Preparation

  What she could think of, the old lady could also think of. After a long time of contemplation, "It seems that this child has great luck. In the future, you must teach and nurture the child well, and absolutely cannot make any mistakes. If anything is lacking or missing, take it from me."

  "Old Mrs. Li bowed her head respectfully and said, 'She's still young and doesn't need that many things. Besides, my mother said we should wait a bit and let Empress Jing give us a nanny to teach her well. The most important thing for a daughter is to be chaste, gentle, and understanding.'"

  The old lady nodded in satisfaction, "This is well said, I know you're a good person, and I can rest assured to leave the child with you."

  After speaking, Li returned to the house and looked at Yuwen who was sleeping sweetly. She had a lot of reluctance in her heart, but some things were beyond her control.

  Li thought of this and called for Nurse Xu, who was also Yuwen's wet nurse and the cousin of He Yiniang.

  "Milady, did you call for me?" asked Peri, making a respectful curtsy.

  "Hmm, I heard you're quite knowledgeable about herbal health preservation?" Li thought to himself.

  "Yes, I'm from Miaojiang. When I was young, the adults at home taught me some things. I don't dare say that I can cure illnesses, but no one can deceive me when it comes to things related to herbs. Later, I also learned from the old ladies in our manor for two years, and I know a bit about health preservation." The old lady was referring to the Li Manor, where the quiet consort had invited palace ladies to teach her before she got married.

  "Since you have this skill, wait until the child is a bit older and teach her some too. Women in the inner courtyard should know more about medicine. When I was young, my mother asked the nanny to start teaching me early on. What I learned back then was aromatics. I also want Yuwan to learn more about this aspect, so she'll be prepared when she gets married."

  Madam Xu raised her head and took a stealthy glance at Mrs. Li, then asked: "Is it that the young lady plans to enter the palace in the future?" Combining this with the change in attitude after returning from the palace visit, some guesses can be made.

  Li was surprised by Granny's sharpness and couldn't help but frown and ask: "Who told you such nonsense?"

  She raised her head, pursed her lips, and thought for a moment before speaking: "No one told me these things, I was just guessing. Your sister's looks are also quite impressive, it seems that the young lady has taken after her. This is actually my guess too. A lowly family like ours can hardly protect such a beautiful young lady, a face like hers is really too eye-catching."

  She was initially worried about her sister's face, which was too dazzling. Later, after entering the Murong Mansion, she felt that it might not be a bad thing after all. Although being a concubine is not as good as being a legitimate wife, they themselves were also sold into slavery and could not become the legitimate wives of wealthy families. However, they avoided a life of drifting from place to place. Such a face, once taken outside, would invite disaster and trouble.

  At least in the Mu Rong's residence, I can seek some protection and safety. Serving one man is much better than serving a group of men, isn't it? A slave's fate is not her own.

  Li lowered her head, her eyebrows and eyes drooping, her face somewhat gloomy. He Yiniang had always been honest and kind, with a gentle and obedient nature, which was also very beneficial for her. Thinking again, if Yuwen would grow up to be as beautiful and gentle as He Yiniang in the future, it would be hard to protect her even if she married into an ordinary family.

  Mr. Li rubbed his brow, saying in a low voice: "The child is too young, this has not been decided yet, don't be impatient, follow my advice and teach him first, let's prepare for now."

  Madam Xu didn't think entering the palace was a bad thing, on the contrary, she thought it might be a good thing for Yuwen, so she nodded and said: "I understand, I'm thinking of finding two little maids to train."

  At first, Cai Wei and Cai Yue were raised and trained by the Li family from an early age, following the traditional education of a young lady from a wealthy family. They were taught to manage household affairs and were not inferior to their mistress in this regard. The purpose was that after entering the palace, they could assist Empress Jing in handling some capable miscellaneous tasks.

  Mr. Li nodded, "I'll pay more attention to it later, this person's selection isn't something that can be decided in one or two days, let's select a few more as backup first, Yu is only three years old now and still a bit young, let's prepare for now."

  "Yes, let me teach you some simple rules first." For example, eating, sleeping, sitting and lying down also have rules, and can't be done randomly.

  Eating elegantly, sitting posture upright and standing straight are all things to be learned. From a young age, children should be taught these habits as they can absorb them quickly without feeling constrained by old habits.

  Mr. Li nodded in satisfaction, "This is almost good enough to start teaching, and don't be too strict either, or it will lose its natural charm."

  Madam Xi naturally understood her meaning and nodded with a smile, "I understand, madam is kind, you can rest assured that I will take good care of the young lady."

  "Well, I heard that your eldest son is also seven years old. Li Ge lacks a study companion, bring the child over another day and let me take a look." Madam Li intended to promote Permitted Auntie.

  Madam Xi was overjoyed and immediately knelt down to kowtow, "Thank you, madam. I will definitely do my best."

  Li nodded with a smile, and it wasn't until then that she went down.

  Li looked at the two little ones sleeping soundly on the kang, and sighed softly in her heart. The imperial palace was not an easy place to get into. Back then, if her sister didn't go, she would have had to go herself. Her sister thought she wasn't strong enough, so she decided to go in instead. Little did she know that over the years, her sister had also experienced a lot of tears and bloodshed.

