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Chapter 35
Knowing the master's temperament, Okra sliced the lamb meat with a knife and shared it with everyone for a taste.
After eating the roasted lamb legs, the gloom weighing on her heart was dispelled. For some reason, Auntie Mei had been in a bad mood these past few days. She was particularly strict with Li Xia, sometimes coming to her room in the middle of the night, staring at Li Xia with piercing eyes.
Li Xia was not on guard against Auntie Mei, so when she came in, she felt nothing. But waking up to Auntie Mei staring at her like that, Li Xia truly couldn't bear it.
Saying anything was useless, she could only endure it. Fortunately, delicious food could make up for her mood.
Li Xia lay on the reclining chair, closing her eyes to rest. The sunlight at this hour was not harsh, the perfect time for a nap. Rocking the reclining chair, Li Xia slept very comfortably, but that comfort didn't last long.
Opening her eyes, she saw Auntie Mei staring at her intently once again. "Auntie, what's wrong with you?" This time, Li Xia was determined to get to the bottom of the situation. If Auntie Mei kept staring at her like this, she would go crazy.
"Auntie is happy," Auntie Mei regained her composure, her mouth curved into a smile, but tears kept streaming down.
"Auntie, who bullied you? I'll beat them up," Li Xia said, seeing Auntie Mei cry. She stood up and pulled Auntie Mei to sit on the reclining chair, seating herself on a small stool beside her.
"No one bullied me, I'm happy because Prince YongKang has fallen, I'm so happy," Auntie Mei held Li Xia's hand, crying harder as she spoke. She couldn't control her tears.
"What does Prince YongKang have to do with you, Auntie?" Li Xia didn't understand.
Auntie Mei wiped her tears and told Li Xia about her background. Auntie Mei's story was quite convoluted. Auntie Mei's original surname was Xu, her name Xinyue. Her father, Xu Youshan, was born into a farming family but entered officialdom through the imperial examination system, changing his family's status. He was sent by the court to serve as the magistrate of Dashang County under Nantong Prefecture. Xu Youshan, coming from a farming family, deeply understood the hardships of farmers, so he was very caring towards them. He did not levy excessive taxes and fees, encouraged the people to cultivate wasteland, and advised them on sericulture. He developed Dashang County very well.
Although Xu Youshan's humble conduct earned him the praise of the people, his colleagues disliked him. Especially because he sided with the people, willing to forfeit his official cap rather than sentencing the maternal uncle of Prince YongKang's concubine who had committed a crime. This angered Prince YongKang, leading to Xu Youshan's framing and execution. All the men of the Xu family were exiled, and the womenfolk were sent to service houses.
Xu Xinyue's mother and sister-in-law hanged themselves unable to bear the humiliation. The young Xu Xinyue also wanted to follow her mother and sister-in-law, but she was stopped and sent to a service house. Xu Xinyue was quite fortunate, quickly being bought and trained in skills. Then she was given as a servant to Li Ming, becoming known as Auntie Mei.
The peaceful life in the rear courtyard of the Li residence over these years had almost made Auntie Mei forget her family's grudge. But Prince YongKang's rebellion reminded Auntie Mei of her origins. She remembered her father Xu Youshan, her elder brother, her younger brother, and her nephew. She didn't know if they were alive or dead.
"Auntie, don't worry. I will definitely find the Xu family's people, no matter their fate," Li Xia promised Auntie Mei after hearing her story, wondering who she could ask to investigate.
"I've already had someone look into it," Auntie Mei said, looking a bit embarrassed as she gazed at Li Xia.
"That's great news."
"It's just that I spent your money on it," Auntie Mei's voice grew softer as she spoke. That money was originally kept from Li Xia to prevent her from recklessly spending it, under the pretense of saving for her dowry. But to find her family, Auntie Mei had spent it all. She felt she had wronged her daughter and was torn about it. That was why she had been staring at Li Xia, wondering how to explain.
