Seeing this child every day was a torment. Fortunately, Wu Lian'er didn't want them to get too close and develop feelings, otherwise, no matter how much she tried to sow discord, she would be met with indifference, as if the child were her own.
What Wu Lian'er didn't know was that as soon as her people placed the female infant with a farming family, Wu Caiwei's people, on the other hand, bought the child for a high price.
When Wu Caiwei took the child from the servant, she couldn't help but feel pity for her. Wu Lian'er truly didn't care about the child's life. Her people had merely offered a good price, and they had eagerly sold the child. They would probably buy a girl from another family at a low price to make up for it.
Three years passed in the blink of an eye. Wang Shijie was going to take the imperial examinations. Wu Cai thought of going to the prefecture city to see him off, but Huang Shijie was concerned about her, feeling that the journey would be arduous and tiring, and asked her to wait at home with peace of mind.
About two months later, a procession suddenly appeared in the city, with music and fanfare. Everyone gathered to watch. Wu Caiwei heard the familiar sound and hurried home. If she guessed correctly, it should be heading towards her home.
When she ran to her doorstep in a hurry, everyone congratulated her as soon as they saw her. Wu Caiwei's smile was beaming, and she quickly thanked everyone.
Entering the courtyard, she saw the yamen runners chatting and laughing with Huang Shijie, the atmosphere very harmonious. As soon as she appeared, Huang Shijie smiled and said, "Madam, I haven't disappointed you."
Wu Caiwei also nodded with a smile. Everything was understood without words.
After the yamen runners left, to let the neighbors share in the good fortune, she scattered many copper coins and wedding candies. Everyone scrambled to grab them, making for a lively scene.
In a corner unknown to them, someone said, perhaps Wang Yumeng was a lucky charm for her husband; whoever she was with would achieve success, and without her, their progress would halt.
Upon reflection, everyone felt it was true. Li Zixin had achieved the rank of Juren while he was with her, and Li Changqing had also become a Xiucai when he was with her. Huang Shijie, who had remained a Tong Sheng for so many years, had finally awakened after being with her. Perhaps their county would produce a high official.
As people talked, the rumors spread. Ancient people were rather superstitious, so for a time, scholars deliberately passed by the Huang family's entrance, hoping to be blessed by Madam Huang's good fortune. When these words reached the couple's ears, they didn't know what to say, only shaking their heads helplessly, attributing it all to coincidence.
Hearing the news, Wu Lian'er was furious. She overturned the teacup on the table, venting her dissatisfaction to her personal maid: "What do they mean? Are they saying that by being with Li Zixin, I blocked his career?"
The maid was her confidante and knew some of the inside story. She quickly comforted her: "That's all their speculation. Uncle said he doesn't have much talent for studies, and achieving the rank of Juren was his utmost effort; he couldn't advance further. Madam, please don't take them to heart, lest you harm your own health."
Wu Lian'er paced angrily around the room and accidentally tripped over a stool. "Even you are bullying me," she complained, then kicked the stool aside forcefully.
Her anger needed an outlet. Suddenly, she thought of the two people locked in the backyard. If she was unhappy, she believed they would also have mixed feelings hearing this news. The thought of their regret brought her immense satisfaction, and she eagerly wanted to share this news with them.
She couldn't recall how long it had been since she last saw Li Changqing and his wife. When the courtyard gate was opened and she saw him, she could hardly recognize the dark, timid, and aged man before her as her stepson. Yet, she distinctly remembered him as a graceful young man.
Seeing that Liu Wenwen's hair had already turned half white, only then did she believe these were truly the couple.
The initial shock left her stunned for a moment, but then she felt it was good. Didn't these people like to oppose her? Didn't they want her life? Since they dared to act, they should be prepared for retaliation.
Liu Wenwen saw her and quickly ran to her, trying to grab her leg. But Wu Lian'er, disgusted by his filth, kicked him away.
Liu Wenwen seemed unfazed, weeping profusely, "Madam, we know we were wrong. We will never dare to do it again. Please spare us."
Wu Lian'er looked at Li Changqing's vacant eyes and suddenly wondered if Wu Caiwei would pay them any attention if she released them.
A flicker of excitement stirred within her. Reason told her not to do it, that it would only benefit her. However, the darkness in her heart urged her to cause trouble for Wu Caiwei.
She slowly walked up to Li Changqing and tempted him, "Do you want to get out?"
Li Changqing stared at her blankly for a moment before understanding her words and nodding frantically.
Wu Lian'er smiled and said, "I've let you reflect here for so long; the punishment is sufficient. I'm letting you out today. I hope you won't bother me again. As long as you behave yourselves, I won't do anything to you. Oh, and I forgot to tell you, Huang Shijie has become the top scholar in the Juren examination, and becoming a Jinshi is almost guaranteed. Your mother will soon be an official's wife. You almost became a young master of an official's family too, but perhaps you still have a chance, as she doesn't have any children yet."
A spark of hope suddenly appeared in Li Changqing's eyes filled with despair. The light was so dazzling that Wu Lian'er couldn't help but shield her eyes. She wondered what desperate actions he might take when this light extinguished. She was quite looking forward to it.
When the couple once again stood on the bustling street, they felt as if they had returned from another era. However, this time, no one recognized them. Who would have thought that in just over a year, the couple had aged by twenty years?
Wu Caiwei looked at the couple who appeared before her in surprise. Anyone who didn't know would think they were her parents; they were too aged.
However, Wu Caiwei felt no pity for them. She said nonchalantly, "It's only been a few years, how did you manage to make yourselves look like this?"
As soon as Wu Caiwei finished speaking, tears flowed from Li Changqing as if they were free, unstoppable.
Wu Caiwei believed he was sentimental at this moment, but what about afterward? He would return to his old ways, for those who were rotten to the core could never truly change. At least, she believed Li Changqing would not reform.
Seeing that her performance had gone on for so long and her mother was unmoved, Li Changqing felt she was truly heartless. He wondered why her luck was so good, her business prospering, and her husband was about to become an official.
He gritted his teeth, knelt down forcefully, and kowtowed to her, "I know I was wrong. I will repent and make amends from now on. Please give me another chance."