Follow-up
After returning to their hometown, An Hongdou and Wu Linglong adopted Li Lai'er's child.
That child was more likable than Li Lai'er, and the two of them often teased him: "Who treats you better, Aunt An or Aunt Wu? Who are you closer to?"
Seeing the child's conflicted expression, the two burst into laughter.
Later, the two discovered that if asked alone, the child would answer whoever asked. But if both of them asked together, the child would pretend to be confused and not give an answer.
Li Zeli returned to the academy where he had once studied, but this time he transformed into a teacher.
At first, An Hongdou's younger brother, An Shunyuan, was very happy, thinking that with his brother-in-law taking care of him, his school life would become much easier.
Unexpectedly, Li Zeli was very demanding of him, even more so than his own father. An Shunyuan immediately became miserable and often complained to An Hongdou.
An Hongdou could only let the words go in one ear and out the other, offering half-hearted comfort to her younger brother.
After all, when she was at home, her husband often complained that her younger brother was playful and unmotivated, and that he would make mistakes in the knowledge he had taught her.
An Hongdou offends no one, treats everyone equally, and acts as a silent confidante.
Sometimes when I get really annoyed, I go to Wu Linglong's place for some peace and quiet.
Since Li Zeren opened his escort agency in the capital, his escort service area has expanded, and he spends less and less time at home.
Wu Linglong was all alone and hoped that An Hongdou would come to her to pass the time.
One day, An Hongdou suddenly had a whimsical idea: "Linglong, I heard that the crabs in Jiangnan are plump and fat. Why don't we go together and take a look at the little bridges and flowing water?"
Upon hearing this, Li Zeli, who was resting at home, perked up his ears and silently considered whether he could ask for leave from the academy to go with them.
Wu Linglong replied, "No problem. I'll go to Li Zeren and get a large sum of money. We can set off anytime!"
Li Zeren, who was rarely home, happened to be passing by and quickly said, "Wife, I'm willing to pay, but will you take me with you?"
With the exams approaching, the academy probably wouldn't approve a long leave, so Li Zeli said earnestly, "Brother, it's more comfortable for women to travel alone. Why don't you stay and earn some more travel expenses for your sister-in-law?"
Li Zeren rolled his eyes and replied, "Pah, if you don't have time to come, don't drag me along. I do have time, my wife~"
An Hongdou and Wu Linglong exchanged a glance and reached an agreement: "You two should stay home and take care of the kids!"
Once you enter the Jiangnan region, you realize that continuous drizzle can last for days.
An Hongdou and Wu Linglong, holding umbrellas, walked across the bluestone slabs and over the small arched bridge.
They walked to a small street stall and sat down to share a bowl of steaming hot wontons.
"No wonder everyone says that there are many beauties in Jiangnan. With this drizzle every day, my skin has become so supple and moisturized," Wu Linglong said with a sigh after glancing at the weather.
“Yes! But Jiangnan is really different from the capital. Who would have thought that Li Zeli almost lost his life in such a beautiful place?” An Hongdou said with emotion.
After deciding to return to her hometown, An Hongdou briefly told Wu Linglong what had happened back then.
Wu Linglong felt both fear and excitement afterward, and regretted not being able to be by An Hongdou's side to face the situation together.
What happened back then not only had a huge impact on the capital, but also changed the landscape of Jiangnan.
"I wonder how those people from back then are doing now," An Hongdou murmured to herself.
"What goes up must come down, and the cycle repeats itself! That's what they say in storybooks. I guess a new cycle is starting." Wu Linglong replied after hearing this.
“Speaking of which, Hongdou, let’s go listen to a storybook! I want to see how the stories of Jiangnan are any different.”
The two then headed towards a teahouse where a storyteller was performing.
As we sat down, the storyteller began a new tale: "Today I'll tell you about a case of corruption that came from the capital, which led to the downfall of wealthy merchants in Jiangnan."
An Hongdou and Wu Linglong exchanged a knowing glance. It seemed that what happened back then still had a significant impact on Jiangnan and was still being told by the storyteller!
The two ordered a pot of hot tea and listened quietly, holding their teacups.
Away from the trivialities of life, I can focus on listening to stories. This is such a pleasant life!
"The people who came from the capital originally intended to point out some minor mistakes and then return to the capital to report back. Unexpectedly, they discovered by chance that wealthy merchants from Jiangnan were colluding with important officials in the court."
"This is outrageous! They immediately packed their things to return to the capital to report, but their hasty departure was noticed by the wealthy merchants, who burned down the post station and silenced them."
"The wealthy merchants thought they had escaped a calamity and were celebrating with each other, feeling smug and complacent. Little did they know that they had sown the seeds of their own destruction."
"Upon learning the news, the court was immediately enraged! They then dispatched capable ministers to reconnoiter Jiangnan."
"As for which capable minister was sent and what methods were used to turn Jiangnan upside down, we'll talk about that next time."
Amidst the crowd's lingering pleas for him to stay, the storyteller packed up his things and prepared to leave.
After finishing their tea, An Hongdou and Wu Linglong got up and returned to the inn.
Back at the inn, Wu Linglong felt nauseous.
An Hongdou recalled that there was no difference in their diets, so she assumed that she was just having trouble adjusting to the new environment and told her to rest early.
Unexpectedly, Wu Linglong vomited the next day.
An Hongdou quickly asked the innkeeper's waiter to fetch a doctor from the clinic.
The doctor arrived late and first explained to the two that the clinic was busy that day, which was why he had time to make a house call. He asked for their understanding.
