At that time, she would have control over both Meng's life and death, and her mother's 128 loads of dowry.
Half of her mother's illness was due to her father's indulgence of his concubines. As for her father's title, it had to be preserved at least, otherwise it would implicate other members of the Li clan. Even though she hated her father's ruthlessness and selfishness, she did not want to harm others.
Li Shiyue stood up, knelt down and lowered her eyes: "I shamelessly asked my cousin to help me again. I really don't want anyone to ruin my mother's things, nor do I want to let that aunt and niece get away with it."
"What's so difficult about that?"
Xu Yunci's eyes were filled with a smile, and her bright, star-like phoenix eyes unconsciously captivated people.
"I will handle these matters. Get a good rest tonight, and you will be home when you enter the capital tomorrow."
Returning home, not entering a mansion.
Xu Yunci readily agreed, also out of concern for her cousin. She had several sisters in the family, all of whom had been pampered and pampered since childhood.
The young woman in front of him was the same age as the sisters in the family, carefree and happy, but she spoke to him more cautiously, and her polite manner was heartbreaking.
I've heard that the only people in the Earl's family who truly cared for my little cousin were my deceased aunt and Old Madam Li.
Thinking of this, Xu Yunci's eyes, like obsidian, revealed a subtle, cold glint. Hearing her younger cousin say this, she feared that in the days that the concubine relied on the master's favor, her younger cousin's life had been very difficult.
·
The eastern sky began to lighten, and a pale white hue appeared on the distant horizon as the rosy sun slowly rose into the sky.
The snow on the ground began to melt under the sun, and the ground, which was shaded by bare tree branches, gradually froze into a slippery ice surface.
It was a beautiful day. Before going to sleep last night, Xu Yunci specially sent someone to inform her that Meng Zhuo had been taken back to the Jingzhao Prefecture prison in the capital overnight, and told her to rest assured.
As for that concubine in Yunzhong County, since Xu Yunci has agreed, she will naturally find a way to make it happen; she can afford to wait.
The carriage moved slowly, finally entering the city gates of the capital after noon. The bustling street vendors outside the carriage called out their wares, and after an unknown amount of time, the carriage came to a steady stop in front of the Rongguo Duke's mansion.
Li Shiyue stepped out of the carriage with a bowed posture and immediately saw the two stone lions sitting on either side of the main gate, tall and imposing, guarding the Duke's mansion.
Above the main gate are the large, flowing golden characters "Rongguo Duke's Mansion," and below them are the characters "Longde," the reign title of the late emperor. Below, a few gray steps, stands an elderly woman, followed by three maids.
Seeing Li Shiyue lift her skirt, they hurried forward. The old woman, dressed in a simple brown jacket, reached out her hands as she stepped off the carriage.
"Miss Cousin has finally arrived. The old lady has been looking forward to spending New Year's Eve with you."
"Please follow me directly to Shousong Hall, young lady. All four mistresses are here at this time."
"Please lead the way, Granny."
We were ushered through the main gate, and after entering the second gate, we were faced with the flower hall.
Even in winter, a row of red plum trees stands proudly against the white snow under the flower hall's veranda, still in bud.
After passing through the flower hall and entering the back courtyard, we turned left into the garden, then right through a round moon gate. We walked through a series of long corridors, and after walking for an unknown amount of time, we finally saw the "Shousong Hall".
Upon entering the courtyard, one is greeted by a grove of evergreen pines, with a pebbled path leading all the way to the veranda. Two maids stand at the entrance, not glancing at the newcomer, and each lowers their heads to lift the heavy curtain.
A warm breeze greeted them, and a nanny came over. Li Shiyue recognized her; it was Granny Chang, the trusted confidante of Old Madam Xu.
Li Shiyue took off her cloak, and Granny Chang raised her hand and smiled, "Please, Miss."
He walked into the inner room and said to the person inside, "Miss Cousin has arrived."
The room was crowded with people, with Old Madam Xu surrounded in the middle. She wore a honey-embroidered jacket with crane and ruyi patterns, her white hair was neatly styled, and she wore a gold satin headband with ruyi and cloud patterns and inlaid with a ruby. The ruby was about the size of a pebble, bright red, and was placed in the very center.
A red agate and gemstone hairpin adorned the left side of her hair bun, and she held a string of fine sandalwood prayer beads in her hand as she sat on the warm couch in the middle, occasionally looking up at the doorway.
Upon hearing Granny Chang's voice, she moved and sat on the warm couch in the center, her anxious gaze falling on the person behind Granny Chang.
He stretched out his trembling hands, his weathered eyes filled with earnestness, supported by people on both sides.
Li Shiyue spotted Old Madam Xu at a glance and quickly walked up to her.
"Grandmother!"
Madam Xu couldn't help but tear up, and reached out to hug her: "Jiaojiao, my darling!"
The grandmother and granddaughter wept bitterly, and everyone present was moved to tears. After a long while, the two were separated, and Li Shiyue knelt on the prayer mat in the middle, kowtowing and recognizing each person.
"After waiting for so long, I can finally go home."
The woman in purple, sitting on the first sandalwood chair to the left of Madam Xu, stood up, took Li Shiyue's hand, and led her forward to sit down next to Madam Xu.
Li Shiyue recognized this as her maternal aunt, Madam Yang, the wife of the Duke of Rongguo, who came from a prominent family.
Her hair was styled high and round, and she wore a set of red gold headdresses paired with a long brocade jacket with dark purple patterns, and an outer drape of luxurious brocade. The wide sleeves cascaded down her sides like clouds in the sky.
Li Shiyue called out "Aunt Yang," and Yang smiled broadly. The wrinkles around her eyes were not obvious, and it was impossible to tell that she had already given birth to two sets of children.
Although her skin wasn't as smooth as a young woman's, it was fair-skinned, with slender fingers. When she smiled, her eyes also held a smile, making people feel as if they were bathed in a spring breeze. Even when they made eye contact, it didn't make anyone feel uncomfortable.
"They've been making such a fuss since early this morning. It's only been a short time since Miss Cousin entered the manor, yet they're making such a big fuss. With such natural beauty and talent, I wonder which young master in the manor will be lucky enough to marry her after the mourning period ends at the end of the month."
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