Li Shinian who was exceptionally intelligent, walked over to pull Li Muyangâs hand, smiling, âBrother, I am joking with Mother. Our parents have me to take care of them, you donât have to worry and work hard in your studying and cultivation. When youâre away, it was me who got up early in the morning everyday to cook porridge. Isnât that right mother?â
Luo Qi affectionately stroked Li Shinianâs head, âYour sister is extremely thoughtful. My health wasnât good and she has been taking care of me. Washing, laundry, cooking, making congee and soup, all these things were done by herââShinian has grown up, she has been sharing my worries and burdens. You donât need to worry about us.â
âMotherâââ Li Muyang wanted to persuade her. He really did not want to see his parents suffer hardship because of him.
âMuyang, itâs decided.â Luo Qi supported Zhaihua and Chuyao up from the ground and said with a smile: âGirls, I understand your kind intention. But weâve been used to it for years, we can take care of ourselves. How about this, when Muyang is here, you will take care of him for me. When Muyang has gone to Starry Sky to study, I will be equally grateful to you for making him sets of clothes for the four seasonsâââ
âYes.â Zhaihua and Chuyao bowed in reply.
Seeing that his Mother had made up her mind, Li Muyang knew it would be no use no matter what he says. Without any better option he turn to say to Zhaihua and Chuyao, âGo back to rest. I will be living here for the time being.â
âYes, Young master.â The two girls responded at the same time. âWe have washed Young masterâs clothes, if there is anything you need you can order us at any time.â
âThere isnât anything else now.â
After sending off the two servants, Li Shinian studied Li Muyangâs face with a grin on hers, as she said âBrother, do you feel very proud?â
âProud of what?â Li Muyang pretended to be puzzled.
âHehe, the little black charcoal back then now has four pretty servants to serve him, and they keep sweetly and softly address you as Young master, do you feel your body light like youâre walking on clouds?â
âYouâre wrong.â Li Muyang said sternly.
âWhat am I wrong with?â
âI actually have five pretty servant girls.â Li Muyang said with a serious face. âIn addition to Zhaihua, Chuyao, Tingxue and Xiyu, there is another senior servant Jingâer, who is said to be Aunt Gongsunâs personal servant, but she specially sent her over to help me manage the work aroundâââ
âLi Muyangâââ Li Shinian dashed over to catch and beat up the Li Muyang who was deliberately showing off.
Luo Qi and Li Yan exchanged a glance with each other; the husband and wife were both happy and worried.
Happy because the close sibling relationship between Li Muyang and Li Shinian had not changed in the slightest bit after a long time.
Worried because given the Lu familyâs current treatment towards Li Muyang, giving him beautiful clothes and pretty servants, and also Grandfather Lu had personally invited him over for a chatââthey were not sure whether or not they could keep their son forever?
The next day early in the morning, Luo Qi got up to make noodles for her children, when she heard a knock from the outside.
A look of puzzlement crossed Luo Qiâs face, thinking who would come so early in the morning?
She opened the door to see Gongsun Yu standing in the snow wearing a white mink outerwear and woolen hat.
Luo Qi was startled. âMiss, its so cold, why did you get up at this time? Is there something urgent?â
âNothing.â Gongsun Yu somewhat did not dare look at Luo Qi in the eye, explaining in a low voice. âLast night there was heavy snow, and Tiandu is getting colder, I am worried the two children would be freezing cold, so I came over to give them two outerwearâââ
Luo Qi cast a glance behind Gongsun Yu, where, as expected, stood two servants carrying a tray each.
Her heart felt slightly sour, but she still forced a smile, grasped Gongsun Yuâs hand, and said: âThank you Miss for the gifts, you are spoiling these two children too much. Come inside to warm yourself up, your hands are freezing cold.â
Gongsun Yu very much wanted to go in. Ever since her son had returned, she almost hasnât been sleeping well. When she opened her eyes she wanted to see her son, and when she saw his son she thought of what she wanted to give to her son.
However, she must not let outsiders notice the relationship between their family and Li Muyangââthis sort of life really was torture for her.
However, she still rationally declined.
Grasping Luo Qiâs hand, she looked at her and said, âI just came to see, nothingââI wonât go in. ItâsââI have to trouble you.â
After that, she loosened her grip on Luo Qiâs hand and turned around to the front courtyard.
Luo Qi received the cloaks that the two servants brought up to her, gazed at Gongsun Yuâs rear distant figure and stood for a long while in silence.
When Li Muyang and Li Shinian woke up, Luo Qi had already prepared a family meal.
Luo Qi handed a black cloak to Li Muyang and the other red cloak to Li Shinian.
âMother, why buy us such expensive clothes?â Li Shinian at once draped the cloak over her, the furry hat accentuating her delicate and beautiful little face. Li Shinianâs cloak was red, but Li Shinianâs cheeks were more beautiful than this red colour.
âThey are from your Aunt Yu.â Luo Qi said softy, looking very busy.
âThey really are too polite.â Li Muyang let out a sigh.
âI have saved Uncle Lu, but there is still no need to repeatedly give us gifts.
Li Muyang wrapped the black outerwear around his body, immediately feeling a cosy warmth.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om
âThis is the fur of a Fire fox?â Li Muyang exclaimed.
âFire fox? What is a Fire fox?â Li Shinian asked.
âI heard that there is a species of fox that lives in the Lava Valley, there are white ones, black and also redââThere are many red ones and the black is the rarest. It is said that fire qi builds up inside their fur from being polished by the flames and lava over the years. Their fur makes excellent clothing for the cold winter.â
âSo magicalâ Li Shinianâs eyes widened. âThen these two pieces of clothes must be worth a lot of money?â
âItâs a lot of money. Only the Lu family would be so generous, if you counted on your parentsââthen most likely you will never be wearing such good clothes.â Luo Qi said with a rather jealous tone of voice. The Lu family had been treating her children really well, but why did sheââfeel so upset about it?
Li Shinian hurriedly took off the cloak, draping it over Luo Qiâs body, smiled and said, âI think this cloak looks the best on Mother. Brother, donât you think so?â
âIndeed.â Li Muyang aslo took off the black cloak. âFather often works night shifts, it is bitterly cold at night, he might not be able to withstand. I will give him this cloak to keep warm at night.â
âSilly childrenâââ Luo Qi wrapped her arms around Li Shinian, then tightly held Li Muyangâs hand, her eyes glistening.
Li Shinian and Li Muyang exchanged a glance at one another, a suspicious look on their faces.
After dinner, Li Muyang planned to accompany his Mother in the courtyard to enjoy the snow and the plum blossom to be a dutiful son for a day, but there were servants knocking at the door again to deliver an invitation card, asking Li Shinian to attend the Still Water Dew gathering in the evening today.
âStill water dew?â Li Shinian held the invitation with both hands, a flash of surprise crossing her face.