TSWPF -Chapter 429 Getting Rich

Originally, Liu Zhimou and the others had planned to invite only a few close friends to celebrate Xiaoxiao’s third-day washing ceremony. They never expected that the people of Ninghua County would come on their own initiative.

When Liu Zhimou heard about it, his heart trembled. He fell silent for a long while before instructing his servants to properly receive the villagers.

“Wife, tell me… what virtue do I have…” What virtue did he possess to earn such deep affection from the people?

Everything he had done for them was simply his duty. He had never thought of receiving anything in return.

Li Qingling tightly held his hand and nodded firmly. “You deserve it.”

Since coming to Ninghua County, he had racked his brains to improve the lives of the people, and step by step, he had succeeded.

So he truly deserved their love and respect.

This was something he had earned through his own efforts.

She felt happy and proud of him.

She had an exceptionally outstanding husband.

Liu Zhimou glanced at her, blinked hard, then held her hand in return and smiled. “Half of my medals belong to you.”

If Li Qingling hadn’t been by his side, helping him plan and strategize, he wouldn’t have been able to change the people’s lives so quickly.

She was his strategist—an indispensable one.

Hearing this, Li Qingling curved her lips into a smile and blinked at him playfully. “Then may I ask, Young Master Liu, how do you plan to reward me? Hmm?”

Liu Zhimou sat down by the bed, bracing his hands on either side of her head, lowering his face close to hers. “What kind of reward do you want?”

His warm breath brushed against her face, making her blush uncontrollably.

She pushed against his chest. “Don’t get so close.”

Being this close made it impossible for her to speak properly.

This man was using his “handsome trick” again. Too bad.

And she was so useless—she always fell for it.

Feeling both sweet and annoyed, she poked his chest hard. “Sit properly and talk.”

Liu Zhimou leaned even closer, his eyes smiling. “I am talking properly.”

His wife was blushing again.

She was already a mother, yet still so shy. It only made him want to tease her more.

Seeing his handsome face approaching, Li Qingling turned her head slightly and said shyly, “Stop fooling around.”

“Alright, I won’t.”

Before she could relax, his next move startled her.

He… he… what was he doing?

Li Qingling shrank back sensitively. “Liu Zhimou, what are you doing?”

He kissed her ear again and whispered something softly.

Her face instantly turned even redder.

Scoundrel…

He… scoundrel…

Seeing her ears turn pink, Liu Zhimou’s gaze deepened. He quietly took a breath, cupped her face, looked into her eyes, and called hoarsely, “Wife…”

Oh no, oh no—someone was about to lose control.

Li Qingling swallowed nervously and forced a smile. “Um… Husband, don’t you need to go entertain the guests?”

Go, go quickly. Don’t stay here, or he’d be the one suffering.

She was still in confinement and couldn’t help him.

Liu Zhimou stared at her for a while, licked his lips unconsciously, then leaned down and kissed her red lips without another word.

Li Qingling lifted her head and returned his kiss.

They didn’t know how long they kissed, until a soft, delicate cry sounded, waking them up. Only then did they separate.

Liu Zhimou glanced at the little one and sighed helplessly. “Our private time is gone.”

He was really afraid that the baby would interrupt them every critical moment.

If that happened every time, he would go crazy.

Li Qingling shot him a coquettish glare. “Hurry up and pick her up. See if she’s wet.”

Liu Zhimou nodded, felt her clothes, and found them damp. He smiled bitterly. “She peed.”

He fetched clean clothes and diapers and skillfully changed her.

As soon as he finished, the baby stopped crying and stared at him with her round eyes.

He knew she couldn’t really see him yet, but her focused gaze still melted his heart.

“Xiaoxiao, I’m your daddy… Daddy…”

That word made him feel the weight on his shoulders grow heavier.

He would work even harder to give her a better life.

His precious daughter would definitely grow up spoiled and loved.

The little one yawned cutely, glanced at him again, then slowly closed her eyes.

Asleep again?

Liu Zhimou smiled helplessly and gently laid her back down.

Li Qingling looked at her tenderly, lightly poked her tiny nose, and laughed softly. “You little clean freak.”

Their daughter was quite easy to care for. Aside from crying when hungry or after soiling herself, she was quiet and slept most of the time.

Even Nanny Yao said she had never seen such an easy baby.

“Being clean is better than being dirty,” Liu Zhimou said. In his eyes, his daughter was perfect—even her farts probably smelled good.

For three days after her birth, he took leave and stayed home, guarding her every day.

Li Qingling could only roll her eyes helplessly.

The baby wasn’t going anywhere. Did he really need to be this exaggerated?

From his behavior, it was clear how spoiled she would become.

“Husband, are you planning to break the family rules for our daughter?” she asked.

Family rules?

Liu Zhimou looked at the baby, then at Li Qingling, and touched his nose guiltily. Could he not answer?

She already knew from his expression.

Frowning, she said seriously, “Husband, you’ll harm her like this.”

Breaking the rules just because she was born would hurt her and weaken his authority with the other children.

Children couldn’t be spoiled too much, or their personalities would be twisted.

Liu Zhimou wanted to argue, but seeing her serious expression, he swallowed his words.

He cleared his throat. “I won’t break the rules.”

“Really?”

“Really.” He sighed and pinched her nose. “Do you think I’m that unprincipled?”

Though he didn’t sound very confident.

Thinking of her having to work in the future broke his heart.

But he knew it was for her own good.

“Yes,” Li Qingling nodded without hesitation. Whenever it involved their daughter, he became irrational.

“…”

Liu Zhimou sighed again. He almost wanted to swear to heaven.

After examining him seriously, Li Qingling nodded reluctantly. “I’ll believe you for now.”

Whether he could keep it was another matter.

She would supervise him closely.

Being the “bad cop” in the family was really exhausting.

Liu Zhimou exhaled softly and pinched her nose again. “It hurts that you don’t trust me.”

Before she could reply, Nanny Yao called out.

He went to open the door.

“My lord, it’s time to take the young miss to the front courtyard.”

He nodded and let her in.

After greeting Li Qingling, Nanny Yao looked at the baby. “She needs to change into festive clothes.”

Liu Zhimou knew which set she meant and fetched it.

With Nanny Yao’s help, they quickly dressed the baby and wrapped her in a festive quilt.

Seeing her sleeping so soundly, Nanny Yao smiled warmly. “She sleeps so well.”

Liu Zhimou kissed her lightly, then told Li Qingling to rest. “We’ll be back soon.”

She couldn’t go out during confinement.

“Alright. Come back quickly.”

He nodded and carried the baby out.

In the front courtyard, the villagers stretched their necks excitedly when they saw him.

“Is Xiaoxiao here?” Mr. Luo hurried over, reaching out to hold her.

Liu Zhimou shifted away. “She can’t catch a chill. We’ll be quick.”

Hearing that, Mr. Luo stopped and told the midwife to hurry.

The midwife smiled and carefully took the baby, undressed her, placed her in the basin, and recited auspicious words.

Mr. Luo stepped forward and placed a jade pendant into the water, wishing her peace and health.

Then Deputy Magistrate Ma and Hu Juanjuan put in silver and said blessings.

Other villagers added silver or copper coins. The water kept clinking.

Seeing the basin full of money, the midwife smiled from ear to ear.

After the ceremony, everything in the basin would belong to her.

This time, she had really struck it rich.