Exile with Storage Space: Family Fortunes in the Barren Lands Chapter 295 - 288 Establishing an Image (2)

Li Yuzhu turned around and said with a smile, "An ancient dical book? Of course, I want to see it."

Mu Yuanxiu smiled and said, "Co find after you return from the Sang house. You’re heading out now, so you don’t have ti to read it."

Li Yuzhu smiled, "Alright."

She went back to her room.

Li Xing’an and Mu Yuanxiu continued walking forward; their rooms were in another area.

Li Xing’an glanced at Mu Yuanxiu, then glanced again, "Wow, Mu Yuanxiu, you’re impressive. How did you get your hands on an ancient dical book? Just how ancient is it?"

"It was written by a dical God over six hundred years ago," Mu Yuanxiu said.

Li Xing’an gasped, well now, his third sister would completely admire Mu Yuanxiu.

Seeing Li Xing’an with a long face, Mu Yuanxiu curiously asked, "Third Brother Li, what’s wrong? Is sothing bothering you?"

"Oh, I also want to find a book for my third sister, but I don’t know where to look," Li Xing’an frowned.

Mu Yuanxiu smiled slightly, "Aren’t you going to accompany Yu Zhu to the Sang house? Let take care of the troubleso task of finding a book."

Li Xing’an glanced at him, feeling even more displeased inside.

You go? If you find the book, Li Yuzhu will think her third brother is even more of a loser.

But there’s no other way, he can’t be in two places at once.

Li Xing’an laughed drily and patted Mu Yuanxiu’s shoulder, "Then it’s up to you."

"It’s alright, it’s not too much trouble," Mu Yuanxiu smiled.

Li Xing’an, "..." That made him feel like a complete loser.

.

Li Yuzhu changed into slightly newer clothes, with Aunt Tian’s help, had her hair redone, and wore a pearl flower given by the County Magistrate’s Wife, along with a pair of new earrings.

Aunt Tian praised that this look was prettier than any before.

Li Yuzhu smiled and said, "It’s because Aunt Tian did a good job with the hair."

It made Aunt Tian smile brightly.

Li Xing’an also changed into a new long robe.

Li Lixing didn’t need to change; he dressed handsoly every day, seemingly with the intent to show off his appearance in front of Mu Yuanxiu and Li Xing’an.

But this ti, the two stood united, completely ignoring Li Lixing’s flaunting.

No matter how handso, he was still just a little kid, which was their shared opinion.

Without receiving praise from Li Xing’an and Mu Yuanxiu, Li Lixing felt a bit frustrated.

But Li Yuzhu nodded in appreciation, "You look even better dressed today than yesterday, better than the eldest son of Mrs. Sang too."

Li Lixing was planning to outshine the Sang family’s kids, and Li Yuzhu’s complint made him very happy, "Really?"

"Of course, my judgnt has always been good," Li Yuzhu nodded.

"Great, hehe, I want to outshine Sang Wenshun," Li Lixing got conceited again from the praise.

The County Magistrate arranged for a governnt official to drive a carriage and take the three of them to the Sang Mansion.

The town wasn’t big, and the carriage ride took a quarter of an hour.

The Sang family received a note from the County Magistrate’s Wife yesterday, and when the three arrived at the mansion, the door was wide open, with the housekeeper lady and two senior maids waiting to greet them.

"Our madam had us waiting here early," the housekeeper lady said with a smile.

As she spoke, she paid attention to Li Lixing’s behavior.

In the town, anyone who had dealings with the county magistrate’s family knew the County Magistrate’s Wife was unfortunate, having only one son who was nothing but a troublemaker.

He didn’t study, didn’t learn martial arts, nor any manners. Today he would hit the maid, tomorrow the nanny, the day after the teacher.

He turned the mansion upside down, and everyone disliked Li Lixing.

Soone learned that the county magistrate valued his academic abilities and wanted him to teach Li Lixing as a tutor, it scared him to move out overnight.

Why? Because Li Lixing loved to hit people, and the County Magistrate protected him; who could endure that?

The housekeeper lady watched Li Lixing swagger with hands behind as he walked, discreetly curling her lips in ridicule.

This son of the county magistrate would surely be embarrassed today.

After the carriage stopped, the Sang family servants ca to tend to the carriage.

The governnt official carried the gift for the visit and walked behind Li Lixing, Li Yuzhu, and Li Xing’an. Everyone followed the steward’s wife from the Sang family to the inner courtyard.

Li Yuzhu initially thought that the Sang family would only invite Li Lixing, but to her surprise, there were quite a few people in the back garden.

Mrs. Sang and three noblewon, accompanied by their juniors, were having tea and chatting leisurely at the cool pavilion in the inner courtyard.

A dozen or so children, ranging from four or five to twelve or thirteen years old, sat around them, laughing and chatting rrily.

