The Daily Life of a Female Esper in Ancient Times

Chapter 184

Li Xia turned to Li Hui behind her, signaling him to step forward. Chang'an also looked at Li Hui with sparkling eyes. Li Hui stepped forward and pointed at the rabbit lantern. The shopkeeper brought the rabbit lantern closer, allowing everyone to see the riddle clearly.

"A slanted stroke by the riverside at sunset (Guess a character)"

Li Hui quickly gave the answer: "Berth"

"Congratulations, you're correct," said the stall owner as he handed the rabbit lantern to Li Hui. Li Hui took the lantern and passed it to Chang'an. Chang'an accepted it shyly, revealing a sweet smile.

Cao Fugui noticed Li Xin's gaze repeatedly sweeping towards a Pegasus lantern and stepped forward, "Shopkeeper, that Pegasus lantern."

The stall owner took down the Pegasus lantern and read the riddle: "Birds chirping under the moon by the willow embankment (Guess an animal)"

Cao Fugui thought for a while but couldn't figure it out. However, Li Xin came up with the answer and spoke up, "Cuckoo."

"The lady is correct," the stall owner said as he gave the lantern to Li Xin. Li Xin took the Pegasus lantern and handed it to Cao Fugui.

Cao Fugui happily accepted it. Although he hadn't solved the riddle himself, his wife's correct answer felt just as good as if he had solved it.

The group walked around guessing lantern riddles. Their collection of lanterns grew until they could carry no more. They then found a teahouse to rest and have some tea. On the second floor, sitting at a high vantage point, the street lanterns took on a different charm.

After resting, they went out to see the lanterns again. This time, the six of them split into three pairs, not disturbing each other. Lu XuanNing walked with Li Xia. Lu XuanNing was attentive to passersby, careful not to let anyone bump into Li Xia. This reminded Li Xia of how Lu XuanNing had been equally thoughtful in protecting her when they went to see the lanterns before.

"You were like this last year too," she said.

Lu XuanNing didn't react at first, but when he remembered, he held Li Xia's hand tightly and said, "I will be like this every year from now on."

"Actions speak louder than words," Li Xia valued deeds more than promises.

"Then you'll have to supervise me for a lifetime," Lu XuanNing said as he blocked a pomaded young man who was about to bump into them.

Li Xia's beauty attracted many glances. Most people backed off when they saw Lu XuanNing by her side. But there were always some presumptuous ones who ignored her companion and tried to approach, hoping to gain the beauty's favor.

Lu XuanNing wasn't polite with such people, pushing them away directly. He signaled to the people behind them to block these disturbances, ensuring they wouldn't interrupt their lantern viewing.

Noticing this situation, Li Xia suggested, "Let's find a place to sit. I don't want to walk anymore."

"Alright," Lu XuanNing led Li Xia to a private courtyard. As they entered, they saw a whole lamb being roasted in the yard.

In the travel journal Li Xia had sent to Lu XuanNing earlier, she had specifically marked a passage describing roast lamb. Lu XuanNing had wanted to prepare a roast lamb for Li Xia ever since. He had specially arranged this roast lamb feast.

"Lu XuanNing, this is the best New Year's gift I've received," Li Xia couldn't stop smiling.

Li Xia's smile at this moment made all of Lu XuanNing's planning worthwhile.

When the roast lamb was ready, Lu XuanNing took the knife from the chef and personally carved the meat for Li Xia. Li Xia sat next to Lu XuanNing, eating. Lu XuanNing also told Li Xia about his first experience with roast lamb in the Northern Frontier.

One talked while the other ate, creating a harmonious atmosphere. Li Xia ate freely, consuming half of the lamb. When she couldn't eat anymore, she had the leftovers distributed among the servants. Qiu Chan, who had been watching from the side, had been salivating for a while.

Upon hearing that she could eat, Qiu Chan grabbed a lamb leg and started gnawing on it.

With Li Xia full, Lu XuanNing led her on a tour of the private courtyard. This courtyard had been bestowed by the Emperor. Its former owner was an official from Jiangnan who particularly loved the gardens of his hometown. He had spent a fortune to build this residence.

