Grandma Tian was furious to see her grandson still defending Li Youran.
"Although she saved your life, we didn't beg her to save us."
“You are young and have a bright future, while she is just a discarded woman. Ah Lang, even if you don’t think about your grandmother, you should think about yourself. People will laugh at you in the future.”
"I've already hinted to you that my son, Alang, could never be with your daughter." Aunt Tian got more and more carried away with her words, then turned to Li Niangzi and said, "Marriage is about matching social status, and your daughter and my grandson are simply not a good match."
“Although my daughter You Ran has been married before, she still has her pride and has never done anything out of line. It is your grandson who is pursuing my daughter, and now your Tian family is turning around and blaming us.”
Li Niangzi was kind and timid, and rarely argued with others. However, since Tian Niangzi's words were slandering her daughter, she mustered up the courage to retort.
"If I cared about my reputation, how could I have used various pretexts to approach and seduce my grandson! My poor, young and ignorant grandson was so bewitched by that vixen."
Seeing that the pretense of civility had been laid bare, Madam Tian had no more reservations and began to curse at Madam Li.
She finally understood that compared to her own future and her grandson's future, the small favors Li Youran gave her were insignificant.
"It was I who rushed to save your grandson's life back then."
Before Tian Alang could stop Aunt Tian, Li Youran's voice rang out from outside the door.
“Miss Li, my grandmother is senile, please don’t take it to heart.”
"Young Master Tian, there's no need for further words. I have ears and eyes; I will listen and see for myself."
Li Youran ignored Tian Alang and walked straight to Li Niangzi's side.
"Mother, it's all my fault for being blind and wasting my kindness on you. I've made you suffer."
Hearing Li Youran's words, Aunt Tian felt a little embarrassed. It was indeed Li Youran who had helped her a lot in her time of need.
“One thing at a time. Ah Lang is young and ignorant. Not only did you not stop him from shouting in court, but you also disregarded others for your own benefit.”
Feeling guilty, Aunt Tian forced herself to find an excuse to argue.
"Grandma, please stop talking!"
Tian Alang watched Li Youran leave, but he was too ashamed to ask her to stay. He roared at Aunt Tian.
Grandma Tian had never seen her grandson treat her like this before, and she was stunned for a moment. Had she really made a mistake?
Li Youran drove the carriage back to the steamed bun shop with Li Niangzi. Xiao Zhou was making cooked food. Seeing the pots and pans, she remembered that the lease for the wonton shop had not expired and all her things were still in the wonton shop.
Why shouldn't I take what's mine? So I had Xiao Zhou drive the carriage to the wonton shop and bring all the stuff back.
By this time, Li Youran's anger had subsided considerably. After calming down and thinking it over carefully, she realized that Tian Alang was indeed innocent.
He took the rare book out of his sleeve and handed it to Xiao Zhou, asking him to give it to Tian Alang.
She wanted to have no further connection with the Tian family from then on.
That night, she had a dream in which she was being driven away and others were fighting over her, tearing her to pieces, and feeling a tightness in her chest.
I woke up suddenly and realized that all the blankets were pressed against my chest and the fire in the stove next to the bed was burning too brightly.
Li Youran sat barefoot on the edge of the bed, staring blankly at the leaping flames in the stove.
She's already so tired just living. She wants to change her social class, gain power and wealth, and have the opportunity to meet the Second Prince's wife. Each of these things is more difficult than the last.
Li Youran felt a sense of emptiness, a feeling of endless uncertainty, and she didn't know if she could actually achieve these things.
Turning the ring in her hand, she thought of Tang Lei, a man of both loyalty and righteousness who, even with a leg injury, did not give up on avenging his elder brother.
It's strange, even though the two of them are just friends, they seem to have a tacit understanding. Many things are understood between them even if they are not said.
So what if she has a lowly status? As long as she works hard, doesn't steal or rob, and strives towards her goals, she can be true to herself.
Li Youran adjusted her mindset and stopped feeling inferior because of Aunt Tian's belittling.
Standing outside the back gate of the steamed bun shop, Tian Alang watched as the light inside Li Youran's room turned on and then went out again.
Tian Alang felt terrible. He knew that Li Youran had been having trouble sleeping at night because of what happened during the day.
He blamed himself for not protecting Li Youran, and was also worried about his relationship with Li Youran.
Tian Alang gently stroked the book Li Youran had given him through his clothes. He was determined to make something of himself, marry her in a grand ceremony, and give her the best life.
As the year draws to a close, families begin preparing for the New Year, and the academy also begins its holiday.
"Brother, I won't be going to the bookstore for the next few days. Make sure to settle the students' wages for copying books before the New Year."
"Little sister, don't worry about things at the academy."
In the past few days, Li Haoran has become familiar with the bookstore's operations and has gained more confidence in himself.
With the new year coming, Li Youran plans to make some new clothes and buy herself some jewelry before the new year arrives.
After accumulating initial capital over the past few months, Li Youran now has several hundred taels of silver, and she will soon venture into a new industry.
"Erzhu, it's the New Year, our eldest brother can't possibly kick us out, can he?"
"What are you afraid of? If he kicks us out, we'll just leave." Uncle Er woke up, wiped his snot on the sole of his shoe, looked at his wife, and continued, "At worst, we'll just lie down at the gate and act like a scoundrel."
“My brother is a man who cares about his reputation. If you make such a scene, he definitely won’t dare to kick us out.”
Hearing Li Erzhu's words, Li Erniang nodded and said, "My husband always has the best ideas!"
On the 22nd of the year, Li Dazhu's younger brother, Li Erzhu, arrived with his wife and children.
"Brother, the Lunar New Year is almost here. Are you really going to let your brother sleep on the streets and curse?"
Li Erzhu played the emotional card, crying and recounting the hardships he had endured over the years.
“Brother, so many years have passed. I have realized my mistakes and have received the punishment I deserve.”
Li Dazhu, who had been silent until now, looked up at Li Erzhu after hearing his words and couldn't help but sigh.
"Brother and sister-in-law, look how well you've raised You Ran. Your family's good deeds have been rewarded over the years, and your life in the capital is getting better and better."
As Li Erniang spoke, she began to cry, looking at her son and daughter.
"It's all for these two children that we shamelessly came to you."
"Uncle and Aunt, please take us in!"
Li Hongxing and Li Hongchao knelt down at the opportune moment and cried out.
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