Full House Spring

Chapter 55: The Moon of Youth
Elsholtzia was a little overwhelmed and just wanted to escape quickly.

Xia Li frowned slightly and said in a steady voice:
"If you want me to believe you, you should at least reveal more information, such as what did Master Yan San do that made you feel terrible?"

Xiangru knew that she would make more mistakes if she spoke too much, so she raised her head and said expressionlessly:
"There are some things I can't tell you. Believe it or not, you can decide for yourself. If you don't go back, the old lady will be waiting anxiously."

Xiangru walked forward quickly without waiting for Xia Li's response. Xia Li did not call her but just stared at her back with sarcasm in his eyes.

When Xia Li returned to the old lady, the second master had already left, and Luo and the fourth girl were chatting with the old lady.

Maidong was serving tea to her masters. When she saw Xiali and Xiangru coming back together, she glanced at them for a second longer.

They both looked normal, Xiangru's eyes were evasive, but there was nothing unusual about the others.

Seeing Maidong leaving with the tray after serving the tea, Xiangru followed him. The two did not say much on the way. After returning to the tea room, Maidong put the tray heavily on the table and said with an unhappy look on his face, "Are you trying to trip up Xia Li again?"

Xiangru first looked through the small window to see if there was anyone outside, and then lowered his voice and said, "What nonsense are you talking about? When did I ever trip her up? You know how powerful she is."

Maidong was so angry that his cheeks puffed up, and his face looked like a cloudy sky, grey and dark.

"Don't fool me. No matter how powerful she is, she almost lost her innocence because of your scheme. Do you dare to swear that you have nothing to do with this?"

Elsholtzia felt oppressed in front of Xia Li, but she was very calm in front of Ophiopogon japonicus. She said calmly:

"Xia Li was conspired by Zhao Xiaohui and Zhu Da. It has nothing to do with me. Now that these two are dead, why are you still bringing it up?"

Maidong looked at Elsholtzia with some disappointment, and she said sadly:

"Then tell me first, where did you go on the night Xia Li got into trouble? And why did you force me to drink rice wine?"

Xiangru's eyes flickered, and he turned his head and said:
"I got up that night to go to the toilet. I came back soon. You drank more rice wine because you thought it tasted good. I didn't force you to drink it. You can't doubt me because of these trivial things."

Maidong has finally grown up, and is no longer as easily perfunctory as she was when she was little. She said unhappily:

"I don't believe so many coincidences would happen at the same time. If they did, it could only be a human factor. Xia Li has no grudge against you, so why do you want to destroy her?"

There was a hint of anger in Xiangru's eyes. She suppressed her displeasure and said coldly, "It's not something I did, but you keep forcing it on me. Do you think it's fun?"

Mai Dong's eyes were full of disappointment. She said calmly:
"I've known for a long time that you're in love with the prince, but he doesn't have eyes for you at all, so why do you have to harbor illusions? If Xia Li really becomes the prince's concubine, that's her fate, and it has nothing to do with you."

I don't know which word of Maidong irritated her, but Xiangru said excitedly:

"What you're saying is just to tell me not to dream of gaining the favor of the prince. In your eyes, I'm not as good as Xia Li, so I'm definitely not worthy of the prince, right?"

Mai Dong's eyes widened, and he raised his voice and said, "That's not what I meant. It's your business what you want to do. You shouldn't hurt others for this. Xia Li has done nothing wrong to you."

Xiangru was already full of anger, and her patience ran out. She said in a bad tone:

"After all, you are on Xia Li's side. Have you seen me harm her? Why don't you believe me? I am your good sister who grew up with you."

Mai Dong was startled, then said softly:

"I'm not on her side, it's just that I know you too well, and I don't want you to fall into an abyss of no return because of jealousy. As you said, we are sisters who grew up together, so how could I not wish you the best."

Maidong looked extremely mature when he said this, which made Xiangru a little dazed. She pursed her lips and turned her head away to avoid Maidong's gaze.

"You don't have to worry about me. I know what I'm doing. I will fight for what I want. No one can get in my way. Just take care of yourself."

After Xiangru finished speaking, he turned around and walked out. Maidong knew very well that the two of them could not go back to the way they were before. She said in a low voice: "Will you come back to the manor for the New Year?"

Xiangru paused for a moment and said indifferently, "I'm not going back. Please bring some things to my family. I'll go back to see them when I'm free."

Mai Dong hummed, "I'll ask my mother to cook some of your favorite dishes and bring them over. You take care of yourself."

Elsholtzia did not refuse. She said casually, "You don't need to bring too much. Just a taste is enough for me."

