哈哈漫画

Chapter 3

Hearing Li Xia's words, a smile appeared on Li Xin's lips. Her younger sister really had a strong desire for food.

"Sister, Father is coming over," Li Xia called out to Li Xin, indicating the approaching procession.

Looking down, Li Xin saw that Li Ming was leading the group behind the Golden Ox. Although he was in his middle age, Li Ming had always maintained a strict exercise routine, and his posture was upright. The blue official robe made Li Ming appear even more dignified. This was a side of Li Ming that they didn't usually see, and for a moment, Li Xin was speechless as she stared at him.

Li Xia waved her hand in front of Li Xin's face and said, "Sister, Father is looking dumbfounded."

Li Xia's words brought Li Xin back to her senses, and she laughed sheepishly, "I have never seen Father look so dignified."

Li Chou and Li Guang nodded in agreement from the side. Li Guang looked at Li Ming's official attire and admired, "I want to be a magistrate in the future."

"That's ambitious, Third Brother, keep up the good work," Li Xia made a gesture of encouragement. Li Guang chuckled foolishly. The others in the room laughed along with Li Guang, and the atmosphere in the room improved significantly.

As the procession passed by, stalls were set up on both sides of the street. Various snacks, tricks, performances, and different trinkets were displayed. Goods from all over the country were showcased. The vendors shouted, "Come and take a look..."

Impatiently drawn by the voices below, Li Guang really wanted to go down. He looked at Li Hui and asked, "Big Brother, can we go down now?" Li Xin and Li Xia also wanted to go down and take a walk. They looked at Li Hui with hopeful eyes.

In the face of their eager gazes, Li Hui calmly put down his teacup and said, "Go ahead."

Before the words had even settled, Li Guang ran downstairs. Li Chou couldn't care less about anything else and followed him with his servant. He had to keep an eye on Li Guang and make sure nothing went wrong. After the two left, Li Hui took out a purse and handed it to Li Xin and Li Xia, saying, "Buy whatever you want."

Li Xin and Li Xia took the purse and thanked Li Hui, saying, "Thank you, Big Brother."

Li Hui then looked at the maidservants behind Li Xin and Li Xia and said, "Take good care of the girls."

This time, Li Xia brought Qiu Ju and Qiu Shui along. Mei Niang was worried about Li Xia, so she specifically sent Qiu Ju to take care of her. If necessary, she could directly bring Li Xia back.

The maidservants beside Li Xin were Dan Qing and Dan Mo. Lu Shi was also worried about Li Xin, so she sent Liu Mian to take care of her. Everyone responded to Li Hui and headed downstairs. Li Xin and Li Xia looked around and then turned back.

"Big sister, let's go eat," Li Xia said.

"Younger sister, let's go to Yunshang Pavilion and take a look," Li Xin replied.

Both sisters spoke at the same time, but they mentioned different places. They looked at each other's desired destination and shivered inwardly, neither wanting to go where the other suggested.

"Big sister, why don't you go to Yunshang Pavilion, and I'll go enjoy some food," Li Xia quickly reacted and said, not waiting for Li Xin's reply. She turned around and waved her hand before swiftly running off, as if there were wolves chasing after her.

Watching Li Xia walk away, Danqing couldn't help but laugh out loud. "This young lady is just too..." Before finishing his sentence, he saw the stern look in Li Xin's eyes. Danqing quickly lowered his head, cursing himself inwardly for overstepping his boundaries. Although Li Xia was a concubine-born girl, she was still the younger sister of the main young lady. How could he allow a mere maid like him to casually make judgments?

Li Xin withdrew his gaze and continued walking towards Yunshang Pavilion. Danqing followed behind, feeling anxious and uneasy.

Li Xia, accompanied by Qiu Ju and Qiu Shui, arrived at the food area. Taking a deep breath of the mixed aroma of different foods, she exclaimed, "It smells so good." She walked briskly to the first skewered lamb stall on the street and said, "Boss, give me three skewers of grilled lamb." Li Xia intended to eat her way from one end of the street to the other.

