Chapter 306: Chapter 306

The booklets emitted a faint, clear fragrance of ink.

On the cover, the big title "Hundred Beasts Paradise" and the small name "Written by Li Lixing" were written.

Below the word "Li", there was also a drawing of a little monkey hanging upside down.

With round eyes staring, adorably cute.

Housekeeper Sang was captivated by the little monkey and picked up the booklet to flip through it.

He was surprised; each illustration was as lively and interesting as last time, with accompanying little stories.

He flipped from front to back; every page was drawn clearly and interestingly.

He checked other booklets, and they were all like that.

Housekeeper Sang was pleased, "Many thanks to Mr. Li."

Li Lixing was happy too, pretending to be mature and waved generously, "You paid for it, right? It’s only fair."

The earnings were fifteen hundred coins, and after deducting processing fees, he shared equally with Li Yuzhu.

Although he only got a few hundred coins, Li Lixing was very proud, boasting about his talent to the servants.

The servants all flattered him, one praising better than the next.

Housekeeper Sang took the booklets and left satisfied.

Li Lixing, receiving praise, happily dashed into the inner courtyard to find the County Magistrate’s Wife.

The County Magistrate’s Wife was now no different from ordinary people, able to walk slowly, eat some digestible porridge, and had even slept with the County Magistrate last night.

That morning, she held a small pair of scissors, standing in the small garden trimming jasmine blossoms.

The maid Chun’er followed behind her carrying a small basket.

Li Lixing ran into the garden, shouting loudly all the way, "Mother, mother!"

His face full of excitement.

The County Magistrate’s Wife chuckled, "Run slower, be careful not to get your clothes sweaty again."

She placed the scissors in Chun’er’s basket, smiled gently, and walked out from the jasmine branches to the open space.

Li Lixing ran to her, smiling, "The printed booklets were taken away by Housekeeper Sang, and he praised me."

The County Magistrate’s Wife happily replied, "Very good, very good, keep learning more about drawing."

Li Lixing proudly flicked his sleeves, "Of course, Yu Zhu said that if the Sang family’s children like it, we will print more."

The County Magistrate’s Wife sternly remarked, "To make your drawings universally loved, you must continuously strive to learn; otherwise, staying stagnant is boring."

Li Lixing nodded, "Yu Zhu said the same."

"Then from now on, you must start learning." The County Magistrate’s Wife said.

"Understood, Mother." Li Lixing waved at the County Magistrate’s Wife and ran away.

With the task done, Xiao Chengzi’s errands completed, it was time to return.

He packed his belongings, wrapped a small bundle, wearing a worried expression as he followed Mu Yuanxiu and Li Xing’an toward the mansion’s gate.

Li Yuzhu walked over, glanced behind them, and said, "Xiao Chengzi, why the face of worry?"

Both turned to look at him.

Li Xing’an patted Xiao Chengzi’s shoulder, "Worried that your stepmother will make things difficult for you? Don’t worry, we will escort you back."

Mu Yuanxiu said, "Bring Brother Qin along when you go; his voice is loud."

Li Yuzhu laughed, "Good, that’s a great idea."

Li Xing’an’s eyes lit up, "Ha, sure to scare that wicked woman!"

The three discussed it and then comforted Xiao Chengzi together.

Xiao Chengzi shyly smiled, "Thank you all."

"No need to thank, you helped us too, maybe I’ll need your help again in the future." Li Yuzhu said with a smile.

She put two brand new cloth towels and a string of coins into Xiao Chengzi’s hand, "Take them, they’re for you."

Xiao Chengzi looked at his hand in surprise, "Miss Li, you healed my eyes, why give money too?"

There were a hundred coins here.

"You don’t have a single coin in hand, use these for pocket money." Li Yuzhu smiled, "Buy some daily necessities, don’t let your eyes get infected again."

Xiao Chengzi was so moved he didn’t know what to say.

Li Xing’an and Mu Yuanxiu also urged him to take it.

So Xiao Chengzi had no choice but to accept.

He said, "If you need help in the future, just let me know, I will do it and surely help."

"That’s for sure." Li Xing’an smiled.

Everyone arrived at the mansion gate; Li Lixing was already instructing Qin Hu to harness the carriage.

Li Lixing was to accompany the County Magistrate to a banquet, unable to leave, he said dejectedly, "You all return soon, if you see anything fun, come back and tell me about it."

"We will." Li Yuzhu smiled and waved to him.

Li Lixing’s drawings were acknowledged by the Sang family; although they were children’s drawings, they showed he wasn’t stupid and had ideas.

Moreover, Li Lixing has also learned a lot about the rules.

Now, whether the County Magistrate is going out to meet guests or handle official duties, he often takes Li Lixing with him.

On one hand, it’s to let Li Lixing gain more experience; on the other, it’s to show off his son.

Everyone says the County Magistrate’s son is a loser, a fool, so the County Magistrate decided to take his son out to slap those people in the face.

No matter how much of a fool his son is, he still published a book. If you have the ability, you publish a book too!

Anyway, the Sang family’s face has been slapped now, so it’s time to strike at other families’ arrogant faces.

