Full House Spring

Chapter 105: Expelled from the Kuang Family
After Xia Li returned to Cuihua Court, she found the gold-pile earrings that Xiao Fengxian had left for her.

She sat under the candlelight and looked at the earrings carefully. Although they had been stored for a long time and the color had faded a little, there was no damage.

If Xiao Fengxian knew that her brother was not only alive and well but also became an official appointed by the court, she would probably be very pleased.

Xia Li didn't want to gain any benefit from Hu Yongyun, so she wouldn't hold on to the gold-beaded earrings and wait for the right opportunity. She sympathized with the brother and sister's plight and couldn't bear to see them live in disappointment, so she just regarded it as a good deed.

Considering the strict rules between men and women, Xia Li didn't want to give himself any more blame, so he reported the matter to his father and brother and asked them to return the money on his behalf.

Fang Qizhen was happy to serve, and the next day he took the pearl earrings to the Laizhou government office.

Hu Yongyun had been subjected to a lot of rumors these days because of Zhang Jun'an's reckless noise. He felt depressed, so he practiced a set of boxing skills alone in the martial arts field. After venting all the depression in his heart, he felt better.

As soon as he retracted his fist, he saw Fang Qizheng looking at him calmly. Although Hu Yongyun had not been in the officialdom for long, he knew all the important figures in Laizhou.

He picked up his coat from the ground and put it on quickly. He walked up to Fang Qizheng with big strides, clasped his hands and said, "I wonder why Master Fang came to the government office? If there is anything I can do for you, please just ask."

Fang Qizheng had heard about his recent reputation a long time ago, and seeing that he, with his sharp eyebrows and bright eyes, and his noble bearing, was being harmed by the boy from the Zhang family, he couldn't help but feel that it was a pity.

Although Fang Qizhen was a teacher at Dongli Academy, he was also a man of distinction. He was not pedantic and would not judge a person's character based on a few rumors.

The corners of his lips curled slightly, and he said in a gentle tone: "I was entrusted by someone today to deliver something to Lord Hu."

Hu Yongyun's first reaction was that Zhang Jun'an had started to mess around again. He restrained his expression and said solemnly, "I'm afraid Master Fang has misunderstood me. I have no other thoughts about Mr. Zhang San. Those things are all his own imagination."

Fang Qizheng raised his eyebrows slightly and said in a steady voice: "It's not that Master Zhang asked me to come here. I'm not familiar with him. I just wanted to ask you, do you have a lost sister?"

Hu Yongyun was stunned for a moment. Perhaps because he had been disappointed too many times over the years, he no longer held out hope. He said in a numb voice:

"I have an older sister, and we have been separated for many years. I have searched everywhere I could, but there is no news."

When Fang Qizheng saw his appearance, he couldn't help but think of the pain they had experienced when searching for his sister. Fortunately, his sister was alive and well, but Hu Yongyun's sister was no longer alive. Although the news was a bit cruel, what needed to be said still had to be said.

Fang Qizheng considered and asked, "Do you have a token of recognition for your sister?"

Hu Yongyun suddenly raised his head and looked at him in shock and helplessness. After a moment, he stretched out his hand from his arms and took out a handkerchief, which he slowly opened in front of Fang Qizheng. Inside was a pair of gold-wrapped bead earrings that were exactly the same as the one in his hand.

Fang Qizheng didn't hesitate and directly put the earring he brought in his hand. Looking at the earrings that formed a pair, Hu Yongyun's hands trembled uncontrollably.

Fang Qizheng said in a low voice, "This earring is your sister's relic. She asked my sister to keep it for her before she got into trouble. If I am lucky enough to meet you in this life, I will give it to you and tell you about her. Maybe it is God's will. My sister saw you yesterday and thought you looked familiar, so she asked me to bring this earring to ask you."

Hu Yongyun's eyes were filled with helplessness. His body trembled slightly, and he asked in a hoarse voice, "My sister...is no longer alive?"

Fang Qizheng couldn't bear to look directly at it, and said with difficulty: "After separating from you, your sister wandered around and finally became an actress and was sold to the Duke's Mansion. Later, she committed a crime and was beaten to death. My sister couldn't bear to see her body exposed in the wilderness, so she secretly found a place to bury her. If you want to pay tribute to her, I have the specific location here."

Hu Yongyun's knuckles turned white as he held the earrings. Tears welled up in his eyes. The deep sadness was beyond words. Every breath he took was accompanied by pain. He said in a hoarse voice, "Can I ask Miss Fang in person what my sister did to die?"

Fang Qizheng sighed and said, "My sister told me everything that happened. If you want to know, we won't hide anything from you. Her acquaintance with your sister was an accident..."

