I was divorced because I got pregnant during the lean years, so I went back to my parents’ home and

Fang Shunxing was so frightened that his legs went limp and he shook his arms in panic.

Ji Xiaobei took out a piece of material from the space with his other hand and held it in front of him.

"Uncle Fang, this material was made by your family, right?" Ji Xiaobei loosened his grip.

Fang Shunxing coughed and was about to resist.

Ji Xiaobei exerted another bit of strength.

Fang Shunxing's face flushed and he nodded vigorously.

Ji Xiaobei raised his leg and kicked him in the lower body, and the strength in his hands loosened.

"Cough cough cough..."

“Plop”…

Fang Shunxing fell to the ground.

Ji Xiaobei raised his foot and stepped on the back of his neck.

"Tell me, what's going on?"

Fang Shunxing explained the matter in a disjointed manner.

He met a young man in Liuxianglou, who introduced him to a business, asking him to make a batch of cloth on his behalf. He was given samples and asked to make the cloth according to the samples, but his father had limited skills and could not do it.

The young man said, it’s okay, there will be someone to guide you.

So Shunxingzhai made this batch of materials under that person's guidance.

His father disagreed, saying that although the material looked nice, it was useless and he could not take this business.

But he had already received the deposit and lost it all.

After the work was done, the young man left with the cloth, and returned it two days later, insisting that their work was not up to standard and he would not pay the balance.

So he returned the leftover material to Shunxingzhai.

His father just sold the leftover material.

But I still can’t pay the money for purchasing the goods.

So Shunxingzhai closed down.

Ji Xiaobei kicked him and cursed in his heart: What a prodigal son!

The small workshop his father had run for decades was ruined by him.

"Where is that young master?" Ji Xiaobei asked.

Fang Shunxing, who was lying on the ground, howled like a ghost: "Grandma, I really don't know. I'm also looking for that young master. He hasn't paid the balance for my family yet!"

After Ji Xiaobei learned about the young man's appearance, he went back to find the madam.

The madam's mouth was quickly pried open using silver and a knife.

"We can't afford to offend Mr. Lin. I heard he is someone close to the noble..."

The madam whispered something in Ji Xiaobei's ear while trembling.

……

Ji Xiaobei came out of Liuxianglou with a solemn look...

She drove Ji Decai all the way to Zheng Dafu.

"Sister, you are right. If this Princess Qing is here to cause trouble, it's all my fault... Last time I applied her powder and got a rash, it wasn't intentional..."

Jiaojiao felt both guilty and regretful.

"That cosmetic is from the Zhang family shop, it should be fine since it was given by Princess Qing.

Princess Qing is here to cause trouble on purpose. As our business grows bigger, it will always infringe on the interests of others. Normal competition among peers is understandable. If Princess Qing is deliberately framing me, I don’t agree.”

Ji Xiaobei said coldly.

Jiaojiao quickly advised her: "Sister, we dare not offend Princess Qing. I heard that she is arrogant in the capital, and many dignitaries are trying to curry favor with her. Although the crown prince has not been appointed yet, the chances of the Qing prince winning are very high!"

"Indeed, we can't afford to offend the royal family, but we have to reason with them. We've suffered a loss this time, and they will be even more aggressive next time..."

Ji Xiaobei made up his mind to find that Master Lin and get to the bottom of it.

When Fu Jichang heard that something happened in Ji Xiaobei's textile workshop, he asked Xuyou to find out who did it and why he did so.

Fu Jichang's face has almost recovered, and he has been going to the government office to handle official business these days.

The housekeeper Ah Huang came to him in a panic and said that the old lady was sick.

Fu Jichang put down what he was doing and hurried back home.

The court doctor said that the dry weather made the old lady restless, and coupled with her lack of rest, she became weak and fell ill. The old lady might not have much time left, and it would be good if she could survive this winter.

Fu Jichang's nose felt sore. The old lady was getting old, and it would be a matter of time before she came to this.

But he still couldn't accept it.

Nanny Zhang took Fu Jichang to the side room.

Aunt Zhang said with red eyes: "Sir, since the two children left, the old lady has been restless, eats less, and is in a bad mood. She often talks about Guo'er and Zheng'er..."

Fu Jichang: After the window paper between her and Ji Xiaobei was broken, she must be scared, afraid that Fu's family would snatch her child away.

Given her temperament, she was unwilling to accept any favor from others.

He planned to find Ji Xiaobei in person and ask her to continue taking care of his grandmother for a while.

This sounds a bit shameless.

But he really had no choice because his grandmother liked Ji Xiaobei.

The two children can bring great spiritual comfort to their grandmother.

Maybe the old lady could hold on a little longer.

He rode Ma Debiao straight to Zhengguo Manor.

The two children were very excited to see Fu Jichang and pulled his hand to let him into the house.

Ji Xiaobei could only follow the children into the house.

Fu Jichang took out a string of beads from his pocket and put it on Guoguo's head. Guoguo happily went to the maid to show it off.

I just got a tin frog and I lay on the ground with my butt sticking up and playing with it.

Ji Xiaobei: Okay, you guys go ahead and have fun, I have nothing to do here!

Ji Xiaobei felt uncomfortable all over when she saw Fu Jichang, and she stood up and wanted to escape.

"Xiaobei! I have something to say to you..." Fu Jichang had a lump in his throat and he had to say something.

Seeing this, the little maid quickly carried Zhengzheng out and closed the door.

Ji Xiaobei coughed lightly and glanced at Fu Jichang's face. Fortunately, no trace was left and he was as handsome as before.

Fu Jichang also sat down, and said with guilt and self-blame:

"Xiaobei, I apologize to you for what I did. I made you suffer a lot of pain and hurt. I also feel guilty towards the two children. Don't worry, the children are yours. I won't take them away. I just hope I can come visit them occasionally..."

Ji Xiaobei looked up at Fu Jichang's melancholy and helpless eyes and was shocked. What happened?

Since I met Fu Jichang, I have never seen him so helpless.

"Did Mrs. Fu ask you to come?" Ji Xiaobei asked tentatively.

Fu Jichang shook his head.

"She is sick. The court doctor said that she might not make it to the New Year..." Fu Jichang mustered up the courage to say these words. His eyes felt warm and he turned his head away in a hurry.

Ji Xiaobei had heard about Fu Jichang's life experience. He lost his mother when he was a teenager, and his father died in the line of duty when he was just an adult.

When his father died, he was unable to see him for the last time.

Ji Xiaobei felt a little sorry for the man in front of him.

She said in a gentler tone, "Old Madam Fu is blessed by fate. What the court doctor says may not be right. You should take good care of her for the time being. I will take the children back to see her in the next few days!"

Fu Jichang pleaded, "Xiaobei, I want to ask you for a favor. Can you take the children back and live in Mingyi Lane for another half a year? After the Chinese New Year, you can come back whenever you want, okay?"