Full House Spring

Chapter 79 My Son Youyi
Listening to the siblings bickering, Xia Li felt an indescribable warmth in his heart, as if all the difficulties he had encountered before had become insignificant.

The corners of her lips slightly raised, and a smile gently rippled on her lips. Fang Jingzhi saw that she was calm and said, "For my mother, it doesn't matter where the Xiali people are. I am satisfied to know that she is safe and healthy."

Fang Tangli sighed softly, looked at Xia Li with eyes full of love, reached out and gently stroked her cheek and said:
"Jingzhi is right. Ever since you were kidnapped, our family has never gone out to see the Lantern Festival. Uncle has always blamed himself and felt guilty. He gets drunk every year on your birthday. As long as you are alive, it's better than anything else!"

Xia Li smiled gently at her and said, "I fell ill on the way to Kyoto by the kidnapper. The high fever caused me to lose my memory. In fact, I only spent a few days in fear at the matchmaker's place. Later, my grandma took me back to the Duke's Mansion. With her protecting me, my life was not bad."

Fang Tangli's eyes were red, and she said distressedly: "You didn't have to suffer this. I have also heard about Madam Xie's character. She taught my sister very well. I see that your words and deeds are elegant, no worse than those of the girls in the mansion. It can be seen that she has put a lot of thought into you."

Xia Li nodded slightly, and when she mentioned her grandma, she could not hide the sadness on her face.

"If grandma were still alive, I would definitely respect her well, but unfortunately she only wants to accompany the old lady."

Fang Tangli's eyes flickered slightly, and she said in a gentle voice:
"Everyone has their own fate. Aunt Xie knows that you will not abandon her, but if she goes back to Laizhou with you, how will she cope? Aunt Xie does not want outsiders to use this experience to attack you. Even she herself cannot become a stain on you."

Xia Li's expression was blank for a moment. She had never thought about this before, but her grandmother's temper would indeed make her act this way. Fang Jingzhi couldn't bear to see his sister sad, so he couldn't help but say:

"Sister, the Fang family will never forget Aunt Xie's kindness. Although she is no longer with us, we can offer her tablet to comfort her soul in heaven."

Xia Li met his clear eyes and said with relief: "Thank you, second brother. I will just come to offer sacrifices. Just think of grandma as staying with me in a different way. As long as I still think of her, she will always exist."

It's hard not to like a kind-hearted girl. Fang Tangli's long eyelashes curled upwards. She glanced at Fang Jingzhi and said with her red lips slightly parted:
"You are busy with official duties, so why are you still standing here? We two sisters need to have some private conversation, so don't get in the way."

No matter how powerful Fang Jingzhi was outside, he couldn't show off his power at home. He said tactfully, "I'll go out right now. My brother-in-law won't chase you and take you back, right?"

Fang Tangli rolled her eyes at him and said calmly, "You know who he is, but I can't be sure."

Fang Jingzhi felt a stomachache when he thought of Cao Shixiang's stern face. He turned to Xia Li and said, "Sister, I'm in the study taking care of official business. If you have anything, ask the maid to call me."

Xia Li nodded slightly, stood up and sent him off. Fang Tangli sipped her tea by herself, and only smiled and asked when she came back, "Do you know about the Cheng En Marquis's Mansion?"

Xia Lilu asked in confusion, "What happened again? I haven't left my house these past few days, and I haven't contacted anyone in the mansion over there."

Fang Tangli glanced at her with her charming eyes and whispered, "Lu Lingchuan and Gao Mingyu broke off their engagement. It was the eldest wife of the Lu family who took the initiative to break off the engagement. She said that her family had to observe mourning and couldn't delay Gao Mingyu."

Xia Li said in a slightly cold voice: "Lu Lingchuan missed Gao Mingyu, I'm afraid it will be difficult for him to find a girl with a better family background. What's wrong with getting married a few years later?"

Fang Tangli knew that Xia Li was confused about the twists and turns in this matter, so she explained to her, "I'm afraid that the Lu family will have to withdraw from this marriage. From the hereditary Duke's Mansion to the Cheng'en Earl's Mansion, the old fox Prime Minister Gao will not let his daughter suffer. However, the Gao family has turned around and set their sights on Jingzhi again."

Xia Li's eyes widened in surprise. "Why did they change their target so quickly? Aren't they afraid of what outsiders might say?"

Fang Tangli said nonchalantly, "There are only a handful of young talents in Kyoto who can be a good match for Gao Mingyu. Prime Minister Gao had feelings for Jingzhi before, but later he thought that the hereditary title was more important, so he chose Lu Lingchuan. Now he wants to go back to his former lover. The Gao family sent me an invitation to enjoy the flowers."

Xia Li guessed that no one cared about Gao Mingyu's personal thoughts, so she asked curiously, "Does the second brother know about this? What is his plan?"

Fang Tangli raised her lips and said calmly, "Jingzhi didn't refuse outright, he just said to wait for a while and told me to go to the banquet if I'm free, and not to go if I'm not free."

