On the other hand, Li Youxin returned to his hometown in Suzhou and discussed the matter with his father behind closed doors that day.
Ever since Li Tai'an, the ancestor of the Li family, passed the imperial examination, each of them started to work hard. There were many people who studied, but few who were promising. To be frank, it was related to their own environment. Without a high starting point, even if they studied for a lifetime, how many people could really make the leap
Facing these two letters of recommendation, the current patriarch of the Li family could not help but be moved. What the Li family lacked was opportunities. As long as there was a good study environment, there was no need to worry about not being able to cultivate talented children. The Imperial Academy and Mingwei Academy were both famous for their connections. Only with strong interpersonal relationships could one go further in one's career.
How many people who took the imperial examinations alone passed the exam and could only stay at the ninth-rank official position for the rest of their lives? Although Li Yaonan's move was just an exchange of interests, it was a timely relief for them. If his son could enter the Imperial College and have a good teacher, he could pass the imperial examination next year and get his name on the list of successful candidates... ...
Whenever Li Jingxiang thought of this, he felt excited!
But...
Li Taian was an official after all. Although he had no hope of promotion, the Li family was quite prestigious in Yangzhou. How could he easily agree to adopt his son
"Father, don't worry. We just need to find an excuse and Yaonan will find a way to make Mr. Li agree." Li Youxin understood his father's concerns. Although he didn't know what method Li Yaonan had, it didn't prevent him from understanding Li Yaonan's determination to adopt the child.
"Okay, in that case, let's send a message to Yangzhou first so that Tai'an can at least be mentally prepared. After Madam Li's fiftieth birthday, we will formally propose the adoption. With this time as a buffer, success or failure will depend on whether Li Yaonan's method works."
The father and son agreed on this plan and discussed the choice of adoptive parent for a while. Then the Li clan leader left in a hurry and did not return until the evening.
The next morning, something big happened in Lijiazhuang.
The fourth uncle was heartbroken and made a scene at the doorstep of the clan leader's house, crying about his poor cousin who passed away so early without even someone to break a pot for him, and no one to offer incense to him after his death. It was a pity that his nephew was a good child, good at studying and knowledgeable, but unfortunately he had a bad health, otherwise Lijiazhuang would have produced another Jinshi. He dreamed of his nephew last night, and he was all alone down there, so miserable.
The fourth uncle was arrogant and unreasonable. He insisted that the clan leader choose a child for his nephew to adopt, otherwise he would hang himself on a big tree at the entrance of Lijia Village.
Everyone in Lijiazhuang knows that Fourth Uncle is a bad guy. Who wouldn't stay away from him? What the hell is this nephew? He's been dead for more than 20 years. Who would be stupid enough to adopt a child to him? It is said that when a person is gone, the tea gets colder, let alone a dead person. The property belonging to his nephew had been divided up long ago. Now he has no money, no land, and no house. What is the purpose of Fourth Uncle being so unreasonable
The clan leader was in a dilemma. As for adoption, there were so many children in the clan, it wouldn't be difficult to choose one. But the difficulty lay in the fact that the fourth uncle said that his nephew was well-educated, so he insisted on choosing a well-educated child to adopt so that his nephew could feel at ease in the afterlife.
Bah! Whose child who can read is not regarded as a treasure by the elders, but adopted? Fourth uncle is dreaming!
The situation was at a stalemate. The fourth uncle was crying so hard that anyone who heard him would cry. He kept swinging the white silk in his hand and kept shouting that he would not live any longer. The clan leader was so worried that his hair seemed to have turned a few white. After all, the fourth uncle was the elder. If anything happened to him... ...
The adults in Lijiazhuang hurriedly hid their children who could read, for fear that they would be noticed by the fourth uncle.
Three days later, no one knew who reminded everyone, but Li Yaonan's name appeared in everyone's ears. In order to prevent their baby from getting into trouble, the people of Lijiazhuang united as one. Everyone had an idea. Li Yaonan was a ready-made candidate because he was good at reading and had good knowledge.
Therefore, the clan leader was forced to write a letter to Yangzhou at the unanimous request of everyone. This also put pressure on Li Taian. He could only help Li Yaonan to this extent. It still depended on Li Taian's decision. If the other party was unwilling, even he, as the clan leader of the Li family, could not force him.
Back in Yangzhou, it was the old lady's 50th birthday, and Ma Yulian was in a dilemma. The birthday banquet, the wine banquet, the gifts, all the things needed for the birthday celebration, all cost money. The old lady would definitely not be satisfied without at least 80,000 yuan.
As the old lady's niece, she knew her character best. The old lady was stingy, but also liked luxury. She was already very old, but still held on to her private property, and many public properties had not been handed over to her. She was really an old thing, with only one son who was still guarding against her and trying to take her money into her coffin.
Ma Yulian was full of complaints, but she could do nothing about it. She relied on the old lady for a lot in this mansion, so she had to endure everything. But when she thought about the birthday celebration and the huge amount of money being spent, she felt sad. Shuzhen was not married yet, and Yaozong also wanted to arrange a marriage. All these things required a lot of money.
