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Chapter 40

Lady Hong stood at the doorway waiting, but soon Hong Zhu returned with a slap mark on her other cheek as well.

"What happened?" Lady Hong asked angrily, as her servant had been struck again.

"Lady Niu has also been summoned by Lady Huang," Hong Zhu replied, holding back tears.

Lady Huang, what was going on? Lady Hong was also angered. There were only two hair-dressing ladies in the shop, and Lady Huang had summoned them both, leaving Lady Hong in an awkward situation with the guests. Lady Hong disregarded the Sun family's influence and went to demand their servants back.

Although they tried to lower their voices outside, Li Xia could hear clearly, "Sister, does our family have a feud with Prefectural Judge He's family?"

Li Xin was admiring the hairpin in her hand. Upon hearing the question, she put down the hairpin, pondered for a moment, and said, "The Li family has only recently arrived in Liuzhou, so we have not feuded with anyone."

Li Xia recounted the events she had heard. Li Xin frowned. She did not have any interactions with the young lady of the Sun family, only briefly encountering her twice when attending banquets with Mrs. Lu. The young lady of the Sun family was indeed exceptionally beautiful and talented, and being the eldest legitimate daughter of Prefectural Judge He, she was regarded as the number one beauty in Liuzhou. Although outwardly gentle and amiable, she was arrogant and conceited.

In Li Xin's opinion, the Sun family's young lady was not as beautiful as Li Xia. However, Li Xia always kept her head lowered and remained in the corner.

"Perhaps it was a coincidence," Li Xin said with a smile, for there were no true coincidences in this world. If it were not at the instigation of the Sun family's young lady, how could the welcoming lady of a jewelry shop dare to treat them like this? It remained unclear whether this was directed at the Li family or specifically at Li Xin.

Soon, Lady Hong entered with a smiling expression, accompanied by a woman, "I've kept you two ladies waiting. This is Hua Ersao, our most skilled hair-combing lady at the Heart's Desire Pavilion." Lady Hong gestured for Hua Ersao to step forward and comb Li Xin's hair.

Hua Ersao first placed her tools on the table and washed her hands. She then removed the jewelry and hair accessories from Li Xin's head one by one. After restyling Li Xin's hair, she adorned it with a double-knotted auspicious coral and white jade hairpin.

Lady Hong held up a copper mirror for Li Xin to admire the hairpin. Li Xin examined it closely and expressed her satisfaction, "I'll take this hairpin."

"The lady has a discerning eye. Please take a look at our other pieces," Lady Hong enthusiastically recommended, as she would earn a commission for each sale.

Li Xin selected some additional hairpins, earrings, and bracelets, saying, "I'll take these as well."

Lady Hong's smile grew increasingly radiant, for today's customer was truly generous. She personally wrapped up all the items Li Xin had chosen.

"Also wrap this one," Li Xin said, removing the double-knotted auspicious coral and white jade hairpin from her head and instructing Lady Hong to wrap it up as well. She called out, "Dan Qing," and Dan Qing came forward, gently pushing aside Hua Ersao to restyle Li Xin's hair in its original fashion and adorn it with the new hairpin.

As they opened the door to leave, someone exited the pavilion across the hallway. It was a fair-skinned, exceptionally beautiful young lady with a slender, delicate figure and an aura of fragility. Upon seeing the two ladies, she smiled and nodded slightly.

Li Xin politely returned the gesture, and they departed. Once inside the carriage, Li Xia remarked, "A face like a blossoming peach, but a heart like a venomous snake." The Sun family's young lady had the same hairstyle and hairpin as Li Xin previously wore in the room. Compared side by side, Li Xin's appearance could not match that of the Sun family's young lady, and to an outsider, she would naturally be seen as inferior.

Li Xia's remark dispelled Li Xin's initial displeasure.

Upon returning to the Li residence, Li Xin went to the Yanguiyuan Courtyard and recounted the day's events to Mrs. Lu.

Mrs. Lu was aware of the political disagreements between Prefectural Judge He and Li Ming. However, she did not expect the Sun family's young lady to become involved in such serious matters. The Sun family's conduct was indeed appalling.

"Be cautious when interacting with the Sun family's young lady," Mrs. Lu advised Li Xin.

"I was unaware before, but now that I know, I will be careful and ensure I do not suffer any losses," Li Xin replied, not taking the Sun family's young lady seriously. Mrs. Lu nodded, but neither of them could have anticipated that the disregarded Sun family's young lady would soon deliver a devastating blow to Li Xin.

"Mother, does the Heart's Desire Pavilion have any connection with the Sun family?" Li Xin wondered. For the Sun family's young lady to have orchestrated such an incident, the welcoming and hair-combing ladies at the pavilion must have been aware of it and allowed it to happen.

Mrs. Lu pondered and nodded, realizing that Li Xin was overthinking the matter. "The Heart's Desire Pavilion is part of Lady Sun's dowry."

"In that case, it seems the Sun family intends to be at odds with our Li family," Li Xin frowned, concerned that their family might suffer losses, as the Sun family held significant influence in Liuzhou.

"Don't overthink it. Your father and I will handle this matter," Mrs. Lu reassured Li Xin, patting her hand and telling her not to worry. Over the years, she had witnessed many events alongside Li Ming and was confident in their ability to resolve this situation.

Time passed, and the county examination loomed, filling Li Chou and Li Guang with dread. Li Guang approached the county examination with a determination to succeed, for if he failed, Li Ming would send him to the Zhihui Academy, a nightmare for all students. Regardless of their family background, students at the Zhihui Academy were treated equally harshly. They rose at the rooster's crow and slept at dusk, with no respite from the heat or cold. Monthly examinations were held, and those who performed poorly faced severe punishment.

The Zhihui Academy was a literal hell for students. Li Guang did not wish to study there. Perhaps his determination played a role, as he passed the county examination with an average ranking, bringing him one step closer to becoming a student of the imperial academy.

Li Guang was satisfied with his result, as he had not ranked last. However, Li Ming was dissatisfied, for how could the son of Li Ming achieve such a mediocre ranking? Li Ming decided to personally tutor Li Chou, Li Guang, and Li Hui every evening. After all, in his younger days, Li Ming had surpassed tens of thousands of candidates to successfully pass the imperial examination, laying the foundation for his current achievements. Tutoring his three sons would be a simple task.

Among the three sons, only Li Hui could quickly grasp Li Ming's guidance, integrate it thoroughly, and apply it in innovative ways, making rapid progress. Li Chou was diligent but stubborn, unable to apply the lessons flexibly. As for Li Guang, his mind frequently wandered elsewhere during the lessons.

Late one night in the study, the weary Li Ming continued researching materials for the next day, determined to outmaneuver Prefectural Judge He. Several times, Li Ming had proposed initiatives, only for Prefectural Judge He to find ways to refute or delay them, significantly impeding Li Ming's work progress.

Frustrated with official matters, Li Ming put down the book he was reading. Looking up, he saw Li Guang sleeping soundly. Without a word, Li Ming picked up a ruler from the table, approached Li Guang, and struck his back forcefully.

"Owww!" Li Guang cried out, rudely awakened from his pleasant dream. Upon seeing his father's anger, he lowered his head and remained silent.

"I told you to come and recite your lessons, not to sleep," Li Ming scolded, slamming his hand on the table. After venting his frustration at Li Guang, he felt better. Leaving Li Guang with the instruction to "continue reciting," Li Ming returned to his seat, his hands folded behind his back.