Li Shan was also frustrated by this. The kitchen was dominated by Mrs. Lu's people. Especially the housekeeper Hua Qiaoshou, who was extremely cunning and it was difficult for Li Shan to find fault with her. So far, the only incident was when Li Shan managed to get the fire-stoker maid fired. Moreover, because of this, Cook Lady Bai, who originally had some conflicts with Hua Qiaoshou, had now completely united with her to deal with Li Shan. Li Shan currently had no influence in the kitchen.
"That's because you are incompetent. From now on, listen to me, and we'll definitely get the kitchen under our control," said Aunt Wang as she taught Li Shan some tricks on how to get rid of those disobedient servants. As the two talked, they didn't notice Li Yao, who had woken up from his sleep nearby.
Overhearing his birth mother and sister's conversation, Li Yao once again regretted his past actions. In his previous life, he had been blinded by greed and thought his sister Li Shan was a good person. At such a young age, he harbored ill intentions, wanting rewards without effort.
Li Yao had been reborn. In his previous life, he had grown up under Auntie Mei's care since he could remember. Auntie Mei had treated him well, and Li Xia was also kind to him. Li Yao had thought he was Auntie Mei's son. Until Li Shan told him that he and Li Shan were actually born from the same mother. She said that Auntie Mei had framed their birth mother Aunt Wang, just to have him as her son, and so on.
Li Yao believed Li Shan's words. Taking advantage of Auntie Mei's love for him, he wantonly hurt her. This led to Li Xia being forced to marry a memorial tablet. After Li Shan used him to get what she wanted in terms of her marriage, she cast Li Yao aside. Because of his foolishness, he had harmed Li Xia. After that, everyone in the Li family despised Li Yao.
Li Yao later realized his mistakes, but it was too late. In the end, he died from depression. He never expected to open his eyes again, only to find himself back when he was young, still under Aunt Wang's care. In his previous life, he had only heard from Li Shan that Aunt Wang was killed by Auntie Mei.
From his birth until now, Li Yao had observed Aunt Wang and Li Shan. His sister Li Shan had no genuine affection for him, only jealousy. She was jealous of how Aunt Wang and Li Ming treated him well. Li Yao's heart grew colder towards Li Shan. This was the sister he had longed for in his previous life.
As for his birth mother Aunt Wang, although she treated him well, her affection was tainted by self-interest. Compared to Auntie Mei's pure love for him in his previous life, this affection mixed with self-interest felt like a burden.
Li Yao's heart had turned cold, filled with regret. He regretted being so foolish in the past, helping Li Shan harm Li Xia. He deserved what he got. Listening to the two women's evil plans, Li Yao felt worse and worse. He couldn't let Aunt Wang do this, or she would soon meet her demise. In his previous life, Li Yao had found out that Aunt Wang's death was caused by her meddling in the kitchen affairs, leading to an incident.
In this life, Li Yao couldn't let Aunt Wang get involved in the kitchen. What Aunt Wang cared about most at the moment was Li Yao himself. Thinking of this, Li Yao came up with a plan. He started crying loudly, which was the only thing he could do now. To prevent Aunt Wang from having time to do anything bad, Li Yao first cried loudly, then refused to drink milk. Li Yao lost weight at a visible rate. As her son was Aunt Wang's only hope for a good life in the Li family in her later years, without him, it would be impossible for her to live well.
Mrs. Lu didn't make things difficult for Aunt Wang, knowing that Li Yao was ill. She sent for a doctor to examine him. The doctor found it strange that a child not even a year old would be so pensive, but he didn't mention this to the family. He prescribed some calming tonic for the child.
Li Yao was Aunt Wang's hope for her later years. With Li Yao's illness, Aunt Wang naturally had no mind to meddle in Li Shan's kitchen affairs. Although she had discussed many things with Li Shan, Li Shan was still young and couldn't cause too much trouble.
Li Yao's illness lasted until after the New Year, and he didn't recover until early spring. By the time Aunt Wang could spare the effort, it was already too late to do anything. Li Yao had indirectly changed the course of events, altering Aunt Wang's fate.
Because Aunt Wang didn't cause any trouble, it relieved Mrs. Lu of much worry. Out of consideration for Li Ming, during the New Year gathering, Mrs. Lu not only brought Li Xin and Li Xia, but also took Li Shan along to meet guests, letting others know that the Li family had a third young lady.
As the legitimate daughter and the county magistrate's child, many wished to befriend Li Xin. She quickly made several good friends. Li Shan, with her glib tongue, also made a few acquaintances, and their daily interactions were lively. Only Li Xia failed to make any friends, for two reasons. One, Li Xia was extremely demure and rarely spoke when going out. Two, her outstanding beauty made the legitimate daughters look down on her, while other young ladies didn't want to be outshone by her looks, so few associated with her.
However, Li Xia's demure and dutiful nature unexpectedly earned her the favor of some matriarchs. They felt that for a concubine's son to take such a reserved and well-behaved wife was ideal - she wouldn't cause trouble and would know her place. After each outing, Li Xia would tell Auntie Mei how she had behaved.
Auntie Mei nodded with satisfaction, approving of how she had taught Li Xia to conduct herself. She never wanted her daughter to stand out. As a concubine's daughter, drawing too much attention would not be good for Li Xia, especially with the legitimate wife Mrs. Lu watching.
As for the ridicule from Li Shan and Aunt Wang, both openly and in secret, Auntie Mei ignored it and advised Li Xia not to mind them. A personality as outgoing and attention-seeking as Li Shan's would not be favored by matriarchs. A concubine's daughter who only wanted to make a splash, forgetting her status - such arrogance exceeding one's humble position would not earn the matriarchs' favor.
Without Auntie Mei's reminder, Li Xia filtered out Li Shan's words, treating them as non-existent. She paid no mind to the girl's little tricks and instead found amusement in her willful behavior. Such a lively expression was something she couldn't see in her previous life, where children in their mothers' wombs faced war and death without a moment of peace. This carefree way of living was quite nice.
After Li Shan boasted a few times and saw that Li Xia ignored her, sometimes even looking at her with an expression of watching a show, the little girl's face turned red with anger. She stomped her feet and stopped showing off in front of Li Xia.
On the 29th of the twelfth lunar month, after Li Ming finished his official duties and locked up the office, the household became lively in preparation for the New Year. For the New Year's Eve dinner, Mrs. Lu gave instructions early in the morning, and the whole family gathered around the table. Mrs. Lu and Li Ming sat at the main seats, with Li Hui, Li Chou, Li Guang seated on Li Ming's side, and Li Xin, Li Xia, and Li Shan seated on Mrs. Lu's side.
Because of Li Yao's illness which required constant care, Aunt Wang could only miss this New Year's Eve dinner with regret.
Auntie An and Auntie Mei were graciously allowed by Mrs. Lu to sit at the table near the end. For this occasion, Auntie An made an effort to apply the fragrance of Suhexiang incense, which Li Ming liked. However, she applied too much, and even though Li Xia sat two seats away, the scent made her want to sneeze, so she had to fan it away.
Li Shan kept an eye on Li Ming during the meal. Seeing that he ate with satisfaction, she smugly glanced at Li Xin, thinking her management of the kitchen was far superior.