Chapter 259: Had to Say It
Li Xiaonan sat under the corridor, put down her brush, stood up, turned her head to stretch her shoulders and neck, and watched Mei Jie energetically lifting a small stone lock in the courtyard.
Mei Jie ate sparingly, but still couldn’t lose weight, so A Wu had her lift stone locks and taught her a set of boxing. Mei Jie practiced the boxing routine in the early morning and evening, and whenever she was free, she would energetically lift stone locks.
Li Xiaonan absentmindedly watched Mei Jie, thinking about the matter of lecturing on the investigation of things.
Originally, she had planned to wait until later, after her marriage prospects had some direction, before telling her Eldest Sister. But now that she was going to lecture on the investigation of things, it wouldn’t be appropriate not to tell her Eldest Sister.
But if she told her Eldest Sister, her Eldest Sister would definitely tell Tang Weng Weng and the others, because it wasn’t just their family’s business. If Tang Weng Weng knew, even if he kept silent before the marriage was settled, someone like Tang Weng Weng would certainly make preparations, such as looking for a sufficiently tall piece of timber to erect at the entrance of the ancestral hall, or preparing a dowry.
In that case, those who were watching Tang Weng Weng, such as Old Master Hong, would surely be able to discern something…
Alas, forget it, no need to overthink. Wan Jing’s words were very true: there is no perfect plan in the world!
After dinner, Yu Ting helped Mei Jie quickly wash the dishes and tidy up. The three of them, Yu Ting, A Wu, and Mei Jie, ran out to listen to Pingtan.
Li Xiaonan watched the three leave, then sat beside her Eldest Sister and first spoke about lecturing on the investigation of things in Hangcheng, and then about Gu Yan’s intention to marry her.
Li Yuzhu’s eyes widened, but Li Jinzhu was not as surprised or taken aback as Li Yuzhu.
“During the New Year, once, when it was just me, Tang Weng Weng, and Eldest Uncle talking, we discussed Yuzhu’s marriage and then you. Tang Weng Weng told me to think about it and said that the Young Lord treated you exceptionally well, and it’s not impossible that he might want to propose marriage,” Li Jinzhu said to Li Xiaonan.
“You never mentioned it,” Li Yuzhu said, winding the needlework around the shoe sole. She had no intention of sewing shoe soles anymore.
“You’ve sensed it for a while now, haven’t you?” Li Jinzhu didn’t answer Li Yuzhu’s question, but asked Li Xiaonan.
“Not that long ago,” Li Xiaonan replied vaguely. “He told me that day, and I didn’t tell you because his marriage is definitely not something he can decide alone. Our family’s status is too far from the Prince’s Estate. Now I’m going to lecture on the investigation of things.”
Li Xiaonan didn’t finish her sentence. Li Jinzhu hummed in acknowledgment, “Is the reason they want you to lecture on the investigation of things to raise your standing?”
Li Xiaonan hummed in agreement.
“Then they are sincerely planning for A Nan,” Li Yuzhu said.
“We need to inform Tang Weng Weng,” Li Jinzhu said after thinking for a moment, looking at Li Xiaonan.
“Mm,” Li Xiaonan nodded.
………………………………
Li Shikuan happened to be in Pingjiang City, and the two families were not far apart. Li Jinzhu and Li Yuzhu went over and discussed the two matters: lecturing on the investigation of things and the plan for marriage.
Li Wenliang escorted Li Jinzhu and Li Yuzhu back, then hurried home.
Li Shikuan had already had his eldest daughter-in-law fry some peanuts, scoop out some drunken fish, mix some shredded radish with sesame oil, and prepare a plate of braised dried tofu. Four small dishes for drinking were laid out, and a large pot of yellow wine was warmed to a slight heat.
Guo Da Nainai stood in the courtyard, her eyes fixed on her father-in-law smiling in the main hall, her ears listening for sounds from outside the courtyard gate.
Hearing footsteps, Guo Da Nainai rushed to the courtyard gate, opened it, let her husband in, and pointed to the main hall, asking, “What’s the matter? What’s making Father so happy?”
