Chapter 100: When Progress is Made, Consider Retreat
Li Yin Zhu’s marriage prospects took a sudden turn, the immense momentum leaving Li Jin Zhu and Li Yu Zhu stunned and at a loss.
The endless stream of betrothal gifts, except for the one from Prince Rui’s Mansion, all went to Tang Weng Weng Li Shikuan, including those from the He Family of Linhai Town.
Xue Dong, the clan leader, was still lecturing at the County School, so she and Yu Zhu couldn’t get to the front, let alone speak.
The long procession of betrothal gifts from the Hong Family, led by two snow-white live sheep adorned with red ribbons and two jars of fine wine, followed by brocade clothes, pomegranate-red skirts, gold and jade hair ornaments, beaded flowers, gold jewelry, colorful silks, fine fabrics, fragrant teas, and pastries, stretched into a long line as they entered Li Family Market.
Li Jin Zhu, looking through several layers of people, watched Mr. Gao, Old Scholar Hong, and Li Shikuan exchange pleasantries. After staring for a while, she turned to go back.
A Wu and Wang Yu Ting, along with children of all ages, had all run out to watch the excitement.
Li Xiao Nan sat by the side room door, concentrating on her writing. Mei Jie sat by the kitchen door, sorting vegetables.
The small courtyard was quiet.
Seeing Li Jin Zhu enter, Li Xiao Nan put down her brush and looked at her eldest sister, whose expression was not very good.
Li Jin Zhu picked up a small bamboo chair and sat next to Li Xiao Nan.
“My second sister and I,” Li Jin Zhu paused, then after a moment, said softly, “are a little scared.”
Li Xiao Nan moved her chair closer to her eldest sister.
“Sister-in-law Lu from our preserved egg business, my second sister gets along very well with her and often talks with her, and likes to sit with her during meals,” Li Xiao Nan said, looking at Li Jin Zhu.
Li Jin Zhu’s brows furrowed. After a moment, she hummed in agreement.
“Sister-in-law Yin told you that the people at the workshop are all very fawning over Sister-in-law Lu, and often bring her a bunch of vegetables, a bag of peas, or some cucumbers. So you asked my second sister if Sister-in-law Lu ever spoke ill of anyone in front of her,” Li Xiao Nan continued.
Li Jin Zhu’s eyebrows rose slightly.
“That Young Lord is the same with me. He feels he can talk to me and likes to chat. So people send a bunch of vegetables and a few scallions to our home.”
Li Jin Zhu’s brows furrowed again. After a moment, Li Jin Zhu’s brows tightened. “A Nan, if what you’re saying is true, then it’s too much for Tang Weng Weng and the others to accept gifts like this, and for the Hong Family too?”
“Those betrothal gifts, if we don’t accept from any family, then we can’t accept from any other family either,” Li Xiao Nan said, looking at Li Jin Zhu.
Li Jin Zhu hummed and sighed.
This was human affection.
“We can’t control the Hong Family. Eldest Sister, if you feel something is wrong, go talk to Tang Weng Weng. Tang Weng Weng should listen,” Li Xiao Nan said, linking arms with Li Jin Zhu.
“Your brother isn’t here…” Li Jin Zhu stopped mid-sentence.
Xue Dong was spending more and more time outside. They couldn’t rely on Xue Dong to shield them from everything at home anymore. She didn’t need to use Xue Dong’s name; she just needed to express her own wishes, their sisters’ wishes!
“I’ll go talk to Tang Weng Weng,” Li Jin Zhu paused, then after a moment of silence, looked at Li Xiao Nan and said softly, “A Nan, how long can this ‘getting along’ last? Maybe in a few days, they won’t get along anymore. Besides, that noble person is from the Capital City. He can’t stay in Pingjiang Prefecture forever. What about the future?”
Li Jin Zhu didn’t finish her sentence. She didn’t know how to say it. If that noble person left, or no longer liked talking to A Nan, what would happen to their family?
“I don’t know either,” Li Xiao Nan said softly. “Eldest Sister, that Young Lord’s interaction with our family started with that basket of eggs.
“The preserved egg business has indeed flourished due to the support of the Prince’s Mansion, but without their support, we could still do well in the preserved egg business, couldn’t we? Our preserved eggs are delicious, Sister-in-law Yin knows how to do business, and Eldest Sister and Second Sister are capable and hardworking.”
“Without that basket of eggs, where would the preserved egg business be?” Li Jin Zhu sighed softly.
“Then!” Li Xiao Nan paused and lowered her eyes. “Eldest Sister, if we went back to before that basket of eggs, do you think we could survive?”
“Yes, why not?” Li Jin Zhu replied. After a moment of silence, she looked at Li Xiao Nan and smiled. “No matter what, your brother’s Xiucai status is our own ability. As long as we have that, we’ll be much better off than when we were in Xiao Li Village.
“You focus on your writing. I’ll go take a look outside.”
Li Jin Zhu stood up, looked at Li Xiao Nan who was looking up at her, and reached out to trace her face. “With you and your brother, we can always get by and do better.”
“Mhm!” Li Xiao Nan’s smile bloomed.
………………………………
Li Xue Dong accepted County Magistrate Huang’s invitation and lectured on Classics for two or three sessions and Investigation of Things for over ten sessions at Kunshan County School. There were only a few days left until Li Yin Zhu’s wedding.
Li Xue Dong bid farewell to County Magistrate Huang.
County Magistrate Huang gestured for Li Xue Dong to sit down, poured him a cup of tea, and pointed to a large red mud-gold invitation on the table next to them, smiling at Li Xue Dong. “Your third sister’s wedding is extremely lively. Have you heard?”
“I’ve heard a little,” Li Xue Dong replied respectfully, bowing slightly.
What he had heard were all complaints from Hong Er Ge, not about their Li family, but about his Weng Weng having a new idea every moment, being too troublesome.
“I heard it started getting lively from the betrothal gifts from the Young Lord of Prince Rui’s Mansion,” County Magistrate Huang said in a gentle tone, with a smile, carefully observing Li Xue Dong.
Li Xue Dong looked at County Magistrate Huang.
“They say your sister and the Young Lord are friends?” County Magistrate Huang asked with a smile, meeting Li Xue Dong’s clearly bewildered gaze.
“A Nan rarely talks about it. I came directly to the county after returning this time and haven’t seen A Nan or Eldest Sister yet, so I’m not very clear,” Li Xue Dong replied honestly.
“You are a good child,” County Magistrate Huang’s eyes showed pity. “I remember your sister, small and thin, with very bright eyes. She’s clearly a smart child at first glance.”
County Magistrate Huang paused, lowered his eyes, took a few sips of tea, put down his cup, sighed, and looked at Li Xue Dong. “You siblings have lost your mother and father and lack guidance. I’ll take advantage of my age and say a few more words.”
“Please instruct me, Teacher,” Li Xue Dong immediately cupped his hands and bowed.
“Being able to befriend a noble person like the Young Lord is immense good fortune. The greater the good fortune, the more cautious you must be, the more you must cherish it. When progressing, think of retreating; when starting, plan for letting go. A bow should not be fully drawn, and momentum should not be fully exerted.”
County Magistrate Huang spoke each word very slowly.
Li Xue Dong listened intently. Seeing that County Magistrate Huang had finished speaking, he quickly bowed in thanks. “I have learned from this.”
“Mhm, go tell your sister. Your sister is a smart child. Alright, you can go back now,” County Magistrate Huang raised his hand and patted Li Xue Dong’s shoulder.
“Yes, thank you for your guidance, Teacher.” Li Xue Dong stood up, thanked County Magistrate Huang again, and took his leave.
