Chapter 1021: Side Story 2 (1)
Editor: Dragon Boat Translation
The night King Kang’s palace echoed with screams, a single, inconspicuous carriage slipped out of the capital under the cloak of darkness.
Lord Hong and his wife waited anxiously just outside the city limits. As they spotted the approaching carriage, they rushed forward to greet it.
A figure emerged from the carriage and handed the reins to Lord Hong. “We’ve delivered the person,” they announced. “The Emperor has prepared a dowry for Miss Li Lijun and wishes her a happy future.”
With that brief message delivered, the figure quickly retreated.
Madam Hong watched them disappear, then turned to her husband, her face filled with disbelief. “Husband, does the Emperor mean our daughter can remarry?”
Lord Hong shot her a stern look. “What daughter? That’s your niece, Li Lijun, remember?” He emphasized the name, a reminder of the precarious situation. If the truth were exposed, their daughter would still face execution, and they themselves would be implicated.
“Yes, yes, of course, Lijun,” Madam Hong stammered, nodding rapidly.
Casting a suspicious glance at the carriage, she inquired, “Why isn’t there any movement?”
“She likely fainted,” Lord Hong replied. He then lifted the carriage curtain and peered inside. As expected, their daughter lay unconscious.
Madam Hong couldn’t help but think of the dowry mentioned earlier.
Lord Hong pulled out a two-foot square box and popped it open. Under the moonlight, he quickly surveyed the contents.
Inside, nestled amongst a stack of silver notes totaling roughly 100,000 taels, were a pair of exquisite jade pendants and a collection of gold and jade jewelry.
It seemed the Emperor was returning their daughter’s original dowry in full.
“Take good care of these things,” he instructed Madam Hong. “Keep them safe for your daughter. Whether or not she marries again, this will provide her with a means to rebuild her life.”
“I understand,” Madam Hong replied, a complex mix of emotions swirling within her. Her beloved daughter had already tasted the perilous life within the palace walls, and while she had survived, the future remained uncertain.
Without further delay, Lord Hong climbed into the carriage, followed by his wife. They hurried towards the Li family estate.
Upon arrival, the couple sought out the third master and his wife, explaining the situation about Li Lijun’s replacement.
Third Master Li simply looked at them, offering no comment.
Third Madam Li, however, was initially struck with a wave of grief upon hearing her deceased daughter’s name. However, the thought of a new daughter, one as talented and beautiful as Li Lijun, quickly replaced her sadness.
“Elder Sister, Brother-in-law,” she chirped, her voice filled with forced cheer, “don’t worry at all. We will take excellent care of Hong Suzhi.”
“It’s Li Lijun,” Lord Hong gently corrected her.
“Yes, yes, of course, Li Lijun,” Third Madam Li hastily agreed, her voice dripping with forced enthusiasm.
“We’ll leave the rest to you then,” Lord Hong said. “We’ll stay until she wakes up. Perhaps Sister-in-law could kindly prepare a guest room for us? We would appreciate a good night’s sleep.”
“Of course, of course, follow me,” Third Madam Li offered, leading them to the courtyard.
By the time the couple awoke, Hong Suzhi had already regained consciousness, though she remained disoriented and confused. She could scarcely believe the poisoned wine hadn’t claimed her life and that she was even back in her uncle’s home.
After a simple meal, Lord and Madam Hong joined their daughter.
Seeing her vacant expression, Madam Hong couldn’t hold back her tears. “My child,” she cried, “I fought tooth and nail to save your life. Don’t dwell on what happened.”
Hong Suzhi’s mind snapped back into focus at the sound of her mother’s sobs. She looked at her father and asked bewilderedly, “Father, what’s going on? Why am I still alive?”
Lord Hong opted for honesty. He explained the Emperor’s intentions and the matter of the dowry. “Remember, child,” he cautioned, “you must keep this dowry a secret. Write to us whenever you need something, but always use Li Lijun’s name.”