Chapter 42 The eldest brother has a son born out of wedlock
Granny Deng: "This... this old servant has not yet investigated clearly, it will take more time."
"But everyone who knows says that Mei Xue is a bright and considerate young lady. They also say that she was supposed to leave the manor after completing her contract in another year. But she suddenly became the young master's maid."
Madam Pei was so angry that she didn't want to say anything more.
Living contract!
This Mei Xue was actually a contracted maid.
The maid who was under a contract died in her employer's house, and the entire Li family managed to keep it a secret!
He hadn't heard a single word about it.
This wealthy family, having a son born out of wedlock before marriage, is bound to be a laughingstock.
Moreover, if one has a son born out of wedlock before marriage, it is difficult to find a good marriage partner.
Therefore, in such cases, a bowl of "pregnancy-inducing soup" is usually given to remove the child that shouldn't have come first.
But such a vicious outcome as the loss of two lives is indeed rare in this world!
Even if word got out, who would dare to marry into such a family again?
Li Kechuan is twenty years old this year. A year ago, she was arranged a good marriage with a woman surnamed Cui from Fujian. If she remembers correctly, the match was arranged.
Moreover, the two families have agreed to get married next spring.
The Cui family is a distinguished and prestigious family with a history of over a century. Although it has declined somewhat in recent years, there are still quite a few members of its family serving as officials in the imperial court.
The Li family is a newly rich family, while the Cui family is an old and powerful family.
The Li family was naturally fortunate to have been associated with such a prestigious clan.
Therefore, if the Cui family finds out about Li Kechuan's past secrets, Li Kechuan's marriage will definitely be in jeopardy!
Moreover, after being rejected by the Cui family, what other good marriage prospects could he possibly find?
If one's reputation is ruined, it will be difficult to advance in one's career.
Is this Luo'er's revenge?
Madam Pei laughed heartily.
"It seems that Luo'er is going to kill with a dull knife."
"However, a slow, dull cut is indeed the most painful. She also knows how to strike at the snake's vital point..."
"Just let her be. Do your best to help her."
Granny Deng: "Yes. This old servant will do her best to help you, young lady."
After half a month of recuperation, Li Qingluo's injuries were almost completely healed.
During this period, in addition to applying scar-removing ointment every day, she also took Xueji Pills and skin cream orally every morning and evening.
Gradually, her complexion became noticeably brighter.
Even her rough hands have become a little softer lately.
After Li Qingluo was settled, Madam Pei originally planned to arrange some emergency needlework and zither lessons for her, but unexpectedly, Li Qingluo went to her and asked to learn some self-defense techniques.
Madam Pei herself had spent her whole life practicing martial arts, so she couldn't possibly persuade Li Qingluo not to learn such crude things.
Although she complained, she was secretly overjoyed.
She really is Pei Xiuzhen's granddaughter; she looks just like her!
However, since the only suitable people around Madam Pei to teach Li Qingluo were the old nannies, she simply found a highly skilled female martial arts master for Li Qingluo from outside.
As a result, Li Qingluo became incredibly busy every day.
Besides practicing calligraphy and reading, one must also master eighteen kinds of martial arts.
Fortunately, she was indeed Madam Pei's bloodline, and she did have some talent in martial arts.
Li Qingluo learned very quickly, and within a month, he had made some progress and was even able to spar with Que'er.
Madam Pei was very pleased to hear this, and she came to visit her at the Red Maple Pavilion in person.
"How about it? If you want to learn to play the zither, paint, play chess, arrange flowers, and write poetry again, it's still not too late."
When Li Qingluo saw her grandmother arrive, she happily dropped the sword in her hand and went forward to take her arm.
"Grandmother! Please don't trick me into learning those things that give your granddaughter a headache. I fall asleep as soon as I see sheet music. I can sit still and play chess, but please spare me from flower arranging and poetry writing!"
Upon hearing this, Madam Pei laughed heartily and couldn't help but poke Li Qingluo's forehead affectionately, saying, "You! Well, I'll be very pleased if you can at least improve your caterpillar-like handwriting first."
Que'er immediately went to the room and handed over the calligraphy that Li Qingluo had been writing recently to Old Madam Pei.
After looking at it, Madam Pei nodded repeatedly.
The look in his eyes as he looked at Li Qingluo now held a touch more satisfaction and appreciation.
"Luo'er, it seems you've put your heart into everything you're doing."
Li Qingluo, upon hearing her grandmother's words, dared not be arrogant.
She helped Madam Pei sit down, then personally poured tea and served it to her grandmother.
"Grandmother, it was thanks to the calligraphy practice book you gave me that I was able to improve my handwriting. However, I am still far from being as good as you are, so please keep an eye on me."
