Unfolding the letter, a line of elegant and vigorous handwriting comes into view:
“Miss Su, I have failed to fulfill the request you made earlier, and I have come to apologize.”
His few words were sincere and earnest.
Su Li couldn't help but recall the time she had asked Pei Xiao to inquire about the scholar in distress. She had thought he hadn't taken it seriously, but now she realized he hadn't found him.
Looking down, there was a silver note underneath, with a face value of 500 taels!
Su Li was stunned for a moment, and even her hands trembled slightly.
"How can the Pei family be so generous? They just didn't find out anything, yet they gave so much."
Su Li muttered to herself, then glanced at the wooden plaque again. Although she didn't know its purpose, she instinctively felt it was important, so she carefully put it into the bottom of her makeup box.
As for the banknotes, she decided to keep it a secret from her family.
Firstly, she was afraid of worrying her family, and secondly, she knew in her heart that Pei Xiao's failure to find the scholar was not due to a lack of effort.
Since she was reborn and changed some of her past course, "Heaven's Way" seems to be intentionally correcting itself. It's normal that she can't find it, so why would she blame it?
Since the day I went to Pei Xiao's house to ask him for help, he has been nowhere to be seen in the village for a long time. Only Uncle Fu occasionally shows up. The Pei family mansion is usually closed, exuding a sense of loneliness and desolation.
Su Li decided that she would return the silver note to Pei Xiao the next time she saw him...
The snow fell softly, and the forest was so quiet that only the soft sound of snowflakes hitting the ground could be heard.
Pei Xiao stood tall and straight under a pine tree, a thin layer of snow already settled on his shoulders.
He raised his hand and ripped off the mask from his face, exposing his cold and handsome features to the cold wind. His brows were slightly furrowed, and his eyes were as deep as an icy pool.
A bodyguard approached silently and whispered in his ear, "Young master, the items have been delivered to Miss Su as you instructed."
Pei Xiao nodded slightly, his gaze still fixed on the distant mountains, his thin lips pressed together, and a slight glint in his eyes, as if he were deep in thought.
The guard hesitated for a moment, then spoke again: "Young master, news just came from above that the man is heading in our direction. They have given a death order to keep a close watch on his movements and take his head. This is crucial to our grand plan."
Pei Xiao's expression hardened, his eyes instantly sharpening like an eagle's, and a chilling aura emanated from him. He deftly changed out of his snow-stained outer robe and said in a deep voice:
"Strengthen vigilance and absolutely prevent any mishaps."
After saying that, he strode out of the woods, leaving a trail of deep footprints in the snow, which were quickly covered by fresh snow.
As the Lunar New Year approaches, the village is gradually taking on a festive atmosphere.
Su Li's family was also happily preparing for the New Year.
Although Su Yao eloped with someone and there has been no news of her since, the gloom did not linger in Su Li's house for long, and life must go on with its own warmth.
Su Li drove the mule cart toward the town.
A heated tent was set up on the vehicle, with charcoal braziers placed inside, making it warm and cozy.
Su Li was worried about her father's leg injury, which had been recuperating for more than three months, and wanted to take him to town to find a good doctor for a thorough check-up.
Mrs. Hu also went along to pick out some fabric to make new clothes.
Su Xiangsheng chirped like a cheerful sparrow, sharing the fun things that happened at school: "Mom, the teacher praised my handwriting for improving and said he would teach us to write poetry after the New Year!"
Halfway there, the snow became even heavier.
In the vast expanse of snow, Su Li saw Lin Yuanzhou helping his mother walk with difficulty, her steps uneven.
She quickly pulled on the reins, stopped the carriage, and called out, "Aunt Lin, Brother Yuanzhou, it's snowing heavily, hurry up and get in the carriage!"
Lin Yuanzhou looked up and saw Su Li; a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes.
Su Li jumped out of the car and helped Lin's mother into the car. Lin's mother thanked her repeatedly, "Good child, thank you so much. In this freezing weather, if we hadn't met you, we would have suffered a lot."
After getting on the bus, Mrs. Hu warmly took Lin's mother's hand and said, "Sister-in-law Lin, come sit by the charcoal fire and warm up."
Su Qingfeng smiled and nodded in agreement.
Along the way, everyone chatted animatedly and the atmosphere was very lively.