Xia Li had hesitated whether to tell Hu Yongyun the truth. No one could remain indifferent in the face of the tragic death of a loved one. The person who had ordered her to be beaten was no longer alive, but the culprit was still alive. If she concealed it, she would feel guilty, so she simply told her eldest brother everything and let him decide for himself.

After hearing what happened, Hu Yongyun frowned and his eyes revealed intense anger, like the calm before a volcano erupts.

He said in a hoarse voice: "Thank you Master Fang for coming to tell me the news. I will come to thank you after I bring my sister's bones back!"

Fang Qizheng knew that he was a man of blood, so he said sternly: "It has been many years since the incident. Although the Cheng'en Marquis's Mansion is not as good as before, it is still not something you can compete with. Besides, the second master is not easy to mess with. You should think twice before doing anything."

Hu Yongyun's lips were tightly clenched into a straight line, and he said in a cold voice: "Blood debts must be repaid with blood. I cannot watch the culprit get away with it. I will not be able to face my sister in the underworld in the future."

Fang Qizheng was at a loss for words to persuade him. If he were to put himself in his shoes, he would only do something crazier. He patted him on the shoulder and warned him, "You can avenge your sister, but don't involve innocent people."

Hu Yongyun said in a deep voice: "Don't worry, I have a plan in mind."

Fang Qizheng left the government office and went back home. The next day, he went to inquire and found out that Hu Yongyun had taken leave and rushed to Kyoto. After knowing this, Xia Li was not worried about the second master. He had harmed many maids in the mansion and he should pay the price for it. He just hoped that Hu Yongyun would not hurt others by mistake.

Xia Li got rid of a worry and hid in her room to embroider her wedding dress. Rong also began to prepare her dowry. The opening of the perfume shop was left entirely to Hu Wanyou. The most surprising thing was that Chan Yi had now become a shrewd and capable female manager. It was more convenient to have her running the shop than Hu Wanyou.

The Kuang family had many strong laborers, and the new courtyard was renovated in just over a month. Kuang Chengrui specifically asked his future father-in-law for the layout of Cuihua Courtyard, and tried his best to arrange their married life to be similar to Cuihua Courtyard, so that Xia Li could adapt to the new life as soon as possible.

How happy the old man and the women in the East Courtyard were, how aggrieved Cui was. When she saw the betrothal gift the old man brought out, she was so angry that she gritted her teeth. However, her son was incompetent and had no man to support him, so she could not cause any trouble at home.

She was quiet for a few days, and her sister, who was a concubine, sent her a letter, saying that she was seriously ill and hoped that she could come to the mansion to take care of her. Cui was closely watched by the old man, and she couldn't miss such a rare opportunity to go out. Cui took the letter and went to the old man to make a scene. Even though the old man was an elder, he couldn't stand her making a scene, so he had to follow her wish.

She took a few sets of clean clothes and went to Magistrate He's house impatiently. Although the old man suspected that she would take the opportunity to cause trouble, it was inconvenient for him to send someone to watch at the magistrate's door.

Cui stayed peacefully in He's house for a day. The next day, she borrowed her sister's people to pick up Qingliu and his mother. She personally used threats and inducements to them before taking them straight to Fang's house.

When Rong heard the report from the servant at first, she was a little unsure. She knew that the Kuang family was responsible for two branches. Even if there was something to discuss, it should be Yu who came to talk. How could it not be the turn of Cui, the aunt from the next branch? Rong became alert.

She ordered her servants to bring Cui and others in. As soon as Cui entered the main hall and saw Rong's noble and dignified appearance, her heart was filled with indignation. If it weren't for the disaster that her Cui family had encountered, she wouldn't have fallen to this point. She should be on an equal footing with Madam Fang.

Cui suppressed her anger and forced a smile, saying, "Mrs. Rong, how are you? I came here today because I have something to discuss with you. It's not easy for your young lady to be where she is today. I really can't bear to see her being deceived..."

Rong subconsciously looked at the curvy young wife behind her. Seeing her huddled up to protect her seven or eight-year-old children, she asked indifferently, "What do you mean, Madam Cui?"

Cui said in embarrassment: "Why don't you call Miss Fang out as well? Some things are better said in front of her."

Rong didn't think Cui could cause any trouble in their house, so she said calmly, "Since Madam Cui said so, Madam Xu, please ask the young lady to come over."

Madam Xu bowed and agreed, and gave Cui a meaningful look before leaving. Madam Rong drank her tea by herself and did not take the initiative to talk to Cui, which made Cui very embarrassed.

