Chapter 59 Li Family Elder Brother
The guard flashed his token, and the patrolling soldiers glanced at it but dared not say anything more, continuing their patrol.
However, due to this delay, Han Mu could no longer see the girl's figure and did not know which way she went.
He glanced at the person who was still laughing, and said, "This matter must not be told to my aunt."
Jin'an is such a big place, and the girl's accent didn't sound like she was from Jin'an. She probably left after the first day of the lunar month.
On the contrary, this cousin in front of me is a troublesome person.
"Whether I tell her or not is fine, but my grandmother had someone give it to my mother... I put my mother's gold-inlaid jade ring in my sachet."
Han Mu looked at the man in disbelief, "You're finished."
After saying that, he rushed into the crowd.
It's just a sachet; he can get it back if he can, but if the gold-inlaid jade ring is inside, he must take it back. It's a symbol of the Han family's matriarch's status.
Watching Han Mu's disappearing figure, the man crossed his arms. "Why didn't you ask me if I knew the girl's identity? It would have made finding her easier."
--
After informing the patrolling officers that the man was suspicious, Cui Tingyue continued to look at the lanterns with her maid. In a flash, she seemed to see her godfather, but there were too many people today, and many people were carrying lanterns, making it dazzling to see.
Upon closer inspection, the crowd consisted entirely of unfamiliar faces, and many of the women were wearing veils, making them difficult to distinguish.
Therefore, she thought she was seeing things and didn't take it too seriously.
Along the covered walkway adorned with lanterns on both sides, amidst the comings and goings of people, Zhao Xian somehow spotted the Lang siblings at a glance.
It was probably because Miss Lang wasn't wearing a veil.
"Come quick, come quick, I want to play this."
"Isn't this pitch-pot game just like ring toss? I should have set up a ring toss stall too, I would have made a fortune."
"I'm not playing anymore, it's a total rip-off."
She had observed Lang Qingwan and Lang Zhizhi's words and actions. In the past, every time Lang Zhizhi appeared, it was when Lang Mingxuan went out to meet friends. Lang Qingwan would also send her brother away in advance, or take medicine and fall into a deep sleep for a long time in advance, so as not to let Lang Zhizhi meet Lang Mingxuan.
But at this moment, the person playing pitch-pot with Lang Mingxuan was clearly Lang Zhizhi, and she did not hide her personality.
"Brother, come quick, let's go guess the riddles."
Lang Zhizhi walked past Zhao Xian, brushing past her, her eyes filled with the joy and liveliness of seeing something new.
Lang Mingxuan's eyes were full of doting affection as he indulged her tantrum.
Zhao Xian followed Lang Zhizhi's gaze for a long time.
"Did your ancestors all accept such good things?"
In modern times, if a person exhibits different personality traits, they will be sent to see a psychologist and then confined to a mental hospital.
Didn't Lang Mingxuan notice the difference between Lang Qingwan and Lang Zhizhi? Judging from his eyes and demeanor, it didn't seem like he was unaware, but he remained remarkably calm.
"Madam, look at this crab lantern."
Suddenly, a crab lantern with outstretched claws appeared before Zhao Xian's eyes, blocking her view.
The crab lantern's two eyes, made of some unknown material, were incredibly lifelike, swaying as if challenging her.
Pushing aside the crab-shaped lanterns, and looking again, the Lang siblings were nowhere to be seen.
"If you don't like crab lanterns, how about this shrimp lantern?"
Jiang Liangxu replaced it with a shrimp lantern, which was also extremely realistic, and the body part could even move.
He moved the shrimp lantern as if controlling a shadow puppet.
Zhao Xian's gaze was drawn to it, and she sometimes couldn't help but marvel at how, despite the lack of machines in ancient times, the products made were just as good, and the craftsmen were more willing to put their heart and soul into their work.
The animal lanterns are made with lifelike detail, the flower lanterns are exquisite and the details are perfect. Even the most ordinary square or round lanterns are painted on the outside, so they don't look monotonous.
