Chapter 790: Great Construction
Editor. Henyee Translations
Li Tingzhao’s eyes were void of any emotion as he coldly said, “Will you leave on your own, or shall I have someone throw you out?”
Master Lin clenched his fists and knelt down to Li Tingzhao, bending his back,
“Your Highness, I begyou to spare the Lin family.”
This reminded Li Tingzhao of his own plight. The foster mother he wholeheartedly believed in had plotted to kill him secretly, and his foster father, fully aware, pretended ignorance. Now, what right did they have to ask for his forgiveness?
He kicked Master Lin aside, “You’re asking me to spare the Lin family? If it weren’t for Chu Qingzhi, I would be dead by now. You’re asking for forgiveness now, but if I had died, who would have stood up for me?”
Master Lin quickly crawled back, prostrating on the ground, hoping that by allowing Li Tingzhao to vent his anger, the Lin family might be spared from disaster.
Li Tingzhao roared in a fit of rage, glaring at the person kneeling on the ground. He wished he could make him suffer all the hardships he had endured!
Chu Xuhua silently sat on the side, listening to the whole process, thinking to himself how big families really harbor all sorts of filth, treating a foster child so cruelly, so heartlessly!
Li Tingzhao sat back down, calming himself, and spoke indifferently, “If you want me to spare the Lin family, it’s possible…”
Master Lin didn’t say a word, but his ears perked up.
Li Tingzhao continued, “I want your wife dead! When she dies, that’s when I’ll spare the Lin family.”
“Your Highness!” Master Lin opened his mouth to plead. After all, they had been married for over twenty years. How could he watch her die?
Li Tingzhao cut him off firmly, “You only have one choice, no room for negotiation!”
The Lin family’s assets were almost entirely seized by him, leaving only an empty shell. He harbored no hatred towards other members of the Lin family; his only resentment was towards Madam Lin.
“Your Highness, please show mercy!”
Li Tingzhao had no patience to continue with Master Lin and had him thrown out, “Your mind is not clear yet. Cool off!”
After a while, Chu Xuhua bid his leave, filled with sighs.
In Shuiyun County, as they returned to the town, someone from the post station stopped them, “Manager Chu, excuse me for a moment. Four people have arrived at the post station looking for Miss Qingzhi, claiming to be her relatives. Are they?”
These were Li Zhangjie’s family members. In his letters, he told his parents to report Chu Qingzhi’s name upon arriving in Shuiyun County. Chu Qingzhi’s name was well-known, not only to avoid trouble but also to let him know about his parents’ arrival as soon as possible. He had informed Chu Xuhua about this in his letters, and upon hearing this, Chu Xuhua knew what was happening.
He patted Li Zhangjie on the shoulder, “It must be your family. Go meet them.
I’ll give you three days off to spend time with them.”
Li Zhangjie was moved, “No need for that long, just tomorrow will do.”
“That works too, things are getting busier towards the end of the year.
“Alright, Brother Xuhua, I’m off.”
“Go on.”
Chu Xuhua returned to Chu Village alone, while Li Zhangjie followed the post station staff back.
At the post station entrance stood a couple, a thirteen or fourteen-year-old girl, and a ten-year-old boy.
Li Zhangjie had always sent money home, so his family was doing well, evident from their clothing. The boy was chubby.
Li Zhangjie ran over excitedly, “Dad, Mom!”
The girl and the boy also shouted excitedly, “Big brother!”
Li Zhangjie lifted his brother, spinning him around, “Little brother, you’ve grown so much.”
Li Zhanghui hugged his big brother, smiling, “Big brother, you’ve grown taller too. I almost didn’t recognize you.”
“Zhuanghui, you’ve gotten so chubby, I almost didn’t recognize you! Li Zhangjie put his brother down, turning to his parents, “Let’s go to the residence, we can talk on the way.”
Seeing their son so well-grown, the parents were overjoyed, “Alright.” Li Zhangjie had rented a small house in Shuiyun County, spacious enough for his family of five, fully furnished and ready to move in.
Li’s parents surveyed the courtyard. It was nice but surely expensive, feeling somewhat distressed about the cost.
Madam Li said, “Now that we have money, we shouldn’t spend it like this. We need to save, understand?”
Li Zhangjie replied, “Mom, I know. This is just temporary housing because you didn’t have a place to stay. It’s fine for a short period.”
Master Li asked, “You’re building a house?”
Li Zhangjie nodded, “Yes. Didn’t you follow my instructions in the letter to sell everything at home? We won’t be going back. Did you do as I asked?”
Master Li hurriedly reassured, “Yes, we did everything you said. I was just worried.”
Li Zhangjie confidently said, “Don’t worry, I’ve made a lot of money, several hundred taels. Once the house is built, we can buy some land. There will be plenty to spare. If my brother wants to study, I can send him to school. Rest assured.”
Master Li was astonished, “You really made several hundred taels?”
Li Zhangjie beamed, “Really, Dad. If you don’t believe me, I can show you later.”
Master Li shook his head, “No need, don’t show off your wealth. Your mother and I believe you. Keep it safe.”
Li Zhangjie smiled, “Mom, Dad, rest for a while. Later, I’ll take you out for a meal. Tomorrow, I’ll show you around Chu Village where I’ve lived for almost a
year.”
“Alright, we’ll listen to you.”
“Come, let’s put down the luggage…”
The Li family temporarily settled in the house.
Back in Chu Village.
Upon his return, Chu Xuhua shared everything he witnessed at Li Tingzhao’s place with Chu Qingzhi.
Chu Qingzhi nodded indifferently upon hearing it, not saying much more, letting the matter pass.
She was busy with the supermarket project, which finally broke ground today, located at the three-way junction leading from the village to the workshop.
The location was not far from the workshop and was outside the village, not disturbing the residents. With an open space in front and not causing any congestion, the spot was particularly good.
Chu Qingzhi, overseeing the construction, felt a sense of grand development.
The main roads in her fief were now paved with bluestone, making travel easy day and night, shortening travel times.
The residents felt fortunate. Such good roads were usually found only in county towns, but now they were right at their doorsteps, making life much more convenient.
Comparing their smooth roads to the bumpy paths in other villages, the people felt a surge of pride. The infrastructure improvements led many to seek residence in Chu Qingzhi’s fief, causing a significant increase in its popularity.
Due to the road construction, an influx of people came to settle in Chu Qingzhi’s lands, elevating the community’s spirit to new heights.