“I can’t tell you right now, but rest assured, it’s the best possible news,” Li Wenliang replied with a smile, then quickly entered the main hall.
“Such a big pot of wine! Father is planning to drink himself into oblivion,” Li Wenliang said, looking at the large wine pot and smiling.
“He won’t get drunk! Your father has a high tolerance for alcohol,” Li Shikuan said, taking a cup from the warm water.
Li Wenliang sieved the wine from the large pot into a small wine pot, poured two cups, raised his cup, and smiled at his father, “This cup is for Father. If not for Father’s discerning eye, our Li family would not be where we are today.”
“That day was truly like a divine intervention; it was the destiny of our Li family to arrive,” Li Shikuan said, tilting his head back and drinking the wine in his cup with a sigh.
“Last time Father mentioned that the Young Lord treated A Nan unusually, I really didn’t dare to think too much about it, I just thought about being able to take her into his service…” Li Wenliang smiled, “I still have a lot to learn from Father.”
“I also didn’t expect that it was that old fox from the Hong family who reminded me. At the beginning of winter, there were some excellent huanghuali logs. That old fox sent someone to ask if I wanted them, saying he heard that huanghuali furniture was popular in the Capital City, and that good huanghuali was rare, so I shouldn’t wait until preparing the dowry to rush to buy it. That old fox!” Li Shikuan clicked his tongue.
“That old fox is very cunning! The moment he saw the Young Lord, he snatched our Yinzhu away,” Li Wenliang added with a smile.
Li Shikuan smiled, took a sip of wine, and said, “Tomorrow, we father and son will have to get busy. I’ve already roughly sorted things out. There are two immediate matters: one is A Nan’s lecture, and the other is A Nan’s house.”
Li Wenliang listened intently.
“Regarding the lecture, I will go to the villa tomorrow and find Master Shi Gunshi to ask him what we should do about A Nan’s lecture.
“You will handle the matter of the house. According to Jinzhu’s original plan, after Yuzhu and A Nan are married, the current house will be for Xuedong’s family, and she will buy another small house.
“We can’t arrange it like this anymore. A Nan will become a Princess Consort, which will bring her fame throughout the world. At that time, countless eyes will be on our Li family. If Jinzhu buys another house, Xuedong will be criticized for being ungrateful, and A Nan will also be in an awkward position.
“My intention is to designate the house in Li Family Market, which is the current house. There is a large empty space behind it. We should fence it all in and build a large mansion. This needs to be discussed with Jinzhu.
“Tomorrow morning, you will first go and discuss with Jinzhu. Then, go to Kunshan County and find that old fox Hong. First, tell him, on my behalf, to please help keep an eye out for huanghuali like last time. Then, discuss the arrangement of the house with him and ask him to help see if it is thoughtful and appropriate.”
Li Shikuan explained in detail. Li Wenliang listened intently, nodded in agreement, and asked, “What about the fine cloth?”
“The matter of fine cloth will be handled by your wife. Call the second son’s wife over as well. Together with your wife, let them manage it from now on. After arranging the house in Li Family Market, you might have to go to the Capital City. We need to acquire a house in the Capital City as well, as we will be frequently visiting the Capital City from now on and cannot be without a residence there.”
Li Shikuan paused, his eyes narrowed slightly, and he mused for a moment before smiling, “When I was young, I visited the Capital City a few times. It’s been twenty years now.”
“If Father goes to the Capital City again, it will be a different situation than before,” Li Wenliang said with a smile.
“Speaking of which, we need to educate the clan. In the future, we must never become arrogant. Alas, there are so many things to do,” Li Shikuan said, smiling again before his brow could even furrow.
“One thing at a time. Father said that the climb upwards is bound to be arduous, but we are not afraid of hardship,” Li Wenliang said with a smile.
“What is there to fear about this kind of hardship! When I was young…” Li Shikuan said, drinking his wine and chatting with his son about the past, the present, and the future.