Ma Yulian thought about it and fixed her eyes on Lin Yixuan. She knew that the couple were tough, but with the word "filial piety" putting pressure on them, would they dare to disobey
On that day, Ma Yulian called Lin Yixuan and said in a amiable tone, "Second brother's wife is in Beijing, so I can only rely on you to take care of the mansion. I am old now, and I am not able to manage the house. It is the old lady's 50th birthday, so you have to pay more attention. I will hand over the power of the mansion to you."
Lin Yixuan became alert and declined politely, "Yixuan has just arrived at the Li Mansion and is not familiar with everything. Madam, please forgive me. It is really difficult for Yixuan to take on this important task."
Ma Yulian chuckled: "Look at what you said. I was also a daughter-in-law, and I learned it slowly. You came from a wealthy family in Beijing, so how can I not trust you?"
"this... ... "
Lin Yixuan refused several times, but Ma Yulian was insistent. As the husband of the Li family, the lady gave him the power of the housekeeper because she valued him. If he didn't appreciate it, it would be unfilial. Lin Yixuan had no choice but to take on this difficult job.
Ma Yulian had made a careful calculation. Power was indeed decentralized, but the keys to the warehouse were not handed over, and the accountant could not pay the money. If Lin Yixuan wanted to hold a successful birthday party, he could only pay for it out of his own pocket. She really did everything she could.
Li Yaonan was filled with anger when he heard the news, but before he could come up with a solution, he saw his husband taking drastic measures.
Lin Yixuan's method was very simple, to buy on credit. Since Ma Yulian had bad intentions, don't blame him for being rude.
In general, in wealthy families, the accountant pays the bill for every purchase. He only needs to tell the shops and ask them to come to the Li Mansion at the end of the month to withdraw the money. The birthday banquet can be held beautifully and Ma Yulian can't find any fault with it. Can she still shout and accuse him of trying to take his wife's dowry
As for the warehouse, it was even simpler. For the sake of face and to show her virtue, Ma Yulian would definitely not make her thoughts public. She did not give Lin Yixuan the key to the warehouse, and only her trusted nanny knew about it. As long as Lin Yixuan quietly captured that person and then blocked the news, when others saw him going to the warehouse, they would just think it was the lady's order and would not think there was anything wrong.
Even if the news can only be blocked for one day, it is enough for Lin Yixuan.
Half of the good things in the warehouse were moved out and used for the old lady’s birthday party.
Ma Yulian was kept in the dark. Seeing Lin Yixuan working seriously and merchants sending cartloads of goods to their house, she was extremely happy and her attitude towards Lin Yixuan became contemptuous. Humph, you little brat, you still want to fight with her? As long as she uses a little trick, Lin Yixuan will still obediently take out her dowry to make up for the shortfall.
Therefore, after Ma Yulian received the letter from Suzhou, she just glanced at it casually and threw it aside. With Lin Yixuan's gold mine, how could she allow Li Yaonan to be adopted? So what if he is a member of the old family? He really takes himself seriously. Now, the most promising branch of the Li family is the master's branch.
Unfortunately, Ma Yulian was only happy for two days. She was shocked by the conversation of the maids. She was so angry that she felt dizzy and blood stuck in her throat.
At this time, she didn't know that Lin Yixuan didn't even spend a penny to buy things. She only heard the maid say that Lin Yixuan went to the storehouse yesterday to buy her brocade, her pearls, her precious screen, and the double-sided embroidery that was worth a fortune. These were the dowry she prepared for her daughter...
Why would Lin Yixuan go to the warehouse? Who gave him the right to take things from the warehouse
Ma Yulian was so angry that she was shaking all over, her face was frighteningly gloomy, and her fierce eyes were like knives. She immediately asked someone to call Lin Yixuan.
Lin Yixuan looked innocent. Wasn't the power given by the Madam? You asked me to hold the birthday banquet, so it's natural for me to go to the warehouse. Don't you want to honor the old lady and give her a decent 50th birthday
With such a big hat on her head, what could Ma Yulian say? If looks could kill, Lin Yixuan would have been torn into pieces by now.
Ma Yulian was so angry that she had to change the subject and asked Lin Yixuan in a harsh voice why he took down her trusted nanny.
Lin Yixuan was very calm and kindly persuaded Ma Yulian that this nanny was a good-for-nothing who pretended to obey her but actually disobeyed her master and even lost the key to the warehouse. Twenty lashes of the board was a light punishment for her. In order not to let the lady worry, he concealed the matter. The key to the warehouse was lost, and the warehouse must be unsafe, so he took the initiative to smash the warehouse door. If the lady wanted to punish him, he could say nothing, but he firmly did not think he was wrong.
Ma Yulian became sick with anger that day. She wanted to punish Lin Yixuan, pointed at his nose and called him unfilial, wanted to peel off his skin and break his bones, but she couldn't. After what Lin Yixuan said, he was not only innocent but also meritorious. The old lady's birthday banquet was indeed decent, so decent that her heart was broken and bleeding.