Zhao Xian had only seen the Lang siblings by chance and didn't care. She glanced at the lanterns on the stall and said, "I'll take them all. The fan-shaped lantern is pretty, and the vase lantern is pretty too..."
Jiang Liangxu thought she would be angry that he had sabotaged things.
He deliberately used the crab lantern to block her view, just because he didn't want her to look at the Lang family girl any longer.
He had been thinking about how to help her regain her memories, but then he thought that this was a good idea.
She could fall in love with him once, so she could fall in love with him a second time, therefore he wasn't in a hurry to remember her.
The girl from that family looked too much like that man from before. He didn't want her to be distracted again by focusing on her so-called fellow villager and get hurt once more.
Thinking about it this way, forgetting it might not be such a bad thing.
The two walked along the covered walkway, but it was too long. Halfway through, Zhao Xian got tired and said, "I can't walk anymore, my feet hurt."
Perhaps because she was used to a life of luxury, and because she always traveled in a sedan chair at home, she was truly ruined.
"I'll carry the lady on my back."
"No, please. Your leg was injured before, how can you carry me? It might make it worse. Have someone call a sedan chair, we'll wait a bit." Speaking of her leg injury, Zhao Xian pulled Jiang Liangxu to sit down as well. "Is your leg alright? Does it hurt?"
“It’s alright. The carriage isn’t far from here. I can carry my wife for a short distance.”
Zhao Xian was somewhat tempted. There were too many people today, and even if she asked the guards to find a sedan chair, it would probably not be easy. "Then... I'll trouble you, my husband."
When he needed to call out "Husband," Jiang Liangxu knelt down.
Clinging to Jiang Liangxu's back, Zhao Xian wrapped her arms around his neck and noticed snowflakes falling on his hair. Looking up, she saw the snowflakes falling in a flurry from the darkness: "Jiang Liangxu, it's snowing."
Passing by a riverbank, some people were releasing river lanterns into the water, hoping the current would carry their wishes; others were releasing sky lanterns, hoping that their wishes would be blessed by heaven.
As I passed by, I overheard people talking, saying that the practice of releasing sky lanterns was a new thing that only started this year, and it all depended on that Lord Jiang.
Zhao Xian reached out and poked his cheek. "Lord Jiang, you not only successfully saved yourself but also brought a folk activity with you. How did you come up with the idea of using a sky lantern to save yourself?"
There is no record of this dynasty in historical books, and the exact time when Kongming lanterns appeared is unknown. They became well-known because of Zhuge Liang, and from then on they were named 'Kongming lanterns'.
'Liangxu Lamp'
'Hidden Lamp'
Hmm, the latter is not bad.
"What interesting thing did you see, Madam?"
Hearing her laughter, Jiang Liangxu couldn't help but ask curiously.
Zhao Xian told him the name she had in mind for the lamp, "How about naming it after your courtesy name?"
Jiang Liangxu nodded: "It sounds good. We'll play one when we get home too."
"Release, I pray that Master Huineng will return soon, I pray that there is a way to let me go home."
Jiang Liangxu's smile vanished instantly, and he didn't reply.
When they got home, the task of releasing the sky lanterns was not yet completed, and Zhao Xian fell asleep on the way.
The next day is the day to welcome the God of Wealth, and it's the busiest day of the day.
After the second day of the Lunar New Year, the third day begins with people visiting and exchanging New Year's greetings.
Li Lianniang received a letter from her brother informing her that he was coming to visit the Jiang family. It was already the sixth day of the month, and there were less than three days left until the date of his visit.
Li Lianniang couldn't help but say to Jiang Wei, "Brother, you really are something. I wrote to him before the New Year to ask when he would come to Jin'an. With the imperial examinations approaching, he could have come earlier to see if he would stay at home or elsewhere so I could make arrangements in advance, but he wouldn't reply to me."
This sudden attack caught them completely off guard.
Despite her words, Li Lianniang quickly instructed her servants to tidy up the house and courtyard.
At the same time, people were sent along the route to pick them up to ensure everything went smoothly.
