Chapter 17

Chapter 17

The close contact from traveling together in the carriage for days and nights improved the relationship between Li Xin and Li Xia greatly. The direct evidence was that Li Xin addressed Li Xia as "Xiaxia", and Li Xia addressed Li Xin as "Sister". The indirect evidence was that Li Xin and Li Xia no longer spoke reservedly and would express their true thoughts.

"After more than a month of the bumpy carriage ride, I feel a bit unaccustomed to sleeping on a comfortable bed now," said Li Xia.

"You'll get used to it after two days," replied Li Xin. Just as she was speaking, she saw Auntie An walk in. Auntie An was dressed up like a peacock today. It was a pity that the person she had dressed up for was not present. Auntie An looked a little disappointed for not seeing Li Ming. After paying respects to Mrs. Lu, she sat at the lower seat and drank tea, glancing around. Auntie An looked towards the courtyard gate, at this time Aunt Wang had not arrived yet.

Aunt Wang and Li Shan arrived half an hour later. They walked into the room, paid half-finished respects to Mrs. Lu, then stood up and said "paying respects to Madam" before Mrs. Lu permitted them to rise. Then the mother and daughter went to sit aside without waiting for Mrs. Lu's permission.

Aunt Wang's petty tricks were not enough to infuriate Mrs. Lu.

Seeing that Mrs. Lu did not react, Aunt Wang sneered to herself. She had deliberately done this to upset Mrs. Lu, so that she could say good things about herself in front of Master Li later. Unfortunately, Mrs. Lu did not take the bait.

Although Mrs. Lu did not take the bait, someone else could no longer hold back.

"My, aren't you full of yourself, Aunt Wang, arriving so late to pay your respects," said Auntie An sarcastically, with jealousy mixed in her words.Alll latest novels at novelhall.com

Aunt Wang coughed lightly behind her fan. "I couldn't help it, Sister. This morning when I got up, Master insisted on hugging our Fourth Young Master before he would leave. That's why I arrived late. Please forgive me, Madam." While verbally asking for forgiveness, Aunt Wang had a smug look on her face. She glanced over Auntie An's jealous expression and sneered to herself that Auntie An was a fool to come provoke her when she clearly knew she was no match. So what if she had two sons? They were all useless and not to be feared.

Hearing Aunt Wang's words, Auntie An predictably got angry. Whenever Auntie An thought about how her two sons were ignored by Master Li when they were little, not only no hugs but scarcely a look, she wanted to stab Aunt Wang with her eyes. In the first exchange, Auntie An was defeated. Her combat ability was clearly too weak, Li Xia sighed inwardly.

Li Xin was originally somewhat uncomfortable with such scenes, but when her eyes swept over the amusement in Li Xia's eyes as she watched the show, Li Xin suddenly felt it didn't matter. She straightened up and copied Li Xia's posture to watch the show. Hmm, this way was much better.

"Auntie, if you don't like it, I'll tell Mother I won't learn," seeing Auntie Mei looking unhappy, Li Xia got up.

Auntie Mei held Li Xia back, "Are you truly ignorant or just pretending?"

Li Xia laughed. "Didn't you always tell me to obey Mother?"

Auntie Mei poked Li Xia's forehead. "You sly thing."

Aunt Wang found out about Mrs. Lu's arrangement afterwards. She considered asking for Li Shan to participate as well but understood that she had been somewhat arrogant recently. If she went to ask Mrs. Lu, Mrs. Lu might not agree and could make things difficult for her instead. After thinking it over, Aunt Wang decided not to court trouble from Mrs. Lu pointlessly. Back in her room, she tidied herself up and prettied her makeup, satisfied when looking at the beauty in the bronze mirror with an approving nod. She had someone wait on the road for Li Ming to return home at night.

After a busy day, the intercepted Li Ming was brought to Bingqing Courtyard by Aunt Wang on his way home. Seeing the alluring Aunt Wang in the lamplight, Li Ming's eyes lit up. Aunt Wang was even more elated inwardly upon seeing this while maintaining a gentle demeanor to serve Li Ming.

After attending to Li Ming's comfort, Aunt Wang softly brought up that she hoped for Li Shan to learn household management from Mrs. Lu as well.

Hearing Aunt Wang's words, Li Ming kept silent without responding. The previously fully confident Aunt Wang became apprehensive. Her complexion turned somewhat pale which made her appear distressingly delicate and wretched, Li Ming's favorite look. But this time, instead of staying because of Aunt Wang's pose, Li Ming got up to leave while putting on his clothes.

In her fluster, Aunt Wang disregarded everything else and went forward to grab Li Ming. But facing Li Ming's stern expression, she involuntarily retreated aside to make way.

Watching Li Ming depart without glancing back, Aunt Wang was anxious inside. After a while, "Hongxing, go see where the Master went." Hongxing had secretly followed Li Ming and saw that he went to the study in the outer residence. She came back to inform Aunt Wang.

Holding Li Yao, Aunt Wang's nervous heart eased slightly upon hearing Li Ming had gone to the outer study instead of another room. Otherwise she would have lost all face tomorrow.

Even so, the next day everyone in Li Manor's inner residence still heard about how Li Ming had left Aunt Wang's place in the middle of the night and stayed overnight in the study. Mrs. Lu made no effort to conceal this matter and soon it spread through the inner residence.