Chapter 123 – The Widow’s Adopted Daughter (part 23)

Li Su’s decision was unanimously opposed by Yong An Mansion.

Xiao Qi Zhi said, “Su Su, you don’t have to force yourself to the regent’s side. I will handle it. You just need to stay at home.”

“There’s no need to bear these psychological burdens. We can help!” Xiao Zhen Ting said.

Li Su frowned. “I just want to make it clear to him! Don’t worry, I won’t mess around.”

Xiao Qi Zhi and Xiao Shun Zhi exchanged a look, then nodded. “Okay, let Zhen Shu accompany you.”

Li Su didn’t refuse. She did not think that it would be dangerous to see the regent alone with her strength!

The regent, Li Qi Cheng, received Li Su’s invitation and was so excited that he arrived early. A plate of white sugar cake1 was placed in front of him, and he stared at the cake, lost in memories.

When they first met, she handed him a slice of white sugar cake. When he was a child, he was very cowardly and didn’t like to talk. His brothers and sisters didn’t like to play with him. It was only her who didn’t dislike him and took the initiative to talk to him. She also gave him a slice of white sugar cake to eat. That was the first time he ate white sugar cake. It turned out to be so delicious. At that time he didn’t know her name. He only knew that she was pretty.

After a long time, he finally found out her identity. She had a nice name, Su Su. Her father was the senior imperial censor and her uncle was the Lord of Yong An Mansion. He was very happy at that time. He was a prince. Although he was not favoured or taken seriously, his status was not an insult to her.

Therefore, he began to look forward to the future. He hoped that he would grow up quickly.

He didn’t expect Su Su to return to Qian Tang. He didn’t know when she would come back. Would she forget him?

He still remembered when he ran desperately, wanting to see her. He accidentally bumped into his 4th older brother, and was kicked to the ground for insulting him.

Later, he tried every means to send someone into the Li house to figure out her situation. He even had a portrait of her painted, which still hung in the most secret place in his study. It was his treasure.

When he knew that she was coming back, he was so happy that he even thought of picking her up in person. He plucked up the courage to ask father emperor if he could marry her. Father emperor didn’t even look at him and walked away. Later, he learned that 8th younger brother was sick and father emperor had been anxious to visit his 8th younger brother.

He didn’t expect for the people from Yong An Mansion to lose her! When he heard the news, the brutal nature in him arose. He hated himself for being weak and incompetent. He couldn’t even protect her. He hated father emperor for not giving him a chance and hated Yong An Mansion for losing her. He hated everyone! Did this world have any meaning without her?

Fortunately, she was still alive. Everything hadn’t changed for the worse.

As soon as Li Su walked in, she saw the man looking at the plate of white sugar cake in an obsessed manner.

Li Su rolled her eyes in disgust and turned to glance at Xiao Zhen Shu. She then went in and picked the place furthest from the regent and sat down.

When she saw that the regent was still lost in his thoughts, Li Su cleared her throat. Didn’t he come here to talk? Why was he still staring at the white sugar cake silently?

Li Qi Cheng heard the movement and saw Li Su sitting not that far away. He immediately smiled. “You are here. Why are you so far? This is the white sugar cake made by the kitchen. Do you like it?” His tone was familiar, as if they were old friends who had reunited after a long time.

The corners of Li Su’s mouth twitched slightly. Were they so familiar? But, she still sat there.

When Li Su saw the regent enthusiastically recommend the white sugar cake, she wasn’t afraid of poisoning. After all, he was the dignified regent. So, Li Su picked up a slice of white sugar cake and ate it.

Li Qi Cheng’s eyes sparkled. “How is it? Is it delicious?”

It was white sugar cake. No matter how delicious it was, it was just white sugar cake. This was what Li Su thought before she ate the white sugar cake. For someone who had eaten many fine desserts from later generations, this white sugar cake was just ordinary.

But the moment she took a bite, Li Su knew that she had been mistaken. The white sugar cake had a perfect texture. It was tasty and refreshing, sweet but not greasy. It was really good.

Li Su couldn’t help but nod.

Li Qi Cheng was very happy. “If you like it, then eat more. I have found a lot of chefs, and only this one’s white sugar cake is good. If you like it, I will let him make it for you every day.”

Li Su couldn’t help but eat another slice. “Forget it. It is good to eat occasionally, but if it is eaten every day, then no matter how delicious it is, you will get tired of it.”

Li Qi Cheng was stunned, then smiled again. “You are right.” As long as she was happy.

Li Su stared at him with bright eyes. She wiped the corners of her mouth with a handkerchief. “Have we met before?”

Li Qi Cheng knew that she had lost her memory, so he was not surprised that she couldn’t remember the past. He didn’t feel hurt. “Yes, yes, we met a long time ago. At that time, I was seven and you were five…”

Li Qi Cheng talked about their past. But, to Li Su, this sounded like wishful thinking. The original owner only met him once and handed him a slice of white sugar cake. How could he say that the two of them had agreed to be with each other in life and death? If the original owner really had such a strong relationship with him, then when she saw Li Qi Cheng, she shouldn’t have had no reaction.

