Full House Spring

Chapter 115 Extremely Confused
Xia Li leaned forward, stroked his chin with one hand, and said jokingly with a sly smile on his face, "Did I say something wrong? Or has my sister-in-law already got the baby?"

Shuo Ge'er is a little smart boy. When he heard what his aunt said, he immediately raised his head and looked at his mother expectantly. This action made the blush on Sun Fuya's cheeks even deeper.

She bit her lip and stammered, "I'm not sure either, it's just that my period was delayed for a few days..."

Rong was overjoyed when she heard this. She said cheerfully, "This is really great news. Whether you are pregnant or not, you have to take good care of yourself these few days. Shuo Ge'er is so big, it's just right to have another one. It doesn't matter whether it's a boy or a girl."

Sun Fuya said with some embarrassment: "I had planned to tell my mother after I had the confirmation, but I didn't expect my sister to tell it first."

Xia Li smiled lightly and said, "It is indeed my fault for not considering it carefully. When I return, I will give my sister-in-law a set of headwear and jewelry as an apology."

Sun Fuya rolled her eyes at her and said softly, "It's just a small matter. Why do you have to make such a fuss? How many days can you stay at home when you return home?"

Xia Li leaned his head on Rong's shoulder and said happily, "I have to stay for at least three days. Kuang Chengrui is not at home, and the old man is afraid that I will not be used to being alone at home, so he also asked me to stay for a few more days before going back."

Rong nodded slightly, "The old man in your family is a sensible elder. I asked someone to clean Cuihua Court again, just like before you got married."

Xia Li picked up the candied fruit on the table and stuffed it into Shuo Ge'er's mouth, saying in a calm tone: "Madame Zhou has gone to pack up. I still have some clothes that I haven't taken with me. I didn't bring much this time."

Rong looked at the sky outside the window and said considerately, "There's still some time before lunch, go back and get some sleep. You must be feeling uncomfortable after riding the carriage so early in the morning. It won't be too late to talk after you've rested."

Xia Li took a handkerchief and gently wiped the corners of Shuo Ge'er's mouth. Hearing this, he tilted his head and smiled at Shuo Ge'er, "Do you want to accompany your aunt to Cuihua Court?"

Shuo Ge'er glanced at Sun Fuya and said seriously, "I'll accompany my aunt next time. I'm worried about my mother going back alone. The brothers and sisters in her belly still need someone to accompany them. I'm afraid they won't be obedient."

His childish words made the adults present laugh out loud. He was convinced that his mother was going to give him a brother or sister. Xia Li smiled and replied, "Then auntie can go back by herself. You must take good care of your mother and don't let her hurt her back."

Shuo Ge'er's little face was wrinkled into a ball, as if he was facing a great enemy. As for how he would restrict his sister-in-law's actions, that was not Xia Li's concern.

Kuang Chengzhi had lunch at Fang's house before leaving. Before leaving, he specifically said hello to Xia Li and asked his sister-in-law to send a message to the family in advance if his elder brother could not come back to pick him up, and he would come to pick him up. Xia Li liked this boy very much, but because of the relationship with Cui, he could not get too close to him. He personally sent him out the door before turning around and going into the house.

Although the Kuang family gave her great freedom, Xia Li still felt that living in Cuihua Court was more comfortable, where she didn't have to worry too much.

Fang Tangli came to see her in the afternoon. As she was in the early stages of pregnancy, her belly was not noticeable, so she did not look like a pregnant woman. As soon as she entered Cuihua Court, she raised her voice and said:

"Finally I can get out and breathe. I can't go anywhere during this period. I can't do this or that. I'm almost going crazy. The most annoying thing is that my mother-in-law even sent me a maid from Kyoto, saying that she is a nanny who specializes in serving pregnant women. I don't lack servants around me, so why do I need her to take care of everything?"

Xia Li was afraid that she would get excited and hurt her belly, so he quickly helped her sit down and said softly, "If your mother-in-law knew that you were pregnant and had no reaction, you would be unhappy again."

Fang Tangli adjusted her sitting position to be comfortable, shook her head and laughed, "That's true. If you put it that way, it's my fault. I've been in a bad mood recently. I get angry at the slightest displeasure and can't eat anything. I can't live like this."

Xia Li looked at her face carefully. Although she had lost a lot of weight, her face looked rosy and shiny, which showed that she was well taken care of. Xia Li lowered his eyes slightly and said, "Didn't your brother-in-law accompany you when you came back this time?"

Fang Tangli shook her head and said with a smile, "He has been busy with official duties these days. If he hadn't been unable to take care of me, he wouldn't have agreed to let me come back. Your brother-in-law has met Kuang Chengrui. He told me some news before he came. Lord Kuang has made great contributions this time. He may even be promoted. He is a man of real ability."

