The Daily Life of a Concubine's Daughter After Transmigrating

A flicker of pain flashed in Li Anshu's eyes, and he forced a smile.

"My husband is very busy and really can't spare the time."

Li Anqi looked at Li Anshu.

Li Anshu's face still looked as youthful as ever.

But Li Anqi always felt that Li Anshu seemed to have become a different person.

The old lady nodded and asked a few questions about whether Li Anshu was doing well at the Wu residence.

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Li Miao gave Li Anshu a newly bought gardenia velvet hairpin, but Li Anshu politely declined it with a smile.

"My husband has given Shu'er many velvet hairpins of all kinds, including this gardenia-shaped one. Father, why don't you give it to Fourth Sister?"

Li Miao gave an awkward laugh for a second, a hint of guilt flashing in her eyes. She then blankly put away the hairpin and remained silent.

Looking at the old hairpin in Li Anshu's hair, Li Anqi felt a pang of heartache for no apparent reason.

If Wu Gongzhen had given her something, why would she still wear her old hairpin when she returned home?

An Shu clearly didn't want the velvet hairpin that Li Miao had given her.

After speaking with the old lady.

Li Anshu came to Li Anqi's courtyard, and the two sisters had a private conversation.

"Are you really doing well over there?" Li Anqi asked.

Li Anshu nodded, forcing a smile: "Of course."

"Juru, what do you want to say?" Li Anqi asked Juru, Li Anshu's maid.

Juru frowned, looked at Li Anshu, and said timidly, "Third Miss is doing very well. Master Wu treats her very well."

Looking at Li Anshu's awkward smile, Li Anqi felt awkward as well.

She took Li Anshu's hand.

“If you’re not doing well, tell your older sister, and she’ll find a way to help you.”

Li Anshu smiled and said, "Shu'er has grown up. Now she is her legal mother and shouldn't rely on her older sister for everything anymore. Besides, Shu'er is doing very well now, really!"

“…” Li Anqi nodded slowly.

Li Anqi told Li Anshu everything about Aunt Xu's death, as well as the affairs of Aunt Gao and Madam Zhao.

Upon hearing about his birth mother's tragic experiences, Li Anshu suddenly burst into tears.

"Why didn't you tell me about these things before? Why did you have to suffer in silence?"

Li Anqi gently patted her back.

"I was just afraid you'd do something foolish... Fortunately, it's all over now, and Mother and Granny Fang can finally rest in peace."

Li Anshu nodded, but inexplicably, he couldn't stop his tears and burst into sobs.

Seeing Li Anshu's cathartic sobs, Li Anqi frowned slightly, his eyes also blurry with tears, feeling sorry for her.

Li Anqi picked up a handkerchief and wiped away Li Anshu's tears.

Aunt Xia, along with Li Anhua and Li Ancai, came to Li Anqi's room.

"Three sisters!"

Li Ancai licked his lips and ran up to Li Anshu, timidly taking one of Li Anshu's hands.

Li Anshu then stopped crying and smiled as he pinched Li Ancai's chubby cheek.

Li Ancai looked at Li Anqi with a face full of guilt.

"Second sister... I'm sorry."

Li Anqi glanced at Aunt Xia.

Aunt Xia held Li Anhua's hand, smiled and shook her head at Li Anqi: "I didn't teach him."

Li Anqi slightly curled the corners of his mouth and, like Li Anshu, pinched Li Ancai's cheek.

"It's alright, your second sister has never blamed you. Your second sister has always been waiting for you. As long as you can think positively, all the suffering your second sister has endured is nothing."

The group chatted and ate snacks over tea, and before they knew it, the afternoon had passed.

Not long after, the Wu family sent someone to urge Li Anshu to return to the Wu residence.

Li Anshu looked much more dejected as he bid farewell to everyone.

With worries in his heart, Li Anqi personally escorted Li Anshu to the side gate.

She only sighed softly and turned to leave after Li Anshu's sedan chair had disappeared from her sight.

The Empress Dowager's 70th birthday is just around the corner.

The old lady was the Empress Dowager's younger sister, and because of this relationship, the Jingguo Mansion was invited to the palace to attend the Empress Dowager's birthday banquet.

Because the old lady had announced in advance that she would bring Li Anqi along.

So, after Li Anqi had sorted out the affairs of the mansion,

He spent several days preparing a birthday gift for the Empress Dowager.

