Chapter 19 Second Uncle’s House

Chapter 19: The Second Uncle’s Family

The weather had been dismal lately—though the snowfall was light, it drifted down sporadically, making the air raw and chilly.

Normally around this time, Jian Ru’s legs would ache severely, making it hard for him to sleep at night.

But ever since Second Young Master applied that medicinal paste for him the day before yesterday, the pain had eased considerably.

The medicine was to be applied once every three or four days for three or four months, stopping when the weather warmed up. Then, when winter returned the following year, the treatment would resume.

Second Young Master explained that if they kept this up for two years, combined with staying warm daily and receiving acupuncture and massage, the leg pain would gradually improve.

Jian Ru found it a bit troublesome, and the medicinal ingredients weren't easy to gather completely. But Second Young Master said, “Being able to cure an illness is a great fortune—we should naturally do our best. There are many illnesses that can’t be cured no matter how much effort or expensive medicine is used.”

When he said this, his expression showed no gloom, but Jian Ru felt a bittersweet pang hearing it. At that moment, his legs were covered with hair-thin acupuncture needles, so he didn’t dare move. Softly, he called Second Young Master’s name, “Jin Tong.”

Li Jintong heard him, glanced over, carefully avoiding the needles on his legs as he moved closer.

“Are you cold?” Second Young Master asked.

Jian Ru shook his head. He reached out, tugged at Second Young Master’s robe sleeve, and shook it gently. “Lean down,” he said.

Li Jintong looked at him with his beautiful eyes, leaned down, and Jian Ru lifted his head slightly, planting a soft kiss on his cheek.

After kissing him, Jian Ru blushed and turned his eyes away, too embarrassed to look at him.

Li Jintong was momentarily stunned, then lowered his eyelids, touched the spot on his cheek where he’d been kissed, and smiled as he looked down.

After the acupuncture session, Li Jintong massaged a few acupoints for Jian Ru before finishing up.

By then, Jian Ru was already drowsy.

Second Young Master got out of bed to blow out the candle. By the time he returned to bed, Jian Ru was fast asleep.

Second Young Master took off his outer robe, slipped under the covers, and pulled the quilt up higher for Jian Ru. The bed was warm and cozy. He lay down, closed his eyes, and let out a comfortable sigh.

As if remembering something, he glanced at his young husband sleeping beside him, smiled again, then closed his eyes and fell asleep as well.

…

The next morning, after breakfast, Madam Li bustled around the courtyard, directing people to load two large trunks onto the carriage. She then gave Jin Feng and Jin Tong a long list of reminders before finally letting them leave.

Squire Li’s family also lived in Hexi Town, though not in the town center—their home was in the eastern suburbs.

Their estate was large. Even from a distance, the upturned eaves of the roof and the surrounding red walls were visible. The buildings within the walls were arranged in an orderly yet imposing manner, exuding grandeur.

When Jian Ru visited last time, he had only noticed the opulence—everything seemed lavishly expensive, almost overwhelming to take in. Back then, he had felt both curious and uneasy.

Now, returning with Second Young Master by his side, his feelings were quite different—much calmer and more settled.

Granny Jin sat beside him, lifted the carriage curtain to glance outside, and said, “Today, the eldest and second sons of Squire Li’s family are away on business. Besides the old couple, only the two daughters-in-law and the third son and his wife are home.”

During the ceremony acknowledging his adoptive parents, Jian Ru had met the two older brothers and their wives. At that time, Sun Yushuang was also present, but he hadn’t met the third son—not even on the day he married into the family.

As they approached their destination, Granny Jin earnestly reminded Jian Ru, “When you meet their third son, just greet him politely and keep your distance. Don’t get involved with him.”

Jian Ru was puzzled. Granny Jin whispered, “That family is full of good people, except for that one troublemaker. You’ll understand when you see him. Just remember to stay away from him.”

The carriage rolled up to the vermilion-painted main gate. The gatekeeper had been watching for a while; as soon as the carriage stopped, he hurriedly pushed both doors open and called out, “Eldest Master Li and Second Master Li are here!”

The two carriages rumbled into the courtyard. A man leaning against a stone pedestal, picking his teeth with a toothpick, glanced over. When the carriages stopped and people stepped out, he grinned and approached. “Well, well, my brothers, you’ve finally arrived! My parents sent me early this morning to wait for you.”

From the first carriage, Li Jinfeng and Jin Tong stepped down and greeted the man. Jin Feng patted Li Yingsong’s shoulder a couple of times, mentioning that he hadn’t seen him last time. The man replied lazily, “I was home, but my parents can’t stand the sight of me. Might as well stay out.”

He then looked Second Young Master up and down, smirking. “Marriage sure suits you—you look more spirited than ever!”

Second Young Master responded coolly, offering a polite smile and a nod before letting it drop.

This man was Squire Li’s third son, Li Yingsong, around twenty-three or twenty-four years old, tall and slender with a passable face. The Li family ancestors must have had good looks—anyone related to them was fairly attractive.

After stepping down and exchanging greetings, Second Young Master glanced back anxiously.

Li Yingsong’s eyes also drifted to the second carriage, where a slender young man was being helped down by Granny Jin.

From his angle, he could only see the unblemished side of Jian Ru’s face. His eyes lit up, and his gaze trailed downward, from the smooth neck to the slender waist accentuated by a belt.

