Full House Spring

Chapter 27 Why not?

Madam Xie had a unique vision. Her shrewdness lay in her ability to see through people's hearts. She took a sip of the deer pear drink and said calmly, "Are you willing to let her hang around in front of you?"

Xia Li peeled off the crab shell skillfully and said nonchalantly:
"If it's not her, there must be someone else. This matter is not up to me to decide. If I take this crab, I won't offend anyone and it will make her feel at ease. I only need to tell grandma when I get back. Why not do it?"

She said this frankly and naturally, and the closeness of the relationship was obvious at a glance. She also put the delicious crab roe and crab meat into Aunt Xie's bowl.

There was a gleam of relief in Aunt Xie's eyes, as if she had hope for the future and was becoming more motivated.

She picked up some crab meat and put it into her mouth, smiling and saying, "You can eat it yourself. Two is enough for me."

Nanny Xie had been serving the old lady for many years and often failed to eat on time, which resulted in poor stomach function. She was afraid to eat too much cold or difficult to digest food.

Xia Li didn't force it. She raised the corners of her mouth and said in a light voice:
"You really can't have too much of this stuff. I'll have a few fresh ones to make crab roe noodles tomorrow morning. What do you think?"

Aunt Xie looked lazy and chuckled, "I have to go serve the old lady early tomorrow morning. I'm afraid I won't be able to have breakfast at home. You can eat by yourself."

Xia Li took the crab claws and dipped them in some vinegar, then said calmly, "Just go and do your job. I'll prepare the ingredients and bring them over in a lunch box. You can cook them after you're done."

There is a small charcoal stove in Nanny Xie's room, which is convenient for cooking noodles or heating up dishes occasionally. Nanny Xie cannot refuse such care and concern, and there is a smile on her eyebrows and eyes.

"If you don't mind the trouble, go ahead. I'll first test the old lady's opinion on the matter of Elsholtzia. There are many people who want to do this. If the old lady has no other plans, she can be promoted naturally."

A faint smile flashed across Xia Li's eyes, and she said calmly, "Grandma, just do it. It doesn't matter whether it succeeds or not."

Matron Xie nodded slightly. After dinner, she would walk around the yard a few times to digest the food. She wanted to save face in front of her master, but there were too many people in the back alley who wanted to get close to her. She was too lazy to deal with them, so she didn't like to show up when she came back.

Xia Li cleaned the kitchen by herself, prepared all the ingredients needed for tomorrow morning, and then went outside to accompany Aunt Xie.

At this moment, night falls, the bright moonlight is as silky as silk, and the round moon is like a shining gem, embellishing the night sky.

Aunt Xie stood under the osmanthus tree admiring the moon. Xia Li walked over to her side, stayed with her quietly for a while, and said in a low voice: "Grandma, don't you have any blood relatives?"

Aunt Xie shook her head and said in a daze:
"I am not a child born in the family. My master took pity on me and bought me back to his mansion. When I was young, my family suffered a flood. The houses and farmland were all submerged. My mother and parents were all gone, so I had to live with my uncle. It has been a long time since then, so I don't remember clearly. It seems that my uncle wanted to marry into a wealthy family, and he thought I was a burden, so he sold me."

Xia Lilu suddenly realized that her grandma had such a miserable life. She raised her hand and handed her the warm honey water, saying softly, "Grandma, drink some honey water, you will sleep better at night."

Aunt Xie's mouth corners unconsciously raised, she lowered her head and took a sip, then turned around and sat on the armchair, saying gently: "You have been busy for a long time, sit with me and rest for a while."

Xia Li sat beside her obediently, raised his head and looked up at the full moon, curiously saying, "I wonder how lively the palace will be. Two months ago, I couldn't imagine that I could live such a leisurely and comfortable life."

It was rare for Aunt Xie to be so relaxed. She said calmly, "The people living in the palace are the most powerful people in the Great Jin Dynasty. It may look magnificent, but if you are not careful, your life will be in danger."

Xia Li blinked her clear and moist eyes and asked, "Has Grandma been to the palace?"

Madam Xie nodded gently. She drank a sip of honey water and said calmly, "I have accompanied the old lady to the palace several times. The palace has strict rules and even she dare not relax. Attending the palace banquet may seem glorious, but it is far less comfortable than staying in the mansion."

Xia Li smiled cheerfully and said, "You are referring to the Second Madam, right? She did everything she could to get the Fourth Madam to enter the palace to show her face, in order to raise her status.

I think that with the support of the Duke's Mansion, the fourth young lady can live a more comfortable life in the future if she just picks a man with a clean family background, a smart and motivated young man with outstanding abilities."

Aunt Xie was a little surprised, and then she scolded: "You are so young, but you think long-term. In the future, I will pick a young man like this for you, so that you can live comfortably."

