After I awakened my inner voice, I became the treasure of my family.

Chapter 68 The Persistent Rumors about the Li Family

Thinking of this, Jiang Mianmian put on a big smile and moved closer to her daughter-in-law. She asked curiously, "Tingxue, has your father managed to coax your mother well lately?"

Li Tingxue gently shook her head, sighed helplessly, and said:

"Oh dear! Don't even mention it. I don't know why, but my father, who usually seems like a very shrewd person, has no idea why my mother is so angry with him. With such a muddle-headed appearance, how can he possibly make my mother happy!"

Actually, the reason her mother is so angry now is not because she is angry that her father was deliberately framed.

After all, no one in this world has two pairs of eyes, one in the front and one in the back, and it's inevitable to make mistakes occasionally.

What truly infuriated her mother was that her father had kept such a huge matter a secret from her for so many years. If it weren't for her mother-in-law...

"Sigh! No wonder your mother is so angry and upset. If your mother hadn't found out about this, your father might have really kept it from her for the rest of his life!"

Jiang Mianmian looked helpless and speechless. She pursed her lips and then said, "It's all thanks to your mother's shrewdness that she was able to thoroughly investigate this matter!"

Otherwise, with your father's attitude, he'd probably be unwittingly raising someone else's adopted son for life! Hmph, in my opinion, your father brought this on himself; he deserves it!

Li Tingxue: "..."

After hearing her mother-in-law's words, she was at a loss for words and could only remain silent.

She sighed inwardly, "Alas! If they hadn't overheard my mother-in-law's thoughts, this matter would have been much harder to resolve!"

Just then, Li Tingxue noticed that Jiang Mianmian had already eaten quite a few sunflower seeds, so she immediately showed her clever, obedient, and perceptive side.

She quickly took her mother-in-law's teacup, then naturally picked up the teapot, and enthusiastically filled her mother-in-law's teacup, saying with a smile:

"Mother, your daughter-in-law has eaten so many melon seeds, you must be very thirsty, right? Come, come, have some tea to soothe your throat!"

Seeing this, Jiang Mianmian didn't stand on ceremony with her daughter-in-law at all. She picked up the teacup generously and took two sips of the fragrant and pleasant tea.

Although she was still a little puzzled by her daughter-in-law's sudden attentiveness and flattery towards her these days, she did not expose her or continue to ask questions on the spot.

Jiang Mianmian chuckled. Since she now had a daughter-in-law serving her wholeheartedly, why should she bother to dig deeper?

Just enjoy this rare treatment! Who knows when your daughter-in-law might suddenly change her mind and stop talking to you?

So, while she still has the chance to enjoy it, she should take advantage of being waited on by her daughter-in-law as much as possible!

Thinking of this, Jiang Mianmian couldn't help but show a smug smile on her face. She leaned back in her chair with even more ease and contentment, savoring this warm and pleasant moment.

Just as the two were chatting enthusiastically, they suddenly heard footsteps outside the courtyard. They immediately turned around and saw Shen Xiuyan walking quickly toward them.

His appearance instantly changed the previously relaxed and pleasant atmosphere, because they could see from Shen Xiuyan's expression that he was not very happy, so something must have happened.

Sure enough, after Shen Xiuyan sat down, he brought them some shocking bad news. It turned out that Meng Yuheng had been drinking with a group of cronies, and when he got drunk, he started to talk nonsense and make outrageous statements.

Fueled by alcohol, he revealed the "truth," claiming that he was actually his father-in-law's biological son, but his father-in-law had always refused to acknowledge his identity.

Not only that, he kept shouting and emphasizing that he was clearly a member of the Li family, but now he could only bear the title of a merchant's son...

This news was like a bombshell, spreading rapidly throughout Beijing.

It is worth noting that rumors had already circulated a few days earlier that Meng Zigao's wife was immoral and unchaste, and that she had even had an affair with a high-ranking official surnamed Li, and had given birth to a child named Meng Yuheng of unknown origin.

Now, Meng Yuheng's drunken ravings have undoubtedly confirmed the previous rumors, making the whole incident even more confusing.

"what?"

Upon hearing this, Li Tingxue's face flushed red with anger, her eyes burning with fury, and she shouted angrily:

"That mad dog Meng Yuheng knows perfectly well that he is not my father's biological son, yet he still has the nerve to spout nonsense and spread lies outside. He is truly a shameless person!"

