by N/A
Lastly, she came to Han Ming Yi's room. The same as Ji Liu Feng's, neat and tidy. The guifei couch was still placed by the window, but this time, there was already no one on top.
Du Xiao Li looked to the empty guifei couch, a burst of melancholy suddenly rose in her heart. Ever since coming to this world, aside from Du Xiu Heng, she was the closest with Niu Jing and the others. Now that they have left without any prior indication, she suddenly felt a bit empty inside.
"This is?"
Du Xiao Li came to the desk and saw that placed on the desk was a pouch with a piece of paper below it. She opened the pouch, discovering one thousand taels of silver in banknotes inside. She then unfolded the slip of paper below. Written on there were the two words 'medical fee'. Du Xiao Li thought, it was probably the medical fee she mention when they had gotten attacked last time.
"Truly a rich person." Du Xiao Li muttered and had the banknotes put back. Suddenly, she noticed at the bottom of the slip of paper there was also a row of small characters. She picked it up and began reading: "A shame next year's flowers are even more beautiful, but how to know when time comes, who to admire with me? What did this mean?"
(T/N: This is a line from Ouyang Xiu, a Northern Song dynasty writer's, 'Waves Washing the Sand'; the full poem and meaning is roughly, 'This year's flowers bloomed even brighter than last year's, however, even if next year's flowers bloom even more beautifully, how will I know when time comes, who will be admiring the flowers together with me?' It's not really a love poem, but I like to think that ML intended for it to be in a way.)
Unable to guess the meaning, she had the slip of paper and banknote put away into her little satchel. She then turned around and went out.
On the way back, Du Xiao Li told Luo Qi about the banknotes, in addition said she was planning on using this money to have the house demolished and rebuilt. While the house is being rebuilt, they will go and live in Niu Jing's house.
Luo Qi naturally didn't have any objections, and when Du Xiu Heng came back and learned of this matter, he didn't have any objections either. Thus, the matter of rebuilding the house was put forth on the schedule just like that.
When Li Xue Qing learned that Du Xiao Li wanted to rebuild her house, she recommended someone who specialized in building homes to her, nicknamed Sai Lu Ban*. Du Xiao Li had design blueprint that she drew that combined the terrain explained to great master Lu, discovering that he could completely understand her meaning. Thus, she had the matter completely handed over to him to handle, while Luo Qi was put in charge of supervising. This was because she still needed to go to the county seat to teach those people how to ferment fruit wine and didn't have time. And Du Xiu Heng needed to attend school, thus didn't have time either.
(*T/N: The name translates to 'better than Lu Ban'; Lu Ban is a legendary master craftsman, called the father of Chinese carpentry.)
Setting aside some time, Du Xiao Li and Luo Qi went into the deeper areas of the mountain and selected some elm wood back to be the house's roof beam. They also chopped some wood back to make furniture. By the time great master Lu finished gathering people, Du Xiao Li picked a suitable date to begin construction and had someone move all the things into a temporarily set up grass shed to the side. Afterwards, they had the crooked house pushed over, and thus officially began building the new house.
When construction started, Du Xiao Li and Luo Qi moved into Niu Jing's house to live, only bringing along the small box that contained her mother's belongings, everything else was all left on the mountain. They weren't scared of someone going to steal their things either, because the already grown up Silver would stand guard there at night. If you're not scared of getting bitten, then give it a try!
After Du Xiao Li had the wine fermenting method taught to those apprentices, she no longer needed to frequent the county seat. She finally was able to have some free time. The new house's construction was also progressing in good order. Probably before the end of the year, it'll be able to finish.
This day, Du Xiao Li lied on top the guifei couch that Han Ming Yi left behind. Don't know where Luo Qi has gone again. Thinking to Luo Qi recently disappearing from time to time, Du Xiao Li knew, another day for parting was approaching.......
In the afternoon, just as Du Xiao Li was looking at the hairpin and jade pendant that Su Su Xin left behind, Du Xiu Heng returned home for break. Seeing the things in Du Xiao Li's hands, his entire person suddenly shook.