Although it was winter, the scenery was still beautiful. Lu XuanNing explained each scenic spot to Li Xia. At first, Li Xia listened attentively, but later she began to doze off, as this type of garden scenery didn't really interest her.

After the New Year, the Li family's focus shifted to Li Chou's Metropolitan Examination. Under the triple pressure of assistance from Li Ming, Li Hui, and his father-in-law, Li Chou had grown rapidly.

He ranked 198th in the Metropolitan Examination and was the last name in the second class of the Palace Examination. This made Li Ming very happy, as the title of "fellow successful candidate" wasn't well-regarded among scholars. After discussing with his father and brothers, Li Chou decided to be assigned to a local post as a County Magistrate to do practical work for the people.

Li Ming and Li Hui both agreed to this. With connections in the court, it was quickly arranged for Li Chou to be assigned as a County Magistrate. The date of his departure was also set.

However, there was a complication at home. Madam Zhang was six months pregnant. If she went with him, there was a fear she might go into labor before reaching their destination. If she didn't go, the young couple wouldn't see each other for at least two years.

This was too long a time, and Madam Zhang, worried about Li Chou being alone, decided to take the risk and go with him.

Auntie An, dissatisfied with Madam Zhang's lack of consideration, made a fuss about not allowing Madam Zhang to go, insisting she stay in the capital. She even wanted to send one of her maids with Li Chou as a concubine to serve him.

Li Chou disagreed with Auntie An's suggestion. Since childhood, he had watched Auntie An fight, argue, and make scenes to win his father's favor, and he had vowed never to let down his wife, never to take a concubine or a maid as a lover, to avoid hurting his wife.

As mother and son remained at an impasse, Auntie An went to Mrs. Lu to cry, "I'm just worried about Madam Zhang having an accident on the road. It's very dangerous to travel with such a big belly. What if something happens? This is the Li family's first grandchild!"

Sitting nearby, Li Xia listened to Auntie An's cries and thought to herself, "It's not a grandson, it's a granddaughter." Li Xia's enhanced ability allowed her to sense the baby in the womb. She had sensed that Madam Zhang was carrying a little girl. However, since Madam Zhang and Auntie An were so set on having a boy, Li Xia hadn't said anything to avoid causing trouble.

Mrs. Lu understood Auntie An's ulterior motives and also understood Madam Zhang's concerns.

Auntie An wanted to use this opportunity to drive a wedge between her son and daughter-in-law, to gain control over Madam Zhang in the future.

Madam Zhang was worried that if a concubine went with Li Chou to his post, over time, she and Li Chou might grow apart. Moreover, although they said the baby was a boy, no one knew for sure until the birth. If it turned out to be a girl, and the concubine who went with Li Chou bore a son, her future life would be difficult.

Both had their reasons, and both came to Mrs. Lu.

Not wanting Mrs. Lu to be caught in the middle, Li Xia suggested, "The main thing is what Second Brother thinks, isn't it? Mother, you could call Second Brother and ask him what he wants to do?"

This comment enlightened Mrs. Lu, who had been too stressed by Auntie An's complaints to think clearly. Mrs. Lu summoned Li Chou and explained Auntie An and Madam Zhang's concerns, asking him what he wanted to do.

After much thought, Li Chou persuaded Madam Zhang to stay behind. He would go with his personal servant and two advisors provided by Li Ming. After Madam Zhang gave birth and recovered, she could then join him.

After learning of Li Chou's intentions, Mrs. Lu went to find Madam Zhang and asked her to persuade Zhang to agree to Li Chou's proposal.

Madam Zhang readily agreed and advised Zhang to prioritize the child in her womb and herself. Under the alternating persuasion of her mother and husband, Zhang finally consented to Li Chou's proposal.

With Zhang's agreement secured, Mrs. Lu kept Auntie An in check, preventing her from secretly arranging for servant girls to serve Li Chou in his bedchamber.

Li Chou bid farewell to his family and departed with his entourage to take up his official post. Zhang was the one who found it most difficult to adjust to Li Chou's absence from the household.

Li Xia and Madam Bao would visit Zhang to keep her company and offer words of comfort when they had free time.