When Xia Li heard that Kuang Chengrui's second aunt was coming to the house, she intuitively felt that she was here to cause trouble. Aunt Xu said a few words to her on the way so that she would be mentally prepared.

When Xia Li stepped into the front hall, she saw her mother leaving Cui there. The young wife glanced at Xia Li with complicated eyes, and when she saw her looking at her, she immediately lowered her eyes.

After Xia Li greeted Rong, Rong took her hand and said with a warm smile: "This Madam Cui is the second wife of Chengrui's father. You should also greet Aunt Cui."

Xia Li bowed in cooperation and said in a brisk voice, "I wonder what Second Aunt Cui wants to tell me today. Is there something that the Kuang family missed?"

Cui saw Xia Li standing tall and graceful, with the dignified appearance of a lady from a noble family. Her eyes flickered for a moment, and she hesitated for a moment before saying with a half-chuckle:

"It is true that Chengrui forgot to confess something to you. Qingliu is the widow of Chengrui's comrade. After her husband died on the battlefield, she was left alone to raise her children. Chengrui promised her husband that he would take care of the three of them for the rest of his life, and he has indeed done so in the past three years..."

Cui paused after she finished speaking, then looked up at Xia Li's expression. Seeing that she looked normal, she continued, "Chengrui is at the age of full vigor and vitality, and Qingliu is quite pretty. It is inevitable that they have developed feelings for each other. Chengrui promised to take Qingliu as a concubine in the future, but Qingliu was worried that you could not tolerate her, so she begged me to bring her to pay her respects to you..."

Xia Li was not angry. She looked at Qing Liu calmly, wanting to know how she would act. Qing Liu knelt down softly and said in a soft voice:
"Miss Fang, I know Chengrui treats us well out of friendship. Now we depend on him for our living. We really can't live without him. Please help us to be together and give us a place to stay."

Xia Li looked at her coldly as if she were an outsider. After she finished speaking, he calmly asked, "If Kuang Chengrui takes you as his concubine, will your children change their surname to Kuang or continue to use their father's surname?"

Qing Liu was slightly stunned. She didn't expect Xia Li to ask such a question. She said blankly: "Of course they have to take their father's surname..."

Xia Li sneered, "You are unwilling to change your last name, so why did Kuang Chengrui want to raise someone else's son? Can't he have a son?"

Qing Liu's face turned pale and blue, and he said with all his strength: "Cheng Rui said that he would treat my children as his own children, and he doesn't mind that the children have no blood relationship with him."

Xia Li raised her eyebrows slightly and said with a smile: "Since you said he wants to take you as a concubine, do you have any evidence?"

Qing Liu subconsciously looked at Cui and said in a trembling voice: "This is just sweet talk when love is strong. How can I produce evidence?"

Xia Li leaned forward slightly and said calmly, "But he wrote down everything he promised me in black and white and signed it. You didn't do that, which means you're lying!"

Qing Liu kowtowed to Xia Li in a hurry, crying and saying, "Miss Fang, Chengrui and I are truly in love, and I am not jealous of him marrying you as his legal wife. Why can't you tolerate me?"

Xia Li looked at her sharply and said in a slightly cold voice:

"Before you opened your mouth, have you ever thought about your children? They could have grown up safely under Kuang Chengrui's care, but you insisted on letting them lose this support. You don't think that you can realize your wishful thinking by saying a few specious words, do you?"

Qingliu's face turned pale instantly. She stammered and couldn't speak, her body trembling slightly. Cui didn't expect Xia Li to be so powerful. She didn't need Rong's help. She could defeat Qingliu with just a few words.

Cui secretly cursed Qingliu for being useless, and said with a stiff upper lip:
"Miss Fang, I'm not saying anything as your aunt, but it's normal for a man to have three wives and four concubines. Even Chengrui's father has two wives. Why can't you accept it? Qingliu is a well-behaved person and will serve you well in the future."

Xia Li's eyes were as cold as ice, making Cui Shi almost afraid to look at him. She said sternly:
"Aunt Cui is overreaching. It's not your turn to make decisions on this matter. If Kuang Chengrui wanted to take a concubine, wouldn't he have told me himself?"

Cui's fingers were shaking with anger. She gritted her teeth and said, "I'm doing this for your own good, but you are so ungrateful. Kuang Chengrui clearly lied to you, but you still side with him. You are so stupid."

Xia Li stood up, walked up to her, raised his chin slightly, and said word by word: "Who is so stupid, you or me? Second Aunt Cui is so confused about the situation, aren't you afraid that the old man will write a divorce letter and drive you out of the Kuang family?"

　We are getting married soon~

　　
　
(End of this chapter)