Madam Pei patted her hand, "Good child. Starting next month, we'll hire another female tutor for you. You should finally pick up the books you've neglected before."
Li Qingluo was surprised that her grandmother wanted to hire a tutor for her.
“Grandmother, isn’t the world advocating that a woman’s virtue lies in her lack of talent? I thought that being able to write well was already the greatest tolerance the world had for a woman’s learning.”
It's no wonder Li Qingluo thought that way.
The truth is that she grew up in a limited environment, and none of the women around her had received an education.
It was Li Qingzhu. According to Li Qingluo, apart from her good handwriting, Li Qingzhu had never formally attended a girls' school.
Madam Pei hugged Li Qingluo tightly, her heart aching: "Luo'er, do you know the true meaning behind those words?"
"Even if a woman lacks talent, she should still have good character."
"It's not that we women should really stop studying."
“In Jinling City, which of those truly noble ladies is not well-versed in poetry and literature? Your grandmother wants you to study, but she does not expect you to become a talented woman or pass the imperial examinations.”
"Grandma wants you to learn right from wrong, to distinguish between good and evil, and to clearly understand where the way of humanity comes from and where it is going through books!"
"Don't be a confused and foolish person."
"You've already been working so hard lately, and if you add studying on top of that, Grandma is afraid you won't be able to handle it. What do you think? Are you willing to study?"
Li Qingluo was deeply moved by Madam Pei's words and felt much more enlightened.
"I do, Grandmother!"
“And Grandmother, I don’t feel tired at all! Grandmother doesn’t know how satisfied and fulfilled I am every day now. I don’t have to go up the mountain to pick wild vegetables, or gather firewood, or work in the fields. And those household chores are no longer my concern.”
"Now that I can finally do what I want to do, enrich myself, and become the person I truly want to be, how could I feel it's hard?"
"Grandmother, you don't know, but I'm really happy to have your support and guidance. I will never let you down!"
As she spoke, Li Qinglu knelt down on one knee again and rested her head on Madam Pei's stomach.
Madam Pei nodded repeatedly and gently patted Li Qingluo's shoulder: "Good, good child. Those days are over. We've overcome our hardships and have plenty of time for the rest of our lives. Let's take it slow."
"By the way, I heard you're quite skilled with both sword and bow?"
Li Qinglu readily agreed.
Although they were only at a rudimentary level, they still managed to fool Old Madam Pei.
After reviewing it, Madam Pei was very satisfied.
She was overjoyed to have achieved this level of success.
After returning to Jingci Hall, looking at the invitations at hand, Old Madam Pei instructed Zhang Mama to decline them all.
Granny Zhang asked curiously, "Madam, didn't you say this morning that you wanted to visit one or two families and then gradually bring your daughter to appear before the prominent families of Jinling City?"
Why did you change your mind after just one glance at the girl?
Madam Pei: "What's the rush? I did originally intend to bring her back to these aristocratic families. But now, I feel that if we rush things, it will only ruin Luo'er's plans."
"She can now focus on her studies and is ambitious and confident in both martial arts and academics. Do you know how rare that is?"
"How could I possibly hold her back?"
"Besides, wealth and status can be blinding, and power can break people. I'm afraid that if I let her attend to those women's domestic affairs now, it will win her heart away."
"In two months, isn't it the old lady of the Marquis of Zhongyi's sixtieth birthday? Let's take her there then."
Granny Zhang nodded in agreement, "That's true. Although the young lady is getting fairer and fairer, and her appearance is becoming more and more delicate, to be honest, compared to those noble ladies who have grown up in Jinling City, she still lacks a bit of poise."
"If we go out now, I'm afraid our girl will get bullied!"
"Two more months will be just right. By then, the young lady will surely amaze the entire city of Jinling and let them all see that she is the girl raised by our old lady!"
Madam Pei was also very much looking forward to this.
"By the way, so much time has passed, how's the investigation into Mei Xue going?"
"I'll have Granny Deng come over and give me a reply later. That old hag, she won't take the initiative unless I ask her!"
Granny Zhang smiled and said, "Please don't be angry, sir. She's been working tirelessly to help the young lady, her feet barely touching the ground. Once there's a result, she'll come herself, won't she?"
The two of them were discussing this matter.
Meanwhile, at the Red Maple Pavilion, Granny Deng was indeed reporting this matter to Li Qingluo.
“Miss, this old servant has searched for so long and has finally found a maid named Meishuang. She used to share a room with Meixue and served the eldest young master. This old servant has secretly brought her into the manor. Would you like to ask her questions yourself, Miss?”
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