“We’re all family, saying things like that makes us feel distant.”
"Yes, we'll help your elder brother here, so you can rest assured. Also, when you get back, take good care of that injured nobleman. If the Wang family gets involved in this matter in the end, we'll need that nobleman's help."
After a few words of discussion, the group went downstairs and dispersed.
Li Lao Er found a calligraphy and painting shop, bought some paper and ink, as well as some daily necessities, and then hired a horse-drawn carriage to go home.
For mothers in this world, every time they give birth to a child, it's like they have an extra heart, liver, and lungs, always attached to their body. They know immediately of any slight disturbance and worry about the child constantly.
After her second son went to the city early in the morning, Old Mrs. Li would go to the door to look out from time to time, hoping that he would return soon.
In the Ye family courtyard, a large felt rug was placed under the eaves, covered with bedding, and a small table was set out with some snacks, fruits, and hot tea.
The large four-panel screen blocked the slightly chilly autumn wind, leaving only the warmth of autumn under the eaves.
Young Master Ye lay on his side, leaning against a thick cushion, flipping through a book in his hand, occasionally touching the chubby little girl in front of him, afraid that she would get cold.
Jiayin kicked her little feet, flipping through a booklet in her hand.
Each page of the booklet was filled with exquisite illustrations, with a few simple sentences written below, much like a comic book from my previous life.
She laughed as she flipped through the fruit, forgetting to even eat it.
Hearing the commotion, Old Lady Li came in. Seeing her granddaughter so at ease, she said to Young Master Ye, "This girl seems to really understand... A school will be built in the village soon, and we'll send her there to study in two years."
Upon hearing this, Jiayin couldn't help but feel despair at the thought of sitting with a bunch of little kids, swaying their heads and reciting classical Chinese texts.
Even if I were to live my life again, would I still be unable to escape studying, or even find it more tedious and boring?!
Fortunately, perhaps sensing her despair, Young Master Ye smiled and advised, "Auntie, don't worry. Fu Niu is smarter than other children. Keeping her confined to the school will only backfire. When she's old enough to understand, ask her what she wants to learn, and I'll help her find a teacher."
Jiayin's eyes lit up immediately. She turned around, grabbed Young Master Ye's arm, and shook it incessantly, like a puppy hugging a meat bone. "Uncle is the best! Fu Niu likes Uncle the most!"
Grandma Li was both amused and exasperated. She raised her hand and patted her granddaughter's bottom. "You chubby girl, you're so cunning! You're just too lazy to go to school, aren't you?"
Jiayin quickly ran over and hugged her grandmother's neck again, "Fu Niu isn't lazy, Fu Niu helps Grandma with chores at home!"
"Hmph, she sleeps until the sun is high in the sky every day, and she still talks about doing chores? Who does she think she is!" Old Mrs. Li scolded, but her face lit up with a smile. Then she turned her head and began to worry, "This girl is so greedy and lazy, what will she be like when she grows up? I'm afraid she won't even be able to find a husband..."
Although there was no formal kowtow or tea ceremony, nor any formal recognition of godparents, Young Master Ye had already joined the ranks of those who blindly dote on their daughters.
He took this question seriously and replied earnestly, "Then let's find some good men who are orphans. Whether they marry into the family or marry out, Fu Niu won't have to go too far from home."
Grandma Li was stunned for a moment, then laughed and cried at the same time, "I was just saying it casually, and you're actually planning to do it. Fu Niu is going to be hard to manage from now on, there'll be another person spoiling her!"
Young Master Ye was not joking. He said seriously, "It would be best if Fu Niu found a son-in-law who would marry into the family when she grows up. Otherwise, if a man has three wives and four concubines, wouldn't Fu Niu suffer?"
Grandma Li blinked twice, thinking about how her beloved granddaughter would be neglected and spend her days in tears, and she was also a little anxious. "Yes, yes, this is something we really need to think about as soon as possible."
Jiayin was speechless. She was only two years old. Wasn't it too early to talk about marriage?
"Mother, I'm back!" When Li Lao Er arrived at the door and saw that his own yard was empty, he came to the neighbor's house.
