novelzi Chapter 149
Chapter 149
"That's good, think it over carefully. Whatever decision you make, I'll support you," Li Xia didn't object to Xu Xinyue remarrying. On the contrary, she was supportive.
Xu Xinyue had told Li Xia more than once that she envied the relationship between her parents and her elder brother and sister-in-law. Her words revealed a desire to have a happy, harmonious, and stable family like theirs.
With Li Xia not objecting, Xu Xinyue felt much less conflicted.
Li Xia got up and went to a drawer in the desk to take out a jade pendant for safety and protection, placing it in Xu Xinyue's hand. "Mother, I made you a jade pendant for protection. Take a look, do you like it? If not, I can make something else."
Xu Xinyue took it and said "I like it" before even looking at it.
The jade pendant felt warm in her hand; it was a piece of warm jade.
Xu Xinyue's hands and feet would get icy cold in winter. This warm jade was something Li Xia had asked Qiu Ling to inquire about for a long time before finally buying it, and it wasn't cheap. After buying it, Li Xia carefully cut it into two pendants. One for Xu Xinyue, and the other for Mrs. Lu.
"Don't be so extravagant with your spending. You're not young anymore, you need to be more frugal," Xu Xinyue said as she handed the jade pendant back to Li Xia, telling her to keep it. It would be a waste to give her such a good thing.
"It's for you, Mother, so you must keep it. I won't agree if you don't wear it," Li Xia pushed it back into Xu Xinyue's hand.
"Alright, I'll keep it. You're getting more and more strong-willed," Xu Xinyue accepted the jade pendant, seeing Li Xia's forceful attitude.
"It's all because of how you've spoiled me," Li Xia's words made Xu Xinyue's smile deepen, and the mother and daughter burst into laughter together.
After having lunch in the Orchid Courtyard and taking an afternoon nap, Xu Xinyue got up to go to the Wild Goose Pavilion to bid farewell to Mrs. Lu and return to the Xu family.
Li Xia lay on the bed, not wanting to move. If her mother was going to remarry, she would need to prepare some nice things. But what should she prepare?
"Qiu Ling," Li Xia called Qiu Ling in and asked her to inquire about what was usually prepared for someone like Xu Xinyue who was remarrying, and also what dowry the Xu family had prepared for her.
After discussing with Li Ming, Mrs. Lu decided to hold a spring banquet. Invitations were sent out everywhere, as the Li family was planning a grand event. The Xu family also received an invitation.
"Mother, if they're vegetables, then what am I, a pig?" Li Xia didn't know how to respond to Xu Xinyue's words.
"Tsk tsk tsk, what are you saying?" Xu Xinyue gave Li Xia a light tap. She really says whatever comes to mind. Thinking for a moment, Xu Xinyue asked in a low voice, "Are you still thinking about the Young Master Lu, not the Marquis Lu?"
Xu Xinyue's words made Li Xia, who was drinking tea, choke suddenly. "Cough cough cough," it took a while for her to stabilize.
Xu Xinyue quickly patted Li Xia's back. "Look at you, I just asked a question. Why such a big reaction?"
"I was shocked by you, okay? How could you think that?" Li Xia thought that she hadn't shown any particular liking for Lu XuanNing in the past. Why would Xu Xinyue have this idea?
"As your mother, how could I not see through your little thoughts?" Li Xia had been paying a lot of attention to Lu XuanNing.
"I admire him for his dedication to the country and the people. I think his scars are a symbol of honor." That's why she disliked it when those young ladies showed fear and disgust. But as for having any thoughts beyond that, there were none. "Mother, he's still a child. It's too early to talk about this."
"Is that really the only reason?" Xu Xinyue doubted Li Xia's words.
"It's as true as it can be. My dear mother, why are you so intent on pushing me towards Lu XuanNing?" Li Xia repeatedly assured that she really didn't have any improper thoughts about Lu XuanNing.
"That's good then. He's not someone you can aspire to. Let Mrs. Lu find you an honest and decent man who can live a good life with you." Even if Lu XuanNing's face was scarred, his wife would not be a concubine-born daughter from a fourth-rank official's family.
"Mother, let's talk about this in a couple of years." Li Xia didn't want to get married so early, and even if she did, she would want to find someone who would accept her completely.
"What do you mean early? Li Shan is already married." How could Xu Xinyue not be anxious? She had just been stung by Aunt Wang's words earlier.
"How can the situations be compared?" Li Xia felt no sympathy for Li Shan's current predicament. You made your bed, now lie in it.
On the third day after Li Ming's return, Li Shan came back, crying and complaining to Li Ming about Mrs. Lu and Li Hui forcing her to marry. She begged Li Ming to make a decision on her behalf.
Every word she spoke blamed others, portraying herself as pitiful and innocent. But when this matter first arose, Mrs. Lu had actually consulted her. It was Li Shan herself who had chosen to marry into the Zhao Family. Now that she regretted it, she claimed it was like falling into a fiery pit.
Li Ming said nothing and sent Li Shan away. Then Li Ming met with the Wen'an Marquis, and though it's unclear what they discussed, afterwards Li Shan was kept under even stricter supervision. She didn't even attend this banquet. The official explanation was that she was ill and resting at home.