Chapter 197 – The Old Madam is from a Scholarly Family (part 12)

Ling Er and Anniang went to Li’s house as soon as they got back. They apologised to Li Yu and Li Su.

This was just a trivial matter, and Li Su naturally wouldn’t take it to heart. “It’s okay, Ling Er’s wife, our two families have been neighbours for so many years. Don’t I know what your family is like? It was just a trivial matter, so it’s nothing to worry about. Before I find the right person for my family, I will have to trouble you, Ling Er’s wife.”

When Anniang saw that Li Su really didn’t take the matter to heart, she was greatly relieved. When she heard that Li Su needed help, she naturally agreed. Anyway, her family’s eldest son, Erlang, had grown up, so she didn’t have to worry much. He had not been idle these days after classes were suspended. He ran to this house all day to play with Brother Yuan. Although third young master was small, his grandmother could take care of him alone. Her father-in-law and husband have to work, and she was also idle at home alone.

“Auntie, don’t be silly. Why would it be troublesome?” Anniang said with a smile. “By the way, did you name the two brothers?”

It was funny when Li Su talked about this. “A-Yu wrote three sheets of paper, but he’s not satisfied and hasn’t decided yet. Now second and third young master are screaming indiscriminately.”

Anniang smiled. “The name is a big deal, so it is better to be careful.”

Over there, after Li Yu sent Ling Er away, he finally decided on the names of his two sons – Li Heng and Li Li. If he had another son in the future, he would be called Li Zhen. Yuan Heng Li Zhen1, the four Confucian injunctions for men2.

Li Yu was quite content. When he talked to Yingniang, she was also satisfied.

Liu Yingniang had never read a book, so she didn’t know what the four virtues were. She had a kind of blind worship for her husband, so the name he chose must be a good one.

Seeing the admiration on his wife’s face, Li Yu had a strange feeling in his heart. He quickly turned his head. “You should rest while the child is sleeping. I will go and study.” Yingniang was in confinement. During this period, the Li family’s private school was temporarily suspended for fear of disturbing her and her children’s rest.

Yingniang nodded and watched Li Yu leave.

Li Su also knew the names of her two grandsons, Li Heng and Li Li. Hmm, they were good names. Anyway, she didn’t really understand how the ancients named their children.

Originally, Li Su thought that if no one helped, the two months would be very sad. She didn’t expect that it wouldn’t be that bad.

First of all, she didn’t have to worry about housework. Zuo Kui and his wife had everything covered.

Li Yuan and Li Ru had been upgraded to older brother and sister. Although, they disliked their younger brothers a little and thought they were too ugly. But, they were their younger brothers. Even if they were ugly, they couldn’t be discarded. They were aware of their positions as an older brother and sister. They also knew that the family was busy and it had to be quiet. They either played with the two children from the Ling family next door every day, or practiced calligraphy in the sand table.

Li Su and Anniang were in charge of taking care of Yingniang and two children. Li Yu sometimes came to help. Originally, when Li Su asked him to do these things, he was still a little unhappy. However, when he saw Yingniang, he remembered the tragic scene on the day she gave birth, and he reluctantly helped.

In addition, Li Heng and Li Li were quite well-behaved and easy to bring along. A month had passed like that.

Yingniang originally planned to sit for a month. Doctor Xu came to check her pulse and said that she was recovering very well, but Li Su insisted that she would have another month of rest.

Li Yu also persuaded her, so Yingniang had to agree.

Anniang watched from the side, and was very envious. This Li family was worthy of being a scholar family. The family dynamic was good. Anyone who married into the Li family would be really lucky. She couldn’t help but rub her stomach. She had stopped changing and washing for a month. She didn’t know if she was pregnant. If she was, then it would be good if it was a girl. If she was lucky enough to marry into the Li family in the future, it would be a great blessing.

But Anniang was just thinking about it casually. Her family couldn’t climb high. If Dalang and Erlang had a future, it might still be possible. Otherwise, she would just think about it.

Liu Yingniang had been working hard for two months. Her body was plump. Her complexion was rosy. Some of the minor problems on her body had been taken care of.

Li Su looked quite satisfied. Now that everything was fine at home, it was time for her to buy a house.

“You want to buy a house?” Li Yu was very surprised, and Li Yuan and Li Ru were also a little excited.

“Yeah, the number of people in our family is increasing. Heng’er and Li’r are still young and need someone to take care of them. I also plan to buy a book boy for A-Yu and Yuan’er, but the current house is not enough. I want to buy a bigger house,” Li Su said.

Li Yu frowned and said, “Mother, I don’t think it’s necessary to buy a house for the time being. I don’t need a book boy. Yuan’er is still young, so he doesn’t need one for the time being. As for Heng’er and Li’r, there’s Yingniang, so there’s no need to get someone else. It’s fine for now.”

Today’s Li Yu was no longer the one who didn’t listen to things outside the window before, and only read classical literature. During this time, he took advantage of his spare time to copy a few books for the bookstore and made some money, but these were not enough for his own medicine. He now clearly understood that money was hard to come by. When Li Yu thought about the money he spent before, he felt a little uncomfortable.

Li Su also decided to buy a house because Li Yu had performed well during this period of time and really felt remorseful.

