Full House Spring

Chapter 103 Regret, Remembrance
Zhong Huiting showed an unconvinced expression on her face, she frowned and said:
"How can this be considered as meddling in other people's affairs? My aunt treats me so well, and my third cousin makes her so sad. If I just sit back and do nothing, wouldn't that be too heartless?"

Xia Li retracted her gaze and said calmly, "What if Mr. Zhang San thinks that your business is a disgrace to the family and asks you to ignore all this and stay in the backyard to do needlework, would you be willing?"

Zhong Huiting frowned subconsciously, and then suddenly realized something. She was silent for a moment and sighed, "What you said makes sense. We all live our own lives, and outsiders have no right to comment."

She didn't continue to compete with Xia Li, and Xia Li comforted her:
"You don't have to worry too much. Madam Zhang has known about this for a long time. She has accepted the reality and made corresponding arrangements. For example, she wanted your cousin to marry into my family. It's just that I didn't fall into the trap. She will definitely have other tricks next. You just have to wait and see."

Zhong Huiting couldn't help feeling guilty when she heard Xia Li say that. Her aunt's behavior was indeed a bit unkind. She touched her nose and said with a wry smile:
"My aunt probably didn't expect that Third Cousin's face couldn't confuse you. With the power of the Zhang family, it's easy to find a woman who is willing to give birth to children for my cousin. It depends on whether my cousin is willing to cooperate. This matter... I can't interfere."

Xia Li picked up the teacup on the table and said casually, "If you have the time, you might as well think about what kind of husband you want to choose for yourself."

Zhong Huiting nodded and chuckled, "I'm not in a hurry. Whenever you need someone from my side, just send someone to tell me, and I won't disturb your rest."

Xia Li nodded slightly, "Miss Zhong, take care. I'll ask Madam Zhou to take you out."

Nanny Zhou was the managing nanny of Cuihua Court, so asking her to send Zhong Huiting out was considered giving her enough face.

Although the cooperation talks went smoothly, Xia Li suddenly felt a little tired for some reason. She felt exhausted and unknowingly walked to the door of the small room where her grandma's tablet was placed.

After she settled down in Cuihua Court, the first thing she did was to offer a tablet for her grandma. Although she knew in her heart that this was just a hope, she still did it according to the rules without any hesitation.

She only lit a stick of incense on the day the tablet was brought in and accompanied her parents in paying homage. After that, she seemed to deliberately avoid it, as if she could not see the cold tablet and felt that her grandma was still there.

As she stepped into the house, she saw the smoke of incense in front of the tablet and all kinds of offerings on the table. Xia Li raised her hand to wave away the servants who followed her. She wanted to talk to her grandma alone.

Xia Li first lit a stick of incense for grandma, then knelt on the mat, stroking grandma's bracelet with his hands, and said in an inaudible voice: "Grandma, I'm engaged and will get married in early June. The man is a very reliable and good man. He will definitely protect me all my life. It's a pity that you didn't see him..."

After that, her eyes were a little moist. After she calmed down, she continued, "My parents love me very much, and there is no mess in the mansion. I can do what I like without any scruples. But I always feel that something is missing. It would be great if you were by my side..."

During her most difficult days, it was her grandma who pulled her out of the quagmire and was used to sharing every bit of life with her. Even though she is now loved by her parents and relatives, she still feels regretful. This regret is accompanied by loss, and the slightest touch makes her heart hurt like a needle.

Xia Li didn't want her family to see her vulnerable side, so she stayed quietly with her grandma for half an hour. The unspeakable pain in her heart finally eased a little. After she walked out, she was the dignified and generous girl from the Fang family again.

Although she didn't show any expression, Shi Mi still noticed something strange. The relationship between Xia Li and Nanny Xie was no different from that between a real grandparent and grandchild, so she could understand Xia Li's feelings.

She turned her head slightly to look at Xia Li and said softly, "Miss, you have been busy for such a long time, it's time to relax. Otherwise, I will accompany you to find Brother Shuo to play?"

Xia Li really needed to find some fun for herself. She chuckled and nodded, saying, "Then take the piece of candy on the table with you and secretly give one to Shuo Ge'er. My sister-in-law shouldn't find out."

Shi Mi smiled and said, "Even if Grandma finds out, she won't be willing to tell you. I'll go get it now."

Cuihua Courtyard was not far from the courtyard of his eldest brother and his wife. When Xia Li walked slowly towards that place, he did not know that Sun Fuya's mother had also come to the house. Sun's mother was sitting at the head of the table with a haughty look on her face. She said in a sarcastic tone:
"I heard that your sister-in-law is engaged to a rough man from a military family? I don't know what your parents-in-law were thinking. They picked such a person who is not presentable."

