Li Laosi escorted Mr. Wen back to the city and then went to the Marquis's residence to find the head steward and retrieve the princess's formal and casual clothes.
These were all sewn by the Imperial Household Department and were a regular reward given by Emperor Tianwu to those with noble titles.
There are two sets for each of the four seasons: spring, summer, autumn, and winter.
Previously, the Li family had not produced an imperial edict, so these rewards were collected by the head steward from the Imperial Household Department.
The head steward was overjoyed that the supplies had finally come in handy.
Not only were she dressed in formal and casual attire, but she was also provided with shoes, jewelry, and other accessories to ensure that the young lady of the Marquis's mansion would make a stunning appearance.
When Li Laosi went out, he happened to run into the Marquis returning to his residence.
Li Laosi said a few words briefly, but the Marquis didn't pay any attention.
Compared to the Marquis's residence, Mr. Peng was merely a teacher at an academy and not worthy of the Marquis's excessive attention.
Besides, the Li family is a good family, and the Marquis doesn't think the Peng family would refuse. "Do you need me to go over tomorrow and accompany Aunt to the Peng family?"
"No need, no need!" Li Laosi quickly waved his hand, refusing the Marquis's kindness. "Mother said that she and Fu Niu'er are enough. The main thing is to see what Miss Peng's character and appearance are like. If we really want to get married, we'll talk about it then."
The Marquis nodded, then asked the head steward, "Were the old lady's clothes and jewelry packed in as well?"
"Don't worry, my lord, these are always kept in the manor. The old lady's dress was just sewn up by the sewing room a few days ago. We originally planned to bring it with you when you return to the estate, but we didn't expect to need it today."
The head steward smiled and agreed, and only then did the Marquis let Li Laosi leave.
At dusk, Jiaren excitedly brought Lige'er back from the academy, holding his hand. He was delighted to see his grandmother, sister, and uncle all there. "Grandma, it's not my birthday yet, why did you come all this way? The journey must have been so bumpy!"
Jiaren hugged his little sister and gave her a big kiss, which made Jiayin laugh out loud.
Li Ge'er hugged his grandmother's arm, showing his affection.
Soon, after sending the students who came to eat away, the family closed the courtyard gate and ate quietly.
When Jiaren heard from Lige that Grandma had come, he asked for leave, and the brothers could stay at home tonight.
Everyone sat in a circle, and Jiayin brought a box as a birthday gift for her brother. Inside the box were a hundred plain gold tokens, which were very exquisite.
This is the most popular and beloved type of fortune slip among the literati of Tianwu. Each slip is slightly larger than an adult's palm and is used to write messages or simple notes.
Jiaren usually wouldn't use it, but he never expected his rich little sister to give him so much.
Old Mrs. Li and Li Laosi gave Jiaren silver as pocket money, so he could buy whatever he wanted.
Zhao Yuru sewed a new shirt for Jiaren, Li Laosan made a small bookshelf for his nephew to put on his desk, and Jia Huan cooked a table full of dishes as a token of her affection.
Li Ge'er also joined in the fun and gave his elder brother a new calligraphy brush.
Everyone ate and chatted happily, except for Jia Huan, who forced a smile and looked rather strange.
Jiaren noticed and asked a few questions while talking to his grandmother after dinner.
Hearing that so many things had happened that day, Jiaren was also surprised. Finally, he said, "Grandma, there are many academies in the world. Lige and I can study wherever we want. Don't let us cause you and Jiahuan any trouble because of us."
Grandma Li was extremely pleased and said with a smile, "Don't worry, Grandma knows what she's doing. Just focus on your studies, you don't need to worry about things at home."
That's what they say, but how could Jiaren not worry?
Li Ge'er and Jia Yin, on the other hand, were having a great time. Li Ge'er took a small wooden sword and kept showing it off to his sister.
It turns out they've started learning swordsmanship too, but to avoid accidental injury, they can only use wooden swords.
Li Laosan stayed up all night to carve a lifelike and lightweight one for his nephew.
Li Ge'er liked it very much, but he wouldn't even let a close person touch it.
The next morning, after breakfast, Jiaren and Lige hurriedly returned to the academy.
