Sister-in-law Li cried so hard she almost fainted. Her legs went weak, and she knelt on the ground, hugging Old Lady Li's leg and sobbing, "Auntie, our lady died unjustly! She was killed by her own brother and sister-in-law. Even in death, she was watching Miss Li, refusing to close her eyes!"
Hearing this, Old Lady Li felt sad and wiped away her tears.
How could such a good person as Madam Sun end up like this!
Tao Hongying cried even harder. They were both mothers, and besides, Nannan and Fu Niu'er were the same age.
If she were to die soon, her biggest worry would surely be her children!
Li Zhensheng frowned, intuitively feeling that this matter was not simple, but the Sun family had been kind to his family, and his mother also wanted to help. After thinking for a while, he said, "Mother, when our fleet returned, Sister-in-law Li took her child and boarded the ship with some merchants. After disembarking, they separated."
"I didn't know that Sister Li had such a connection with our family. If I had known, I would have taken better care of her on the way."
Sister-in-law Li quickly said, "It's not the master's fault. Four or five years have passed in the blink of an eye. When I was on the boat, I only felt that Jiayi looked familiar and his name was familiar, but I didn't dare to recognize him."
“I originally intended to take Miss to seek refuge with Scholar Sun in the north of Xindu City, who is Miss’s uncle. But after we got off the ship and stayed at the inn for a few days, I heard everyone talking about the new grain and the Li family. After inquiring carefully, I found out that it was my aunt’s family. I was overjoyed and quickly came to find them.”
After saying that, fearing that the Li family would be in a difficult position, she quickly added, "Auntie, I definitely want to take Miss to seek refuge with Master Sun."
"But I don't know anyone here. Could I stay at your place for a while? There are all sorts of people at the inn, and I'm always afraid someone will try to do something bad. I don't even dare to close my eyes to sleep at night..."
Grandma Li quickly reassured her, "Don't worry, we're home now. Stay here for a while and get some rest. I'll have someone find out what's going on with Uncle Sun's family before you go over."
Li's sister-in-law was overjoyed and was about to kneel down and kowtow when the old lady helped her up. "Don't do that," she said. "When our family was in trouble, Madam Sun helped us a lot. Now that you're like this, we can't just stand by and do nothing."
Li Zhensheng thought more deeply and instructed his wife, "If you say that Madam Sun was poisoned just now, don't tell anyone else. After all, there's no evidence, and the child is still young. If outsiders find out, it might bring trouble to you and the child."
Sister-in-law Li nodded quickly, "I know, I definitely won't tell."
Grandma Li pondered the rooms in the house, and it seemed there was no place left to accommodate her sister-in-law and children, which made her somewhat worried.
After all, Hui Niang was here to recover after childbirth, and Li Zhensheng, Li Laosi, and Jiayi, who were away, had all returned.
Tao Hongying said, "Mother, let Sister Li and her child stay in Madam Cui's courtyard. Tomorrow, when anyone goes to town, just let Madam Cui know."
The old lady nodded, "Alright, Jinrou is a nice person, but we still need to greet her."
Tao Hongying quickly led Sister Li and Nannan to the next room. Nannan was probably enjoying her food, as she held onto two pieces of pastry in her hand.
The old lady gave the snack box to Sister Li to carry, and Tao Hongying also went to rummage through the wardrobe, found a set of her own clothes and a set of Fu Niu'er's clothes, held them in her arms, and led Sister Li and Nannan to the Cui family's courtyard.
Li Zhensheng went to wash up and change his clothes, leaving Old Lady Li sitting alone on the kang (a heated brick bed), still somewhat disoriented.
To the Li family, Madam Sun was like a savior from suffering.
Now that Guanyin has suddenly disappeared, the Li family is the one who has to save them from suffering.
It has to be said that fortunes change, and life is unpredictable...
Granny He didn't know what Old Madam Li was thinking, but after glancing at the young master, she couldn't help but speak up, "Old Madam, we should be careful when this young lady from the Sun family comes over again. This young lady is a bit domineering; although she doesn't like to talk, she likes to take action."
Do you enjoy hands-on activities?
Old Mrs. Li didn't quite understand, so Granny He stepped forward and pulled out Jiayin's right hand.
Jiayin eats a lot and is quite chubby. Her little hands are as white and tender as pig's trotters, with a few small dents on her knuckles, which are especially cute.
But now, there are two red marks on the back of my hand. Although they are not bleeding, they are broken and quite conspicuous!
Grandma Li's heart skipped a beat at the pain, and she quickly picked up her granddaughter, asking, "What happened? Did you scratch yourself just now?"
Before Jiayin could speak, Granny He couldn't hold back any longer and said angrily, "That little girl from the Sun family is possessive of her food. Even though Miss gave her some snacks, she didn't share a single bite with her."
"This old servant saw it clearly: when the young lady reached out to take some snacks, she grabbed them and her hand turned red."
The old lady quickly blew on her granddaughter's hand, feeling annoyed, but she couldn't chase after the little girl next door to beat her. She was furious!
Jiayin, however, did not feel any pain and did not want to make things difficult for her grandmother, so she sat in her grandmother's lap and said, "Grandma, I don't feel any pain."
"Silly girl, how could it not hurt!" Old Mrs. Li hugged her granddaughter tightly, regretting that she had been too surprised and saddened when she heard about Mrs. Sun's passing and hadn't even noticed that her granddaughter had been bullied.
Jiayin didn't really care. She was born with memories and remembered that Madam Sun had held her, given her clothes and a gold necklace, and also gave the family a lot of money.
Even for Madam Sun's sake, she couldn't hold a grudge against a mere maid.
Besides, they are just two shallow scratches that will be fine in a little while.
Right now, it's more important to appease Grandma.
Jiayin hugged her grandmother's face and kissed her on both sides. "Grandma, don't be angry. I don't have a mother anymore, but I have a grandma and a mother!"
Grandma Li paused for a moment, then hugged her granddaughter and sighed with a smile, "My Fu Niu'er, what a kind and good child! She knows that Nannan is pitiful and can't bear to blame her, right? Then let's stay away from her from now on, and Grandma won't let you play with her anymore, okay?"
"Okay, Nannan, come here. Fu Niu'er will go play with her brother."
Jiayin's cheerful smile made the old lady laugh, which also pleased Granny He who was standing nearby.
Such a kind and sensible young mistress, as long as she takes good care of her, she will definitely have a place to live when she gets old...
During dinner that evening, Granny He personally delivered braised noodles to the Cui family, as well as a bowl of steamed egg custard that Tao Hongying had personally steamed for Nannan.
After the Li family finished eating noodles together, the old lady started talking about the Sun family.
With the children present, the old lady glossed over the fact that Mrs. Sun had been poisoned, only saying that the Sun family had fallen on hard times and had come to seek refuge with relatives, and would be staying at their home for a few days.
After saying that, she instructed her eldest son, "Zhensheng, you are familiar with the city, so in the next few days, find someone to ask about that uncle from the Sun family."
Li Zhensheng found it strange. His mother had clearly said that she wanted the Sun family's master and servants to stay for a while longer so that she could slowly inquire about the Sun family's affairs.
Why does it seem a bit urgent now?
But he didn't ask any more questions and nodded in agreement.
The next morning, Li Zhensheng went into town again, only to find that Mr. Wen had brought people over as guests.
Li Lao Er, who was in the hot spring valley, rushed back after hearing the news.
Since Mr. Wen was not an outsider, Grandma Li also brought Jiayin over to join in the fun.
Mr. Wen had other business to attend to at the yamen, so he didn't bother with pleasantries and went straight to the point...
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