Chapter 5 Favor
Lin Xiaocong was kicked out of the house by Li's mother.
The culprit, Li Han, cried bitterly in Shihua Hall.
"Mother, did I say something wrong?"
"You kicked your second sister's husband out of the house, what will happen to your second sister?"
"Although he once sent someone to throw me into the water, I did not drown."
"It's just that my heart has been hurt."
"I don't want my wounded heart to make my second sister sad."
Inside the hall, Li's mother offered Li Han much comfort.
Outside the hall, Li Rong's clothes disappeared through the doorway.
She returned to the courtyard and had someone pack up the clothes Lin Xiaocong had left in the room and send them back to Lin Xiaocong.
*
"What did you say?"
In the backyard of Jimin Pharmacy, the servant responsible for delivering the goods held the bundle with both hands, trembling with fear.
The doctor in front of me, Dr. Lin, looks harmless, but he is actually ruthless.
This morning, the Second Miss sold a disfigured and missing-handed maid in her courtyard. I heard that this was the one who did it.
"Second, the second young lady said that you should come to her door every afternoon to check her pulse, and not in the morning."
"This morning, we have to receive guests and official media at our residence, so we don't have time to receive you, Dr. Lin."
Lin Xiaocong gave a half-smile: "Official media?"
The servant could sense a chill emanating from the person opposite him.
"Listen, I heard that Madam is going to find a son-in-law for the Second Miss to be in charge of the Cheng'en Duke's Mansion."
Lin Xiaocong picked up the bundle, turned and headed towards the room: "Understood!"
The servant shivered inexplicably, bowed respectfully, and turned to run away.
Lin Xiaocong turned around, gritting his teeth.
"Fourth Sister!"
Li Qu should be preoccupied with many matters in the palace at this moment, and the Li family certainly wouldn't bother her with these family affairs.
He saw Li's mother's attitude.
He knew exactly what Rongrong was thinking.
Li's father has never cared about the family.
So, it was that little one who caused the trouble.
"You little ingrate, I've spoiled you for nothing."
Lin Xiaocong was well aware that the Li family's current situation was not something that could only be resolved by him.
When the news spread that Li Rong was going to take in a son-in-law to take charge of the Cheng'en Duke's mansion, it was estimated that the illegitimate sons of various noble families in the south would flock to Li Rong like hungry dogs smelling meat.
It was extremely difficult for a son born out of wedlock to rise in the ranks; studying for the imperial examinations was a difficult path where effort was required but success was not guaranteed.
Becoming the father of his child is definitely a shortcut to getting a seat among his brothers.
There are also those from lower-ranking noble families who, despite not caring about their reputation, want to climb up the ranks to the Empress's family, a powerful force that can be easily controlled without much effort.
Not to mention those who are malicious and take advantage of the chaos.
Lin Xiaocong entered the room, threw the bundle onto the couch, and walked out.
His identity was not advantageous in the South.
Therefore, one must rely on their abilities to rise to the top.
The next day, Lin Xiaocong hung up a sign at Jimin Pharmacy announcing that he would be seeing patients.
Clinic rules: Free clinic, three people per day. Consultation fee is waived, medication costs are the patient's responsibility.
Within half an hour, a long queue had formed in front of Jimin Pharmacy.
After looking at the three of them, Lin Xiaocong, ignoring the pleas of many people, immediately prepared to leave.
An agitated man broke through the pharmacy staff's obstruction and pleaded with Lin Xiaocong.
"Dr. Lin, please have some compassion and take a look at my mother's leg!"
Lin Xiaocong looked sorrowful: "I also want to relieve your suffering, but... who will relieve my suffering?"
"Also, Lin is my father's surname, but from now on I will take my wife's surname, Li."
"Next time you see me, please call me Doctor Li."
The man opposite looked completely bewildered.
Should he take his wife's surname?
Wouldn't that make him a live-in son-in-law?
Who has a good son to marry into their family?!
Okay, the key point is: "Dr. Lin, what is troubling you, and is there anything we can do to help?"
*
The newly emerging elites of the Southern Zhou Dynasty were none other than the Li family of the Duke of Cheng'en's mansion.
Nowadays, people no longer consider it an honor to have a son; they all look forward to having a daughter.
A woman's life was like a carp leaping over the dragon gate, and her whole family followed suit, changing their social status.
