Exile with Storage Space: Family Fortunes in the Barren Lands Chapter 246 - 0242: Reward of 1,000 Taels (2)

The woman was of dium height, with cheeks that appeared gaunt and pale, and lifeless phoenix eyes trying hard to stay open.

She wore a lilac-colored narrow-sleeved top, paired with a white pleated skirt embroidered with crabapple flowers. On her head, she wore a simple pearl headpiece, and her face was lightly powdered, yet it could not conceal her weary expression.

She was the most esteed woman in the county, receiving a salary from the court, but she exhibited not a trace of an official’s wife’s deanor. Had it not been for the two governnt officials in soldier uniforms accompanying her, others might have mistaken her for the wife of a scholar from a literary family.

Supporting her was a middle-aged maid, who repeatedly cautioned, "Madam, mind the threshold underfoot."

Behind the woman, there were two tall governnt officials and a maid in green carrying an umbrella.

Mu Yuanxiu introduced to Li Yuzhu and Li Xing’an, who had co to open the door, "This is Lady Li, the County Magistrate’s Wife."

Li Yuzhu and Li Xing’an, accustod to seeing notable figures, were not shocked or afraid by the County Magistrate’s Wife’s visit.

They graciously bowed, "Greetings, County Magistrate’s Wife."

Mu Yuanxiu began another round of introductions for the County Magistrate’s Wife, "This is the third daughter of the Li Family, Li Yuzhu, and the third son, Li Xing’an."

The County Magistrate’s Wife smiled faintly and raised her hand slightly towards them, "Please rise, I’ve heard my son has been well cared for at your residence and I ca specifically to express my gratitude."

Li Yuzhu and Li Xing’an, pretending to be ignorant, glanced at each other and then looked at the County Magistrate’s Wife with bewildernt, "Your son... Your esteed son?"

"He is Li Lixing, the one you rescued," Mu Yuanxiu said.

Li Xing’an widened his eyes, feigning surprise, "Oh my, he... he is actually your son? If I have been disrespectful to the young master in any way, I beg your forgiveness, Madam."

He quickly lowered his head, looking very anxious.

Li Yuzhu also lowered her head.

However, the County Magistrate’s Wife shook her head gently and said kindly, "He is indeed naughty. I don’t mind if you are stern with him."

"I wouldn’t dare, wouldn’t dare," Li Xing’an said, still looking apprehensive.

Li Yuzhu made an inviting gesture to the County Magistrate’s Wife, "Madam, please co in. Your son is in the North Courtyard Main House with my father. My father recently accepted a new student, and your son, having nothing else to do, follows my father to learn so characters."

Actually, he was being used by Prince Luling as a book boy, punished to learn discipline.

But Prince Luling, being a serious man, would also teach Li Lixing a few words, draw so flowers, and sketch a few birds when he saw him standing idle.

Li Lixing, fearing being chased away by the Li Family, although unwilling to learn, still obediently studied.

Fortunately, Prince Luling himself was a three-days-fishing, two-days-drying-the-net kind of person. After teaching for half a day, he would leave to do sothing else.

Thus, Li Lixing lived quite comfortably at the Li Family.

He went fishing with Li Xing’an, dug dicinal herbs with Li Yuzhu, and even accompanied the Second Princess to the market one day.

In his free ti, Li Lixing also played hopscotch and marbles with Li Jing in the courtyard.

This was taught to them by Li Yuzhu.

The County Magistrate’s Wife knew well her son’s tendencies. He had driven away seven wet nurses, infuriated eight teachers, and once threw his father’s gavel into a well.

He had also dressed up as a ghost to scare guests.

He had committed a load of mischievous deeds, and if the Li Family praised him as obedient, it was likely to comfort her.

As long as her son was safe, that would suffice. The County Magistrate’s Wife rely smiled gently as she listened to Li Yuzhu narrate Li Lixing’s circumstances, without saying more.

Li Yuzhu accompanied the County Magistrate’s Wife as they walked ahead.

Li Xing’an intentionally slowed down his steps and moved to Mu Yuanxiu’s side.

He asked Mu Yuanxiu in a low voice, "Did you invite the County Magistrate’s Wife?"

"Yesterday morning, I sent a ssage through a familiar face at the county governnt office, who should have imdiately notified the County Magistrate’s Wife. Now that Li Lixing is mostly obedient, it’s appropriate to have the County Magistrate’s Wife co to take him ho," Mu Yuanxiu whispered back, "Your family is about to hold a wedding feast, it’s not good to have outsiders staying at your house for long."

"The reward money will still be split as per usual," Li Xing’an squinted slightly, then whispered again, "The boy only stayed at your house for one night but stayed at mine for several days. My family had a hard ti watching over him; we deserve more reward money."

Mu Yuanxiu smiled slightly, "Alright, seventy for you, thirty for ."

This... is settled just like that?

Li Xing’an was quite surprised.

.

Li Yuzhu led the County Magistrate’s Wife to the North Courtyard Main House in the rear residence.

At this mont, Pei Shenyan hadn’t yet left, sitting inside the house, chatting idly with Prince Luling while bidding farewell.

Li Lixing sat nearby, listening to their conversation.

