Chapter 11

Chapter 11

Others also had gifts, but compared to Li Hui's tribute inkstone, they were much inferior. Li Xia got a piece of high quality jade. Auntie Mei carefully appreciated it and then told Qiu Ju to bring silk thread to discuss with her how to knot and wrap the jade to make foot-binding silk shoes. Li Xia did not care much about this. She learned from Li Xin that Li Ming got a promotion.

Marquis Zhou not only brought generous gifts this time, but also brought news of Li Ming's promotion. Li Ming will be transferred to Liuzhou to serve as prefect. Jumping two ranks from a seventh-rank county magistrate to a fifth-rank prefect. Gongshun Marquis Manor and Yongshun Earl Manor both put in a lot of effort for this.

Marquis Zhou brought an imperial physician who confirmed Zhou Dingxing had recovered well enough to return to the capital. The Zhou family was preparing to go back. Li Ming and Mrs. Lu took Li Xin, Li Hui to send off Marquis Zhou's family.

"Sister Liu, are you going back to the marquis manor this time?" Ms. Liu had previously told Elder Sister Liu about the situation. Ms. Lu was worried that if she returned to Gongshun Marquis Manor, Ms. Cao would cause more trouble.

Elder Sister Liu lowered her voice and told Ms. Lu, "Father has built an ancestral hall in the manor and confined her there for life. Ms. Cao's daughters have all been sent away and are not allowed to come back."

Hearing this, Ms. Lu was happy for Elder Sister Liu. Looking at Marquis Zhou not far away holding Zhou Dingxing, she couldn't help but advise, "Sister Liu, don't have conflicts with the marquis. Xing'er is still young."

"I understand. Sister Wan, I'll wait for you in the capital," Elder Sister Liu understood Ms. Lu's meaning. For Xing'er, she would also get along well with the marquis.

"Yes, I will definitely go back to the capital," Ms. Lu believed that it wouldn't be long before she could return to the capital in glory to see her family and old friends.

After sending off Marquis Zhou's family, the Li family also received the official order for the transfer. The moment they received the order, Li Ming who was usually indifferent, smiled with eyes narrowed into slits. If not for keeping up appearances, he almost wanted to shout out loud twice to vent his excitement.

From Aunt Wang's intentional words, Li Ming felt that this was good fortune brought by Li Yao.

In addition, Li Yao looked more and more like Li Ming. Li Ming was more and more fond of Li Yao. Every day after finishing work and returning to the rear courtyard, he would first go hug Li Yao. Of course, good things were also sent non-stop to Aunt Wang's courtyard like flowing water.

This made Auntie Mei and Auntie An who were in the manor very envious. But the two envied different things. Auntie An envied Li Ming's favoritism towards Aunt Wang. Auntie Mei envied those things, if sold, they could fetch quite a sum.

"Little girl, your young miss isn't angry, why are you angry?" Li Xia said with a smile.

"Young miss, she is third young miss's elder sister. She doesn't respect you at all, and you're not angry at all," Qiu Shui couldn't help but ask.

"Qiu Shui, you have to learn from me more, don't take things to heart. She's just a little girl, what's the point of minding her?" Li Xia said indifferently. Compared to life and death struggles in her previous life, being slapped in the face like this was nothing to Li Xia.

"Young miss, with your temperament, you will suffer greatly," Qiu Shui was anxious about Li Xia's attitude of not taking anything seriously.

"What is Qiu Shui saying?" Qiu Ju walked over and heard Qiu Shui's words. Her face tightened, how could a servant talk to the young miss like this. Seeing Qiu Ju come over, Qiu Shui's expression changed drastically.

Li Xia switched the topic, "Aunt Qiu, did you come over just now to pass on instructions from the lady?"

Qiu Ju looked at Li Xia, wanting to say something but swallowed it back, "The lady has arranged carriages and horses. Tomorrow some of the large luggage will be sent to Liuzhou."

Li Xia only then remembered she hadn't packed yet. Returning to her room, she saw Auntie Mei waiting for her. She handed over the flowers.

"Auntie, I'll pack right away," Li Xia said, waving her hand to hurry Qiu Shui to pack. Auntie Mei sighed and helped Qiu Shui pack Li Xia's luggage with Qiu Ju. They first sorted and packed the clothes, shoes, and socks that couldn't be worn this season, as well as some collectibles into boxes.

After finishing packing, looking at the four large boxes in the room, Li Xia was surprised, "I have this much stuff?"

Auntie Mei had people come move the boxes out. Turning back, she saw Li Xia looking at clothes she couldn't wear. Childhood clothes, and some old ones that couldn't be worn anymore, packed neatly into three large bundles.

"Auntie, what should I do with these clothes?" Li Xia felt a headache looking at the bundles.

"The lady said these old clothes will be donated to the mercy hall, given to orphaned and widowed children there. It's also doing more good deeds for Bailang County," Auntie Mei greatly admired Ms. Lu. Donating these old clothes to the mercy hall not only solved their own troubles, but also left the Li family a good reputation in Bailang County. For an official's family, this reputation was also their political achievement.