It happened during the reign of Emperor Gaozu, and it had a huge impact on people from all walks of life.
Therefore, many people are paying attention to the Chengen Duke's Mansion.
Today, the area in front of the Chengen Duke's Mansion is exceptionally lively.
Official media outlets frequently visited, and stewards from various prominent families kept coming to deliver invitations.
All this was because the Duke of Chengen's mansion wanted to find a son-in-law who could support the family and establish a household for his two daughters.
According to reliable sources, as soon as a man marries into the family, he can immediately become the head of the household.
In the flower garden.
Li Rong openly allowed the official media to take her in and out.
She was fiddling with a golden tabi belt around her waist.
Lin Xiaocong brought a cloth bag with him on the first night he arrived.
The bag contained one hundred and five gold items.
This is one of them.
Jinbu is a little fox with long tassels hanging from its ears and tassels dangling below; it's very cute.
"The Second Miss's beauty is so stunning that it would shame the moon and flowers; she is a perfect match for a handsome young man."
State media outlets shower people with praise, each one unique.
Li's mother sat in the main seat, somewhat dazed.
Six months ago, she even got into a fight with a matchmaker because the matchmaker insulted Li Rong.
Now, the official media are all smiles, but no one is mentioning the fact that Li Rong is no longer a virgin and is pregnant.
Power blinds the mind and makes one deaf.
After the matchmakers left, Li's mother leaned back in her chair, hummed, and twisted her waist.
She tossed aside the post left by the official media.
"There's no need to consider any of these."
"Han'er went to the girls' school yesterday afternoon to hint at the matter, and today she sent the official media to deliver the betrothal letter."
"In my experience, things that are eagerly offered to you are definitely not good."
She took the invitation from the housekeeper and carefully read through it.
What is the meaning of "伏惟玉照" at the end of this post?
Granny Changfu patiently answered his questions.
"I humbly request that this be interpreted as 'respectfully hoping' or 'hoping'."
"Yu Zhao was originally an elegant term for a woman's portrait. When used in a post, it can be interpreted as a respectful expression of 'please read this,' and is used specifically when the recipient is a woman."
"These four characters together can be translated as 'Respectfully requesting that you, Madam, read this letter.'"
Li's mother responded with an "oh".
He noticed Li Rong staring blankly out of the corner of his eye, shook the invitation in his hand, and said to Li Rong.
"Look, it's only the first day, and there are already more than a dozen posts."
"There must be an upright gentleman among them who is good inside and out."
Li Rong put down her fingertips and stepped back.
"Mother, you've chosen someone, I want to meet them."
Without looking up, Li's mother said, "Don't worry, this time I will definitely pick someone for you who is better than that scoundrel Lin in every way."
Li Rong then got up and walked outside.
The steward rushed over to report as soon as I stepped out of Shihua Hall.
"Second Miss, Second Miss, a lot of people have suddenly come to the door, wanting to see you and kowtow to you."
“They said that if you don’t go out to receive their gifts, they will kneel at the door for a long time.”
"If it were just an ordinary troublemaker, we could simply have someone chase them away."
"But among them are young children and elderly people."
"This old servant fears that forcibly driving them away might cause injury and damage the reputation of the Duke's mansion."
"Please make a decision."
Li Rong was confused: "Kowtowing to me?"
"right."
Li Rong's mother, wearing a mask, poked her head out from behind her: "Why?"
Butler: "They will tell you after they see the second young lady."
*
Twenty people, young and old, were kneeling outside the gate of the Duke of Chengen's mansion.
When the shop assistant at Jimin Pharmacy saw Li Rong wearing a veil and surrounded by guards stepping out of the door, he stepped forward and bowed.
"Excuse me, are you the Second Miss?"
Li Rong spoke up: "That's right. Who are you people, and what do you want to see me for?"
Upon hearing this, the waiter raised his hand towards the kneeling elderly and children.
The man who had previously stopped Lin Xiaocong at Jimin Pharmacy, demanding that Lin Xiaocong treat his mother's leg, stepped forward.
"Second Miss, Doctor Lin has long admired you."
"I traveled thousands of miles from the north to the south, intending to come to your door today to recommend myself as your son-in-law."
"But there are just too many patients queuing up at the pharmacy."
"He was a compassionate doctor who couldn't bear to abandon the suffering people, and he was also worried about you. He was restless and his face showed distress."
