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Chapter 177
Inside the room, Mrs. Lu looked at Li Xia, who had stayed behind. "Did you knock Li Shan unconscious?"
"I was afraid she would scream and attract the guests' attention," Li Xia explained.
Mrs. Lu took Li Xia's hand and examined it closely. "Next time, don't do it yourself. Be careful not to soil your hands."
"Alright," Li Xia obediently agreed.
"I know you're capable. There are some things you don't tell me, and I don't ask. But remember one thing: no matter what, the Li family will always be your home, your support." Mrs. Lu's words made Li Xia nod firmly, indicating she understood.
Back in the Orchid Courtyard, Li Xia wiped the corner of her eye. Looking at the teardrop on her finger, she never thought there would be a day when she would cry because of Mrs. Lu's words.
Qiu Ling entered, "Miss, Cuihong has made arrangements." Fortunately, Cuihong had warned them about today's events. Cuihong no longer wanted to be a servant; she wanted her freedom.
Li Xia had Qiu Ling find people to pose as Cuihong's family and redeem her. She also asked Lu XuanNing to help obtain household registration for Cuihong and arrange for her to settle in Tenlipo. On the third day after the wedding, when the bride returns to her maiden home, the Li family was waiting for Li Xin and Cao Fugui. The couple's sweet and affectionate atmosphere delighted everyone.
Mrs. Lu pulled Li Xin aside and asked about her situation in detail. She learned that Li Xin was doing well in the Cao family and had even met the Empress with Cao Fugui. The Empress had given them many rewards.
Mrs. Lu was happy for her daughter and couldn't stop advising Li Xin to live a good life and be considerate of her husband. As a mother, she always hoped for her child's happiness.
After leaving Mrs. Lu's quarters, Li Xia was waiting for Li Xin in the garden path. Li Xin came forward and held Li Xia's hand, with countless things she wanted to say. But considering Li Xia's personality, Li Xin swallowed her words.
"Has Cao Fugui bullied you?" It was evident that Li Xin was hiding something.
"No, he's been very good to me," Li Xin said, but Li Xia was still worried.
Back at the Chengen Marquis Residence, Li Xin had just sat down when Li Yu entered, "Hong Mei has been dealt with by the lady."
On Li Xin's first day in the Cao family, after paying respects to her in-laws, she returned to her quarters. Hong Mei, Cao Fugui's concubine, came to pay respects to the new mistress. She hinted that Cao Fugui had said he would elevate her to the status of a concubine after Li Xin entered the family.
Li Xin's feelings of love were caught off guard by Hong Mei. She had married with a heart full of joy, only to be told on the first day that her husband's concubine would be elevated.
This reminded Li Xin of Mrs. Lu, who also had to elevate a concubine named An when she married into the Li Manor. Later, Concubine An even pursued Mrs. Lu, giving birth to two sons. She tried to throw her weight around in the manor, relying on her two sons.
If it weren't for the fact that Li Chou and Li Guang's abilities were inferior to Li Hui's, it would have been uncertain who would run the Li family. Li Xin had seen her mother Mrs. Lu's hardships clearly. She thought Cao Fugui would be different, but it turned out all men were the same.
Cao Fugui rushed over as soon as he received the news and sent Hong Mei away. He explained to Li Xin that Hong Mei was his first woman. He treated Hong Mei differently, giving her many good things and even arranging a separate courtyard with servants for her.
This had inflated Hong Mei's ego, causing her to approach Li Xin on her first day as the official wife. Cao Fugui said he would let Li Xin handle everything.
Although Cao Fugui said he was giving Li Xin full authority to handle the situation, he also mentioned that Hong Mei was arranged by Lady Cao. How would her mother-in-law view her if the new daughter-in-law disposed of a concubine she had arranged on the first day?
Li Xin felt uncomfortable, but she had already married into the Cao family. She couldn't make a scene, as it would embarrass both the Cao and Li families. She told Cao Fugui that she had just married in, and matters concerning concubines could wait until after the third-day visit to her maiden home. For now, they wouldn't deal with these issues.
