When Li Xinniang returned, Yan Qingqing was instructing Yuan Huiniang on things to pay special attention to at home after she left. As soon as she entered the door, she saw Yuan Huiniang looking her up and down. Feeling uncomfortable under her gaze, Li Xinniang asked, "Sister-in-law, why are you looking at me like that?"
Yuan Huiniang then withdrew her scrutinizing gaze and replied with a smile, "Naturally, it's because my little sister is growing more and more beautiful, and I wonder which rascal will end up with her."
Li Xinniang, being an unmarried young woman, blushed when Yuan Huiniang teased her and said to Yan Qingqing, "Mother, why don't you discipline your sister-in-law? She talks nonsense all day long."
Yan Qingqing sighed and replied, "Your sister-in-law is right. You are already fourteen years old. Although your mother is very reluctant to let you go, I have to think about your future."
It wasn't that Yan Qingqing's thinking changed quickly, nor that she was hypocritical. The main reason was that children these days get married early. If Li Xinniang were to turn twenty, she would truly be considered an old maid. By then, those she married would be either leftovers or had other problems. She didn't want her daughter to settle for a less desirable marriage.
Li Xinniang stamped her feet and said, "Mother, why are you teasing me? Didn't you say I could stay at home as long as I wanted?"
Yan Qingqing smiled and said, "Of course. Mother means that we can meet some suitable people later. Marriage is still a long way off. You can only become a nun when you are eighteen."
Seeing that Yan Qingqing had no intention of helping her, Li Xin's mother changed the subject, saying, "Mother, is there something you need that you called me here in such a hurry?"
Before Yan Qingqing could answer, Yuan Huiniang recounted Yan Qingqing's plans after Wu Jingzhi's visit.
After hearing this, Xinxin's mother asked incredulously, "Mother, are you really planning to take me with you?"
Yan Qingqing nodded and replied, "The family can't do without your sister-in-law, and your younger sister is too young. You are the most suitable right now. However, if you don't want to go, I won't force you. Let your third aunt go instead. But I think you are the major shareholder of the embroidery shop, so you would be more sincere."
Before Yan Qingqing could finish speaking, Li Xinniang excitedly shook her arm and said, "Mother, I'll go, I'm willing to go. I've never left Chengyang County before. Mother, haven't you always said that we should go out and broaden our horizons whenever we have the chance? Isn't this a perfect opportunity?"
Seeing her excited expression, Yan Qingqing smiled and said, "Alright, stop shaking me. You've made my old arms and legs fall apart. If you want to go, go pack your things."
"But you're a young woman now, and for the sake of your reputation, you can't go like this. You need to change into men's clothing. Go to your second brother's courtyard later and pick out a few outfits, then have them altered with your sister-in-law to fit your measurements."
Li Xinniang readily agreed.
Yan Qingqing and her group set off in three days. Xiao Mochen and Li Xiangjian, upon learning this, specially came down from the mountain to see Yan Qingqing off.
Li Xiangjian was worried about his mother and sister, so he said, "Mother, why don't I go with you? I'm really worried about you."
Yan Qingqing shook her head and replied, "Your current task is to master your kung fu and understand the military strategies your mother taught you. As for that sand table you asked about last time, your mother will make one for you when she returns from the prefectural city."
"Don't worry about me, Mom. I'll take good care of myself."
While eating, Xiao Mochen said, "Auntie, please go with peace of mind. I will have someone accompany you to protect your safety. I have also had the Wu family investigated. Although they have many conflicts, the young master of the Wu family is a good person. I hope Auntie will have a successful trip."
Although Li Xiangjian, who spent every day with Xiao Mochen, knew that he had many capable people behind him, the other members of the Li family had some guesses about Xiao Mochen's identity. Seeing that he was willing to send people to protect Yan Qingqing, they felt much more at ease.
Yan Qingqing did not refuse his kindness. After all, the group of children she had entrusted to Xiao Mochen's people to train on the mountain had not yet mastered their skills. It would be good to have a few more trump cards when going out.
Yan Qingqing looked at Xiao Mochen and said, "Since it's Mochen's kind intention, Auntie appreciates it."
While eating, Yan Qingqing observed that Xiao Mochen seemed to have grown quite a bit taller since she last saw him. He definitely didn't look like a seven-year-old child. Thinking about this, Yan Qingqing was suddenly startled. Could it be that Xiao Mochen's actual age was not six or seven?
This thought caused a huge uproar in Yan Qingqing's heart, but she didn't show it on her face and continued to smile.
At this moment, Li Yueniang pouted and said, "Mother, I want to go too."
Ever since she learned that Yan Qingqing and the others were going on a long trip, Li Yueniang had been clamoring to go. Yan Qingqing did not agree and patiently explained, "You are still young. You will have plenty of opportunities to go out and see the world in the future."
"Besides, our embroidery workshop can't function without you. You know your sister-in-law has to take care of the housework, so the workshop depends entirely on you."
Yan Qingqing's words made Li Yueniang feel both comfortable and proud. So that's how much her mother valued her.
So she said with a smile, "Mom, I won't go this time. You must take me next time you have the chance."
Yan Qingqing nodded solemnly, but inwardly breathed a sigh of relief. Yue Niang was a very clever child and not easy to coax.
The next morning, Yan Qingqing and the others were about to set off, and Li Xinniang, dressed in men's clothing, walked out of the house in a generous manner.
This outfit was arranged by Yan Qingqing. Yan Qingqing didn't just dress her up randomly; she paid attention to details like Adam's apple and ear piercings. In any case, anyone would think that he is a handsome young master.
Seeing everyone staring at her, Li Xinniang unfurled her folding fan and said, "Well? Aren't you captivated by me?"
Yan Qingqing laughed as she watched her silly antics, "Alright, let's hurry up and go, don't keep Mr. Wu waiting."
Yan Qingqing and Wu Jingzhi agreed to meet on the official road. She was not used to keeping others waiting, especially when it came to business, she was always punctual.
Li Xinniang nodded and quickly got into the carriage.
Because the carriage was loaded with a lot of samples and luggage, the space inside was much smaller, barely enough for two people to sit.
Li Xinniang felt stifled inside the carriage and insisted on sitting outside with Ada to drive the carriage. Yan Qingqing did not stop her.
The weather is warm now, with a gentle breeze outside, and we can enjoy the scenery along the way. Sitting outside is definitely much better than sitting in a carriage.
Soon Ah Da drove the carriage onto the official road.
They waited on the official road for the time it takes to drink two cups of tea before they saw Wu Jingzhi riding a tall horse followed by three or four carriages approaching them.
Wu Jingzhi walked up to them, dismounted, cupped his hands in greeting to Yan Qingqing, and said, "I was delayed on the way, sorry to have kept you waiting, Auntie."
Yan Qingqing replied with a smile, "It's alright, we just arrived too."
Wu Jingzhi glanced at Li Xinniang beside him and asked, "And who is this young master?"
Yan Qingqing replied with a smile, "This is my third son, named Li Xiangxin, a few years younger than you."
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