But when Jian Ru turned to face him, revealing the other half of his face covered in burn scars, Li Yingsong clicked his tongue in disappointment, looked away, and lost interest.

Servants and maids bustling in the courtyard warmly welcomed the Li family into the main reception hall.

Inside, Squire Li, his wife, and the rest of the family were waiting.

The usual rituals followed—greetings, exchanging gifts, polite refusals—and only after the formalities were everyone seated for tea and conversation.

With Granny Jin guiding him, Jian Ru didn’t make any mistakes.

Squire Li and his wife had a strong resemblance—both kind-faced and plump. They hadn’t met Jian Ru many times, so they weren’t particularly close, but whether out of respect for the Li family or sympathy for Jian Ru’s background, they treated him very well.

After some conversation, Madam urged everyone to move to the dining hall for the meal.

Second Young Master sat beside Jian Ru, and Madam kept serving them food.

“Jin Tong looks much better than before—it’s clear Jian Ru has been taking good care of him,” Madam said warmly, looking at the two.

Second Young Master glanced at Jian Ru beside him. “Jian Ru has been very attentive lately.”

Hearing this, Jian Ru turned to him. “We’re husbands—I’m happy to take care of you.”

Second Young Master smiled at him.

Madam chuckled behind her hand and said to her husband, “I always said Jian Ru’s temperament would suit Jin Tong perfectly. See how well the young couple gets along!”

Squire Li agreed, “They’re a match made in heaven—a perfect pair.”

Everyone at the table laughed and echoed the sentiment.

Li Yingsong absentmindedly joined in the applause, but his eyes roamed over the maids serving nearby. After scanning them twice and seeing the same familiar faces, he yawned boredly.

Beside him, Sun Yushuang listened to the conversation with a sour expression, keeping his head down and eating silently.

Li Yingsong noticed and kicked him under the table, whispering impatiently, “Stop looking so miserable. Did a dog bite off your tongue? Can’t you say something nice?”

Sun Yushuang glanced up, his eyes filled with resentment and anger, but only for a moment. Then he smiled placatingly and said, “Alright, alright, I understand.”

He then looked across the table at Li Jintong and asked with a smile, “It’s been a while since I’ve seen your mother. How has she been lately?”

Whether by coincidence or not, just as he spoke, Second Young Master picked up his teacup to drink, missing his gaze entirely.

Since the question wasn’t directed at anyone specifically, no one answered immediately.

The eldest son promptly responded, "Mother has always been in good health. We appreciate your concern."

Sun Yushuang forced a smile and lowered his eyelids, seemingly deep in thought.

With that, the topic shifted to Madam Li, and then to Jin He’s upcoming return to her in-laws’ home. Madam mentioned that she would see her off at the Li household when the time came.

After the meal, the maids and older serving women cleared away the leftovers. Squire Li’s household had far more attendants than the Li family, so the hosts and guests moved to the flower hall for tea.

The second young master was called to play chess with Squire Li, while the eldest son and the third son of the host family accompanied them.

The remaining group—Madam, the eldest and second daughters-in-law, and Sun Yushuang—stayed behind to chat with Jian Ru.

The eldest daughter-in-law’s eyes lit up when she noticed the jade bracelet on Jian Ru’s wrist. She took his wrist and exclaimed, "This bracelet is truly exquisite! You won’t find anything of this quality at Qingbao Zhai in town."

Jian Ru smiled and said, "It was a gift from Third Sister, who brought it back from the prefectural city."

The eldest daughter-in-law turned to her sister-in-law and remarked, "No wonder! You see, things from the prefectural city are just different from what we have in this small place."

The second daughter-in-law also stood up and came over to admire it, praising the bracelet’s beauty.

Madam observed, "Jin He is such a thoughtful child. She has always been sincere to everyone since she was young, and no one, whether at home or outside, has a bad word to say about her. It’s just a pity that fate has been unkind to her!"

Hearing this, the eldest daughter-in-law sighed and said, "My sister is so devoted and principled. When her husband passed away, her in-laws allowed her to return to her natal home, but she stayed out of respect for her marital bond and compassion for her elderly in-laws, who had no one else to care for them. Though their time as husband and wife was only a year or two, Jin He is devoting much of her life to this."

The second daughter-in-law glanced at Madam and said, "But that’s not entirely fair. They say it takes a hundred years of cultivation to share a boat and ten thousand years to share a pillow. The bond between husband and wife is no ordinary relationship. In-laws are no different from one’s own parents, and serving them is a daughter-in-law’s duty."

Realizing her misstep, the eldest daughter-in-law glanced at her mother-in-law’s expression and, seeing her still smiling, breathed a sigh of relief. She quickly added, "You’re right, sister-in-law. In-laws are just like one’s own parents. Mother, you needn’t worry too much. Third Sister is sincere and kind, and her in-laws will treat her well."

As they chattered away, Sun Yushuang sat silently to the side, only occasionally glancing up at Jian Ru.

After a while, he stood up and said to his mother-in-law with a smile, "When Yingsong returned yesterday, he brought back some pastries made by the long-retired master from Bisheng Fang. I’ll go fetch them for everyone to try."

Madam smiled and said, "Oh, I’ve been craving their lotus seed cakes!"

Sun Yushuang replied cheerfully, "I’m sure they’re included. I’ll bring them right away."

Madam nodded in approval, and the others continued their conversation.

Sun Yushuang left the flower hall but did not head to his own room. Instead, he headed for the tea room where his father-in-law and the others were playing chess.