After all, Zhang Qiming was his own beloved grandson. Despite his reluctance, Zhang Zhongyuan had no choice but to swallow his pride and summon a retired imperial physician from Liuzhou to treat Zhang Qiming's condition. He hoped to cure his grandson, for he could not truly make him a eunuch.
As for the servants, Zhang Zhongyuan punished and dealt with those who deserved it. The two maidservants who caused the incident were directly sold off by Zhang Zhongyuan through a matchmaker. After settling matters in the household, the Sun family arrived to break off the marriage.
The Sun family came to call off the engagement. When Prefectural Judge He's daughter, Sun Yiliu, heard of Zhang Qiming's condition, her face, previously radiant like a blossoming flower, turned pale with rage. Just days ago, she had made a concession to Li Xin, only to become a laughingstock herself. She had inadvertently saved Li Xin from a catastrophe but became the object of ridicule instead.
Unable to accept the prospect of becoming a "living widow" by marrying into the Zhang family, Sun Yiliu threw a fit at home, pressuring her father, Prefectural Judge He, to cancel the marriage engagement. She refused to marry the unmanly Zhang Qiming.
Though the Sun family found the situation embarrassing, Prefectural Judge He knew better than to provoke Zhang Zhongyuan, who was not someone he could afford to offend, unlike Li Ming. He wavered in his decision.
The Sun family had once fallen on hard times, but thanks to the substantial dowry brought by Lady Sun, Prefectural Judge He managed to regain his current standing. Grateful to his wife, Prefectural Judge He doted on their daughter, Sun Yiliu.
Faced with the tears and tantrums of his wife and daughter, Prefectural Judge He relented. He cautiously approached the Zhang family bearing gifts, intending to break off the engagement.
Zhang Zhongyuan fixed his piercing gaze upon Prefectural Judge He, fully aware of his intentions. Initially, Zhang Zhongyuan's late wife had favored the Li family, and he knew that Li Ming's eldest daughter was an upright and virtuous young lady.
However, the doting dowager Lady Zhang had listened to Zhang Qiming's advice and proposed the marriage to the Sun family instead, causing the Li family to lose face and bringing the Zhang family the reputation of being unfaithful.
"Your Sun family accepted the betrothal gifts, and now you want to back out," Zhang Zhongyuan stated sternly, setting down his teacup with force. The air of a former high-ranking official for two imperial dynasties was not something ordinary. Prefectural Judge He trembled in fear, unable to speak in the face of Zhang Zhongyuan's cold demeanor.
"My grandson has been injured and needs the joy of a wedding. I believe the 18th of next month is an auspicious day for the marriage to proceed," Zhang Zhongyuan declared.
"That is too soon, Your Excellency. The bridal dowry and preparations are not yet ready. Please allow a few more months," Prefectural Judge He pleaded meekly.
"Go and see what remains to be done, and I shall send people to assist," Zhang Zhongyuan said as he poured tea for his departing guest. Despite Sun Yiliu's protests, the matter was settled.
Zhang Zhongyuan personally visited the Li Manor to apologize to Li Ming, blaming himself for his lack of discipline in the household that allowed his dowager and grandson to make such a mistake. He begged for their forgiveness.
Li Ming responded magnanimously, "Marriage is meant to unite two families in friendship. If it is not meant to be, so be it."
Previously, due to the prestigious marriage alliance with the Zhang family, Prefectural Judge He had become overbearing and looked down upon Li Ming. Now, with the Zhang family's marriage proposal reduced to nothing, Prefectural Judge He lost his former arrogance, allowing Li Ming to regain some of his lost authority. Li Ming's initial fury had subsided.
Zhang Zhongyuan, a former high-ranking official of two imperial dynasties, had personally come to apologize. Although retired, his connections still held influence. Li Ming dared not offend him, and Zhang Zhongyuan's apology saved face for the Li family. The Li family graciously accepted the apology, and the relationship between the two families appeared amicable on the surface, though their true feelings remained unknown.
