Full House Spring

Chapter 84 The splendor of the whole hall comes into view

Fang Qizhen has always been efficient in his work. If you want to leave, you'd better do it sooner.

He wanted to send the third prince off and then ride as fast as he could to catch up with the big guys, so he set out before dawn.

Before leaving, Fang Zongru had to give some more instructions. Fortunately, the Third Prince's group had no power to resist and it was not far from Kyoto, so there was no need to worry about any more trouble.

After they left, the rain outside finally stopped. The dilapidated temple was in ruins and everyone could only take a rest around the fire.

Fang Tangli was a delicate young lady who had never experienced the wind and rain in her boudoir. Seeing the corpse on the ground, she was inevitably a little frightened. She tried not to look at it, and diverted her attention to Xia Li and asked, "Sister, how did you think of using the silver mine to attract the attention of the Third Prince?"

Xia Li was watching the guards applying medicine and bandaging Kuang Chengrui's wounds. She felt so painful just looking at those wounds that were so deep that the bones could be seen, but Kuang Chengrui seemed to feel no pain. Xia Li sighed that this man could really endure what ordinary people could not endure.

Hearing Fang Tangli's question, Xia Li turned around and chuckled:
"I saw that the Third Prince's clothes were dirty and he didn't wear any valuable ornaments. I guessed that he must be short of money. Also, when we came to the ruined temple, I saw that the honeysuckle grass was growing lushly nearby, so I guessed that there might be a silver mine, so I did this."

Fang Tangli blinked in confusion, "What is the connection between this honeysuckle and the silver mine?"

Xia Li smiled and said softly:

"Where honeysuckle grows in large quantities, there are often gold and silver deposits. Jade grows in the mountains and the grass and trees grow moist. Have you heard this, sister?"

Fang Tangli shook her head and said frankly, "I have never heard of this before. I usually like to read poetry and books. According to what you said, is there really a gold and silver mine here?"

Xia Li smiled and said, "There is a 50 to 60 percent chance. In fact, many corresponding plants can be found with mineral deposits. For example, if the grass stems are red and beautiful, there is lead underneath, and if the grass stems are red and yellow, there is copper underneath. Plants and mineral deposits are closely related."

Fang Tangli couldn't help but ask Fang Zongru, "Uncle, have you seen such a statement in ancient books?"

Fang Zongru frowned, thought for a moment and said, "I read a lot of books, and I really don't know this. Where did you read this in?"

Xia Li also found it a little unbelievable, she said honestly:
"I remember it was in Xunzi. Encouragement to Study. I read this book when I was young and I remembered it."

Fang Zongru looked more and more puzzled, "Who is this Xunzi? How come I have never heard of him?"

Xia Li suddenly realized that this was a fictional dynasty, so it was normal for the culture to be broken. Xunzi probably never appeared in this time and space. She said calmly, "The book says that Xunzi is a representative of the Confucian school and the master of the Hundred Schools of Thought. In short, he is a very learned person. I don't remember where I got the book."

Fang Zongru said with regret: "It would be great if the book was still there. My dear, do you still remember the contents of the book? You can write it down after you go back. I would like to read it."

Xia Li had a good memory and could remember most of the books she had read. She nodded slightly and said, "I'll sort it out when I get home and then show it to Dad."

Cao Shixiang could not help but say, "Sister, if you don't mind, please give me a copy of the contents of the search for mineral deposits. Since I have been sent out, I must make some achievements."

Xia Li nodded in agreement without hesitation. His brother-in-law was a prefect, a high position with a lot to do. Xia Li was also very happy to help his family.

After she finished speaking, she saw that Kuang Chengrui had been bandaged and dressed neatly. He looked as if nothing had happened. Xia Li admired him from the bottom of her heart.

The sky outside gradually brightened. The servants moved the things back to the carriage. When Xia Li got on the carriage, he saw Fang Zongru pulling Kuang Chengrui on the carriage. He said earnestly:

"You have such a deep wound on your back, how can you ride a horse again? You definitely can't ride today. Hurry and get in the carriage."

Kuang Chengrui frowned, as if he wanted to object, but he didn't know how to say it. He said in a deep voice: "My minor injury is not a problem. It's easier to grasp the situation outside by riding a horse. It's inconvenient to take a carriage."

Cao Shixiang also advised: "Brother Kuang, your wound has just been bandaged. What if it splits? It's okay to relax for a while during the day. When we get to the next city, we will go to the escort agency to hire some escorts. You don't have to be so nervous."

The change of court did not cause much unrest in the local area, and the entire Jin Dynasty continued to develop steadily and orderly. The probability of something like last night happening was extremely low. Kuang Chengrui could not resist the persuasion of the two and had to obediently get into the carriage.

