Liu's voice was melodious, and when she raised her eyelids, she revealed a pair of peach blossom eyes that seemed to want to say something but couldn't. When she raised her wrist, a pair of jadeite bracelets were revealed through her wide-sleeved rose-red jacket.
Li Shiyue thought to herself, "No wonder." Her philandering second uncle was completely under the thumb of this aunt, who even had her concubines and illegitimate children under her control. She really had a knack for it.
Shyly avoiding her gaze, Liu acted as if she were a child living in the Earl's mansion, having secretly watched a matchmaker from the neighboring elder sister's family come to visit, eagerly introducing which young man was good and which place was good.
“Oh dear, a family with a daughter is sought after by a hundred families. If that’s what my second sister-in-law says, then I can’t let my daughter-in-law fall behind. My fifth son will be twenty in two years. Please, Grandmother, show some love to my fifth son.”
The woman who spoke was Zhou, the mistress of the fourth branch of the family. As soon as she spoke, she moved closer to Madam Xu, like an unmarried young woman, and tugged at Madam Xu's sleeve.
With just a few words, he seemed to have his own thoughts, easily easing the tension and restoring the previous relaxed atmosphere.
Li Shiyue looked at Zhou Shi, her eyes bright and her brows revealing a hint of shrewdness. Her skin was fair and smooth, much like the white fox described in operas, especially since she was wearing a red jacket with auspicious patterns and light begonia designs.
This fourth maternal aunt was doted on by her fourth maternal uncle. The two had a son and a daughter, and there were no concubines or maids in the backyard. Like the Duke and his wife, they were the most harmonious couple in the household.
It was for this reason that Madam Xu, as the legal wife, loved the affection between the first and fourth wives and showed particular favor to them.
Liu was subtly pushed aside. With her back to Old Madam Xu, Zhou turned her head and, like a child who had snatched a beloved object, gave Liu a defiant look.
Li Shiyue took in everything and looked at Zhou Shi with gratitude, her lowered eyes revealing the shyness of an unmarried woman: "My two aunts are too kind to me. My brothers are naturally outstanding individuals, and they are all the apples of my grandmother's eye."
Redirecting the conversation back to Madam Xu, Li Shiyue sat to the side, obediently playing the role of a shy young woman who had just heard about her marriage.
After talking for a while, Madam Xu arranged for Granny Chang to take Li Shiyue to see where she was staying.
The courtyard where she lived was called Chengyu Pavilion, a courtyard near Shousong Hall, which was the courtyard of Madam Xu before she got married. However, this meant that it was not close to the courtyards of her other cousins in the mansion.
However, to get to Shousong Hall, you just need to walk through the garden and a bamboo grove, so it's very close.
Following behind Granny Chang, Li Shiyue looked at the familiar scenery around her, a strange emotion welling up inside her. Turning out of the round moon gate, they entered a pebbly path through a bamboo grove. Li Shiyue glanced at it meaningfully and slowed her pace.
"Tenth Sister? Why are you here all by yourself? Where are your servants?"
Before Granny Chang had even turned out of the round moon gate, a pretty young woman of about twelve or thirteen years old rushed out from in front of her.
Her features resembled those of her second maternal aunt, Liu, from Shousongtang; she had delicate features, but for some reason, she didn't look friendly.
Ignoring Granny Chang, she walked straight up to Li Shiyue. Even though she only reached Li Shiyue's shoulder, she crossed her arms, raised her chin, and said arrogantly, "You wouldn't happen to be my cousin who came to visit today, would you? I heard that you were kicked out by your father. It's clear that you're a nuisance and no one cares about you."
Xu Lingwan's mouth was still as unpleasant as in her previous life, and Li Shiyue had the deepest impression of her. In her previous life, when she first came to the Duke's mansion, she was afraid of being disliked, so she was very careful in everything she did.
The only one she didn't get along with was Xu Lingwan. She didn't know if it was just a natural incompatibility, but in her past life, Xu Lingwan always liked to embarrass her.