Jiang Wei listened to her arrangements in an orderly manner. Although he couldn't get a word in edgewise, he felt as if his wife was surrounded by a radiance. She possessed both the dissatisfaction and annoyance of a young woman and the dignified composure of a mistress in the face of adversity.
After Li Lianniang finished her business, Jiang Wei handed her a cup of tea.
Li Lianniang was somewhat surprised, and reached out to take it, saying, "Thank you, husband."
--
Before long, it was time for Li Lianniang's brother to visit the Jiang family.
Li Linsu did not come alone; he also brought the dowry that his mother had left for Li Lianniang.
Jiang Wei and Li Lianniang greeted the guests at the door, holding their child.
"Brother, you have come from afar. I am sorry for not welcoming you properly."
"elder brother."
Looking at his younger sister, who was now a mother, and then at Jiang Wei, who stood tall with one hand behind his back, Li Linsu cupped his hands and said, "I heard that my brother-in-law has been promoted to Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review. I haven't offered my congratulations yet. Congratulations."
Jiang Wei's face was expressionless to begin with, he simply nodded slightly, "Thank you."
Li Lianniang looked at the large boxes being unloaded from the carriages, enough to fill at least three carriages.
The steward in charge of bringing back the dowry stepped forward, bowed, and said, "Young Master, Young Madam, the dowry prepared by Madam Li for the Young Madam is all here. Please have someone check it. The matter is now settled. I will go and report back to Madam."
Once the steward left...
Li Linsu said somewhat awkwardly, "Your mother left you a dowry, but your brother didn't help at all. You've suffered all these years without even knowing it. I'm really not a good brother. This time, when the dowry was delivered, your brother added some more to it."
"Does your sister-in-law know?"
Li Lianniang herself was unaware that her stepmother had withheld her dowry. Unlike her brother, who could study away from home, she lived only in the inner quarters of the Li family. Zhou Shi would always talk about how difficult life was at home, subtly implying that her brother's studies away from home were the biggest drain on their finances.
Therefore, she only thought that the Li family had been putting on a brave front, but was actually on its last legs. She had her doubts about Zhou Shi's dowry, but Zhou Shi was always good at talking and acting, and even hinted that her brother had spent all the money.
Zhou was certain that she would not dare to confront her brother.
It was only after her mother-in-law interrogated the old woman serving Zhou that she learned how much of her dowry had been embezzled.
“I didn’t tell your sister-in-law that your brother has been studying far and wide all these years, and your sister has been suffering at home without your knowledge. It’s all your brother’s fault, and he should make it up to you.”
When Li Linsu met the steward of the Jiang family at the Li family's residence, he was very puzzled. Upon asking, he learned that his stepmother had withheld the dowry that his mother had left for his younger sister.
He also deeply understands his failure as an elder brother.
Li Lianniang shook her head: "I can't take my brother's share. Brother should discuss it with sister-in-law first. Besides, my brother gave me a dowry when I got married."
Li Linsu wanted to say something, but Li Lianniang interrupted him, saying, "Brother, you've kept this from your sister-in-law. If she asks you about it later, you won't know how to answer. I can't accept it."
"Do you hate your brother?" Her dowry was withheld, and she must have been looked down upon by the Jiang family, yet it was the Jiang family who helped her get her dowry back.
Whenever he thinks of this, Li Linsu feels how incompetent he is as her brother.
When facing Jiang Wei, he felt both embarrassed and somewhat blaming.
This matter could have been handled by writing to him and letting him decide, instead of the Jiang family sending people to demand his sister's dowry, which was a real slap in the face to the Li family.
Li Lianniang smiled and changed the subject: "Let's not talk about that. After receiving your letter, brother, I arranged for the servants to clean up the guest room. I know you prefer quiet, so you can focus on your studies during the imperial examinations."
They had all lived at their maternal grandparents' house, and later returned to the Li family together. However, the elder brother was different because he was a boy. He was able to go out to study, which was his father's pride, and Zhou Shi dared not mistreat him.
