novelzi Chapter 185
Chapter 185
Li Guang had joined the Imperial Guard and would only be able to return home once every two weeks. Madam Bao, having experienced separation herself, found she could relate more to Madam Zhang. Their relationship improved significantly, especially as they united against Auntie An's attempt to arrange a concubine for Li Guang.
Li Xia remarked that Auntie An had become a common enemy for the two sisters-in-law. This comment earned her a tap on the head from Mrs. Lu, who decided Li Xia needed special training, thinking, "She's about to get married, yet she still speaks without thinking." At that moment, Li Xia, unaware of Mrs. Lu's plans, was on her way to attend Wang Hong's milestone celebration, bearing gifts.
This was the first time the Wang and Xu families had gathered so completely. Upon seeing Li Xia arrive, Xu Yiyou hesitated, unsure whether to approach.
Li Xia spoke first, "Yiyou, you've grown taller since I last saw you."
"Have I? I hadn't noticed," Xu Yiyou replied, comparing her height to Li Xia's. She used to reach Li Xia's shoulder, but now she came up to her nose. She really had grown.
"Yiyou has indeed grown quite a bit this year," Madam Jiang remarked with a smile.
"Aunt, Elder Sister-in-law," Li Xia greeted Madam Jiang and the young woman standing beside her.
"Cousin," the young woman, Wu Yue'er, wife of Xu Yizheng, responded.
Wu Yue'er's attitude towards Li Xia was pleasant, and Li Xia was willing to show her some respect. However, she completely ignored Ning Ying, Xu Yirong's wife, who stood at a distance with a look of disdain.
After some conversation, Qiu Ju invited everyone to move to the room where the objects for Wang Hong's milestone ceremony were arranged. Xu Xinyue, holding Wang Hong, was instructing him on what to choose. The two uncles from the Xu family had placed some items on the table, while Wang Dong had added paintings and books.
Xu Xinyue set Wang Hong in the middle, calling out, "Hong, grab the book!"
"Grab the painting," came Wang Dong's voice.
"Grab the sword," the two Xu uncles chimed in.
As everyone encouraged Wang Hong to make his choice, he sat in the middle, smiling. Then, catching sight of Li Xia, he crawled straight towards her. He threw himself into her arms, clinging tightly and refusing to let go.
This unexpected turn amused everyone. Madam Jiang laughed, commenting on the strong bond between sister and brother.
"If our parents were alive, they would be disappointed to see you currying favor like this. Have you forgotten Father's teachings?" Xu Xinyue was deeply disappointed in her brothers. Their father, Xu Youshan, had been dedicated to serving the people and dared to stand up to the powerful. But now Xu Xincheng and Xu Xinyong were trying to attach themselves to the influential.
"It's because of those teachings that our family fell apart. Our parents and sister-in-law are gone. My brother and I suffered greatly at the frontier. Even you were sold as a concubine for years," Xu Xinyong blurted out, causing Xu Xinyue to freeze.
When she recovered, she slapped him and shouted, "Get out!"
"Xinyue," Xu Xincheng said, his face dark with displeasure.
"Brother, don't bother asking her. Let's go," Xu Xinyong said, storming out.
Xu Xincheng stepped closer to Xu Xinyue. "Xinyue, you can't imagine the hardships we endured at the frontier." With that, he left.
As the door closed behind them, Xu Xinyue couldn't hold back her tears. Her brothers had suffered at the frontier, but hadn't she suffered as well?
"Mother, Hong is sleepy," Li Xia's voice came from the doorway.
Xu Xinyue quickly wiped away her tears and went out. Seeing Wang Hong asleep in Li Xia's arms, she took him and laid him on the bed inside.
"The uncles are leaving. The master is seeing them off and asks you to join," Qiu Ju came in to report.
"Just let them go," Xu Xinyue said, her tone somewhat harsh. Noticing Li Xia's confused look, she caught herself. "I'll go see them off. Xia, watch your brother," she said, leaving with Qiu Ju.
After they left, Li Xia beckoned to Xiao Shuang. "What happened?"
Xiao Shuang, who now primarily attended to Xu Xinyue, hesitated, unsure whether she should speak.
"I won't tell Mother, speak quickly," Li Xia said in a calm tone, but for some reason Xiao Shuang felt a shiver run through her body. She then spilled everything, words tumbling out like beans from a jar.
When Xu Xinyue returned, she saw Li Xia sleeping next to Wang Hong. The anger she had felt towards her brother dissipated upon seeing the peaceful sleeping faces of the two children. She would not allow anyone to bully her children, not even her own brother.
After leaving the Wang family home, Li Xia instructed Qiu Ling to investigate matters concerning the Xu family. Previously, Li Xia had simply smiled off the various actions of the Xu family, as they hadn't harmed Xu Xinyue.