Chapter 138 Purpose
Meng Liniang was chattering away, sharing her day's events with Aunt Luo. She even showed Aunt Luo the handkerchief that Wang Liuniang had given her. Then she regretted it, saying, "It's a pity I didn't bring any embroidery with me when I went out. I didn't even return the gift to Sister Wang. I really shouldn't have done that."
Aunt Luo hurriedly said, "Why don't you pick a purse or handkerchief from your dowry and send it back? Otherwise, wouldn't the Wang family think we're impolite, not even giving a return gift..."
Xingge and Taoxiang, who were guarding the door, saw Madam Liu enter and quickly bowed, saying, "Madam has arrived."
Aunt Luo and Meng Liniang also quickly bowed to Liu Shi:
"lady."
"Mother."
Liu sat down at Meng Liniang's table and immediately noticed the box on the table. The handkerchief given by Wang Liuniang was spread out on the table, its pink peony flowers dazzling and eye-catching.
Aunt Luo asked with concern, "I heard that the eldest young master has a fever. What did the doctor say?"
Liu said, "He caught a cold today and has a low-grade fever. The doctor came to see him and prescribed some medicine. Granny Qi went to brew it. I hope he will get better soon after drinking it."
Aunt Luo breathed a sigh of relief: "It's good that it's not serious. I've seen Xiaoxiao helping the young master exercise these days, so a little cold shouldn't be a problem."
Liu said, "I hope so."
She glanced at Meng Liniang, hesitated for a moment, and said, "Aunt Luo, you can go down first. I have something to say to Liniang."
Aunt Luo thought she was going to talk about visiting the Min family tomorrow. When she saw that Liu was avoiding her, a hint of sadness flashed in her eyes, but she still curtsied and went back to her room.
Although Meng Liniang was born of her own womb, she could only call Liu Shi "mother" or "aunt." She needed Liu Shi to accompany her to all social occasions, and she was absolutely not allowed to appear on her own. Even for such a major life event as her marriage, the lady of the house allowed her to come and watch her go out. She was already much more dignified than most aunts.
Actually, the lady could have left her in Biyang County to take care of the adults, but considering that she only had this one daughter, she brought her along instead.
Aunt Luo sighed and shook her head with a bitter smile.
Liu had been very good to them, mother and daughter. At least she had never suppressed her, and even actively planned for Meng Liniang to find such a good marriage.
Liniang is an illegitimate daughter, yet she is to marry the legitimate son of a fifth-rank official. What an honor this is! What more could she ask for?
It was nothing more than wanting more after getting what they wanted, wanting to see what their future son-in-law looked like, and what their daughter's future in-laws would be like, but Aunt Luo dared not say such things out loud.
She doesn't deserve it.
From the day she became a concubine, she naturally lost that right.
Aunt Luo suppressed her wild thoughts and went back to her room to pick up the embroidery thread.
It's time to make another little bib for Rui Rui. The child is growing quite fast, and the bib I made three months ago is already too small.
Although there was already an embroiderer in the mansion, Aunt Luo also liked Rui Rui, the late-born son of Magistrate Meng, very much. There were too few children in the mansion. If only she could have another child like the madam.
After Aunt Luo left, Madam Liu dismissed Tao Xiang and Xing Ge, leaving only Meng Liniang behind.
Meng Liniang sensed that something was amiss and looked at Liu Shi with some unease: "Mother, is there something you want to tell me?"
Liu gently stroked the handkerchief that Wang Liuniang had given her, and suddenly said, "Do you know why your brother suddenly caught a cold?"
The wind was quite strong today, and the weather was very cold. Meng Liniang thought that Meng Guanqi had accidentally caught a chill, but after hearing what Liu said, could there be another reason?
She stammered, "My daughter doesn't know."
Liu said, "He was left standing outside by your grandfather for an hour and got sick from the cold."
Meng Liniang was taken aback and exclaimed, "Why, why is this happening?"
Liu sneered, "Why? What else could it be? It's just that they look down on our branch of the family. Ever since we separated our households, your grandparents have always looked down on our branch. Now that we've separated, they probably look down on us even more. Otherwise, we wouldn't have only returned every four years, and your grandmother wouldn't have even thought of inviting us to stay for a meal..."
