A leisurely life in the world of cultivation

Chapter 24 A Fleeting Visit (Please add to your favorites and recommend!)
A bright moon shines in the sky.

A distant commotion could be faintly heard; perhaps stimulated by the battle at the brothel, the men of Qingzhou City were in a frenzy.

The Li family courtyard was also bustling with activity. Xi Mei, along with Xiao Dong and Xiao Xi, played and frolicked with her two nephews, filling the courtyard with laughter and joy.

Second sister-in-law Guo glanced at Li Weizhou every now and then. When Li Weizhou looked back in surprise, she smiled and said to her parents-in-law, "Although Chang'an has always been a playboy, he actually has high standards and a proud spirit. There are not many people he finds pleasing to the eye, but I didn't expect him to get along so well with Third Brother. Now it seems that he has good taste and can see Third Brother's high character. The more I look at him, the more handsome he becomes. Just sitting there, his demeanor is not like that of someone from a humble family..."

Li Delong chuckled, and Cao sighed, "A man usually grows up in the blink of an eye. The more mischievous he is as a child, the more capable he will be as an adult."

Li Chang'an said with a wicked smile, "If Father hadn't held me back then, I would have found a few people to teach him a lesson. Luckily I didn't, otherwise I would have been beaten half to death by Father, and Sanlang would be holding a grudge now."

Li Weizhou sat with a smile, listening to them reminisce about everyday life and bygone days.

It wasn't until 9 PM that he finished his tea and got up to leave, giving a perfectly valid reason: "Xi Mei is young and needs to go to bed early."

Li Delong was naturally unhappy, and the others were also somewhat disappointed, not wanting him to leave.

Li Changping advised, "There are rooms at home, just sleep here. It's the Mid-Autumn Festival, a time for family reunion."

Li Huan and Li Rui, the two grandchildren, clung to Xi Mei and wouldn't let go.

Auntie is gone. Where will they find such delicious milk candy?
Li Weizhou glanced at his sister's lingering smile, while Cao, Guo, and Luo were all trying to persuade her to stay and sleep at home. Li Chang'an, quite drunk, impatiently retorted, "If you want to leave, then leave. Our Li family only has this one daughter; she's far more precious than you. She's suffered so much following you all these years..."

Li Changping was truly drunk, and suddenly he exclaimed in annoyance, "Why can't I have a daughter? I should really try taking a concubine..."

Li Chang'an almost spat out his tea, making faces and asking Li Weizhou to smooth things over.

Didn't you see that Mrs. Luo's face was all black?
Taking a concubine when one has no children is somewhat understandable, but if one already has a son and still wants to take a concubine, then that's truly heartless.

Li Changping was able to get by in the county government despite his lack of talent, which wasn't even that of a Xiucai (a scholar who passed the lowest level of the imperial examinations). Besides being the fourth son of the Li family, it was also because Luo's father was the Tongpan (assistant prefect) of Jingzhou Prefecture in Zhongzhou, a proper sixth-rank official.

The reason she agreed to marry the girl was because she had no other choice. She had taken a liking to Li Changping, who was going to Jingzhou to take the prefectural examination, and insisted on marrying him.

As a result, Li Changping failed the exam, but he did manage to get married.

Both emotionally and rationally, Li Changping wanted to make a good life for himself, and he couldn't afford to offend this daughter-in-law...

Li Weizhou found his older cousin's repressed passion amusing... He coughed and said to Ximei, "You stay and play for two days. I'll send a car to pick you up the day after tomorrow."

Li Chang'an laughed and scolded, "If Ximei wants to go home, we'll just send a car to take her back. Does that make you look like you have a car? Not just this time, but you have to bring my sister over to stay for a while every month from now on. Stop nagging!"

Although she was happy to be loved by everyone, Ximei still hugged her brother and was a little reluctant to part with him.

Li Weizhou patted her head and said, "I'll leave Da Hu here. Whenever you want to go home, just have Xiao Bei call him to hitch up the carriage. It's fine even if it's in the middle of the night. You can stay all night once you get used to it."

Xi Mei, understanding her brother's feelings, bravely said, "I'm not afraid, brother. Let Da Hu take you." She paused and then said seriously, "Brother, I'm not a child anymore."

Li Delong snorted, "You're not as sensible as Ximei!"

Li Weizhou smiled, took his leave, and departed.

Xi Mei insisted on seeing him off, with her two rebellious nephews on either side of her, laughing and joking. Li Chang'an followed them out.

After Li Chang'an saw the group out, Guo said to Cao, "Mother, I have a cousin on my mother's side who is even prettier than me..."

Cao couldn't help but laugh and said, "Aren't you ashamed? How good-looking are you?"

The family laughed, and Madam Guo chuckled for a while before continuing, "She's really good. Although she comes from a humble background, she has a good temperament and is skilled at needlework. Sanlang is sixteen this year, old enough to be married. If you're willing, I'll go back tomorrow and bring her to you for your approval."

Cao smiled and said, "It seems you really like this younger brother-in-law..." As she spoke, she looked at Li Delong.

Li Delong sighed and looked at the bright moon in the sky, saying, "Have you forgotten? When the second brother was alive, a marriage was already arranged."

Cao frowned and thought for a moment, but then hesitated and said, "So many years have passed, I don't know if they still recognize us..."

Li Delong waved his hand and said, "Let's not talk about that for now. This kid doesn't seem to be in a hurry to get married. He's very determined."

