"Madam Li is quite good at diverting attention. We were just discussing the Li family's assets, and suddenly you're accusing us of bullying you. Honestly, do you think I'd be interested in your family's fortune? Those few shops of yours aren't very profitable. I truly don't care about them. I just can't stand seeing someone act so outrageously."
Before Wu Lian'er could respond, she continued, "Alright, I have another business deal to discuss, so I won't argue with you further. It's the Li family's business, and it's also the Wu family's business. Young Master Li can simply find Master Wu; after all, he's the one who raised such a daughter."
Watching Wang Yumeng's elegant departure, Wu Lian'er was furious. What did she mean by inciting Li Changqing to go find her father? Was she afraid the situation wouldn't escalate enough?
If it weren't for all these people watching, she would have truly stopped Wang Yumeng and taught her a lesson. Was she just a village girl who thought a few silver coins earned by luck made her a lady? And now she was putting on airs.
"You tell me how to resolve this. We have nothing but a change of clothes. We have no dinner, and no place to stay." Li Changqing, seeing the crowd fall silent, quickly stated his predicament in front of everyone, hoping to elicit sympathy and turn blame towards Wu Lian'er.
"Does His Excellency the young master perhaps forget that you took me to court a few days ago? Do you think I would help you now? Besides, you're a grown man with hands and feet, and a scholar too. As long as you're not too proud, how could you possibly be unable to make a living? This is truly pathetic," Wu Lian'er said without politeness. In fact, Li Changqing was right; she had indeed had a hand in Liu Pangzi's affair. Otherwise, why would Li Changqing be the one to suffer?
Originally, she had expected Li Changqing to come begging at her door once he had nowhere else to go, just so she could humiliate him and drive him away. Who knew this man wouldn't play by the rules and was so shameless? Still, she had to vent her anger.
"Yes, I am indeed incapable. If Father were still alive, he wouldn't let me go hungry. The problem is, I have no food, so I can only come to you." Li Changqing slowly stood up. He had finally understood: compared to life and money, what was dignity?
"If you believe I've occupied the Li family's property, you can sue me at the yamen just like last time. The magistrate is the fairest person, let him judge." Wu Lian'er was determined not to help.
After a moment's thought, she continued, "A widow's door attracts gossip. It's already improper for me to be out today. If someone threatens me once, there will be a second time. I will not compromise, otherwise, people will think I'm easy to bully, and everyone will try to step on me."
What happened next made Li Changqing's jaw drop. Wu Lian'er, right there in front of everyone, openly shut the door of the Li family's residence. No matter how hard he knocked, it remained unmoving.
Seeing that there was no more excitement to be had, the crowd quickly dispersed, leaving Li Changqing feeling utterly disheartened.
Suddenly, he remembered what Wu Caiwei had said before she left. Had his mother anticipated this outcome and guided him in a direction? No matter what, it was worth a try.
As expected of father and daughter, Master Wu and Wu Lian'er had the same attitude. No matter how much he fussed at their door, they resolutely refused to come out, only sending word through the butler: "That is the Li family's affair. Do not involve the Wu family."
Master Wu had met Li Changqing before. He was an arrogant person. The more arrogant someone was, the easier they were to deal with. Humiliate them a little, or make them lose face, and they would quickly storm off. But this time, he had underestimated Li Changqing.
Li Changqing was at his wits' end. The Wu family was his only recourse. If the Wu family didn't help him, he would truly starve.
When a guest arrived at the Wu family's residence, Li Changqing's eyes lit up. He quickly approached the guest, pleading pitifully, "Esteemed sir, do you have any money? Please give me a little. By the way, let me introduce myself. Master Wu is my nominal maternal grandfather, though not related by blood. Recently, I was driven out of my home and am penniless. I'm about to become a beggar. Please, be kind and offer me a meal."
Old Master Huang had come to discuss business matters with Master Wu. As he approached the main gate of the Wu residence, he saw a crowd gathered and assumed something had happened. After observing for a while and failing to understand, he intended to inquire after entering the Wu household. To his surprise, Li Changqing proactively approached him.
They were all businessmen, and they had heard some of the goings-on in the other families. When Li Changqing spoke, Old Master Huang understood the situation. He initially didn't intend to help, but with so many eyes watching, and if Li Changqing was telling the truth, he was indeed pitiful. After some thought, he gave him a few taels of silver.
Li Changqing readily accepted and thanked him gratefully.
The news soon reached Master Wu. He quickly clutched his chest, feeling as though he was about to be angered to death by Li Changqing. He never expected him to resort to such a tactic. He figured the events at his doorstep would soon spread throughout the city, and while his daughter might not care about the Li family's reputation in her business dealings, he cared about the Wu family's name.
That pair of husband and wife were like stubborn stains. If his business partners were to encounter similar situations, who knew what other underhanded tricks he would employ.
After some thought, he finally instructed someone to arrange for the couple to stay in the Wu family's courtyard.
When Wu Lian'er received the news, she could hardly believe her ears. She hadn't expected him to actually follow Wu Caiwei's advice and seek out her father. She angrily tugged at her handkerchief.
Since he wanted to return to the Li family so badly, she would let him have his wish. This poor boy, raised in the countryside, likely had many tricks up his sleeve for dealing with people. In the past, she disdained to associate with him, but since he had come to her doorstep, she could unleash all her old and new grudges.
After staying at the Wu family's residence for three days, the couple was soon fetched by people from the Li family.
Li Changqing initially wanted to play hard to get with the newcomers, but to his surprise, they turned to leave without a word. He quickly chased after them. "If someone didn't know better, they'd think you were the master and I was the servant, with such a temper! I only made a joke, and you're taking it seriously. Go back, go back, go back. I'll come home with you shortly, but you must give us some time to pack."
The emissary looked at him with cold eyes, performing his one-man show. The people currently in power in the Li family were all part of the Madam's dowry, and he was no exception. They had already secretly plotted how to put the young master in his place, but he hadn't taken the bait.
If he hadn't stopped him today, as soon as he left this gate, he would have spread the word everywhere that the young master was unwilling to return and insisted on lingering at the Wu family's.
Soon, Li Changqing and his wife, carrying their small bundles, followed behind him and boarded a carriage to leave.
The couple exchanged a knowing smile, their expressions triumphant. They had anticipated that Wu Lian'er might cause trouble upon their return to the Li family, but as long as they were thick-skinned enough, the outcome was still uncertain.