After that, she walked away with light steps, leaving Maidong feeling lost...

Xia Li was not unhappy about Xiangru, nor would she waste her time on Mr. Yan Sanye. She continued to do her own thing, and when she was done, she said goodbye to the old lady and went back to the house in the back alley in the afternoon with her bags.

The day turned grey and gloomy, as if preparing for the coming heavy snow. The house had already been cleaned at the expense of maids, and all Xia Li had to do was put the three bedrooms in tidiness when he came back. It was already the 29th day of the twelfth lunar month, and it was time to prepare everything.

Although the weather was cold, Xia Li was busy as hell. When she finished cleaning up the bedroom, snow started falling outside. The goose-feather-like snow soon formed a thick layer.

This year would probably be spent in the wind and snow. Anyway, she, her grandma and Qiaohe had no relatives or friends to visit, so it was more comfortable to stay at home on a snowy day. For dinner, she ate hot pot while enjoying the snow. It was so comfortable.

I had previously asked the purchasing manager of the mansion to help me buy a lot of high-quality charcoal. At night, I lit the charcoal basin in the house, so I didn't feel cold even though it was windy and snowy outside.

Qiao He came on the morning of New Year's Eve. She knocked on the door so loudly that Xia Li was woken up. She put on her cloak and went to open the door. She was surprised to see something at Qiao He's feet. "How did you bring the things back in this freezing weather?"

Qiao He gently brushed away the fallen snow on her hair and said with a smile, "I spent money to hire a carriage to bring it back. Otherwise, how could I move it by myself? Are you still not up?"

Xia Li smiled, took her arm and said:

"I don't have to be on duty, nor do I have to pay my respects to grandma, so I'll just be lazy and sleep in for a while. Everything is arranged at home, so you don't have to worry. Has Madam Lu gone to the kitchenette?"

As Qiao He was moving things into the yard, she said in a gentle voice, "The master came back to work yesterday. She told me to relax for a few days during the New Year and not to rush back."

Xia Li nodded slightly and said, "Mrs. Lu knows that she feels sorry for you, so don't let her down and take a good rest."

After she finished speaking, she bent down to move the things, but Qiao He stopped her and said unhappily, "You are wearing such thin clothes, what will happen if you catch a cold? Go back to the house and put on your clothes, I will take care of these things." The two of them were not relatives, but they were more than relatives, so there was no need for hypocrisy and courtesy. Xia Li straightened up and said, "That's fine, I'll be there in a moment."

Qiao He was not a plump person, but she had developed a lot of strength through working in the kitchen, so these things were no pressure at all for her, and she quickly brought them all into the house.

By the time Xia Li had packed up and came out, there was no place for her to go, so she had to go to the kitchen to make herself breakfast.

Now that Qiaohe is here, the New Year's Eve dinner must be prepared in a big way. Apart from discussing the dishes with Xiali, she is not allowed to interfere with anything else.

Xia Lile was so relaxed that she simply hid in the main room to write couplets. Her handwriting was now quite elegant and had a sense of freedom and ease.

The snow is still falling outside, and the house is covered in silver, giving it a festive atmosphere. In summer, couplets are posted and big red lanterns are hung under the eaves, making the house look festive no matter how you look at it.

It was already evening when Nanny Xie came back. As soon as she stepped into the courtyard, she smelled the aroma of wine and food. A faint smile appeared on her old face, and her heart was warm, with an indescribable sense of security.

Xia Li heard the noise and stretched his neck to call out, "Grandma, you're back? Have you finished all the things in the mansion?"

Aunt Xie brushed the snow off her shoulders and said in a gentle voice:
"Everything is done. The old lady has someone to take care of her. I don't need to worry about it. How are you doing? Do you need my help?"

Qiao He came out of the kitchen with a blushing face. She smiled and said, "Mammy, just serve the New Year's Eve dinner. I've taken care of everything."

Xia Li agreed, "Grandma is busy all year round, how can you be so busy on New Year's Eve? Come in and sit down, I'll serve the food."

The two girls were sincerely showing filial piety to Aunt Xie. After a busy day, Aunt Xie was indeed tired. She sat at the head of the table, and soon all the dishes were served on the table.

Xia Li brought the warmed wine to the table, and the two of them sat down. Qiao He said in a brisk voice, "Mammy, I only cooked ten dishes today. There are only three of us at home, and we can't finish them if we cook too much. Do you think this is okay?"

Aunt Xie picked up the chopsticks and said with a smile, "That's enough. No need to make any more trouble. Are you two going to drink with me today?"

