Full House Spring

Chapter 32 Time flies
Shi Mi nodded repeatedly and turned to signal Yinchen to call for help.

The old lady looked at Xia Li with great interest and said in a gentle voice, "Girl, is there anything particular about making sugar-frosted persimmon cakes?"

Xia Li's eyes sparkled with joy, which made people smile unconsciously. She raised her hand and pointed at the persimmons on the branch.

"Look, old lady, let's pick the persimmons whose skins are yellow but not yet soft. We will peel the skins first, then string the flesh together with the skins and hang them under the eaves to dry..."

Bai Shao squatted down and picked up a persimmon that was blown to the ground by the wind, then looked up and said with a smile: "It would be so festive if those strings of persimmons were hung like a beaded curtain."

Xia Li raised her eyebrows slightly, and her whole body was particularly dazzling in the sun. She said in a light voice: "It's not only festive, but also sweet, so we have to be careful of birds stealing it."

Bai Shao handed the picked persimmons to the old lady and said with a smile: "In that case, you can sit under the eaves every day to take care of the persimmons, and don't come to us for help."

Xia Li turned around briskly, her dress swaying like a flower in the wind. She leaned on Bai Shao's shoulder and said coquettishly, "Sister, are you willing to let me be exposed to the wind and sun under the eaves?"

Bai Shao steadied herself, fearing that she would lose her balance and fall, and teased, "Why are you reluctant? You have to deal with the aftermath of your idea."

Xia Li rolled his eyes, stood up straight and shouted to the old lady, "Master, when the sugar-frosted persimmons are ready, let's not let Sister Bai Shao taste them. She will be so greedy!"

Bai Shao immediately rolled up her sleeves and tickled her. Xia Li was like a cute little fawn, jumping and dodging. Some maids stood by to watch the fun, while others deliberately made a noise. The courtyard was filled with laughter and there was a lot of joy inside the wall.

The girls' laughter and chasing made the old lady feel the long-lost joy and vitality. Seeing the maid bringing an armchair, Aunt Xie helped the old lady sit down and rest. After serving her tea, she said loudly, "Stop making trouble and pick persimmons quickly."

The young and strong servant leaned the ladder against the tree and climbed up the tree nimbly. Persimmons fell from the branches from time to time. The maids picked up the persimmons while avoiding being hit by them. The northwest corner, which was usually sparsely populated, became bustling with activity.

After a while, the young masters of the mansion also arrived. The fourth lady Wan Qiao was the most lively. She took the initiative to play with Xia Li. The third lady Ji Ya and Mr. Chen Er were a little reserved. After the young master Lu Lingchuan greeted them, he stood directly beside the old lady.

The old lady saw that although her eldest grandson was a little thin, he was in good spirits. She looked at him kindly and said, "Your mother was really frightened this time. A gentleman does not stand under a dangerous wall. Don't try to take risks again next time."

Lu Lingchuan glanced at Xia Li unconsciously, and said unnaturally: "Grandmother taught me that I was only concerned with picking up the handkerchief for my fourth sister at that time, and I didn't think it through. Fortunately, the maids around Grandmother are all loyal and courageous, otherwise the consequences would be unpredictable."

The old lady's eyes were filled with relief. "They are all well-behaved children. I have already rewarded them. You don't have to worry too much. It's rare for you to come out and relax for a while. Come and play with your brothers and sisters."

Lu Lingchuan nodded politely in agreement. Seeing that Ji Ya didn't dare to pick persimmons under the tree, he hurriedly protected her and went forward, bending down from time to time to pick up persimmons on the ground.

Xia Li was holding a bamboo basket in her hand, thinking that no one would pick up the green persimmons that were blown to the ground by the wind. She would pick them up and soak them in cold boiled water, so that she could eat the crispy and sweet persimmons. She picked more and more, getting closer to the courtyard wall.

She stopped squatting until her legs felt sore. She stood up and walked to a large stone pier to sit down and rest. Suddenly, she heard the young man's clear voice behind her, "Are you Fang Xiali?"

Xia Li hurriedly turned around to look, and seeing that it was the prince, she quickly stood up and bowed, "To answer your question, Prince, I am Fang Xia Li, the second-class maid serving the old lady."

She lowered her eyes and did not look around randomly. Although the young man was pleasing to the eye, he was not someone she could afford to offend. Lu Lingchuan observed her curiously. The eight-year-old girl was still childish, with skin as white and creamy as milk skin. Although her eyes were lowered, there was a rare smartness in them.

He pursed his lips and said in a low voice, "I heard that when I fell into the water and passed out, you were the one who saved me?"

Xia Li didn't know what he meant by saying this, so she just looked at him and said honestly, "The situation was urgent at the time, and there was no other way. I had no choice but to offend him."