Xia Li was slightly startled, then she realized that Brother-in-law Cao was the prefect of Jiaozhou, so it was not surprising for him to know this news. She said calmly, "As long as he is safe, everything else will take its course."

Fang Tangli thought so too. She carefully asked Xia Li about her situation after marrying into the Kuang family. Xia Li did not hide anything and told her everything she could. When she learned about Yu's behavior, she sighed:
"Although the Kuang family is not a prominent family, your brother-in-law is a capable man. If your mother-in-law can always be like this, you can live a good life. There is no perfect choice in this world. People have to think more positively..."

Xia Li noticed that she looked a little strange, and asked worriedly, "Did something happen to you, sister? You seem a little unhappy."

Fang Tangli has always been a carefree person. Her sudden depression inevitably made people worried. She hesitated for a while and whispered:
"Your brother-in-law hasn't touched me since I got pregnant. The baby came a little late, and we were both very cautious. Yesterday, my mother discussed with me and asked me to take the initiative to find a concubine for your brother-in-law, saying that she would send him away after I gave birth. That's what my mother did during her pregnancy."

Xia Li's expression was a little hard to describe. She said tactfully, "Doesn't our family have a rule of not taking concubines? Why did you do this, aunt?"

Fang Tangli raised a scornful arc at the corner of her mouth, and she sneered:
"Not taking a concubine doesn't mean we can't have a concubine. It just looks good on the surface. At least as long as the women in our family give birth to a boy, no one can shake their position. This is already much better than many people."

Xia Li really didn't know that the truth behind the so-called not taking concubines would be like this. She said in a hoarse voice: "My father and my eldest brother didn't have a concubine, and not everyone is like that."

Fang Tangli nodded and said truthfully: "This matter varies from person to person. Think about it for me. Should I arrange a concubine for your brother-in-law?"

Xia Li suppressed her emotions and said calmly, "If you have your brother-in-law in your heart, don't do such a hurtful thing. You have suffered enough for his pregnancy for ten months, so why can't he endure his desires? He is a human being, not a beast. Men have thousands of ways to find women outside, so you don't need to interfere."

Fang Tangli suddenly understood what he said. After thinking for a moment, she said, "What you said makes sense. Why should I put myself in a difficult position? I don't want to be a virtuous woman. If he wants a concubine, he can find one himself."

Xia Li curled up the corners of her lips and said in a gentle tone, "Sister, you should be more open-minded. Pregnant women are prone to overthinking and getting into a dead end. If you have something unhappy next time, just tell me directly, don't hold it in and sulk."

Fang Tangli nodded hurriedly. She was also very upset by what her own mother said, which affected her mood. After Xia Li's comfort, she finally understood.

Fang Tangli had regained her former vigor when she left, but this matter couldn't just be left unresolved. Xia Li didn't feel comfortable telling her aunt too much, so Rong came to sleep with her at night. She nestled in Rong's arms and whispered softly:
"Mother, although there is a rule in our clan not to take concubines, don't many people have concubines?" Rong Shi was not surprised to hear her ask this. She whispered, "Did Ah Li tell you this?"

Xia Li nodded slightly. Rong ran her fingers through her daughter's hair and said calmly, "Your father and I have been married for more than ten years and have never had a concubine. As far as I know, your eldest brother's room is also very quiet. This matter still depends on the man's wishes."

Xia Li also knew this truth, and she thought: "If I were pregnant, would you advise me to give Kuang Chengrui a concubine?"

Rong said angrily, "I'm not stupid, why would I do such a stupid thing? Could it be that your aunt asked A Li to give her son-in-law a concubine?"

Xia Li nodded very seriously. Rong slapped the bed in anger and said angrily, "This Zhou Dasao is so confused. A Li and his wife have a very close relationship. Why does she want to interfere? It's totally unreasonable."

Xia Li quickly calmed her mother down and consoled her, "Don't worry, my sister didn't agree. What's the point of her having a reputation as a virtuous woman? The most important thing is to be happy. She knows this."

Rong sighed and said, "She is not as clear-headed as you two children. Back then, your uncle said he didn't want a concubine, but she insisted on arranging someone to serve him at night. After several refusals, your uncle simply agreed to her wish. Now the couple seem to respect each other, but in fact, there is a deep rift between them. She is shooting herself in the foot without realizing it, and this time she wants to harm her daughter. She is really foolish."

Xia Li guessed that this was related to the upbringing she received since childhood. Some of her ideas were deeply rooted in her, so even if she met a man who treated her wholeheartedly, she could not accept such love. Such an inconsistent person lived a very helpless life.