So that was the reason. Li Xia smiled and said nonchalantly, "Money is meant to be spent, right? If you need to use it, Auntie, feel free."
If it's not enough, she'll just find a way to earn more. With her wind abilities growing recently, Li Xia thought finding ways to make money would be much easier than before. For instance, catching thieves for reward money, which would both increase her father Li Ming's accomplishments and earn her some pocket money. She had already given it a small try, catching two thieves and earning 200 taels of silver. However, since the money had no legitimate source, she couldn't give it to Auntie Mei for the time being.
Auntie Mei gave Li Xia a look, wiping her tears, not knowing what to say about Li Xia's optimism. Was money really that easy to earn?
"As for you, don't think about making money or anything, just stay put," Auntie Mei couldn't remain calm whenever she thought about the things Li Xia did.
"Alright, I won't cause any trouble," Li Xia obediently said she would listen to Auntie Mei in everything.
Only then was Auntie Mei satisfied as she returned to the Plum Courtyard. Watching Auntie Mei leave, Li Xia went into the courtyard and took the pair of shoes she had painstakingly made over the past month.
She headed to the Pine Waves Courtyard and entered the study room. Li Hui was writing an essay. Due to various incidents in recent months, Li Hui's study time had decreased, with the county examination only a few months away. He needed to make the most of this time.
Seeing Li Xia enter, he put down his brush, "I don't have any new storytelling books for you."
Li Xia presented the shoes to Li Hui, "I made these shoes for Elder Brother. Please try them on and see if they fit."
Li Hui took the shoes from Li Xia. The soles were made with soft leather and waterproof cloth, making them both waterproof and comfortable to wear. In this era, the roads within cities were quite good, but once outside, it was all dirt paths, with some stones laid at best – very poor conditions. With thin soles, walking on such roads could be very tiring for the feet. It was evident that Li Xia had put in effort making these.
But Li Hui didn't try on the shoes. Instead, he looked at Li Xia, "Just say what you need."
"I can't fool Elder Brother about anything," Li Xia smiled ingratiatingly.
"Speak properly," Li Hui frowned, wondering where she had learned such coquettish mannerisms.
"I saw how Lady Wang speaks to Father, and he grants her every wish," Li Xia didn't see anything wrong with it, as long as it worked, she could use it.
Li Hui gave a light cough, fortunate that he hadn't drunk his tea yet. "Why learn from her?" She was just an improper concubine. Li Hui didn't hold Lady Wang in high regard. "Don't imitate her. Learn from Xian'er how to be a good housekeeper instead." After these two incidents, Li Hui had grown much closer to Li Xia, cherishing her like Li Xian.
"I understand." Li Xia sat up straight and told Li Hui about Auntie Mei's story. "So I want to ask Elder Brother for help in investigating this matter."
Although Auntie Mei had spent money to hire someone, as a cloistered woman, who could she know? Li Xia was afraid Auntie Mei had been swindled out of her money. But since Auntie Mei was so eager to find her people, Li Xia didn't want to say too much.
Moreover, she couldn't mention this to Li Ming. After considering, she could only turn to Li Hui. Li Xia was hoping that through Li Hui, Heir Apparent Lu XuanNing could lend a hand, since the Xu family had been exiled to the border regions under the Lu family's jurisdiction.
Li Hui understood Li Xia's intent. "I will write to Heir Apparent Lu XuanNing to request his assistance in looking into this. But you must understand, it has been over twenty years. Life in the border regions is harsh, so whether they are still alive is unknown."
"Don't worry, Elder Brother, I understand," Li Xia nodded. She just wanted to get some answers to put Auntie Mei's mind at ease. Seeing that her wish had been fulfilled, Li Xia rose to leave. "Elder Brother, I won't disturb your studies any longer."
Watching his sister leave, Li Hui pondered. He was not unaware of Heir Apparent Lu XuanNing's investigation at the residence before. But Li Xia was his own sister, no matter what, he had to protect her. As for the things being hidden, he believed Li Xia wouldn't do anything to harm their family, and that was enough for him.