Li Yuzhu walked up the stairs and loudly announced, "Father, the County Magistrate’s Wife is here."

Prince Luling had anticipated that soone from the county governnt would eventually co, but did not expect it would be the County Magistrate’s Wife herself.

Currently without status, the County Magistrate’s Wife held a much higher position than he did.

Thus, he felt compelled to rise and greet her.

Prince Luling lightly coughed, stood up, walked to the door, and saluted with cupped hands, "I was unaware of the County Magistrate’s Wife’s visit to my humble abode and failed to et you sooner, please forgive ."

Pei Shenyan, upon hearing of the County Magistrate’s Wife’s arrival, was also quite surprised, wondering how the Li Family ca to know her.

He followed suit, stepped forward, and bowed, "I, a humble scholar, greet the County Magistrate’s Wife."

Li Lixing saw his mother coming and his little face turned long.

Prince Luling, wanting to show himself as having taught his children well, glanced at Li Lixing, lightly coughed and gave him a look.

Li Lixing imdiately ca to his senses, stepped forward, and respectfully cupped his hands in a salute, "Mother, you’ve co?"

Mother?

Pei Shenyan was surprised, this mischievous boy was actually the son of the county magistrate?

Prince Luling also feigned surprise as he looked at the county magistrate’s wife.

Li Yuzhu said to everyone, "The county magistrate’s wife is here to see her son, who happens to be Young Master Li Lixing staying in our ho."

Prince Luling made an ’oh’ sound, pretending he had just realized, and cupped his hands towards Li Lixing, "Young Master Li."

Li Lixing felt embarrassed, stepped forward to support Prince Luling, "Mr. Li... Mr. Li, no need for such courtesy."

The county magistrate’s wife’s eyes were filled with surprise, looking at her son as if he were a stranger.

It had only been a few days, how had her son beco so courteous and well-mannered?

Moreover, he seed to be living well here; his little face was rounder, and his cheeks were much rosier.

Her heart was very comforted, so she smiled and nodded towards Prince Luling, "Landlord Li, please rise." She then looked at Pei Shenyan, "Young Master, please rise."

"Thank you, madam." Prince Luling stood up.

Pei Shenyan also saluted back and stood up.

The county magistrate’s wife sat at the head seat, glanced at Li Lixing, and sighed to Prince Luling, "My child is rebellious and has imposed on Landlord Li’s family for days. I truly feel guilty. Here is a small token, please don’t mind."

She nodded towards a maidservant who accompanied her, "Aunt Tian, bring out the items."

"Yes, madam." Aunt Tian took a stack of money from a pouch at her waist and handed it to the county magistrate’s wife.

The county magistrate’s wife then held it out to Prince Luling.

She smiled and said, "The lord once said, whoever finds my son and treats him kindly will be rewarded a thousand taels."

Standing outside the door, Li Xing’an’s eyes went wide.

He rubbed his hands in glee.

He thought it would only be eight hundred, but it was a thousand.

Does that an his family was now the wealthiest on Niu Tou Mountain?

Had wealth finally surpassed Mu Yuanxiu?

He raised his chin proudly at Mu Yuanxiu, who was standing beside him.

Mu Yuanxiu secretly twitched the corner of his mouth.

Inside, Prince Luling politely said, "Madam, this was just a small task, there’s no need for such courtesy."

As he spoke, he pushed the silver note away.

The county magistrate’s wife insisted on giving it, but he persistently refused.

Li Xing’an, "..." He wanted to smack his father, has he gone mad?

Not accepting a thousand taels of silver?

He still thought he was a prince, with tens of thousands of taels stored at ho!

Old fool!

Li Yuzhu, standing beside the county magistrate’s wife, was also speechless at Prince Luling’s politeness.

She then said, "Father, if you don’t accept it, Madam will find it hard to explain. This is what Lord County Magistrate wishes."

The county magistrate’s wife also said, "Yes, yes, this is as the lord wishes, Landlord Li, you must accept it."

Prince Luling had no choice but to accept it, "Then it would be impolite to decline." He nodded to Li Yuzhu, suggesting she put it away.

Li Yuzhu smiled as she stowed it into her shoulder bag.

This small book-sized slanted shoulder cloth bag was always with her; it was her treasure chest, with an inexhaustible supply of dicines within.

The county magistrate’s wife chatted idly for a while and then got up to say goodbye.

Prince Luling called Li Yuzhu and Li Xing’an to see off the county magistrate’s wife.

The princely heir and Princess Consort Luling did not appear; Prince Luling still wanted to keep up appearances, thinking it sufficient for his younger daughter and son to see off the guests, without needing more people.

Li Lixing, dejected, was escorted by two governnt officials on either side, following everyone as they walked.

The county magistrate’s wife praised the scenery of the residence and praised the looks of Li Yuzhu and Li Xing’an as she walked.

"Not at all, not at all." Prince Luling humbly responded.

But as they walked, the county magistrate’s wife’s pace slowly slowed down, and her face grew increasingly pale.

Before reaching the door of the residence, she was already unable to walk, with one hand resting on the maid’s arm and the other covering her stomach, her body gradually crouching down.

Cold sweat was beading on her forehead.