Xia Li turned sideways and lowered her voice, "My sister tends to overthink when she's pregnant. She finally figured it out. I'm worried that my aunt will cause her trouble again. If you're free tomorrow, have a good talk with her. Don't let your mother-in-law not do anything before your parents send someone to your door. That would be embarrassing."

Rong felt that Mrs. Zhou was really capable of doing such a thing. She said gently, "Then I will go over and talk to her tomorrow. It's time to remind her."

Xia Li hummed and said nothing more. This was all she could do. She had been busy with her wedding arrangements some time ago and had no time to run the perfume shop. She thought that she would go to the shop to take a look tomorrow no matter what.

After a good night's sleep, Xia Li got up in the morning and had breakfast with her mother. Then she had someone harness a carriage to take her to the perfume shop. Sun Fuya was suspected to be pregnant, so Rong Shi naturally couldn't let her overwork, so she was in charge of all the housekeeping affairs in the mansion, so Xia Li was the only one who went out.

Shi Mi and Du Ruo were still by her side. The carriage reached the destination after traveling for about a quarter of an hour. Shi Mi helped Xia Li get off the carriage. Before she entered the store, she saw a customer walking in. Chan Yi raised her voice and greeted them, "Madam, which perfume do you want? This is our latest model..."

Xia Li watched Chan Yi greeting the guests enthusiastically. She seemed to have smoothed out all her edges and corners. She no longer had the youthful vigor she used to have. She spoke and acted in a gentle and smooth manner.

Perhaps it was because Xia Li's gaze was too penetrating. Chan Yi looked over puzzledly. When she saw it was Xia Li, she couldn't stop smiling. She hurriedly called other people to greet the guests. She walked up to Xia Li and bowed.

"Young lady, why are you free to come here today? Is there anything you want to tell me?"

Xia Li smiled and said, "I'm staying at home for a few days. I wanted to come over to take a look when I have nothing to do. I can't take care of the business in the shop during this period. Is there anything wrong?"

Chan Yi said in a brisk tone, "Except for the fact that a few perfumes are selling too well and in short supply, there are no other problems. Miss Zhong happened to be here too. She is testing perfumes in the attic. She has also attracted a lot of business for our shop during this period."

Xia Li knew about Zhong Huiting's abilities and her wide network of contacts, so he was not surprised. He just chuckled and said, "She gets dividends. The more we earn, the more money she gets. She is working for herself. You don't have to be grateful to her."

Before Xia Li finished speaking, Zhong Huiting's voice rose slightly and said:
"Mrs. Kuang is so heartless. How much money can I get from my little share of the dividend? You should still pay me for my work. I do as much as your Chanyi does."

Chan Yi's eyes flashed with smiles, and she agreed repeatedly: "Miss Zhong has indeed helped me a lot. Without her help, I really would not be able to handle it."

Xia Li hummed and said with a smile: "How about this, in addition to the dividends, I will give you a salary, and you and Chan Yi can run the shop together."

Zhong Huiting rolled her eyes at her and said unhappily, "Chan Yi can't afford me with that little salary. My aunt's house has been in chaos recently, so I came here to have some peace and quiet."

Xia Li asked casually: "What happened to the Zhang family again?"

Zhong Huiting stepped forward, took her arm, and said in a low voice, "Let's go to the attic to talk. There are too many people here and it's noisy."

After all, it is the Zhang family's family affair, and Zhong Huiting doesn't want to make it known to everyone. Anyway, Xia Li knows everything she should and shouldn't know, so there is no need to hide it from her.

The two of them went up to the attic, and a maid immediately brought them tea. Zhong Huiting took a sip of tea and said helplessly, "My third cousin couldn't find County Magistrate Hu, so he believed that my aunt and her friends had murdered him, and they kept forcing my aunt to hand him over."

Xia Lilu was surprised and asked, "Doesn't he know that Hu Yongyun went to Kyoto?"

Zhong Huiting's eyes widened, she put down her teacup and asked, "Why did he go to Kyoto? How do you know this?"

Xia Li didn't want to reveal other people's privacy, so he said vaguely: "I know Hu Xianwei's sister. She has passed away. Hu Xianwei went to Kyoto to dig up the bones and took care of some things. I thought Mr. Zhang San knew about it."

Zhong Huiting took a deep breath and said helplessly, "He didn't tell my third cousin anything. I don't know what happened between them. Will he come back?"

Xia Li frowned slightly and said, "He should come back. It's not convenient for you to intervene in such private matters. Just tell him what I told you. Hu Yongyun will come back after he handles the matter."

(End of this chapter)