everyone would let their servant girls fight on their behalf.

When the young lady from the Zhang family saw that her close cousin had been beaten up, she naturally could not let the matter rest. Hence, she rushed forward and tangled with the young lady from the Zhou family.

When the young mistresses of the Zhang, Shu, and Zhou families saw this, they quickly went up to hold their sister-in-law back. Unexpectedly, the three girls were extremely strong, refusing to let go of each other as if they had accumulated a lot of hatred. The group of people fought and soon affected Li Jinghua.

Li Jinghua and Wen Cui turned pale with fright. Li Jinghua protected her stomach while Wen Cui stood in front of her to protect her, wanting to retreat to the private room. Unexpectedly, Miss Zhang ruthlessly pushed Miss Zhou away and sent her flying. In an instant, she knocked Wen Cui away and fell on Li Jinghua…

It hadn’t even been 10 minutes since she left the private room and fell.

Li Jinghua’s accident also frightened the women of the other three families. When Wen Cui instructed the old servants to carry Li Jinghua into the carriage and run back, those women followed behind in panic.

It was only when they entered the Qi Manor that they came back to their senses, and realized they should have informed their family. Since the other party was not an ordinary woman, they couldn’t simply settle it privately with some compensation.

Qi Xiuyuan had been very popular for the past two years, while Madam Li was also a daughter of an aristocratic family. She had only been in the capital for half a year and had already entered the upper echelons. People like her clearly didn’t care for their compensation.

It was fine if this was not the Qi family. Even if they lost this child, they could still have another child in the future. Even if Madam Li died, as long as the three families were to fork out a huge compensation, this matter could be suppressed.

However, she was the daughter-in-law of the Qi family and the daughter of the Li family.

At Qi Xiuyuan’s age, this was his first child. Moreover, it was estimated that in the next three to four years, the couple would not be able to reunite and have another baby. Without a legitimate son, it meant that the real bloodline could not be passed down.

And the Li family was far away in Jingzhao Prefecture. Even if they could offer them benefits, he wouldn’t be able to receive it.

Moreover, the final outcome was the worst. Madam Li survived, but she might have lost her fertility. The child also survived, but he might be a fool.

This meant that as long as the two of them were alive, the three families would forever owe the Qi couple.

The Zhang and Shu families were not stupid. Naturally, they did not want such a situation to happen. Hence, they humbled themselves and controlled the rumors to prevent the true situation of Madam Li and the child from being leaked. Fortunately, the Qi family seemed to have the same intention.

The three families instantly understood that the Qi family did not want Madam Li and the child to suffer, so they would not let their situation be publicized to force them to compromise.

The three families were both happy and worried.

On one hand, they were happy because the worst-case scenario would not happen and this matter would not cause a storm in the city.

On the other hand, they were worried that it would be even more difficult to negotiate since the Qi family valued Madam Li and that child so much.

As expected, the next morning, the imperial censor’s memorial for their impeachment filled the Emperor’s desk. They reluctantly went to look for Qi Feng, but Qi Feng refused to meet them. Even when they managed to accost him at the imperial censor’s desk, Qi Feng kept a straight face and did not speak. Even after they talked themselves hoarse and dangled the incentive of a promotion, he did not relent.

So, they sent the women to look for Madam Wu, but Madam Wu refused to see them. After making a fuss for two days, they finally understood that these two really couldn’t make the decision for Qi Xiuyuan. They still had to look for Qi Haoran with regards to this matter.

Qi Haoran did not have the good attitude of Qi Feng and Madam Wu. After mocking them, he directly said that he would leave this matter to the officials.

The Zhang family and the Shu family were furious. If they could let this matter be handled by the officials, would they have to humble themselves in front of the Qis?

However, seeing that Qi Haoran yielded to neither hard nor soft approaches, they could only get the madams to think of a way to start with the women.

At this moment, when Mu Yangling asked about the negotiation situation, Qi Haoran waved his hand nonchalantly and said, “What’s the hurry? Just leave them be for a few more days. I’ve already sent a pigeon to Big Brother about this. I still have to ask him for his opinion.”

At this point, Qi Haoran said dejectedly, “No wonder Big Brother always says that I’m rash. If I had arranged for someone to follow Sister-in-law at all times, this wouldn’t have happened.”

Fan Zijin patted his shoulder and comforted him. “I didn’t see this coming either, right? Alright, it’s not your fault.”

Mu Yangling was silent for a moment before saying, “Haoran, we can’t let this matter go, but it’s never too late for a gentleman to take revenge. We’re alone and weak now, while the Zhang and Shu families are quite powerful. Don’t force them into a corner first.”

“Don’t worry, we know our limits.” Qi Haoran had already discussed it with Fan Zijin. Ultimately, this was just an accident. Although he was angry, he really couldn’t do anything.

If he really forced the Zhang and Shu families into a corner, the two families could divorce their daughters-in-law and send their daughters to the temple. After which, they could turn around and deal with them in anger. It wouldn’t be worth it.

Families like the Zhang family and the Shu family were really capable of doing such a thing. As for the Zhou family, they were just rich businessmen. No matter how much the Qi family suppressed them, no one would stand up for them..