LRAB Chapter 116
Chapter 116
Aunt Wang was murmuring to Li Yao's ear. He was now used to Aunt Wang's nagging and complaining, allowing it to go in one ear and out the other. Turning his head, he saw Auntie Mei sitting in the corridor sewing clothes.
He remembered from his previous life how Auntie Mei would often sit by the window and sew clothes for him. Aunt Wang followed Li Yao's gaze to Auntie Mei and said, "What are you looking at her for? She can't bear sons and only knows how to cater to the Lady. She's useless."
"Auntie, hungry," Li Yao said in a childish manner, not wanting to hear Aunt Wang speak ill of Auntie Mei. He was just over two years old and easily got hungry. Aunt Wang didn't suspect that he was trying to divert her attention.
"Little Fourth is hungry. Stay put and don't run around. I'll have someone make egg porridge for you," Aunt Wang called for someone to prepare egg porridge in the kitchen. At the same time, she muttered about how inconvenient it was living on Osmanthus Alley, and how life was better in Liuzhou.
In Liuzhou, she lived in a courtyard with her two children. Since Li Yao was young, a small kitchen was specially built in the courtyard. She could cook whatever she wanted to eat. But now, living in a side house, they had to go to the main kitchen for everything, and with the family fortune donated, their food quality had declined a lot.
Her son could only have egg porridge when he was hungry, with no delicacies. Aunt Wang really wanted to return to Liuzhou. As she brought the egg porridge back to the room, Aunt Wang couldn't help but give Auntie Mei a sideways glance.
Auntie Mei was bewildered by Aunt Wang's look. Li Shan had just recovered, and now Aunt Wang was acting strange again. She couldn't figure it out, so she decided not to dwell on it. Aunt Wang disliked her, and she disliked Aunt Wang too.
Putting down her needlework, Auntie Mei took out a letter from the bottom of her sewing basket. She started to walk into the room but stepped back twice. She paced back and forth outside for a while before finally deciding to go in.
Li Xia teased Auntie Mei, "You finally deigned to come into the room." Auntie Mei had been pacing outside for half an hour.
Auntie Mei handed the letter to Li Xia. Li Xia opened and read the contents. It was from Auntie Mei's brother, informing them that they were safe. After being exonerated, they planned to return to the Capital City but encountered Prince YongKang's rebellion on the way.
The two brothers from the Xu Family discussed and decided that with their circumstances, it would be difficult to study for the imperial examinations again. So instead of returning to the Capital City, they decided to follow Lu XuanNing to Liuzhou to quell the rebellion and accumulate military merits to pursue an official career.
Li Hui's excellent second-place result in the imperial examination made Mrs. Lu overjoyed. She had a basket of copper coins brought out, giving a handful to each visitor offering congratulations. The servants also received double rewards.
Li Hui returned late, greeted Mrs. Lu, and then went to his room to rest. After ten years of arduous study, he had finally achieved his goal. The exhausted Li Hui could finally immerse himself in joy.
The next day, Mrs. Lu and Li Hui discussed holding a banquet. The newly purchased residence on Qingyue Street was being urgently renovated. Mrs. Lu intended to host a celebration banquet after moving there.
"Mother, I don't want to hold it now. Father is still toiling in Liuzhou, and we don't know when he'll be able to join us in the Capital City. I want to wait until Father arrives and our family is reunited before holding the banquet."
Li Hui's words pleased Mrs. Lu. "Then we won't have a grand celebration. In a few days, we'll move to the new residence on Qingyue Street. At that time, we can invite your grandmother, uncles, and any close friends of yours to warm up the new house."
"Alright, I'll follow Mother's wishes," Li Hui didn't refuse further. It was customary to invite relatives and friends to warm up a new home.
Auntie Mei and Li Xia were packing their belongings together. They didn't realize how much they had accumulated until they started packing. They had only brought four trunks, including those of their maids, when they first arrived in the Capital City. Now, they couldn't fit everything into eight large trunks, with three trunks filled with Li Xia's carved artworks.
Li Hui had been selling Li Xia's miniature carvings under the name "New Wind." Since there wasn't much space at home, Li Xia didn't make large pieces. Instead, she focused on miniature carvings, which required more skill.
Li Xia's delicate carvings were very popular. Li Hui controlled the quantity sold each month, making them a rare commodity.
After packing everything up, Qiu Chan carried a box in each arm to the entrance to load into the carriage. Qiu Chan's strength showed itself better at times like this. Several maidservants were no match for one Qiu Chan.
The new residence was on Qingyue Street, with five courtyards. This area was mostly inhabited by officials of low rank. It was a bit far from the main city area, but the advantage was the spacious grounds.