Chapter 360 "Third Brother, just tell me what our relationship is!"
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As soon as Li Shiyue finished speaking, Li's mother nodded in agreement.
"That's for sure!"
"When I gave birth to you," Li's mother said to Li Shiyue after glancing at the stone, "it was all thanks to your aunt being there for you!"
Although your grandmother was there at the time, it's still different to have your own family members watching over you.
This is twins, even though it's summer!
We need to be even more careful!
Your aunt hasn't smiled since the end of last year; it's clear she's very worried.
Li Shiyue nodded in agreement with her mother's words, naturally thinking about the difficulties Li Xiatian would face during childbirth.
This is true not only in ancient societies, but also in modern societies, there are women who die from childbirth.
Not to mention, there are countless women who develop illnesses due to pregnancy and childbirth.
Therefore, when Li Xiatian gives birth, they must all be present at this critical moment.
If anything were to happen to her, she could rush in and give Li Xiatian the life-saving water. No matter what happened to the child, Li Xiatian's life had to be saved first!
No matter what happens to the child, nothing is more important than Li Xiatian's life!
Seeing the furrowed brows of her mother and mother, Li Shiyue was also deeply worried about Li Xiatian's situation. However, after discussing Li Xiatian's matter, she asked her mother, "Mother, where is Second Uncle? Why didn't he come?"
Upon hearing Li Shiyue mention Li Wangming, Li's mother's expression visibly stiffened.
Seeing her mother's reaction, Li Shiyue began to ponder what was going on in her mind.
“Wangming... your second uncle... isn't he engaged to Zhou's third sister?”
At the end of the year, he brought gifts to the Zhou family. He didn't know what the Zhou family said to him, but on the third day of the Lunar New Year, he packed his bedding and moved into the Zhou family's house by himself.
Your second uncle said that his classmate somehow got hold of some valuable exam questions, and that he should move to the Zhou family's house to study for the next imperial examination.
They said he would return to the family school with the Zhou family after the New Year.
It is not uncommon in Andong for men to rely on their in-laws, who have some reputation in the area, to take the imperial examinations. In fact, it has been a common occurrence in Andong since ancient times.
Hearing what Li's mother said, Li Shiyue naturally didn't say anything more, but only looked up and asked, "Does the Zhou family also think that we shouldn't go to the capital to participate in the imperial examination?"
Otherwise, I should have taken that last ship from Andong to Dongmu before the New Year.
Li's mother is no longer the same person she used to be. She now sees through Li Wangming, the man she raised since childhood, who is practically her son, and no longer has any expectations of him.
Li's mother knew that Li Wangming had grown up and was no longer the person who used to follow her around like a shadow, play with Li Shiyue like a sibling, and always put his family first.
Li Wangming eventually has to live his own life; he can't stay with them forever.
Not to mention, after Li Shiyue became an official, Li Wangming's somewhat awkward behavior and his infrequent visits to Lijiatun made it easy for Li's mother to understand Li Wangming's thoughts.
After exchanging a few more words about the imperial examinations, the conversation turned directly to the Zhenbei Prince's family.
With only family members and closest relatives left in the room, Li's mother looked at Li Shiyue and asked in a low voice, "I don't know anything about the affairs of the Prince's Mansion, but will this matter involve you?"
Your official position was personally appointed by the prince. Now that the prince is no longer alive, is that position still effective?
Looking at Li Shiyue's face, Li's mother continued to ask, "I don't understand the ways of officialdom. I won't ask what you've been doing these past two months. But I have to tell you, if you can't keep this official position, then we'll quit!"
You and your mother go back to the village. There are so many old businesses in our village, surely everyone can have a bite to eat.
Don't get addicted to being an official and start fighting for everything..."
Before Li's mother could finish speaking, Li Shiyue interrupted her with repeated calls of "Mother." Li Shiyue stepped forward, stood behind Li's mother, and began to massage her shoulders.
Li Shiyue comforted her worried mother, saying, "Mother, Mother, don't worry, I know everything!"
However, I am not a power-hungry person.
If I can still hold this position, then I will certainly continue to do my job well.
If I can't become the leader, it doesn't matter. I can still be just as good as the person in charge of Lijiatun.
Just like Mother said, no matter what, we won't lack a single bite to eat.
For dinner, Li Shiyue ordered a feast at the paper shop. The whole family, including Li Shiliang, enjoyed a good meal before everyone dispersed.
On the Lantern Festival, Li Shiyue was still counting down the hours in the paper shop, eager to participate in the third transaction of the new system, when an unexpected person arrived at Li's Paper Shop.
It wasn't really unexpected.
Who is this person?
It was none other than Ma Sanma, Li Shiyue's old acquaintance and deputy general.
They formally invited him to sit down in the hall in the backyard of the paper shop. Li's mother served him tea, and Li Shiyue then bowed to Ma San and said, "Brother Ma San's arrival has truly made this humble abode shine!"
I was just thinking of visiting the General's mansion to pay my respects to the General and his wife!
However... there have been a lot of rumors circulating on the streets lately, and I'm quite anxious about it, otherwise I would have gone to their door long ago!
On this Lantern Festival, Brother Ma San's visit must mean he has something important to say!
Third Brother, just tell me what our relationship is!
Ma San returned Li Shiyue's greeting and bowed to her with a sigh, saying, "Alas, things have been busy at home lately, and the General and his wife have truly been stretched in two."
The prince, the heir apparent, and the princess have all gone. In this short time, even if they wanted to report to the imperial court, the fastest way to reach outside Andong is by water.
But at that time, with the sea ice stretching out, how could a ship sail?
However, traveling by land would inevitably involve taking a detour, and by the time the news reached Kyoto, it might not be until March.
But we in Anton still have to live our own lives, don't we?
Therefore, the general had no choice but to temporarily assume the position of Protector-General of Andong, according to the rules of Andong, so that we could continue living our own lives as before.
Upon hearing this, Li Shiyue understood.
What Ma San meant was that, despite his seemingly high-sounding words, Liu Tan simply seized the opportunity of the Prince of Zhenbei's death, and with her carefully planned scheme to indirectly kill the heir Liu Shu, she had all the right timing, location, and support to allow her to successfully seize power.
Although he is said to be temporarily acting as the Protector-General of Andong, isn't he actually the ruler of Andong?
Just as Ma San said, Andong is located in the northeast of the Dalong Dynasty. Although it is adjacent to Youzhou, the distance between them is actually quite far. Andong is not as close as the Turks.
Therefore, the most convenient way to send messages to Kyoto was by water.
However, the winters in Andong are bitterly cold, lasting at least three or four months, so if you want to send messages by water, you have to wait until the end of March or the beginning of April of the following year.
Only when the sea ice melted could ships sail.
Furthermore, Andong experienced some drought last year, but the winter snowfall was heavier. Such a climate change means that natural disasters are bound to occur next year, which is this year.
The only question is when this natural disaster will strike, and to what extent.
Therefore, Ma San's words must be true, and Li Shiyue had already guessed it in his heart. Since Ma San came in person, it must be because Liu Tan had told him something.
So, what did you say?
Should we have Ma San personally inform Li Shiyue?
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