Li Yaonan witnessed this house fight with his own eyes and was stunned. He just felt that his husband was so powerful that he could not help but feel itchy.
Lin Yixuan had already done a great job, so naturally Li Yaonan did not want to be left behind. His method of wanting to be adopted out was straightforward, which was to make a fuss, making the Li family restless and the home uneasy. Naturally, the old lady and Ma Yulian would try every means to adopt him out.
There are still three days before the old lady's 50th birthday, Li Yaozong came back from school. Li Yaonan sneered, his brother had no time for his wedding, and he rushed back as soon as the old lady's birthday came. Should Li Yaozong make it too obvious
It is natural for an elder brother to teach his younger brother a lesson. Li Yaozong has always disliked Li Yaonan and it is common for him to find fault with him. Knowing that his mother was angered by Lin Yixuan, Li Yaozong blocked Li Yaonan's way as usual that day and insulted him condescendingly. However, he did not expect that Li Yaonan was no longer the person he used to know.
Li Yaonan was waiting for this opportunity. After training for half a month, he had long wanted to try his skills. Li Yaonan pounced on him and started beating him fiercely. Li Yaozong, as a serious scholar, was no match for him. He looked at Li Yaonan in horror, as if he could not believe that this brother, who was usually as timid as a mouse, dared to attack him.
This hit the Li family's favorite, and the matter became a big deal. However, Li Yaozong was disrespectful first, and as an elder brother teaching his younger brother, no one could say that Li Yaonan was wrong, but only blame him for being too harsh.
In the end, although Li Yaonan was punished by Li Taian to go to the ancestral hall, Li Yaozong did not get away with it either. Li Yaonan was so ruthless that Li Yaozong had to lie in bed for two days before getting out of bed.
The old lady and Ma Yulian were so distressed that they kept crying and felt uneasy. What if they kept such a bad guy at home and their beloved ones suffered again in the future
At that time, they had not yet thought of adopting a child. After all, adoption was usually done by families without children or by poor families.
The letter from the clan leader was about adopting Li Yaonan to a dead person. The Li family was a wealthy family in Yangzhou and could not afford to lose this person.
If the family cannot be adopted, then the family will be divided, Ma Yulian thought to herself, why not just get rid of these two annoying guys? As long as she still has the status of an elder, she will have a long way to go to deal with them. Adding together the new and old grudges, she really can't swallow this anger if she doesn't take revenge.
But before she could make up her mind, Ding Zi came to pass on a message that Li Yaonan and his new husband were looking forward to dividing the family property. Since ancient times, when the family property was divided, the legitimate son would take 90% of the property, and the illegitimate son would take 10%. The Li family had no illegitimate sons, but Li Yaonan, as the legitimate son of the original wife, could get 40% of the property.
Ma Yulian was very upset. She didn't want Li Yaonan to get even 10% of the money, let alone 40%.
But if the family does not split up, the only option is adoption. Thinking of adoption, Ma Yulian took out the letter written by the clan leader and read it carefully. After reading it, her mind immediately became active. The clan members said that adoption was actually just to take advantage of the blessings of the Li family. It is just that the times have changed. To put it in a more high-sounding way, the Li family is kind-hearted and generous, and they agreed because they could not resist the requests of the clan members. They also hope for the best for the clan members, and they reluctantly adopted out their book-loving child. There is no such thing as shame.
Ma Yulian started to persuade Li Taian that night.
After the two of them discussed it and discussed it with the old lady, the adoption of Li Yaonan was finalized.
To be adopted, they must first go to their hometown to register in the family tree. When these two little beasts come back after registering in the family tree, they are no longer members of the Li family. How can they enter the Li family and take things from the Li family? It seems to be a natural thing to withhold Lin Yixuan's dowry.
This is a great idea!
The three masters of the Li Mansion remained silent and just waited for the arrival of the old family members.
On the day of the old lady's birthday, the Li Mansion was packed with guests. Although the old lady was dissatisfied with Lin Yixuan for using things from the warehouse, she had to praise him. This was the biggest birthday party she had ever had in her life.
Nonsense, how could it be bad? Not to mention that Lin Yixuan had bought 50,000 taels on credit, and there were so many good things in the warehouse, and the specifications were also based on the birthday banquet of the elders of the Marquis' Mansion. If the scene was not grand, it would be a shame for his efforts. He waited and looked forward to it, and really wanted to see the faces of the Li family when those merchants came to collect the debts.
However, perhaps he had already left the Li Mansion by then and could not see this wonderful scene. With the help of the housekeeper, he was able to change his dowry and leave the house more smoothly. The Li family was born from peasants, commonly known as nouveau riche. Those high-end fakes would probably take some time for the Li family to discover. This time, Lin Yixuan could be said to have severely cheated the Li family.
Li Yaonan was in a very good mood. He felt that this fellow from the Lin family was extremely bad, but he liked him.