Now it was Madam Tang's turn to be surprised. "I had long heard that the princess was intelligent and a first-class girl in Tianwu, but I never expected her to have such abilities."
"You know, these fruits are very delicate; they simply can't survive outside of this soil and water."
“Every year when the fruit was presented to the palace, the prefect was so worried that he would pull out countless hairs.”
Grandma Li was even happier to hear her praise her granddaughter. "When we came here, we also brought some white jade melons, a specialty of the southwest region."
"I'll have someone send a few over tomorrow, so my little sister can have something new to try."
“That’s great. I’ve been stuck in Quanzhou my whole life. I’ve never been to Xindu, let alone a southwestern border city. Now that I can eat the fruits of the southwest, it’s a small wish that has been fulfilled.”
Madam Tang didn't refuse or stand on ceremony at all, and readily agreed, which made Madam Li and her even closer.
The two talked about the different customs and traditions of the North and South, and their worries and heartache for their children and grandchildren. Finally, Madam Tang asked, "Old sister, how long will you stay this time?"
“We have a big ship at home. If we’re not in a hurry to go back, I’ll often ask you to go for a ride on the sea.”
"Don't be afraid of those petty thieves at sea. Although I'm old, I can still take down ten or eight pirates and Japanese pirates with a spear!"
Madam Tang was both amused and exasperated. She quickly stopped her mother-in-law, saying, "Mother, you're getting old. It's not good for you to wield a knife or spear. Be careful not to hurt your back."
"Besides, with Hailan Army around, why would you need to take action?"
Madam Tang coughed twice, somewhat dejected, and whispered to Old Lady Li, "My daughter-in-law is good in every way, except she's even more nagging than me, and she treats me like a child."
The room was so small that even if she spoke in a very soft voice, everyone could hear her clearly.
Then everyone laughed.
With a mother-in-law like that, Madam Tang's life must be quite eventful!
Grandma Li chimed in, "Me too, I'm kept very close watch on by my little granddaughter at home."
"One minute I'm worried about the wind, the next I'm worried about the slippery roads from the snow, I can't even take one more step!"
"I've been in charge of my own life all my life, and I don't want to be old and still not free!"
Madam Tang laughed heartily, looking delighted as if she had found a companion.
After exchanging a few more casual words, Old Lady Li finally said, "I've come all this way with my old bones because there's something I really need to discuss."
"I'm sure you've heard that my son Jiayi rescued a girl at sea. He told me about it when he got back, and I wanted to see what kind of girl she was like."
"If the two children are destined to be together, then let them get married."
"If the two children are not meant to be, I will help the girl, support her, and find her someone to rely on."
These words surprised both Old Madam Tang and Madam Tang.
Of course they had heard about Jiayi's heroic rescue of the damsel in distress.
After all, Quanzhou is not a large city, and most of the Tang family's men are in the army. Even if others don't know about this, the Tang family knows it very well.
When they occasionally gossiped about it, they all thought that Jiayi would at most take Shanhu as a concubine and give her a title, which would be quite good.
Who would have thought that the Li family actually planned to marry Shanhu as their granddaughter-in-law!
When the Tang family arranges marriages for their children, they don't actually care much about social status, but they do require that the girl have both parents alive and relatives to rely on.
This is truly unexpected from the Li family!
After thinking for a moment, Madam Tang said, "Elder sister, I have heard before that your Li family acts with benevolence and righteousness, but I am truly convinced now that I have heard it with my own ears."
"But sister, a child's life is a matter of life and death and cannot be taken lightly. Moreover, Jiayi is gradually gaining prestige in the army and has made great achievements in battle. I'm afraid he will be stationed in Quanzhou in the future."
"Is your family looking for a wife of equal social standing for Jiayi, so that she can also lend him a hand?"
"As for Miss Coral, if Jiayi is willing, he can take her as a concubine and take good care of her."
This is an overreaction; after all, it's only the first time we've met, how could I possibly interfere in someone else's marriage?
Madam Tang was about to speak up to explain on behalf of her mother-in-law, fearing that the Li family would be unhappy.
Unexpectedly, Old Lady Li was very happy that Old Lady Tang treated her like one of her own.
She shook hands with Madam Tang and said with a smile, "Little sister, I know you mean well, and most families do indeed do this."
"But our Li family is different. We have a family rule that men do not take concubines, but only marry wives."
"Many people witnessed Jiayi and this coral girl helping each other before. If our family doesn't take a stand, this girl's life will probably be difficult in the future."
"But after all, this is a major event in Jiayi's life, and as his grandmother, I can't bear to see him marry a unhappy spouse."
"That's why I traveled all this way to see how the girl is doing and then figure out what to do with her."
Hearing this, Madam Tang clapped Li's hand repeatedly, "Oh dear, old sister, you're so kind! Any girl who marries into your family is truly blessed!"
"How many unmarried boys do you have in your family? Be sure to save one for me!"
“I have a granddaughter I absolutely adore. She’s fourteen this year, and she’s proficient in everything from music and chess to calligraphy and painting. She’s also incredibly beautiful. I must send her to your home to enjoy a life of luxury!”
Everyone laughed upon hearing this, but Madam Tang was so anxious that she pulled at her handkerchief.
It's not that the Li family is bad, it's just that it's a matter of our daughter's marriage, how could the mother-in-law so easily agree to give her away?
Fortunately, Grandma Li said, "Don't worry, little sister, my son hasn't been engaged for several years yet."
"Let the children interact more in the future. It's really fate that they took a liking to each other without us having to say anything."
"That's true!" Old Madam Tang smiled contentedly. "My granddaughter is exceptionally beautiful; everyone who meets her loves her!"
Madam Tang dared not listen any longer and quickly began preparing a banquet.
Soon, everyone was seated, eating lunch and chatting, which made the atmosphere even more intimate and lively.
After the meal, they strolled around the garden for a while, and it wasn't until the sun was setting that Old Mrs. Li said goodbye.
Madam Tang personally saw Old Lady Li and the others off, repeatedly urging them to visit her home often.
Grandma Li readily agreed and happily went home.
Although the Hailan Army is Tianwu's Hailan Army, it is now in the hands of the Tang family.
The Li family wanted to visit the wounded soldiers' camp to see Miss Coral, and informing the Tang family in this way was also a sign of respect.
It was a pleasant surprise that the Tang family was so easy to get along with...
The Tang family is undoubtedly the main force in Quanzhou City, and countless people want to visit them during the Spring Festival.
The Tang family specially set aside a day to entertain the Li family, which naturally attracted the attention and curiosity of others.
It was especially rare to see such warmth from Madam Tang.
It should be noted that Old Madam Tang's temper was as notorious as the Tang family's.
When he was young, someone sent a beautiful woman to the general, but the old lady Tang chased him for two miles with a long sword.
Although she is now old, she still has a fiery temper.
If she doesn't like someone, no matter how high their status or position, she won't see them.
But if you get along with her, you'll want to treat her with all your heart.
Clearly, the Li family belongs to the latter category.
Li Zhensheng had been operating in Quanzhou for several years, and many people knew about the Li family's background, but it was impossible for Old Madam Tang to be so enthusiastic just because the Li family had two noble titles.
What exactly is so good about the Li family that impressed Madam Tang?
Why did Old Lady Li travel all this way?
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