As expected, there were no accidents during the rest of the journey. For safety reasons, they tried not to sleep outdoors, even if staying in an inn delayed their journey. It was this speed of travel that allowed Fang Qizhen to catch up with them.

Xia Li did not know the fate of the third prince and others. The winners are kings and the losers are bandits since ancient times. The world has always been written by the victors. Just when Xia Li was about to give up the long journey, they finally arrived in Laizhou.

Xia Li felt the feeling of being close to her hometown for the first time. Fang Tangli didn't know what she was thinking and said to her excitedly:
"Sister, you can visit any of our Fang clan members living in Fangfu Lane as you like. Look at all the lights and decorations everywhere. They are here to welcome you home."

Xia Li sensed the festive atmosphere from the moment she entered the alley. If it was to welcome her, it must be really grand. After entering the alley, the carriage suddenly stopped, and Fang Qizheng said in a hoarse voice: "Sister, get off the car quickly, mother is here to pick you up."

Xia Li's heartbeat suddenly quickened. In her previous life, her mother would beat her up just for disturbing her while playing mahjong. Her mother used a force that could break chopsticks. Later, they divorced her and even wanted to sell her to human traffickers to make money. She really had never felt normal maternal love.

Xia Li didn't know how she got off the carriage. When she looked up, she saw many strangers standing in front of her. They looked at her with such happy and friendly eyes.

The woman who looked 80% like her was the most excited. Her eyes were filled with tenderness and warmth. She walked carefully to Xia Li and said in a choked voice, "My dear girl has grown up. She is as beautiful as I imagined. I am glad she is back. We won't have to suffer any more hardships in the future."

Her words were so gentle, and the kindness in her eyes seemed to soothe all of Xia Li's worries and troubles. Xia Li couldn't help but say, "Mom, I'm back..."

When Rong heard this, tears fell from her eyes like beads from a broken string. She hugged Xia Li and cried inconsolably. The other tribesmen were also very sad. After the mother and daughter calmed down, Sun came forward and said gently: "Mother, my sister has worked hard on the way. Let's talk about it when we get home."

Rong nodded continuously, first wiping the tears from her daughter's face with a handkerchief, then whispered, "This is your biological sister-in-law, she is also a very good person, you will know later, mother will take you home first, go and have a look at your yard, if you want to buy anything, just tell me." Xia Li was led inside by her, and could only smile and nod to greet others. Sun turned around and said politely, "Thank you all uncles and aunts for coming to take my sister home, we will set up a banquet to entertain everyone."

Fang Tangli's mother, Mrs. Zhou, said in a clear voice, "We are all family, there is no need to be so polite. Let them kiss each other and we will come back later."

The others were also very considerate. They thought that this lost and found daughter should be treasured to the fullest extent possible. After Xia Li followed Rong into the house, he listened to her introduction to the various courtyards.

Seeing her daughter's endless joy, Rong wished she could fill the gap in the family affection that had been missing for more than ten years. She whispered softly:
"This house of ours is quite old. As it is the direct descendant of the family, it has been expanded several times, so it is quite spacious. This Cuihua Courtyard is the courtyard that your grandfather specially renovated for you after you were born. The well-arranged layout of this courtyard is the result of his painstaking efforts. Do you like it?"

Xia Li looked at the swing under the wisteria trellis and knew how much her grandfather loved her. It was a pity that she had never been in his arms. Xia Li said with a nasal voice, "I like everything in the house."

When Rong heard her words, she couldn't help but her eyes reddened again. Fang Zongru, who was following behind the mother and daughter, couldn't help but comfort them:

"Don't be like this. My dear girl will be sad if she sees this. It's a great blessing for her to be able to stand in front of us safely. It would be unlucky if she cries."

Rong wiped her tears and nodded continuously, her voice choking with sobs:

"You're right. I just feel bad for my little girl who has suffered so much outside. She can live such a decent life. I don't know how much sweat she has put in behind the scenes. I feel bad just thinking about it."

After hearing what her mother said, Xia Li suddenly thought of the things she had done in the Duke's Mansion. To this day, she has never regretted it. She took Rong's arm and said in a light voice: "Mother, I don't feel that the past experiences are bitter. As long as I can return to my parents, no matter how much suffering I endure, it is worth it."

Rong felt that her daughter was so well behaved, so she quickly said, "Let's not talk about this anymore. Go into your bedroom and take a look. If there is anything missing, fill it up quickly."

As she finished speaking, the door was pushed open, and the splendor of the whole hall came into view. The furniture was all made of golden nanmu, which was delicate and elegant. The floor of the house was paved with white jade, and there was a dressing table underneath that was filled with makeup boxes and jewelry. Even though Xia Li was used to the luxury of the Duke's Mansion, she couldn't help but click her tongue.

