"Sister, look how lively it is outside!" Li Xia gazed through the window, seeing performers with monkeys, sugar figurine makers, clay figurine makers, and outdoor opera troupes.
Li Xin's thoughts were interrupted by Li Xia. Following her gaze, she looked outside. At this hour, the streets of Liuzhou were not very crowded. But in the Capital City, the day was just beginning, prompting Li Xin to remark, "The Capital City is quite different from Liuzhou."
Back in the Plum Blossom Pavilion of Osmanthus Alley, Auntie Mei was waiting for her. Auntie Mei had come to the Capital City to manage the household. But she had little to do.
Mrs. Lu had already arranged for House Steward Zhao to oversee the outer courtyard, while Auntie Mei only needed to familiarize herself with the inner courtyard. There were established procedures for everything. Any major decisions would be made by Li Hui and Li Xin. Auntie Mei didn't need to worry about anything.
After briefly acquainting herself, Auntie Mei stopped concerning herself with those matters. Instead, she was concerned about Li Xia's well-being in the Lu Mansion. Seeing Li Xia return safely, her tense heart finally relaxed.
"Grandmother is very nice and even gave me beautiful jewelry as a welcome gift," Li Xia showed Auntie Mei the gifts she received at the Lu Mansion, assuring her that she was not mistreated.
Auntie Mei listened carefully and examined Li Xia, confirming she was unharmed before letting her go to bed.
It was nearly an hour later than usual before Li Xia fell asleep. Exhausted, she instructed Qiu Shui not to wake her up in the morning, as she wanted to sleep in. With those words, Li Xia closed her eyes and instantly fell asleep.
Qiu Shui swallowed the words on her lips and tucked Li Xia in.
Early the next morning, Qiu Shui woke Li Xia up. Li Xia opened her eyes and stared at Qiu Shui, "Didn't I say not to wake me up? I wanted to sleep in."
"Miss, last night Auntie Mei instructed that you, the Young Master, and the Elder Miss must go to the Gongshun Marquis Manor today," Qiu Shui's words left Li Xia confused. "The Gongshun Marquis Manor? Who are they? What relation do they have to the Li family?"
Qiu Chan and Qiu Ling were unaware of the connection between the Gongshun Marquis Manor and the Li family, but Qiu Shui and Qiu Kui knew. "Miss, you've forgotten. The young lord they rescued from human traffickers in Bailang County is from the Gongshun Marquis Manor."
Li Xia let out an "oh" as she recalled the incident. "Then let Sister go. Why do I need to go as well?" Thinking of her uncle's modest position in the Lu family, she wondered why there were so many rules. At the Marquis Manor, there would surely be even more rules. Li Xia had no desire to go.
"Stop talking nonsense so early in the morning," Auntie Mei entered and glared at Li Xia. "Elder Miss, you're going to broaden your horizons. Don't take things for granted. Today at the Gongshun Marquis Manor, you must listen to the Elder Miss."
She then instructed Qiu Shui and Qiu Ling, "You two, keep a close eye on Miss Li Xia."
Li Xia swallowed her sugar cake. "Auntie Mei, am I really that misbehaved?"
Auntie Mei gave Li Xia a look that said, "You'll understand in due time."
After breakfast, Li Xia went to the Fuqing Courtyard, where Li Xin was inspecting the gifts to be taken to the Gongshun Marquis Manor. Mrs. Lu had already prepared them before their arrival.
The three siblings rode in a carriage to the Gongshun Marquis Manor. Having sent their visiting card the day before, Ms. Liu, the Marquis's wife, and Zhou Dingxing were waiting for their arrival. Li Hui, Li Xin, and Li Xia entered, paid their respects, and presented their gifts.
"Liuzhou is in the south, while the Capital City is in the north, so it's much colder here. You must have suffered on your journey," Ms. Liu took Li Xin's hands, feeling their chill. She accepted a hand warmer from Maid Yan and handed it to Li Xin to warm herself.