In her past life, she was worried about causing trouble for her maternal grandmother and thought that it would be better to back down and live in peace. However, Xu Lingwan was even more arrogant, and wherever she was, Li Shiyue would never have a peaceful life.
Granny Chang had a bad feeling. The young lady had only just entered the manor and she was already at odds with this little devil from the second branch of the family.
"You must be my youngest cousin, Lingwan. If you call me a scourge, you're insulting everyone, including my maternal grandmother and several uncles."
"This is the Xu family. People are young and may speak without thinking, so it's not a problem."
Li Shiyue raised her head slightly, a polite smile on her lips, seemingly unashamed or embarrassed by Xu Lingwan's sarcastic words.
She endured it in her past life, but it didn't bring her peace, so why endure it again and again?
The expected situation did not occur, and Xu Lingwan's face instantly fell. She stomped her foot in anger: "Are you saying that I, as a lady of the Rongguo Duke's Mansion, have no manners?"
He swept past Li Shiyue, climbed up the artificial hill on one side in a few steps, picked up some stones from somewhere, took out a slingshot from his sleeve, and threw it at Li Shiyue's face.
The movements were incredibly fluid, clearly indicating that they were very familiar with these tasks.
"hiss!"
A pebble struck Li Shiyue on the forehead unexpectedly, with considerable force, causing a tingling, numbing pain.
Li Shiyue raised her hand to touch her forehead, and felt a warm, wet sensation on her fingertips. Upon closer inspection, she realized that blood had been drawn from her skin.
The stones were sharp and fell down the brocade of her clothes to her feet.
Chunling picked up the stone and shouted, "Miss, are you alright? Oh dear, you're bleeding."
Xu Lingwan stood smugly in mid-air on the artificial hill when she was suddenly pulled down by Granny Chang. Granny Chang had been observing her earlier to test the temperament of this young lady.
She hadn't expected Xu Lingwan to dare to injure someone; the situation was serious, and she dared not let this little brat leave. If the old lady asked, she wouldn't have an explanation.
Li Shiyue covered her forehead and smiled bitterly. She hadn't expected to miss Chengyu Pavilion and end up back at Shousong Hall.
Madam Xu specially invited the imperial physician, and by this time Li Shiyue's forehead was already wrapped in gauze.
"How is it? It won't leave a scar, will it?"
It would be unsightly for a woman to have scars on her face.
The imperial physician replied to Madam Xu, "Fortunately, the wound is not deep. Just apply ointment daily, avoid contact with water, and be careful in everything you do."
Madam Xu nodded, and Madam Yang stepped forward to have someone see the imperial physician off.
Inside Shousong Hall, only Madam Yang was present. Underfoot was a square indigo-camel carpet with a hundred birds and butterflies, and a charcoal brazier covered with a gauze cage sat on it, occasionally crackling as it burned.
Old Madam Xu slammed her cane into the ground, her gaze falling on the gauze on Li Shiyue's forehead, instantly turning to heartache.
"This Shi Niang is really spoiled by Madam Liu."
Madam Yang sighed, "Fortunately, the injury isn't deep. With careful care, it should be fine. I'll have someone send you the excellent ointment that Yuan Niang used to send back later."
“Send her here. Jiaojiao has just arrived and will stay in the Bisha Pavilion of Shousong Hall for a few days before returning to Chengyu Pavilion.”
Madam Yang was startled, but maintained her gentle smile and replied, "Yes." In her heart, however, she thought to herself, "Only her Yuan Niang and Er Lang lived in the green gauze curtain room of Shou Song Hall when they were young. It seems this cousin is truly valued by the old lady."
Madam Xu said quietly, "As for Shi Niang, she shows no remorse, so it is not unreasonable to ask her to be punished according to family rules."
"Grandmother".
Li Shiyue called out, hugging Madam Xu's arm, her voice soft and gentle: "My cousin is young and speaks without thinking, it's not a big mistake."
"Both are flesh and blood. In the future, we will be living under the same roof and will inevitably meet. If the problem cannot be solved, I'm afraid my grandmother will be caught in the middle."
Madam Xu sighed softly, "Then what do you think we should do?"
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