Before seeing Li Qi Cheng, Li Su’s mental image of him was mostly negative. She saw him as a tyrannical, insidious, and cunning person.

But, what was the person in front of her like? Li Su saw the shadow of Imperial Princess An He. Why did this feel so weird?

“Su Su, I am very happy you’re still alive!” Li Qi Cheng said excitedly.

“Wait a minute!” Li Su interrupted Li Qi Cheng’s words. “You should know that I have amnesia. I was married and have a daughter.”

“I know! I don’t care about that,” Li Qi Cheng said excitedly.

“But I care! Do you have wives and concubines in your house? Do you have a lot of children? I am not interested in being another woman or a stepmother!” said Li Su.

“These are not problems. I will chase them away immediately when I go back!” said Li Qi Cheng as he stood up.

“Stop!” Li Su was helpless.

Li Qi Cheng turned to look at her, as if waiting for her instructions.

Li Si sighed and covered her head. “They aren’t just random people. They are your wives and children. If you drive them away, do you want to be criticised and cast aside by the world?”

“Then what do you want me to do?” Li Qi Cheng asked innocently.

“I’m going to tell you the truth. I don’t plan on remarrying in this life,” said Li Su.

Li Qi Cheng was furious.

“Listen to me. Sit down first!” Li Su glared at him. And, as expected, Li Qi Cheng sat down obediently.

Li Su rolled her eyes. She felt that the regent had a problem with his brain. That, or he was a masochist. “I can’t even remember the events you mentioned. To me, you aren’t much different from a stranger. Besides, I think that my life is pretty good now. I have my own business. I don’t have to worry about food or clothing. My daughter is clever and well-behaved. I don’t have many worries. Why would I want to marry again?! Even if I married you and became your consort, I would not be happy. Do you understand?”

Li Qi Cheng was a little hurt when he heard Li Su say they were strangers. He shook his head. “I don’t understand!”

“In short, we can be friends. This is all we can be. Anything more is impossible! You can consider me selfish, unwilling to bear burdens,” said Li Su. “If you think it is possible, then we can be friends in the future. If not, then forget it.”

Li Qi Cheng looked at Li Su’s bright eyes and didn’t know what to say for a while.

Li Su saw this and stood up. “Think about it. We can talk when you think it over. I’ll go back first.” Then, she left.

Li Qi Cheng stood there, motionless.

Before leaving, Li Su glanced back. She saw the sun shine on Li Qi Cheng through the paper window. He was obviously bathed in light, but Li Su felt that he seemed very sad.

Only after a while, Li Su turned back around and opened the door to leave. She knew that she didn’t love this man. Even if she ended up dealing with him courteously, but without sincerity for the sake of Yong An mansion and himself, the feelings involved would be clear to all involved. This was not fair to herself nor to him.

So, Li Su chose to speak out and then wait for his choice.

Xiao Zhen Shu had been paying attention to the situation in the room. After he saw the door open and Li Su walk out safely, he was relieved. “Did you say it? We can go back after you’ve finished!” He originally disagreed with Su Su. Why did she have to talk to the regent? The regent and Yong An Mansion had different political opinions, so this was a contest between men. What did it have to do with women?

Su Su was stubborn and wanted to make this trip.

“Wait, I’ll take you back home.” Li Qi Cheng called out from behind.

Li Su had already put on the veiled hat. She turned to look at him.

“Let’s go. Aren’t we friends? Are you not going to give me this opportunity?” Li Qi Cheng smiled bitterly. What should he do? No matter how sad, angry, or unwilling he was, he still couldn’t bear to do anything to her. After all, he lost her because of his cowardice. She had finally come back. As long as she stayed within his sight, the rest wasn’t important.

Li Su nodded. “Then I will have to trouble you.”

Meanwhile, Xiao Zhen Shu was staring. Was this man really the regent? Wasn’t he pretending?!

Li Qi Cheng noticed Xiao Zhen Shu’s gaze and glanced at him in disgust. He remembered that it was this bastard who lost Su Su back then. Was he still the son-in-law of 8th younger brother? Hehe, he remembered!

Xiao Zhen Shu shuddered. When he looked up, the regent was looking at him maliciously. Sure enough. It was just an illusion before. The regent was still the regent and hadn’t changed.

He was thinking too much.

But, Xiao Zhen Shu quickly discovered that he wasn’t thinking too much. The regent was still the regent when facing others, but when facing Su Su, he completely changed.

“Su Su, what do you like? I’ll buy it for you! Gold, silver, jade? I heard that the jewellery from Cutting Jade Tower is the best. Do you like it? If you like it, I will buy it for you!”

Xiao Zhen Shu was expressionless as he rode. He watched the regent show his hospitality through the curtain.

1.(白糖糕) white sugar cake