Chapter 137 Invitation
With so many people coming, the Li family's place definitely wouldn't be enough to accommodate everyone.
Fortunately, the neighbors were easygoing and allowed them to set the food up in their own homes. Several families gathered around one table to eat, which prevented it from being considered impolite to set it up on the street.
Inside, Sister-in-law Li was not intimidated. She arranged similar families by gender according to their social standing and set up tables neatly. Fortunately, the guests did not complain.
The meal didn't end until late afternoon.
Brother Li, Brother Li, and the four little ones saw each guest off to their car. Seeing that even the drunkards were being looked after and cared for, they finally felt relieved.
There's something interesting about this place. Qian Xiaolang had probably never seen so many people in his own home before. And because it was in the middle of the city, a celebratory banquet, and many people had drunk some alcohol, it was quite noisy.
Qian Xiaolang had a great time playing with Luzhu'er, Xiaosilang, and Xiaodalang from Uncle Li's family. Luzhu'er shared her good friend dog with them and even let them touch Xiaohuang's fur, which made the two children, who had never been in contact with a puppy before, very happy.
Finally, the banquet ended, and Qian Xiaolang, with tears streaming down his face, was reluctant to leave his friends, Lu Zhu'er and the other two.
Li San Niang, watching from the side, almost burst out laughing; this young man was truly adorable.
It was only after Qian Xiaolang's mother, Su Wanhui, repeatedly assured him that she would invite these three to his birthday banquet next month that Qian Xiaolang stopped crying.
Just before boarding the carriage, Qian Xiaolang, like a little adult, reminded Luzhu'er, Xiaosilang, and Xiaodalang that they must come, saying that there would be many delicious snacks at his birthday banquet.
All the guests who were openly acknowledged have left, but the two who were secretly together are still safely in the courtyard where the four little ones used to live.
Li Erxiong and Li Sanniang, each carrying a tea tray and a plate of fresh fruit, went to check on Fang Chengxian and Xu Jingzhen's meal.
After seeing off the guests, Li's father and elder brother went over to check Fang Chengxian's pulse, rewrote the prescription, adjusted the medicine, gave him some more instructions, and then prepared to see them off.
Before Li's father could speak, Fang Chengxian stood up and bowed to Li's father, Li's second brother, and Li's third sister-in-law. Then, seeing the puzzled looks on their faces, he smiled wryly before sitting down and explaining, "Thanks to the care of Doctor Li, Little Doctor Li, and Third Sister-in-law, Chengxian was able to find out that he had been poisoned and was able to slowly detoxify and survive."
Given Li's advanced age and his knowledge of Fang Chengxian's situation, there must be something he hasn't said yet.
Fang Chengxian poured tea for the three members of the Li family and Xu Jingzhen with a small teapot before continuing, "The day before yesterday, Doctor Liang came to my house to take my pulse. I didn't know how to hide my pulse from Doctor Liang, so I didn't make any preparations."
"It was my oversight; I thought Dr. Liang would arrive before the Emperor's birthday next month, but he came before the Mid-Autumn Festival instead."
At this point, Fang Chengxian's eyes darkened, and after a pause, he said with a helpless expression, "Grandmother and Father probably noticed that I've been going out more often lately and that my complexion is rosy. They probably thought that the medicine they asked Doctor Liang to prescribe was working and wanted to confirm it, so they invited Doctor Liang to come over again. Grandmother still wants me to get married and come home."
Li San Niang, being perceptive, understood that although Fang Chengxian's words were veiled, he meant that the old lady of the Fang family and the master of the house, Fang Chengxian's father, felt that Fang Chengxian's health seemed to be good enough for him to marry, and that he wouldn't really become a widow as soon as he entered the family. That's why they wanted to ask Doctor Liang to confirm it.
"Since it happened so suddenly, I had no choice but to let Dr. Liang take my pulse."
Li Erxiong understood. "So, we've been discovered?"
Fang Chengxian paused for a moment, then nodded and shook his head. "I don't know either. After taking my pulse, Dr. Liang just looked at me and said he wanted to meet the doctor who would prescribe another medicine for me."
But he still prescribed the medicine as usual, and didn't say anything to my family afterwards.
So, I guess you could say you've discovered it?
Mr. Li said frankly, "It's alright. If it's Doctor Liang, then it's fine."
I've heard about Dr. Liang's character within the alliance, and although I haven't met him in person, I believe he's a good person.
Furthermore, since Dr. Liang did not inform your father, he probably did not want to get involved in your family affairs.
If he's interested next time, just bring it.
"In that case, I apologize for my rudeness and for troubling Dr. Li."
Mr. Li waved his hand and got up to leave.
Just as Li Erxiong and Li Sanniang were about to get up to exchange a few pleasantries before seeing Fang Chengxian and Xu Jingzhen off, they heard Xu Jingzhen stand up and say to Li Sanniang, "Sanniang, may I have a few words with you alone?"
The entire room was filled with surprise. Fang Chengxian was surprised, Li Erxiong was surprised, and Li Sanniang was even more surprised and puzzled.
These are all single men and women. Although the current social norms don't allow men and women to gossip about each other, Li San Niang, considering that she is a mother with a young daughter, should be careful.
"Young Master Xu, please speak frankly. Young Master Fang and I are friends, and my second brother is my closest brother who watched me grow up. There is nothing I cannot say to others. Young Master Xu, please just say what you have to say."
Xu Jingzhen did not continue to ask for a private conversation. After listening to Li Sanniang's words, he nodded and said directly to Li Sanniang, "I grew up in a Taoist temple. My master and the abbot of Xuandu Temple are fellow disciples. There are two osmanthus trees in the temple that are over a thousand years old. They are in full bloom and the fragrance is wonderful. I would like to invite you to enjoy them with me, Sanniang."
Shocked face.
Questioning face.
Oh dear, Xu Sanlang from the Duke of Ying's mansion, who ranks among the top three beauties in Chang'an, has invited me to admire the osmanthus blossoms!
Li San Niang really couldn't believe what her mother had said before. Could it be that Xu San Lang really had taken a liking to her? Was he interested in her?
Li Erxiong felt his face burning. He wondered if it was inappropriate for him to be standing there like this, perhaps even hindering his younger sister's chances of finding a lover.
Just as Li Erxiong was awkwardly about to pick at his toes, Li Sanniang asked uncertainly, "Xu Sanlangjun, what does this mean?"
Seeing that Li Sanniang still didn't understand, Xu Jingzhen said directly, "I'm fond of you and want to spend more time with you. Would you like to come with me to Xuandu to admire the osmanthus flowers?"
There was no thunderbolt on a clear day, but Xu Jingzhen's question was almost like a bolt of lightning striking Li Sanniang's head.
Fang Chengxian watched from the side, but he wasn't particularly shocked. After all, before he met Li Sanniang, he had heard Xu Jingzhen talk about her and felt that Li Sanniang was different from other women and was special.
When one person feels that another person is special, that's when it begins.
However, Fang Chengxian did not believe that Li Sanniang would agree, or rather, precisely because she was Li Sanniang, that special woman, she would not agree.
If this were any other young lady, upon hearing Xu Jingzhen's words and being invited to admire the flowers, she would surely be overjoyed, blushing and happily going along. Her family would probably be very happy as well.
After all, apart from being older, Xu Jingzhen was among the top unmarried men in Chang'an in terms of family background, assets, appearance, and education.
Not to mention, he once declared that he would only marry one woman in his life, and only one.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com