Zhang Zhongyuan apologized not only because the Zhang family had acted improperly but also because he suspected the Li family might have had a hand in the incident. Otherwise, how could it have coincided so perfectly with Zhang Qiming's injury occurring right after the engagement with the Sun family?
Although Zhang Zhongyuan sent people to investigate and found no evidence of foul play, merely a coincidence, his years of officialdom made him skeptical of such coincidences. Only after carefully observing Li Ming did he put his suspicions to rest. At the very least, Li Ming was not behind the incident.
That night, Li Xia visited Zhou's Pharmacy. She would be departing for the Capital City the next day. With the mountain bandits' secret chamber, the remnants of Prince YongKang's faction, and the situation at the Li Manor, Li Xia could only entrust Zhou Heng to keep watch over everything.
Zhou Heng assured her, "Rest assured, I will keep an eye on things. The Li family will not fall."
Li Xia handed a bag to Zhou Heng. Upon opening it, Zhou Heng exclaimed, "What a waste of precious items!" and carefully unpacked the contents - rare medicinal herbs and mountain delicacies that Li Xia had gathered using her special abilities, including some that even Zhou Heng could not obtain.
After organizing the bag's contents, Zhou Heng handed two medicine bottles to Li Xia, reminding her, "Don't forget to take your medicine."
Wishing to live a few more years, Li Xia would never forget. She accepted the bottles gratefully, saying, "Thank you."
On the day of their departure for the Capital City, the Li family gathered at the city gates to bid farewell to Li Hui, Li Xin, Auntie Mei, and Li Xia as they boarded the carriage. Concerned for their safety on the road, Mrs. Lu spared no expense and hired an entire escort of guards, while Li Ming also arranged men to accompany them.
Watching the city of Liuzhou gradually disappear from sight, Auntie Mei could not hold back her tears. Her turbulent childhood made her reluctant to leave home, but for the sake of her mistress, she had no choice this time.
Li Xia, however, was delighted, eagerly gazing at the passing scenery. Yet the unchanging landscapes soon bored her in the absence of lively crowds. To alleviate her boredom, she set her sights on the escort's horses.
Persuading the still-gloomy Li Xin, who had been sullen since Zhang Qiming's incident, Li Xia suggested, "Why don't we learn to ride horses? It's so boring sitting in the carriage every day. Look at how gallant that female escort, Li Biaoshi, looks on horseback."
"But can we manage it?" Li Xin asked, eyeing Li Biaoshi's skilled horsemanship, her interest piqued despite her doubts.
"Of course we can!" Li Xia declared confidently, producing two riding outfits that Qiushui had specially modified for them. With the clothes already prepared, Li Xin could no longer refuse.
During a rest stop, the two girls informed Li Hui of their desire to learn horseback riding. Li Hui glanced at Li Xia, realizing that the idea must have been hers.
Li Xia flashed Li Hui an ingratiating smile. He had noticed Li Xin's melancholic state during the journey. Learning to ride horses would give her something to occupy her mind, which was a positive development. For now, he lacked the means to avenge the injustice done to his sister, but he vowed to make amends once he had the capability.
Li Hui spoke to Li Biaoshi about the two sisters' wish to learn horseback riding. The female escort hesitated, worried that the delicate young ladies might not withstand the rigors of riding and throw tantrums, making her job difficult. However, as their employer had made the request, she could not refuse and reluctantly agreed.
The next day, Li Xia and Li Xin changed into their riding outfits and approached Li Biaoshi for their first lesson.
Seeing that the two had changed into riding attire and did not have any jewelry on, looking refreshed and ready to learn horseback riding, the riding instructor Li nodded, his attitude approving. Instructor Li's horse was very gentle in temperament, so he first asked them, "Which one of you wants to go first?"
Although Instructor Li said the horse was gentle, when Li Xin looked at the tall, large horse, she still felt a bit afraid in her heart.