The carriage was harnessed, still driven by the government official, Qin Hu.

Li Yuzhu and the others took a carriage and escorted Xiao Chengzi home.

The carriage stopped at the entrance of the alley.

The alley was narrow, so the carriage couldn’t enter and had to stop at the entrance.

Government official Qin Hu said, "You go ahead, I will guard the carriage here."

Li Yuzhu smiled and said, "Today, we’ll trouble Brother Qin to come with us to escort Xiao Chengzi home."

Government official Qin Hu widened his eyes, "You’re worried his family will beat him?"

He’d heard that Xiao Chengzi had a fierce stepmother.

Li Yuzhu said, "Yes."

"Alright, I’ll find someone to watch the carriage for me." Government official Qin Hu looked around and walked into a nearby tea shop.

The shopkeeper was doing accounts and was startled by the unexpected appearance of a government official.

"L-lord, what orders do you have?" the shopkeeper asked nervously.

"Oh, please watch my carriage for me while I take care of business in the alley. It’s the County Magistrate’s carriage, so don’t let anything happen to it," said government official Qin Hu, pointing at the carriage.

The shopkeeper breathed a sigh of relief and smiled, "No problem, no problem." It was just watching the carriage after all.

Having arranged for the carriage, government official Qin Hu returned and said to everyone, "We can go now, someone’s watching the carriage."

Everyone saw Qin Hu go to find the shopkeeper, and everyone understood tacitly.

Government officials often patrolled the streets, and merchants both respected and relied on them, so who would dare not assist?

Xiao Chengzi repeatedly thanked Qin Hu, "Thank you, Brother Qin."

"It’s a small matter, no need to thank me. The young master instructed me to escort you home properly; he might seek your help again in the future," government official Qin Hu laughed heartily.

As they passed the Qianwen Book Society, the old man and three assistants came out to greet them.

After they had passed, the old man said to the three assistants, "See, didn’t I tell you? Xiao Chengzi has a good relationship with the government office, so don’t get involved in his affairs anymore."

The three assistants looked uneasy and said repeatedly, "Understood."

Just before reaching Xiao Chengzi’s home, Li Yuzhu saw a plump woman push open the courtyard door and enter Xiao Chengzi’s home.

She was surprised, wasn’t that Liu Yaya’s mother?

"Wait a minute." Li Yuzhu stopped, "I saw Liu Yaya’s mother enter Xiao Chengzi’s house. What’s she doing there?"

Li Xing’an said, "Xiao Chengzi, is your family on good terms with Liu Ya’s family?"

Xiao Chengzi said indifferently, "I’ve never been to Liu Ya’s house; my stepmother goes there."

Mu Yuanxiu said, "Rumors are already spreading. Liu Yaya’s mother going into Xiao Chengzi’s house is likely not a good thing."

Xiao Chengzi frowned.

Li Xing’an patted him on the shoulder, "Don’t worry, Xiao Chengzi, we’ll go back with you."

But Xiao Chengzi said, "Thank you all for seeing me off, but I’ll go back alone. Things are messy at home. When I have money, I’ll invite everyone to a teahouse."

"If you go in , won’t your stepmother hit you again?" Li Xing’an said, "We should go in with you." Official source ıs 𝓷𝓸𝓿𝓮𝓵•𝑓𝑖𝑟𝑒•𝙣𝙚𝙩

Government official Qin Hu also said, "Yes, let’s all go in."

Xiao Chengzi said, "Actually, she doesn’t hit me every day."

"Why are you so cowardly? Does it have to be daily hitting and scolding to count as abuse?" Li Xing’an said indignantly, shaking his head, "Besides, Liu Yaya’s mother is at your house too."

Li Yuzhu thought for a moment and said, "How about this, let Xiao Chengzi go in alone first and see what his stepmother and Liu Yaya’s mother have to say. We’ll wait outside the courtyard door, and if anything happens inside, we can go in immediately. But if we all go in, they won’t say anything real with outsiders present."

Mu Yuanxiu said, "That’s a good plan."

Li Xing’an nodded, "That works." He patted Xiao Chengzi on the shoulder, "Be brave, don’t be afraid. If they dare hit you, we’ll hit back!"

Xiao Chengzi looked at them and nodded.

They escorted him to the house entrance, and Xiao Chengzi went in alone.

Li Yuzhu and the others waited by the side of the door, listening to the sounds inside the courtyard.

As soon as Xiao Chengzi entered the courtyard, his stepmother’s voice came, "So you know how to come back, huh?"

"This is the house my parents bought," Xiao Chengzi said.

"What’s that supposed to mean? You’re saying I can’t live here? I raised you for ten years, and now I can’t live here? You ungrateful brat! If I’d known, I’d have drowned you in the urinal when you were a baby! Save me the heartache now!"

"Hey, Lady Cheng, calm down; we’re discussing a serious matter here," Liu Yaya’s mother advised.

"Alright, you came back just in time. Now that Liu Yaya’s mother is also here, let’s talk about you two. You saw her body and ruined her reputation, so you need to take responsibility for Liu Ya. That’s what her mother’s here to discuss," Madam Cheng said, "Alright, just marry Liu Ya to preserve her reputation."