  The fourth prince had a miscarriage before he was born, and after raising him for several years, his body was good and it was easy to have the fourth prince. It's not easy for him to grow up to this age.

  Li patted Yuwen gently to comfort her back to sleep, and then closed his eyes to think.

  Wan Yu then sank her consciousness into the Hongmeng Pearl, and worked hard to refine the dragon energy. The leaves of the Qinglian began to unfold, looking much more spirited, which made her overjoyed.

  The next day, an edict was passed down from the palace, bestowing rewards on Murong Jin and Li Shi. The rewards also included many small toys for children, mostly gold locks and jade locks that children wore to play with. This was probably bestowed by the emperor himself.

  After receiving the news, the old lady looked very happy. "Yuanyu and Qige are growing up, it's time to separate the houses. Let's clean up the outer house of Linfangyuan, in two years we can move there too. Yuanyu will live in Yilan Garden, I still have a purple sandalwood screen with peony and wealth pattern to put up, and a pair of pink porcelain plum bottles to take over and display. A girl's room should be beautiful and elegant." She smiled all over her face, full of kindness, and stroked Yuanyu's small braid.

  Wan Yu lowered her head and thought for a while, probably thinking of letting herself enter the palace. But this was also good, as she could absorb the dragon energy to recover from her injuries. As for who she would marry, it didn't really matter anymore; marrying anyone would mean becoming one of three wives or four concubines, with no great difference either way.

  Mr. Li looked at Wan Yu with a complex gaze, hesitated for a moment and nodded, "Alright, daughter-in-law, go prepare now."

  The old lady knew that Mrs. Li was a kind and charitable person, who was close to the children's hearts, and she couldn't bear it in her heart, "Don't worry, I'm still here watching over her, no matter what, I won't let her end up with nothing."

  Li's eyes were a little red, "I just can't bear to part with it." She wiped the corner of her eye with a handkerchief.

  Wan Yu ran over and pulled at Mrs. Li's skirt, shaking it back and forth. "Mother, what's wrong? Is brother being naughty again? I'll help you scold him, don't cry, let me blow on your face." She looked up with a face full of adoration.

  She really loves this mother, although not her own, but has always taken care of them with all her might, no matter how tired or worried she is, and will take good care of them as long as she gives herself a smile, Li would be moved to tears.

  It was she who made herself feel the warmth that had not been remembered for many years, and she hoped Li would be happy and not worry, she liked Li, liked this woman who gave herself motherly love.

  Li held her in his arms, kissed her little face, and said with a warm and loving expression, "Mother is not crying, Mother is here, Yuanyu doesn't need to be afraid." His eyes also became more determined.

  Wanyu felt her strong maternal love, and was moved to kiss her cheek, saying in a soft voice: "I like mother the most."

  Murong Jin watched the mother-daughter interaction, and couldn't help but feel a surge of tenderness in his heart. He also had the urge to tease his daughter, "Oh, so you don't like your father anymore? I was planning to take you both horseback riding at the villa in a couple of days, looks like that's not going to happen now. Neither of you likes me, huh?" As he spoke, he shook his head and looked rather disappointed.

  Wan Yu immediately pouted, broke free from Li's embrace, and clung to her father's pants. "Dad, I also like you, really, and I like grandma more than pearls." She smiled sweetly with a hint of coquetry.

  Murong Jin and the old lady burst out laughing, the old lady laughed so hard that she was bent forward and backward, pointing at Yuwen's helpless head-shaking. Murong Jin picked up Yuwen, "Alright, since you like me, I'll take you to see the little pony." A hint of softness appeared in his stern eyebrows.

  Wanyu excitedly cheered, "Oh! Let's go have fun, brother, we can ride the little pony!"

  Qige sat on the kang and raised his head, "Riding a horse is for boys, what are you doing getting involved." Ziyu looked at her with disdain.

  Wan Yu pouted her mouth, "Stinky brother, bad brother, you just wait, when big brother comes back I'll tell on you and let him punish you to copy the Three Character Classic a hundred times."

  Now the two siblings are being enlightened, Li has taught them to recite the Three Character Classic and the Filial Piety Classic, telling them the stories inside as bedtime stories, asking Murong Jin to write a few calligraphy posters for Qi Ge to practice, which is considered a pre-lesson, after turning five there will be a real teacher for enlightenment.

  Qige indeed made a bitter face, leaned into the old lady's arms, and coquettishly said, "Grandma, my sister bullied me again, I don't want to copy the writing exercise."

  The elder brother was very strict with him, and if he made a mistake, he would be beaten or punished. Copying books was the most basic punishment, so he was most afraid of his elder brother. As soon as he saw him, he would lower his head, like a little mouse without any spirit.

  Mr. Li was happy to see his sons getting along well, never interfering with their affairs and letting them solve things on their own, as he believed that boys' emotions were all sorted out through fights, except when it came to teaching Yuwen, which he took very seriously.

  The old lady held Qi Ge and felt his back, humming, "Okay, okay, no copying books, our Qi Ge is well-behaved. Tomorrow, let your father take you to pick a small pony, and let your father take you for a ride."