TSWPF -Chapter 203 Begging

Old Li and Old Lady Liu’s faces stiffened the moment they heard it—they hadn’t misheard. Li Qingling’s meaning was clear: Li Baozhu and Li Qingfu had come to make trouble.

It was obvious that Li Qingling was angered.

What… what should they do now?

“Xiaoling, we really know we were wrong. You’ve already taught us a lesson… can you forgive your uncle just this once?” Old Lady Liu gritted her teeth and, despite herself, continued shamelessly begging Li Qingling in a low, submissive voice.

To get her son out as soon as possible, no matter how much she resented Li Qingling, she had to lower her head and plead.

In prison, she had already regretted ever going head-to-head with Li Qingling.

If she had endured a little back then, she wouldn’t have strained her relationship with Li Qingling so badly.

She truly regretted it. She had reflected deeply in prison and vowed never to confront Li Qingling directly again; otherwise, the ones who would suffer were themselves.

She should have realized long ago that Li Qingling was no longer the same girl she could scold or hit at will.

It was a pity that she had been blind all these years and hadn’t woken up to that fact.

Old Li covered his mouth and coughed several times. After finally controlling it, he hoarsely said, “Xiaoling… even if bones are broken, they’re still connected by sinews. Although our relationship isn’t the best… we are still family by blood. Can’t you forgive your uncle just this once?”

Old Lady Liu had regretted her actions, and he regretted them too. They shouldn’t have cut ties with Li Qingling and her siblings; they shouldn’t have strained the relationship. Otherwise, he could have been enjoying life at home instead of kneeling here, begging Li Qingling for forgiveness.

Regret… he truly felt regret. But in this world, there’s no medicine for regret—feeling it now was useless.

He no longer hoped for any affection from Li Qingling and her siblings. All he wanted now was for Li Qingling to help release his son, Li Laifu, and prevent him from being tortured in prison.

Once his son was out, he promised he would discipline him properly and ensure he would never make such foolish mistakes again.

After experiencing this prison ordeal, he deeply understood the importance of properly educating one’s descendants. Otherwise, the family would inevitably fall apart.

Li Qingling lowered her gaze, looking at Old Li and Old Lady Liu. After a long pause, she said, “In this world… not every mistake can be forgiven with just a single word.” Children who are not taught properly will naturally have someone else teach them.

From ancient times until now, this has always been the truth.

“I know, I know… it’s my fault. As a father, I didn’t guide him properly, which led to his actions,” Old Li cried, tears streaming down his face. “Once he’s out, I’ll teach him properly. Really, I absolutely won’t let him do such a thing again.”

A single lesson could be forgiven, but a second offense would never happen.

“Xiaoling… Grandma is begging you, please, please save your uncle!” Old Lady Liu kowtowed repeatedly before Li Qingling. After a moment, her forehead was red and swollen from the effort.

It was clear that she was exerting herself fully, trying to make Li Qingling agree to her request.

Seeing such shameless people, Li Qingling took a deep breath. Though they were verbally asking for forgiveness, their actions were threatening her.

It irritated her.

“Do you think I run the magistrate’s office? That I can release or imprison whomever I please?” Li Qingling snorted coldly. “If it were that easy, the world would be in chaos.”

Li Laifu had only just been imprisoned and hadn’t yet received proper punishment. How could she possibly release him so quickly?

Once he had learned his lesson and endured the consequences, then naturally he would be released.

“Xiaoling… if you just let Zhimou speak to the magistrate, the magistrate would give him some face, and you…”

Before Old Lady Liu could finish, Liu Zhimou stepped out and coldly interrupted, “Sorry, I don’t have that kind of influence. I can’t move the magistrate.”

He strode in front of Li Qingling, glancing coldly at Old Li and Old Lady Liu.

He was truly fed up with this family: first the younger ones caused trouble, and now the elders followed suit. Enough was enough.

Seeing Zhimou come out, Old Li and Old Lady Liu’s eyes lit up. Old Lady Liu again begged Zhimou to show mercy and appeal to the magistrate to release Li Laifu.

Zhimou shook his head. “Madam, you’re begging the wrong person. I really don’t have that kind of influence to change the magistrate’s order.” A trace of disgust flashed subtly in his eyes. “Please leave, Old Li and Madam Liu. Don’t make it impossible for me to focus on my studies.”

“No, no, no… Zhimou, I know you have a way, you must have a way! Please, save my son! I’ll do anything—be your servant, do anything for you—just release him!” Old Lady Liu stepped closer, reaching to grab Zhimou’s pant leg, but he dodged with a swift movement.