Meng Liniang felt as if a bucket of cold water had been poured over her head, leaving her completely bewildered.
She received such a warm welcome today, but her brother, who was a scholar, was left outside in the cold wind for an hour by his grandfather. Why is there such a big difference?
If Meng Yueniang, Wang Liuniangzi, and their cousins truly wanted to befriend her, then why did their grandfather suppress their brother like this? What did they mean by this?
She stared at the exquisite embroidered handkerchief on the table, completely bewildered.
Madam Liu sighed, "Why would Wang Liu Niangzi, the legitimate daughter of a fourth-rank official, be so enthusiastic towards a county magistrate's illegitimate daughter? Giving her a handkerchief and asking her to go shopping—is it really worth her condescending to do such a thing? She's surrounded by legitimate daughters of officials who fawn over her. And your aunt's legitimate daughter, who's always been arrogant and doesn't even give her illegitimate sisters a second glance, why is she suddenly so enthusiastic towards you? Do you think this is normal?"
Meng Liniang was stunned as she recalled her interactions with Meng Yueniang, Wang Liuniangzi, and her cousins that day. At first, she was flattered and shy, but Wang Liuniangzi was so bright and friendly that Meng Yueniang joined in the fun. Gradually, she really believed that they genuinely wanted to befriend her and never thought of being wary of them.
When Liu asked that question, it was like a bucket of cold water had been poured over her head, extinguishing all her enthusiasm. So there's no such thing as a free lunch, okay? Did they approach her with ulterior motives?
She was deeply hurt, and tears welled up in her eyes as she murmured, "But what good do they get out of being so kind to me?"
Liu took out a handkerchief to wipe her tears with heartache: "I don't know either, and I don't care what their purpose is, but there is one thing, the most important thing for our family right now is your brother's imperial examination. We can't afford the slightest mistake. No matter what their purpose is in trying to get close to us, we must stay far away and not cause trouble for your brother."
Meng Liniang was suddenly jolted awake. Right, the most important thing in the family right now is her brother's imperial examination. Everything else has to give way to this.
She was too reckless. How could she only think about her own happiness and forget how crucial these past few months have been?
Madam Liu said, "Of course, I hope I'm just being cynical. They genuinely want to befriend you, but there's no need to rush. You'll be getting married next month, and once you're in the Min family, your in-laws will naturally introduce you to their family connections. They'll then tell you which families you can befriend and which you should keep your distance from. Just listen to them."
Meng Liniang said with shame, "Mother, it was my ignorance that almost caused trouble without my knowledge. If Miss Wang invites me out in the future, I will find a reason to refuse."
Madam Liu was very satisfied. Meng Liniang was just a little simple-minded, but she wasn't stupid. She would listen to any reasonable analysis of the pros and cons.
She smiled slightly: "Alright, stop crying. Tomorrow is the day you meet your in-laws for the first time, and you'll also meet your future husband. If you cry until your eyes are swollen, you won't look good. This is a very important day, so don't let one thing distract you from the other."
Meng Liniang quickly stopped crying and obediently replied, "Yes."
After thinking for a moment, Liu said, "The weather is still too cold. Your brother is sick, and Xiaoxiao needs to stay and take care of him. Ruirui is too young, and we're afraid he might catch a cold if he goes out with us. Tomorrow, just the two of us will go to the Min family together—"
She paused abruptly, glanced at the east wing, and sighed, "Why don't you call your aunt to come along? You're her only daughter, and she always wants to see your in-laws and your husband with her own eyes. It would fulfill one of her wishes."
Meng Liniang was taken aback, then overjoyed, and immediately curtsied, saying, "Thank you, Mother. I thank you on behalf of my aunt."
Liu smiled slightly: "Get up early tomorrow and dress up nicely to meet your future in-laws and husband."
Meng Liniang blushed deeply and couldn't help but lower her head.
Liu didn't tease her anymore. She had said what she needed to say, so she went back with peace of mind.
