At Second Master Cui’s place, Xiao Yuan was a modest gentleman brimming with talent, but once in Cui Siran’s room, he started to play dumb.
The reason Cui Siran has been ill and bedridden for so long is mostly due to unresolved gloom.
If Xiao Yuan were to also display his talent in front of him, Cui Siran would inevitably overthink.
He would definitely think that Xiao Yuan, who cos from a poor family and has barely attended academy for a few days, is already so talented; he would feel the need to work even harder, otherwise, he would be far outstripped by others and unable to catch up.
Therefore, when Cui Siran and Xiao Yuan discussed the Four Books and Five Classics, Xiao Yuan laughed, "Why talk about this? I usually don’t like reading these much. I have many friends all over the Capital; once you get better, cousin, I’ll take you out, and introduce you to so genuine people."
When Cui Siran wanted to talk about learning, Xiao Yuan shifted the topic to friends.
When Cui Siran wanted to talk about poetry, Xiao Yuan started discussing various interesting events in the Capital, most of which he heard from others; in the end, Cui Siran was completely baffled.
Until leaving the Cui ho, Xiao Yuan kept a smile on his face, and upon departing, he told Cui Siran, "Cousin, take good care of your health and don’t always think about studying. Once you’re better, I’ll show you around. You need to go out and see for yourself; otherwise, you won’t know about all these rare happenings in the Capital."
Cui Siran nodded, "What you’re saying really makes curious; I do need to go out and walk around."
Mrs. Ji saw that Cui Siran’s spirits had lifted a lot and felt particularly happy inside.
Sun Family’s mood also improved considerably, and she ca out to see off Anning and Xiao Yuan.
At the door, she said to Anning, "Cousin and sister-in-law, co visit us more often and also help enlighten my husband."
Anning squeezed Mrs. Sun’s hand, "You just take it easy; cousin should be fine. When he gets a bit better, take him out more, a strong body will solve everything."
Mrs. Sun nodded with a smile in agreent.
Leaving the Cui ho, Anning and Xiao Yuan sat in their carriage, both looking sowhat troubled.
Because both had sensed a trace of Death Energy from Cui Siran.
Anning murmured softly, "This fatal tragedy of Cui Siran is not easy to bear."
However, Xiao Yuan said, "If sothing happens to Cui Siran, your aunt might truly go mad."
Anning thought about it, and it was true; although Mrs. Ji had two sons, compared to the infant who was clearly still a child, the eldest son was undoubtedly Mrs. Ji’s pillar of support.
While Cui Siran was still around, Mrs. Ji didn’t care too much about many things.
But if sothing were to happen to Cui Siran, Mrs. Ji might recklessly do many things detrintal to others but not beneficial to herself.
"Let’s see."
Anning sighed, "After all, it’s soone else’s family matter; we can’t manage too much."
Upon their return, Ms. Ping asked Anning about Cui Siran’s condition.
Anning smilingly reported, "He just caught a cold, currently he can’t be exposed to wind. The doctor has also said that after recuperating over the winter, he should be well by spring."
Ms. Ping also sighed in relief: "Good, good as long as there’s nothing serious."
After dinner, Xiao Yuan asked the maid to first soothe Gou Dan to sleep, then he called Xiao Daya aside.
"Sister, tell your husband, I plan to study at the academy later, a lot of things need running around outside, ask if your husband is willing to help. Of course, I won’t let you help for nothing, I can pay, two taels of silver a month for your husband and clothes every season, and talk it over well with him when he cos to pick you up."
Hearing this, Xiao Daya was very happy, "Isn’t this too much? It is only right for your brother-in-law to help you. You’re offering so much..."
Xiao Yuan raised his hand, "Of course, this money isn’t entirely for my brother-in-law. He has a wife and children now; he must provide for you all. Additionally, he incurs expenses socializing with , so out of the two taels of silver he earns each month, he can only contribute one tael to the family fund. The remaining tael is for you to spend. Tell my brother-in-law to discuss this with Uncle Lu. If he agrees, we’ll handle it this way. If the family disagrees, then let it be. I will find Anning’s uncle and ask him to recomnd soone suitable."
