NOVEL SIMPLE
Chapter 17
The close contact from traveling together in the carriage for days and nights improved the relationship between Li Xin and Li Xia greatly. The direct evidence was that Li Xin addressed Li Xia as "Xiaxia", and Li Xia addressed Li Xin as "Sister". The indirect evidence was that Li Xin and Li Xia no longer spoke reservedly and would express their true thoughts.
"After more than a month of the bumpy carriage ride, I feel a bit unaccustomed to sleeping on a comfortable bed now," said Li Xia.
"You'll get used to it after two days," replied Li Xin. Just as she was speaking, she saw Auntie An walk in. Auntie An was dressed up like a peacock today. It was a pity that the person she had dressed up for was not present. Auntie An looked a little disappointed for not seeing Li Ming. After paying respects to Mrs. Lu, she sat at the lower seat and drank tea, glancing around. Auntie An looked towards the courtyard gate, at this time Aunt Wang had not arrived yet.
Aunt Wang and Li Shan arrived half an hour later. They walked into the room, paid half-finished respects to Mrs. Lu, then stood up and said "paying respects to Madam" before Mrs. Lu permitted them to rise. Then the mother and daughter went to sit aside without waiting for Mrs. Lu's permission.
Aunt Wang's petty tricks were not enough to infuriate Mrs. Lu.
Seeing that Mrs. Lu did not react, Aunt Wang sneered to herself. She had deliberately done this to upset Mrs. Lu, so that she could say good things about herself in front of Master Li later. Unfortunately, Mrs. Lu did not take the bait.
Although Mrs. Lu did not take the bait, someone else could no longer hold back.
"My, aren't you full of yourself, Aunt Wang, arriving so late to pay your respects," said Auntie An sarcastically, with jealousy mixed in her words.
Aunt Wang coughed lightly behind her fan. "I couldn't help it, Sister. This morning when I got up, Master insisted on hugging our Fourth Young Master before he would leave. That's why I arrived late. Please forgive me, Madam." While verbally asking for forgiveness, Aunt Wang had a smug look on her face. She glanced over Auntie An's jealous expression and sneered to herself that Auntie An was a fool to come provoke her when she clearly knew she was no match. So what if she had two sons? They were all useless and not to be feared.
Hearing Aunt Wang's words, Auntie An predictably got angry. Whenever Auntie An thought about how her two sons were ignored by Master Li when they were little, not only no hugs but scarcely a look, she wanted to stab Aunt Wang with her eyes. In the first exchange, Auntie An was defeated. Her combat ability was clearly too weak, Li Xia sighed inwardly.
Li Xin was originally somewhat uncomfortable with such scenes, but when her eyes swept over the amusement in Li Xia's eyes as she watched the show, Li Xin suddenly felt it didn't matter. She straightened up and copied Li Xia's posture to watch the show. Hmm, this way was much better.
Mrs. Lu noticed Li Xin's transformation from discomfort to composure. She was quite satisfied with Li Xia's performance inwardly.
Too lazy to watch Aunt Wang's pretentious mannerisms, Mrs. Lu said lightly, "It must have been tiring to serve Master. You may leave to rest now."
Aunt Wang was still waiting for Mrs. Lu to make things difficult for her, so that she could gain Master Li's favor later. She did not expect Mrs. Lu to completely ignore her and tell her to leave directly. Although Aunt Wang did not want to stay here either, she still performed the ritual of saying "This concubine shall take her leave" before getting up. With a look to Li Shan, the mother and daughter pair who arrived late also left early.
Auntie An wanted to say something but swallowed her complaints when she saw Mrs. Lu's expression.
Mrs. Lu put down her teacup. "Now that we have arrived at Liuzhou with a bigger locality and more managing affairs, starting today, Li Xin and Second Young Lady will assist me in overseeing the inner residence." Mrs. Lu made this arrangement so that Li Xin could learn household management. Satisfied with Li Xia's performance, Mrs. Lu did not mind teaching her as well. Li Xia was 11 now and could also start learning. This was also a show for Li Ming.
