Mudan gave Lin Mama a meaningful look and said, “Mama, go check if the walnuts are ready.”
Lin Mama led the others out. Only then did Mudan relay Jiang Changyang’s message to Li Mama: “He’s heard about this matter but hasn’t seen the item himself. However, he told my cousin and his wife not to worry. It’s just a seal and a servant. If their conscience is clear, it won’t cause much trouble.”
Li Mama expertly displayed an expression of immense gratitude. “Hearing this, our young mistress will surely sleep better. She hasn’t been eating or sleeping well these days. And the young master is so stubborn and proud, insisting on shouldering everything himself. He won’t let the young mistress ask too many questions, saying she’s with child and shouldn’t worry. But as husband and wife, how can she not be concerned? Don’t you agree, madam?”
“My cousin is indeed quite stubborn. But it’s because he cares for his wife,” Mudan replied, understanding Li Mama’s implication—or rather, Wu Shijiuniang’s wish—that she shouldn’t tell Li Xing about this. Otherwise, Li Xing might not forgive Wu Shijiuniang, causing marital discord. Mudan nodded to show her understanding.
Seeing that Mudan wasn’t displeased, Li Mama’s smile grew even brighter. As Lin Mama brought in the walnuts, Li Mama didn’t linger further. She stood up, said her goodbyes, and left.
When the donkey cart arrived at the Li residence, Li Mama hurried through the middle gate. Bishui greeted her, saying, “Mama, you’re finally back. We’ve sent someone to check the entrance three or four times already.”
Li Mama nodded without saying much, quickening her pace. In the courtyard, she saw Wu Shijiuniang sitting in the corridor, tending to a chrysanthemum plant. Its golden petals cascaded down from the branches like a waterfall of gold, accentuating Shijiuniang’s delicate fingers and making her appear as beautiful as the flower itself. Madam Cui sat nearby, holding a cup of tea and smiling as she gently reminded Shijiuniang, “While it’s good to move around, don’t tire yourself out.”
“It’s fine, I’m sitting down,” Shijiuniang replied. Hearing footsteps, she looked up at Li Mama. “You’re back?”
Li Mama hurried forward to pay her respects. Madam Cui’s face showed a hint of anxiety. “Why are you back so late? Did she refuse to see you?” She had always felt that Mudan probably hated her and Shijiuniang the most, so it wouldn’t be surprising if she refused to help and deliberately made things difficult for the Li family’s messenger.
Li Mama quickly explained, “I saw her. I arrived early and didn’t want to intrude, so I waited outside for a while. After seeing General Jiang leave, I sent someone to announce my presence.” In truth, this was part of her strategy. By arriving early and witnessing Jiang Changyang’s departure, she could easily determine whether Mudan was being truthful or merely placating them when she responded.
Madam Cui sighed in relief. “What did she say?”
Li Mama repeated the message and presented the walnuts. Wu Shijiuniang looked at the basket of large, thin-skinned walnuts in silence, pondering the meaning behind Jiang Changyang’s words.
Madam Cui, however, was somewhat indignant. “No need to worry? Clear conscience? Isn’t that as good as saying nothing? There’s no substantial content.” She thought to herself, “Indeed, a wild chicken that’s become a phoenix looks down on others now. How could she forget how the He family had to beg them back then? No, even before the He family asked, Li Xing had voluntarily offered his help. And now she puts on such airs.”
Sensing Madam Cui’s bias against Mudan, always interpreting things related to her negatively, Wu Shijiuniang smiled gently. “It’s much better than I expected. Cousin-in-law Jiang is a man who values relationships.” Although Jiang Changyang refused to take their side, he had given them two pieces of information: first, the item wasn’t in his possession, and second, there wouldn’t be major issues if their conscience was clear. What did it mean to have a clear conscience? It was an indirect reminder not to go too far, and they wouldn’t face serious consequences. So even though the situation was difficult, if they were careful and persevered, they could get through it. She looked at Madam Cui with a smile and suggested in a consultative tone, “Shouldn’t we quickly send someone to inform Father about this?”
Madam Cui believed that her daughter-in-law, coming from a noble family, surely had a broader perspective and was more adept at handling affairs than herself. She agreed without hesitation, “Do as you see fit.”
Wu Shijiuniang then called for a trusted servant and instructed him to deliver this news to Li Yuan immediately, but not to tell Li Xing.
Madam Cui wanted to ask why they shouldn’t inform Li Xing and why they should let him continue to worry needlessly. However, seeing Wu Shijiuniang’s confident demeanor, she swallowed her words. Wu Shijiuniang must know better than her. Since Wu Shijiuniang had married into their family, they had gained more respect and trust. When she went out, people treated her with more respect, and Li Xing didn’t do anything out of line as she had feared. Even Li Yuan often praised Wu Shijiuniang. Her gaze fell on Wu Shijiuniang’s belly—this must be a son. She hoped Wu Shijiuniang would bear many children to ensure the Li family’s prosperity.