Thinking of this, Li Tingxue wished she could rush to Meng Yuheng's side immediately, slap him hard across the face, make him spew filth and talk nonsense, and make him pay the price for his arrogance and ignorance.

"Hmph, this shameless bastard, doesn't he have a father to call himself? Why does he have to cling to someone else's father like this?" Li Tingxue cursed through gritted teeth.

Looking at his wife's angry face, Shen Xiuyan said helplessly, "In my opinion, he did it on purpose. He probably wanted to use public opinion to force my father-in-law to acknowledge his identity!"

I wonder if this idea came to him on his own, or if it was a solution he, his family of three came up with together?

…………

In the spacious and bright study of the Li residence, Father Li and his eldest son sat facing each other, discussing how to deal with the situation.

Li Xingzhou felt his head buzzing. His wife was not only seriously ill and bedridden, but she was also recently arguing with him about a divorce, and she wanted to take their daughter with her after the divorce.

They've been arguing about this for days, but his wife's attitude is unusually firm, leaving him feeling utterly exhausted.

Meanwhile, the affairs of the Li family were spreading like wildfire throughout the city, and he also had to clean up the mess left by his father.

Not only that, but these days, the tense relationship between his parents sometimes requires him to mediate, which really puts him in a bind and leaves him with no time to spare!

But his outspoken younger brother became his biggest headache.

This younger brother, who had always been closest to Meng Yuheng, was completely brainwashed and deceived. Even now, he remains stubbornly convinced of the true nature of the Meng family.

Li Xingzhou was so angry that his teeth itched, wishing he could beat him up to wake him up. He cursed inwardly, "What an idiot!"

But in the end, reason prevailed, and he had no choice but to find a way to have his younger brother taken away for a while, lest this reckless fellow cause any more trouble.

Now that the matter is already widely known, there's no point in trying to cover it up anymore. It would only make people think that what the Meng family said was true.

After careful consideration and weighing the pros and cons, the father and son made a bold decision—to embellish the events of that day and immediately spread the news.

As the saying goes, it's better to guide than to block; perhaps this approach can resolve the current crisis. In this way, the rumors and gossip might gradually shift in their favor.

Although his father might be the butt of jokes among his colleagues for a while, at least no one would take the opportunity to impeach him.

At this moment, Mr. Li sat quietly at his desk, watching his eldest son's departing figure disappear through the doorway.

He turned his head slightly, his gaze falling on the butler standing to the side, and asked, "Have the families of the two deceased been confirmed to have all left the capital safely?"

Upon hearing Mr. Li's question, the butler quickly stepped forward, nodded respectfully, and replied in a similarly low voice:

"Reporting to your master, I have made all the arrangements. I have specially found reliable people to escort the two families to their respective destinations. Moreover, all the men sent by Meng Zigao have been eliminated."

Actually, the two people we were looking for were already in very poor health and were seriously ill and not long for life. Otherwise, they wouldn't have died after eating a few poisonous mushrooms.

Right now, both families have not only received a high compensation from Meng Zigao, but also extra money from our household. This wealth is enough for them to live a life free from worries about food and clothing.

Therefore, they are extremely grateful to our Li family. However, until now, they do not know that it was we who were advising them behind the scenes.

Father Li nodded in satisfaction. He trusted the housekeeper's abilities. "I reckon that guy surnamed Meng is going to run away with his wife and children. Don't forget to tell Pan Ranyue to see him off. It's a long way, and his wife can't be left behind."

Father Li nodded with a satisfied smile; he trusted his steward's abilities. He narrowed his eyes slightly, seemingly lost in thought, and said:

"Judging from the situation these days, and considering that scoundrel surnamed Meng is selling his shop and house, he's probably planning to run away with his mistress and child."

"Butler, remember this: when the time is right, don't forget to inform Pan Ranyue to see him off. The journey is long and arduous; I don't know if I'll ever see Pan Ranyue again. She should at least see him off."

Upon hearing this, the butler immediately put on a fawning smile and nodded hurriedly, replying, "Yes, sir, please rest assured! I will definitely handle this matter properly."

After saying this, the butler bowed and left.