Upon hearing this, Auntie Mei was so anxious that she tried to decline, "Madam, Xia'er is still young, I'm afraid she can't manage the household."
Auntie An looked at Auntie Mei as if she was an idiot. What a good opportunity to be in charge of the household. Even if she wanted it, she wouldn't have it, yet Auntie Mei was rejecting it outright. But soon Auntie An thought of the Aunt Wang from earlier acting smug as a mother hen, and couldn't help but laugh. Mrs. Lu didn't say for Li Shan to participate in managing the household either. At this thought, unconcealed schadenfreude showed on Auntie An's face. Let's see if that wretched Aunt Wang can still be so cocky. While it's fine to contend with her, contending with Mrs. Lu will bear no good fruit.
Mrs. Lu glanced at the reluctant-looking Li Xia. "Second Young Lady is clever. She will learn well when taught."
Auntie Mei wanted to refuse further but Li Xia had already stood up and agreed, "Many thanks to Mother for giving Daughter this opportunity. I will learn diligently and do well."
Seeing Li Xia agree, Auntie Mei could not say anything more. Back at Orchid Courtyard, Auntie Mei stood in front of Li Xia with a severe look. "Why did you agree to manage the household?"
"Auntie, I can learn skills from managing the household. Haven't you always wished for me to learn skills?" Li Xia looked at Auntie Mei puzzledly.
Seeing the completely oblivious Li Xia, Auntie Mei heaved a sigh and sat to the side.
"Auntie, if you don't like it, I'll tell Mother I won't learn," seeing Auntie Mei looking unhappy, Li Xia got up.
Auntie Mei held Li Xia back, "Are you truly ignorant or just pretending?"
Li Xia laughed. "Didn't you always tell me to obey Mother?"
Auntie Mei poked Li Xia's forehead. "You sly thing."
Aunt Wang found out about Mrs. Lu's arrangement afterwards. She considered asking for Li Shan to participate as well but understood that she had been somewhat arrogant recently. If she went to ask Mrs. Lu, Mrs. Lu might not agree and could make things difficult for her instead. After thinking it over, Aunt Wang decided not to court trouble from Mrs. Lu pointlessly. Back in her room, she tidied herself up and prettied her makeup, satisfied when looking at the beauty in the bronze mirror with an approving nod. She had someone wait on the road for Li Ming to return home at night.
After a busy day, the intercepted Li Ming was brought to Bingqing Courtyard by Aunt Wang on his way home. Seeing the alluring Aunt Wang in the lamplight, Li Ming's eyes lit up. Aunt Wang was even more elated inwardly upon seeing this while maintaining a gentle demeanor to serve Li Ming.
After attending to Li Ming's comfort, Aunt Wang softly brought up that she hoped for Li Shan to learn household management from Mrs. Lu as well.
Hearing Aunt Wang's words, Li Ming kept silent without responding. The previously fully confident Aunt Wang became apprehensive. Her complexion turned somewhat pale which made her appear distressingly delicate and wretched, Li Ming's favorite look. But this time, instead of staying because of Aunt Wang's pose, Li Ming got up to leave while putting on his clothes.
In her fluster, Aunt Wang disregarded everything else and went forward to grab Li Ming. But facing Li Ming's stern expression, she involuntarily retreated aside to make way.
Watching Li Ming depart without glancing back, Aunt Wang was anxious inside. After a while, "Hongxing, go see where the Master went." Hongxing had secretly followed Li Ming and saw that he went to the study in the outer residence. She came back to inform Aunt Wang.
Holding Li Yao, Aunt Wang's nervous heart eased slightly upon hearing Li Ming had gone to the outer study instead of another room. Otherwise she would have lost all face tomorrow.
Even so, the next day everyone in Li Manor's inner residence still heard about how Li Ming had left Aunt Wang's place in the middle of the night and stayed overnight in the study. Mrs. Lu made no effort to conceal this matter and soon it spread through the inner residence.