"Alright, please wait a moment," the shopkeeper prepared the grilled lamb skewers. Li Xia stood by, watching intently. When they were ready, she didn't mind the heat and took a bite. It was delicious and incredibly fragrant. As she ate, she nodded in approval, expressing her enjoyment.

"Miss, please be careful," Qiu Shui noticed that many people were looking at Li Xia and quietly reminded her to be mindful of her image.

Li Xia handed the other two skewers to Qiu Ju and Qiu Shui, saying, "You two should eat too. These lamb skewers taste amazing." At that moment, she didn't care about her image anymore; eating was the most important thing.

Qiu Ju and Qiu Shui helplessly looked at the skewers handed to them, then glanced at Li Xia, who was enjoying her lamb skewers and heading to the next stall. Li Xia stood in front of a pie stall and said to the owner, "Boss, I want a savory meat and pickled vegetable pie."

"Alright," the shop owner responded and quickly prepared the pie for Li Xia. She took the pie and happily ate it, alternating between bites of meat and the pie.

Moving from one stall to another, Li Xia didn't buy a lot of each item and shared some with Qiu Ju and Qiu Shui. In this way, Li Xia not only spent all the silver given by Aunt Mei, but also exhausted the silver given by Li Hui.

Li Xia looked somewhat regretfully at the last stall selling wontons. She still had room to eat, but unfortunately, she had run out of money. Reluctantly withdrawing her gaze, she planned to return to the restaurant when she noticed a purse in front of her. Following the gaze, she saw Qiu Ju looking somewhat helpless. "Aunt Mei is worried about you," she said, leaving her sentence unfinished, but Li Xia understood what Qiu Ju meant.

Li Xia took the purse, tears welling up in her eyes, and looked at Qiu Ju. "Aunt Qiu, Aunt Mei is so kind. After we finish eating the wontons, let's buy her a gift." Aunt Mei, as a concubine, couldn't leave the residence easily. She needed permission from the Lu family, but Aunt Mei herself was too lazy to go out and unwilling to do so.

Just then, someone finished eating and left. Li Xia quickly walked over and sat down, motioning for Qiu Ju and Qiu Shui to sit down as well. At the same time, she called out to the owner, "Boss, three bowls of small wontons, please hurry."

"Alright, three bowls of small wontons," the owner quickly served the wontons. Li Xia took a deep breath, savoring the aroma. Ignoring the heat, she scooped up a spoonful and put it in her mouth. After finishing the wontons, all three of them felt full. Not in a hurry to go back, they strolled slowly in the direction of the teahouse, following the crowd.

On the way, Li Xia bought a bag of chestnuts and five sour cabbage and pork-filled buns. Qiu Ju held onto these items. Li Xia was worried that if she held one, she wouldn't be able to resist eating it. While looking around, Li Xia fixed her gaze on a man carrying a child ahead. Judging by their figures, they appeared to be an ordinary father and son out for a walk.

"What's wrong, Miss?" Qiu Ju noticed that Li Xia's expression was off and stepped forward, asking in a low voice.

Li Xia whispered a few words into Qiu Ju's ear. Qiu Ju's heart tightened as she looked at Li Xia.

"Qiu Yi, go find Big Brother," Li Xia urged Qiu Ju.

"Miss, let's go together and find the Young Master," Qiu Ju refused to leave, observing that Li Xia intended to continue tracking. If something went wrong, it would also endanger Li Xia.

Li Xia pushed Qiu Ju. "Qiu Yi, hurry and go. I still have Qiu Shui here, so rest assured."

Qiu Ju glanced at Qiu Shui, who seemed completely clueless, and became even more worried. "Miss, should we find the patrolling constables on the street?"

"Qiu Yi, this is a matter of life and death. We can't afford to delay. You go quickly, and I'll wait for you here. Don't wander around," Li Xia assured her. Qiu Ju gritted her teeth, instructed Qiu Shui to "watch over the miss," and quickly departed.