Chapter 116
Aunt Wang was murmuring to Li Yao's ear. He was now used to Aunt Wang's nagging and complaining, allowing it to go in one ear and out the other. Turning his head, he saw Auntie Mei sitting in the corridor sewing clothes.
He remembered from his previous life how Auntie Mei would often sit by the window and sew clothes for him. Aunt Wang followed Li Yao's gaze to Auntie Mei and said, "What are you looking at her for? She can't bear sons and only knows how to cater to the Lady. She's useless."
"Auntie, hungry," Li Yao said in a childish manner, not wanting to hear Aunt Wang speak ill of Auntie Mei. He was just over two years old and easily got hungry. Aunt Wang didn't suspect that he was trying to divert her attention.
"Little Fourth is hungry. Stay put and don't run around. I'll have someone make egg porridge for you," Aunt Wang called for someone to prepare egg porridge in the kitchen. At the same time, she muttered about how inconvenient it was living on Osmanthus Alley, and how life was better in Liuzhou.
In Liuzhou, she lived in a courtyard with her two children. Since Li Yao was young, a small kitchen was specially built in the courtyard. She could cook whatever she wanted to eat. But now, living in a side house, they had to go to the main kitchen for everything, and with the family fortune donated, their food quality had declined a lot.
Her son could only have egg porridge when he was hungry, with no delicacies. Aunt Wang really wanted to return to Liuzhou. As she brought the egg porridge back to the room, Aunt Wang couldn't help but give Auntie Mei a sideways glance.
Auntie Mei was bewildered by Aunt Wang's look. Li Shan had just recovered, and now Aunt Wang was acting strange again. She couldn't figure it out, so she decided not to dwell on it. Aunt Wang disliked her, and she disliked Aunt Wang too.
Putting down her needlework, Auntie Mei took out a letter from the bottom of her sewing basket. She started to walk into the room but stepped back twice. She paced back and forth outside for a while before finally deciding to go in.
Li Xia teased Auntie Mei, "You finally deigned to come into the room." Auntie Mei had been pacing outside for half an hour.
Auntie Mei handed the letter to Li Xia. Li Xia opened and read the contents. It was from Auntie Mei's brother, informing them that they were safe. After being exonerated, they planned to return to the Capital City but encountered Prince YongKang's rebellion on the way.
The two brothers from the Xu Family discussed and decided that with their circumstances, it would be difficult to study for the imperial examinations again. So instead of returning to the Capital City, they decided to follow Lu XuanNing to Liuzhou to quell the rebellion and accumulate military merits to pursue an official career.
Over the years, the two had become skilled in martial arts and fought in battles as military households on the border. The Xu brothers had their own abilities, and Lu XuanNing was willing to promote them. In this rebellion, they fought bravely and were both awarded sixth-rank official positions. With official ranks, they could provide a better life for their sister/sister-in-law. They wanted to redeem Auntie Mei and restore her status as a daughter of the Xu Family.
Upon receiving the letter, Auntie Mei felt both happy and hesitant. She was glad that the Xu Family had been exonerated and her brothers had official ranks for a better life. But she was hesitant about leaving the Li Family. The thought of leaving Li Xia behind was unbearable for Auntie Mei.
Although Auntie Mei often complained about Li Xia, she was her own daughter. How could she leave her alone in the Li Family? But taking Li Xia with her was also impossible.
After reading the letter, Li Xia understood Auntie Mei's dilemma. "Auntie, whatever decision you make, I support you. Don't worry about me; with Mother around, I'll be fine."
"How can a mother abandon her child?" Auntie Mei stroked Li Xia's head, filled with reluctance. But her words also indicated that she wanted to return to the Xu Family.
"You don't need to worry about me. I can live well anywhere," Li Xia tried to reassure Auntie Mei, hoping this woman who had suffered for half her life could live with more dignity.
In the Li Family, Li Xia didn't feel that anyone would mistreat her. Mrs. Lu recognized her abilities, and Li Hui and Li Xin treated her well. As for Li Shan and Aunt Wang, Li Xia never cared about them. Auntie An only cared about her two sons and didn't pay attention to Li Xia, the concubine's daughter. Thinking about it, Li Xia felt that her life in the Li Family was quite relaxed.
Listening to Li Xia's analysis, Auntie Mei felt both heartbroken and distressed. Heartbroken at her lack of ability, and distressed by Li Xia's maturity. She silently blamed herself for her incompetence, which had forced Li Xia to grow up too soon.
"Auntie, have you discussed this with Mother?" Auntie Mei would need Mrs. Lu and Li Ming's consent and a divorce letter to leave.
"No, I haven't told the Lady," Auntie Mei shook her head. When she received the letter, her first thought was about Li Xia.
"Auntie, you should discuss it with Mother. Father's consent is needed for the divorce letter," Li Ming was currently in Liuzhou, and as a proud man, he might not be willing to grant the divorce letter. However, Li Xia believed Mrs. Lu could persuade Li Ming.
"I'll consider it further," Auntie Mei said before returning to her room to contemplate.
Li Hui's excellent second-place result in the imperial examination made Mrs. Lu overjoyed. She had a basket of copper coins brought out, giving a handful to each visitor offering congratulations. The servants also received double rewards.
Li Hui returned late, greeted Mrs. Lu, and then went to his room to rest. After ten years of arduous study, he had finally achieved his goal. The exhausted Li Hui could finally immerse himself in joy.
The next day, Mrs. Lu and Li Hui discussed holding a banquet. The newly purchased residence on Qingyue Street was being urgently renovated. Mrs. Lu intended to host a celebration banquet after moving there.
"Mother, I don't want to hold it now. Father is still toiling in Liuzhou, and we don't know when he'll be able to join us in the Capital City. I want to wait until Father arrives and our family is reunited before holding the banquet."
Li Hui's words pleased Mrs. Lu. "Then we won't have a grand celebration. In a few days, we'll move to the new residence on Qingyue Street. At that time, we can invite your grandmother, uncles, and any close friends of yours to warm up the new house."
"Alright, I'll follow Mother's wishes," Li Hui didn't refuse further. It was customary to invite relatives and friends to warm up a new home.
Auntie Mei and Li Xia were packing their belongings together. They didn't realize how much they had accumulated until they started packing. They had only brought four trunks, including those of their maids, when they first arrived in the Capital City. Now, they couldn't fit everything into eight large trunks, with three trunks filled with Li Xia's carved artworks.
Li Hui had been selling Li Xia's miniature carvings under the name "New Wind." Since there wasn't much space at home, Li Xia didn't make large pieces. Instead, she focused on miniature carvings, which required more skill.
Li Xia's delicate carvings were very popular. Li Hui controlled the quantity sold each month, making them a rare commodity.
After packing everything up, Qiu Chan carried a box in each arm to the entrance to load into the carriage. Qiu Chan's strength showed itself better at times like this. Several maidservants were no match for one Qiu Chan.
The new residence was on Qingyue Street, with five courtyards. This area was mostly inhabited by officials of low rank. It was a bit far from the main city area, but the advantage was the spacious grounds.
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