Lu Lingchuan coughed uncomfortably and said vaguely, "Don't worry, I will be responsible when you grow up. Mother has also agreed. When the Crown Prince's wife enters the mansion, she will definitely... respect you."

Xia Li was shocked by the young man's words. She twitched her lips and looked up at him. She saw that the boy, who was about ten years old, had reddened from his neck to the tips of his ears. She couldn't help but curl her lips and smile, and said in a gentle voice:
"Thank you, Master, for thinking of me. Saving people is just a temporary solution. You and I are just children. There is no need to worry about gender differences. In the future, I just want to find an honest man and respect my grandma together. I don't want to be a concubine."

Her refusal did not make Lu Lingchuan angry, but relieved. He said this only out of a sense of responsibility. Even if Xia Li was a maid, she was still someone who served his grandmother. From what his mother said, she was still a very capable girl. It would not be a disgrace to make her a concubine in the future. Since she didn't want to, he didn't have to force her.

Lu Lingchuan said seriously: "You have to think it over carefully. You only have one chance."

Xia Li shook her head without hesitation, and said firmly: "I have made up my mind and will not regret it."

Lu Lingchuan no longer looked down at her from a high position, but rather as an equal. He smiled as bright as the sun and said calmly, "Okay, I respect your wishes."

After saying that, he turned and left, his back looking extremely relaxed and free.

Xiangru was picking persimmons with Qiancao. When he looked up and didn't see Xia Li, he got up to look for her. Unexpectedly, he overheard her conversation with the prince. When he saw the prince leaving, Xiangru subconsciously hid behind a tree.

She had never seen a more outstanding young man than the prince. Not only was he knowledgeable and proficient in both civil and military affairs, but he was also gentle and polite to others. She didn't understand why Xia Li turned down such a good future.

She felt a little aggrieved. It was clearly she who pulled the prince out of the water, but why did the prince only express gratitude to Xia Li and not to her at all? Jealousy was like a bat in the dark night, silently hovering in her heart...

After the Frost Descent, the heat seemed to be taken away, and winter followed. As time passed, Xia Li had spent six years in the Duke's Mansion unknowingly. After the New Year, she would be a 15-year-old girl.

It snowed heavily for several days in a row, and the grass and trees in the courtyard of Leshou Hall withered, and a thick layer of snow piled up on the ground.

Xia Li came slowly in a plain velvet jacket with embroidered flowers. She held in her hand the carved preserved fruits she had made that summer. She opened the heavy curtain and stepped into the inner room. The hot air from the floor dragon hit her face. She said in a brisk voice, "Grandfather, please take a look at the carved preserved fruits I made this year. They are crystal clear and very pleasing to the eye."

The old lady was holding a hand warmer in her hand. She raised her eyelids when she heard the words and said in a hoarse voice: "Your carving skills are much better than in previous years. Quickly use the glass cup to make some water for me to drink. It's winter and I'll eat some sweet and sour fruits to sweeten my mouth." Since becoming a first-class maid in the summer, the old lady's life has become more and more refined. Shi Mi stepped forward to take the plate and whispered: "I'll go make some water, you come and talk to the old ancestor for a while."

Xia Li smiled gratefully. She took over Shi Mi's job and walked behind the old lady to massage her back.

"Yesterday, I heard from the servants in the outer courtyard that many civilians in the suburbs were affected by the disaster. Countless houses collapsed under the snow. I am afraid that they will not have a peaceful New Year."

The older the old lady got, the kinder she became. She pondered and said, "Your eldest wife mentioned to me that there will be a porridge distribution in front of the mansion at noon today. I will go there then."

As soon as she said this, Nanny Xie, who was dozing off, said, "It's snowing so hard outside, how can the master go out and get cold? If you go there in person to give alms with your status, I'm afraid those people won't be able to bear it, and it will ruin their good fortune."

Xia Li smiled and agreed, "That's right, let me and Sister Shi Mi go for you. The Bodhisattva knows your kindness, so you don't have to worry too much about the formality."

The old lady is particularly afraid of the cold as she is old. She seldom goes out in winter, unless the sun is shining brightly and she opens the windows for ventilation, then she comes out to bask in the sun. It is really unbearable for her to go out now.

"That's fine. When you distribute porridge, make it thicker. They won't have the next meal after this one, so it can fill their stomachs and help them last longer."

Xia Li nodded and agreed quickly, "Don't worry, Grandpa, don't you trust the eldest lady to do things?"

Shi Mi quickly brought the carved candied fruit water. The old lady took a sip from the glass cup. The sweet taste was very refreshing. Seeing that Aunt Xie looked drowsy, she said considerately, "You are also an elderly person. You don't have to get up early to serve me in the future. It won't be too late to come back after you get enough sleep."

Now that the maids in Le Shou Tang have grown up, Nanny Xie no longer has to do everything herself. She has officially retreated to the second line and only needs to give some pointers.