The next morning, Meng Liniang dressed up in her finest attire, while Aunt Luo wore an indigo-blue dress with only a few silver hairpins in her hair, making her look almost as old as Granny Qi.
Being able to accompany her wife and daughter to the Min family to meet her daughter's future in-laws and husband made her so excited that she could hardly sleep all night. In order not to attract attention, she deliberately chose this most inconspicuous outfit, and walking beside Liu Shi, she looked like a mother in charge.
Madam Liu frowned slightly: "Go change into a brighter set of clothes. Since we dared to take you out, we never intended to hide your identity. Lord Min and Madam Min won't mind, there's no need for that."
Aunt Luo then realized that she had gone too far. She went back and changed into a moon-white dress, but it was also a plain color and not eye-catching at all. When Liu saw that she was determined to do so, she did not force her anymore.
Meng Guanqi's fever had subsided, but Liu wouldn't let him go out, so he stayed in his room reading and writing. Li Xiaoxiao didn't let him off the hook either, making him do push-ups and planks in the room during breaks.
Meng Guanqi didn't know where she learned these seemingly simple but actually extremely difficult movements, especially the plank, which involves simply supporting your body with your elbows. At first, he didn't take such a simple movement seriously, thinking it was not difficult at all and that anyone could do it. He could easily hold the plank for an hour, but he was proven wrong and couldn't even hold it for a quarter of an hour.
He collapsed to the ground, exhausted, drenched in sweat and panting heavily.
Li Xiaoxiao waited for him to rest for about half a cup of tea's time, then urged him to get up again and continue working.
She not only asked him to do it, but also did it with him. With her demonstrating, Meng Guanqi quickly cheered up and started again.
What frustrated him was that every time he collapsed from exhaustion, she remained completely still, which made him feel very frustrated.
No matter how many times he saw it with his own eyes, he could never understand her innate superhuman strength.
Little Rui Rui, who was standing to the side, initially thought it was a fun game and stuck out his little bottom, trying to support himself with his little hands. But after a few breaths, he found it boring. Just then, Li Xiaoxiao's posture was perfect for him to climb on, so he sat on it without hesitation.
Li Xiaoxiao remained completely still.
Rui Rui lay down and rolled around on her back, finding it extremely fun, giggling happily, and then climbed down and climbed onto Meng Guanqi next to her.
Meng Guanqi was struggling to support himself, let alone with a chubby little boy weighing over 30 kilograms pressing down on him; he immediately collapsed to the ground.
Rui Rui tripped and fell, startled, and got angry: "Brother, you're bad!"
Meng Guanqi lay on his back on the ground, panting heavily, looking utterly hopeless.
Li Xiaoxiao lasted for half an hour before stopping, and even had time to move her hands and feet. She was sweating, but felt refreshed and invigorated afterward.
She patted Meng Guanqi's shoulder, who was lying motionless on the ground: "Although the process is painful, you will feel that it was all worth it when you enjoy the results."
If he gets a fever after just an hour of exposure to the wind on the day of the imperial examination, how can he possibly pass? She has to increase the intensity of his training to help him build up his muscles.
Meng Guanqi lay on the ground, opened his eyes, looked at her, and reached out his hand to her. Li Xiaoxiao thought he wanted her to help him up, so she handed him her hand. Just as she was about to pull, he suddenly pulled hard, and she was caught off guard and fell on top of him.
Li Xiaoxiao was taken aback: "What's wrong with you?"
Rui Rui is still here!
Meng Guanqi lazily reached out and hugged her, even using his legs to hold her legs in place: "Grandma, let me rest for a bit, I feel even more tired than practicing on the parallel bars and horizontal bars..."
He didn't know where she got so many tricks up her sleeve. He felt his legs shaking every day, his appetite was unusually good, and he fell asleep faster than ever before. He could only say that he was experiencing both pain and pleasure, but for now, the pain was slightly in the lead.
Li Xiaoxiao lay in his arms, the angle of which was quite unique and novel. However, the fact that she was shorter than him after lying down was not very pleasant. She even felt a bit petite and delicate.
This is completely contrary to her usual understanding.
Meng Guanqi patted her head and suddenly said, "I'm sorry you had to go through this."
