Magistrate Li's voice became even more choked, "Auntie, we started out poorly and had no one to rely on. Shan Ge was ridiculed for his old clothes the moment he met with the King of Qin...
Shan Ge is a good kid, let's just forget about it, being poor and clean isn't a bad thing, but if it were at home...
I didn't tell my aunt at the time, nor did I tell Brother Shan's mother. It was just that I feared if the family members knew about these things, Zhang would become arrogant and others would laugh at us. If it were to reach the ears of the King or the Empress Dowager, it would implicate Brother Shan, and who knows, maybe he would be disliked by the King. My aunt didn't know that Wu County Magistrate and Su Minister were relatives, and they had been eyeing this county magistrate position...
Magistrate Li paused, his voice dropping slightly, "Auntie, my son regards you as his own mother, but... You also know, your body contract... No matter how hard I tried back then, I couldn't get it.
"All these years, I've been thinking of a way out, but... with the family contract in place and my aunt's status... it's unfilial for me to say this, but... our household has no distinction between high and low, which is a great taboo for officials. My son is useless, but Mountain Brother... Aunt, we can't let Mountain Brother be held back by these trivial matters because of us, don't you think?"
"So that's how it is. I understand now." After a while, Zhong Yini finally spoke up, her voice low and measured, with a hint of gloom. "Don't worry, I've got it."
The gloomy tone made Li Xia's heart sink suddenly.
"Shan Ge'er has a good future ahead of him, and he can also take good care of his aunt. When Shan Ge'er grows up, we'll go to the mansion again to ask for the deed, and by that time, whether she gives it or not will be out of her control. Once we get the deed..."
Aunt, rest assured that I will let everyone know about the great kindness you have shown me. Perhaps in the future, Brother Shan can also get a title for you, and you can enjoy the glory too...
Magistrate Li's fawning was endless, and Li Xiara pulled Li Wenshan, the two of them quietly slipped out.
"Why didn't you listen? Maybe..."
"No need to listen anymore." Li Xia interrupted her brother's words, "We've heard all we need to hear. Father will be out soon too. Let's hurry up and go."
Li Wenshan was stunned, just about to ask more questions, when Li Xia pulled him. Li Wenshan turned around and saw County Magistrate Li opening the door. He quickly picked up Li Xia and hid behind a tree, retreating over ten steps before turning around and running away hastily.
………………
A few days later, Zhong's illness was cured.
After recovering from her illness, Zhong Yiniang was like a different person. The first thing she did was move out of the best house in the entire rear courtyard and into a new one next to Hong Yiniang's. She completely lost her former haughty demeanor and even went to discuss with Hong Yiniang how they could take turns doing chores, strictly adhering to the rules and etiquette for servants, both inside and outside the house.
Magistrate Li was both moved and proud, while Mrs. Xu felt ashamed and regretful of her past suspicions, which were truly shameful.
Even Li Wenshan was moved, "A Xia, I think you're a bit wrong to blame Ayi, Ayi really regards us as family, look..."
"Some people have said: apart from one's own parents, who would sacrifice themselves for the sake of others' prosperity?"
This was the Empress Dowager's words, Li Xia sat on the edge of the table, swinging her legs, with a slightly melancholy expression. Although these were the Empress Dowager's words, they couldn't be considered right. Biological parents aren't all willing to sacrifice themselves for their children.
Don't even mention that she is like a birth mother, she isn't.
"What did Old Lady Hong say to you? She's just using our family as a model of filial piety, looking at people and things from the bottom up, forever clearer and more real than looking down from the top."
Li Wenshan furrowed his brow and stopped talking, Xia also did the same.
"Go find Mr. Qin and tell him that, apart from this house and the government office, he should keep a close eye on Clock Ah-Jiao and not allow her to act as an intermediary for anyone, no matter how big or small the matter is, even if it's something as insignificant as a sesame seed; in short, don't give her any opportunity to curry favor with people."
Li Xia's tone was cold and ruthless, Li Wenshan felt a chill run down his back after hearing it.
At this moment, he once again felt that his sister's words about how great he was in his past life were somewhat unreliable.
"Let's find another chance to tell Aunt Hong, and let her keep an eye on Aunt Zhong. No need to say more, some things she understands better than us." Li Xia continued to instruct.
Li Wenshan nodded repeatedly, "I'll go now, Ah Xia, that time, you actually..."
"Older brother!" Li Xia raised her voice.
Li Wenshan hastily withdrew his words, "Forget what I said. I was wrong, I'll go now."
………………
Li Wenshan received a happy message about his admission to Wansong Academy, which was delivered by Qin Wang "Shundao".
In addition to this good news, there were two gifts and a few words passed on by the young servant.
“…Last time in Hangzhou, I was too hasty and didn’t let Sixth Brother and Ninth Sister have a good time, it was really rude of me. This time, I specially prepared gifts, first to express my apologies for the rudeness, secondly, also to take this opportunity to make up for the rudeness last time…”
Saying so, he brought gifts, but Xiao Xun had empty hands, “...The prince said, I don't know if Sixth Brother and Ninth Sister will like it or not......”
It means that it must be given face-to-face, and you can see if you like it or not.
Li Wenshan was moved and very puzzled. Last time, what was wrong with Lan Ge and A Xia? How didn't he know?
But this is a small matter, the king's humility and kindness are truly heartbreaking, giving gifts to two children and caring about whether they like them or not, this is indeed rare in the world.
Li Xia didn't want to see him at all, Qin Wang was too lazy to see him, Jin Cuiyan was afraid of him, and Lu Huai was also unable to see him often. He was extremely astute, the more he saw, the more loopholes there were, and she feared that he would become suspicious.
But she was still worried about Liu Ge, so fortunately there was Gu Liu, who could talk.
In the Langyuan Courtyard, Qin Wang and his entourage were not in the warm pavilion as before, but in the Water Pavilion by the lake. The gentle breeze rustled through, and the entire lake was covered with lotus leaves and flowers, making it a very pleasant place.
Li Wenshan held one hand of Li Wenlan and the other hand of Li Xia, while Li Wenlan gazed with shining eyes at the light silk floating around the water pavilion, the heavy, layered, three or four feet long green wisteria hanging under the corridor, and the elegant and refined people like Qin Wang inside the water pavilion, both her eyes were wide with wonder.
Li Xia leaned against Liu Ge, her temper not quite matching his. She slowed down half a step, changed hands, and suddenly slapped Liu Ge from behind Five Ge's back.
Lu Yi, standing at a corner of the pavilion with a cup of tea in his hand, couldn't help but burst out laughing.
"What's wrong?" Qin Wang didn't see Li Xia's slap, but saw Lu Yi smile, and felt somewhat inexplicable.
"Look at that girl, she's furious. She just slapped her sixth brother." Lu Yi smiled and gestured for Qin Wang to look at Li Xia, who was pouting with anger, and Li Wenlan, who looked wronged.
"A six-year-old girl is too clever for her own good." Jin Zheyen said with a disapproving and dismissive tone, looking askance at Li Xia and the others who were walking closer.
"Five years old." Lu Yi slowly corrected him.
"Cleverness is just a bit cleverer, that's all." The King of Qin looked down his nose with an air of disdain.
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