Divorced woman with child travels through time

"Oh, your yarn is so pretty! Where did you buy it?" Li Baozhu looked around and spoke of other things, her meaning clear.

Zhao Qi sighed, pulled her into his arms. Well, he would find her parents eventually and take her as his wife.

The carriage sped into the Prince's mansion. That night, naturally, they indulged in passionate lovemaking under the hibiscus quilt. After Zhao Qi woke up, he looked at Li Baozhu's sleeping face and felt very satisfied. He suddenly felt that the nearly one-month wait was worthwhile.

Zhao Qi tucked the blanket around her, got up early, arranged for someone to find out where her home was so he could take her in as soon as possible, and then went out to work.

In the inner courtyard of the Prince's mansion, after the young maid finished recounting what had happened and learned that Zhao Qi had left from the other courtyard, Liang Qingmei tore her handkerchief to shreds. A sliver of reason and the decorum of a well-bred young lady reminded her not to erupt in curses. However, she couldn't restrain herself. Her trembling finger pointed at the other courtyard, and she asked Liu Mama, who had married into the mansion with her, with a look of grievance, "Doesn't he find it dirty? Huh? And he's from that place? He even brought him back here."

Liang Qingmei hugged her arms and slowly squatted down, saying painfully, "I can't stand it, it's disgusting, so disgusting..."

Madam Liu looked at her young mistress with a pained expression. "Sister Mei, don't worry. Men are all fickle. Qi-ge'er is just indulging in something new. He'll be fine in a few days. That's how it is. Didn't our master buy a virgin girl before?"

Liang Qingmei raised her head, tears streaming down her face. "It's different, Aunt Liu. This woman is the one he brought in a month ago. She's different. For the past month, he hasn't stepped into my doorstep once. He's been waiting for her. What's wrong with me? Why does he dislike me so much?"

Mother Liu put her arm around her shoulder and said, "Don't cry and hurt your eyes. Don't worry, if that's the case, then we can't keep her. Don't worry, Sister Mei, I'll handle it."

"Waaah... Aunt Liu, I'm so upset. Please come back with me to see my mother." Liang Qingmei cried miserably, clutching her arms. "Okay..." Aunt Liu helped her back to her room, immediately called over her trusted maid and gave her a few instructions, and then asked around to find someone to help her, so that she could make arrangements when the opportunity arose.

Soon, the opportunity came. Li Baozhu had been at the Zhao residence for more than half a month, and her interest in Zhao Qi had waned. When she was extremely bored, she was plotting how to escape from the residence again. Zhao Qi also found out that Li Baozhu was Li Qingshan's sister. This was perfect. He asked someone to bring an invitation to Li Qingshan to a banquet, prepared a large table of food and wine, and made a special statement that he and Li Baozhu were in love and asked him to come and witness it.

Li Qingshan came over with a livid face. Seeing the intimate posture of the two, he knew everything.

Zhao Qi didn't care. He'd always been like that; he'd get what he wanted. He raised his glass to toast him, saying, "Qingshan's here. Come, come, let's drink. What a coincidence! I didn't even know she was your sister."

Li Qingshan felt very aggrieved, but reluctantly drank the wine without saying a word.

Li Baozhu rarely saw her brother so angry. Even when she had acted recklessly in the past, she had never looked so upset. Li Baozhu leaned closer to him in a conciliatory manner and smiled awkwardly, saying, "Brother, actually, I don't really want to stay here either."

Zhao Qi instantly flew into a rage. "Baozhu, what nonsense are you talking about? We've already been intimate, so I'll take responsibility. Qingshan, don't worry, I've already chosen an auspicious day, and I'll be bringing her into the family soon."

Li Qingshan looked at Li Baozhu, and finally bowed to Zhao Qi, saying, "General, may I have a few private words with Baozhu? She is my only sister."

Zhao Qi replied somewhat reluctantly, "Fine, you two can chat. But you know my personality, so you should try to persuade Baozhu. She won't suffer if she follows me." With that, he left, leaving the brother and sister behind.

As soon as Zhao Qi left, Li Baozhu couldn't wait to explain, "Brother, he brought me back. I didn't want to be a concubine. I was having a lot of fun on my own. He just wouldn't let me leave."

"You...you..." Li Qingshan said with exasperation, "How did you get involved with him? He's a man who's determined to get what he wants. He's been arrogant since he was a child. Your brother has worked under him for so many years, what doesn't he know?"

Li Baozhu was dumbfounded and said, "Then what should we do? I don't want to hang myself from a tree for a man like him!"

"Pah, pah, pah..." Li Qingshan still felt sorry for his sister and earnestly advised, "Why don't you play with him for a while? When he gets tired of you, he will naturally let you go, and then we'll talk about it." Li Qingshan touched her and looked at her expensive gold and silver jewelry. "It's obvious that he treats you well. If possible, you can marry him."

"I don't want to. Why would I marry him? My shop in Suzhou is profitable. Why would I bother living under his thumb?" Li Baozhu pouted, unconvinced.

"Sigh!" Li Qingshan sighed and said solemnly, "Life is naturally more comfortable without marriage. Fine, you are my only family. If you really want to leave, I will definitely find a way to send you away. But after you leave, you don't need to contact me anymore, and you must never contact me again, understand?"

"Brother, how could I not contact you?" Li Baozhu was so anxious that tears welled up in her eyes.

“Baozhu, he is a general, albeit in name only. We cannot afford to offend him, understand?” A trace of vicissitude appeared on Li Qingshan’s handsome but thin face as he anxiously explained.

Li Baozhu looked at his expression, paused for a moment, and then suddenly seemed to understand her own willfulness. She nodded and said seriously, "Brother, I understand. Don't worry."

"Sigh!" Li Qingshan patted her head and said nothing more. After a while, Zhao Qi came in, sat down, took a sip of wine, and then said, "Well? Qingshan, have you decided? If there are no problems, ten days from now is an auspicious day, and I will have someone bring her home. What do you think?"

Li Qingshan replied, "General, let Baozhu decide this matter herself. As her brother, I respect her choice."

Zhao Qi smiled with satisfaction, "That's excellent."

Li Baozhu interjected, "How about we set the date for the 28th of next month? Although it's about taking a concubine, I'm not someone who can be easily dealt with. I want everything I'm entitled to."

Zhao Qi was overjoyed. "Okay, okay, whatever you want, I'll give it to you." With the matter settled, Zhao Qi was extremely happy. He pulled Li Qingshan to drink. Although Li Baozhu wasn't a big drinker, she was playful and fearless. She played drinking games with Zhao Qi and knew all the tricks. Zhao Qi was even happier and pulled her into his arms. Li Baozhu struggled to get out and teamed up with Li Qingshan to trick Zhao Qi into drinking. But Zhao Qi was very clever and played the games well. After drinking for a while, all three of them got drunk and played around. Eventually, all three of them slumped onto the bed.

Zhao Qi still retained a sliver of consciousness. He called over a maid and helped Li Baozhu into the inner room. He then asked someone to heat up the floor heater and covered Li Qingshan with a blanket before going to rest himself.