Auntie Mei solemnly told Li Xia that she only had one mother, Mrs. Lu. However, since Auntie Mei was her birth mother, over the years Li Xia had been calling Mrs. Lu "mother." The address "Mother" could only be used for Auntie Mei. If she couldn't call her that, she would keep it buried in her heart and not call anyone besides Auntie Mei by that term.
The Xu Family had been found. Now the imperial court was also in the process of exonerating the officials who were wronged by Prince YongKang back then. However, the Xu Family had no connections in the imperial court. Moreover, so much time had passed since the incident. It was uncertain when the Xu Family's case would be reopened.
It was inappropriate to ask the Li Family for help, as Auntie Mei was the aunt of the Li Family. If the Xu Family regained their official positions, Auntie Mei's status would become awkward.
Requesting assistance from the Duke of Northern Peace's manor was also not an option. Initially, Li Xia only acted out of anger when the men in black burned down the city, without intending to save Lu XuanNing. Lu XuanNing might not even know that she had saved him. Besides, Lu XuanNing had already helped locate the Xu Family, repaying the favor from before.
Who else could help the Xu Family's case be reopened? Li Xia was racking her brain, unsure of whom to approach.
Seeing that Li Xia didn't seem well, Qiu Ling stepped forward and said, "Miss, the chivalrous hero 'A Solitary Plum Blossom' is now very popular. You could go and listen to his tales to pass the time."
Qiu Ling's words gave Li Xia an idea - she would ask that reclusive champion of justice for help. Since he advocated justice, helping the wronged officials seek exoneration should be part of his pursuit of justice, right?
This way, she wouldn't owe anyone any favors, and the case could be spread more quickly and widely. After all, the heroic champion of justice was still in vogue. Li Xia closed her eyes, contemplating how to gather evidence.
Seeing her mistress ignore her, Qiu Ling took a step forward and said, "Miss."
Li Xia opened her eyes and said, "Qiu Ling, temporarily suspend the surveillance of the Prince of Yun's manor. You should investigate another matter first." She then gestured for Qiu Ling to come closer.
Qiu Ling leaned her ear towards Li Xia's lips and listened as Li Xia spoke, before adding, "Take the plum blossom box from the first drawer of the dressing table."
Qiu Ling went into the room as instructed, retrieved the box filled with silver, and brought it to Li Xia. "Miss, rest assured, I will investigate thoroughly." With these funds, Qiu Ling made smooth progress, obtaining all the information Li Xia wanted.
Based on Qiu Ling's findings, Li Xia compiled and organized all the materials. At night, she visited households one by one, turning the Capital City upside down. Looking at the assembled documents, Li Xia took a deep breath, wishing Zhou Heng were there.
After disappearing for some time, the champion of justice reappeared. This time, however, it was not to capture wanted criminals, but to exonerate the wrongfully accused. This heroic figure listed the names of the officials who had been persecuted during Prince YongKang's reign for refusing to follow his corrupt ways.
Not only were their names listed, but the reasons for their persecution were also detailed and posted on the city walls. Li Xia had covered every city wall in the Capital City with these lists, allowing all passersby to see them. This truly caused an uproar, with everyone stopping to examine the lists.
The lists implicated officials from all factions, including the Emperor's secret police force, yet this champion of justice had compiled such a comprehensive record. Just who was this person? Previously, this heroic figure was seen as a chivalrous vigilante for capturing wanted criminals. But now, they were interfering in matters of the imperial court.
The entire Capital City, from the main streets to the alleyways, was discussing this incident. The imperial court quickly issued a proclamation, accelerating the verification process and exonerating those found innocent. As for this champion of justice, some praised them for serving the people, while others criticized them for flouting the law. In any case, the already turbulent waters of the Capital City had become even more turbulent, with various factions stirring.
Meanwhile, the anonymous Li Xia continued to bask in the sun. Spending nights compiling these materials while avoiding detection had indeed taken a toll on her. As Qiu Ling reported the events unfolding outside, Li Xia dozed off while listening.
When Li Xin entered, she found Li Xia dozing off. It was impressive that out of the twelve hours in a day, Li Xia could sleep for ten hours.
Li Xin approached and Qiu Chan brought a chair over for her. Li Xin sat down and said, "Xia Xia, accompany me to my maternal uncle's family tomorrow."
With the New Year approaching, the Lu Family had sent a message saying that the Old Madam Lu missed her. Li Xin didn't want to go alone, so she invited Li Xia to join her. That way, they could return early in the afternoon. If Li Xin went alone, the Old Madam Lu would insist on her staying at the Lu Mansion for a few days.
Although Li Xin loved her grandmother, she didn't want to stay at the Lu Family's residence for too long. The Old Madam Lu doted on her grandchildren, Li Xin and Li Hui, and wanted to give them the best of everything to make up for the years they hadn't seen each other.
However, the Old Madam Lu's actions displeased Uncle Lu's Wife, the current matriarch of the Lu Family. In her view, everything the Old Madam Lu possessed should belong to their side of the family.
A married-off daughter was like spilled water, but whenever Li Xin and Li Hui visited, they would leave with many valuable items, even from the Old Madam Lu's private chambers. Although the servants wouldn't go so far as to be disrespectful, they wouldn't be particularly warm either.
Li Xin wasn't foolish; she could see through their behavior. Li Xia understood Li Xin's intentions and agreed to accompany her. She also wanted to observe Miss Lu, the fourth daughter of the Lu Family, as she felt this young lady wouldn't be of a quiet temperament. After causing such a stir, Li Xia wondered what other mischief she might get up to.
Li Xin and Li Xia rode in a carriage to the Lu Mansion. The Old Madam Lu had someone waiting at the entrance, who immediately escorted them to the Eternal Bliss Pavilion. The Old Madam Lu had risen early to await Li Xin's arrival and, upon seeing her, gestured for her to sit beside her.
She looked Li Xin up and down, saying without pause, "You've lost weight, you've lost weight." In fact, Li Xin had gained a little weight during this period of staying indoors. But in the eyes of the elderly, if their grandchildren weren't around, they were bound to have lost weight.
"You, just like your heartless mother, never come to see me," the Old Madam Lu said reproachfully to Li Xin, but her expression betrayed her longing for her unseen daughter as she gazed at her granddaughter.
"Grandmother, I wanted to come and see you, but it's the end of the year, and with Mother not in the Capital City, I had to prepare for the New Year," Li Xin hurriedly explained that it wasn't her unwillingness to visit, but rather her busy schedule. Currently, Li Hui managed the front courtyard of Osmanthus Alley, while Li Xin mainly oversaw the rear courtyard.
"Tell me, what preparations have you made?" The Old Madam Lu was concerned that Li Xin might not have made thorough preparations for the New Year, afraid that the young woman might have been deceived by those working under her.
Li Xin described the New Year provisions she had stocked up on and the preparations she had made. The Old Madam Lu nodded, satisfied that her daughter had taught her granddaughter well.
Old Madam Lu pointed out some minor flaws and reminded Li Xin to make adjustments. Old Madam Lu had managed the inner courtyard for decades, and her expertise in interpersonal dealings far surpassed what Li Xin could ever hope to achieve.
Li Xin listened attentively to Old Madam Lu's guidance, and Li Xia, seated at the lower seat, also learned a great deal from it.
"Everything else is fine, but you've prepared too little fur. Liuzhou is in the south, but the Capital City is much colder. You won't have enough fur coats, they're too thin." Old Madam Lu felt the thin cotton coat Li Xin was wearing and said it was too thin. She called over a maid, "Yue Chu, go to the storeroom and bring out the furs, pick out the good ones for Xin'er to take with her."
