Full House Spring

Chapter 36: It’s easy to hide from open guns, but hard to guard against hidden arrows

During the years Xia Li has been in the Duke's Mansion, she is like a tea leaf slowly expanding in hot water, releasing her own unique fragrance.

She was naturally the best in Aunt Xie's eyes, and it was precisely because of her excellence that Aunt Xie was reluctant to let her become a concubine.

What others saw was the extreme luxury in the Duke's Mansion, but Nanny Xie understood how difficult it was for a woman in such a large and deep mansion to live with only the favor of a man, without the support of a strong family and a generous dowry.

Fortunately, Xia Li is very clear-headed. She is like a clear stream and can see through the complexity of human nature, which makes Aunt Xie very pleased.

After the two finished talking, Xia Li helped grandma lie down, and left quietly after she fell asleep. She still had work to do and couldn't delay her business.

On the other side, Cymbopogon was also busy. She was packing up the leftover candied fruits in boxes to give away as instructed by the old lady. Before she had finished packing, Ophiopogon japonicus walked in carelessly.

Her cheeks were rosy, and because she was walking too fast, her forehead was slightly sweaty. She said in a brisk voice, "Why haven't you finished yet? If you don't hurry up, what if the prince leaves the house?"

Xiangru glanced at her calmly and said calmly, "The prince is not going out today, so it's okay to send him there later. He should be taking a nap right now, so you won't see him if you go."

Mai Dong blinked his clear eyes, his face full of surprise, "How do you know so much? Could it be that Lin Feng Ju has a spy of yours?"

Xiangru closed the box, a faint smile appeared on the corner of her mouth, and she said gently:
"The little money I have can't even afford to hire you, let alone those arrogant people around the prince. Don't let your imagination run wild. I heard from my ancestors that the Duke was discussing matters with the prince and he couldn't leave."

Mai Dong understood that her personality was almost the same as when she was a child. Over the years, except for knowing to keep her mouth shut and not talk nonsense, and engraving rules and etiquette into her bones, nothing else had changed.

When Xiangru had finished packing, she reached out to take the box. Xiangru gently patted the back of her hand and said nonchalantly, "I'll take the box of carved preserves. If you have nothing to do, go back to your room and have a rest."

Mai Dong frowned and said, "This is the mission assigned to me by the ancestor. Why are you trying to snatch it from me? Do you want to see the prince again?"

The two are cousins, and have been living and eating in the same house for the past few years. They have become closer and closer, and don't have to be too cautious when talking to each other.

Xiangru's eyes flickered slightly, and he pretended to be angry and said:

"How can you say that? The prince is indeed handsome and pleasing to the eye from time to time, but you can't say this to others casually.

I was worried that you might walk unsteadily and ruin the candied fruit. If the prince complains to the old ancestor, both you and I will have to bear the consequences."

Mai Dong curled his lips and said unconvincedly: "I am not an ignorant child. If I can't even do this little job, what's the point?"

Xiangru pretended to be angry and said, "Don't you listen to me?"

Mai Dong was used to obeying her wishes, so he said helplessly, "Okay, okay, okay, you have the final say, I can't argue with you, I'd love to have less running around."

Xiangru lowered his head and took out a piece of candy from his purse, handed it to her, and said with a smile:

"Take it, sweetheart. If anything good happens to me, you will definitely get a share."

Mai Dong took the candy and smiled, "Have you talked to Xia Li these days? I don't know what she's been busy with recently."

Xiangru lowered his brows and thought, "Yesterday I saw her and Bai Shao together, I guess something must have happened. Since she didn't say anything, it must be inconvenient."

Mai Dong was eating candy, his right cheek was puffy, and he said vaguely: "She has always been steady. I will go find her after my father sends something to the mansion in a few days."

Xiangru nodded slightly and did not say anything to stop them. Xia Li was the head maidservant in front of the old ancestor, and she also had face in front of the eldest lady. It was not a bad thing to be close to her.

Xiangru looked at the sun, stood up and said, "I'm going to take the preserves to the prince, you can take care of your own business."

Maidong smiled and raised his chin, saying, "Okay, then I'll go to Sister Qiancao first."

Xiangru watched Maidong walk away, then went to the front yard with the box in her hand. Although she did not have the grace of Xia Li, she had her own style. Because of serving the old lady, her temperament became more gentle and quiet.

Xiangru did not go to Linfengju. She turned in the opposite direction, walked through the long corridor and went straight to the outer study. She adjusted her facial expression and was about to knock on the door when she heard a clear male voice coming from inside.

"Fang Xiali's plan is simple and effective. It doesn't alert Grandmother, and it's so easy to drive Yang Yong out of the mansion. It not only protects Bai Shao's reputation, but also allows you to take advantage of the opportunity. It's really killing two birds with one stone."