Xia Li did not show any shame. In this ancient time, whether she could get married or not depended on her future situation. She sighed lightly and said with a mature attitude, "I am not in a hurry. I will get rid of my slavery first. I have high standards. I will never marry a young man who does not meet my standards."

Madam Xie rolled her eyes at her and said unhappily, "What's the use of life or death? Life is more important than anything else. As long as you're alive, there's hope. Who dares to force you to marry? If nothing works, just follow my example. With your ability, you can still live well on your own."

Xia Li couldn't help but hugged Aunt Xie's arm and said softly, "Auntie still loves me. Don't worry, no matter what choice I make, I will live a good life."

Aunt Xie never doubted Xia Li's ability. Although the two were just chatting about family matters, they got to know each other better and became closer.

The two of them admired the moon for a while, and then tasted the emerald snow skin moon ball. Aunt Xie loved to eat soft, glutinous and dense sweets, but she couldn't eat too much and could only taste a little.

Seeing that it was almost time, the two were about to go back to their room to sleep when they heard the door being slammed. Aunt Xie frowned, "Who would come to our house in the middle of the night?"

Xia Li was about to open the door, but Aunt Xie quickly pulled her behind her and walked forward, saying warily, "Who is it? Come back tomorrow if you have anything else. We need to rest now."

There was a slight pause in the knocking, and then came Madam Lu's familiar and suppressed voice. She said in a panic: "Madam, it's me, please open the door and let me in to hide, please..."

Xia Li and Madam Xie looked at each other in bewilderment. Xia Li asked, "Madam Lu? Why aren't you home so late?"

Madam Lu seemed very anxious, and she cried, "Miss Xia Li, can you let me in first and explain? I really can't wait any longer."

Madam Xie signaled Xia Li to step back while she pulled the bolt. As soon as the door opened a crack, Madam Lu squeezed in impatiently, panting and saying in panic, "Whoever comes to see me later, don't open the door."

Aunt Xie said coldly, "What's going on? If you don't explain clearly, I won't protect you."

Madam Lu no longer had the arrogance she had before. She said in a crying voice:
"Mammy, Zhao Daqiao and his widowed cousin had an affair and had a bastard. I finally went back home, but they not only ordered me to do chores, but also asked me to serve tea and water to the young widow. I was so angry that I accidentally pushed her to the ground. She...she bled a lot..."

Aunt Xie didn't know much about the Zhao family, but she knew that Madam Lu had been married for many years without having children. Even if the child was not from a legitimate family, it would be extremely precious to her in-laws. "You are Zhao Daqiao's legal wife. Even if something like this happened, you don't have to panic. Without you, the Zhao family would have a hard time making ends meet. What are you afraid of?"

Aunt Xie was very disappointed. Madam Lu choked up and said, "Even if Zhao Daqiao hits me, my mother-in-law won't let me go. If I don't run, I'm afraid my life will be in danger."

Xia Li sneered and said, "They are really powerful. If it doesn't work, you can ask the old lady to make the decision."

Madam Lu said with a sad face: "My body is not good enough, so what can I do if I find an old lady? Whether I divorce or get divorced, I will never have a good life."

Nanny Xie shook her head at Xia Li, signaling her not to say anything more. Xia Li was too lazy to meddle in other people's business. Just as she was about to turn around and go back to the house, she heard a noise coming from outside.

Mrs. Lu's mother-in-law yelled at the top of her voice:

"Lu Huaer, you are such a jinx. You are a hen that doesn't lay eggs, and you can't allow others to bear a child for my son. Get out of here right now..."

Zhao Daqiao also said angrily: "Lu Huaer, if you dare to hide and not show up, don't even think about going home in this life..."

The shouting and cursing of the mother and son were getting closer and closer. Xia Li had never heard of such ugly words before. Madam Lu was trembling with fear. She was at a loss and had no idea what to do.

Madam Xie pricked up her ears and listened carefully. After a while, she asked Madam Lu, "Do you want to continue living with him, or break up now?"

Madam Lu said excitedly: "I was the one who supported that family. Why should we break up and leave me with nothing?"

Upon hearing this, Aunt Xie said calmly, "The mother and son outside want you to pay money to hire a doctor for the young widow. It's not a good idea for you to hide all the time. You'd better come forward and solve the problem properly."

Madam Lu was the chef of Leshou Hall after all. If this matter was not handled properly, it would affect the old lady's reputation, so Madam Xie intervened. Madam Lu looked struggling, and she said humbly, "Madam, please make the decision for me. I want this family. If the child is lucky enough to be saved, I am willing to raise him under my name..."

Xia Li was a little surprised, but Aunt Xie was not surprised at all. She said expressionlessly, "Since you have made up your mind, then when they come over later, do this."