He signaled to Li Qingling, letting her help Old Lady Liu up so she wouldn’t remain kneeling on the ground. Prolonged kneeling would make their family look even worse.

Li Qingling nodded and went to Old Lady Liu, grabbing her arm. “Stop kneeling all the time. If people see you like this, they’ll think we’re abusing you.” Old Lady Liu had become much thinner; with Li Qingling’s firm pull, she was lifted to her feet.

But she didn’t stand properly, sliding downward, trying to kneel again.

Li Qingling clenched her teeth in anger. In all her life, she had never seen anyone as shameless as Old Lady Liu.

“Stand properly. If you don’t, don’t even think we’ll help you.”

Upon hearing Li Qingling’s warning, Old Lady Liu straightened up immediately, and even Old Li scrambled to his feet, standing erect and looking at Li Qingling.

Seeing them comply so quickly, Li Qingling’s lips twitched—really…

“Xiaoling… when will my uncle be released?” Old Lady Liu looked at her expectantly. “You know that place isn’t fit for humans. It’s better to get him back sooner.”

Li Qingling glanced at her coolly. “When he’s released depends entirely on the magistrate. This isn’t something I can control.” She paused. “Go home quickly, and stop causing a scene. If you keep this up, Zhimou won’t be able to study, and the magistrate might come after you.”

Seeing Li Qingling’s expression and that she didn’t explicitly say when she would intervene, Old Lady Liu felt uncertain. She opened her mouth to speak, but Old Li pulled her aside, signaling her to stop before Li Qingling and Zhimou lost their patience.

Old Lady Liu swallowed her words, pressed her lips together, and forced a smile, saying they would leave first.

Li Qingling nodded noncommittally. Once Old Li and Old Lady Liu left, she slammed the courtyard gate shut. Encountering such a frustrating situation early in the morning ruined her entire day’s mood.

Liu Zhimou placed his hands on her shoulders, meeting her eyes seriously. “Next time something like this happens, don’t handle it alone. Come to me, okay?” He had been studying in the study and had no idea what had happened outside until Liu Zhirou came to tell him. “You must always remember—you have your husband. You can rely on him. Understand?”

He suspected this girl had forgotten she was married, always handling everything herself, which made him both angry and concerned.

Li Qingling pinched his tense arm gently, calming him. “I can handle it myself. I didn’t want to interrupt your studies unnecessarily, so I didn’t call you.” This was a small matter she could easily manage.

She wasn’t the type of weak woman who had to rely on her husband for everything.

Generally, if she could solve it herself, she would—not bothering him.

Hearing this, Zhimou let out a deep sigh, looking at her with a hint of grievance. “My wife, being so capable like this… it makes your husband feel useless.” Having such an independent wife—was it a blessing or a curse?

She cared for him, and he cared for her.

“Why use a sledgehammer to crack a nut? Husband, your role is important! For small matters, I can handle them. For big matters, I’ll let you handle it. Don’t worry!” Li Qingling smiled and patted his cheek. Touching his smooth face, she couldn’t help but fondle it a few times. “Such good skin.” She was envious and delighted at the same time.

“…This topic has gone off track, hasn’t it?” Zhimou pressed the corner of his eyes, gently grabbing her hands on his face, holding them firmly, his expression serious. “I want you, whether it’s a big matter or a small matter, to come tell me. Let me know, okay?” Worried she wouldn’t understand his intentions, he added, “I’m your husband. I have the right to know these things.”

Seeing his stern face, Li Qingling could only nod reluctantly.

“Good…” Zhimou finally relaxed a little, a small smile appearing on his lips. He kissed her briefly. “Breakfast isn’t finished yet, right? Come… I’ll help you.”

Li Qingling touched her lips, dazed as he dragged her into the kitchen, helping her sit on a stool while he efficiently continued preparing the unfinished breakfast.

“Zhimou… do you think they’ll come again?”

“They probably will,” Zhimou replied without looking back. “It’s fine. When they come, I’ll handle them.”

Li Qingling nodded silently, no longer speaking, but quietly considered ways to make Old Li and Old Lady Liu back off.

Yet, she didn’t expect that after waiting several days, Old Li and Old Lady Liu never returned.

What was the reason they stopped causing trouble?

After pondering for a long time without figuring it out, Li Qingling put it out of her mind and focused all her energy on managing her business.

Only by arranging all the family’s affairs properly could she develop her ventures in the capital with peace of mind.