The playboy county magistrate

Li Xuanzhi never expected that the lingering memories in his mind of his mother, Zhang Shi, who was always a pushover and easy to manipulate, could be so scathing and deadly.

Li Dehai cleared his throat helplessly and decided to change the subject.

"Steward, go see where the eldest young master is. His younger brother has traveled all this way to come home. The elder brother stays in the capital all day, never even showing his face. What kind of behavior is this!"

Since ancient times, there has been a distinction between the noble and the lowly, and an order of seniority. There is absolutely no reason for the eldest brother to eagerly watch over the second brother.

But things are different now, aren't they?

The person who has been away from home for a long time is the second oldest, not the eldest.

Furthermore, Li Xuanzhi is currently highly valued by the emperor, and if Li Xuanjing isn't completely stupid, he should take this opportunity to come out and mend the relationship between the two brothers.

What irreconcilable hatred could exist between brothers?

There's no need for such tension, since there's no throne to inherit in the family.

After Li Dehai finished speaking, Zhang rolled her eyes even more vigorously.

Even Li Xuanzhi felt rather awkward and raised his hand to touch his nose.

Honestly, if Li Xuanjing really came, the only person at the whole table in a good mood would probably be his cheap father, Li Dehai.

Zhang ignored Li Dehai and instead pulled Li Xuanzhi to sit down at the table.

"Mom knows you like fish porridge, but for your own good, your wound is probably not fully healed yet, so let's eat something else."

As Zhang finished speaking with a smile, she pushed the millet porridge she had personally ladled out in front of Li Xuanzhi.

Once again, Li Dehai was ignored by the mother and son. Out of the corner of his eye, he caught a glimpse of the indescribable expression on the face of Zhang's most trusted nanny. He knew that his words had upset everyone in the room.

That's it.

Ultimately, this whole thing is Li Xuanjing's fault. He was a perfectly good eldest son, so well-educated, yet his mind was no less cunning than the eye of a needle in the hands of an embroiderer.

Let's pretend I didn't say anything earlier. Now, seeing my promising second son, I'm getting annoyed with him too.

Li Dehai completely forgot how the three-year agreement was made, and how he said hurtful things like telling Li Xuanzhi not to say he was his child when he left home.

Li Xuanzhi was too lazy to argue with his unfair father. Since he wouldn't be staying in the capital for long anyway, he might as well take advantage of the time he had now to chat with his mother and strengthen their bond.

If it weren't for the fact that his mother was now the wife of a noblewoman, and couldn't easily leave the capital, he really would have liked to take Zhang Shi with him when he returned to Pingzhou this time.

Li Xuanjing didn't show his face even once until the family of three finished their breakfast. The physician came to examine Li Xuanzhi's injury again, repeatedly assured the lady that there was nothing seriously wrong, and then left.

Zhang's courage grew even greater at this point, and she couldn't help but speak sarcastically in front of Li Dehai.

"Don't even mention that boy Li Xuanjing. Ever since I entered your manor, when have you ever seen him come to my courtyard to pay his respects? He doesn't even bother to look at me, his mother. Do you really expect them to be brothers?"

Madam Zhang looked at Li Xuanzhi with affection, "Our Xuanzhi is a sensible and well-behaved child. When he was little, he would often go to the ancestral hall to burn incense on the anniversary of your late mother's death, kneeling for half an hour at a time. Li Xuanjing is not as filial to his own mother as Xuanzhi is. He is a cold-hearted and indifferent person. Just let him be. As long as he is happy."

A big question mark gradually appeared in Li Xuanzhi's mind.

Is my own mother really this brave?

Does this mean she feels her own son has risen up, and she's finally stood up for herself, daring to speak ill of Li Xuanjing in front of Li Dehai?

However, to be fair, what Zhang said was indeed the truth.

Li Xuanjing resented his mother, Zhang, for taking his mother's position as wife, yet he showed no concern for his mother's image enshrined in the ancestral hall. He was indeed a contradictory and ruthless person.

"Alright! Xuanzhi finally came back, why are you bringing up these old, tired things!"

Zhang scoffed, "My son is successful now. Don't you know how humble we were before, and why we always had to compromise? Now that we finally have a chance to hold our heads high, you won't let us get our revenge and save face?"

Zhang seemed to have thought of something, her eyes darted around, and then she gave Li Dehai a rather disdainful look.

"If you don't like my son and me, you can just give me a divorce agreement. My son is all grown up now, and I'll go wherever he goes. I'll never set foot in your mansion again."

Does she really covet the position of the second wife of the Marquis of Cheng'en?

Li Dehai couldn't stand it anymore; he simply couldn't respond to that.

If he stays here any longer and says the wrong thing, will Zhang personally write a letter of divorce for him, the Earl of Cheng'en?

"I have official business to attend to, so I'll head to my study first. You two can catch up. Xuanzhi, come to my study later; I have something to tell you."

Li Xuanzhi neither nodded nor replied.

Since he would be leaving the capital soon anyway, he wanted to take this opportunity to chat with his mother. As for his father, once the imperial decree came down ordering him to return to Pingzhou immediately, would he, as a father, dare to disobey the decree? Would he drag him to his study?

Just by looking at Li Dehai still dreaming of his two sons being like brothers and like one big family, you can tell that what he's saying is definitely something you don't want to hear.

Rather than getting more annoyed after hearing it, it's better to just ignore what he said and pretend you didn't hear it.

When the unwelcome Li Dehai finally disappeared, Zhang's smile deepened.

"Just ignore him, treat him like a fart. I heard you've returned to Beijing. Your maternal grandfather's family sent their visiting cards a long time ago, and they should be here with your cousin in about fifteen minutes. It's a good time for you to get to know each other, since you're not getting any younger."

Li Xuanzhi's mind went blank again.

cousin?

Within the entire Great Yong Dynasty right now, there are far too many cases of cousins ​​getting married.

My maternal grandfather's cousin was, in my memory, a fair-skinned and pleasing girl. But Li Xuanzhi was a soul from the future, and he knew all too well how many problems could arise from children born after marriage between blood relatives.

The key is……

How old am I anyway?

If this were in the future, they'd still be struggling with endless high school exam questions!

They start looking for girls at such a young age, get married and have children early, no wonder they all die young.

"Mother, there's no rush. My career is just starting. I'll wait until I've worked hard enough and people only know me as Lord Li Xuanzhi, and not as the second young master of the Marquis of Chengen's mansion, before I get married."

Let's skip close relatives.

Even though Li Xuanzhi does have a habit of liking beautiful women, he doesn't just grab every beautiful woman he can get his hands on.