Li Lianniang couldn't do it. She was trapped in the inner quarters of her maternal grandparents' house. Even if she returned to the Li family, she could only stay in the inner quarters.
Did Li Lianniang ever hate? Probably, but due to her upbringing, her hatred wasn't actually very strong.
But she felt somewhat unwilling to say that she didn't care. The person she longed for most used to be her brother, then it shifted to Jiang Wei, and later her mother-in-law taught her to love herself and not to place her attention and expectations on others.
Even a clay idol has difficulty crossing a river; it's better to rely on yourself than on anyone else.
Li Linsu refused, saying, "No, I have already instructed my servants to book an inn."
How could he possibly stay in the Jiang family?
Jiang Wei said objectively and directly, "There is only a little over a month until the imperial examination. The better inns in Jin'an have already been booked. I'm afraid it will be difficult to book a good one now. Brother, please rest assured and stay at the mansion. Lian Niang has already made all the arrangements."
After welcoming Li Linsu into the courtyard, Li Lianniang instructed Chi Lan to take people to check the dowry. If there were no problems, it could be carried back to the Yunzhuyuan storeroom.
-Haitang Residence-
Ostensibly, the mission was to send Zhou and her daughter back, but in reality, it was to supervise Zhou's return of Li Lianniang's dowry. The steward of the Jiang family was reporting back to Zhao Xian.
"After Madam Tuo delivered the letter to the Li family, Lord Li, upon learning of it, ordered Madam Li to make up for the missing amount, and even gave her a considerable sum as compensation for the eldest young mistress."
Zhao Xian listened carefully. In fact, after the rumors of Jiang Liangxu's disappearance spread, Zhou's side began to slack off. She was not an honest person to begin with, and even wanted to lock up the managers and others she sent.
Upon receiving the letter from the steward requesting assistance, Zhao Xian wrote three letters and sent them to Lord Li and Zhou's two younger sisters.
The original plan of three months has been delayed for so long. I learned from the steward that it was related to Lord Li and Li Linsu knowing about it. They investigated again and spent a lot of time finding Li Lianniang's birth mother's belongings.
Afterwards, Zhou was sent to the estate.
Actually, Zhao Xian wanted to say that there was no requirement for old items. Those dowry items were just to give Li Lianniang confidence. Real gold and silver were enough.
Zhao Xian nodded: "You've worked hard. Go collect your reward and rest for a few days before going back to work."
After the steward left, Jiang Wei and Li Lianniang, along with her brother, came to pay their respects to Zhao Xian.
The book doesn't focus much on the brother of the female protagonist in the tragic novel, even less on him than on the second male lead. Zhao Xian doesn't know much about him either, treating him only as an ordinary junior.
Zhao Xian didn't say much about the outer courtyard where Li Lianniang arranged for people to stay; she rarely interfered with Li Lianniang's decisions these days.
In the book, Li Lianniang's brother also came to Jin'an to participate in the spring imperial examination, but she didn't remember whether he stayed at the Jiang family's house or not; she only knew that his examination ranking was quite good.
This provided the confidence that Li Lianniang would dare to divorce later on.
Li Linsu was an outsider, so even though he stayed at the Jiang family's house, he didn't need to pay his respects to Zhao Xian. Therefore, Zhao Xian's life continued as usual.
After the fifteenth day of the lunar month, the Jiang father and son began to attend court and perform their duties.
On the contrary, Jiang Heng, who had been stationed at the city's defensive camp, went home on leave.
He was able to stay at home for half a month this time.
The first thing he did upon returning was to visit the Lu family, where he learned that the Lu family had arranged for his cousin to move to a separate residence before the new year and had stopped pressuring him to marry Lu Zhaoying.
On the eve of Xiu'er's birthday, Jiang Liangxu summoned everyone in the family and said his first words, "Tomorrow, Madam, come with me to the Lu family to cancel the second son's marriage."
With a clatter, the cup in Jiang Heng's hand fell to the ground. He stood up abruptly, "Why? I don't agree."
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