Zhao Daqiao was knocking on doors every day looking for someone, but when he arrived at the door of Aunt Xie's courtyard, he hesitated. Aunt Zhao couldn't bear to see her son's useless look, so she pushed him away.

"You coward, why are you still standing there? Just go ahead and knock on the door! Xie Lan isn't a supernatural being, there's nothing to be afraid of."

Zhao Daqiao had seen Nanny Xie accompanying the old lady on a trip from afar. Her imposing appearance left a deep impression on him. Not wanting to offend anyone, Zhao Daqiao raised his hand and knocked twice with less force.

The door creaked open, revealing Aunt Xie's serious and indifferent face. Zhao Daqiao nodded and bowed respectfully, saying:
"Thank you, Madam. I am Zhao Daqiao who lives upstairs. Madam Lu, the chef at Leshou Hall, is my wife. I am bothering you so late because I want to ask if she is with you."

Aunt Xie turned slightly to the side and said indifferently, "She is inside. You two can talk it over."

When Mrs. Zhao heard this, she rushed forward and said angrily, "How dare that unlucky girl hide here? I will skin her alive..."

Aunt Xie stepped in front of her and snorted, "Madam Lu is the chef of Leshou Hall. If you want to touch her, you have to ask the old lady if she agrees."

Mrs. Zhao paused, spitting as she said, "Don't try to scare me. I don't have time to deal with her. What's wrong with me, as a mother-in-law, disciplining my daughter-in-law? It doesn't bother you."

Mrs. Zhao had a sharp and long nose, and looked sharp and mean. Xia Li would not let her grandmother argue with her. She smiled brightly and stepped forward to say:
"What Grandma Zhao said is irrational. If Madam Lu is injured and can't work, who will take care of the old lady's three meals a day? My grandma is the head of Le Shou Tang. If you touch someone from Le Shou Tang, you must ask her if she agrees."

Mrs. Zhao glared at Xia Li fiercely and said in a bad tone:
"When the adults are talking, you, a little girl, have no right to interrupt. My daughter-in-law is unfilial, so does that mean that as a mother-in-law, I am not qualified to teach her a lesson?"

Xia Li frowned and glared at her, her pretty features becoming more three-dimensional. She said with contempt:

"It's really hilarious. A child who has been a slave for generations dares to think of showing off his mother-in-law's power. The life and death of your entire family is in the hands of the old lady. Serving the old lady is your top priority. If you are not useful, you might as well sell yourself off."

Xia Li's words, neither light nor heavy, made Mrs. Zhao and her son look pale. They had not been working in the mansion for a long time and really thought they were free and had even forgotten the rules.

Zhao Daqiao's forehead was covered with cold sweat. He bowed and said:
"Thank you, Madam. My mother is old and confused. We are not here to cause trouble. We just want to ask my wife for money to treat the injured. We will never attack her."

Xia Li threatened her, so Aunt Xie was able to save some words. She said calmly, "If that's the case, then we can talk it out."

Madam Lu overheard everyone's conversation in the yard. What Xia Li said not only shocked Zhao Daqiao and the others, but also brought Madam Lu to her senses. She straightened her back and faced the two men with confidence.

Zhao Daqiao suddenly saw Madam Lu running out, and clenched his fists and said, "Xing'er has severe abdominal pain. Go back quickly to get some money to find a doctor. Otherwise, if the baby is gone, I will only hold you responsible."

With Madam Xie around, Madam Lu had nothing to fear. She said firmly, "That bastard was born a slave. If you want me to use money to save it, you have to agree to one condition."

Zhao Daqiao gnashed his teeth and said, "It's already this hour and you're still making trouble. Can't you save people first if there's something wrong?"

Madam Lu was determined to control this family and said without giving in: "If you don't agree, then I will ask the old lady to allow me to divorce tomorrow."

As soon as these words were spoken, Mrs. Zhao's face turned pale. In their family, only Zhao Xiaohui and Lu Huaer worked in the mansion and received monthly wages. If they divorced, how could they survive?

She waved away her son who was blocking her way and said bluntly, "What do you want? Xing'er is my niece. She didn't sign a contract to sell herself. You'd better not go too far."

Madam Lu said coldly, "Since you want me to use money to save her, then the baby in her belly is mine. Let's sign a contract in front of Madam. When the baby is born, no matter it's a boy or a girl, we have to marry her off far away."

Zhao Daqiao took a deep breath and subconsciously looked at his mother. Mrs. Zhao was eager to have a grandchild, so she held her breath and said stiffly, "It's okay to marry Xing'er far away. You can't disturb her during her pregnancy. You have to give her three taels of silver as a dowry."

(End of this chapter)