Chapter 356 - Chapter 356: Good Days
Chapter 356: Good Days
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
That was right! When Li Mei thought about how Laidi did not even care about her biological mother and father who had given birth to and raised her, she could not help but feel sad. She suddenly realized why everyone in the world loved their sons. It was really a different feeling to receive a person and send one away through marriage.
Seeing Li Mei’s sad expression, Li Qing held her hand worriedly. “Aunt, don’t be sad. We’ll take care of her.”
Li Mei looked at Li Qing and shook her head. “I’m not sad. I mean, I don’t want you to help that Li guy anymore. You also said that the general examination is much more difficult. Can he get into the imperial examination just because he’s last? I think he’s made up his mind to rely on you and Yu’er to climb up. I think he can rely on you and Young Master to climb up here. If he goes too far, I’m afraid he’ll implicate you,” Li Mei said seriously to Li Qing.
Li Qing felt that Li Mei made sense. “I’ll write to Sister and Brother-in-law and tell them what you mean.”
Seeing that Li Qing understood, Li Mei was relieved. “Alright, it’s the main banquet tomorrow. The owners of those shops and the country squires came to congratulate you on the day the good news came. Aunt still has to go and watch over them. Go and rest too!”
On the day of the main banquet, Li Fengqi’s house at the foot of the mountain outside the town was also filled with guests. Zhu Zhencheng and a group of country squires also sent congratulatory gifts. Even the relatives and friends of the Li family, who had not been around for many years, came to congratulate them. Li Fengqi saw this and thought about how glorious Li Qing would be on this day in Phoenix Village.
The Li family in Phoenix Village was filled with guests. Even the General’s Mansion and the Tongzhou magistrate despatched stewards to send congratulatory gifts. The officials of the government office also sent gifts to congratulate him. Zhu Zhencheng had come to the Li family early in the morning to help greet the guests. Seeing that these high-ranking officials of the government office had sent people to congratulate him, he was so happy that it was as if these people were here to congratulate him.
After the banquet ended, Li Qing, who reeked of alcohol, sent away his relatives and friends who had come to congratulate him. Manager Yue of the Four Seas Bank said to Li Qing with a smile, ” Top Scorer, before the head shopkeeper left, he instructed that Top Scorer will go to the capital to participate in the examination next year. September 19th is an auspicious day to travel. Someone from the bank is going to the capital. Please go with him.”
Li Qing smiled and cupped his hands in thanks. “Thank you, Steward Yue. Sorry to trouble you on the way.”
“You’re too polite.” Steward Yue looked at Li Qing happily. “I didn’t expect you to get first place. I wish you the best in high school.”
Li Qing smiled humbly and said, “I was lucky to obtain the top ranking this time. Next year, there will be a gathering of heroes in the capital. I’ll be satisfied if I can be ranked among the vouths.”
Manager Yue looked at the humble and polite Li Qing and secretly felt that it was a pity that his family background was not worthy of such a son-in-law.
After Li Qing sent off the guests who had come to give their congratulatory gifts, he returned to the house and told Li Mei and Liu Changmin about going to the capital with the Four Seas Bank on September 19th.
Li Mei nodded and said, “I’m much more relieved that you are able to go to the capital with the people from the bank. Don’t worry and go to the capital for your examination. Your uncle, Uncle Zhou, and I will help take care of the family matters. Look, you smell of alcohol. Go wash up and sleep first!” Li Qing looked at Li Mei and her husband and smiled foolishly. “Thank you.”
Liu Changmin patted Li Qing happily. “Silly kid, go quickly!”
Li Qing had just walked to the corner outside the house when he was grabbed by Laidi. “Ah Qing, are you going to the capital for the examination? Does Fengqi know? Have you asked Fengqi? Aren’t you going to wait for Fengqi?”
Li Qing listened to Li Fengqi’s every word and glanced indifferently at Laidi, who was lost in love. “Cousin, I don’t remember you congratulating me, right? Also, I remember that Li Fengqi only got someone to send a congratulatory gift after he returned. He hasn’t come to see you and Aunt, right?”
“I…” Laidi was tongue-tied by Li Qing’s question. Under Li Qing’s reproachful gaze, she smiled awkwardly. “Look, I forgot that I haven’t congratulated you! It’s all my mother’s fault for locking me in the house and making me so angry.
Ah Qing, don’t be angry with Cousin. I’ll apologize to you. Don’t be angry with Fengqi. His family doesn’t have many people. Many guests might have gone to his house. He’ll come after two days.”
Li Qing could not understand what magic love had to make a woman who was originally shrewish and agile become obsessed with someone as if she had been bewitched. Li Qing looked at Laidi with pity. “Cousin, if Li Fengqi has you in his eyes, he should be thinking for you in every way like how you are. He should be thinking of sharing what he’s proud of with you, but how did he do it? Li Fengqi should have his own considerations about going to the capital for the examination. You don’t have to worry about him.”
Laidi looked at Li Qing and revealed a look of realization. She tugged at Li
Qing’s sleeve angrily. “Ah Qing, so you’re the same as my parents. Do you think
I should find a businessman or a countryside man to marry? Do you also think
I shouldn’t find a scholar like Fengqi?”
Li Qing looked at Laidi’s sarcastic expression and sighed. “Aunt and Uncle never thought that you shouldn’t find a scholar to marry. We felt that you should find a man who reciprocates your feelings. Even if he can’t do it like you, he should give you the corresponding respect and repayment. He shouldn’t wait for you to bring it to him and hand it over with both hands like this and think that you’ve insulted him.”
Laidi pulled Li Qing’s sleeve and smiled ingratiatingly. “Ah Qing, you’re now the Top Scorer. I can’t win against you. I only hope that you can help us out on account of our relationship as cousins. I’ll be grateful if you can.”
Li Qing was a little speechless when he saw Laidi fawning over him. It felt like he had said so much and it was all a waste of effort. Li Qing pulled his sleeve out of Laidi’s hand. “Cousin, I’m very tired and want to rest.”
Laidi watched Li Qing enter the bathroom and stand there for a while before walking back dejectedly. Li Mei stood at the door of the central room and kept sighing and shaking her head.
Two days later, Li Fengqi arrived at Phoenix Village with a few gift boxes. Li Mei and Liu Changmin received him politely. Li Fengqi bowed to the two of them. “Uncle, Aunt, now that I have the ability to support my family, I want to ask the two of you to allow Laidi and me to get married as soon as possible.”
Li Mei said readily, “Sure! If you hire someone to look at the auspicious days and get the matchmaker to come and invite us, we’ll agree.”
“Thank you, Uncle and Auntie.” Li Fengqi blushed. “My grandmother hired a matchmaker to choose a date on the eighth of next month. I wonder what you think?”
“The eighth of next month is a good day. What do you think?” Li Mei looked at Liu Changmin and said.
Liu Changmin also turned cold to Laidi and replied happily, “Alright, just get
the matchmaker to settle the invite.”
“Thank you, two elders.” Li Fengqi blushed and looked at Liu Changmin.
“Uncle, Auntie, can I see Laidi?”
“If you want to see her, so be it! I’ll call her over for you now.” Li Mei agreed readily and stood up to leave.
Li Fengqi watched Li Mei walk out and felt that Li Mei and her husband were easier to talk to than before. He thought that it was because he had been promoted to High Scholar. He felt a little smug..