novelraw Chapter 355 - 343 She Dares to Bully Guoguo, I Will Punish Her by Letting Her Bask in the Sun (2)
Chapter 355 - 343 She Dares to Bully Guoguo, I Will Punish Her by Letting Her Bask in the Sun (2)
The County Magistrate was writing, while the concubine stood beside him grinding ink.
The two of them looked very much like they were enjoying each other’s company.
This concubine had a gentle and delicate appearance, which one might also describe as somewhat timid and fearful.
Seeing Li Lixing and Li Yuzhu approaching, she turned pale with fright and hurried forward to greet them. "Young Master is back? Miss Li is here?"
Li Lixing just responded with a faint "Hmm."
Li Yuzhu smiled lightly, "Hello, Aunt."
The County Magistrate didn’t mind much and smilingly asked the concubine to pour tea for Li Yuzhu and Li Lixing.
"Father, I won’t have tea. We’re here to deliver books for filing." Li Lixing held two books and moved towards the desk.
Li Yuzhu also smiled and said, "Sir, we just had tea at the madam’s place, we’re not thirsty."
Both said they didn’t want tea, leaving the concubine hesitating, unsure whether to pour tea.
The County Magistrate waved her off, "Go on, no need for you to serve here."
"Yes, Sir." The concubine secretly breathed a sigh of relief and left the room.
Li Yuzhu gazed at the concubine’s departing figure, pondering, Concubine? Could it be that the County Magistrate’s wife is troubled by this concubine?
This concubine wasn’t flamboyant, had a gentle appearance, overall much more obedient than the previous Aunt Hua.
Aunt Hua was openly ruthless, a prickly rose, while this concubine seemed meek and gentle, like a harmless daffodil blooming in a greenhouse.
If someone like this harbors ill intentions, they are the hardest to deal with.
Because you simply can’t find any faults to exploit.
Even if you find a fault, you can’t make a move before she starts to cry, turning the tables!
While Li Yuzhu was lost in thought, the County Magistrate said, "Yuzhu, you printed five hundred books this time, quite a number. Do you want me to find buyers for you?"
Li Yuzhu snapped back to reality, shook her head, and smiled, "Ah, no need, Sir. We want to find our own market, and only seek your help if we really can’t sell them."
Immediately seeking the County Magistrate’s help would mean she wouldn’t know the true sales situation of the books.
With the County Magistrate involved, who would dare refuse?
A hundred coins per book, wealthy people would buy them all at once.
The County Magistrate can help once, but not every time.
She aims for a long-term business, not a temporary venture quick to come and go.
The County Magistrate laughed, "Very well, Yuzhu is a determined girl." He urged Li Lixing to learn from Li Yuzhu, "See how capable your Sister Yuzhu is, unlike you, messing about like a monkey only knowing how to play."
"No way, I learned painting with Sister-in-law, and Mother praised me." Li Lixing protested.
"Your mother is just indulging you." The County Magistrate’s face turned stern.
However, when talking of the County Magistrate’s wife, softness remained hidden in his eyes and brows.
Li Yuzhu handed the painting Li Lixing learned from Chai Eying to the County Magistrate, "Sir, Madam wouldn’t praise without reason. You’ll see how well Lixing painted."
"Oh?" The County Magistrate took the painting in hand to look.
The painting was notably more advanced than two months ago.
The County Magistrate’s expression was stern, "Just a bit of progress." Despite the harsh tone, he spoke of raising Li Lixing’s spending silver.
Li Lixing switched from worry to joy, "Thank you, Father."
After sitting for a while, Li Yuzhu and Li Lixing left.
Li Lixing, praised by his father, walked with a bounce.
On the way back, Li Yuzhu quietly said to Li Lixing, "Pay attention to your father’s concubine."
Li Lixing was startled, "Ah? Why? Aunt Qing isn’t bad, she often gives me things."
Li Yuzhu said, "Don’t just look at the surface, look inside. Your mother is not happy, likely because of your father and the concubine. Does Aunt Qing giving you things mean she’s good?"
Li Lixing was suddenly enlightened.
