Chapter 762 "Passing on the family line and continuing the ancestral worship are matters of great importance in human relations."
Just as Sister-in-law Li, who was carrying an envelope, came in, she overheard the last part of Li San Niang's question. She handed the envelope to Li San Niang and said, "San Niang, you can read the letter first."
Li San Niang didn't hesitate. She took the letter and immediately pulled out the three pages to read it.
Looking at the greeting at the beginning of the first page, “Aunt Zhao (Li’s mother’s full name is Zhao Dani, mentioned earlier), I hope you find this letter helpful. Your son, Hongniang…” Li Sanniang thought to herself, “These words are quite intimate. They’re treating me like their own sister.”
The first page is just a collection of reminiscences and thoughts, and indeed, as Brother Li Er said, it recounts the days when Li's mother lived in the border town.
No wonder Li's mother was moved to tears while reading the letter; anyone would cry in that situation.
Just imagine, thirty years have passed, and suddenly someone is reminiscing about their youthful days in front of you. How would you feel?
As Li Sanniang read further down the letter, her lips tightened more and more, because of a sentence on the second page: "...I remember that Father's military pay at that time was only a thousand coins and one shi and two dou, and I have been living with my maternal relatives for a long time and have not been able to see Father..."
The meaning of these words is crystal clear: Sun Datou's biological daughter didn't get to eat a single grain of rice that he earned, while Li's mother ate quite a lot.
The following pages are filled with recollections of Sun Datou. At the end of this page, it says: "...It has been thirty years since Father passed away. In that year of war and chaos, we couldn't even hold a proper funeral for Father. It always pains me to think about it..."
Li San Niang read those few sentences over and over again, pondering them in her mind, before finally looking at the last page of the letter.
The true intentions are revealed at the end of the page. The third page begins by mentioning that Brother Li is Sun Datou's only biological son, and that carrying on the family line and continuing the family line are matters of great importance in human relations.
In the past, we couldn't find the person, but now that we have found him and made contact with this family, it's time to put the matter of Brother Li recognizing his ancestors on the table.
Upon seeing this, Li San Niang understood that this letter was definitely not written by Sun Hong Niang alone; it must have been written by Guo Tuanlianshi (Sun Hong Niang's husband and the father of the Guo brothers).
Because the next sentence after saying that Brother Li should acknowledge his ancestors was, "My master (Commander Guo) is fortunate to serve under General Shi..."
Although it was just a simple mention of Guo Tuanlianshi, who would underestimate a Tuanlianshi of the First Army?
The rest of the conversation was the same as what Li Erxiong and Li Sanniang had just explained. Sun Hongniang first expressed her concern for Li Daxiong, then praised Li Dalang, and then very considerately said that she knew Li Daxiong was a Jinwuwei (Imperial Guard) in Chang'an, right under the emperor's nose, and therefore could not leave Chang'an.
But it just so happens that Li Dalang is a soldier under the Shi family army, so it would be fine for Li Dalang to hold a decent funeral for Sun Datou as his adopted son in the border town.
The exact words that made Li Erxiong smash his teacup in anger were written as follows: "...Just let Dalang move his household registration here. I know quite a few respectable families around here, and I'm sure I can find him a good match..."
As for the silver brought by the Guo brothers, which Li Erxiong mentioned, the letter made no mention of it.
Indeed, it's likely that Sun Hongniang knew that openly proposing a buyout would be undignified and hurt people's feelings, which is why she only sent Guo Sanlang to deliver the silver box privately.
After reading the letter, Li San Niang carefully put it back in the envelope and returned it to Li Da Sao.
"how?
Third Sister, this Sun Hongniang is going too far!
Who does she think she is?
So what if my elder brother is from the Sun family?
Every year, every month, when did my elder brother not kowtow and offer incense to Uncle Sun during the memorial service?
When we were young, we could see our older brother burning paper money for the Sun family every year!
Our Li family has never hidden these things from you, elder brother, nor have we ever hindered you in any way.
Sun Hongniang's letter is truly disgusting!
she……"
"Alright! Erlang!"
Father Li, with a stern face, scolded Li Er, who wanted to continue speaking. Li Er's mouth was agape, and he was in a very uncomfortable state, unable to catch his breath.
Li San Niang picked up the teapot on the table and poured a cup for Li Er Xiong. "Second Brother, I know what you mean. Have some tea to calm down."
Turning around, Li San Niang cautiously asked Li Da Sao, "Where did Li Da Lang and the Guo brothers go?"
"After that night, Tiger Head ignored the Guo brothers for a day, but yesterday, he seemed to have figured something out and took them out to stroll around Chang'an again."
I left early this morning and probably won't be back until dinner.
Li San Niang nodded, but she also understood what her father meant. No matter how you look at it, her second brother Li was a junior, so it wasn't appropriate for him to speak on matters concerning the Sun family.
"So, what are your thoughts on this matter, elder brother?"
What did he say to his father, second brother, and sister-in-law?
Father Li shook his head and remained silent. Third Sister Li turned to look at Sister-in-law Li sitting beside her. Sister-in-law Li gave a bitter smile: "That night, your eldest brother lay on the bed all night, but got up to go on duty just after dawn."
They didn't say anything to me yesterday or today. Even when I saw the Guo brothers again at dinner, they didn't react. I just nodded and greeted them as usual.
I asked him, and he only said he'd think about it some more.
Li Erxiong had deep feelings for Li Daxiong, so what if they didn't share the same father?
Could the bond forged from growing up together be fake?
Therefore, Li Erxiong earnestly defended Li Daxiong: "What can Daxiong say? What can he say?"
Thirty years have passed! Thirty years!
Besides, his parents never hid this from his elder brother. He knew since he was a child that his father was the eldest uncle of the Sun family. His elder brother has never forgotten who his ancestors were!
Can't we just live our lives peacefully?
Why argue about carrying on the family line or passing on the ancestral rites?
That person has been dead for thirty years. How could holding a funeral bring him back to life?
If you ask me…
"Erlang! Watch your words!"
As Li Erxiong's words became increasingly inappropriate, Li's father once again loudly stopped him before he could finish speaking.
Under the glare of his father, Li Erxiong had no choice but to lower his head, though he still muttered some words of resentment under his breath.
"Third Sister, that's what it is."
Your mother and I feel it's necessary to tell you about this.
"We can't delay any longer, so I had your second brother find a thief to deliver a message to you, asking you to come home tomorrow so we can discuss this matter properly."
After understanding the whole story and the inside story, Li San Niang nodded to her father and pondered the information she had received. With a clear understanding, Li San Niang finally felt the burning hunger coming from her stomach.
Li San Niang picked up the meat bun that Sister-in-law Li had handed her at the beginning, took a big bite, and while chewing, she pondered the best solution to the problem.
After quickly eating most of the baked bun and relieving her agonizing hunger, Li Sanniang looked at Li Erxiong and the others who were staring at her, and without further ado, said, "The key to this matter is what eldest brother thinks!"
We need to know what our elder brother is thinking before we can resolve this matter.
However, I think...
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com