Du Xiao Li saw Du Xiu Heng and waved her hand at him, "Big brother, you're back!"
Du Xiu Heng walked over and looked to the hairpin in Du Xiao Li's hand, "Younger sister, where did you find this?"
"In the case mother left behind!" Du Xiao Li brought over the case and said, "Previously, when I was cleaning things up, I found it under that wood cabinet in our house. Big brother, look, there's also a jade pendant inside!"
Du Xiu Heng looked to the jade pendant inside the case and his entire body began trembling, making Du Xiao Li quite curious. She had the hairpin put back and said, "Big brother, you know about mother's matter, right?"
"Mother....." Du Xiu Heng muttered.
"Big brother?" Du Xiao Li looked to Du Xiu Heng and lightly grasped his hand, saying: "Big brother, if there's something, say it, we can share the burden together."
Du Xiu Heng stared at Du Xiao Li, then slowly calmed down his own feelings. Slowly, he spoke out, about a past he was unwilling to recall.
"Actually, Du Hai isn't our father!"
Du Xiu Heng's first words smashed right onto Du Xiao Li's heart, making her beyond shocked.
Although Du Hai died early, in her fuzzy memories, he was very good to the former host. That unruly personality of the original's was even brought about by Du Hai spoiling her.
Now, saying that Du Hai wasn't her father, this bit, Du Xiao Li never thought of. At the very start, she'd only just suspected Su Su Xin's identity.
Seeing Du Xiao Li's look of disbelief, Du Xiu Heng continued, "Our father is actually an official in the capital. Eight years ago, when you were still in mother's stomach, and at the time I was also only three, mother got schemed against by someone and had no choice but to take us away from that ruthless place. Afterwards, while fleeing, we encountered Du Hai. Mother saw him collapsed at the side of the road, about to starve to death, and thus saved him. On his body, there was also a lot of injuries. Afterwards, he told us that he was beaten by his employer and was preparing to return home to work in the fields. Once he learned of our situation, he said he would take us back to Du village, announcing to the public that mother was his wife and we were his kids. For our sake, mother finally agreed after some hesitation. From then on, we settled down in Du village."
Saying to here, his eyes filled with tears. He covered his face with both his hands and said, "That jade pendant was given to mother by father that year, and it is also the only proof of our identity."
Ch. 057.5 – Our Family's Daughter Has Grown Up (5)
Our Family's Daughter Has Grown Up (5)
T/N: Chapter sponsored by LittleWolfPup! Thank you for sponsoring!
"That year, why did mother have to run away? What about her maiden family?" Du Xiao Li asked.
"Mother said, at the time, maternal grandfather disapproved of mother marrying father, but mother insisted on marrying, thus maternal grandfather severed their father and daughter relationship and had her kicked out of the family. At the time, when she married father, only maternal grandmother secretly came, the others all didn't appear. That's why, after mother met with mishap, she didn't go back home.
Du Xiao Li didn't expect that there was also such a past. Seeing the sorrow and resentment in Du Xiu Heng's eyes, she suddenly wanted to know why Su Su Xin ran away that year.
Du Xiu Heng seemingly knew what Du Xiao Li wanted to ask and replied first, "That year, father got first place in the imperial exam and was seen by the Right Minister's younger daughter. The Right Minister's eldest daughter was the current Empress, and thus asked the Emperor
for a decree, passing an imperial edict to let her younger sister become father's equal wife*. The imperial decree can not be disobeyed. From then on, our home gained a second mother. Afterwards, second mother schemed against mother and in order to protect you and I, mother had no choice but to run away.
(*T/N: Equal wife is where there are two main wives and are supposedly equal in status. However, if I remember correctly, in this novel, only the first wife's children are considered di-born.)
"Then that degenerate father or ours, what's his position?" Du Xiao Li asked.
"Don't know, that year, father was only just a small assistant minister, but this many years have passed, and along with the Right Minister, that old fart's, support, don't know how high he's already climbed to by now." Du Xiu Heng said between clenched teeth.
Du Xiao Li suddenly recalled Niu Jing's words, could it be that he knew their identity?!
