NOVEL NEXT
Chapter 135
In the apocalyptic era, pickled vegetables were what Li Xia ate most often from her stockpile. Having grown tired of them, these were now her least favorite foods. She preferred fresh meat, vegetables, and fruits.
"The young miss didn't have much appetite this morning, so I specially prepared a pickled vegetable bun. Who would have thought the second miss would be so lucky?" Dan Mo remarked with a smile.
"More like unlucky," Li Xia grumbled, though she didn't waste food and gulped it down in two bites. She accepted the tea Qiu Ling offered and took a few sips to wash away the taste.
"After we finish eating, let's go see Third Sister," Li Xin said, turning to instruct Dan Mo, "Grandmother sent some bird's nest the other day, prepare some of that."
Li Xia disagreed with sending such delicacies to Li Shan. "We're not sure if she can even eat bird's nest in her current condition. Send her some high-quality white fungus instead. It's vegetarian, so there's no worry about allergies."
Li Xin considered this and agreed, "Dan Mo, go to the storehouse and find two packages of premium white fungus."
Dan Mo acknowledged and left with a young maid to fetch the white fungus.
Li Xia waited for Li Xin to finish breakfast and change clothes. The two then went together to Li Shan's courtyard. As they approached the door, they heard the sound of things being smashed inside.
Cui Ming, standing outside the door, looked embarrassed as she saw Li Xin and Li Xia. "First Miss, Second Miss, please don't be upset. My young miss hasn't slept all night due to her allergies."
"Has a doctor seen her? Did they prescribe any medicine?" Li Xin inquired about the situation in detail.
"Yes, a doctor came and prescribed medicine," Cui Ming replied softly.
Li Shan heard voices outside, "Who's out there?"
"Miss, the First Miss and Second Miss have come to see you," Cui Liu, standing at the door, curtsied to Li Xin and Li Xia while answering to the room.
There was no response from Li Shan, but soon objects came flying out of the room in quick succession. Li Xia quickly pulled Li Xin back. Qiu Chan and Li Yu stepped forward to catch the thrown items. They saw pillows, teacups, and steaming hot tea. Li Xin's face paled, and Li Xia's expression darkened as well.
"If your miss is unwell, she should rest properly," Li Xia said tersely, pulling Li Xin away.
"First Miss, Second Miss, my young miss is irritable because of her rash and lack of sleep, that's why she..." Cui Ming's words trailed off under Li Xia's stern gaze. Not sleeping well was one thing, but having the energy to throw things was another. That teacup had been aimed directly at the two misses, and Cui Ming felt both anxious and fearful.
Li Xia led Li Xin away to the garden. Turning back, she saw Li Xin's worried face looking at her. She smiled, the hostility instantly vanishing from her demeanor. "Sister, I'm sorry for frightening you earlier."
"She's always been vain. It's understandable that she can't stand having a rash from allergies," Li Xin said, showing empathy. However, while she understood, she didn't accept it.
This wasn't an excuse for Li Shan to throw things at people recklessly. Moreover, Li Xin had a feeling that Li Shan had done it on purpose: if not for Qiu Chan and Sister Yu's intervention, that teacup would have hit her and Li Xia in the face. And it had come out from behind a pillow, which made it seem even more intentional.
"Don't mind Li Shan, she's just a bully at home," Li Xia said dismissively. She looked down on Li Shan for being fierce and full of complaints at home, but acting weak and helpless outside.
"I'll tell Mother about this," Li Xin said, not one to be pushed around. Suspecting there was more to the story, she naturally wanted to inform Mrs. Lu. Li Xin also doubted that Li Shan even had a rash and suspected she was deliberately trying to harm them.
Li Xia nodded, agreeing with Li Xin's decision. The two arrived at Wild Goose Pavilion, where Aunt Wang and Auntie An were still present. Seeing the two enter, Aunt Wang looked at their fair, unblemished faces and thought of her own daughter's red-spotted face, feeling resentful. Why couldn't these two be the ones with allergies instead?