"Huh?" Li Xiaoxiao looked up at him, puzzled.
Meng Guanqi sighed, "In order to avoid unnecessary trouble, I haven't been able to formally introduce your identity to the people in the Meng family. They must think you are a servant, but they don't know that you are my fiancée."
Moreover, Li Xiaoxiao dislikes elaborate and gorgeous outfits, and she doesn't like wearing jewelry. Instead, she prefers to wear clothes that allow her to move freely anytime and anywhere. Half of her wardrobe is filled with men's clothing, just like her free spirit, which is not bound by rules.
Li Xiaoxiao touched his chin: "You're actually bothered by this? I don't care, so you don't need to care either."
Meng Guanqi looked down at her, their faces almost touching.
Li Xiaoxiao suddenly became interested; she felt there was something she should make clear to Meng Guanqi.
She sat up and pulled him up as well. The floor was wet and cold, so she decided to talk while they were sitting on the couch.
She said with great interest, "I know what you and your wife are worried about. You're afraid that if others find out about our engagement, the rumors will be unpleasant and hurt us. But ultimately, this is a matter between us. The most important thing is our shared perspective and thoughts. Don't you agree?"
When the news of their engagement spread, the two people involved were naturally the first to be affected, and Meng Guanqi nodded without hesitation.
Li Xiaoxiao said, "You were the one who went against everyone's wishes to marry me and get engaged to me. You should have been mentally prepared for this situation and thought of a plan to deal with it, right?"
Meng Guanqi replied decisively, "Of course, I'm just afraid you'll be unhappy."
I'm even more afraid that she will be attacked, commented on, compared, and hurt because of her background.
Li Xiaoxiao's eyes shone brightly like the rising sun, and a confident smile spread across her face: "But Meng Guanqi, you don't need to worry about me. I've never felt that I'm not good enough for you, inside and out. If I, Li Xiaoxiao, want something, I deserve the best! Those rumors can't hurt me in the slightest."
No matter how bad her background or how shameful her past was, these words had no effect on her. Only those who are incompetent and lack self-confidence would feel ashamed of themselves.
She dared to stab an arrow into the back of the emperor's own son right in front of him. How much confidence must she have had to believe that she could get away unscathed?
Li Xiaoxiao said seriously, "I don't care what others say. I only care about you. What you think is the most important thing. If one day you feel that my background is a burden to you, you can't stand other people's strange looks, or you take a fancy to a lady from another family and want to bring her into your household, please tell me the truth, and I will give you your freedom."
Meng Guanqi was both anxious and angry: "How could I do such a thing? Don't talk nonsense. Do you want me to kneel before you like those common people and make the most vicious oath?"
Li smiled and said, "That's not necessary. Besides, I don't believe in oaths. If oaths really worked, then why are there so many criminals in prison? They would all be struck by lightning and killed. Why would the government need to solve cases?"
Meng Guanqi didn't like hearing this: "Heaven and earth bear witness, I have never put any other woman in my eyes except for you, and besides, I have never had any contact with any other woman..."
Li Xiaoxiao smiled slightly: "There are signs right now, but I'll trust you for now and face it together with you. Isn't Madam curious about why Liniang is so popular with the young ladies? I think I can guess a bit about it."
Meng Guanqi asked curiously, "What is the reason?"
Li Xiaoxiao looked at Meng Guanqi's exquisitely beautiful face and said, "I bet that the most enthusiastic young lady from the Wang family fell for you at first sight and is trying every means to get close to you. Is there a better way than to befriend Li Niang?"
Meng Guanqi frowned: "Are you talking nonsense? I haven't paid any attention to any Wang Liu Niangzi."
Li smiled and said, "It's that lady who caught up with me today to give Li Niang a handkerchief..."
Meng Guanqi was almost frozen at the time and obviously didn't notice her, but when Li Xiaoxiao mentioned it, he remembered that a young lady had chased after him to give Meng Liniang a handkerchief or something. Meng Guanqi wasn't interested in matters between women and didn't even notice a corner of the other woman's clothes.