This was also possible. The Right Minister's daughter marrying down, and was even a marriage bestowed by the Emperor, it definitely would have caused an uproar in the capital. Niu Jing, having lived in the capital for that long, knowing about them wasn't that strange either.
No wonder he told her not to go to the capital. Just, for Du Xiu Heng's sake, this trip to the capital can't be avoided. Thinking of Du Xiu Heng wanting to pass the imperial exam in the future, it was no less also because of that degenerate father of theirs.
With this many years having gone by, they didn't know what position that degenerate father has climbed to now. If Du Xiu Heng goes to the capital, what if he gets discovered?
Du Xiao Li's suddenly felt very heavy. In this era, under imperial power, what should she do to be able to better protect herself and her big brother?
Suddenly, she recalled something Luo Qi once said here, if one doesn't want to be restricted by the imperial power, then establish an absolute power of influence. Although she currently still isn't able to establish a power that can contend against the imperial power, she can however strengthen herself, letting her brother and her be able to live relatively freely in the future.
Looks like, despite coming to this world and entering Du Xiao Li's body, the peaceful life she wanted was still an extravagant hope. However, since she's able to live another lifetime again, then she wants to let herself life as carefree as possible!
Afterwards, Du Xiao Li also asked about Su Su Xin's maiden family, but because she never told Du Xiu Heng before, Du Xiu Heng also didn't know.
Regarding their birth, they later never brought it up ever again. Neither of them once thought of returning to that degenerate father's side either. This matter thus was buried in the bottom of their hearts. But things won't completely progress according to your wishes. More often than not, some unexpected things will always occur.
Du Xiao Li saw Du Xiu Heng's low mood and wanted to divert his attention, thus took him to go look at their house. So the two headed up the mountain.
Just as they reached the foot of the mountain, Silver ran down from the mountain and ran in circles around Du Xiao Li. In these few months, Silver grew quit a bit. He was already to her knees.
Du Xiao Li leaned over and rubbed Silver's head. Two people and a wolf then headed up the mountain. And as expected, they didn't see Luo Qi on the mountain. Du Xiao Li inwardly sighed, yet didn't say anything.
The house was already half done, and judging by this speed, by the end of the eleventh month, it'll be able to completed. Because there weren't that many of them, Du Xiao Li only built three bedrooms, each person, one room. There was also a kitchen, a storage room and cellar.
"Younger sister, I'm so useless. I said I would take care of you, but in the end, let you earn money for me to go to school and even fixed our house." Du Xiu Heng was very satisfied with the house's structure. But thinking that these were all from the money that Du Xiao Li earned, his mood somewhat dropped again.
Sweat, this again!
Du Xiao Li felt this older brother of her somehow became very melancholic and moody. This won't do, she needed to quickly have his train of thought moved back on track.
"Big brother, this is investing!"
"Investing?"
"That's right! Investing is where you throw in your money and wait for even more profits in the future. Right now, I'm investing in you, so that in the future, when you're successful, won't I be able to live even better?"
Du Xiu Heng felt Du Xiao Li's words were right. In the future, he must become successful, so that he can let his younger sister live even better! From then on out, he will be even more earnest in studying, vowing become the top scorer in the imperial exam for his younger sister!
In the two days Du Xiu Heng returned, Luo Qi never appeared. All the way until the third day did Luo Qi finally return to Du village. Du Xiao Li gave him a glance and only asked whether he'd eaten or not. Seeing him shake his head, she went and cooked him a bowl of noodles.
Luo Qi looked to the noodles before him. The expression on his face very satisfied, saying: "Today just happens to be my birthday."
Du Xiao Li paused and said, "As expected, you've recovered your memories."
"Today's my birthday, not going to tell me happy birthday?" Luo Qi said with a smile.
Du Xiao Li looked to the completely different feeling Luo Qi, sat down across from him, and said, "Big brother Luo Qi, happy birthday!"
"Thank you." Luo Qi lowered his head to eat his noodles. He clearly was at a place hundreds of meters away, but once his subordinate told him that today was his birthday, he only had one thought, come back, return to Du village, this little mountain village. When he saw Du Xiao Li make noodles for himself, he felt his heart was warm.