He nodded, "I know, I’ll secretly follow Aunt Qing. If she dares to upset Mother, I’ll drive her away."
Li Yuzhu said, "Evidence is key. Without evidence, don’t fall out with her. After all, she’s your father’s concubine, you need to respect your father."
In her era, high-ranking officials and wealthy men often took concubines.
Preventing the County Magistrate from having concubines beside him was unlikely.
The only solution was to ensure the concubine remained discreet and didn’t cause trouble.
Li Yuzhu’s reminder was quickly grasped by Li Lixing who said, "Don’t worry, I will investigate quietly without alarming her or causing issues."
Li Lixing discreetly followed Aunt Qing after escorting Li Yuzhu back to her guest room.
Li Yuzhu and Chai Eying, along with two children, came to bid farewell to the County Magistrate’s wife, as they were going to Chai Eying’s sister-in-law’s relative’s place.
The County Magistrate’s wife remarked, "You young sisters-in-law bringing two children, with so many people at the banquet, how can you manage without a maid?" She called for Chun’er, "Let Chun’er follow you to help look after the children."
Chai Eying hurriedly responded, "Madam, how can I accept? Don’t you lack attendants?"
She did not bring Nanny Jiang along when she came out.
Once a daughter-in-law enters a family, managing the household is her duty. Running off for leisure alone, and taking Nanny Jiang with her, would cause chaos at home.
Moreover, Li Yuzhu was there to help with the two children, so Nanny Jiang was left at the Li Family’s place.
The County Magistrate’s wife laughed, "We have twenty servants here. Giving you a maid has no impact, go ahead and take her. Return her when you go back to the village."
Chai Eying was not familiar with the County Magistrate’s wife and dared not accept.
Li Yuzhu already thanked her, "Thank you very much, Madam."
"No need to be polite, go to the banquet quickly, it’s just the right time to catch the birthday celebration." The County Magistrate’s wife smiled warmly.
Chai Eying had no choice but to thank her, "Thank you Madam."
After lunch and resting, Uncle Gui turned the carriage around and took Li Yuzhu, Chai Eying, Chun’er, and the two children away from the County Government.
Chai Eying didn’t go directly to her sister-in-law’s grandmother’s house but rather to her brother and sister-in-law’s shop.
Eldest Young Master Chai and his wife owned a candle and incense shop in the county town.
The carriage meandered through the town, arriving at a street market.
This street wasn’t in the busiest district, only selling daily necessities and miscellaneous items.
Li Yuzhu had come to the county town twice without visiting this place, once off the carriage, she curiously looked around.
Chai Eying, holding Guoguo, pointed towards a shop in the alley and smiled, "Sister, that Chai’s Candle Shop belongs to my brother and sister-in-law, let’s go in and meet my sister-in-law first and then go together."
Li Yuzhu looked into the alley, thinking this shop is quite hidden, business must not be great.
"Alright, let’s go." Li Yuzhu smiled.
Chai Eying hugged Guoguo, Li Yuzhu held Jingjing’s hand, and Chun’er carried their gifts following behind.
Uncle Gui stayed at the alley entrance guarding the carriage, not accompanying them.
Everyone went into the alley.
This alley was short, just about a hundred paces, with only five or six shops.
Chai’s Candle Shop was located in the second shop.
Being an incense and candle shop with flammable goods in a residential alley, it seemed the County Magistrate hadn’t managed things well.
If a fire broke out, the whole district could go up in flames.
Li Yuzhu quickly patted her chest, dismissing the thought, don’t overthink, don’t overthink.
"Brother, Sister-in-law!" Chai Eying called out with a smile towards the shop.
Inside the shop, Sister-in-law Chai and Brother Chai were handling business.
Someone was buying a good many candles, lanterns, and other items.
"You’re here? Come in, come in." Sister-in-law Chai put down what she was holding and smiled as she approached.
She first took Guoguo into her arms, "Oh my, come hug our little Guoguo, it’s been more than two months, little Guoguo has grown heavier!"
Li Yuzhu patted Jingjing on the shoulder, smiled, and said, "Jingjing come, call Uncle and Aunt."