Chapter 74

Chapter 74

With Escort Chief Wang as a witness, Escort Li sold herself to become Li Xin's female bodyguard. She entrusted Escort Chief Wang to send the money from her sale to her family, as she did not want to face her family members.

Li Ermei found her name unpleasant and asked Li Xin to give her a new name. After pondering for a long time, Li Xin named her Li Yu. With Li Yu by her side for protection, Li Hui naturally agreed.

Li Xin relaxed and pestered Li Xia to teach her carving. She was interested in the carving knife in Li Xia's hand. Because Li Xia said her accurate aim in shooting those river bandits was due to her carving skills.

Although Li Xia's statement sounded a bit far-fetched, everyone at the Li Manor, including the armed escort, believed it.

The people at the Li Manor were reminded by Li Hui. On the armed escort side, Li Hui also instructed Escort Chief Wang.

Escort Chief Wang almost lost his life this time. This time, Escort Chief Wang brought more than half of the armed escort's manpower. Most of them were injured here, and the armed escort could no longer operate. Even if Li Hui did not mention it, Escort Chief Wang would remind his armed escort brothers not to disclose this matter. If disclosed, the armed escort's reputation would be ruined.

Li Xia was bored, so she was more than happy to teach Li Xin, who wanted to learn. Afterwards, on the carriage, she patiently taught Li Xin carving.

However, Li Xin might truly lack talent in this aspect. Additionally, the carriage was a bit bumpy, causing her to injure her hands a few times. After being persuaded by others, she stopped carving.

Li Xin gazed at the exquisite human figures and floral patterns carved by Li Xia, marveling at them. Looking at her own wounded hands, she sighed, "Everyone has their strengths and weaknesses."

After half a month, the group finally arrived in the capital city before nightfall. Seeing the short line, they could enter the city before the gates closed.

The towering city walls made one exclaim, "No wonder this is the capital of a nation!"

The line was not long, and they soon reached the front. Li Hui got off the carriage and showed the gatekeeper their travel permit. At this time of year, many students from various places were entering the city to take the imperial exams. After checking their valid travel permit, the gatekeeper quickly allowed them to pass.

Lu Steward and the Old Madam Lu's maid were waiting at the entrance early on. Upon seeing the Li family's carriages, they went to welcome them. Lu Steward led the carriages to the back gate, while the maid escorted the three women to the Old Madam Lu's Eternal Bliss Pavilion.

Old Madam Lu had been waiting eagerly. She kept looking outside and asking her attendants if they had arrived, murmuring about the hardships they endured on their journey to the capital.

At one point, she ordered a maid to fetch bird's nest and ginseng from her storeroom to prepare a nourishing soup for the children.

Overhearing this, Lu Madam felt annoyed, thinking the Old Madam was doting too much on her grandchildren by giving them all sorts of precious items.

Li Xia followed Li Hui and Li Xin into the room. As soon as she entered, a warm blend of various fragrances assaulted her nose, almost making her sneeze. Fortunately, she knew this was not her home, so Li Xia held it in and used her ability to refresh the air in her nostrils, making it easier to breathe.

Li Ming disliked fragrances, so the Li family rarely used powders or heavy scents. With such a strong fragrance now, not just Li Xia with her keen sense of smell, but even Li Hui and Li Xin felt a bit unaccustomed. The two paused at the entrance to adjust before proceeding inside.

Maids placed three cushions, and Li Hui knelt first to kowtow to Old Madam Lu, "Grandson/granddaughter pays respects to you, Grandmother." Li Xin and Li Xia followed, kneeling to kowtow.

Old Madam Lu helped Li Hui and Li Xin up with one hand each, "Good children, quick, get up. Let me have a good look at you." Her eyes reddened as she gazed at them, "Your mother was so heartless, abandoning me for over a decade without a single visit. I don't know if I'll get to see her again."

Li Hui could still hold back, but facing Old Madam Lu's similar appearance to Mrs. Lu and recalling their arduous journey, Li Xin started crying. Li Xia felt awkward, unsure whether she should join in the crying or keep her head lowered, so she opted for the latter, bowing her head very low.

"Mother, Hui and Xin have arrived in the capital city. Going forward, we'll be able to see each other more often. It's a joyous occasion," Lu Madam encouraged everyone with a smile after waiting for a while.

Old Madam Lu wiped away her tears with a handkerchief and nodded. "Yes, we should rejoice. You siblings have come to visit me, so I should be happy." Saying this, Old Madam Lu personally used the handkerchief to wipe away Li Xin's tears.

With the room full of female relatives, Li Hui didn't linger. After paying his respects, he followed the servants and left for the front courtyard to meet Lu's cousins.