The atmosphere was very lively.

Following the County Magistrate’s Wife’s instructions, Li Lixing stepped forward and cupped his hands to greet the noble ladies, "Greetings, ladies."

The ladies all nodded in return.

After looking at Li Lixing, their eyes turned to Li Xing’an and Li Yuzhu.

Their gazes beca surprised because none of the dozen children here looked as attractive as these two. It was said that the county magistrate’s child was good-looking, but standing next to Li Lixing, it was obvious that these two outshone him.

Li Lixing looked like a follower, while this tall young man appeared more like a wealthy young master.

As for this little girl, she not only looked lively but also seed very intelligent.

Mrs. Sang smiled, "Lixing, co, co, sit here."

She and the County Magistrate’s Wife were childhood friends and always called Li Lixing by his na.

Li Lixing said, "Mrs. Sang, I brought two friends with . I hope you don’t mind?"

Mrs. Sang laughed, "How could I mind Miss Li and her brother joining us? I’m certainly pleased to have them here." She then smiled and told Li Yuzhu and Li Xing’an not to be reserved and to sit freely.

Li Yuzhu and Li Xing’an did not sit down carelessly. They stayed by Li Lixing’s side and only sat after he did.

In every manner, there was not the slightest impropriety.

The won were even more astonished. Weren’t they told that Li Lixing did not understand etiquette at all? But today, his behavior was impeccable.

After sitting down, Mrs. Sang began speaking about Li Lixing, "Lixing, yesterday, in front of your mother, I couldn’t say much, for fear of upsetting her while she is still ill. But today, since she’s not here, I have to speak frankly."

Li Lixing cupped his hands to her, "Mrs. Sang is an old friend of my mother, so Lixing is like a nephew to her. I will listen carefully to whatever you have to say."

His expression was humble, astonishing the won even more.

Mrs. Sang sighed, "Oh, it’s nothing much, really. I just wanted to remind you, next ti, don’t run away from ho. Adults worry so much, your mother even fell ill because of you."

Li Yuzhu raised an eyebrow. No wonder the County Magistrate didn’t publicly ntion Li Lixing running away from ho. If it spread, Li Lixing would be labeled as unfilial.

In ancient tis, filial piety was highly regarded. If one was labeled unfilial from a young age, they wouldn’t even be able to beco an official when they grew up.

Mrs. Sang’s straightforwardness made Li Lixing’s face turn dark with anger.

He was upset but didn’t know how to respond because he indeed had run away from ho, yet he didn’t want outsiders knowing about it.

Li Yuzhu saw his predicant and imdiately corrected, "Mrs. Sang, you’re mistaken. Mr. Li Xing did not run away from ho, he was worried about the County Magistrate’s Wife’s health and went to the countryside seeking a doctor."

She also realized that Mrs. Sang and the County Magistrate’s Wife had a superficial friendship.

Since Mrs. Sang wasn’t helping to maintain the County Magistrate’s wife’s and her son’s image, she would do it.

Before leaving, the County Magistrate’s Wife had specifically instructed her to look after Li Lixing’s reputation, and she intended to keep her promise.

After she spoke, Mrs. Sang’s face turned quite unpleasant.

One woman was surprised, "Oh? So Mr. Li was looking for a doctor? Young lady, how do you know?"

Li Lixing imdiately understood what Li Yuzhu was doing and continued along with her words, "Because she is the doctor who healed my mother."

Li Xing’an also added, "My sister originally didn’t want to co to the county town because it was too far. Mr. Li worked as a laborer at our house for several days to persuade her."

One of the won discontentedly asked Mrs. Sang, "Mrs. Sang, this young lady is the divine doctor who cured the County Magistrate’s wife. Why didn’t you tell us earlier? I’ve been looking for her."

Mrs. Sang’s face beca even more unpleasant. Why should she say anything?

Once these people recovered from illness, each of them would be doing better than her!

"Oh, I just didn’t pay attention at the ti. When I see Lixing, I get so fond of him that I forget to ntion other things. Look at this brain of mine, having too many children makes one forgetful. If I had fewer kids, I’d have a mory as good as yours," Mrs. Sang apologized with a smile.

Among the won present, Mrs. Sang was notably prolific, having three sons and two daughters.

Among the other won, one had three children, while the other two had only two each.

Mrs. Sang had five children, and among the won in the entire county town, few could compare to her fertility.

In ancient tis, when survival rates were low, won who could give birth and raise many children were respected as capable won and highly esteed by the governnt. Those who gave birth to five or more children could receive a certain amount of subsidy money from the governnt office during festivals.

Mrs. Sang was wealthy and didn’t care for the annual subsidy of a few taels of silver from the governnt office.

However, every ti there was a festival, and an official brought a red lacquered gift box to her ho, she was quite delighted and often took pride in it.