Mentioning that Lin Yuanzhou would be going to the prefectural city to take the imperial examination next March, Madam Hu praised him highly: "Yuanzhou, you are obviously promising. You will definitely be able to pass the exam and come back with a degree."
Lin Yuanzhou smiled modestly and said, "Auntie, you flatter me. It is all thanks to the teacher's guidance and the help of my classmates that I have some confidence. I only hope not to let my family down."
"It's actually Sister Li who truly deserves our respect—"
As he spoke, he glanced at Su Li, who was driving.
As their eyes met, Su Li noticed a faint sadness hidden in his eyes, which puzzled her.
As if sensing something, Lin's mother gently patted her son's hand and changed the subject to talk about everyday things.
Upon arriving in town, the mule cart stopped at the intersection, and Su Li's family helped Lin's mother off the cart.
Lin Yuanzhou stood in the snow, watching the departing figures of Su Li's family, motionless for a long time. His mother sighed softly.
“My son, I watched Li grow up. We can’t let her get hurt. Let’s go…”
Lin Yuanzhou snapped out of his daze, a bitter smile playing on his lips, and helped his mother up, saying, "Mother, I understand, let's go."
The market at the end of the year was bustling with activity and lively.
Bright red Spring Festival couplets fluttered in the wind as the stall owner called out in a loud voice, "New Year couplets! The ink is fragrant, and they will bring you good fortune in the new year!"
Not far away, colorful lanterns attracted the children's attention; rabbit lanterns, lotus lanterns, and other lanterns of various shapes and sizes.
And there were stalls filled with candles, incense, and paper money, with smoke swirling around them.
People devoutly select and prepare offerings for their ancestors during the New Year festival, hoping for their family's well-being and protection.
Su Li and her family strolled through the shops, happily buying New Year's goods.
Passing by a wood carving stall, Su Li's eyes lit up. She took a fancy to an exquisite pipe, examined it repeatedly in her hand, and bought it without hesitation.
Su Qingfeng stood aside, watching his daughter's actions, and nodded slightly, his eyes full of approval.
His daughter is thoughtful and filial.
The family continued shopping, their bags piling up.
The various dried fruits emitted an enticing aroma, and the candies and pastries were piled up like small mountains. Su Xiangsheng was so excited that his cheeks turned red and his eyes shone as he jumped around between the stalls.
In the past, he could only stand under the counter of the pastry shop, watching longingly, occasionally waiting for his friend Jin Dan to share a small piece. Now, however, he can choose to his heart's content.
"I'm going to buy a lot so that Golden Egg and Little Tiger can try some too, and make them happy!"
Su Li stopped in her tracks in front of the bookstore.
She carefully selected writing brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones for her younger brother, and then browsed through the bookshelves, finding two books on medicinal herbs. Although she was heartbroken by the high price, she gritted her teeth and bought them after thinking about their future use.
With this purchase, nearly three taels of silver were lost from my pocket.
However, we've bought almost everything we needed.
On the way back, Su Qingfeng seemed to remember something, his expression softened, and he said, "The New Year is approaching, and your third aunt will probably be back soon."
Seeing the tenderness in her father's eyes, Su Li couldn't help but fall into memories as well.
My third aunt has always been very caring towards my father since she was a child, and she has a gentle and kind nature.
Grandpa was very unhappy that she was going to marry that peddler who traveled from street to street. He didn't even show up when it came to such an important event as my third aunt's childbirth. But my third aunt never complained.
My third aunt and uncle are both down-to-earth and hardworking people.
When they first became husband and wife, life was extremely difficult. My third aunt's husband carried his goods on a shoulder pole, braving wind and rain. In the dead of winter, when the snow was knee-deep, he still had to trudge along, calling out to sell his wares.
My aunt was busy with the household chores, mending and taking care of everything day and night, which made her look increasingly haggard.
Fortunately, after years of saving, she was able to take over a general store in the city, and her life gradually improved. She was also able to resume contact with her family.
What makes Su Li even more grateful is that when the Su family suffered a disaster in her previous life, it was her third aunt who stepped forward and adopted her young brother without hesitation, giving him a warm home and sparing him from the suffering of displacement.
Such affection is as heavy as Mount Tai.
Su Li was increasingly looking forward to the New Year and hoping to reunite with her aunt's family as soon as possible.
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