Chapter 38: The Troublemaker of the Li Family >

face was ashen. He knocked on his pipe and asked, "There were over twenty of them at the time. Where did they all go Did they really just scatter like Old Hu said"Li Laosi was so angry that his teeth..."Ah!" Jia Yin's response this time was exceptionally clear.

The old woman then picked up the hot water bottle. She was smart and, after fiddling with it a few times, figured out that it was for holding water.

Thinking of his grandson's frostbitten toes, he quickly got off the ground.

She came back a little while later with a hot water bottle in her arms.

"My dear granddaughter, you are such a treasure! Your brother won't have to suffer the cold anymore!"

Jia Yin was overjoyed, dancing with delight. A good start is half the battle to success.

Having tried this hot water bottle, grandma won't be so surprised when we take things out of the space next time.

Slowly, perhaps he could also be a good cover for her.

Lao Li probably didn't know her granddaughter was thinking so far ahead. She found her needlework basket and started sewing a cloth cover for the hot water bottle with hot water nearby.

This is a treasure found by my granddaughter. No one else should see it.

Don't cause trouble for your grandson, nor bring misfortune to the family. After all, there are many wicked people outside who are envious and looking for trouble.

The next morning, the whole family got up early and started bustling about.

Ordinary families usually don't make a big fuss about their child's 100th day.

But Jia Yin is the treasure of the whole family, so she should be celebrated. It's a must to prepare a table full of delicious food and wine. Everyone even prepared gifts.

Zhao Yuru's specialty was needlework. She made a little rabbit fur hat for Jia Yin.

The front of the hat was inlaid with two round, bulging eyeballs, and a little tuft of rabbit tail sewn on the back. It looked incredibly lively.

Jia Yin really liked it, babbling and giggling as she grabbed the hat and put it on her head. Her movements were clumsy but adorable, making everyone laugh.

Home An's family was so excited they hurried to take out the carefully prepared gifts, small horses and tigers woven from grass, lifelike and adorable.

It's impressive how seriously they took their learning and created such a detailed little gadget.

Li Laosan's gift was bigger. He carved a wooden horse with his own hands and said that when the good news came, he could ride it himself.

Old Li Er gave two red strings and strung two silver beads on them.

One engraved with "No Restrictions," one engraved with "Auspicious and Fortunate," are most suitable for a hundred-day-old baby to wear on their wrist to bring good luck.

Tao Hongying embraced Jia Yin and smiled as she thanked the crowd.

However, when all the gifts were gathered, Wu Cuifang was missing.

Jia Ren was puzzled. He looked around and realized his mother was hiding beside Jia An and Jia Xi, snatching food from them!

"Mother! What are you doing!" Jia Ren blushed furiously and stepped forward to pull her.

He didn't expect to be slapped away by Wu Cuifang, who also rolled her eyes at him.

"Mother, you really wasted all your efforts raising you! You'd rather think about the woman next door when you have some money in your pocket. I haven't even seen you buy me a little snack to show filial piety!"

Jia Ren was choked by these words. Thinking of his father, who had worked hard to earn money for his studies, and even his younger brother Jia Yi, who had already gone south as a bodyguard, he felt a surge of anger.

Only the old mother is the most worrisome in the whole family, and it's impossible to reason with her...

After a busy day, the whole family relaxed and rested. They would get up again to see Jia Ren back to school.

Li Lao Tai deliberately avoided Wu Cuiflower, and quietly called the eldest grandson into the room.

Jia Ren dared not neglect, guessing that Grandma probably had something to instruct him, so he asked, "Grandma, is there anything"

Jiayin was lying in bed practicing somersaults. She was getting into it, one after another, and forgot how close she was to the edge of the kang. She almost fell off.

Jia Ren immediately rushed forward, scooping up his sister and smiling helplessly, "You mischievous little thing!"

Old Li was also startled, and quickly took her granddaughter into her arms. Seeing that the child's hands and feet were kicking happily, not looking afraid at all, she finally felt relieved.

She casually pulled a hot water bottle out from under the covers and stuffed it into Jia Ren's arms.

"Try it, this thing is really warm. Take it to the academy, put one in your bosom and one under your feet, you won't catch chilblains again."

With a warm and cozy feeling at home, she asked in surprise.

"Milk, what is this thing Where did it come from It's so warm!"

Li Lao glared warily out the window, gave Jia Yin a subtle nod, and whispered.

"This is a treasure bestowed by the gods at your sister's plea. You mustn't let anyone else see it, use it in secret, understand Especially your mother; she can't keep a secret and might cause trouble."

Jia Ren quickly nodded solemnly, "Mother, don't worry, I understand."

"Just keep it in your mind, Grandma trusts you."

Grandma Li patted her grandson's shoulder, still feeling a little reluctant for him to suffer.

Though our family might be a little poor, we always have enough to eat and wear. The academy is just not convenient after all.

Jiarin guessed what Grandma was thinking and talked about some good things happening at school, like compliments from the teachers and interesting classmates. This amused the old woman, who regained her smile, and finally stopped pestering him.

Jia Yin heard something fresh and casually took out seven or eight more boiled eggs from the space.

Li Laotai turned around almost crushing the egg, but upon seeing it clearly, she fiercely kissed her granddaughter.

"Grandma's precious child, why are you so endearing Your brother will grow up to be an official, backing you up and buying you delicious treats!"

As she spoke, she shoved all the eggs into Jia-ren's hands.

Jiārén still thought Grandma had quietly cooked it early and declined but took it anyway.

After breakfast, Li Jiaren bid farewell to his family and set off alone on the road back to the academy, a knapsack slung over his shoulder.

He didn't expect that as soon as he left the village, he would see Wu Cuifang sitting by the roadside.

"Mother, it's so cold here. Why are you sitting out in the cold" Li Jiaren was startled and hurried forward to help her up.

Wu Cuifang just reached out her hand and said, "Give it to me!"

Li Jiaren instinctively thought of the water bag his grandmother had given him, so he turned to ask, "What does mother want"

"What else could it be Don't think I don't know. Just now, the old woman secretly pulled you into the room, she must have given you a lot of silver, right Hurry up and bring it, I'll send it to your uncle!"

Seeing her son acting so foolish, Wu Cuiflower became annoyed and stepped forward to tug on his luggage.

"How can you be so heartless Your uncle is out there starving and suffering, living a life worse than a pig or a dog, and you, with all your silver, wouldn't even think of helping him out, and you dare to hide it!"

She kept up a constant stream of insults.

"Your Li family is also heartless, with such a big courtyard and empty rooms, not one person willing to take in your uncle. A bunch of heartless scoundrels!"

"Mother, please stop acting like this!"

Li Jiaren struggled against his mother's tugging, thinking the hot water bag mustn't be seen by her. His tone grew increasingly worse.

Wu Cuifang almost tripped and was even more furious. Her usually obedient son dared to scold her, which was simply outrageous.

"Hey! You've only read for two days and you dare to act up in front of me Just because you became a scholar doesn't mean anything! You were born by me, so hand over the money. When your uncle becomes rich later on, I'll have him pay you back!"

Jia Ren's anger made his temples throb, but he gritted his teeth and said persuasively.

“Mother, my uncle is strong and capable. If he just worked harder, he could support himself. Our family isn't wealthy, and we don't have the means to help him. Besides, grandmother didn't give me any money. I only have a few dozen coins for personal use, and I can't give you any!”rk overtime than leave anyone behind!Seeing this, the Yan family members were so frightened they almost wet their pants.Especially Mrs. Yan Er, who scrambled and hid behind her husband.But Master Yen...