Li Anxiu and Li Baoqin returned from Jixing Temple.

On his way to Fushou Hall to pay his respects to the old lady, Li Anqi happened to run into Li Anxiu in the corridor.

“Brother…” Li Anqi hesitated before speaking.

"Second sister," Li Anxiu said politely.

He was cold and awkward, and then said, "I have other matters to attend to, so I will take my leave first."

"..."

Looking at Li Anxiu's hurried departure, Li Anqi felt a pang of sorrow and helplessness.

Li Anxiu, he was clearly avoiding him.

He is a true gentleman, and of course, a true filial son.

Madam Zhao was banished to Jixing Temple entirely because of herself.

My brother... he probably hates me to the core.

As Li Anqi thought this, a hint of melancholy unconsciously appeared in his eyes.

"Big brother won't be fooled by your sweet talk anymore. Who are you trying to fool with your pitiful act?"

Li Anqi turned around and looked at Li Baoqin.

"You're quite the actor! You almost fooled me! Your malicious intentions led my mother to become a nun! My brother isn't blind!"

I saw the anger and hatred in Li Baoqin's eyes.

Li Anqi could roughly guess that Madam Zhao was exceptionally good to her two children.

“My elder sister is not without justice.”

Li Baoqin was taken aback by what Li Anqi said.

Li Anqi then continued.

"My birth mother was murdered and miscarried, and you say nothing about it. You only remember that your birth mother went to a temple to become a nun. It is only right that a murderer should pay with his life. Doesn't my elder sister know this?!"

Although he still showed some leniency and did not go so far as to demand that Madam Zhao pay with her life.

"Madam Zhao being banished to Jixing Temple was her retribution. If my elder sister thinks that I am the culprit who harmed your mother, I have nothing to say."

Li Baoqin was at a loss for words after being lectured by Li Anqi.

She was apprehensive for a few seconds, then thought for a moment and said firmly.

"My mother treated my older brother and me so well; she was a compassionate person! It's all such a mess from so many years ago. You think you can just make up the truth? You're just trying to find fault with someone! That was just a tactic you used to win favor!"

Li Anqi looked at Li Baoqin and sighed softly.

"You're right. If you want to find fault, you can always find a reason. I have nothing to say."

After saying that, Li Anqi walked away.

Li Baoqin looked at Li Anqi's retreating figure with a mixture of hatred and complex emotions in her eyes.

Finally, she walked away quickly in the opposite direction from Li Anqi.

The Empress Dowager's birthday banquet was held in the Imperial Garden of the Imperial Palace.

Besides the princes and concubines in the capital, there were also Prince Xiao, the old lady, Li Miao, Li Anxiu, and Li Baoqin.

Originally, Li Anqi, as a concubine's daughter, would not have had the opportunity to attend such occasions.

However, the old lady wanted to bring Li Anqi along, and asked the Empress Dowager for permission in advance, which the Empress Dowager had already agreed to.

"Today is the Empress Dowager's birthday banquet, and also a family banquet, so please don't be shy."

Li Anqi looked at the man in his forties sitting on the high seat, dressed in a dragon robe.

Finally, they met Ling Huo, the emperor's father and the elder brother of the Prince of Xiao, whom Ling Ye had mentioned.

The Emperor, though not angry, exuded authority, and with a hint of kindness on his face, asked the old lady.

How has Aunt been lately?

"Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. I am doing very well recently," the old lady said.

The Empress Dowager, dressed in a yellow brocade robe and wearing a golden phoenix hairpin, sat next to the Emperor and asked the old lady a question.

"I heard you were sick recently, are you feeling any better?"

The old lady covered her mouth with her wide sleeve, coughed silently, and then tugged at the corners of her mouth.

"Thanks to the Empress Dowager, my sister has been feeling much better these past few days."

The Empress Dowager felt deep sympathy for the old lady's frail appearance.

"We're all getting old, and it's common to feel like we can't keep up. We need someone quick-witted to take care of us."

The old lady smiled and nodded, saying, "The second daughter in our household is quite clever and considerate in taking care of people. Please rest assured, Your Majesty."

The Empress Dowager looked at Li Anqi.

Seeing Li Anqi's graceful demeanor, the Empress Dowager smiled with appreciation.

"I had long heard that Miss Qi of the Jingguo Mansion was gentle, virtuous, well-educated, and courteous, unmatched in the capital. Meeting her today, I can see she is indeed a remarkable person."