Exile with Storage Space: Family Fortunes in the Barren Lands

Chapter 461 - 439: Don’t Pay Attention (2)

Li Yuzhu asked, "Madam, how is she remarkable?"

The County Magistrate’s Wife wanted to tell Li Yuzhu about Miss Qian’s unspeakable schemes, but then thought it wasn’t appropriate to discuss boudoir intrigues with an unmarried girl.

Wouldn’t this corrupt the young girl?

The County Magistrate’s Wife worried that Li Yuzhu’s parents might blame her, so she swallowed her words.

She awkwardly chuckled, "Miss Qian loves to speak one way to your face and another behind your back. Next time you see her, keep your distance. She is a cunning woman; be careful not to be schemed against."

The County Magistrate’s Wife rarely spoke ill of others, at least never directly. Today, however, she openly criticized Miss Qian without any reservation. Perhaps Miss Qian really is unpopular with everyone?

"I understand, Madam." Li Yuzhu did not inquire further and nodded gently with a smile.

After chatting for a while, the County Magistrate’s Wife called over the maid and instructed her to inform the kitchen to prepare more dishes, intending to keep Li Yuzhu and Li Xing’an for lunch.

The siblings tended to eat at the mansion whenever they visited, so the maid promised to notify the kitchen.

Li Yuzhu then inquired about Li Lixing’s whereabouts from the County Magistrate’s Wife.

Talking about her son filled the County Magistrate’s Wife with pride.

"Usually, he would be studying with the teacher here. Today, however, some venerable teachers from other counties arrived at the Fufeng Book Pavilion in town for a scholarly discussion. Ah Xing’s teacher requested leave to attend the discussion, and he tagged along as well."

Li Yuzhu was surprised, "He has become much more studious than before."

"Thanks to the guidance of your family, he wasn’t so studious before; he used to be quite mischievous." The County Magistrate’s Wife laughed.

Li Yuzhu laughed, "It’s due to his good foundation and intelligence. My father only gave him some slight reminders but didn’t really educate him. Being around you is why he’s learned so well, Madam."

This pleased the County Magistrate’s Wife even more.

Suddenly, there was laughter outside, "Third Brother, why are you here?"

It was Li Lixing’s voice.

Li Xing’an chuckled, "Aren’t you happy to see me?"

"How could I not be? I am happy! No, no, I’m not happy! You’ve taken so long to visit me; have you forgotten about me? Hmph!" Li Lixing laughed and then feigned irritation.

The brothers playfully bantered and laughed together.

Li Xing’an updated him on the recent happenings at the Li Family, like how they set up a school with thirty-two kids attending, and his father is now a teacher.

He also mentioned how Jingjing and Chai Tianlang have been naughty at home, and how there’s frost on the mountain with wild fruits now ripe.

Plus, he said it’s perfect weather to catch wild rabbits.

Li Lixing kept asking for more details.

Inside, the County Magistrate’s Wife laughed, "Ah Xing still prefers village life over home life."

Li Yuzhu laughed, "He simply finds it refreshing. He stays home every day, so the occasional outing to the village feels exciting."

"You always speak highly of him." The County Magistrate’s Wife laughed.

Li Xing’an and Li Lixing entered the room, laughing and chatting.

Li Yuzhu nodded at Li Lixing, "Li Lixing, perfect timing, I was looking for you."

Li Lixing immediately assumed an attentive posture, "What is it, Li Yuzhu?"

Li Yuzhu took out several broken silver pieces from her purse and placed them on the table, "Here, this is your share of the profit."

Li Lixing was surprised, "Huh? What profit?"

Several pieces of broken silver lay on the table.

Li Yuzhu smiled, "It’s the money from the last book sale. Five hundred copies sold; after deducting costs, each of us earned eight taels. This is your share. It’s not much, so don’t be disappointed."

The County Magistrate’s Wife was surprised, "Wow, you’ve earned eight taels of silver!"

Li Lixing swiftly grabbed them, "I’m not disappointed; this is my first earnings, haha." He then handed them to the County Magistrate’s Wife, "Mother, this is what I earned; don’t be displeased with the amount. I’ll earn more for you in the future."

The County Magistrate’s Wife solemnly accepted them, "Alright, alright, our Ah Xing is capable now."

Li Lixing then said, "Li Yuzhu, Third Brother, I want to visit your shop."

Li Xing’an laughed, "Sure, we’ll take you there shortly."

Before long, it was noon; the cook came in stating the food was ready and asked where the County Magistrate’s Wife wanted to serve it.

The County Magistrate’s Wife replied, "Serve it right here," then called the maid to invite the County Magistrate for lunch.

Before long, the County Magistrate arrived.

He appeared to be in good spirits and engaged in conversation with Li Xing’an once inside.