Jiayin, barefoot, immediately rushed over, "Second Uncle, Second Uncle, Fu Niu missed you!"
Li Lao Er laughed heartily, picked up his niece, and tapped her nose, "You want the nice things your second uncle bought for you, don't you?"
Jiayin's eyes crinkled into crescent moons as she smiled, her little body twisting and turning. "I miss delicious food, but I miss my second uncle even more!"
Grandma Li caught up with her granddaughter, carrying her shoes. As she helped her granddaughter put on the shoes, she asked, "Is the city lively? Did you see Mr. Wen?"
"I saw him. Mr. Wen is alright. I also bought the writing brush and ink." Afraid that his mother would ask about his elder brother, Li Lao Er pointed to the basket outside the door. "Mother, I also bought a piece of meat. Let's make dumplings for dinner tonight."
Jiayin clapped her hands happily, which made the old lady glare at her reproachfully, "You greedy cat!"
Li Lao Er carried his little niece inside, saying, "Mother, I'll keep Young Master Ye company for a while. You should go home."
"Okay, I'll chop the vegetables first, and then Hongying will come back to prepare the filling. We'll make dumplings tonight." Lao Tiantai carried the basket and walked away with a smile.
Li Lao Er sat down on the felt rug, put his niece aside, took out half a packet of sesame candy from his pocket, and gave it to his niece to sweeten her mouth.
He then recounted the matter of Sihaiju, and added at the end, "Mr. Wen said that in about half a month, this matter will be resolved."
Young Master Ye nodded, "Don't worry, if the Wang family itself intervenes, I will handle it."
After saying that, he sighed again, "Your elder brother was truly remarkable. If he had continued to take the imperial examinations back then, he might have a place in the imperial court today. It's such a pity!"
Li Lao Er gritted his teeth in hatred, "That's why I support my elder brother's revenge! Otherwise, we would only hope for his safe return. Ordinary grudges can be let bygones, but the Wang family is just too vicious and hateful!"
"Heaven's justice is clear, and retribution is inevitable. The Wang family's retribution has come to pass," Young Master Ye comforted them.
Grandma Li brought over two pastries, just in time to hear the end of a sentence, and asked, "What's here?"
Li Lao Er quickly changed the subject, "It's alright, Mother, I'm just having a chat with Young Master Ye. Fu Niu'er is eating candy, don't give her any more snacks yet."
Sure enough, Grandma Li's attention was successfully diverted, and she reached out and snatched the paper package from her granddaughter's hand.
"Why are you giving Fu Niu candy again? She'll get rotten teeth!"
After saying that, Grandma Li put down the snacks, took the sesame candy and left, leaving Jiayin blinking her big eyes, her face full of grievance.
It seems like anyone can easily use her as a shield!
Li Lao Er rubbed his nose and comforted his niece, "Uncle will buy you some next time, and I'll sneak it for you to eat!"
Jiayin simply couldn't believe it, and collapsed onto the mattress with her legs in the air, causing Young Master Ye to burst into laughter...
Leaving aside the peaceful and harmonious situation at the Li family's place, the manager of Sihaiju Restaurant in the Wang family's courtyard in the south of the city was in a state of great anxiety.
Seeing Wang Fu come out of the study with a bowl of medicine, he quickly pulled Wang Fu aside and asked in a low voice, "How is the master? He was fine before, how come he suddenly became so sick?"
Wang Fu shook his head and replied with a bitter face, "It's not sudden. The master has been sick for half a month... It's just that the headache is a chronic problem that has plagued the family for many years. The madam has consulted many doctors, but they all said that it cannot be cured. In recent days, the pain has become even more severe."
"When I heard about the incident last night, my boss wanted to investigate, but he was half asleep and groggy, which delayed him. I didn't expect that family to be so despicable; they started making a scene, and my boss got so anxious..."
The shopkeeper felt a bitter taste in his mouth and was about to ask more when a commotion broke out at the door. Someone rushed in, shouting, "Where's the boss? Something terrible has happened!"
Served at midnight!
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