Chapter 77: New Year’s Visit
On the first morning of the New Year, Li Xiaonan returned home to sleep, dejected and yawning.
When she woke up and came out, her Eldest Sister and Second Sister were sitting in the Main Hall. One was using a long-handled shovel to tend to a Charcoal Basin, while the other held a cup of tea, discussing something.
Li Xiaonan blinked a few times.
This was the first time she had ever seen her Eldest Sister and Second Sister not Weaving, spinning thread, or doing Needlework. They were just sitting there talking with nothing in their hands!
“You’re awake, are you hungry?” Li Yuzhu saw Li Xiaonan and put down the shovel.
“Not hungry.” Li Xiaonan walked a few steps into the Main Hall, poured a cup of tea, and sat next to Li Yuzhu. “What were you talking about?”
Li Jinzhu’s expression was a little gloomy. She looked at Li Xiaonan and asked, “Have you heard about what happened to Third Uncle’s family?”
“Third Uncle died, and they didn’t let him be buried in the clan graveyard?” Li Xiaonan asked.
“It’s not just that. They’re sending Third Aunt back to her maiden home, saying she’s not virtuous. Third Aunt hanged herself in front of Third Uncle’s coffin. Eldest Cousin and the others were forced to leave, told they’re not allowed back,” Li Yuzhu said softly.
Seeing her Eldest Sister’s somber expression, Li Xiaonan let out a low hum and didn’t dare to say much.
“Your Eldest Sister is very upset. You should comfort her,” Li Yuzhu sighed when Li Xiaonan remained silent.
“Is Eldest Sister feeling sorry for Third Uncle’s family because they’re so miserable, or because the clan was too harsh?” Li Xiaonan asked first.
“How much difference is there between how they treated Third Uncle’s family now, and how Third Uncle’s family treated us back then?” Li Jinzhu knitted her brows.
“We never intended to harm anyone. Third Uncle tried to harm others but ended up harming himself,” Li Yuzhu added.
“Third Uncle made mistakes, and he should have been punished, but to push his entire family to their deaths, that’s too much. I just feel it’s too much!” Li Jinzhu felt a wave of annoyance.
She couldn’t argue with Yuzhu, but she always felt that this was wrong, that this was too much.
“The reason our family was bullied so badly by Third Uncle back then was because the clan not only didn’t uphold Justice, but they sided with Third Uncle and helped him bully us.
“Now that we have the upper hand, they’re siding with us and ruthlessly dealing with Third Uncle’s family.
“The clan didn’t stand for Justice; instead, they help whoever is in power and ruthlessly bully the losing side,” Li Xiaonan concluded after some thought.
“A Nan, what you said is right!” Li Yuzhu immediately agreed.
“Exactly! On the day of the trial, County Magistrate Huang made it clear that the big mistake was the clan’s, and the small mistake was Third Uncle’s. But did those people in the clan think they were wrong? I don’t think they felt they were wrong. They blamed everything on Third Uncle and dealt with his family ruthlessly. That’s not right.” Li Jinzhu’s confusion and distress cleared up considerably.
“What does Eldest Sister plan to do?” Li Xiaonan rested her chin on her hand and looked at her Eldest Sister.
“I don’t plan to do anything. Third Uncle’s family, some are dead, some have left. What else can be done? I’m just a bit angry, sad, and feeling stifled.” Li Jinzhu sighed deeply.
“I was just gossiping with your Eldest Sister. I’m worried they’ll use your Brother’s name to do these things, saying it’s your Brother’s wish, that we told them to do it,” Li Yuzhu lowered her voice.
“We’re not home for long periods. Your Second Sister and I are worried they’ll use your Brother’s name to do other bad things,” Li Jinzhu knitted her brows tightly.
“Brother, as the Clan Leader, he can’t just ignore everything,” Li Xiaonan said with a frown, after thinking.
“Your Brother doesn’t have the time. Besides, your Brother has no cunning at all,” Li Yuzhu sighed.
