Even with one’s own parents, interests had to be considered.
Besides, since Old Lady Zhang’s mourning period wasn’t over, potential matches might fall through upon hearing about it. So the matter of finding Li Wanyun a husband was indefinitely postponed.
As long as her parents were alive, she had someone to back her up. She even bought treats and clothes for her nephews occasionally, making sure to do it openly so they’d remember her kindness. If she never remarried, at least her nephews wouldn’t kick her when she was down.
Speaking of her family, she had two older brothers and one younger brother. Her married sisters didn’t count, and her nephews from them lived too far away, so she focused on her brothers' sons as potential support. She had once considered adopting one as her own son, but her family would never agree. A widow with no in-laws or husband, living with her parents, who would willingly give her their son? Unless she flashed her money.
Li Wang’er was the second son of her eldest brother, stuck in the middle and neither favored by his mother nor cherished by his father. His quiet, withdrawn nature made him even less liked, but he had a good temper. After a year of schooling, he knew some characters and understood basic manners and reasoning, he’d even taught her how to write her name. Her eldest brother didn’t have much money, so only Li Wang’er had been sent to school for a single year, while his older and younger brothers were kept in school longer, favored by their parents.
Afraid of having no one to rely on in the future, she couldn’t shake a sense of unease. Secretly, she compared her nephews over and over and decided Li Wang’er was the most grateful, so she gradually began favoring him.
Last winter, when it was time to enter the private school, her eldest brother only sent the oldest and youngest sons. The eldest was the family’s hope, and the sweet-talking youngest was their parents’ darling. Li Wang’er, the second son, was left to gather firewood and dig for winter bamboo shoots. Gritting her teeth, she paid out of her own pocket to send him to school. No matter how much her family grumbled or even quarreled over it, at least Li Wang’er gradually became loyal to her.
Worried he might not strive hard enough and end up with no prospects, she often encouraged him, telling him to study well. As long as she was around, he’d never lack paper, brushes, or books. Even if he never passed the imperial exams, it didn’t matter, she’d send him to learn a trade or start a small business. If he wanted land to farm, a mule cart to ride, or fine clothes to wear, he’d have to work hard himself. But one day, he’d surely surpass his eldest and youngest brothers.
Li Wang’er, unloved by his parents and just one of many grandchildren to his grandparents, wasn’t highly regarded. Fortunately, his aunt’s favor gave him the drive to persevere. He wasn’t naturally gifted in studies, but he worked hard, ranking above average among his peers. Sometimes, when he recited passages well, even the teacher praised him.
These were matters Li Wanyun couldn’t discuss with outsiders. She kept them to herself, turning them over in her mind. If she couldn’t find a way forward, she’d at least secure a fallback plan.
Lu Gu refilled tea for all three of them and said, “From now on, Erqing and I will be here. If you ever need a place to rest or a meal, just come by.”
Jixing Town was far, and running into an acquaintance wasn’t easy.
Li Wanyun took a sip of tea and smiled. “I’ve heard about your family raising rabbits. Did you build a big house for them? With rabbits, chickens, ducks, and all?”
That was how the countryside was, without much entertainment or gossip, news spread quickly from village to village.
Lu Gu chuckled and nodded. “We did build a house. Rabbits breed fast and in large numbers, and our old home didn’t have enough space, so we had to set aside some land.”
After hearing this, Li Wanyun glanced around the shop. She’d been so busy talking earlier that she hadn’t even looked properly.
Noticing this, Lu Gu said, “Let me show you around. It’s not very big.”
Just then, Shen Xuanqing returned with a package of plum blossom pastries. Seeing Li Wang’er also eager to look around, he smiled and said, “Go ahead, all of you. I’ll keep an eye on the cloth here.”
Li Wanyun didn’t stop Li Wang’er, a young boy ought to see more of the world.
The back door was narrow, only allowing one person through at a time. Lu Gu, carrying Lingjun, led the way, explaining, “It’s cramped back here, and the courtyard is small.”
“Just one room,” he said, lifting the curtain and stepping aside so Li Wanyun and Li Wang’er could peek inside before continuing further.
“Why aren’t there any bedding or mats? Are they airing out back?” Li Wanyun asked curiously, seeing the bare wooden bed frame that clearly wasn’t meant for sleeping.
Lu Gu turned back with a smile. “We don’t live here. The bedding’s been moved to the house, on Zhenzhu Alley in Nanji Street. If you ever come by and I’m not here, just ask around there. It’s the sixth house down the alley.”
Li Wanyun was even more surprised. “A house?”
Lu Gu rubbed his neck sheepishly but admitted, “Yes, we bought one there. The shop’s too small, cooking and laundry are a hassle, and with a child, there’s always diapers and clothes to wash. Otherwise, everything would stay damp.”
She had assumed they were renting, never expecting they’d bought a place. Li Wanyun had always known Shen Xuanqing was capable, but she never imagined he’d become so prosperous—owning not just a house in town, but even a butcher’s shop. Lu Gu was truly blessed, few people had such luck .
There were still four rabbits in the back, so Lu Gu said, “Since you’re here, take one home to eat.”
Li Wanyun immediately waved her hands. “No, no, I can’t! I came empty-handed, how could I take something back? Absolutely not.”
“Just take it. We’ve got plenty more at home, one rabbit is nothing,” Lu Gu insisted, bending down to open the rabbit cage and reaching in.
Seeing this, Li Wanyun quickly grabbed his arm, refusing resolutely.
Lu Gu had no choice but to give up. The group returned to the front to drink tea and eat pastries. Li Wanyun still had to sell her cloth and buy books for Li Wang’er, so she didn’t stay long.
She left in high spirits. Back then, life had been so miserable that there were few in Qingxi Village she cared to see again. But Lu Gu’s family and Aunt Miao were different, they’d helped her, and she wasn’t one to repay kindness with ingratitude. After two years, knowing Lu Gu was now settled in Jixing Town with a child and everything going smoothly, she was genuinely happy for him.
Li Wang’er, at eleven, was still half a child himself, so they let him take the remaining half-pack of plum blossom pastries. Li Wanyun tried to refuse, but with both Lu Gu and Shen Xuanqing insisting. She relented, refusing would have created unnecessary awkwardness
The streets were crowded. After they’d gone, Lu Gu remarked, “Her life’s better now.”
“Mm, as long as she’s doing well, she’ll always find a way,” Shen Xuanqing agreed beside him.
Another customer came to buy rabbits, and the two quickly turned to attend to business.
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