When Li Bing, who had finished washing up and was dressed neatly, appeared in Madam Dou's room, the time for half an incense stick to burn had passed. Li Bing looked around and saw that Li Shimin and Li Yuanba were both there, while Li Xiu Ning was sitting with her back facing the door. She was holding Madam Dou's hand, who had just given birth to Li Yuanji and was still resting on the bed. She didn't know where they were whispering to each other. Anyway, the mother and daughter were talking and laughing. Li Bing tiptoed in, hoping that she wouldn't attract Li Xiu Ning's attention. Unfortunately, the heavens did not fulfill his small wish. Li Bing had only taken two steps when his aura caught Li Yuanji's attention. Li Bing quickly made all kinds of funny faces at him, hoping that this little ancestor would not betray him. Unfortunately, Li Yuanji ignored his prayers and opened his mouth to cry. Li Yuanji's crying finally attracted the attention of Madam Dou and Li Xiu Ning. Then, the two of them noticed Li Bing who was winking in the room. The two of them immediately understood what was going on.
Madam Dou held back her laughter and put on a stern face. Her words still revealed a smile that could not be concealed," San Lang, where are you winking at? What kind of show are you putting on?" Li Xiuning didn't add fuel to the fire and continued to mock him. She just giggled non-stop. Li Shi Min also laughed, and even the simple-minded Li Yuan Ba laughed along.
When Li Bing saw that everyone was making fun of him, he immediately thickened his skin and walked to Madam Dou's bedside without caring about anything. He smiled and said to Madam Dou,"Mother, what are you talking about with Third Sister? You're talking so passionately that Second Brother and Fourth Brother are left hanging on the side.”The expression on his face could not be any more serious, as if the one who was embarrassed and laughed at just now was not him.
When everyone saw Li Bing joking with Madam Dou without changing his expression, they also deeply admired Li Bing's thick skin.
"What's there to talk about? It's just a topic between us women. Why are you guys getting involved? Alright, alright, get out. Your Third Sister and I haven't seen each other for half a year.”Madam Dou smiled and chased her three sons out. Then, she suddenly remembered something and instructed them,"Tell your father later that your third sister is back. Let's eat in my room tonight and have a good family reunion. Oh right, tell the kitchen to add a few more dishes tonight to make it sumptuous.”Then, she forcefully chased her sons out of the bedroom.
The three sons stood outside the tightly shut door, looking at each other. They were stunned for a long time before shaking their heads in unison. Li Shimin returned to his courtyard, while Li Yuanba followed Li Bing back to his courtyard. The two continued to practice under the guidance of Taoist Priest Zi Yun.
Li Bing noticed that Li Xiu Ning had been sitting quietly by the bed ever since he came in. She only smiled. Compared to the devilish look she usually showed him, Li Bing felt that her quiet ladylike appearance now gave him a new feeling.
It was another day of hard work, and both of them were covered in sweat. The sky was already getting darker, and it was almost time for Li Yuan to return. Li Bing and Li Yuanba quickly took a bath and changed their clothes. After all, the family banquet of a big family was a relatively grand and formal event.
The two of them went to the side room in Li Bing's courtyard to take a bath. The entire bathroom was filled with steam. The two of them didn't say much and directly stripped themselves naked. Then, one after the other, they walked into the large bathtub that Li Bing had specially requested. As they came from the 21st century, Li Bing paid more attention to his own hygiene. He would take a hot bath almost every day. Because there would be maids to wait on him when he bathed. Therefore, Li Bing didn't have any special feelings about bathing with Li Yuanba. In the beginning, when the two of them occasionally "bird faced each other" and rubbed each other's backs, he would feel a trace of discomfort. After a long time, he was used to it.
After Li Yuan returned, he heard from the servants that his third daughter, Li Xiu Ning, had returned. At that moment, his somewhat depressed mood was instantly swept away. He happily went to Madam Dou's room and amicably chatted with Madam Dou and Li Xiu Ning about some of the happy and unhappy things that Li Xiu Ning had encountered in the directorate. After listening to Madam Dou's suggestion, Li Yuan immediately ordered the servants to prepare the family banquet in Madam Dou's room. Due to Madam Dou's instructions in advance, the dishes prepared for tonight's family banquet were almost ready. The maids served the dishes one after another. Then, Li Yuan asked the servants to inform his sons to come over.
When Li Bing and Li Yuan Ba were almost fully dressed under the service of the maids, the maids who came to call Li Bing and Li Yuan Ba also arrived. The two of them hurriedly responded and followed the maids into Lady Dou's room.
Because Li Bing was not the eldest son, he did not have the opportunity to inherit the title of Li Yuan in the future. Moreover, he was smart and quick-witted since he was young, and was deeply favored by the Li Yuan couple. Therefore, his courtyard was arranged to be closer to the Dou family's courtyard. In a short while, the two of them arrived. Seeing that Li Yuan, Madam Dou, Li Xiu Ning, and Li Jiancheng, who had arrived earlier, were already seated in their respective seats, Li Bing hurriedly bowed to Li Yuan and Madam Dou before quickly returning to her seat.