Sun Fuya's eyes flashed with disgust, and she said in a slightly cold voice:
"That marriage was arranged by my sister when she was young. She has been missing for more than ten years and the other party has never changed his mind. Moreover, my brother-in-law is a fourth-rank military officer after all. How come it becomes unpresentable when my mother speaks of him?"

Mother Sun raised her eyelids and said unhappily, "You just can't stand seeing your grandparents' family doing well. If your sister-in-law married your cousin, wouldn't that make everyone happy? You are such a blockhead."

Sun Fuya's eyes were like cold stars, and she said in a bored tone:
"It's a done deal, mother, please stop dreaming. Instead of coming here to argue with me, you might as well find a more suitable girl for your cousin. Doesn't the Zhuang family have a girl of similar age who is ready to get married? Why don't you go and match them up?"

Mother Sun looked gloomy and angrily said, "That banker is so rich, how could he be interested in your cousin? You are just talking nonsense."

Sun Fuya sneered, "You also know that the Zhuang family looks down on your cousin. It's really rare. Tell me, why did you come here today?"

Mother Sun restrained her expression and said in a flattering tone, "I heard that your sister-in-law can earn tens of thousands of taels of silver from a perfume tasting event. She gave you her perfume, right?"

Sun Fuya turned to look at her, her eyes becoming increasingly angry, and she said sarcastically, "What are you planning to do?"

Sun's mother said confidently: "What are you talking about? I am your mother. What's wrong with asking you for something? You don't need money. If you have perfume, you should give it to me as a gift.

I have an empty shop, and I'm worried about not being able to find a good business to do, so I might as well turn it into a perfume shop. Let your sister-in-law give me some of the perfume, and I won't take it for free. I will buy it from her at cost price, so she won't suffer a loss."

Sun Fuya felt her temples throbbing. She didn't know where her mother got the confidence to say such things. She completely sank her face and said solemnly:

"Everyone knows that the perfume business is profitable. Why should my sister-in-law give you a share? How can you be considered her relative?" Sun's mother was unhappy when she heard this. She cursed:
"You conscienceless bitch, it was not easy for me to give birth to you and raise you. What's wrong with you taking advantage of your connections? Don't forget that without me, you are nothing."

Sun Fuya's hands were shaking with anger, and she said in a clear voice, suppressing her anger:
"You gave birth to me and raised me, but have you ever asked for my wishes? My parents-in-law and sister-in-law treat me well, so do you think it's your right to harm them? I'm not as shameless as you. Can you please not be so shameless and stop harassing me all the time? I get sick of you every time I see you, really..."

Before she could finish her words, her mother slapped her in the face and said angrily, "You lowly bitch, I should have drowned you when I gave birth to you. You even dare to insult me. You are so arrogant. Just because you live well now doesn't mean you will live well in the future. When your son-in-law despises you in the future and keeps a mistress outside, I won't support you even if you smash your head to pieces."

Xia Li, who was standing outside, couldn't bear to listen any more. She stepped over the threshold and said in a deep voice, "No one should worry about our Fang family's affairs. If my eldest brother is really like what you said in the future, my parents will take care of him. What does it have to do with you?"

Mother Sun didn't expect that Xia Li heard exactly what she said. Her face turned pale and blue. She only dared to yell in front of her daughter, and she didn't dare to say a word in front of other people. Seeing Xia Li's tough tone, she stammered, "What's wrong with me teaching my own daughter a lesson? The girl from the Fang family is so uneducated. Since she doesn't welcome me, I'll just leave..."

She turned around and walked out, as if someone was chasing her from behind. When she disappeared, Sun Fuya sat down dejectedly. She said with a pale face, "I'm so sorry. I made a fool of myself in front of my sister."

Xia Li came into the room and poured her a cup of hot tea. He said in a gentle tone, "Sister-in-law, drink some tea slowly. We are all family. Why do we have to say such polite words? Not all parents in this world love their children. I understand."

Xia Li's words made Sun Fuya's nose sore, and tears fell unconsciously. She choked up and said, "My mother, I used to think she was stupid, but now it seems that she is really stupid and mean. She never cares about my situation. Fortunately, my parents love me very much, and my husband always thinks of me. Otherwise, I really can't live like this."

Xia Li had seen the difficult situation of the conflict between the mother-in-law and the daughter-in-law in the inner house. She said considerately: "It is precisely because you are living a good life that you don't have to care about what irrelevant people say. It's not worth it to ruin your mood for them."