Xia Li was very thoughtful, so how could she not hear that her second brother was a little moved? She said in a calm voice: "I have seen Miss Gao before. She is a dignified, elegant and lovable girl. She is a good match for my second brother. However, if Prime Minister Gao is too strong, she may not be suitable."

Fang Tangli smiled slightly and said in a brisk voice:
"Prime Minister Gao and my uncle are of the same age. If my uncle had not been interested in the court, he would not have been the Prime Minister. Others can't do anything to him. Our family doesn't need to worry about it. But wait until your father comes and listen to his opinion. After all, marriage is a big deal and should not be taken lightly."

Xia Li kept it in mind after hearing this and did not say much. Fang Tangli wanted to know more about Xia Li's past life trajectory, so she led her to talk about many old stories in the mansion.

Past experiences are not something that cannot be shared with others. Xia Li was very open and confident when she talked about them. Fang Tangli knew that she was not a sensitive and self-indulgent girl, so she liked her even more. When she talked about the girls of the Lu family, Fang Tangli said with regret:

"Lu Qinghe is in her early twenties now after mourning. I'm afraid she won't be able to find a suitable family in Kyoto and will have to marry someone of lower status. The first wife is also foolish and has delayed her daughter's marriage."

Xia Li didn't think there was anything wrong with getting married at the age of 20. She said in a gentle voice, "It's fate. There will always be someone suitable for her waiting, it's just a matter of sooner or later."

Fang Tangli's eyes flickered slightly, and she asked tentatively: "Then what kind of man do you want to marry? You are sixteen years old, it's time to find a suitable partner."

Xia Li knew that some things were unavoidable, so she said calmly, "The man I want to marry must be responsible and capable, and he must allow me to have the same say as him in the mansion. If you want me to be an appendage without my own opinion, that's impossible."

Fang Tangli frowned slightly and said thoughtfully:

"The man who can do this can only be the head of a family. Scholarly families have strict rules, and you may not be able to live comfortably if you marry into one.

You will always find the uncle you want. It's okay to have a strong character, but once you get married, you can't let people think you are weak and easy to bully, otherwise you will suffer endless hardships and pain.

Don't want the reputation of being virtuous. No matter how much others praise you, it is not as important as living a comfortable life. Whoever wants to be a good wife and mother can do it. We don't need it."

Xia Li couldn't help laughing out loud. Even Qiao He and Shi Mi, who were standing by to serve him, were stunned. It was obvious that they had never heard such shocking remarks before.

When Fang Tangli saw Xia Li smile, she knew that she was very compatible with her temper and became more and more compatible with her.

Both of them lived in Kyoto. Although Xia Li was a maid before, she was in a high circle of contacts, so they had a lot in common. What was even more commendable was that she was elegantly spoken and did not show the slightest inferiority complex. Fang Tangli could not help but secretly sigh that if she had been raised at home, she would have been even more amazing.

There were no elders at the Fang Mansion, so they simply had lunch in the courtyard. The three siblings had a great time enjoying the flowers, chatting and tasting delicious food. Fang Jingzhi was willing to be ordered around by the two of them and was busy and happy.

Xia Li did not find it difficult to fit in. She felt as comfortable as if she had returned to modern times and reunited with her friends. Fang Tangli had originally planned to have a long chat with Xia Li at night, but unexpectedly Cao Shixiang also followed her. When Xia Li first met this solemn and upright cousin-in-law, she thought she was dazzled. She really couldn't imagine how these two people with completely different personalities could be a pair.

Fang Jingzhi naturally looked down on his brother-in-law. He said unhappily, "Didn't you say you would bring my sister over to stay for a few days? Why did my brother-in-law rush to pick her up in such a hurry?"

Cao Shixiang had an upright figure with clear lines. His eyes were bright and sharp, as if he could see through everything. He nodded slightly to Xia Li and said in a gentle voice, "I'm not here to pick you up, I'm just here to take a look. My sister just came home. If you need any help, just let me know."

Fang Tangli glanced at him charmingly and said angrily:

"How can you talk to your sister like that? She is not one of your subordinates."

She turned to Xia Li and said, "Your brother-in-law always has this calm attitude, as if facing a catastrophe. He actually wants to express his concern for you, but he won't say soft words. You will understand when you get to know him better."

Cao Shixiang looked at Fang Tangli with gentle eyes and a faint smile on his lips. There was no doubt that this couple was in true love. Xia Li smiled.

"Thank you for your concern, brother-in-law. I don't need any help for now. Just let my sister stay with me for a few more days."

Cao Shixiang had picturesque features, and his handsomeness revealed an indescribable simplicity. He lowered his eyes and said in a deep voice:

"My transfer order has come down. I will be going to Jiaozhou as the prefect soon. You can meet your sister often then."