If it weren't for the fact that the youngest son had become successful in Shenjing, this marriage might not be a bad idea.

But now that his youngest son, Li Changning, has achieved great success, Li Weizhou's marriage cannot be arranged casually.

They are not of ordinary social standing and are not worthy of him.

Old Li kept making excuses, and his two daughters-in-law, not being stupid, immediately fell silent.

She knew in her heart that if Li Changning had become successful a few years earlier, they probably wouldn't even be considered by the Li family.

Guo was alright; she was tactful and wouldn't show her dissatisfaction.

Born into a scholarly family, Luo was a talented young woman from childhood, proud and arrogant. She couldn't stand such treatment and said indifferently, "There are rumors outside that Sanlang has an affair with the madam of Zuixianglou. It's very unpleasant." Li Delong suddenly sobered up and said seriously, "Eldest daughter, Qi Erniang of Zuixianglou is not just a brothel madam. She has deep roots and powerful connections. Don't even mention our family, or your family, or anyone in Jinzhou Prefecture, they're nothing in front of her. Don't say such things again. If word gets out and she comes knocking on your door, you'll be the one who loses face." His tone was already very impolite.

Luo was just venting her anger; the social norms of this world wouldn't allow her to be so presumptuous in front of her in-laws. She quickly explained, "Father, I just heard... and I'm afraid of what others will say."

Li Delong said coldly, "A person who gossips like this is simply not at this level yet. Such a person is not worth associating with for the Li family."

Mrs. Cao quickly gave her husband a meaningful look; after all, she was her daughter-in-law, and they needed to save face for her…

Just as Li Delong was about to smooth things over, he suddenly heard Li Chang'an's joyful shout from the front: "Father! Mother! Come quick and see who's back!!"

With such a commotion, Li Delong could easily guess what was going on. He stood up abruptly and hurried out with Cao Shi.

Luo and Guo, forgetting their earlier quarrel, hurriedly followed him out.

They knew all too well who the Li family was now, and who their sons could rely on in the future.

The rest are just minor details; if you don't care about them, so be it...

……

"Father, Mother."

In the courtyard, standing alongside Li Chang'an was a young man dressed in a moon-white robe, with a sword strapped to his back. Under the bright moonlight, he exuded an indescribable air of elegance and nobility.

Upon seeing Mr. and Mrs. Li Delong, they stepped forward, knelt down, and offered their greetings.

Three other people followed behind him, all of whom possessed extraordinary auras.

At this moment, Cao Shi could not remember anything else. She cried out "My son!" and rushed forward to hug him. Her boundless maternal love was touching.

Li Delong excitedly exclaimed, "Good! Good! It's good that you're back! It's good that you're home!" He then advised Cao Shi, "Let Silang get up first. We have distinguished guests who have all returned with Silang. We must not be impolite." She didn't want to embarrass her son.

Upon hearing this, Madam Cao hurriedly stood up, but she refused to let go of Li Changning, the fourth son of the Li family, and stood up with him. Her gaze was fixed on her son and she wouldn't look away for even a moment.

However, she had a vague feeling that something was wrong. Apart from his eyes not being very similar to Li Weizhou's, the youngest son looked exactly the same as Li Weizhou. They looked more like brothers.

Li Chang'an quickly introduced them to Li Changning: "Fourth brother, this is your eldest sister-in-law... You recognize your eldest sister-in-law. This is your second sister-in-law! Do you recognize this one?"

As he spoke, he beckoned Ximei to come closer and asked her.

Li Changning looked at Ximei and said softly, "This is... Ximei? You've grown up!" He paused, his bright eyes suddenly narrowed, and he asked, "Where is your brother? Where is Third Brother now?"

His gaze swept across Li Delong and the others.

Li Delong laughed heartily, "You're still worried about your third brother? Don't worry, he just left." He then said to Li Chang'an, "He probably hasn't gone far. Go and catch him!"

Just as Li Chang'an was about to make a move, Li Changning stopped him again, saying, "Next time, I have important business to attend to and must leave immediately. This time I came back with personal matters in mind, which is inappropriate."

Seeing Cao's panicked tears streaming down her face, Li Changning quickly comforted her, "Mother, I will come back after I finish my business. I will have more time then, so I will stay a couple more days to show my filial piety."

One of the three men stepped forward; he was very handsome, but his words surprised the whole family: "Ah Ning, staying overnight is no problem."

It was a female voice!

Moreover, the intimacy in their words makes it hard not to overthink things...

Li Changning didn't even introduce them. He simply shook his head, lifted the front of his long robe, knelt down before his parents, and said, "Father and Mother, your son is unfilial. I must go on official business first. I will come back to pay my respects to you after I have accomplished my mission."

After saying this, he stood up, nodded to his relatives, and then turned and left in a hurry with his men.

Everything seemed like a dream.

But such a hurried coming and going always makes one feel...

However, soon, under the guidance of Guo and others, Cao, who was still in tears, began to guess the identity of the pretty girl who seemed to like Silang.

Oh my, could it be that good news is on the horizon?
Li Changping also grinned foolishly...

However, Li Delong and his son Li Chang'an exchanged glances, their eyes filled with a sense of seriousness.

I always felt that Li Changning's coming and going in such a hurry, and the fact that he came back to kowtow at such a tense time, was it because this official business trip was very dangerous?
Why do I feel so uneasy...?

……

(End of this chapter)