“Eldest Sister, you manage things for Brother,” Li Xiaonan looked at Li Jinzhu.
“What say do women have in clan matters!” Li Jinzhu shot Li Xiaonan a look.
“Eldest Sister is managing things for Brother. When Eldest Sister speaks, it’s Brother speaking, so it doesn’t count as a woman speaking,” Li Xiaonan said, as if reciting a tongue twister.
“That’s a twisted logic, but it makes sense,” Li Yuzhu chuckled, then agreed.
“Will the clan argue with you over this twisted logic?” Li Jinzhu gave Li Xiaonan a sideways glance.
“Let’s try. Next time they call Brother over to discuss matters, Eldest Sister can go with him. If Brother doesn’t speak, Eldest Sister will, and let’s see what they do,” Li Xiaonan suggested with a smile.
Li Jinzhu looked at Li Yuzhu.
“Let’s try it once,” Li Yuzhu’s lowered voice carried a faint hint of excitement.
………………………………
As agreed before the New Year, on the third day of the New Year, Hong Zhenye went to Li Family Market for New Year’s Visits, and then, together with Li Xuedong, went to Gao Family in Gao Village Market for New Year’s Visits.
Around the end of the Chen Hour, the Hong Family entourage arrived.
Because the Li family’s Eldest Sister was in charge, Hong Zhenye was accompanied by his cousin Hong Zhenshan and his wife, bringing a cart of gifts.
The Hong Family entourage first arrived at the Li family’s new House, then, accompanied by Li Xuedong and Li Jinzhu, they paid a New Year’s Visit to Li Shikuan’s home. Li Wenliang, in new Clothes, carrying gifts, along with Li Xuedong, Li Jinzhu, and Li Xiaonan, who had followed to join the fun, set off for Gao Village Market.
A group of over a dozen people, ten or so horses, and three or four Carts, made a grand and lively entrance. As soon as they entered Gao Village Market, they became the center of attention for the entire town. Children and idlers followed them all the way to the entrance of the Gao Family Schoolroom. After watching Mr. Gao and Mrs. Gao welcome them inside, they still craned their necks, hoping for another glimpse of the Xiucai Scholar.
Li Xiaonan followed behind the large group and, familiar with the way, turned into the Kitchen.
Old Huang Ma, who was busy sweating in the Kitchen, turned her head and saw Li Xiaonan. Her face immediately broke into a smile like a blooming flower. “I knew you’d come! Freshly steamed Rice Cakes.”
Old Huang Ma handed Li Xiaonan a Dish of Rice Cakes.
Li Xiaonan picked up a Rice Cake, took a bite, and said to Old Huang Ma with a smile, “My Brother is going to be Mr. Gao’s son-in-law.”
“I’m telling you, I never expected this at all!”
Old Huang Ma clapped her hands loudly with great emotion.
“Your Brother was so thin and small back then, shivering, barely able to speak clearly. Him and our Zhi Jie’er, it was just… tsk!” Old Huang Ma tutted repeatedly.
Back then, Li Xuedong and her Zhi Jie’er were like heaven and earth!
“A person’s fate, who could have imagined your Brother becoming a Xiucai Scholar!” Old Huang Ma clapped her hands loudly again. “Was that sapphire Long Gown just now your Brother? Tsk! I didn’t even dare to recognize him. How imposing and noble! My Zhi Jie’er is truly fortunate.”
“It’s my Brother’s good fortune,” Li Xiaonan said after finishing one Rice Cake and taking another.
“Your Brother is extraordinary! A great benefactor! You are also fortunate.” Old Huang Ma tapped Li Xiaonan’s forehead. “Since your Brother went to Hangcheng for the Examination, you haven’t been here. Zhi Jie and I have missed you!”
“Where is Zhi Jie?” Li Xiaonan finished two Rice Cakes and placed the Dish on the stove.
“She’s in that Side Room. Go talk to her. The Kitchen is dusty, don’t get your new Clothes dirty,” Old Huang Ma nudged Li Xiaonan, signaling her to go find Zhi Jie’er.