Xia Li hardly drinks alcohol on weekdays. She can't get used to it and gets red in the face after drinking. Qiao He, on the other hand, can drink a little.

Xia Li took the wine pot and poured wine for Aunt Xie, pursed his lips and smiled:

"I'll just have a taste. You and Qiao He can drink more. After all, we are at home and don't have to work. It doesn't matter if we get drunk."

Madam Xie nodded slightly, and when Qiao He's wine glass was filled, she took a sip, then picked up a piece of braised pork and put it in her mouth. She chewed it for a few times and said softly:
"After tasting the food, I feel that Qiao He's cooking skills are better than Madam Lu's. Do you plan to stay in the small kitchen forever?"

Qiao He put down her wine glass and said helplessly, "After all, it was the master who taught me how to cook. If I leave her, I'm afraid she will be unhappy."

Madam Xie shook her head and said, "You are wrong. As the saying goes, there is no room for two tigers in one mountain. Do you really want to teach the apprentice to starve the master to death? If you don't bring it up yourself, Madam Lu won't be able to ask you to chase him away."

Qiao He was surprised. No wonder the chef didn't cook when she was in charge. She didn't want to compete with the chef, nor did she want to quarrel with him. After thinking for a moment, she said:
"Now that Master has brought Dong'er into the mansion, he can serve wholeheartedly. It is indeed not appropriate for me to stay in the small kitchen. However, I don't know where I should go. Please give me some instructions, Madam."

Madam Xie drank the wine in her glass and said calmly:

"You are Yunying's unmarried girl, so it is safest for you to stay in the mansion and work. Although there are many fights in the kitchen, you can learn real skills. If you believe in me, go and work in the kitchen."

Xia Li took a sip of wine and felt an extremely spicy taste in her mouth. She quickly picked up a piece of food with chopsticks and put it into her mouth. After the discomfort subsided, she said:

"You can't just go into the big kitchen if you want to. There are all kinds of people in there. I'm afraid Qiao He will be excluded if she goes in."

Qiao He said unconcernedly, "It's not a difficult thing. I started from the bottom and I don't seek credit or power. Such a big kitchen should have room for me."

Madam Xie nodded with relief. "If you have this idea, it won't be a problem. I have some friendship with Cao, the chef in the big kitchen, so it won't be difficult to get you in."

Qiao He quickly picked up the wine glass and said respectfully to Madam Xie:
"Thank you for arranging this for me, Madam. In the future, Xia Li and I will definitely honor you well!"

Aunt Xie raised her glass and drank the wine, then said gently:

"I watched you grow up, and you are a smart and honest child. I will not be stingy if I can help you. Just keep this in mind. I am busy over there right now, and I will arrange it for you after the New Year."

Qiao He smiled when she heard this. She said playfully, "I feel more at ease now that you've said this, Madam."

When Xia Li saw the two of them smiling, she couldn't help but smile too. Her fair cheeks were flushed from drinking, and there was a hint of intoxication in her eyes, making her look even more charming.

Aunt Xie saw this and quickly took the wine glass from her hand, saying in a deep voice, "You can't drink any more. Eat more food."

Xia Li felt dizzy, but she was still conscious. She said softly, "Grandma, I'm fine, don't worry."

Madam Xie reached out and tucked her hair behind her ears, and whispered, "You can't drink outside in the future. Don't drink easily without me."

Xia Li nodded obediently. She smiled and said, "This wine is very spicy and stimulating. I don't like it. If it weren't for accompanying you, I wouldn't have tried it."

Aunt Xie knew that she was telling the truth and motioned for her to eat first. Xia Li took a bite and felt that the alcohol had gone down a little. She said in a soft voice:
"It would be great if the three of us could escape from slavery. With our skills, we won't have to worry about not being able to survive outside."

Qiao He also had longing in her eyes. Xia Li had made her heart wild. She no longer followed the rules as before. She was not proud of staying in the Duke's Mansion and she longed for freedom even more.

Aunt Xie knocked on the table and whispered, "It's fine to say this behind closed doors at home, but don't let outsiders hear it."

Xia Li raised his eyebrows and chuckled, "Grandma, you don't have to be so cautious. This is in our home, and it's not something outrageous. Even if someone heard it, I can just deny it..."

Qiao He was amused by her and didn't know whether to laugh or cry. Aunt Xie sighed and said:
"You are a perverse girl, and I don't know who will be able to trap you in the future."

Xia Li smiled slyly and said in a brisk voice: "No one can hold me back in this life, I am the only one who can hold others back..."

(End of this chapter)