Exile with Storage Space: Family Fortunes in the Barren Lands-Chapter 540 - 502: Mother-in-law Treats Me Extremely Well (1)_2
The shopkeeper described Lou Chengye’s appearance and also Li Xingsheng’s appearance.
"A teenage boy, around fourteen or fifteen, fair-skinned, a bit chubby, wearing a gray fox fur hat. Accompanying him is a young man, about twenty years old, very handsome, dressed in a black cloak." The shopkeeper gestured with his hand, "That man in the black cloak is quite tall, half a head taller than me."
This was indeed Lou Chengye and Li Xingsheng, both from the household.
But why did the chief steward say they didn’t buy any charcoal?
The gatekeeper had no choice but to return to the mansion to relay the message.
The chief steward of the Lou family was even more puzzled, "The Fifth Young Master went to buy it?"
"They said it was bought by the lady for the Fifth Young Madam, and the Fifth Young Master picked the charcoal and had it sent over," the gatekeeper said.
The steward couldn’t figure out the relationship here and decided to go to the mansion gate to have a look.
In front of the mansion gate, there was a long line of ox carts loaded with charcoal.
The spectacle was so grand that it attracted many passersby to come and watch.
Some praised the quality of the charcoal, while others marveled at the Lou Mansion’s generosity, buying five cartloads of charcoal at once.
The shopkeeper smiled and said, "It’s not just these five carts, there are two times as many. We don’t have many carriages at home, so we can only make three trips."
Some said that there are many people in the Lou family, so it’s normal to buy more and store it for New Year’s.
The shopkeeper, however, laughed and said, "These weren’t bought for the mansion, they were specially bought by Lady Lou for the Fifth Daughter-in-law. She said the Fifth Young Madam is afraid of the cold, and Lady Lou sympathizes with her and decided to buy more."
The onlookers were surprised, "Lady Lou really cares for her daughter-in-law, buying so much at once."
"I’ve never seen other mothers-in-law showing such concern for their daughters-in-law; Lady Lou is truly kind."
"Indeed. I’ve lived to seventy-eight and this is the first time I’m seeing a mother-in-law buy so much charcoal for her daughter-in-law."
"Who says that mother-in-law and daughter-in-law far away can’t get along well? Look at how kind Lady Lou is to her daughter-in-law."
The onlookers chattered about how good Lady Lou was, forcing the steward to accept the delivery.
If they didn’t accept it, wouldn’t that imply Lady Lou wasn’t good to the Fifth Young Madam?
The chief steward Lou had no choice but to say, "Send it to the storeroom!"
The shopkeeper beamed, "Alright." He called to the ox-cart drivers behind him, "Follow me."
According to tradition, the main gate was for official palanquins and carriages; the side gate was for the mansion’s servants.
The corner gate in the alley was for deliverymen.
The shopkeeper led the workers, driving the ox carts into the alley beside the Lou Mansion.
The corner gate was open, and Housekeeper Lou arranged for the workers to carry the baskets of charcoal to Li Yu En’s Lotus Fragrance Courtyard. 𝘧𝘳𝘦ℯ𝓌𝘦𝒷𝘯𝑜𝑣𝘦𝓁.𝒸𝘰𝓂
Li Yu En returned from Old Lady Lou’s place and didn’t go anywhere else, just stayed in her room eating and sleeping, chatting with Second Lady Liu, Er Niu, and San Niu.
Upon hearing the noise outside, they all ran out to see.
They saw about a dozen young servants, carrying baskets of charcoal over.
A steward of the Lou Mansion walked over and said, "Fifth Young Madam, these are the charcoal bought by the lady. Some are first being delivered to your courtyard, and the rest are stored in the storeroom. Ask someone to fetch more when you’ve used them up."
Second Lady Liu was puzzled why Lady Lou suddenly became so kind.
Li Yu En smiled and said, "Understood."
Receiving a gift from her mother-in-law, she had to go and give thanks.
Li Yu En asked Second Lady Liu to stay at home and watch the servants carrying charcoal, and she took Er Niu to the main house to see Lady Lou.
Lady Lou was talking with a female relative when a maid came in to report that Li Yu En had arrived.
Lady Lou didn’t like this Fifth Daughter-in-law, and upon hearing Li Yu En’s name, her expression darkened.
Considering the relative’s presence, she couldn’t get angry, so she just said, "Let her in."
Li Yu En entered the room and saw another woman present. After curtsying to Lady Lou, she gave a slight nod to the woman, "So Third Aunt is here as well."
This was Prefect Lou’s sister.
Li Yu En had met her on the day of the wedding banquet.
Third Aunt Lou’s son had been helped by Prefect Lou to secure a position in Zhen An Prefecture, and he had brought his family along.
Third Aunt Lou was grateful to her brother and sister-in-law for their care and also came to check on their mother, who had caught a cold, bringing gifts to the family today.
However, Lady Lou didn’t quite like this sister-in-law.
Third Aunt Lou smiled and gestured to Li Yu En, "Rise."
Li Yu En thanked her and smiled, "I came to thank Mother."
Lady Lou was baffled, thank her for what? With a relative present, she didn’t want to ask more, so she just said blandly, "No need to thank me, we’re family."
Li Yu En smiled and said, "No, of course, I must thank you, because Mother is so concerned about me, sending me seven thousand five hundred pounds of charcoal, all smokeless. My husband and I no longer worry about the cold nights. Mother-in-law, you are so kind!"
Lady Lou took a sip of cool air.
When did she give Li Yu En seven thousand five hundred pounds of charcoal?
What nonsense was Li Yu En saying?
At this moment, the chief steward Lou came in and said from outside, "Madam, the charcoal from Chen’s Charcoal Shop has been delivered to the Fifth Young Master’s courtyard, and the rest is all stored in the warehouse."
Third Aunt Lou laughed, "Rumor has it that Sister-in-law doesn’t care about the Fifth Nephew’s wife, but I think that’s all nonsense. Sister-in-law clearly cares for the Fifth Nephew’s wife."
"Yes, it’s all rumors; my mother-in-law is very kind to me," said Li Yu En, also smiling.
Lady Lou’s face blushed and then went pale, and she took advantage of the opportunity to say, "Of course, those are just rumors. How could I not be good to my daughter-in-law? This charcoal really is meant for the fifth couple."
Seven thousand five hundred pounds!
Who caused the delivery of such a large amount of charcoal?
The steward then asked outside, "Madam, should the cost of the charcoal be put on account, or should we pay cash?"
"Pay cash, it’s only a hundred taels of silver," Lady Lou said.
"Understood, Madam," the steward replied and left.
Li Yu En smiled and thanked her again, "Thank you very much, Mother."
Lady Lou looked at her, rubbing her temples, "No need to thank me, it’s just a small matter. You should go rest now."
Li Yu En nodded her agreement and was about to turn away when Third Aunt Lou called her with a smile, "Fifth Nephew’s wife, wait a moment."
