Chapter 57: Rules
Li Xiaonan’s sachet of silver nuggets was confiscated by Eldest Sister. From now on, any silver earned from attending classes must be handed over in full. Without capital, Li Xiaonan lost interest in going out.
Li Yin Zhu, however, really wanted to go out shopping again. But she had been lectured by Eldest Sister and Second Sister countless times. If Li Xiaonan didn’t mention going out, she wouldn’t dare to.
For several days, both of them stayed honestly at home. While Li Yin Zhu did housework, Li Xiaonan read books. After Li Yin Zhu finished her chores, Li Xiaonan would teach her to recognize characters and tell her stories.
In the morning, Li Yin Zhu first tidied the kitchen, then went to the backyard to water the vegetable patch and pull out weeds. Afterward, she sat by the kitchen door and started washing clothes.
Li Xiaonan picked up a book, 《Admonitions for Women》, and read it aloud while explaining.
“…For over forty years now. Trembling with fear, always afraid of disgrace…”
“Huh!” Li Yin Zhu said curiously, “Didn’t you just say this was a book about how to be a good wife? This person has been a wife for forty years and is still trembling with fear. How can she teach others how to be a good wife?”
Li Xiaonan raised her eyebrows and stared for a moment, then burst into laughter, leaning back and forth.
“You little brat, what are you laughing at? What did I say wrong?” Li Yin Zhu flicked a splash of water at Li Xiaonan’s face.
“You didn’t say anything wrong, I’m laughing because you said it right.” Li Xiaonan wiped the water from her face.
“Nonsense! You’re laughing because you think I said it wrong.” Li Yin Zhu also started to laugh.
“You didn’t say it wrong. I’m telling you about this book because it’s quite famous, and you should know what it says. Also, if you act according to what’s written in this book, you’ll be like the person who wrote it, trembling with fear your whole life.” Li Xiaonan shook the Admonitions for Women.
“Then let’s not study this book. Let’s switch to another one. I’m most afraid of being scared. A few years ago…” Li Yin Zhu waved her hand, “Second Sister said not to mention the past few years, so I won’t. I don’t want to be trembling with fear.”
“I think this book is what mothers-in-law want their daughters-in-law to learn from.
“Your mother-in-law is said to be quite learned. You must know this book. When you marry into the Hong Family, if your mother-in-law tells you things from this book, telling you to do this and that, you’ll know she’s referring to this book. Then you’ll know not to pay attention to her. If you do as she says, you’ll be miserable.”
Li Xiaonan dragged her chair closer to Li Yin Zhu and lightly tapped Li Yin Zhu with the book.
“I’m not afraid of her. Your brother asked. Their Hong Family doesn’t hit their wives.” Li Yin Zhu waved her hand indifferently.
Li Xiaonan rested her chin on her hand and looked at her Third Sister.
Regarding her Third Sister’s future mother-in-law relationship, she didn’t know whether to worry for her Third Sister or for Hong Er’s mother.
Her Third Sister’s only requirements for this marriage were two: to be well-fed and warmly clothed, and not to be beaten.
“Is Miss Li here?”
Following the voice, the courtyard gate was pushed open. Wan Jing poked her head in, looking around curiously.
“Come in, come in!” Li Xiaonan jumped up, grabbed Wan Jing, and pulled her into the courtyard.
“I know you, you’re Wan Jing.” Li Yin Zhu quickly stood up, shook the water off her hands, lifted her half-skirt, and wiped herself.
Wan Jing watched Li Yin Zhu expertly wipe her hands with her half-skirt, using all her strength to control her expression, consciously suppressing all her shock and disdain.
“Third Sister, this is an apron. It’s meant to be used as a hand towel.” Li Xiaonan picked up her Third Sister’s apron and explained.
“I don’t… I’m not…” Wan Jing was instantly embarrassed.
“You’ve never seen a family like ours before, have you? Come, I’ll show you! Let’s go to the backyard first. Our vegetables are growing so well!” Li Xiaonan pulled Wan Jing towards the backyard.
“No, no, no, we have to go quickly. Our Young Lord is waiting at the tea house.” Wan Jing struggled to pull back.
“It’s fine, let him wait a while. Just say you’re waiting for me to change my clothes.” Li Xiaonan turned around and pushed her from behind.
“That’s true.” Wan Jing was immediately relieved.
A young lady going out always needs to tidy her makeup and change her clothes. It’s not like one can just go out immediately!
Wan Jing followed Li Xiaonan, saw the vegetable patch in the backyard, then the spinning wheel and loom, and then Li Xiaonan and Li Yin Zhu’s bedroom. Finally, after looking around the kitchen, Wan Jing began to urge Li Xiaonan, “Hurry up and change your clothes!”
“I only have two sets of clothes. The one I’m wearing, and another set that Third Sister is washing. Let’s go.” Li Xiaonan pushed Wan Jing out of the courtyard gate.
“You only have two sets of clothes? Clothes like these?” Wan Jing turned around, grabbed Li Xiaonan’s sleeve, and couldn’t believe it.
“We have copper coins now. Each person has two sets of clothes. Before, each person had one set, which couldn’t really be called one set each. Eldest Sister, Second Sister, and Third Sister only had one skirt in total.” Li Xiaonan said with a smile.
“Ah?” Wan Jing didn’t know what to say.
“Our family is considered a well-off household in our village. Other families are even poorer. Shh, no more talking.”
They had already reached the alley entrance, and Li Xiaonan signaled to Wan Jing.
Wan Jing quickly pursed her lips, smoothed her skirt, and followed slightly behind Li Xiaonan, lowering her head slightly, walking with utmost propriety.
Gu Yan was already sitting by the window table, leaning back against the chair, fanning himself with a folding fan, and watching Li Xiaonan enter.
As Li Xiaonan approached, Gu Yan closed his fan. Just as he was about to say “sit down,” Li Xiaonan had already pulled out a chair and sat down.
Gu Yan turned his fan back, leaned against the chair back, and glanced sideways at Li Xiaonan.
Li Xiaonan craned her neck to look. There were four plates of pastries and a teapot on the table, but only one cup, placed in front of Gu Yan.
“Are there any more cups?” Li Xiaonan looked at Shi Gun.
Shi Gun looked at his Young Lord, not daring to move or respond.
“I can’t drink this tea?” Li Xiaonan immediately turned her head and asked Gu Yan, pointing at the teapot.
“You sat down without waiting for the host to invite you, and you’re asking for tea yourself without being invited. Didn’t your Eldest Sister teach you any manners?” Gu Yan tapped the table with his folding fan.
“Are you the host? Is this your home? This is a tea house…”
Before she could even finish saying “tea house,” Li Xiaonan remembered that she had bought this tea house, and it was his.
“Even if you are the owner of this tea house, when this tea house opens for business, you would still be considered a guest if you come for tea. How can you be the host?”
Gu Yan heard Li Xiaonan’s voice falter on the word “tea house” and immediately became stern again, tapping his palm with his fan, “You little girl, you’ve got quite a sharp tongue!”
Gu Yan clicked his tongue and pointed at Li Xiaonan with his fan, “You mentioned the tea house, and you faltered on that word, didn’t you? You remembered that this tea house belongs to me?
“Your mind works really fast, finding good excuses. You’re right. Even if this tea house is mine, I would still be considered a guest when I come here for tea. You win.
“Get her a cup!”
