Old Master Li led everyone outside. When they saw Qiao An, their hearts sank.
“Qiao An.” Old Master Li was puzzled. “Your mother has already left. You should let her be buried in peace. If you have any grievances, tell me. I’ll uphold justice for you.”
“Li Zecheng killed my mother. I want his life in exchange. Grandpa, can you uphold justice?” Qiao An said coldly.
Old Master Li said awkwardly, “Qiao An, I’ve already heard about Zecheng and your mother. Zecheng is indeed responsible for this matter, but it’s not to the extent of exchanging a life for a life.”
When Father Qiao saw the culprit behind Mother Qiao’s death, Li Zecheng, he was furious. He picked up the weapon beside him and slashed at Li Zecheng.
Li Xiaoran stopped Father Qiao.
“Uncle, today is Auntie’s funeral. Let her rest in peace and have a good journey. You can vent your unhappiness on my nephew after sending Auntie off, okay?”
Hearing Li Xiaoran’s advice, Father Qiao threw away the weapon in his hand. He glared at Li Zecheng angrily, wishing he could stab him into a sieve.
Li Zecheng stood at the side timidly, looking at Qiao An.
However, he realized that Qiao An’s eyes were dull, as if he had been stunned.
Li Zecheng had mixed feelings.
He had once hated Qiao An, who was always targeting him and scheming against him. But now, after feeling Qiao An’s pain, his conscience was tortured.
Old Master Li came out to uphold justice. “Dad Qiao, I know my grandson has let Qiao An down, but there are many couples in marriage whose feelings have changed. Must you take revenge on Li Zecheng in such a fierce way?”
“Hmph.” Father Qiao grunted in anger.
“Yes, yes, yes. The Li family can compensate Qiao An. In-law. Why must we make it so that both sides suffer?” Li Zecheng’s father said.
Father Qiao said angrily, “She’s dead. What’s the use of your money? Get lost. You’re not welcome here.”
Old Master Li berated Li Zecheng, “Hurry up and kneel down to your father-in-law. Tell your father-in-law, what should your future with Qiao An be?”
Li Zecheng knelt down shakily and looked at Qiao An carefully. There was guilt and unwillingness on his face as he said, “Father-in-law, I admit that I didn’t care enough about Qiao An. I admit that I was a little close to Wei Xin and caused Qiao An to misunderstand. However, your daughter isn’t someone to be trifled with. She exaggerated my relationship with Wei Xin and posted it on social media. She ruined my career. In the end, I was sincere to her. Let’s end this relationship.”
Mr. Qiao was furious. “Li Zecheng, don’t slander me. My An An loves you so much that she dreams of marrying you. If you hadn’t gone too far, how could she have personally destroyed the happiness she dreamed of?”
The more Father Qiao spoke, the angrier he became. He picked up his weapon and wanted to cut Li Zecheng.
“Do you think you’re some royal prince? Let me tell you today, my An An doesn’t care about a wolf like you. If you want a divorce, it’s my An AN who calls the shots.You’re not worthy.”
Qiao An suddenly raised her head and glared at Old Master Li. “Grandpa, either you let your grandson exchange his life for what he did, or I’ll send the news of him cheating and beating his mother-in-law to death in the street to the police station. Think about it.”
Li Zecheng roared, “Qiao An, I just pushed your mother. Her death has nothing to do with me. Why should I be responsible?”
Li Xiaoran said faintly, “Li Zecheng, it’s not up to you to decide if it’s related or not. It’s up to the forensic doctor. If it weren’t for you, Mother Qiao might have survived.”
Li Zecheng’s face was as pale as paper.
Old Master Li’s face immediately stiffened. He said weakly, “Send your mother to the funeral parlor. I’ll let Zecheng bow every three steps along the way to comfort her soul in heaven. How about that?”
How could Third Madam bear to see her son kneel? She immediately complained, “Dad, Qiao An’s mother is a critical patient. Even if Zecheng didn’t push her that day, she would have died.”
The old man suddenly slapped Third Madam and said angrily, “You didn’t teach your son well. Kneel with your son and apologize to your in-law.”
Li Zecheng and the Third Madam looked at the old man in shock. They couldn’t believe that the old man would punish them so severely. It was a long journey from here to the funeral parlor. How embarrassing would it be?
However, the old man remained unmoved.
Li Zecheng and the Third Madam looked at Qiao An for help, but Qiao An’s face was colder than Asura. She glared at him as if he wanted to cut him into pieces.
Qiao An thought for a moment. Actually, before coming here, she had consulted a lawyer if her mother’s death could bring Li Zecheng to justice. The lawyer said that her mother’s death was due to an illness and not directly caused by Li Zecheng. Therefore, it was difficult to bring him to justice.
It was a little comfort to her mother to embarrass him now.
She got up and helped her mother into the hearse.
Then she walked slowly in the direction of the funeral home.
Li Zecheng and the Third Madam followed behind like stray dogs. They knelt every few steps and kowtowed. Their actions were too strange, so many people turned around to look at them.
It was four hours later when they arrived at the funeral home.
Third Madam and Li Zecheng’s clothes were dirty and their hair was messy, like beggars.
The funeral parlor held a simple farewell ceremony for Mother Qiao. Father Qiao found Li Xiaoran and asked Li Xiaoran for help in embarrassment. “Xiaoran, look at my An An. She has suffered a blow and has become so silly. I’m worried that she will cause trouble when she sends her mother off. So can you help escort her mother.”
Li Xiaoran accepted it readily. “Alright, Father Qiao.”
Just like that, Li Xiaoran pulled the dazed Qiao An along to escort Mother Qiao’s wooden coffin.
They looked more like husband and wife.
Li Zecheng saw Li Xiaoran and Qiao An’s interlocked hands and felt inexplicably unhappy.
After cremating Mother Qiao, Old Master invited Father Qiao and Qiao An to a separate room to discuss Li Zecheng and Qiao An’s follow-up with a few elders of the Li family.
The old man said, “Father Qiao, to be honest, among my many in-laws, I admire Qiao An the most. This child is smart, independent, and loves charity. She’s the model daughter-in-law of a wealthy family. I hope Qiao An can stay. I promise you that she’ll be Li Zecheng’s only wife for the rest of her life.”
Dad Qiao said dejectedly, “A family like yours has nothing but money. You’re not worthy of a scholarly family like ours. My Qiao An doesn’t have to marry low-class grandchildren like yours.”
Li Zecheng had been traumatized by Qiao An recently. He resisted strongly. “Grandpa, I want to divorce Qiao An.”
Qiao An said coldly, “I can’t wait.”
Just as she finished speaking, Qiao An suddenly vomited.