Cao Fugui became increasingly fond of Li Xin for her understanding.
Li Xin recalled what Li Xia had told her the night before her wedding. She began to understand. Li Xin deliberately didn't restrict the servants in her courtyard, allowing them to spread the word to Lady Cao about Hong Mei approaching the new bride on the first day, requesting to pay respects as a concubine.
Lady Cao didn't want a mere concubine to ruin the affection between her son and daughter-in-law. She took matters into her own hands and dealt with Hong Mei directly.
"Yu, before I got married, Xia told me something. She said I should be myself first, then be a Cao family daughter-in-law. To put myself first." Li Yu listened without comment, but she wasn't surprised that Li Xia could say such things.
At the time, Li Xin thought Li Xia's words were inappropriate. Now Li Xin understood that Li Xia was right. She was a Cao family wife, but she was also Li Xin.
"Whatever the young mistress wants to do, I'll support you fully," Li Yu bowed her head.
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"I don't want to do anything special, just be myself," Li Xin said. As she finished speaking, a maid outside announced Cao Fugui's arrival.
"Xin, look what I've brought!" Cao Fugui entered, holding a wooden box.
"What is it?" Li Xin's gentle smile returned as she curiously examined the box.
Cao Fugui had been by Lady Cao and realized he had hurt Li Xin in handling the Hong Mei situation. Aware of his mistake, Cao Fugui wanted to make amends. Li Xin had many jade ornaments among her jewelry, so Cao Fugui specially bought a pair of jade bracelets to please her.
Li Xin extended her hand, letting Cao Fugui put the bracelets on her. The green jade made Li Xin's hands appear even more fair and delicate.
"I love them. You're so good to me, husband," Li Xin said with a sweet smile.
Li Xin's happiness put Cao Fugui at ease. The couple seemed to return to their previous sweetness, but only Li Xin knew the truth of her feelings.
The day before leaving, Li Yao came to the Orchid Courtyard. "Sister, I'm sorry."
"Focus on your exams. Father and Big Brother will handle everything else." Li Xia placed a jade pendant for protection in Li Yao's hand.
Li Yao clutched the jade pendant tightly as he prepared to return to their hometown with Li Chou and Li Guang to prepare for the exams. This time, the three of them had undergone a significant change in attitude. Li Ming hadn't hidden the court situation from them, explaining how the Li family had become involved due to their marriage alliances. The family needed them to grow up and contribute.
Li Xia went to the Wang family to visit Xu Xinyue and Wang Hong. Now over two months old, Wang Hong had grown plump and fair. He liked Li Xia and wanted her to hold him as soon as he saw her.
Under Xu Xinyue's guidance, Li Xia picked up Wang Hong. The small, soft body made Li Xia afraid to move, fearing she might hurt him if she wasn't careful. She held him for a while before putting him down. Holding a baby was much more tiring than fighting someone.
Wang Hong wasn't happy about being put down and started to cry.
Xu Xinyue quietly soothed Wang Hong while Li Xia took out a rattle to cheer him up.
After the mother and son duo had lulled Wang Hong to sleep, they sat nearby, talking in low voices. Li Xia mainly told Xu Xinyue the details of Li Xin's wedding. With Wang Hong being so young and needing constant attention, Xu Xinyue hadn't been able to attend the wedding banquet at the Li Manor and had only sent gifts to congratulate them.
"May the Bodhisattva protect the young lady," Xu Xinyue finished speaking, pressing her palms together in prayer for the Bodhisattva to bless Li Xin with happiness.
Li Xia didn't believe in such Bodhisattva blessings. She thought happiness was something you held in your own hands. You had to work hard and strive for it yourself.
After discussing Li Xin's matter, Xu Xinyue asked about Lu XuanNing, "I heard that Lord Lu's leg condition has flared up again?"
"Mm, it has," Lu XuanNing replied. It wasn't actually his leg injury acting up; rather, Li Xia had been bored and challenged Lu XuanNing to a sparring match at night, going a bit too hard on him. This was something outsiders couldn't know about. So Lu XuanNing told others it was his old leg condition flaring up.