After lunch, Li Yuzhu and Li Xing’an stood up to leave, with Li Lixing wishing to accompany them to the shop and seeing them out of the mansion.

As they reached the back garden, Li Yuzhu spotted Aunt Qing again.

Aunt Qing seemed to have been waiting for them; she approached nervously, greeting everyone, "Young Master, Miss Li, Third Young Master Li."

Li Lixing coldly said, "We have business to attend to; carry on with your tasks."

Aunt Qing glanced at Li Yuzhu and smiled slightly, "I want to talk to Miss Li."

Li Lixing raised an eyebrow, "Oh, then go ahead."

He held his hands behind his back, watching Aunt Qing.

Aunt Qing looked at Li Yuzhu, hesitating to speak.

Li Yuzhu nodded, "Come with me." She walked towards the rock garden.

Aunt Qing immediately followed.

When they were about a hundred steps away from Li Lixing and Li Xing’an, they stopped. Li Yuzhu looked at her and asked, "Go ahead, what is it?"

Aunt Qing bit her lip, hesitated for a moment, and said, "Miss Li, Miss Qian and I are relatives, distantly related, not very close."

She actually brought this up, it was puzzling.

Li Yuzhu said, "Why did you suddenly mention this? I’m not familiar with Miss Qian, why bring her up to me?"

"But Miss Li is familiar with the Zhao family, and the shop of yours was even given by Old Mrs. Zhao," Aunt Qing said. "The Zhao family will surely misunderstand you."

This Aunt Qing really thought far ahead; she hadn’t even considered it.

Li Yuzhu nodded, "I am indeed a bit familiar with the Zhao family, but they wouldn’t misunderstand me just because of this, I’ve only met Miss Qian once today."

Aunt Qing said, "In any case, with Miss Qian, it’s best not to pay any attention next time you see her."

This Aunt Qing was really strange.

Li Yuzhu said, "I understand."

Aunt Qing gave her a bow and turned to leave.

Li Yuzhu went back to Li Xing’an and Li Lixing.

Li Xing’an glanced at the departing Aunt Qing and asked, "Third sister, what did that aunt say?"

Li Yuzhu smiled and said, "She talked about something perplexing."

"What was it?" Li Lixing asked curiously.

"She told me to stay away from Miss Qian, said it might make the Zhao family misunderstand me," Li Yuzhu said.

Li Lixing blinked, "Who is Miss Qian?"

"A distant relative of Aunt Qing who visited the Madam today," Li Yuzhu said.

"Then just ignore her," Li Lixing waved his hand, "If it’s someone I don’t know, they must not be a good person. Li Yuzhu, don’t pay attention to that person."

The County Magistrate’s Wife, to protect her son, wouldn’t let her son know anyone she deemed untrustworthy.

To prevent her son from being deceived.

Before Miss Qian visited her, the County Magistrate’s Wife had already heard of her, and when Miss Qian eagerly came to visit today, she didn’t mention it to her son and husband because she didn’t like Miss Qian.

Li Lixing knew his mother’s habits, so he immediately explained to Li Yuzhu.

Li Yuzhu smiled, "Alright, I won’t pay attention."

The three of them arrived at the mansion gate, got on the mule cart that Li Xing’an had brought, and left the County Magistrate Mansion.

Li Lixing recognized the mule cart, "Isn’t this Mu Yuanxiu’s? Is he also in the county?"

Li Xing’an calmly said, it would be strange if he didn’t come.

"Yes, he’s here," Li Xing’an hummed.

Li Lixing clapped his hands, happily said, "Great, I’ll go play with him."

Li Xing’an frowned, "I bring you over and you just want to play with him?"

Li Lixing laughed, "The three of us can play together."

Li Yuzhu laughed with mirth, "Third brother, you’re always jealous of Mu Yuanxiu."

Li Xing’an kept a stern face, not speaking, who told his sister to always treat Mu Yuanxiu so well?

At the front of the store, the two brothers went to find Mu Yuanxiu, while Li Yuzhu went next door to find Sister-in-law Chai.

She wanted to discuss the matter of Miss Qian with Sister-in-law Chai.

In the courtyard behind the shop, Sister-in-law Chai was feeding Chai Tianlang some water.

Seeing her approach, Chai Tianlang smiled and called out, "Auntie."

Li Yuzhu smiled and said, "Tian Lang, Little Brother Lixing is here, he’s in our shop, you can go find him to play."

Chai Tianlang was delighted, "Oh, I’ll go play with Brother Lixing." The little fellow happily ran off.

Sister-in-law Chai poured tea for Li Yuzhu, "I heard you went to the County Magistrate’s Wife’s mansion just now, right?"

Li Yuzhu took the tea bowl, sat down, and said, "I also met Miss Qian."

Sister-in-law Chai was surprised, "What? That woman!"