Remarrying Chun Yuan

Chapter 342 Doorway

Lin Mengyu naturally didn't understand the meaning behind Liu Yuechu's words. After Li Chengyue returned, the Li family's life became better and better, and they could finally see the smile on Madam Li's face.

"...If she also chooses a suitable husband, wouldn't the family's life be wonderful? Because of her, Madam Li has become much more haggard in the past two years, as if she has aged five or six years."

Liu Yuechu sighed helplessly, "How can I not get old?"

The daughter was bullied every day, and the son was dismissed from his post because of that unfortunate son-in-law. Now that Brother Chengyue has been able to return in triumph and rejoin the court, besides his own sharp eye for Yuan Cuo and his early attention to him, it is also because Minister Li and his wife have always done good deeds and accumulated virtues, which is why the family has not completely collapsed.

"We also sent a congratulatory gift and invitation to the Li family this year. I wonder if Brother Chengyue will come."

"Who knows? Maybe she'll come, but Li Shu won't want to see her. I hope things don't turn out badly. Just thinking about how unreasonable she is gives me the creeps," Lin Mengyu sighed.

"Who are they talking about?" Huang Wanwan came in from outside and overheard the two talking.

Although she wasn't wearing mourning white today, she was dressed in a simple blue outfit, without any jewelry or ornaments, and even her hair was styled with only a white jade hairpin.

Her fair skin, set against her deep black hair, made her complexion appear exceptionally radiant and translucent. Combined with her striking features, she exuded a bold and dashing air.

"With someone backing him up, he's definitely standing taller than before." Lin Mengyu couldn't help but tease him after hearing Lu Bingyang talk about Liu Musheng standing up for Huang Wanwan at the Huang family.

A blush crept up her face, and Huang Wanwan gently tapped her forehead reproachfully, "It's like you don't have anyone to back you up. I'll ask Lu Bingyang later who's been acting all coquettish all day, always complaining of headaches or foot pains, coaxing someone to stay with you every day. You're so ashamed and embarrassed."

"No way! Who told you that?!" Lin Mengyu's face was already flushed red, but she had never told anyone. Could it be that Lu Bingyang had complained about it to others?!

She was furious and resentful, and really wanted to settle the score with Lu Bingyang.

“How could Lu Bingyang, such a straight man, say something like that? It was your mother-in-law who said it. She was just showing off your love as a young couple, saying it was for fun.” Liu Yuechu had also heard about this, but she hadn’t told Lin Mengyu.

Lin Mengyu blushed and finally admitted, "Why are you talking about me again out of the blue? You two are so cunning, you were clearly talking about Li Shu just now!"

"Those who are well-connected should also keep an eye on the entrance." Li Shu heard this as soon as she stepped into Yuan Chu Pavilion.

She knew she shouldn't interrupt, but her emotions got the better of her and she couldn't hold back.

Seeing the Liu family's wealth and prosperity, with guests filling the house, and then thinking of the Zhenning Marquis's mansion, which was quieter than a graveyard, her heart ached indescribably.

Liu Yuechu and the other two were taken aback when they saw Li Shu enter the room with her head down.

She brought two maids and an old woman with her. All three of them had improper eyes and started looking around as soon as they entered the courtyard.

Li Shu glanced at them, but it was no use.

Liu Yuechu could tell at a glance that she was also completely controlled by Guan Shi, and probably didn't even have a single person to take care of her.

"It wasn't that I was just saying it on purpose. I just mentioned that you're here today too. I specially sent invitations to all of us at the beginning of the month, just so I could come and get together with you today." Lin Mengyu explained gently and patiently, and then introduced Huang Wanwan, "This is Wanwan. You may have met her before, but we don't know each other very well."

Huang Wanwan nodded slightly, as if to say hello.

Although Li Shu had many complaints in her heart, she still greeted them politely and then found a place to sit down.

Summer Solstice immediately served tea, along with some fine fruits and snacks.

The fruit was specially brought back by Yuan Cuo and stored in an ice cellar. It can only be eaten in the summer in the capital, and it can be served in the winter. Even the ladies of the palace probably don't have this kind of luck.

Li Shu felt a lump in her throat upon seeing this.

Let alone such a precious fruit, even eating an apple next to the Zhenning Marquis's mansion is a rare treat.

Previously, Wei Gongming could accept some bribes and gifts from the county government, but Guan Shi directly confiscated them and didn't give them to Li Shu to eat.

Li Shu picked up a bowl, put the sweet green grapes into her mouth, and found them refreshing, sweet, and soothing.

She almost burst into tears when she took that bite.

Back at home, she was also cherished by her father and mother in the same way.

Liu Yuechu and Lin Mengyu exchanged glances, and Lin Mengyu took the initiative to start a conversation, mentioning that recently, various prefectures have begun to sell off their shops.

Liu Yuechu listened from the side and occasionally fed Huang Yan a fruit.

Huang Wanwan was happy to leave her younger brother behind and relax for a moment.

After listening for a while, Li Shu interjected, "I'm afraid it won't be easy to sell the shop later, but selling it now would be too much of a loss."

"If the household is not short of money, then hold off on selling it for now." Huang Wanwan said seriously, as she had been planning to seize the Huang family's assets.

Even after kicking Huang Youde out, she planned to divide the Huang family's assets among the eldest son's wife and his half-siblings. After the division, they could live however they wanted. Her motto was to mind her own business and be content.

Li Shu hesitated, as if she wanted to say something but then stopped.

She was obviously looking to sell the shop because she was short of money; it was Guan Shi who couldn't bear to part with this precious piece of her heart.

She had been forced to come, and she couldn't just sell the entire shop to Liu Yuechu as Guan had said... But when she got home, she still had something to say to Guan, so she took the opportunity to ask, "I'm afraid that if something really goes wrong, it won't be easy to sell the shop. They're holding onto all the gold and silver."

Liu Yuechu understands Guan Shi very well, and she also understands Li Shu.

Having lived two lives, how could she not know why Li Shu had uttered that sentence?

But she didn't want to engage, lest she be manipulated into saying something that would make her the one to blame, regardless of whether the shop made a profit or a loss in the future.

She picked up a handkerchief and wiped the grape juice from Huang Yan's lips. "Was it good? Want another one?"

Huang Yan sat on Liu Yuechu's lap with a smile, obediently avoiding touching her stomach.

Seeing this, Li Shu felt rather embarrassed.

She didn't know if Liu Yuechu hadn't heard her words or was deliberately ignoring her.

Li Shu refused to speak again, but the old woman behind her suddenly said, "Madam Liu has always been very shrewd. Didn't she take this opportunity to make some money? If she has any ways to make money, could she please tell our mistress?"

She was all smiles, so much so that the wrinkles from her smile completely covered her eyes.

Liu Yuechu glanced at Li Shu, whose fists were clenched and who didn't say a word. She even glared at the old woman as if she were being nosy, but in fact, her ears were already perked up, eager to hear what Liu Yuechu had to say.

Liu Yuechu took Gu Yu's handkerchief and wiped her hands. "I did seize the opportunity and bet big."

"When? How to suppress it?" The old woman and Li Shu asked almost in unison.

Their family is having a really tough time.

These words came out almost without thinking.

Li Shu clenched her handkerchief, feeling ashamed of her behavior, but the old woman didn't care at all. She stared at Liu Yuechu without blinking, just waiting for her to reveal the way to make money.