After taking Wu Linglong's pulse, the doctor congratulated her, saying, "Madam is in good health. Her morning sickness is natural and nothing to worry about!"
Neither of them expected this reason, and they were at a loss for how to respond.
The doctor prescribed medication to help prevent miscarriage, indicating that it could alleviate morning sickness.
An Hongdou realized that the two of them were far from home, and it was inconvenient to get medicine and prepare it. The most important thing at this time was to go home first.
After paying the consultation fee, she sent a letter home to share the good news and asked Li Zeren to come and pick up Wu Linglong.
When they returned to the room, Wu Linglong was leaning against the headboard, gently touching her stomach, looking incredulous.
"Red Bean, I can't feel it at all. There's a new life here! Am I really going to be a mother? I never thought I'd be the first one to become a mother between us. But I never thought we'd both be married into the same family. Does that mean our children will be cousins? The promise we made to be in-laws can never be fulfilled!" Wu Linglong said a lot without realizing it, perhaps because she was nervous.
“Who says it can’t be? I’ll just find a godson or goddaughter who isn’t related to me by blood, and that’ll solve it!” An Hongdou chatted with Wu Linglong, trying to ease her anxiety.
"Red Bean, do you think this child is destined to come from Jiangnan, arriving just when we're traveling there? I think we should name this child Jiangnan!"
“I knew it. Crabs are a very cold food, and you absolutely cannot eat them now. I will eat two more for you! It will make your trip to Jiangnan worthwhile.”
An Hongdou's words elicited a wail from Wu Linglong.
"You naughty red bean, you did it on purpose! You're just trying to tempt me! Just you wait, you'll get your comeuppance sooner or later, and then I'll eat crab right in front of you!"
After a bit of playful banter, Wu Linglong calmed down and lost the initial bewilderment she felt upon hearing the news.
In the days that followed, the two mostly rested at the inn, waiting for Li Zeren to arrive.
After returning home, Li Zeren did not go out again.
He arranged for other people to lead the escort mission, while he himself stayed home and waited to become a father.
That day, after visiting Wu Linglong, An Hongdou returned home and found Li Zeli, who was studying at home, looking somewhat resentful.
"Husband, what's wrong? Could it be that my playful younger brother is not studying properly again and has made you angry?" An Hongdou was a little confused.
"Madam, have I not tried hard enough?" Li Zeli asked quietly.
“Why do you say that? My husband has always been ambitious and reads every day. I have never seen anyone more hardworking than him,” An Hongdou quickly comforted him.
"Then why is it that my second brother, who is often away on missions, became a father first?"
Oh, so that's why. Li Zeli's strange competitive spirit left An Hongdou somewhat amused and exasperated.
“Perhaps it’s because your second brother is more active while you are more quiet. He gets a lot of exercise and is therefore healthier?” An Hongdou comforted her.
“Yes, Madam is right. More exercise gives you a better chance,” Li Zeli repeated.
But something about that voice sounded off. An Hongdou looked up at Li Zeli with suspicion.
But she found that Li Zeli put down the book in his hand and walked towards her.
Li Zeli picked up An Hongdou and carried her into the room, saying, "Then I'll trouble you, Madam, to supervise me and help me increase my exercise!"
An Hongdou didn't wake up until noon the next day.
At this time, Li Zeli had already gone to the academy to give a lecture.
An Hongdou went to complain to Wu Linglong, and together they condemned Li Zeli.
When Li Zeren brought dinner to Wu Linglong, An Hongdou realized that Li Zeli was about to go home from get off work again.
An Hongdou declined Wu Linglong's invitation to stay for dinner and had no intention of going home.
Before it got dark, she ran back to her parents' home.
Tonight, An Hongdou decided to strengthen her sisterly bond with her younger sister, An Xile.
As for Li Zeli, let him stay alone in his empty room!
Unexpectedly, as soon as I entered the house, I saw Li Zeli chatting happily with his father.
Upon seeing An Hongdou arrive, An's mother smiled and said, "Zeli said you would be coming today and asked me to save some food for you. Seeing that it was getting late, I thought you might have changed your mind and not come, but I didn't expect Zeli to understand you so well."
"I specially made your favorite chicken soup today, and it's simmering on the stove in the kitchen. It shouldn't be cold yet, so go and try it."
Before An Hongdou could even question Li Zeli about why he was at her house, her mother's words distracted her.
I haven't had my mother's chicken soup in a long time, and just thinking about it now makes me miss it.
Let's go have some soup first, and settle the score with Li Zeli later. After all, we'll have more energy to settle accounts when we're full!
An's mother and An Hongdou went into the kitchen together.
As she served her chicken soup, An's mother asked, "Did you and Zeli have a fight?"
"Never."
"Then why did you return home today? Zeli even followed you."
Seeing her mother's concerned inquiry, An Hongdou blushed with embarrassment.
"What, can't I come home to see you and Dad if we don't argue? I just missed you, so I came back to visit."
"As for Li Zeli, who knows how he got here? He even arrived before me!"
"Oh, Mom, don't worry about us. We're doing just fine!"
However, An Hongdou's wish to deepen her relationship with her younger sister An Xile was not fulfilled.
After dinner, she took her blanket and headed to her sister's room, but was stopped by Li Zeli, who was guarding the door.
The following day, Li Zeli went to work at the academy with his father-in-law.
An Hongdou was scolded by her mother for sleeping until noon after getting married.
An Hongdou returned home that day.
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