Li Xiaoxiao said, "Such a big person standing in front of you, giving you flirtatious glances and you still ignore him, it's like the goddess is in love but the king is indifferent. But with a face like that, it's not surprising that you attract attention. It would be strange if you didn't."
Moreover, because this person is too good-looking, he has been targeted by schemers since childhood, including Lu Weifu, who is homosexual...
Meng Guanqi snorted coldly, turned his face away, and ignored her. But seeing that she still had a spectator's attitude, he couldn't help but feel a little jealous: "Don't you have any sense of crisis at all? Are you just watching the show?"
Li Xiaoxiao scoffed, "A sense of crisis? You mean me? Between me and Wang Liuniang, even a fool would choose me~ Do I need to feel a sense of crisis?"
Meng Guanqi almost spat out her drink, but when she came to her senses, she realized that what she said was absolutely right.
Who in this world could be more precious than her?
Meng Guanqi blushed and stared at the radiant Li Xiaoxiao. She was so full of life, like the most beautiful flower in summer, fiery and passionate. For a moment, he almost felt that he was about to lose his grasp on her free spirit.
That's the feeling. He loves her just the way she is. He can't see her frustrated or sad. Sometimes she makes mistakes, messes things up, or does things that make people laugh or cry, but she always greets others with a confident and smiling face.
She simply chooses not to compete; if she wanted to, he couldn't imagine what she couldn't obtain.
She looks simple-minded and doesn't like studying. She runs away as soon as she sees homework, and she's terrified of having to memorize a few articles. But beneath her simple-minded exterior lies a mind more delicate than a bee's tail. She is good at seeing the essence of things, has an exceptionally accurate judgment of timing, and is incredibly bold. She dares to take action and always hits the mark.
She is a genius with extraordinary skills, yet she chooses to live a life of leisure and idleness as her ideal goal. This contradiction is both fascinating and perplexing.
His heart pounded wildly, and his neck turned red. He couldn't help but lean forward and kiss her lips tightly, as if only in this way could he hold onto her and believe that she belonged to him.
A small face suddenly came closer, two big, black grape-like eyes blinking, looking at his brother with complete confusion as he asked why his brother had suddenly opened his mouth and bit Xiaoxiao. When he realized what had happened, he was extremely angry. How could his brother bite Xiaoxiao!
Rui Rui first slapped Meng Guanqi twice with her little hands before he could react, and when he still wouldn't let go, she opened her tiny teeth and bit his ear.
Meng Guanqi was passionately kissing Li Xiaoxiao when he was suddenly slapped twice. While he was still in a daze, he felt a pain in his ear and was bitten.
"Ouch!" He reflexively covered his ears.
Li Xiaoxiao quickly pulled Rui Rui away and leaned closer to look at Meng Guanqi's ear, where there were two deep teeth marks.
She got angry, grabbed Rui Rui's little hand and slapped him twice: "Who told you to bite people?"
Rui Rui was extremely aggrieved: "Brother, bite me, laugh."
Li Xiaoxiao and Meng Guanqi blushed slightly, realizing they had forgotten there was a child in the house! Rui Rui thought Meng Guanqi had bitten her and was protecting him!
Li Xiaoxiao was deeply moved. She kissed Rui Rui's little face twice and then said to him seriously, "I'm very happy that you protected your sister Xiaoxiao, but you can't bite people, okay? Look at your brother's ear, you bit it until it bled."
Rui Rui looked at Meng Guanqi's ear, which was slowly bleeding, with a guilty conscience, tears welling up in her eyes.
Li smiled and said, "Apologize to your brother."
Rui Rui pouted, "I'm sorry~"
How could Meng Guanqi bear to blame her younger brother, who was so adorable? But Rui Rui's temperament definitely needed to be tempered. He was only two years old, but he was stronger than a five-year-old. He didn't know how much force to use when hitting people, and even adults felt pain when he hit them. This habit needed to be changed.
So the two of them took turns lecturing Rui Rui, telling him that he should never hit or bite people again.
When Liu came in carrying two bundles, she saw two adults on the couch seriously scolding the little dumpling: "What's wrong? Rui Rui has been naughty again?"
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