Time Travel: The Noble Family

Chapter 141: Chapter 59: The Li Family (Part 1)

Hua Lei received the message and immediately left.

Yueyao returned to her bedroom and asked Nanny Deng, who followed her in, “Nanny, what was your intention in stopping me earlier?” She just wanted to inquire about the lack of a meal and couldn’t understand why her nanny’s expression was so strange.

Nanny Deng shook her head, “Miss has never managed a household and is unaware of the intricacies involved.”

Taking advantage of this moment, Nanny Deng started to share some common knowledge with Yueyao. For example, Hua Lei and her husband, both serving in the household, received a modest monthly salary and had to support their four children, which was undoubtedly a hardship. However, the single benefit for family-born servants was that as long as the household didn’t fall, they would not starve to death.

After listening, Yueyao’s face turned somber, “There are so many intricacies within managing affairs.” While her grandmother was still alive, Yueyao suddenly wanted to learn about stewardship. If she started learning now, Lady Mo might be willing to teach her a thing or two. If her grandmother passed away, she wouldn’t be able to learn even a little. However, after thinking it over, she gave up the idea since it seemed odd for her to take charge of stewardship when her elder sister hadn’t been asked to do so.

Nanny Deng shook her head, “Miss needn’t worry; these things will come to you in time…”

Yueyao cast aside these troubling thoughts, as her visit to the Li family was approaching, and it was necessary to prepare gifts when visiting someone’s home. Holding a list, Yueyao felt troubled as she wasn’t familiar with the Li family and didn’t know what they might like.

After considering for a long time and seeking the opinions of both Nanny Deng and Nanny Hao, Yueyao finally decided on the gifts to bring. With this settled, she couldn’t help but wonder what Uncle Li looked like. After pondering for a while, she couldn’t remember clearly, as her impression of Uncle Li was only that he appeared very authoritative. But Yueyao believed that this man, whom her father trusted so much, was also someone she could trust. Therefore, it was essential to maintain a good relationship with the Li family; they might become a source of support in critical times.

Yueyao busied herself with these preparations until nightfall. Just as she was ready to rest, Brother Zheng came in. Having heard the news that he would be sent to study at the Li Mansion and might even live there in the future, Brother Zheng was panicked and hurriedly came to confirm the truth with Yueyao.

With tears brimming in his eyes, Tingzheng said, “Sister, do you not want me anymore?” The mere thought of this outcome made Tingzheng want to cry.

Seeing Tingzheng, who would cry at the slightest thing, Yueyao felt an inexplicable sorrow. Why had this child been raised like a girl, ready to cry at any moment? He really couldn’t be kept by her side any longer: “Silly boy, how could your sister ever abandon you? Who’s been filling your head with nonsense?”

Tingzheng wiped away his tears, “Really? Sister, you’re not sending me to the Li family?” If that was the case, he was making a fuss over nothing.

Yueyao said sternly, “Sister does intend to send you to the Li family for your education. They have a fine teacher there. The teacher knows much more than your sister and can guide Tingzheng better.”

Tingzheng shook his head, “I don’t want to; I want to stay with Sister.”

Yueyao spoke with Brother Zheng for a long time, but he kept shaking his head, unwilling to go to the Li family. Finally, Yueyao, drained of strength, said, “Tingzheng, do you trust Sister?”

Tingzheng said pitifully, “I do.” But trusting her didn’t mean they had to be apart, did it?

In a gentle voice, Yueyao said, “Since you trust your sister, you should also believe what she has told you. We are blood siblings, bound by flesh and bone. How could I ever not want you? This opportunity to study with the teacher at Uncle Li’s is there only because Uncle Li respects our father. Tingzheng, this is a chance your sister has managed to secure for you with great difficulty. If you miss it, it will be gone.” Seeing Tingzheng’s hesitance, Yueyao gave him a strong dose of reality, “Tingzheng, your sister has to study during the day and tutor you at night. Sister is very tired. If this continues for a long time, Sister will surely fall ill. Do you want your sister to get sick?”

Tingzheng shook his head, “No, I don’t want Sister to get sick.”

Yueyao stroked Brother Zheng’s head, “Then you must listen to your sister and study diligently with your teacher. If you miss me, you can come back. When Sister has time, she will also visit you at the Li family.”

Tingzheng wanted to say that this wasn’t a good idea, but he didn’t know why he couldn’t voice it. Yueyao hugged him and gently patted his back to reassure him, “When Tingzheng goes to the Li family, you must study hard with your teacher. Then, after you’ve progressed in your studies, you will be able to protect your sister well.”

Seeing that Yueyao had made up her mind, Tingzheng knew that nothing he said would change her decision. He said softly, “Sister, rest assured, I will study hard with the teacher.” In truth, he did not want to go to the Li family to study. He knew no one there, and more importantly, his sister wouldn’t be there. But seeing his sister’s exhausted appearance, he felt so distressed, torn to the extreme.

Yueyao said with a smile, “My Tingzheng is the most obedient child. Don’t worry, if you find the teacher unsuitable or the Li family unwelcoming, I will come to bring you back.”

Looking dejected, Brother Zheng replied, “Okay.”