Zhou Dingxing recognized Li Hui as the older brother who had rescued him. Standing beside Li Hui, he examined him curiously, then asked, "Big Brother, where's your knife?"
Li Hui remembered clearly that he had been wielding a knife when he and the guards apprehended the human traffickers. Not expecting Zhou Dingxing to remember, he replied, "It's at home."
"Big Brother, I'm learning martial arts too. Let me show you my moves," Zhou Dingxing said as he assumed a stance. However, his clothing was a bit too thick, causing him to lose his balance and fall over. With the little bear embroidery on his clothes, he looked just like a bear cub rolling on the ground.
Li Xia tightly pursed her lips to avoid laughing out loud, but the mirth in her eyes was impossible to conceal. Ms. Liu laughed freely, finding her son utterly adorable.
Ms. Liu's laughter prompted the others to join in with muffled chuckles.
Zhou Dingxing finally scrambled to his feet, seeing everyone laughing at him. His little face turned red, making him even more adorable. He turned to Li Hui, who had not laughed, grabbed his hand, and tugged him toward the exit. "Big Brother, let's go to my room. Us men shouldn't stay with the ladies."
As Zhou Dingxing led Li Hui away, the laughter inside grew louder. Especially Ms. Liu, who laughed until tears streamed down her face. She wiped her eyes with a handkerchief, but the thought of her own late son being as doted on as Zhou Dingxing brought more tears.
Mrs. Lu had briefed Li Xin on the situation at the Gongshun Marquis Manor. Seeing Ms. Liu's changing expressions, Li Xin said, "Little Xing is learning martial arts at such a young age, surely inheriting his father's talents. Like father, like son."
The late Marquis Gongshun had risen through the military examination system and now served in the Imperial Guards, one of the few nobles to hold an actual position.
Ms. Liu smiled, "You truly have a silver tongue like your mother."
"Ms. Liu, I speak from the heart," Li Xin said with a gentle smile.
Ms. Liu gestured for a maid to bring in two boxes and handed Li Xin a letter from Mrs. Lu. Knowing Li Hui and Li Xin were coming to the colder Capital City, Ms. Liu had winter clothes made for them.
Ms. Liu held up a garment against Li Xin's frame. "A bit too large. I'll have the embroiderers adjust it later."
Seeing the two boxes filled with lavish clothing, Li Xin felt compelled to decline, "Ms. Liu, this is too much."
"A young lady should wear vibrant colors to look her best. These clothes are not too much at all," Mrs. Lu had also subtly expressed in her letter her desire for Ms. Liu to help find a suitable match for Li Xin.
Ms. Liu planned to take Li Xin to more social gatherings, requiring a new outfit each time, so the clothes were hardly excessive. In fact, Ms. Liu felt there were not enough. "Xin Qiao, bring the Sichuan brocades the palace gifted us recently. And fetch the jewelry I wore in my youth."
After spending a day at the Gongshun Marquis Manor, Li Xin returned to Osmanthus Alley with a carriage loaded with jewelry, clothes, fabrics, furs, and more from Ms. Liu. Had Li Xin not repeatedly refused, there would have been even more.
When Auntie Mei saw that Li Xia had brought back a crate full of clothes, jewelry, and fabrics, she was astonished. "Mrs. Lu of the Gongshun Marquis Manor is truly generous," Auntie Mei said reverently, bowing in the direction of Liuzhou.
Li Xia ate the snacks silently. Visiting someone's home was more tiring than fighting mutant beasts. Every word and action had to be carefully considered, and she couldn't eat too much.
After finishing her bow towards Liuzhou, Auntie Mei noticed Li Xia eating the snacks voraciously and couldn't help pursing her lips slightly.
Following their visit to the Gongshun Marquis Manor, Li Xin and Li Xia did not go out. Li Hui went to pay a visit to Liu Rujin and some of Li Ming's other old friends.
