kingnovel Chapter 201 Unfortunate
Chapter 201 Unfortunate
Li Xiaonuan handed the silver notes and the token to her father. The token represented another force of Prince Jing, which wouldn't appear unless absolutely necessary. Prince Jing had instructed in his letter that if the Li family truly encountered trouble, someone would step in to protect them with that token.
Afterwards, Li Xiaonuan explained the plan for the secluded paradise in detail. Although she knew that Xiaoyang couldn't accept so much information all at once, Li Xiaonuan had no time and could only pour it all out in one go.
Fortunately, Xiao Yang was always eager to improve, and he would write down anything he didn't understand. He remembered every little detail that Li Xiaonuan mentioned, which deeply moved her. Actually, Xiao Yang's handwriting wasn't very good. He had only attended a private school for a few years, and being from a farming family, his teacher generally didn't treat him well.
Finally, after explaining the details of building the house, Li Xiaonuan said to her father seriously, "Dad, the uncles haven't come these past few days. They must be angry about all the trouble I've caused. After I go to the capital, you and Mom should find some time to invite them over. They're also involved in my manor plan, so they need to participate in person."
"As for my aunt's family, the chili pepper issue has been resolved. However, we still need to help them out. I've studied the terrain and surrounding conditions of Niushan County and think that my aunt and her family could open a roadside inn on the fork in the road between Niushan County and Jinlin Town."
After thinking for a moment, Father Li felt something was amiss: "Why don't we have your aunt come to the manor as well? Driving to the inn is a good idea, but the manpower and connections are a problem."
Li Xiaonuan said nonchalantly, "Dad, have you forgotten that we have an aunt who married the head constable of Niushan County? Also, my uncle's brothers and there are many young people in the village, so manpower won't be a problem. Besides, didn't my aunt and uncle support their younger brother to pass the imperial examination? Who knows, he might even become a Jinshi next year. At that time, what connections will my aunt and uncle need?"
Father Li was puzzled: "Since their family has produced a scholar who passed the imperial examination, why did you still let your aunt open a carriage inn?"
Li Xiaonuan looked at her father disapprovingly and said, "Dad, even five fingers are not all the same length. Even if their family produces a Jinshi (a successful candidate in the highest imperial examinations), that person can't take care of Aunt's family for the rest of their lives. Besides, being a Jinshi isn't exactly a coveted position. Without the financial support of a family behind you, it's actually very difficult to make it big."
"But...but..." Father Li couldn't find a reason to refute it. That's just how the world is, and there's no way to argue against it.
"How should we tell your aunt and the others?" Li's father asked.
“Dad, Aunt and the others are actually in the city, right? Weren’t they brought to the city after the chili pepper incident and the spy incident? I bet they’re with my fourth uncle right now.” Li Xiaonuan stated the facts without any hesitation.
Father Li remained silent, not daring to look at Madam Su and the others. He knew, of course, that his brothers were blaming Li Xiaonuan for meddling, which was why they refused to come to Zhou Village. Even now that the old lady was so ill, they hadn't come immediately.
"No matter what, we're all family after all. Once I get to the capital, Father and Mother can discuss it properly with our uncles and aunts. In short, the plan already specifies how much silver should be given to each person. If you don't plan to join the manor plan, then don't join. Just don't give me any more money later. Remember, this money was earned with my life," Li Xiaonuan said solemnly.
It can be served as a soft bun, but it can't be soft all the time. Buns will harden when they get cold.
After hearing the phrase "It was all earned with my life," Li's father and Su's mother fell silent.
That night, Li Xiaonuan slept next to the old lady and talked to her for a long time. She talked about all the wrong things she had done and her remorse, as well as her love and expectations for her family.
The next morning, Li Xiaonuan went to the small pond in the wasteland. In the quiet, clear water, emerald green water plants swayed gently. Morning was the time for the fish to breathe. Around the pond, the small figures of fish were everywhere.
To her delight, many of the small fish fry that Li Xiaonuan bought from Grandma Fish survived. Looking at the colorful little fish, Li Xiaonuan's mood brightened. She gazed at the beautiful scenery of the fields and felt a deep sense of emotion.
When she returns from the capital, everything here will be different. This area will become a place with pavilions and terraces by the water. And over there, there will be twenty acres of lotus fields. There will be fields specifically for growing lotus roots, and flower fields specifically for cultivating other flowers.
On the other side is a semi-open-air barbecue area. There are also small, elegant rooms with half-windows for playing cards and other entertainment, as well as tea rooms with heavy curtains. At that time, this place will be bustling with people, lively and extraordinary. Laughter, scheming, and jealousy will fill the air, making it a truly captivating sight.
As for the vast stretch of barren hills and slopes beyond the wasteland, they will eventually be filled with fragrant flowers and fruits. In the nearby woodlands, cattle, sheep, chickens, ducks, and geese will be raised. The cattle, of course, will only be used for plowing. The sheep, besides being used in hot pot, will be roasted.
Roasted lamb with cumin—how delicious! It's a pity cumin isn't available yet. But it will be in the future, Li Xiaonuan firmly believes. She's confident that everything will be different after she returns from Beijing.
"Little Nuan." Suddenly, a voice rang out from behind.
Li Xiaonuan turned around in surprise and saw a warm smile blooming on that dark face.
"Brother Zhao, what a coincidence, you're here too." Li Xiaonuan said with a smile.
“Unfortunately, Little Nuan, I came here with you,” Zhao Wangchuan said directly.
"Brother Zhao, is there something you need?" Li Xiaonuan was even more surprised.
Zhao Wangchuan found a place to sit down, patted the stone in front of him, and said to Li Xiaonuan, "Come on, Xiaonuan, sit down. Let's have a good talk."
Li Xiaonuan looked around and, seeing no one, went over and sat down. In the pond, ripples spread out from the stones Zhao Wangchuan had thrown. Those ripples, like his own emotions, were gently undulating.
After Li Xiaonuan was seated, Zhao Wangchuan spoke again: "Little sister Xiaonuan, the journey to the capital is extremely dangerous. Your brother will also be going to the capital soon. To tell you the truth, I am actually the son of the current emperor, a son who has already been buried in the imperial mausoleum."
Hearing this, Li Xiaonuan said quietly, "I have a rough idea. This time, is Brother Zhao going back to seize power or to seek revenge?"
Zhao Wangchuan looked at Li Xiaonuan helplessly, feeling a headache coming on from her bluntness: "Xiaonuan, sometimes it's better to be more tactful. But after all these years, you're still the same as when you were a child, you haven't changed at all. You just blurt out whatever comes to mind without thinking."
Looking at Zhao Wangchuan's wry smile, memories of their childhood together flooded Li Xiaonuan's mind. Indeed, back then, no matter how cold Zhao Wangchuan was, Xiaonuan would stick to him like a leech. Moreover, little Xiaonuan would offend him completely with just one word.
"Brother Zhao, I liked you back then. Even though you were always fierce to me, I just liked you back then." Little Zhao Wangchuan was also a bit melancholy back then, but at least he wasn't as tired as he is now.