"That's right, big brother Luo Qi, which birthday is this?" Du Xiao Li didn't ask what he went to do, only leaning against the table, and asked with squinted eyes.
"Seventeenth." Luo Qi looked to the languid little figure under the yellow light. For some reason, he thought of a cat.
"Seventeen huh----" Du Xiao Li had her voice drawn out. Afterwards, said through stifled laughs, "Big brother Luo Qi, you're so old, almost older than me by ten years."
"Old?" Luo Qi's mouth twitched when he heard this word. He was only seventeen, where was he old? Moreover, didn't she say almost ten years, that wasn't that much older!
"Hehe." Du Xiao Li looked to Luo Qi's appearance and began laughing. Although the feeling he gave others changed, he was still her big brother Luo Qi.
At the end of the eleventh month, the house finished as scheduled. Du Xiao Li and Luo Qi calculated the labor cost and had the bill settled. Luo Qi had gone out again for a few days after his birthday, but after that, he just stayed at home the whole time, never once leaving.
After letting the workers help clean up the courtyard and setting down all the furnitures and whatnot, Du Xiao Li stood in the courtyard, looking to the brand new house and saying to the two people beside her, "Big brother, big brother Luo Qi, this is our new home. How about it, not bad, right!"
Du Xiu Heng nodded with a smile.
When Luo Qi heard the word home, recalling how he felt last time when he heard Du Xiao Li say this word, he reached out and touched his chest. Soon after, he said with a smile. "From now on, this is our home! Regardless of where, in the future, your house all needs to have a room for me."
"Alright, no problem!" Du Xiao Li boldly said. "However, this renovating and buying a house whatnot, you also need to pay a share. Else, I'll just let Silver kick you out!"
"Awooo----" Hearing Du Xiao Li mention its name, Silver called out in response.
"Alright, in order to not get bitten by Silver, I will obediently pay up!" Luo Qi also played along and said.
"Haha---" With that said, the three of them all started laughing.
T/N: Oh man I feel hella depressed translating this chapter knowing that Luo Qi is about to leave soon. Despite knowing that everyone will reunite again it still so sad seeing they part ways uhguhugh. I also I wonder if I should've mentioned that one of the tags
the author had used was 'di daughter'.
Ch. 057.6 – Our Family's Daughter Has Grown Up (6)
Our Family's Daughter Has Grown Up (6)
Because they were moving into a new house, Du Xiao Li had the village chief, Shi Da, Shi Er, Qiao Mai, and so villagers that have frequently helped her called together for a meal. Everyone were all somewhat baffled. Before, when Su Su Xin was still alive, their days were still hard and tight on money. Yet suddenly, the two sibling's lives suddenly improved. In less than a year's time, they even rebuilt their house.
However, seeing them live well, everyone was happy for them too. This meal was eaten and drunk to one's heart content.
Regardless whether it's in the ancient times, or the modern era, moving into a new house was a big deal. Li Xue Qing also had someone send over a congratulatory gift. Incidentally, they also brought along the county magistrate's gift together with it.
When the gifts were sent over, everyone was in the middle of eating. Learning that it was the county magistrate and the Zhou county's number one merchant, the Li family, having sent gifts at the same time, everyone were all shocked! Even Du Xiao Li didn't know why Sun Zheng would give herself a present. Only Luo Qi, who'd already recovered his memories, understood inside. That was all on behalf of Han Ming Yi.
He'd recovered his memories after hearing Niu Jing say the words 'Medicine King Valley' to Du Xiao Li when Han Ming Yi and the others were departing. At that time, he immediately recalled Han Ming Yi's identity----Feng Ming's current dynasty's fifth prince!
The people of the government might not know people of the pugilistic world, but people of the pugilistic world knew who held power in the imperial court. That's why seeing Sun Zheng and the others' gifts, he wasn't surprised in the slightest.
Regardless for what purpose Sun Zheng was giving a present, Du Xiao Li's family position in the Du village, all because of this present, rose quite a bit. After all, even the county magistrate gave them face!