Xiao Daya quickly replied, "It will definitely work out. It’s such a good proposition that my father-in-law will surely agree. Don’t worry, when he cos, I will definitely talk to him."
"There’s another matter."
Xiao Yuan smiled, "If my brother-in-law does well here, I can give the old southern house to my sister. When sister got married, our family was poor and didn’t provide a decent dowry. Now that I am doing a bit better, I often think about the past and feel guilty towards my sister, so I want to supplent her dowry. That house isn’t in use anymore, so it will be put under my sister’s na later."
Xiao Daya’s eyes lit up, "Is this really possible? Will mom agree?"
Xiao Yuan smiled, "In this house, I make the decisions. If I say it’s fine, it’s fine. I’ll talk to mother about it."
Only then did Xiao Daya feel relieved.
But then she thought for a mont and asked Xiao Yuan, "If it’s put under my na, I’m afraid my mother-in-law might make a fuss."
Xiao Yuan waved his hand, "You don’t need to ask your mother-in-law. Just talk to Uncle Lu. Regardless of the family, the decision-maker is always the man. Your mother-in-law, a housewife, shouldn’t interfere in such matters. Besides, if I’m giving the house, it’s naturally ant for you. Would I really give a good house away to the Lu family for free? No such thing happens anywhere in the city."
Xiao Daya thought about it and agreed.
A brother’s gesture to supplent a sister’s dowry is naturally ant for the sister, not to give away a good house to her husband’s family.
Thinking this over, she felt much more comfortable.
After agreeing on these points with Xiao Daya, Xiao Yuan returned to his room.
Upon ntioning it to Anning, she laughed, "You’re scheming."
As Xiao Yuan took off his overcoat, he said, "No matter the thod, as long as it works. We have to handle it this way; otherwise, it won’t look good for us or for my sister. We can’t let the Lu family get into a dispute leading to a separation. The idea of splitting the family mustn’t co from us; it should seem like the Lu family decided on their own. Sister’s mother-in-law might be clueless, but Lu Sanbao isn’t. He pretends to be honest but is actually very shrewd. If interests are laid out in front of him, he will definitely make a choice."
Anning knew that Xiao Yuan intended to move Lu Gui emotionally and lure Lu Sanbao with benefits, then create divisions within the Lu family.
A few days later, Lu Gui ca to take Xiao Daya back ho.
When he arrived, Xiao Yuan was already waiting at ho. Seeing Lu Gui, he grabbed him with a smile and suggested heading out, "Brother-in-law, we haven’t seen each other in a while. Now that you’re here, we should catch up properly. Co, let’s go to the tavern."
Lu Gui visibly felt uncomfortable, "I... we can just eat sothing simple at ho, why go to a tavern?"
He was thinking about the higher expense at the tavern.
"No, we must go. It’s been so long since I got married, and I’ve invited all my friends except you. I must treat you to this al. If you don’t co with , it ans you’re snubbing . Tell , do you look down on , or do you have a complaint against ?"
With such words, what could Lu Gui say?
He was a guileless man, not smooth with words at all. If Xiao Yuan wanted to coax him, it was sure to work.
He had no choice but to follow Xiao Yuan to the tavern.
The two didn’t settle in the main hall. Nearby their ho, there was a private room in the tavern that Xiao Yuan frequently visited, and he took Lu Gui directly there.
Once inside, Xiao Yuan ordered so dishes and had the waiter heat up a good pot of wine.
The two then started to drink enthusiastically.
Lu Gui was a light drinker, and soon got slightly tipsy.
Xiao Yuan also pretended to be overwheld by alcohol, patting Lu Gui on the shoulder and beginning to cry, "Brother-in-law, there are no strangers here, so let speak frankly as a brother. My sister’s life hasn’t been easy. Think about how she lived at our ho—so poor, barely managing one al to the next, always hungry, yet still thinking of , saving a bite to eat for . I hoped once she married, life would get better, that at least she’d have enough to eat. But brother-in-law, don’t take it the wrong way since we’re brothers, but following you, she hasn’t had much of a blessed life either. Seeing how hard she has it, my heart aches..."
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