The Exiled Life of the Noble Girl

Chapter 144

Wang Chunhua and Dong Shan were not in any trouble, nor had they gotten lost. Old Lady Wang had simply asked them to buy too many things, so they had wandered around from the city gate and ended up going quite far.

The gatekeeper had waited for them at the city gate for a while, but seeing no one, he returned to report their absence. It was only then that he saw them arrive and begin sorting through their purchases in the courtyard.

Wang Chunhua snatched the baby from Li Mingwei's arms and sat down to play with him, leaving Dong Shan to handle the rest alone.

"Put the pastries, candies, and food items on top," she instructed, "and the fabrics and anything that won't get crushed on the bottom."

They had hurriedly loaded everything onto the cart when making their purchases, so it was best to reorganize now before their long journey the next day.

Li Mingwei and two young maids joined in to help. As Li Mingwei rummaged through the items, she pulled out a mosquito net. "Why did Mother buy this? We already have nets for all three beds at home."

"Ah, your mother-in-law said that with the ancestral tablets enshrined in her room, the baby wouldn't sleep well. She originally planned to move the tablets, but when she entered, the room still smelled of medicinal alcohol. So she decided to move to the small adjoining room next to yours instead, as it would be more convenient for feeding the baby at night."

Wang Chunhua stepped forward and motioned for Li Mingwei to take out the fabrics underneath. "The old bedding is worn and torn. We'll discard all of it. These new sheets and covers are made of fine material—very expensive. Once we switch them out, sleep will be so comfortable!"

Li Mingwei felt the fabric; it was indeed soft and luxurious, though she had no relation to it.

She tapped Liu Simo's tiny nose. "Your grandmother now only has you on her mind."

After a lifetime of frugality, she was willing to spend any amount on him, even forsaking her own husband.

Wang Chunhua laughed, "They say grandchildren take precedence over one's own children. It's only natural. With our Xiao Le and Xiao Yan, their grandparents haven't even seen them once."

In fact, she herself had never met her in-laws—she didn't know what the elderly couple even looked like.

Li Mingwei noticed Dong Shan fall silent for a moment and quickly nudged her sister from behind. Wang Chunhua glanced at her, then walked away with the baby in her arms.

"Brother-in-law, take a rest. We can handle the rest."

Dong Shan shook his head with a smile, his hands never stopping. "No need. Take out your luggage, and I'll bundle everything together. We have to leave early tomorrow and will be busy upon our return."

"Will there be many guests?"

"I expect even more than at your wedding banquet."

Li Mingwei was surprised. How could that be? Surely no one would skip such an important event as a wedding but attend a mere celebratory banquet instead.

Dong Shan cleared his throat lightly. "Your mother-in-law is feeling rather pleased with herself these days. Remember when she mentioned your... situation before? She's invited all those people who gossiped about you, even going so far as to visit Older Fourth Liu's household to issue invitations herself. So naturally, the guest list has grown quite long."

Li Mingwei held her head in her hands. She hadn't realized her mother-in-law harbored such a competitive streak.

"No need to worry about it. Your mother-in-law has already hired people to cook and serve at the banquet. Just take the baby to greet the guests when you return."

"Ah, yes!" Wang Chunhua, hearing their conversation, rushed over with the baby. "Your mother-in-law said to dress the baby well tomorrow and have him wear all the longevity locks and gifts people sent. She wants to spite those rude, uncouth folks who spoke ill of you."

When her mother-in-law had initially sought out a matchmaker, Li Mingwei had thought she didn't care about such matters anymore.

Yet nearly a year had passed, and she still held grudges over those past insults.

Since her mother-in-law now had an opportunity to address those slights, Li Mingwei saw no reason to deny her that. Early the next morning, she dressed in the new clothes Marquis Tang had prepared for her, adorned the baby in his finest attire as well, bid farewell to the maids who had attended her, and returned home.

The small cart was piled high with their purchases. Li Mingwei could not ride it, but having just given birth, her legs felt weary, and she moved somewhat slowly. Once they passed through the city gate, Liu Yizhu handed the baby to Wang Chunhua and crouched down with his back to Li Mingwei.

"Get on. No one's really watching now."

"Really?" Li Mingwei glanced around cautiously. Seeing only a few scattered passersby, she climbed onto his back. "Let me know if you get tired, and I can walk for a bit."

Liu Yizhu laughed. "I thought you were already well acquainted with my stamina. Has it been too long, so you've forgotten?"

Li Mingwei's face reddened as she tugged on his ear. "Hush, you!"

She stole a glance at her sister and brother-in-law walking ahead. Seeing no reaction from them, she relaxed a little, relieved they hadn't overheard.

To tease Liu Yizhu further, she swung her legs, adding to the burden on his back.

Liu Yizhu struggled to keep her still, warning in a low voice, "Stop moving your legs, or if someone asks, I'll just say you're lame."

"You're the lame one!" Li Mingwei swung her legs more vigorously, huffing, "If I'm lame, then you have to carry me. I'll exhaust you, exhaust you!"

Liu Yizhu held his head, regretting having provoked her in the first place.

But Li Mingwei only swung her legs a couple more times before settling down obediently on his back. It was still a long way to go—no sense tiring him out too quickly.

This way, she could also avoid walking for a while longer. Hehehe.

It wasn't that Li Mingwei doubted Liu Yizhu's stamina. She had simply gained a bit of weight recently, quite unlike her slender figure from the previous year. Her formerly flat stomach now had a softness to it when pinched.

She wondered how long it would take to slim down again, as her mother-in-law had promised.

"Ahhh..."

Hearing the long sigh from behind him, Liu Yizhu's brow furrowed. "What's wrong?"

Li Mingwei tentatively ventured, "Have I... gotten heavier?"

"Compared to last year?" Liu Yizhu shifted her weight on his back, nodding. "A bit heavier, yes."

In truth, it was more than just a bit—but knowing she was self-conscious about it, Liu Yizhu didn't want to say. Li Mingwei likely had some awareness of her weight gain herself; otherwise, why would Marquis Tang have prepared new clothes for her?

She pursed her lips and called out to Wang Chunhua, "Sister, did you gain weight after giving birth?"

"I did gain weight," Wang Chunhua replied, glancing uncertainly at Dong Shan. "Didn't I gain a lot of weight?"

Dong Shan shook his head. "It didn't seem like much. I've forgotten."

Don't ask him—if he said she'd gained weight, he'd get an earful when they returned. He had learned from experience.

But Wang Chunhua grew irritated regardless. "I went through all that pain to have your child, and you've forgotten whether I gained weight or not? Have you no shame?"

"I..."

Dong Shan faltered, at a loss. Telling the truth was unwise, but claiming to have forgotten was equally unacceptable. What could he do besides lie?

He looked pleadingly towards Liu Yizhu for help.

Liu Yizhu averted his gaze. Why was he asking him? He didn't remember what Wang Chunhua had looked like before—how would he know if she'd gained weight?

Though her husband didn't speak, Li Mingwei understood. She patted Liu Yizhu's shoulder. "Let me down."

Suddenly, she could walk on her own!

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