CHAPTER 163: CHAPTER 163: EXCITED GUOGUO (1)

"For this month, don’t scold them; give them some time," Li Yuzhu said again.

Lady Liu looked at Liu Laoda, "Big Girl’s Father, we really shouldn’t rush this matter, let’s wait for a month first."

What else can be done?

One insists on marrying in as a son-in-law, the other insists on getting married.

If pressured too much, what if both can’t think it through?

Liu Laoda sighed, "Am I the one being difficult with them? I’ve already agreed for Hu Shuangcheng to marry into the family, it’s the villagers gossiping! See, aren’t the people from the second branch coming over to stir trouble for no reason?"

Lady Liu sneered, "The people from that branch have never looked favorably upon us. Even without Big Girl’s matter, there would be something else. They just love to meddle, trying to prove how capable their branch is."

Liu Laoda thought of some past events and pressed his lips together without speaking.

Second Lady Liu walked into the room and also tried to persuade, "Eldest Brother, Sister-in-law, how we treat Big Girl and Shuangcheng has nothing to do with others. They’re meddling too much."

Liu Laoda thought it over, "Right, what’s it to them? Let them talk all they want!"

The house was noisy and chaotic, but Hu Shuangcheng was nowhere to be seen. Just as Li Yuzhu was surprised, Hu Shuangcheng entered Liu’s house kitchen carrying a load of water.

Two heavy large buckets, filled to the brim.

In southern villages, ponds are everywhere, and small ditches are commonly seen, making it rare for households to spend money digging wells.

Every house has a waist-high water vat.

Every other day, the family’s big man would carry heavy water buckets from the pond back to fill the vat.

The water for the family’s bathing and cooking is scooped from the vat.

For washing clothes and vegetables, they go to the pond or by the stream or creek.

To fill a large water vat, one has to make four or five, even six or seven trips back and forth.

Small-statured people can’t handle such strenuous work; only strong people can bear it.

"This young man is really diligent. I wonder if my Da Bao and Er Bao will be this hardworking in the future," Second Lady Liu chuckled and returned home.

Li Yuzhu also exchanged a few words of persuasion and left Liu’s house.

Behind Liu’s house, the Princely Heir was talking to Liu the bricklayer.

"Grandpa Liu, take heart. Big Girl and Hu Shuangcheng are still young. As long as they love each other, life will get better," said the Princely Heir.

Grandpa Liu sighed, "Let’s hope so."

Li Yuzhu walked over as well, smilingly said, "Grandpa Liu, I just saw Hu Shuangcheng fetching water for Uncle Liu’s family. He’s really diligent, more so than the sons of other families."

This made Liu the bricklayer feel comforted.

Though this grandson-in-law was like a silent gourd, he was undeniably hardworking. Early in the morning, he not only fetched back their family’s firewood but also fetched water, and now went on to fetch water for the elder son’s house.

He’s a hardworking person you can’t find even with a lantern, just a pity there’s no child born yet.

Thinking of children, Liu the bricklayer’s expression turned sombre again.

"Grandpa, I picked some greens. Do you want some?" Liu Da Niu’s voice called from behind.

She had returned from picking vegetables from the field.

"Oh, we still have some at home, your family should keep it," Liu the bricklayer waved his hand, "It’s still early, go on with your work."

He walked back home with his hands behind his back.

Li Yuzhu was about to visit Miss Chai and only greeted Liu Da Niu before leaving with the Princely Heir.

Liu Da Niu sighed and returned to her home.

Miss Chai’s small residence was at the very edge of the village.

It was an old house in the village before the Chai Family prospered, owned by Miss Chai’s father.

After Old Master Chai passed away, the house fell into the hands of Miss Chai and her brother.

In the house, there were only three servants, former servants of Miss Chai’s parents.

When Li Yuzhu and the Princely Heir arrived at the Chai Family’s old house, Miss Chai was sitting in a small pavilion in the courtyard, painting.

Her nanny sat beside her, grinding ink.

Li Yuzhu approached, "Miss Chai? Have you been feeling better lately?"

Miss Chai looked up, smiled at her, and nodded, "Yes." She couldn’t speak much yet, only said one word.

Seeing the young man beside Li Yuzhu, Miss Chai opened her eyes wide in surprise.

Li Yuzhu pointed at the Princely Heir, smiling, "My eldest brother, last time you saw it was my second and third brothers."

Miss Chai put down her brush and curtsied to the Princely Heir.

The Princely Heir, surprised, could only return the gesture.

Li Yuzhu laughed, "Why are you being so polite? We’re so familiar, no need for such formalities."

Miss Chai smiled slightly and made a gesture to her nanny.

The nanny smiled, "Miss Li, our young lady says your family are her benefactors, and she is grateful to you and your family."

"This will make me unworthy," Li Yuzhu laughed.

The nanny smiled again, "Please sit down, I will bring some tea."

Li Yuzhu said, "I came to check on how your body is recovering, let me see your hand."