In the evening, Li Yuan and his son returned home. Li Xing glanced at Wu Shijiuniang upon entering, then greeted Madam Cui before retiring to his room. Seeing this, Wu Shijiuniang quickly excused herself from her in-laws and followed Li Xing. Madam Cui thoughtfully instructed the servants to send their meals to the young couple’s room.
Wu Shijiuniang personally washed her hands and warmed some wine for Li Xing. She smiled and said, “Are you hungry? This is a five-year-old Wucheng Ruoxia wine. Would you like to try it?”
Li Xing pulled her to sit down. “Shijiuniang, we’re husband and wife, and you’re with child. There’s no need for such formalities. Please sit down. I have something to tell you.”
Noticing his serious expression devoid of any smile, Wu Shijiuniang felt uneasy. She forced a smile and sat close to him, asking affectionately, “What does Xingzhi want to tell me?”
Li Xing spoke earnestly, “Shijiuniang, thank you for always being so kind and accommodating to me and my family, never looking down on us for our merchant background or my merchant friends and relatives. Since the day you married into our family, you’ve been working tirelessly, doing everything within your power.”
Wu Shijiuniang’s smile froze. She lowered her eyes and said softly, “These are the responsibilities of a wife. Since I married you, we are bound together. We should face everything together. Xingzhi, speaking to me like this makes me feel ashamed and hurt.”
Li Xing looked at her. “I know you feel wronged. Although I’ve tried my best not to let you feel that way, I still have, and I’m sorry.” Some things couldn’t be forgotten just because one wanted to, but he had been trying hard to forget, constantly reminding himself that Shijiuniang was his wife and that he should cherish and protect her.
Wu Shijiuniang said quietly, “You don’t need to apologize. I don’t feel wrong because of that. I feel hurt because you’re thanking me. I’ve never thanked you because everything you’ve done is what you should do.” Who didn’t have a past? She cared more about the future than the past. If one day she could have all of him, it would be more exciting than obtaining the most extreme wealth and glory in the world.
Li Xing was stunned for a moment, then held her hand and said softly, “In that case, I was wrong. I apologize to you.” He paused briefly. “Shijiuniang, I know you mean well to me and everyone else, but I hope you won’t involve yourself in this matter anymore. Just focus on taking care of yourself and preparing for the baby.”
Wu Shijiuniang’s face paled for a moment. She looked up at Li Xing, trying to pull her hand from his grasp. “What do you mean?”
Li Xing held her hand tightly. “I mean that you’re carrying our child now, and it’s too tiring for you to worry about these matters. Of course, it’s because of my incompetence that you’ve had to bear this burden.”
Was he refusing her help, or was there another reason? How did he find out about this? Wu Shijiuniang’s eyes suddenly stung with tears. She bit her lip hard and looked at Li Xing with tears in her eyes.
Li Xing seemed to know what she was thinking and said softly, “When you sent someone to deliver the message to Father, I happened to be discussing matters with him, so I accidentally learned about this.”
Wu Shijiuniang said angrily, “So what? Is it wrong for a wife to help her husband? I didn’t tell you because I didn’t want you to overthink things. But you…”
Li Xing gently but firmly interrupted her. “Shijiuniang, you are a good wife, and I’m extremely fortunate to have married you. I will never let you down in this life. But I want you to understand something: relationships are reciprocal. There’s no such thing as a one-sided relationship, and even if there were, it wouldn’t last long. After twenty years of ups and downs, the He family doesn’t owe us anything. The relationship between our two families is not as simple as outsiders think.
This matter is not simply about who owes whom a favor that can be settled easily. I once tried to persuade Jiang Changyang, but he refused. So please don’t try again or put them in a difficult position. He gave you this answer only because he’s still considerate. If he had ill intentions and gave you a wrong answer, it could have been fatal. Do you understand? I don’t want you to ever do something like what my mother did.”
This was the first time since Wu Shijiuniang had married into the family that Li Xing had spoken to her so harshly. From the day he met her, he had always been gentle and considerate, but today he spoke to her like this. Her pride couldn’t accept it, and tears suddenly welled up. She had only wanted to help him to the best of her ability. From a young age, she had been taught how to maximize the use of people and circumstances around her to achieve her goals, but she still knew her limits. How could he think she would do something like what Madam Cui had done? He was underestimating her too much.
She sobbed, “How could I not distinguish right from wrong? It’s precisely because I know their character that I dared to ask him. If they refused, I wouldn’t force them. Xingzhi, you don’t understand me at all. After twenty years of friendship, is it wrong for me to ask for help?