novelzi Chapter 181
Chapter 181
"Sister has already taken care of it, don't worry," Li Xia's words confirmed Li Hui's suspicions.
"Next time, tell me," With Li Hui in the Li family, he would risk his life to prevent his sister from being bullied.
After a busy and lively day, Li Xia woke up early and went to the Wild Goose Pavilion. Mrs. Lu was surprised to see Li Xia so early, "Have you had breakfast?"
"I came to have it with you, mother," Li Xia helped Mrs. Lu sit down, and the kitchen sent up three portions of breakfast. Mrs. Lu and Li Xia waited for a while. Li Ming also came over from the study. He had drunk too much yesterday out of happiness. Afraid of the smell bothering Mrs. Lu, he had spent the night in the front courtyard study.
"Father," Li Xia stood up to greet him.
Li Ming sat down and accepted the chopsticks Li Xia handed him to eat breakfast. Li Xia sat down to eat as well. After finishing breakfast, Ziyi came in to report that Li Chou and his wife Zhang had arrived.
Mrs. Lu and Li Ming went to the front hall and sat down. Li Xia walked in and sat next to Li Guang.
Li Chou and Zhang paid their respects with tea according to custom. Mrs. Lu and Li Ming accepted and drank the tea, said a few words, and gave them welcome gifts.
Besides the red envelope, Mrs. Lu gave Zhang a set of jewelry. Although she hadn't seen the dowry yesterday, she had heard it was thin. Today, the hairpin Zhang wore was still the gift Mrs. Lu had given during the engagement.
Li Ming gave a red envelope, which looked thin but probably contained banknotes inside. As the eldest brother, Li Hui had to give the couple welcome gifts. Li Hui also gave red envelopes, which were most practical. Zhang presented her own needlework.
Starting from Li Guang, Li Chou and Zhang, as older brother and sister-in-law, had to give gifts to the younger siblings. Zhang gave Li Guang and Li Yao a set of scholar's four treasures, and gave Li Xia a hand-knitted cord.
After yesterday's events, Zhang had a good impression of Li Xia. Her smile towards Li Xia was a bit warmer.
On the way back, Li Chou took Zhang to Auntie An's courtyard.
Hearing that Li Chou and Zhang had arrived, Auntie An sat up straight waiting for them to enter. When Li Chou and Zhang came in, they saw two kneeling cushions in front of Auntie An.
To avoid delaying her granddaughter's marriage, they decided to move up the wedding, which could also be considered a way to bring good fortune.
Madam Bao was a concubine's daughter whose birth mother had died early, and she had grown up under the care of the main wife. She was the only daughter of the Bao family and was much loved by everyone.
The reason the Bao family chose the Li family was because of their upright family values, and Mrs. Lu was a good mother-in-law who didn't have the habit of sending concubines or bedmaids to her sons' rooms.
After passing the military examinations, Li Guang decided not to continue studying. With Cao Fugui's recommendation, he entered the Imperial Guards. With his abilities, he quickly gained recognition and became a squad leader. With his skills and the support of his father and brothers, his future looked promising.
Li Guang's betrothal gifts were as numerous as Li Chou's. The Bao family didn't keep any of it, putting it all into the dowry. Adding to what they had originally prepared, the 36 loads of dowry were packed full and displayed in the courtyard for everyone to see.
Auntie An looked on with satisfaction, feeling it brought face to the family, and had a very good impression of Madam Bao as a daughter-in-law. Then she thought of Zhang's dowry and rolled her eyes at Zhang, who was standing nearby looking at Madam Bao's dowry.
Zhang wasn't blind and naturally saw Auntie An's gesture. It was impossible to say she wasn't bothered, but her natal family had raised her after all. She couldn't stand by and watch her three brothers remain single for life because they couldn't afford proper betrothal gifts.
Thinking again of Li Chou's kindness towards her, she endured Auntie An's eye-rolling. Li Xia and Li Xin entered the courtyard and once again saw Auntie An rolling her eyes to the heavens.
"Auntie An, is something wrong with your eyes? Qiuling, go tell mother to call for a doctor," Li Xia's words made Auntie An hurriedly wave her hands in denial.
"I'm fine, really, no need to trouble yourself," she said as she turned to leave. If Mrs. Lu found out about this, she would surely be punished again. She now had two daughters-in-law, and couldn't afford to be punished. Otherwise, how could she face her daughters-in-law in the future, how could she continue to live in the Li Manor?
Watching Auntie An flee like that, Li Xin smiled wryly.
"Thank you, Second Sister," Zhang shi stepped forward to express her gratitude.
Li Xia maintained an expression as if she hadn't done anything special.
"Let's go inside and see the bride," Li Xin said as she walked towards the bride's room. Zhang shi, walking a step behind, instructed the maids and older women in the courtyard not to speak of what had just happened to anyone outside.