During this time, Li Rouniang and her children received various dresses and jewelry from the steward of the Liu family, a sight that filled them with trepidation.
Not only that, but they also sent monthly allowances, which the steward said were the same as those for the young masters and gentlemen in the mansion. They were truly being raised like young ladies from noble families.
This made Li Rouniang, who had to think about how to make money every day, truly appreciate the beauty of a peaceful life. However, she also felt somewhat apprehensive, perhaps because even though she was now living in the Liu family mansion, she didn't feel a strong sense of belonging.
Old Madam Liu was kind to all her children and treated them very well. Even though she knew that Xiaoshan was not Rou Niang's son, she also knew about Mo Bei.
"Come, come, did Rou Niang sleep well last night?" Old Madam Liu asked with a smile, pulling Li Rou Niang along.
Li Rouniang nodded: "Everything is fine."
Grandma Liu continued, "I have some fine pearls here. I was thinking of making some pearl jewelry for you, and also some for the children."
As she spoke, Granny Zhao opened a box. Li Rou Niang saw that each one was round and fair, and very large in size, clearly worth a fortune.
Li Rouniang felt that this was too precious. This one piece was worth a year's worth of food for them in their previous life.
You should know that such pearls are extremely rare and hard to come by, yet Madam Liu actually wanted to use this whole box to make jewelry for herself and her children. She really felt a little unworthy of it.
After comforting Li Rouniang, Madam Liu continued, "Ruanruan, it's like this. I've already spoken with the clan, and in a few days we'll be changing your name and getting you recognized as part of the family. I've thought about it, and I think you should take your mother's surname, Liu. What do you think?"
Li Rouniang was taken aback, not expecting this to be the case. She thought for a moment, since her father had already severed ties with her, she didn't care what surname she had. So she nodded. Old Madam Liu was even more delighted and said, "Then those three children will all share your surname, Liu, right? These are names I personally chose for them. What do you think?"
When Li Rouniang saw the four names neatly written on the Xuan paper: Liu Rouniang, Liu Yurong, Liu Yuyan, and Liu Yujin,
"Of course it's wonderful, and I must thank my maternal grandmother." Li Rouniang was delighted. These names were so much better than the casually chosen ones like Da Ni, Er Ni, and San Ni. Why hadn't she thought of changing the children's names sooner?
"There's no need for such formalities between family members like us. I just wanted to ask you if Xiaoshan has a proper name? Is his surname Mo, after his father's, and his name Mo Xiaoshan?"
Li Rouniang nodded and said, "That's what we've always called her. We've never had any other name."
Madam Liu asked, "You and Mo Bei?"
She paused for a moment, looking at Li Rouniang, who then earnestly said to Madam Liu, "Grandmother, he and I, well, we've already pledged our love. Before we officially became family, I had already decided to marry him with my child. Moreover, Mo Bei is an upright person, good to the children, and even better to me."
Seeing Li Rou Niang's attitude, Madam Liu felt relieved. She smiled and said, "I'm not stopping you from marrying, nor am I disagreeing with it. It's just that you've only just returned to my side, and I want to keep you here for another two years to keep me company."
Li Rouniang nodded: "Of course, I wasn't in such a hurry to get married."
Old Madam Liu continued, "I think Xiaoshan is a smart child. He has great potential. You raised him yourself, so I'm sure he'll be close to you in the future, which puts my mind at ease. I'm thinking of going back to the capital and finding a way to send Xiaoshan to our clan school. I'm sure he'll make even greater discoveries there."
Li Rouniang was delighted to hear this and said to Old Madam Liu, "Then I'll hide from my maternal grandmother!"
Mo Bei didn't mention to her that Xiao Shan's biological father was the emperor, so Li Rou Niang only knew that Xiao Shan was burdened with a blood feud and that his future in the capital was fraught with difficulties. She thought it would be best if she could help him.
She had always treated Xiaoshan like her own son and didn't want him to bear too much pressure.
From that day on, Xiaoshan received a monthly stipend at the Liu residence, just like Liu Qingfeng.
Li Rou Niang felt a warmth in her heart. Old Madam Liu was truly kind to her from the bottom of her heart. Not only that, she was also very good to her three children, personally finding someone to raise them.
Li Rou Niang could tell that Old Madam Liu especially liked San Ni, and that her attitude towards her was subtly different from that towards the other two children. Although others might not have noticed, Li Rou Niang, being a woman, was able to discern the difference.
She privately asked Zhao, the old lady's maid, and Zhao smiled and said it was because Sanni looked like the young lady when she was a child. So that's how it is. Perhaps there is some sentimental value involved.
So she privately instructed Sanni to be filial to Old Madam Liu, etc. Of course, even if she hadn't instructed her, Sanni was still a well-behaved girl.
Soon, the day arrived for them to be recognized as members of the Liu family. The mother and her three daughters, adorned with pearl jewelry, were exceptionally glamorous, clearly demonstrating to everyone that they were all precious treasures of the Liu family.
After opening the ancestral hall, listing the family genealogy, and paying respects to the ancestors, Li Rou Niang felt a sudden sense of peace. From now on, she had a home. Her name was Liu Rou Niang, and her children would no longer be called "Da Ni," "Er Ni," or "San Ni," but would have real names: Liu Yu Rong, Liu Yu Yan, and Liu Yu Jin!
From then on, just like their lives, it was a different turning point.
Madam Liu said, "Fufeng plans to take us to the capital. Although you have only recently returned to your hometown, I was thinking of showing you around here and letting you rest. However, Fufeng is also a bit pressed for time, so I will take you to the capital tomorrow. The capital is a very nice and prosperous place, and your maternal uncle's family is also in the capital, namely Qingfeng's parents."
Old Madam Liu spoke happily, and Liu Rou Niang nodded obediently. She was going to the capital, after all, Mo Bei was also planning to go there, and he had privately told her that he was thinking of going with Liu Fu Feng—oh, she shouldn't call him uncle now, as Li Rou Niang was still a little unaccustomed to it. Traveling with her uncle, with the whole family together, would be good for mutual support.
Rou Niang was relieved and nodded to Old Madam Liu, saying, "Grandmother was in such a hurry to recognize my relatives that I forgot to tell you that I used to own a pastry shop. Now that I'm about to leave, I plan to take care of these matters."
Grandma Liu was taken aback, then said happily, "Rou Niang can even make pastries! That's amazing! Go and prepare them, and bring some to Grandma another day."
Rou Niang nodded, and then Old Madam Liu asked what the shop was called.
Liu Niang smiled and said, "Let's call it Bao Ni's Pastry Shop."
Madam Liu was taken aback and said, "Isn't that the snack that Qingfeng often brings me? I do like it, but I didn't expect it to be made by you!"
Liu Rou Niang nodded and said, "Not only that, Grandmother, our fate began long ago. Do you remember when you praised a kitchen helper and said that her pastries were delicious? That person was me!"
Upon hearing this, Madam Liu laughed heartily and said, "I still vividly remember eating those pastries back then. They did have some of Yao'er's skills, so I wanted to meet them. But when the young master of the Qian family came, I stopped him. It turned out to be you! It's as if heaven has sent you back to my side!"
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