As soon as he sat down, Li Bing felt his calf being poked. Needless to say, Li Bing knew that it was done by the witch, Li Xiu Ning. He pretended not to feel anything and continued to stare at the plate in front of him. Li Xiu Ning obviously did not give up on Li Bing's indifference and poked Li Bing a few more times. Seeing that Li Bing was still unmoved, she kicked him hard. This was Li Xiu Ning telling Li Bing: "Hmph, this lady is angry. You better be careful.”Li Bing had been bullied by her for so many years, so how could she not know what this meant? She immediately looked up at her guiltily. Li Xiu Ning raised her eyebrows at her as if she was demonstrating her power. Li Bing immediately looked at her pitifully and begged for mercy. Li Xiu Ning used her eyes to tell him,"Begging for mercy? Do you know your mistake? Too late!" Li Bing was like a deflated balloon, his entire spirit collapsing.
Li Yuan and his wife, who were sitting in their seats, were playing with Li Yuanji. They did not notice the small movements between Li Bing and Li Xiu Ning at all. Li Jiancheng and Li Yuanba seemed to be used to such a scene. Li Jiancheng was like an old monk who was meditating, and Li Yuanba was staring at the dishes on the table, swallowing his saliva secretly.
Li Bing and Li Yuanba sat down and waited for a while. Li Shiming, who lived further away, finally arrived. He first gave everyone an apologetic look, then greeted Li Yuan and Madam Dou, then Li Jiancheng and Li Xiuning, and nodded at Li Bing and Li Yuanba before sitting down in his seat.
Seeing that everyone was present, Li Yuan gestured for the maids to serve the wine and ordered the servants to bring out a jar of grape wine that he had treasured for several years. Li Bing and the other kids were also allowed to drink two small cups.
After the maids filled the cups in front of everyone with wine, Li Yuan swept his gaze across the entire family and said with emotion,"Tomorrow will be the 8th day of the 12th lunar month. One year has passed. As you're getting old, you feel that your days are passing by quickly. Since your elder sister and second elder sister got married, you've gradually grown up. As a result, we don't have much time to eat together. Father and mother have been married for over 20 years. Watching you growing up slowly, father and mother are very happy. Come, let's not talk about it anymore. Let's have a drink first…"
That night, the moon was bright and clear. The wine was drunk and the people were drunk. The entire Dou family's room was filled with the joy of the past.
After the banquet ended, everyone was ready to leave. When the children were bidding farewell to Li Yuan and his wife, Li Xiu Ning suddenly smiled sweetly and said to Li Yuan coquettishly,"Daddy, I haven't played with third brother for a long time. There are still many interesting things and whispers that I haven't told Bing 'er.”When Li Bing heard this, she was so scared that her soul almost flew out. She quickly looked at Li Yuan with pleading eyes, hoping that he would not agree. Li Yuan did not seem to see the pleading in Li Bing's eyes. He seemed to be happy to see his children's deep feelings. Without thinking, he said,"Go, go, have a good chat. If it's too late, you can sleep in Bing 'er's room.”"Hey!" Li Xiu Ning immediately agreed sweetly. She turned her head and smiled at Li Bing in a very "friendly" voice,"Third Brother, we have to have a good talk tonight. We have to 'communicate' for the whole night ~" In Li Bing's eyes, Li Xiu Ning's face was filled with evil.
" Plop!" Li Bing fell down again…" It's over, retribution is coming so soon. God, please save me, a bullied child!"
In the end, everyone returned to their own courtyards. Li Xiu Ning carried the dejected and unwilling Li Bing and excitedly walked towards his small courtyard.
When they returned to Li Bing's courtyard, Li Bing couldn't help but shiver uncontrollably out of fear or fear of the cold. Then, she weakly looked at Li Xiu Ning and said,""Third Sister, I…"
Li Xiu Ning smiled sinisterly at Li Bing.""Hehe, third brother, let's 'cultivate' our relationship tonight, hehe."
Li Bing was even more terrified. At this moment, a soft sigh came from a corner, so abrupt in the quiet courtyard.
Li Bing and Li Xiu Ning looked in the direction of the voice. A thin figure was staring blankly at the moonlight. After a long time, he sighed again. Li Bing recognized that figure. It was Zhangsun Wugou's older brother, Zhangsun Wuji. Clearly, this stubborn youth was sighing at his ill-fated fate again.
On the seventh night of the twelfth lunar month in the third year of Emperor Wen's life, Zhangsun Wuji and Li Xiu Ning met by chance under the moonlight. This encounter caused the connection between Li Bing and Zhangsun Wuji to become closer.
This book comes from：m.funovel.com。