After coaxing Brother Zheng to sleep, Yueyao returned to her own room. Nanny Deng breathed a sigh of relief, “Miss, Young Master Tingzheng has a tutor to instruct him now, so you can relax a bit.”

Yueyao shook her head, “There’s no time for me to relax.” Even if Tingzheng went to the Li Mansion, she wouldn’t have any idle time; she planned to start painting as soon as Tingzheng left. Embroidering every day, looking at those exquisite patterns made her fingers itch to paint.

An innovative idea emerged in Yueyao’s mind; she wanted to master embroidery, and later, when her skills were honed, she would embroider the landscapes from her paintings onto the fabric. The thought of combining paintings with embroidery was quite intriguing.

The next day, after Yueyao took Tingzheng to pay respects to the Old Madam, they proceeded to the Li Mansion. Initially, an adult was supposed to accompany them, but Lady Mo happened to be feeling unwell, and the Old Madam, being in poor health, could not take them either. In the end, Yueyao had to take Tingzheng to the Li family by herself.

The Li Mansion wasn’t far from the Lian family, and after about half a Shichen, they arrived. Yueyao lifted the carriage curtain and looked at the signboard that bore five glistening golden characters: “General Secretary Li Mansion.” Li Guoxing had become a third-rank General Secretary by now.

Brother Zheng clung to Yueyao’s hand, looking at the unfamiliar residence. Thinking that he would soon be living in this strange place made him feel somewhat afraid.

Yueyao gently patted Tingzheng’s hand, “Don’t be afraid, everything will be all right.” This child was too timid. She hoped that being around peers would help him become braver; otherwise, Yueyao would be truly worried.

Upon their arrival at the Li Mansion, Yueyao didn’t see Li Guoxing. Today was not a rest day, so he had gone to attend to his duties, and only Lady Li was present.

Lady Li was dressed in a jade-colored embroidered skirt with stacked flowers and wore her hair in a high bun. Between her hair, she wore a pair of Lishui purple gold headdresses, whose gentle clinking complemented her fair skin and flushed cheeks.

Yueyao inwardly marveled at Lady Li’s beauty; the thirty-year-old woman looked as if she were in her twenties. Yueyao bowed her head, pulling the dazed Tingzheng to pay their respects to Lady Li.

Lady Li, too, scrutinized Yueyao and Tingzheng. Yueyao wore a pale blue patterned crossover collar summer shirt and her fine, jet-black hair flowed down her shoulders, lending her a touch of gentle beauty; her oval face was rosy, her skin fair, her forehead smooth and full, and her eyes still carried the simplicity of youth — she would definitely be a great beauty when she grew up.

Lady Li was noticeably startled when she saw Tingzheng. He was dressed in dark-colored clothes, his hair styled in the Mao hairstyle; Tingzheng’s features were delicate, his skin pale and smooth as if a gentle touch would make water flow. His bright peach-blossom eyes shone vividly. If he continued to grow with such looks, he would surely become a heartthrob.

Yueyao felt resigned upon seeing Lady Li’s momentary stupor over her brother’s appearance. It was impossible not to worry — she was concerned that Brother Zheng’s looks would attract the covetous attention of others. Yet no matter how much she worried, she couldn’t hide him away and prevent him from being seen.

Regaining her composure, Lady Li said with a smile, “He’s so handsome; it made me lose my composure for a moment.” Yueyao was alright since, although she was very good-looking, she wasn’t rare. Brother Zheng’s appearance, though, was a rarity even among girls, let alone boys.

Yueyao had never interacted with Lady Li before, having only met her a couple of times at banquets in her previous life, leaving few memories. Now, hearing how gracefully Lady Li admitted her lapse, Yueyao couldn’t help but take a liking to her, blushing as she said, “Auntie, you flatter me.”

Lady Li didn’t expect merely praising Yueyao would make her blush, and she was amused: “You child, you really can’t handle compliments.” Lady Li had always wanted a daughter, but she had only given birth to three sons and hadn’t been blessed again. Now, seeing the lovely Yueyao, she liked her more and more.

As they spoke, hurried footsteps sounded from outside. Soon after, a cheerful voice called, “Mother, mother, you said a little brother would come to study with me today — has he arrived?”

Shortly after, a little boy dressed in bright red clothes, his hair done in the Mao style, and wearing various protective charms around his neck, walked in.

Yueyao gazed at the boy, whose features were about seventy to eighty percent similar to Lady Li’s, and immediately knew this must be Lady Li’s youngest son, Li Han.

Li Han looked at the two new faces in the room. His gaze stalled on Yueyao for a second before looking at Tingzheng standing next to her, his eyes suddenly brightening: “Are you the little brother who’s going to study with me? You really are pretty, prettier than any of my female cousins,” he added after a pause.

Amused, Lady Li said, “Such things you say! You must apologize to your brother right away.” It wasn’t proper to call a boy pretty.

Li Han pouted, “Mother, but my brother is prettier than my female cousins! I didn’t say anything wrong.” It was his first time seeing someone so beautiful, like a delicate doll, and he was immediately fond of him.

Yueyao, smiling, said nothing, and Tingzheng, seeing that Yueyao wasn’t upset, kept silent as well.