The old lady raised her hand to signal Xia Li to stop, and whispered: "There is snow and ice outside, you should help your grandma go back, there are charcoal basins in the house, right?"

Xia Li smiled with her eyebrows curved, "Thanks to the ancestors, grandma's room is very warm, you don't have to worry, I will send her there and come back later."

Just then, Bai Shao lifted the curtain and entered the room. The old lady said calmly, "You don't have to rush back. Take good care of your grandma first. I have no shortage of people to serve me here."

Now the old lady has four major maids around her, including Baishao, Shimi, Xiali and Qiancao. The second-class maids, except Yinchen who was sent out to be married off, have newly promoted Manqing and Maidong. Zi Fu was given to Master Chen by the old lady, and Zhao Xiaohui somehow got into Qingshanju. Now the third-class maids are all newly selected house-born girls, and they are still very young.

The grandparents came out of the inner room. Aunt Xie frowned slightly as she looked at the snowflakes flying all over the sky. Xia Li hurriedly put the stone blue silk grey squirrel cloak on her and held her arm, saying, "Grandma, don't stand in the wind, or you'll get sick again."

Nanny Xie was in much better health than she showed, but the old lady's temper became more and more strange. Nanny Xie did not want to be an eyesore and arouse her unnecessary suspicion, and she was also willing to give in for Xia Li, so she looked sickly.

After returning to the house, Xia Li hurriedly prepared the hot water bottle and handed it to grandma. The charcoal basin had been raised long ago, and a gap was left at the window frame. Grandma Xie took the hot tea handed over by Xia Li and took a bite of a piece of carved candied fruit from the kang table.

She didn't like to drink it soaked in water, she thought it tasted better when eaten directly. After her body was warm, she said, "Don't get too close to Manqing these days. I'm afraid the old lady can't hold back and will attack Shopkeeper Wang."

Xia Li was suddenly shocked. Ever since the old lady attacked Manager Wang a few years ago, their family had been very quiet. Manqing had not only become much more low-key and humble, but also spoke very little. He also worked very properly and did not dare to be careless at all. That was why he had the opportunity to be promoted.

Zi Fu was still not as calm as Man Qing, but she was much more cautious and careful, and was highly valued by Master Chen. Xia Li lowered his voice and asked, "Manager Wang came to deliver the account book the other day, and he looked yellow, as if he had some serious illness."

Madam Xie took a sip of tea and said in a deep voice, "His body has been drained over the years, and he is just holding on. He has taken the initiative to resign and will hand over to other shopkeepers in the next few days. Once things are settled, I'm afraid the old lady will get rid of him..."

Xia Li looked puzzled. "Hasn't he been very honest over the years? He has also earned a lot of money for the old lady. Can't he make up for his previous mistakes?"

Madam Xie sneered, "Who made him reluctant to give up the money he embezzled? His son is useless, and the old lady's things are not easy to take. It's polite to settle the accounts before he dies."

Xia Li has gotten to know the old lady over the years. She seems kind-hearted, but in fact she is vindictive. Although she treats the people around her well, she cannot tolerate any betrayal.

She said solemnly, "You mean, the old lady wants to raid Shopkeeper Wang's house? Will the Manqing sisters be affected?"

Madam Xie shook her head. "The two sisters of the Wang family have been relatively honest over the years. They are the children of the mansion, and the old lady still understands the principle that the wife and daughter should not be affected by the disaster. They should not be implicated."

Xia Li nodded slightly. She seldom left the courtyard of Leshou Hall. As her appearance had grown in the past few years, she looked exceptionally outstanding even when wearing ordinary maid's clothes.

Her beauty was not very aggressive, but like the dewdrops in the morning, crystal clear, revealing an innate aura, which made her very likable, and therefore she got along well with the maids.

Manqing and her were not too close, but they were fine. Aunt Xie once again warned, "If the Wang sisters come to you for help, don't be foolish and agree. No one can influence what the old lady wants to do."

Xia Li nodded and agreed. She said calmly:
"I know what's going on and I won't interfere. It's snowing hard outside. I'll go to the kitchen and bring your lunch back to the house. Qiao He has some pigeon soup, which she has specially reserved for you. I'll go get it."

Qiao He was a resilient girl, and she eventually persuaded Madam Lu to accept her as her apprentice. Now she can work independently in the small kitchen, and the friendship between the two since childhood has not become distant over the years.

Aunt Xie is in good health because Xia Li is taking care of her. Her eyes are kind and deep.

"You don't have to think about me all the time. This little bit of wind and snow is nothing. You are still growing up, so you should take care of yourself more."

Xia Li put on his cloak and said cheerfully, "I'm fine, grandma, don't worry about me. I'll be back soon."

(End of this chapter)