Chapter 196: Chapter 16: The Trial of Liu Yue Rong (Guaranteed to Merge Two Chapters in One)_2
As she spoke, she clenched her teeth, her eyes filled with not just hatred but also crimson tears, “The year he died, Qianfeng had just been born!”
“He was fatherless from the moment he was born!”
Li Tian Gang’s chest heaved slightly as he fell silent, stone-like.
“If not for you, how would he have died? If he hadn’t died, after the death of Little Nine, that True Dragon position would have been his!”
“If he were still alive, how could he have allowed you to bully a widow and orphan like us? If he were still alive, why would I have had to go to such lengths, to poison your monstrous son!”
“All of this, it’s all your fault!!”
Liu Yue Rong’s emotions crumbled, erupting into angry tears and roars.
Outside the courtyard, a youthful figure suddenly appeared, standing between Liu Yue Rong and Li Tian Gang, his eyes filled with cold frost as he stared at the burly man before him.
“I will bear the consequences for my mother’s actions; you shall not punish her!”
Li Qianfeng said coldly.
Li Tian Gang looked into those cold eyes and suddenly felt a sting in his heart, feeling as if he had seen these eyes somewhere recently.
By seniority, the one before him was his own nephew, who ought to address him as uncle.
But at this moment, the youth’s eyes contained nothing but the chill of a stranger, even hostility.
Liu Yue Rong, hearing Li Qianfeng’s words, was so frightened that she hurriedly pushed him away, “Don’t interfere, stay back, this is none of your business, go away!”
Li Tian Gang had seen that Liu Yue Rong’s confession was not just due to the torture of interrogation, but because she did not want to drag her son back into this, as no one in the house believed she was innocent now; her stubbornness was futile.
“Li Tian Gang, you can imprison me, but Qianfeng is innocent; he is still young and knows nothing,” Liu Yue Rong glared at Li Tian Gang and asserted.
Li Tian Gang spoke slowly, “I will only deal justly. If Qianfeng has done no wrong, I won’t interfere, as long as he doesn’t violate the laws or the family rules henceforth.”
Seeing him say this, Liu Yue Rong’s heart settled down. Her shoulders began to shake, and she began to cry and laugh:
“Feng Ping, you have a good brother…”
Her words were laced with sarcasm and sorrow.
Li Tian Gang fell silent, offering no explanations, just looking deeply at her and the young man before him, he slowly said:
“Qianfeng, the result of the recent struggle for the True Dragon does not count, as I have already reported to our ancestors. You and Hao Er can still compete; I’ve given Hao Er three years, and you will have the same. If you can defeat Hao Er in three years, the True Dragon position is yours.”
Li Qianfeng trembled, gazing at him:
“Is that true?”
Li Tian Gang did not repeat himself. The young man before him did not even care to call him “Uncle,” showing the thinness of their emotional connection; he no longer held any enthusiasm.
However, Liu Yue Rong knew Li Tian Gang’s temperament well and knew his words were genuine. She couldn’t help but laugh, saying:
“Li Tian Gang, oh Li Tian Gang, since father passed, you really haven’t changed a bit over the years. It was your son who won, that monster, who could beat him? You could have simply let your slight bias give him the True Dragon position. Why go through all this trouble? The men of the Li Family, each and every one, have heads as thick as poplar wood, incomprehensibly dull!”
Li Tian Gang gave her a glance, his emotions already leveled, dispassionately he said:
“Perhaps, but the people of Dayu need such poplar-headed leaders. The scholars of the Liu Family have sharp minds, but what solid work have you done over the years? Seizing opportunities for profiteering, relying on the Li Family’s protection for tax evasion, do you really think I don’t know about it?”
Liu Yue Rong was taken aback, her face instantly turned pale.
“If you don’t want others to know, don’t do it yourself!”
Li Tian Gang turned and walked away, leaving Shuihua Courtyard.
The captain of the personal guards waiting outside approached, ready to receive orders.
“Seal off the courtyard; she must not take a single step outside!”
Li Tian Gang dropped these words and left straightaway.
…
…
In Piaoxue Courtyard.
After returning to the courtyard, Li Xuanli had his wife Gao Qingqing prepare gifts and garments, planning to leave for Liangzhou as soon as possible. Considering the urgency of military matters and the hidden threat of demons in Liangzhou, he had no intention of staying home any longer.
“Father, are you going to Liangzhou to subdue demons?”
Three figures came into the hall, and Li Wushuang, her eyes slightly shining, asked.
“Hmm.”
Li Xuanli looked at the three, his face breaking into a smile. He beckoned them closer, and once they approached, he said warmly:
“While I’m away, you must listen to your mother and not be naughty, understand?”
“Father, are you going to Heavenly Gate Pass, to stand guard with him?”
Li Wushuang quickly asked.
Li Yun and Li Zhining also watched Li Xuanli intently.
“Heavenly Gate Pass?”
Li Xuanli was taken aback and realized whom his daughter was referring to. His expression shifted slightly as he sighed:
“I’m headed for the Li Family military camp in Liangzhou; Heavenly Gate Pass is a perilous spot at the Frontier Pass and has already been evacuated. I don’t know when that child will return, or if he truly intends to stay there for three years. If the Demons invade, that place could be extremely dangerous…”
Speaking of this, worry was plainly etched on his face.
Li Wushuang and her siblings were taken aback, their expressions changing.
“Father, if Liangzhou is in danger, should you not inform him?” Li Wushuang frowned and spoke.
Li Xuanli nodded slightly: “After I arrive in Liangzhou, I will send a military report to caution him to be more vigilant. It would be best if he could return directly. That child is indeed stubborn. What is there between father and son that can’t be reconciled? Sigh…”
Gao Qingqing glanced at him: “Don’t just talk the talk; some matters are best left alone. You should take care of yourself once you’re in Liangzhou. If you really want to write to that child, then also tell him that Fifth Lady has prepared his favorite childhood snack, the tender beef and jade pastry, for him to enjoy when he gets back.”