Rong still felt that it was not enough, and continued:
"If you don't like the ornaments on this antique shelf, go to the storehouse and pick new ones. Your clothes for all four seasons are made according to your second brother's estimated sizes. If they don't fit, mother will make new ones for you. Our family is quiet, and your sister-in-law is kind and doesn't care about things. You don't have to be restrained."

Fang Zongru was very satisfied with his wife's arrangement. His daughter's boudoir should be decorated as luxuriously as possible. Even if she gets married in the future, it will still be her yard.

He knew that Xia Li needed time to slowly adjust his mindset, so he said considerately:
"Put your luggage away first, and come out after you have rested. Your mother and sister-in-law are entertaining the relatives outside. You just need to show up at the banquet in the evening. Don't worry too much."

Rong took her daughter's hand, tucked her hair behind her ears, and said softly, "I'll ask the maid to prepare hot water. You don't have to worry about other things. Take a shower, change into clean clothes and take a rest."

Xia Li had never been treated so thoughtfully before. She couldn't say no and nodded obediently.

Watching the couple leave, Shi Mi sighed sincerely:
"I'm afraid that the young lady is unrivaled in the eyes of the master and his wife. The wealth accumulated by the Fang family for generations is unmatched by the Cheng'en Marquis's Mansion. What Madam Xie is worried about should not happen."

Qiao He curiously knocked on the round table made of golden nanmu wood and sighed softly, "Aristocratic families are indeed not comparable to ordinary official families. The son of the Fang family is probably a hundred times more outstanding than me. Miss, please don't abandon me."

Xia Li shook his head and laughed, "Don't let your imagination run wild. My family treats me very well right now. We just need to integrate well. If the rules in the mansion are different, we can learn them slowly. There is still a long way to go, so there is no need to rush."

Shi Mi smiled and nodded. She had no intention of leaving Xia Li in this life, so naturally she hoped that she would get better and better. With the support of the Fang family, nothing would go wrong in the future.

The Xiali family was reunited and celebrating, but Kuang Chengrui refused Fang Zongru's attempt to keep him and insisted on riding his horse back home. The minor injury on his body was of no concern to him.

The dark horse galloped on the official road, and Kuang Chengrui soon arrived at Jiaozhou. The Kuang family had been a military household since his great-grandfather, and now he was the fourth generation. After several generations, they finally had some wealth.

The Kuang family residence was located near the city gate of Jiaozhou Prefecture, which was also where military households gathered. It was only a hundred miles away from the Jiaozhou Garrison.

Compared with a behemoth like the Tongfang family, the Kuang family’s mansion is certainly not impressive, but among the military households, the Kuang family’s mansion is the most imposing.

The Kuang family's house was renovated in the shape of a Chinese character "品". The old man lived in the front yard in the middle. Kuang Chengrui's father was in charge of two families. The eldest wife lived in the east wing and the second wife lived in the west wing. Both wives had children, so the family was considered to be prosperous.

As soon as Kuang Chengrui entered the house, a servant led his horse to the stable to feed it. Old Master Kuang had retired from his position as a thousand households, and now he was farming several hundred acres of land and living a stable life. The mansion only hired a few servants to do rough work, and his life was not as good as that of the rich, but better than that of the poor.

Kuang Chengrui walked through the courtyard gate with steady steps. Just as he was about to go find his grandfather, he saw his mother Yu coming to meet him.

Mrs. Yu was petite and beautiful. Even though her husband had passed away for many years, she still looked young. She was very happy to see her eldest son return. She took her son's hand and said:

"Chengrui, I heard from your grandfather that the girl from the Fang family has been found. Is this true?"

Kuang Chengrui's eyes flickered, and he said concisely: "Miss Fang has been sent back to the Fang Mansion. I wonder if mother has any instructions?"

Yu lowered her eyes and said worriedly, "Will the Fang family agree to this marriage? The girl from the Fang family has been living away from home for many years. Will there be anything wrong with that?"

Kuang Chengrui immediately understood her implication and said in a deep voice:
"Miss Fang grew up in the care of the old lady in the Duke's Mansion. She is well-educated, well-mannered, and clever. Even if she were put together with the ladies of the capital, she would not be inferior in the least. Mother, please stop talking nonsense."

Yu's face was filled with joy at first, but then she said in distress, "She is so outstanding, I'm afraid the Fang family will rack their brains to cancel the engagement. You should talk to your grandfather and marry her as soon as possible to avoid complications."

Although Yu was the daughter of a scholar, she was a simple person. Kuang Chengrui did not want to talk to her any more and said indifferently:
"I know what's going on. Mother, don't worry. If you have time, make me some more clothes. My clothes are worn out again."

(End of this chapter)