Gou Sheng stayed at the dormitory last night, holding his books and waiting at the door. After picking them up, he rushed off to class.
The old lady and Jiayin waited until the sun was high in the sky before changing their clothes. Accompanied by Li Laosan and Li Laosi, they arrived at the entrance of the academy.
Jia Huan finally realized what was going on, tugged at his mother's sleeve, and remained silent for a long time.
Zhao Yuru glared at her son and playfully slapped him!
Li Laosan dressed up as a wealthy landowner, wearing a long gown and a landowner's hat.
Li Laosi, on the other hand, was dressed in short clothes with long boots and a long sword hanging at his waist, clearly a military officer.
Grandma Li wore a royal blue top with a subtle floral pattern and a honey-colored cotton skirt. Her slightly graying hair was styled in a bun and adorned with a white jade charm.
He was a well-off and kind person, which made people feel close to him.
Jiayin was not wearing a princess's formal attire, but only her everyday clothes.
She wore a light red shirt embroidered with tiny yellow flower buds, paired with a pleated skirt with snow-white satin cloud patterns, and a golden lock with auspicious cloud patterns around her neck.
Her hair was styled into two small buns, adorned with two golden butterflies. As she moved, the butterfly wings fluttered, as if they were about to fly away.
A family of four, looking like this, standing in front of the academy gate, who would dare to be disrespectful?
Soon, the Peng family's head steward came over and escorted the Li family members into the academy.
The head butler bowed the whole way, his expression very humble.
Yesterday I heard that the Li family had produced a princess with a fiefdom, and Mr. Peng gave me his instructions.
Actually, even if the master didn't tell him, he would never have been negligent!
The second wife was successfully brought down, and he finally turned the tables after two years of forbearance. He was grateful for the Li family's help this time.
Upon entering the Peng family courtyard, Mr. Peng was already waiting at the gate.
He stepped forward first to pay his respects to Old Lady Li, and then wanted to give Jiayin a grand bow, but the old lady stopped him, saying, "Sir, there's no need for that. Even if the Emperor has shown mercy and bestowed a title upon her, Fu Niu'er is still a child and a junior in your presence."
Jiayin also performed the junior's greeting properly, calling him "sir" in a soft, sweet voice, which was quite adorable.
Scholars value their reputation, and Mr. Peng felt ashamed after the commotion at home yesterday. Now, facing the Li family, he felt somewhat uncomfortable.
But seeing how polite the Li family was, his slight discomfort immediately disappeared.
After everyone entered the study and took their seats according to their status as guests and hosts, and drank half a cup of tea, Old Mrs. Li apologized on behalf of Jia Huan.
Regardless of whether the Peng family is at fault or not, Jia Huan's private interactions with other people's daughter are simply a lack of manners.
Mr. Peng didn't dwell on it, after all, the phrase "not knowing the rules" was even more serious when applied to his daughter.
Jiayin, eager to see her future sister-in-law, said she needed to change her clothes.
With a helpless expression, Old Lady Li said to Mr. Peng, "This child drank a lot of water this morning, so I'm afraid we'll have to trouble your servants."
"Madam, you are too kind. The princess is still young, this is only right."
Mr. Peng knew perfectly well that the Li family wanted to see their daughter, so he called his page to lead the grandfather and granddaughter to the backyard.
In the backyard, Miss Peng had been nervous all morning. She hadn't even eaten breakfast because she heard that Old Madam Li was coming.
Now that he finally saw the person, he was having trouble speaking.
Jiayin skipped over, grabbed Miss Peng's hand, and said with a grin, "Sister Peng, I'm Fu Niu'er! You're so pretty and so tall!"
Miss Peng subconsciously replied, "You're so cute, just like your brother said!"
After she finished speaking, she realized what she had said and her face turned bright red.
The old lady looked at it for a while and was quite satisfied.
This Miss Peng was taller than the average girl and had a slender figure.
Perhaps because she hadn't been eating well, her complexion wasn't very rosy, but she still had large eyes and willow-leaf eyebrows, and looked very dignified.
In the future, as long as I take good care of myself, I will definitely look much prettier than I do today.
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