Before Xia Li could react, Fang Tangli took Cao Shixiang's arm with a look of surprise on her face, looked up and asked, "Is this true? Can I go back to my parents' home to visit them?"

Cao Shixiang's cheeks flushed slightly, but he did not stop his beloved wife. He said gently, "Of course you can. Let's leave early so we can stay a few more days."

Fang Tangli was so excited that she turned around and took Xia Li's hand and said:

"Good sister, I can go back to Laizhou now. If my uncle and the others come earlier, we can go together."

Xia Li was also very happy to hear the news. She smiled and said, "It's a long journey and it will be safer for us to go back together. There's no need to rush."

Cao Shixiang heard the two sisters talking and whispered to Fang Jingzhi, "Is uncle going to come and pick up my sister in person?"

Fang Jingzhi said gloomily: "Not only my father is coming, but my elder brother is coming too. You will all leave together and leave me alone in Kyoto. You are really cruel. Otherwise, I will also ask for an official post outside the capital."

Fang Tangli turned around and said unhappily, "You were chosen by lot to be an official. Our family is about to be forgotten if we stay so far away from the court. Don't even think about evading your responsibility."

Fang Jingzhi immediately drooped his face, and Xia Li comforted him softly, "Don't worry, brother. My brother-in-law and sister are only being sent out for a few years. It's not like they won't come back to Kyoto. If I have the chance in the future, I will go back to Kyoto to accompany you."

Fang Jingzhi's wounded heart was warmed by his sister. He couldn't help but touch her head and said gently, "I won't be a problem. You can live your life happily when you go back. Don't worry about your second brother. Each generation has its own mission. If your second brother doesn't come out to fight, how can he support you in the future?"

Xia Li was used to fighting alone, so she laughed when she heard this. It seemed that she would have to learn how to rely on her relatives appropriately in the future.

Fang Tangli gave up the idea of staying overnight because of this great news. She had to go back to pack her luggage. The couple didn't have any children yet, so they were free to come and go without having to worry about anything else.

As soon as her cousin left, Xia Li lived her own life again and had plenty of free time.

She was allowed to read any of Fang Jingzhi's books. She never felt bored even after reading for a whole day. She would ask her second brother if she came across words or sentences she didn't understand. She absorbed knowledge like a sponge. Even Nanny Zhou sighed privately, saying that the girl was worthy of being a member of the Fang family.

While filling in the gaps in her knowledge, Xia Li also did not forget to prepare gifts for her parents, brothers and sisters-in-law. Her greatest talent, and the one that best expressed her feelings, was her brilliant embroidery skills. So, while waiting for her father and brothers to arrive, she buried her head in her work.

Nanny Zhou couldn't bear to see Xia Li working so hard. She placed the washed fruits on the stone table and gently advised her, "Young lady, be careful not to hurt your eyes. You can ask the maids in the mansion to do the embroidery. You can just add two stitches after it's done. The master and his wife won't mind it."

Xia Li raised her head and smiled, then she stretched out her hand and handed the embroidery frame to Madam Zhou. "Madam, do you think the maids in the mansion can embroider as well as I do?"

Madam Zhou took a closer look and saw that the lotus on the embroidery frame was vivid, with water droplets on the petals. She exclaimed in amazement, "Young lady, your craftsmanship is amazing. I'm afraid there's no one in the mansion who can embroider better than you."

Xia Li continued to embroider and said slowly:
"I'm not trying to compete with others, I just want to do my best to prepare the best gifts for my parents, brothers and sisters-in-law. The love and care put into this stitch and thread cannot be replaced by others."

As soon as she finished speaking, noisy and urgent footsteps were heard outside the courtyard. Xia Li subconsciously looked up and saw an old man with white hair and an excited expression staggering in. He asked in a trembling voice, "Are you my son Youyi?"

Xia Li's heart trembled when she heard that. She stood up and felt a sore nose. She tried to hold back her tears and said, "I'm Youyi. Are you... my father?"

Fang Zongru took a step forward, his hands trembling, his voice choked with sobs:

"I'm your father... It's all my fault... I didn't hold you back, causing you to... suffer for so many years... It's all my fault."

The pity and regret in his eyes almost drowned Xia Li. She could no longer remember her father's face in her previous life, but from now on, the man in front of her was her father.

Xia Li threw herself into Fang Zongru's arms like a young swallow returning to its nest. She cried, "It's not Daddy's fault. It was all an accident. The one who deserved death was the kidnapper. Daddy, don't hold it against your will. I've lived a good life these years. I can read and write, and I have a skill that can support myself. I've never suffered any hardship..."

His daughter's words of comfort gave Fang Zongru a new lease of life. He was so excited that he could not utter any extra words. He held his daughter for a long time and was unwilling to let go, fearing that this hard-earned treasure would be taken away again.

Fang Qizheng, who had been watching from the sidelines, also had tears in his eyes. He turned his head and said to Fang Jingzhi: "My sister is so much like my mother. She is really a good person..."

(End of this chapter)