“Yingniang is your wife, and her energy should be used to take care of you. It’s not good if she focusses on the children and neglects you. Besides, how can she take care of two children by herself? She can’t keep bothering Ling Er’s wife! I’m also getting old. I could still help you when Yuan’er and Ru’er were born, but now it’s hard. Forget about getting a book boy for Yuan’er then. You need to get one. When you go out, there will be someone to take care of you. We will also be relieved. Didn’t you say that you wanted to go out to study and visit famous teachers? Therefore, a book boy and a house must be bought,” said Li Su.

Li Yu was very moved. “Mother!” He thought that his mother had forgotten about it, but she still remembered it.

“It’s settled! Tomorrow I’ll ask Ling Er to help me find out if there are suitable houses around. As for the book boy, I still have to find someone I can trust. Let’s take it slow,” said Li Su.

Li Yu lowered his head. He felt a little complicated. Li Yuan next to him had already patted his chest and assured his grandma. “Grandma, don’t worry. Dad and I will work hard. When I grow up, I will definitely give you your heirloom back.”

Li Su touched Li Yuan’s head and smiled. “Okay, then grandma will rely on Yuan’er.”

Li Yu was a little unhappy in his heart. If his mother wanted to count on someone, she could count on him. She didn’t have to rely on her grandson.

At this time, Li Su just said it casually and didn’t take Li Yuan’s words seriously at all. So when she had her 60th birthday, Li Yu and Li Yuan took out the glass as a birthday gift. Li Su almost vomited to death.

Fortunately, she finally learned that Li Yu and his son did not spend a penny to retrieve the glass. It was His Majesty, the emperor, who accidentally learned that Li Yu and his son had been looking for a glass for so many years. The glass happened to be in His Majesty’s hands by chance. His Majesty invited Li Yu and his son to ask them the reason. He was grateful for the filial piety of Li Yu and his son, and gave the glass to Li Yu and his son.

Li Su’s heart felt better now, as long as it wasn’t bought with money. It didn’t matter if the emperor wanted to show mercy. It didn’t matter.

These were all stories that happened later. If Li Su had known earlier, she would have dispelled Li Yuan’s thoughts. What a joke! A family heirloom? There was still a box of such ‘family heirlooms’ in her space. She did not dare to take them out for fear of scaring them to death.

Ling Er learned that the Li family was going to buy a house. He was a little regretful. If the Li family moved away, the two families would be alienated. But, he still tried his best to help.

In a few days, they found several more suitable houses. Li Su and Li Yu went to see it in person, and Li Yu preferred a binary residence, which was about 500 taels. Li Su felt that it was better to do it in one step, so she chose a three-entry house, and the price was 300 taels more expensive than the one Li Yu liked.

After that, they signed the contract. Then, they went to the government office to get the house deed.

On the same day, Li Yu wrote down another sum in his account book: house, 800 taels.

The Li family moved in after picking an auspicious day. Li Su still lived in the main room. Li Ru moved into the side room next to the main room. Li Yu, Yingniang, and the two children moved into the west wing. Li Yuan lived in the side room in the west wing.

Li Yu also deliberately cleaned up a room and made a study room for several children to study and for him to teach. Li Yu had already thought about it. During his study abroad, he would let Li Yuan act as a temporary little gentleman, and he would write down what he learned every day. At that time, Li Yuan would just teach according to what he wrote.

Ling Er’s family felt relieved when they saw that the Li family was not estranged from them.

Zuo Kui’s family also had a place to live. Li Su invited two more wet nurses to help take care of the children, and also bought a few servants. The place was so big. She couldn’t let Yingniang clean it by herself.

As for the book boy, Li Su thought about it. She had to find a reliable person. She asked Ling Er’s family if they could recommend a suitable person.

Ling Er was a little surprised. He didn’t expect Li Su to trust him so much. She asked him about the sale of the house and asked him about a book boy. Ling Er felt a little proud.

Ling Er thought about it carefully. There were a few cousins in his family, but unfortunately, none of them could read. A book boy had to be literate. The brother-in-law of his wife’s family had attended a private school for a year and knew a few words. He was just like his father-in-law, very honest.

But with what happened to Mrs. Fang, he wasn’t sure if auntie still trusted his wife’s family.

“Auntie, it’s like this. My cousins are quite good. They are honest and hardworking, but they are illiterate. Anniang’s younger brother has the same temperament as my father-in-law. He is very honest and knows a few words since he was in a private school. Now, he works in the fields with my father-in-law and he has some strength.” Ling Er thought about it carefully before he said this.

Li Su thought for a while. “Since it’s like this, you can bring the person to me so I can have a look. Then, you have to let A-Yu see if he will be suitable.”

Ling Er responded simply, and immediately went home to discuss with his wife.

Anniang was overjoyed when she heard the news. When she heard that the Li family was looking for a book boy earlier, she thought of her younger brother. If nothing else, her younger brother had read books and was literate. But, because of the previous incident with her cousin, she was embarrassed to speak. She didn’t expect that auntie wouldn’t mind at all.

Ling Er’s parents were also happy when they heard that, They kept urging Ling Er and Anniang to go back to discuss with their relatives.

Ling Er’s father and several older brothers did not have the same mother, so they were usually not very close. For such a good thing, they would take advantage of their relatives.

1.(元亨利貞) Yuan Heng Li Zhen: a line from the Book of Changes (周易). Apparently there are different interpretations of this line. Not too sure what it means, but it’s from a literary classic, so that’s probably why Li Yu chose names based off this phrase.

2.Four Confucian Injunctions for Men are: piety to one’s parents, respect to one’s older brother, loyalty to one’s monarch, and faith to one’s male friends.