Miss Chai sat down and extended her hand to Li Yuzhu.

Her illness has been treated, and with medication on time, her physical condition is much better than before, her cheeks rosy and more rounded.

"Very good, remember to take your medication on time. With your condition, you can’t stop the medication for a short time," Li Yuzhu said.

Enlarged thyroid with hyperthyroidism, this girl has truly faced many hardships.

Fortunately, the condition is benign, and the surgery was a success.

Taking medication on time and maintaining a good mood, she can live a long life, and it won’t affect her marriage prospects.

The Princely Heir stood by, listening to their conversation, and casually glanced at the stone table in the pavilion.

On the table were many sheets of paper, depicting small animals in a detailed outline style.

These small animals included foxes, tigers, monkeys, rabbits, and wild boars.

Although the animals’ bodies were drawn, they had human actions and expressions.

Some animals were weeding, some were eating, some were writing, and others were dancing, holding folding fans like scholars.

Some words were written in the blanks on the paper.

The Princely Heir looked closer and couldn’t help but laugh.

It turned out, the words expressed the inner thoughts of the animals.

For instance, the fox said to the tiger, "Brother Tiger, last night’s drink wasn’t enjoyable enough, how about we have another drink together?"

The tiger replied, "Tomorrow I’ve got to learn tree climbing from the monkey, no time for drinks."

The rabbit said to the monkey, "Short tails are good-looking."

The monkey laughed hard, "Short tails are ugly."

The wild boar was being teased by other animals for being too fat and was determined to lose weight.

As he watched, he couldn’t help but laugh out loud.

Li Yuzhu looked up at him, "Big Brother, what are you laughing at?"

The Princely Heir pointed at the drawing papers on the table, "Interesting."

Miss Chai blushed immediately, waving her hands repeatedly and said, "Just amateur skills."

The nanny brought over some tea and said with a smile, "Our young master’s son is turning three next month. Miss Chai didn’t know what to gift him, so she thought of an idea to draw some pictures herself, planning to make them into a book to give as a birthday present. She says her drawings aren’t good, and let you all laugh at them."

Miss Chai gestured, and said softly, "I wonder if he’ll like them."

The Princely Heir said, "The drawings are great, very interesting. My little one at home, who is just over two years old, loves such drawings too. I’m sure your nephew will like them."

Miss Chai suddenly gained confidence, looking at the Princely Heir with wide eyes, "Really?"

"Yes, children don’t care for expensive things, they just like fun things," the Princely Heir laughed.

Miss Chai became even happier, nodding at the Princely Heir, "Wait a moment."

She went into the house, and shortly came out holding two booklets in her hands, handing them to the Princely Heir, "For your little one at home."

She said softly.

The two booklets seemed to have been drawn not long ago, the paper was still fresh.

On the cover of one booklet, there was a drawing of a little monkey looking at its reflection in the water.

On the cover of the other, there was a hen with a group of chicks searching for food in the grass, one chick sneaking away, glancing back at the hen as it ran.

The expression was both tense and excited.

Li Yuzhu marveled at Miss Chai’s meticulousness and drawing skills.

To draw in such a detailed outline style is already rare, but to capture childlike animals even more so.

Considering this is a style from ancient times.

The Princely Heir repeatedly said, "How can I accept this? If I take them, won’t you have no book to give to your nephew?"

"I can always draw more," Miss Chai gestured.

The nanny said, "There’s still a whole month until the little master’s birthday. Our Miss Chai still has time to draw more, and she draws very quickly, so just take these booklets with you."

Miss Chai insisted on giving them multiple times, so Li Yuzhu smiled and said, "Big Brother, you should accept them. Since Miss Chai has decided to give them, it won’t delay her gifting."

The Princely Heir thanked her and had to accept.

The two drank tea with Miss Chai and chatted for a while before heading back to the new house of the Li Family.

After placing the fish basket in the storeroom of the villa, the Princely Heir took the booklets and went with Li Yuzhu to find the son and daughter.

The two little ones were playing in Princess Consort Luling’s room.

"Look what this is?" Li Yuzhu waved the two booklets at Li Jing.

Li Jing widened his eyes, "Oh, drawings?"

"Yes, a little auntie sent them." Li Yuzhu handed the two booklets to him.

But at that moment, Li Guoguo, who was sitting in Princess Consort Luling’s lap, suddenly shouted, "Want!"

The voice was very sharp.

She looked excitedly at the two booklets, "Want!"

"Alright, alright, I’ll give you one too." Li Yuzhu took one from Li Jing’s hand and stuffed it into Guoguo’s hand, "Really, it’s a good thing they gave two. If they gave only one, how would you two share?"

Guoguo looked at the booklet, her eyes wide open, expression focused.

The Princely Heir laughed from the side, "Guoguo, can you understand it?"

Guoguo glanced at him, then turned back to the booklet, studying it like an adult, with great seriousness.