Chapter 598 - 601: That’s My Wife!

Chapter 598: Chapter 601: That’s My Wife!

After dinner, Li Ji was supposed to part ways with them.

It wasn’t that Li Liao couldn’t have him stay, but doing so would inevitably arouse suspicion.

The best course of action was to separate for now, letting Li Ji hide in the shadows and wait for an opportunity to act.

This way, with Hua Manman and Li Liao in the open and Li Ji in secret, they could coordinate more effectively.

Li Ji understood the reasoning.

Logically, he should have known better and chosen to leave.

But after witnessing the scene of Manman and Yue Niang exchanging flirtatious glances and sweet nothings, how could Li Ji possibly leave with peace of mind?

He suspected that the moment he walked out the door, Manman would shack up with someone else.

’Even if he knew Manman was just acting, it was still unacceptable!’

Li Ji dropped to his knees directly in front of Li Liao, his eyes red-rimmed as he spoke.

"I’ve already spent all our family’s money on medicine for my child’s illness."

"The government is rounding up able-bodied men everywhere."

"If I go back, I’ll definitely be taken away by the government officials."

"Then my child will sicken and starve to death."

"I know you’re good people. I’m begging you, please help me."

"As long as you’re willing to pay for my child’s treatment, I’ll do anything you ask."

"I can sell myself to you as a servant. I’ll slave away for you."

"I beg you!"

With that, he kowtowed heavily to Li Liao.

If it were anyone else, being kowtowed to by the reigning Regent King would have scared them to death.

But as the Regent King’s father, Li Liao was perfectly composed.

’This brat was lawless and reckless when he was little, always getting into trouble. He got his fair share of beatings from his old man, so what’s a little kowtow between them?!’

Li Liao quickly reached out to help him up, sighing helplessly.

"I’d like to help you, but all I can do is offer some money. If the government officials really come to take you, we won’t be able to protect you."

Li Ji said resolutely, "It doesn’t matter. As long as my child can get well, I don’t care about anything else."

Li Liao tried to persuade him a few more times, but seeing the young man was determined to stay and couldn’t be driven away, he relented.

He had no choice but to compromise.

’What could he do? This was the little brat he’d painstakingly raised. He just had to put up with it.’

"Fine, you can stay and do some odd jobs for us."

His goal achieved, Li Ji finally felt at ease.

"Thank you, Uncle! I’ll be working for you from now on!"

To keep up the act, Li Ji continued.

"I don’t believe I’ve gotten your name, Uncle?"

Li Liao: "My surname is Li. My given name is Pa."

Li Ji: "Li Pa?"

Li Liao: "Mhm."

Li Ji: "..."

Li Ji’s lips twitched. He forced out a smile that didn’t reach his eyes and squeezed out two words.

"Great name."

Seeing his son’s frustrated expression, Li Liao couldn’t help but laugh.

His laughter brimmed with pure joy.

The scene couldn’t help but remind Hua Manman of the usual dynamic between Li Ji and his son, Li Xun.

’The resemblance was uncanny!’

It was no wonder Li Ji loved to tease Gou Dan.

’It seems that fathers bullying their sons is a time-honored tradition in the Li family.’

Throughout the afternoon, Yue Niang seemed dazed and distracted.

Hua Manman and the other two weren’t blind; they could naturally see something was off with her.

Hua Manman asked tentatively.

"Yue Niang, you don’t look well. Are you feeling ill?"

Yue Niang forced a smile. "Perhaps it’s just too cold. The wind has given me a bit of a headache."

Hua Manman immediately said, "Is there a clinic nearby? I’ll take you to see a doctor."

Yue Niang shook her head. "Thank you, but there’s no need. I should be fine after I go home and rest for a while."

Hua Manman looked at her with concern.

"Are you sure you don’t want to see a doctor?"

"We’ve only known each other for two days, but I feel an instant connection with you."

"You’re a good woman. I won’t force you to do anything, but I want you to be well."

Her words were sincere, her voice gentle, and her gaze so focused.

Yue Niang’s eyes couldn’t help but turn red.

She hastily lowered her head, wiped the corners of her eyes with her sleeve, and spoke in a low, choked voice.

"You are a good man, sir, but I... I..."

She wanted to say something, but the words wouldn’t come out.

Hua Manman said gently.

"It’s alright, I understand what you mean."

"My treating you well is my own affair. I never expected anything in return from you."

"So you don’t need to feel burdened by it."

"You just need to live happily every day."

"Seeing you happy makes me happy."

Yue Niang covered her face and began to cry. "SOB SOB SOB, I don’t deserve for you to treat me so well! I’m not worthy of you!"

A beautiful young lady crying so pitifully immediately attracted the attention of many passersby.

Hua Manman took out a handkerchief, wiped away her tears, and comforted her softly.

"Don’t say such things. You’re a good woman, and you deserve the best of everything in this world."

Yue Niang’s heart felt both sweet and sour.

She said through her tears, "I’m not as good as you imagine."

Hua Manman smiled. "Since I think you’re good, then you are good in my heart. Even if you have flaws, to me, those flaws are good too."

The more gentle and considerate she acted, the heavier Yue Niang’s guilt became, and tears streamed down her face.

Noticing people staring at them, Hua Manman reached out, pulled up Yue Niang’s hood to block their view, and said in a low voice.

"Since you don’t want to see a doctor, let me take you home."

Yue Niang quickly said, "No, please don’t. I can go back by myself. I wouldn’t want to trouble you, sir."

But Hua Manman insisted.

"I wouldn’t feel at ease letting you go back alone."

She paused, then softened her voice.

"Don’t worry, I won’t enter your home. I’ll just escort you to your doorstep. As long as I can see you get home safely, I’ll leave."

When had Yue Niang ever experienced such considerate care? Her heart ached with even more guilt and sorrow.

Space in the carriage was limited.

Li Liao had Manman sit inside the carriage with Yue Niang, while he and Li Ji sat on the driver’s bench.

Li Ji was in charge of driving.

The cold wind blew against his face, but his expression was even colder than the wind.

Li Liao glanced back at the carriage, and through the door, he could faintly hear Yue Niang’s sobs and Hua Manman’s gentle words of comfort.

Li Liao remarked with sincere admiration.

"Manman is quite impressive."

Even knowing that Yue Niang had approached her with a premeditated plan, she could still wrap the girl around her little finger.

Now, looking at Yue Niang’s state, it seemed she was on the verge of switching sides.

Li Ji turned to look at him, his gaze as sharp as a knife. He spoke through gritted teeth, enunciating every word.

"That’s my wife!"

Li Liao: "Mhm, you have good taste. You married a good wife."

Li Ji: "You knew Manman is my woman, yet you still let her go and exchange flirtatious glances with someone else?!"

Li Liao: "Oh, come on. Yue Niang is a girl, too. What could two girls possibly do? Stop worrying for nothing."

Li Ji couldn’t take it anymore. "Are you even my real father? Is this something a real father would do?!"

The moment the words left his mouth, he regretted them.

Before he learned that he was very likely the Emperor’s illegitimate son, he could have said such things without anyone taking them too seriously.

But now, he knew about the affair between Princess Rouwan and the Emperor.

For him to say something like that now would inevitably make people read too much into it.