novelzi Chapter 184
Chapter 184
Li Xia turned to Li Hui behind her, signaling him to step forward. Chang'an also looked at Li Hui with sparkling eyes. Li Hui stepped forward and pointed at the rabbit lantern. The shopkeeper brought the rabbit lantern closer, allowing everyone to see the riddle clearly.
"A slanted stroke by the riverside at sunset (Guess a character)"
Li Hui quickly gave the answer: "Berth"
"Congratulations, you're correct," said the stall owner as he handed the rabbit lantern to Li Hui. Li Hui took the lantern and passed it to Chang'an. Chang'an accepted it shyly, revealing a sweet smile.
Cao Fugui noticed Li Xin's gaze repeatedly sweeping towards a Pegasus lantern and stepped forward, "Shopkeeper, that Pegasus lantern."
The stall owner took down the Pegasus lantern and read the riddle: "Birds chirping under the moon by the willow embankment (Guess an animal)"
Cao Fugui thought for a while but couldn't figure it out. However, Li Xin came up with the answer and spoke up, "Cuckoo."
"The lady is correct," the stall owner said as he gave the lantern to Li Xin. Li Xin took the Pegasus lantern and handed it to Cao Fugui.
Cao Fugui happily accepted it. Although he hadn't solved the riddle himself, his wife's correct answer felt just as good as if he had solved it.
The group walked around guessing lantern riddles. Their collection of lanterns grew until they could carry no more. They then found a teahouse to rest and have some tea. On the second floor, sitting at a high vantage point, the street lanterns took on a different charm.
After resting, they went out to see the lanterns again. This time, the six of them split into three pairs, not disturbing each other. Lu XuanNing walked with Li Xia. Lu XuanNing was attentive to passersby, careful not to let anyone bump into Li Xia. This reminded Li Xia of how Lu XuanNing had been equally thoughtful in protecting her when they went to see the lanterns before.
"You were like this last year too," she said.
Lu XuanNing didn't react at first, but when he remembered, he held Li Xia's hand tightly and said, "I will be like this every year from now on."
"Actions speak louder than words," Li Xia valued deeds more than promises.
"Then you'll have to supervise me for a lifetime," Lu XuanNing said as he blocked a pomaded young man who was about to bump into them.
Li Xia's beauty attracted many glances. Most people backed off when they saw Lu XuanNing by her side. But there were always some presumptuous ones who ignored her companion and tried to approach, hoping to gain the beauty's favor.
Auntie An, dissatisfied with Madam Zhang's lack of consideration, made a fuss about not allowing Madam Zhang to go, insisting she stay in the capital. She even wanted to send one of her maids with Li Chou as a concubine to serve him.
Li Chou disagreed with Auntie An's suggestion. Since childhood, he had watched Auntie An fight, argue, and make scenes to win his father's favor, and he had vowed never to let down his wife, never to take a concubine or a maid as a lover, to avoid hurting his wife.
As mother and son remained at an impasse, Auntie An went to Mrs. Lu to cry, "I'm just worried about Madam Zhang having an accident on the road. It's very dangerous to travel with such a big belly. What if something happens? This is the Li family's first grandchild!"
Sitting nearby, Li Xia listened to Auntie An's cries and thought to herself, "It's not a grandson, it's a granddaughter." Li Xia's enhanced ability allowed her to sense the baby in the womb. She had sensed that Madam Zhang was carrying a little girl. However, since Madam Zhang and Auntie An were so set on having a boy, Li Xia hadn't said anything to avoid causing trouble.
Mrs. Lu understood Auntie An's ulterior motives and also understood Madam Zhang's concerns.
Auntie An wanted to use this opportunity to drive a wedge between her son and daughter-in-law, to gain control over Madam Zhang in the future.
Madam Zhang was worried that if a concubine went with Li Chou to his post, over time, she and Li Chou might grow apart. Moreover, although they said the baby was a boy, no one knew for sure until the birth. If it turned out to be a girl, and the concubine who went with Li Chou bore a son, her future life would be difficult.
Both had their reasons, and both came to Mrs. Lu.
Not wanting Mrs. Lu to be caught in the middle, Li Xia suggested, "The main thing is what Second Brother thinks, isn't it? Mother, you could call Second Brother and ask him what he wants to do?"
This comment enlightened Mrs. Lu, who had been too stressed by Auntie An's complaints to think clearly. Mrs. Lu summoned Li Chou and explained Auntie An and Madam Zhang's concerns, asking him what he wanted to do.
After much thought, Li Chou persuaded Madam Zhang to stay behind. He would go with his personal servant and two advisors provided by Li Ming. After Madam Zhang gave birth and recovered, she could then join him.
After learning of Li Chou's intentions, Mrs. Lu went to find Madam Zhang and asked her to persuade Zhang to agree to Li Chou's proposal.
Madam Zhang readily agreed and advised Zhang to prioritize the child in her womb and herself. Under the alternating persuasion of her mother and husband, Zhang finally consented to Li Chou's proposal.
With Zhang's agreement secured, Mrs. Lu kept Auntie An in check, preventing her from secretly arranging for servant girls to serve Li Chou in his bedchamber.
Li Chou bid farewell to his family and departed with his entourage to take up his official post. Zhang was the one who found it most difficult to adjust to Li Chou's absence from the household.
Li Xia and Madam Bao would visit Zhang to keep her company and offer words of comfort when they had free time.