Shihu replied from inside the house, "I never thought that Miss Xiali letting me in at the critical moment would have such a good effect. Now that Baishao and I have been engaged, she is preparing for the wedding with peace of mind and trusts me. I have finally gotten what I wanted."

Lu Lingchuan raised his eyebrows slightly and was about to speak, but when he turned his head, he saw a shadow on the door. He raised his voice and asked, "Who is standing outside the door?"

Shihu's expression was slightly restrained as he quickly stepped forward to open the door. Xiangru almost fell down in panic. She held onto the door frame to stabilize her body, still in shock, and said:
"In reply to the prince, I am a maid from Leshou Hall. I am here to bring you carved preserved fruit on the orders of the old ancestor."

Lu Lingchuan's eyes were like torches, deep and powerful, looking at her as if he could see through everything. He looked at the box in Xiangru's hand and said calmly, "Carved candied fruit? But was it made by Miss Xiali herself?"

Xiangru tightened her grip on the box, lowered her eyes, and said softly:

"It was made in the middle of summer and has been sealed in a pottery jar. This is all the ancestor can give us. If it's not enough, ask her to make more next year."

Lu Lingchuan motioned for Shihu to be brought to the desk. He gently opened the box with his slender fingers and picked out a piece of crystal clear candied fruit. He first smelled it and then took a bite. The sweet and sour taste instantly filled his mouth. He seemed to have tasted the flavor of summer.

Lu Lingchuan nodded slightly, looking at the delicate carvings, and said in a steady voice: "I don't know what's wrong with that girl's mind. She can even come up with so many ideas for food."

Shihu naturally replied, "Miss Xiali has always been like this. Her hands are famous for their dexterity. Even my sister is jealous of the embroidery she makes."

Lu Lingchuan chuckled and said, "You know a lot. Keep this box carefully and take some out to entertain the guests tomorrow so that those rough guys can also open their eyes."

Shihu hurriedly bowed and promised, smiling, "I'll take it back to Linfengju right away." Xiangru seemed to be ignored. When Shihu stepped out of the study, he saw that she was still standing there, so he said unhappily, "Miss Xiangru, why don't you leave after delivering the things?"

Xiangru finally came to her senses. She glanced at Lu Lingchuan unwillingly, but he was writing with his brush as if no one was around, not even glancing at her.

Xiangru followed Shihu out of the study. Shihu looked at her calmly and said meaningfully, "Next time, if you come to deliver something, you can send it directly to Linfeng Residence. There is a housekeeper there, so I don't have to make another trip."

Xiangru was a little embarrassed, and forced a smile, "I know, it was the old ancestor who ordered it to be handed over to the prince, how dare I disobey."

Shi Hu knew everything about Le Shou Tang. He said calmly, "Running errands like this should be assigned to the third-class maids. There is no need for the young lady to be so tired."

Xiangru drooped his face and said in a cold voice: "Brother Shihu, don't think wrongly. The ancestor does not pick and choose people when he orders an errand. I am just a servant who comes whenever he is called. You don't need to preach in a roundabout way."

Shihu looked at her with deep eyes and said calmly: "You think too much. I have to take this fork in the road. Go slowly, girl..."

Seeing Shihu leaving with steady steps, Xiangru showed her indignation. She didn't even know when Xia Li got close to the Young Master. From what the Young Master said just now, it can be seen that he admired Xia Li very much. How could this be possible?

In the past, whenever the prince came to Leshou Hall to pay his respects, she would find ways to show her face so that he could see her. But even so, he couldn't even remember her name, and his eyes always followed Xia Li intentionally or unintentionally. Xiangru didn't think she was worse than Xia Li. At least when it came to men, she was absolutely confident that she was better than Xia Li.

Elsholtzia constantly adjusted her breathing and tried her best to control her emotions to avoid making mistakes due to momentary impulse.

When she calmed down completely, she began to think deeply. Xia Li was undoubtedly arrogant. The contempt for the status of a concubine in her words did not seem false. It can be seen that she herself had no thoughts about the prince. Knowing this was enough.

Xiangru didn't intend to have a falling out with Xia Li. It was easier to avoid an open attack than to guard against a hidden one. Some opportunities could only be obtained from Xia Li, so she had to keep her composure...

Xia Li had no idea that someone was targeting her. She was concentrating on her embroidery work. Bai Shao did not slack off this time and worked with her.

After the engagement, Bai Shao had not much time left to stay with the old lady and serve her, so she wanted to make a few more clothes to prepare so that the old lady would not forget her so quickly.

At this moment, the back room was silent, with only the occasional sound of the charcoal basin. Bai Shao handed the embroidered orchid to Xia Li and said with a smile: "What do you think of this orchid?"