"Upon hearing this, we spontaneously expressed our gratitude to Dr. Lin for his free medical treatment and for relieving our suffering."
"I have taken the liberty of coming to your residence to request an audience with the Second Miss. I have come to kowtow to you and wish you good fortune."
"Secondly, I'm asking Miss Lin to favor Doctor Lin."
After the man finished speaking, the people behind him shouted in unison.
"Dr. Lin of Jimin Pharmacy is kind-hearted and skilled in medicine, and cares deeply for the people. He has long admired the Second Miss and has brought his own dowry to become her son-in-law. He hopes to win the Second Miss's favor."
Three times, neatly and orderly.
Li Rong was so embarrassed that she turned to leave.
Upon seeing this, the pharmacy clerk quickly stepped forward and called out, "Second Miss, please wait."
Li Rong stopped in her tracks.
The shopkeeper took out a box from his pocket and presented it with both hands: "Our young master said he is too busy today and may not have time to come and deliver the gift to you in person."
Li Rong retorted angrily, "Who wants his gift!"
How could she explain herself after accepting his gift in front of so many people?
She was so angry that she stepped inside.
This is just the beginning.
Lin Xiaocong believed in the truth that those who win the hearts of the people win the hearts of beauties.
He spent a day spreading the word throughout the streets and alleys of Jianye City that he was in love with Li Rong.
*
As night fell, he took the gifts that Li Rong had returned and once again became a gentleman who climbed over the wall.
In Li Rong's boudoir, there was only a dim lamp in the corner.
Li Rong was not yet fully asleep; in her drowsy state, she noticed movement in the room.
She sat up and called out, "Orange?"
Orange stayed in her room to sleep for the past two nights.
There was no movement inside the house.
She hung up the bed curtains, got out of bed, and walked towards the tatami mat where Chengguo was sleeping in the outer room.
"Oranges?"
There was no one on the couch.
Li Rong's heart skipped a beat. Just as she was about to call for help, her mouth was covered from behind.
A familiar voice whispered in her ear, "Shh."
A wall of people pressed against her back.
"My dear Rong'er, don't let Chengguo sleep in the room tomorrow. It's so annoying to have to get her out every time she comes in."
He embraced her and kissed her directly behind her ear, on her neck, and on her shoulder.
Li Rong struggled: "How did you get in!"
He didn't reply; instead, his voice became hoarse and lower and lower.
"You rubbed him up."
Li Rong's cheeks flushed.
"I've doubled the number of patrols in my yard!"
He turned her around, his masculine aura pressing down on her without any attempt to conceal it.
“Back then, with five hundred personal guards and four ships surrounding you, I still managed to get into your bed.”
The last character sounds like both "boat" and "bed," so Li Rong automatically interpreted it as "boat."
He lowered his head to kiss her.
She stepped aside and dodged: "I didn't ask you to come. Who told you to show up on your own initiative?"
He reached out and restrained her, preventing her from escaping.
"You're the one who sent me."
He kissed her cheek and answered her question before she could even ask.
"I had someone send you a gift, but you don't want it."
"I insist on delivering it myself."
"Since you think of me so much, I came over as soon as I finished my business at the pharmacy."
"My dear Rong'er, I've washed up."
Li Rong pushed him away: "In that situation, what difference was there between me accepting your gift and accepting you as my son-in-law?"
Lin Xiaocong: "I know you don't want that gift because you want me tonight."
No.
That's right.
"You're just making excuses... um..."
He threw off his waistband with one hand and grabbed the back of her head with the other.
He kissed her and forced her onto the bed.
Only when he reached the bedside did he release the woman who was unable to resist him, and whispered in her ear.
"Take it from me."
He leaned in close to her, and she was forced to sit on the bed.
She couldn't dodge or escape, and she was both angry and annoyed.
"You're just a male concubine, don't you have any self-awareness?!"
He bent down, knelt on one knee beside her, and leaned in to kiss her.
He half-coaxed and half-forced her to pin her down.
"My dear Rong'er, self-awareness is a good thing. But if it's not as good as you, I don't want it."
He looked down at her and pressed her hands onto the pillow.
"Don't go looking for other men, I'll get jealous."
"I only said I would spoil you the most, but I never said I would leave my husband's position vacant for you."
He was furious and remained silent for a long time before finally asking her through gritted teeth.
"Rongrong, who taught you that!"
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