allonlinenovel Chapter 368: Li Family Past (1)
Chapter 368: Li Family Past (1)
When Chu Lingfeng learned that the medicine had been prepared, his originally calm hands instantly clenched into fists, his knuckles turning white from the force. His expression became increasingly solemn, and the complex and indistinguishable emotions in his heart were like a surging tide, completely drowning him.
This medicine carries not only the hope of recovery, but also Murong Ling'er's heavy gratitude, so heavy that he feels that even if he spends his whole life to repay her, it will not be enough.
“Uncle Chu, are you unhappy?”
Murong Chen thought that Uncle Chu would be as excited as himself when he heard the news, but he didn't expect that Chu Lingfeng would just have a stern face and remain silent for a long time, with emotions in his eyes that he couldn't understand.
"Xiaochen, Uncle Chu is very happy. I have waited for this opportunity for so long. I thought I would never get it in this lifetime..." Chu Lingfeng's voice was a little hoarse, as if he was telling about a long and difficult past.
"Uncle Chu, don't worry, my mother will definitely be able to cure your leg. I believe in my mother." Murong Chen patted his chest and said with determination, as if he was guarding something extremely important.
"Yeah, I believe her too." Chu Lingfeng looked at the innocent and lovely child in front of him, a warm feeling surged in his heart, and he nodded involuntarily.
"Uncle Chu, my mother said that you should have more time to recuperate. You should eat more meat and keep your body healthy." Murong Chen was like a little adult, earnestly advising Chu Lingfeng.
When Murong Chen was happily encouraging Chu Lingfeng, Murong Ling'er came to Li Yunyi's residence with another carefully prepared medicine.
At this time, Li Yunyi no longer looked like the destitute beggar he used to be. He was wearing a light grey robe, which made him look more elegant. His long hair was half tied up. He sat quietly under a big tree in the yard, gazing at the sunset glow gradually setting in the sky, as if he was lost in deep thought.
Murong Ling'er walked lightly, and Li Yunyi, who was immersed in his memories, did not notice her arrival until she sat down gently beside him, and then Li Yunyi suddenly came back to his senses.
"Are you here?" Li Yunyi's voice was low and gentle, as if he had already expected Murong Ling'er to appear at this time.
Now, Li Yunyi is convinced that Murong Ling'er is his niece.
This month was enough time for him to find out Murong Ling'er's origins clearly. He was extremely intelligent and thoughtful. After learning about her relationship with Huo Jianjie, he was able to unravel the reasons clearly, just like peeling off silk threads from an onion.
Huo Jianjie has a very good relationship with his younger sister. With Huo Jianjie's righteous and generous character, if he knew the difficult situation his younger sister was in at the time, he would definitely risk everything to protect his daughter.
Moreover, when he carefully looked at Murong Ling'er's profile, the similarities between her eyebrows and eyes with her younger sister completely dispelled the last doubts in his heart, and he was certain from then on.
In the quiet courtyard, the breeze blew gently. Li Yunyi looked at Murong Ling'er, secretly sighing at the wonders of the world.
Once, he misunderstood that Chu Lingfeng was Murong Ling'er's husband. Now, although this misunderstanding has been resolved, new doubts have taken root in his heart - what's the matter with Murong Chen's face that is extremely similar to Chu Lingfeng?
This question lingered in his mind like a fog.
But Li Yunyi was a man who paid great attention to propriety. He knew very well that even when facing his own niece, it was inappropriate to pry into other people's privacy without permission. Therefore, he kept this doubt in his heart.
When he looked at Murong Ling'er again, Li Yunyi's eyes were a little softer, with a hint of barely perceptible guilt.
Recalling his previous cold attitude towards her, he was filled with regret and said sincerely: "Ling'er, I'm sorry, uncle misunderstood you before. It was my fault."
Murong Ling'er looked at Li Yunyi's transformation and understood the reason behind it. She raised her eyebrows in understanding, a faint smile on her lips, and said softly, "I didn't take it to heart. Don't feel guilty, uncle."
She knew in her heart that Li Yunyi had experienced many ups and downs over the years and would not easily trust anyone under the cruel hardships of life.
Her simple explanation at the beginning was indeed difficult to convince him completely, so she did not take his attitude to heart later.
"How did you escape back then?" Li Yunyi hesitated for a moment, but still asked the question in his mind.
He guessed that it was Huo Jianjie who took Murong Ling'er away from the disaster, but he knew nothing about her experiences over the years.
After hearing this, Murong Ling'er shook her head slightly.
She did not learn about her life experience from Huo Jianjie, and Huo Jianjie still does not know that she has learned his true identity.
As for how Huo Jianjie rescued her that year, she really had no idea.
"There's nothing much to say about my affairs. I'm actually very curious about what happened to the Li family back then. Why was my uncle poisoned?" Murong Ling'er cleverly changed the subject.
When Li Yunyi heard Murong Ling'er mention the Li family, his expression froze for a moment, and a trace of pain flashed in his eyes.
He opened his mouth, wanting to avoid the painful memory that he couldn't bear to look back on, but when he met Murong Ling'er's curious eyes, he couldn't say the words of refusal.
After all, the Li family's affairs should not be hidden from her.
After a long moment, Li Yunyi took a deep breath, trying to calm himself. His face was filled with sorrow as he slowly spoke, "More than twenty years ago, the Li family was as wealthy as a nation in the Jiangnan region, and their reputation spread far and wide. Your four uncles were all incredibly talented and had achieved extraordinary success in different fields."
"Your uncle is a rare talent, resourceful and resourceful. He enjoys a high reputation among the Jiangnan scholars and is well-known to everyone."
His voice was deep, as if taking the audience back to that prosperous era.
"You also know that in the social hierarchy of scholars, farmers, merchants, and artisans, merchants have a low status. Even though our Li family is wealthy, we are still like ants when facing the imperial court, and we dare not even think of challenging them."
Li Yunyi frowned slightly, his eyes revealing helplessness. "Since your uncle has had the opportunity to rise to prominence among the officials thanks to his own abilities and talents, your grandfather has decided to devote all the Li family's financial resources to building a path for him to the imperial court, hoping to help him escape his lowly status as a merchant."
At this point, Li Yunyi's eyes reddened slightly, and he became agitated. His voice was no longer steady. "Your grandfather's decision was strongly opposed by your second aunt. She only cared about herself and her children, and was unwilling to spend most of the family wealth on your eldest uncle. This caused chaos at home."
"Your grandfather was an extremely stubborn man. Once he made a decision, he would never compromise easily. Moreover, at that time, the Li family had so much wealth that many people had secretly coveted it. This step was imperative for the Li family."
Li Yunyi paused, recalling every detail of the past. "When your second aunt saw that her commotion had no effect, she became furious and took your cousins back to her parents' home. She even threatened to divorce me, using this as a threat to your grandfather."