Xia Li turned his head to take a look and said in a calm tone, "Yes, you look very dignified. When is your wedding date? Do you want to sew your wedding dress yourself?"

Bai Shao's cheeks flushed slightly. She put down her needlework and said hesitantly, "The wedding is scheduled for the winter of next year. I think you are good at embroidery, so I want you to embroider a wedding dress for me. It would be best if it has a cloud shoulder. I wonder if you can agree to it."

After all, Xia Li was really busy. Not only did she have endless embroidery work to do, but she also had to serve the old lady from time to time. Bai Shao was afraid that she would disagree, so Xia Li rolled her eyes at her and said slowly, "If it were someone else, I wouldn't have the time to help. After all, you are Sister Bai Shao. You and I can make this wedding dress together, and I'll draw the embroidery pattern. Is that okay?"

Bai Shao nodded hurriedly and said sincerely, "You still love me the most. If you hadn't helped me in time, I don't know what situation I would be in now. I'm scared just thinking about it..."

Shi Mi happened to come in after lifting the curtain. She said with a smile on her face, "What are you afraid of? What are you two whispering about?"

Bai Shao's face was stiff. Shi Hu didn't mind, but that didn't mean the other members of the Shi family didn't mind. Xia Li took over the conversation and said, "When she came here just now, Sister Bai Shao slipped. Luckily I helped her up."

Shi Mi turned her head and said angrily, "You too, don't you know how to walk slowly? If you fall, you will fall hard."

Bai Shao immediately smiled innocently and said, "Sister is right. I will be more careful next time."

Xia Li sorted out the messy embroidery threads and said casually, "Sister, why are you here at this time? Doesn't the old ancestor need someone to serve him?"

Shi Mi frowned slightly and said, "I came to tell you that the eldest girl is back and will come to pay her respects to the old lady in a while."

Xia Li paused as she was straightening the wires, and whispered, "Sister, are you afraid that the elder girl will hate me?"

Shi Mi nodded gently and said worriedly: "The eldest girl has always been vindictive. Although you didn't offend her back then, you witnessed her miserable life. When she sees you, she will definitely remember the scene back then. I'm afraid..."

Shi Mi's worry was not without reason. Xia Li raised her eyebrows slightly, a faint smile appeared on the corner of her mouth, and she said calmly, "The eldest girl has just returned home, so she can't be too presumptuous. After all, I am the eldest maidservant in front of the old ancestor. I have to give face to the Buddha, so she won't make too much trouble."

Shi Mi thought about it and thought that what he said made sense. She said softly, "You two should pack up and wait outside, in case there are too many people coming and not enough to serve."

Xia Li and Bai Shao responded at the same time, and after they returned to the old lady and joined her in laughter and joking, they heard a maid come in to announce that the eldest girl had arrived.

The old lady was still examining her granddaughter. She said happily, "Hurry up and welcome her in..."

Shi Mi, Bai Shao and others hurried forward to greet them, while Xia Li stood up straight, raised his head and looked outside. After a moment, he saw a beautiful woman wearing a scarlet floral cloak, with a face like a silver plate and eyes like a painting approaching slowly.

When Lu Qinghe saw the old lady, she couldn't help but shed tears. She knelt in front of the old lady and said in a choked voice: "Grandma, my unfilial granddaughter is back. I know I was wrong. I have copied scriptures every day to pray for you all these years. Today I finally see you."

The old lady saw that her temperament had changed drastically, and her movements and behavior had the dignity and grace of a lady from a noble family. She smiled with satisfaction and said in a hoarse voice, "It's good that you are like this now. If you can control your temper, there will be better days ahead."

Lu Qinghe wiped her tears gently, her eyes drooping so that no one could see her expression. She said softly, "My granddaughter has no other thoughts now. She just wants to be filial to her grandmother and mother at home."

The eldest wife took over the conversation and said, "At your age, you can only stay at home for a few more years. It would be more appropriate to arrange a marriage as soon as possible. What do you think, mother?"

The old lady raised her eyelids, asked the maid to bring an armchair for Lu Qinghe to sit on, and asked casually: "Have you learned any skills in the past few years in the ancestral temple?"

Lu Qinghe said politely, "In addition to learning etiquette from the nanny my mother hired, I also read and practiced calligraphy every day, and also learned music, chess, calligraphy and painting. I am stupid, but I am good at painting."

After all, she was a legitimate daughter, and even when she was exiled to the family temple, the eldest wife never treated her harshly. The husband arranged for her and her food, clothing and other expenses were no worse than those in the mansion. Therefore, she was able to develop her current demeanor.

The old lady's eyes showed satisfaction. She pondered and said, "For a family like ours, we don't need to be proficient in everything. Being able to manage the household is the right thing to do. The rest is just a pretense of elegance and a way to pass the time occasionally."

(End of this chapter)