Sun Fuya wiped her tears with a handkerchief and said helplessly:
"I didn't expect that the first person to come and try to get the perfume would be my mother. I don't know who spread the news that you made money at the auction. I'm afraid that some people with bad intentions will target you."

Xia Li took a sip of tea and said with a calm smile, "I sent someone to buy rice with the money earned from the auction and donated it to Jiaozhou Garrison. Next time someone mentions this to you, just tell them the same thing."

Sun Fuya finally smiled, and she said with emotion: "Sister is far-sighted. If this gets out, others will not only be jealous, but also praise your righteousness. As long as you have the perfume recipe, it will not hinder you from making money in the future."

Xia Li nodded slightly and said, "I thought so too. It's better not to mention this matter. It's just a few sour remarks from others. It's harmless. Why don't you see Shuo Ge'er? I even brought some candy to tease him."

Speaking of her son, Sun Fuya smiled unconsciously. She said in a gentle tone, "Mother Xu, who is beside my mother, took him away. He is now playing with my grandmother in the main courtyard."

Xia Li put the caramel in the handkerchief on the table and chuckled, "When Shuo Ge'er comes back later, sister-in-law, remember to give him a piece. I've also thought of a few shapes for glass bottles. Sister-in-law, see if you can make them."

Colored glass is expensive to begin with, and Sun Fuya's small workshop doesn't receive many orders on a normal day, so the craftsmen have very little time to spare. However, since the demand for perfume has increased, the craftsmen have become noticeably busier.

Sun Fuya took the pattern drawn by Xia Li and sighed, "This style is exquisite and small, but I'm afraid it can't hold much perfume. Will it be inconvenient to apply it?"

Xia Li shook his head and said calmly, "No, there will be a greater demand for bottles and jars like this in the future. I'm afraid my sister-in-law will have to expand the scale of the Liuli Factory and hire more capable craftsmen. It's better to let our family earn the money than to let outsiders get it for free."

At the beginning, Sun Fuya agreed to provide her sister-in-law with glass bottles free of charge. Xia Li only did not pay for the first batch. Later, as the demand increased, she insisted on paying according to the market price. Sun Fuya did not say anything, but she admired her sister-in-law's style of doing things in her heart.

She pondered for a moment and said seriously, "Since my sister said so, I will send the steward to other places to find craftsmen. We must not let anything go wrong with the perfume."

Xia Li believed in her sister-in-law's ability. She chuckled and said, "I'll trouble you to take care of this matter. I want to go to the perfume shop tomorrow to take a look. I don't know how the progress is. Are you free to accompany me tomorrow?"

Sun Fuya nodded and said, "I'm free tomorrow, so I'll go with you to take a look. If there's anything inappropriate, we can make some changes. There's always a gap between the blueprint and the real thing."

Xia Li also drew the design of the perfume shop. She had no time to take care of it recently, so Sun Fuya basically took care of it for her. Xia Li said lazily, "If it weren't for my sister-in-law's help, I really don't know what to do. Fortunately, my eldest brother married you."

Sun Fuya's lips curled up slightly, her eyes sparkling with joy, and she said in a brisk voice, "It is my blessing to marry your elder brother. By the way, I am going to ask the best embroiderer in Laizhou to embroider your wedding dress. She has seen some fashionable wedding dress patterns recently, but she doesn't like them. Do you have any ideas?"

Although the two of them did not have much emotional foundation for this marriage, Xia Li was very sincere in wanting to make it a success, so the wedding dress could not be sloppy. She said in a gentle tone:
"I'll go to the perfume shop tomorrow. I also need to pick out some embroidery thread. I plan to make this wedding dress myself, using the gold-plated embroidery technique. The pattern will be three-dimensional, beautiful and noble, and will definitely please mother."

Sun Fuya asked in confusion, "Is this golden embroidery a southern needlework technique? I've never heard of it. Sister, you can make your own wedding dress, but do you still need to find a few embroiderers to help you?"

Xia Li shook her head and smiled, "I learned Panjin embroidery from someone in Kyoto. Not many people know this needlework, and I have forgotten where it came from. There is no need to go through so much trouble. The maids in Cuihua Court are enough. If my sister-in-law and mother are worried, they can continue to find an embroiderer to sew wedding dresses. Then we can put them together and compare them. Whichever one looks better can be worn out."

Sun Fuya smiled and said, "We really need to find an embroiderer. The clothes you wear when serving tea and returning guests must be brand new from head to toe. You can't handle it all by yourself."

Xia Li really didn't think about all this. She just let her mother and sister-in-law arrange it. There was no need for her to make herself so tired.

(End of this chapter)