"Xin'er, why is your hair wet?" Mrs. Lu noticed a damp strand of Li Xin's hair.
"I accidentally spilled some tea earlier," Li Xin explained, touching her hair.
"Mother, we just went to see Third Sister. At her door, we were greeted by pillows and teacups full of hot tea being thrown at us. If not for Qiu Chan and Sister Yu's quick reactions, my sister and I wouldn't just have damp hair: our faces would be ruined," Li Xia reported calmly. However, the content of her words caused Mrs. Lu's expression to change dramatically.
She rose and approached Li Xin, examining her closely and using a handkerchief to dry her hair. She picked out tea leaves caught in Li Xin's hair and turned to Aunt Wang with a hostile look.
"Impossible, Shan'er would never do such a thing," Aunt Wang immediately refuted, though in her heart, she believed the current Li Shan capable of it. However, she couldn't admit it outwardly. Li Xin was Mrs. Lu's biological daughter, and if her face had been harmed, Mrs. Lu might have wanted to eat Aunt Wang and Li Shan alive. Aunt Wang continued to deny vehemently.
"There were plenty of maids and servants who witnessed it. Aunt Wang can ask them if she doesn't believe us," Li Xia said coolly.
Aunt Wang was furious. Since when did a mere concubine-born daughter dare to speak to her in such a tone?
Mrs. Lu looked at Aunt Wang with a severe expression. "Shan'er has a rash. For the next three months, she is to rest in her courtyard and is not allowed to leave the estate." This was tantamount to house arrest.
"Madam..." Aunt Wang wanted to object.
"Madam is wise," Auntie An said gleefully.
Mrs. Lu turned her stern gaze to Auntie An. "It's not wrong for Third Young Master to care for his brothers and sisters, but Third Miss's allergies were caused by the food he brought back. As punishment, Third Young Master will copy the 'Disciple's Rules' ten times."
Auntie An's joy faded as her own son was also punished, though it was just copying text. Compared to Li Shan's three-month confinement, it was bearable.
After dismissing the two concubines, Mrs. Lu took Li Xin's hand and examined her carefully.
"Mother, we're fine. This wet hair isn't from being splashed with tea," Li Xin said, feeling a bit embarrassed. Li Shan had indeed thrown tea at them, but Li Xia had pulled Li Xin out of the way. The wet hair was intentionally dampened with water to support their story.
"Don't go to Third Miss's courtyard anymore," Mrs. Lu said, concerned for Li Xin.
"Yes, I won't go there again," Li Xin promised with a nod.
Back in her own courtyard, Qiu Chan had already changed her clothes. The scalding tea had left her hands red. Li Xia took out some burn ointment and applied it to her hands. "Next time, don't be so rash," Li Xia said, confident she could have dodged without Qiu Chan shielding her.
"Miss, this is my duty," Qiu Chan replied with a proud expression, leaving Li Xia at a loss for words. She could only instruct Qiu Kui to prepare some delicious food and gave Qiu Shui some money to buy more treats.
After throwing it, Li Shan regretted her action, but Li Xia's unkind words made Li Shan both angry and annoyed. Unable to control herself, she smashed more porcelain pieces onto the floor. When Aunt Wang returned, she was met with the sight of shattered porcelain scattered everywhere. Li Shan lay on the bed, crying inconsolably.
Aunt Wang greatly disliked Li Shan's habit of breaking things when angry. She had mentioned it several times before, but clearly Li Shan had not taken her words to heart.
Seeing Aunt Wang enter, Li Shan immediately cried, "Auntie, you must avenge me!" She completely failed to notice the scratch marks on Aunt Wang's face and her slightly disheveled hair. Li Shan's mind was entirely focused on her allergic reaction ruining her appearance. She couldn't let Li Zhong off the hook, and even less so Li Xia.