It seemed that Shen Li also understood that the person in front of her must be the second young master of the Hua Mansion, her cousin. This cousin had secretly come to see her once on his birthday when they were kids. But later on, because they lived far apart, they had never seen each other again.
Shen Li also smiled sweetly: "Hello, cousin. From now on, I will be living in the Hua Mansion permanently. You have to take good care of me!"
The second young master's smile became even wider. He almost showed all his teeth.
He gave Shen Li a package: "These are things that people have given me over the years, or things that I saw and thought were nice and bought. There are also some gold and silver jewelry that the Emperor has bestowed upon me. I've all left them for you, cousin."
Shen Li took this heavy package. Her heart felt heavy. It turns out that the people in the Hua Mansion were all so nice to her. This was what family was.
When she saw Shen Li's eyes getting moist, the old madam quickly patted the second young master's back: "Hua Rong, look at you. You almost made your cousin cry. Hurry up and bring her to sit down. Let's have a good meal?"
Upon hearing this, Hua Rong quickly looked at Shen Li. He saw that her eyes were indeed red. He was at a loss as to what to do. He quickly took out his handkerchief and gave it to Shen Li: "Cousin, if there's anything I've done badly, you tell me. Cousin will definitely reflect on myself. A good man from the Hua Mansion cannot make a woman from the Hua family cry."
The way Hua Rong said this seriously made Shen Li unable to help but laugh. She took the handkerchief and wiped her eyes hard.
"How would cousin make me cry? It's not that you've done badly. It's because you've done too well. Really, thank you, and also grandmother."
Upon hearing this, the old madam couldn't help but cry. She naturally thought of how Shen Li didn't have a good life in the Shen family. She patted her own leg, looking like she regretted: "I shouldn't have believed their words at that time. No matter how difficult it was, I should have brought you back to the Hua Mansion..."
The old madam choked and couldn't say a word. Shen Li was also holding back her tears. She shook her head: "Grandmother, it's not your fault. You didn't know anything..."
How could Hua Rong watch the two women he was closest to cry? He was so anxious that he was about to jump. He looked like he was scratching his head and ears. In the end, both the old madam and Shen Li stopped crying and laughed.
The old madam pointed to the table full of dishes and said: "Let's eat! Don't mention these things. Let's have a good reunion dinner."
Just like this, the night passed in the warmth of the family. These days, under Shen Li's management, the economy of the entire Hua Mansion had improved. Even the deficit that had always been there had become income.
However, the weather in Yangzhou had become even worse. It had been raining heavily for several days. Many houses in Yangzhou had been washed away. Even the few bridges that had been repaired had been washed away.
Hua Rong returned home worried. When he saw his grandmother and Shen Li chatting and laughing, he couldn't help but remind them: "You guys don't go out recently. Oh right, cousin Li, you can stay here with grandmother. The houses here are the most stable. They won't be washed away."
Shen Li nodded. After getting a reply, Hua Rong left in a hurry.
Grandmother could only smile at Shen Li: "Since your eldest cousin had an accident, your second cousin is the only one supporting the entire Hua family. It's not easy for him. It's a pity for this old woman. I can't do anything. Whether it's your grandfather or your uncle, even now your cousin, I can only watch and silently pray for them."
Although the old madam was smiling, there was infinite pain in her smile. She had experienced the death of her husband and son. She had been tortured by the years and had lost her appearance. But she could still live strongly. She was indeed a person worthy of Shen Li's admiration.
She could only tightly hold the old madam's hand to give her strength. The old madam still smiled and put a string of Buddhist beads in her hand on Shen Li.
"This string of Buddhist beads was specifically blessed from the temple. It can protect you from harm. Now, I only ask that I burn more incense and do good deeds. Then, I hope that the Hua family can be safe."
The Buddhist beads had a faint sandalwood fragrance. Thinking that the old madam ate vegetarian food and chanted scriptures every day, she must have been wearing it. Shen Li covered it well with her sleeve. She secretly made up her mind that she must keep it well.
Looking at the rain that didn't stop outside, the old madam also sighed with emotion: "I don't know how many people will be affected by this natural disaster. After it's over, I have to personally bring you to the temple to meet the master. Also, it might be necessary for you to worry about the matter of opening the granary to distribute food."
Shen Li nodded. She thought that grandmother was really kind. But thinking of the Emperor's unpredictable attitude, Shen Li was a little worried. She sighed and still asked: "Grandmother, have you never thought of revitalizing the Hua family again? The Hua family was once a prominent family of generals!"
There was clearly a hint of hesitation in Old Madam Hua's eyes. Her hesitant expression even more affirmed Shen Li's guess. As long as she tried harder to persuade, there was hope for the revival of the Hua Mansion.
"Grandmother, do you think that the good men of our Hua family not only died on the battlefield but also died with regret in their hearts? They definitely don't want to see the decline of the Hua family or even its destruction!"
These words were very heavy. When Old Madam Hua heard them, she couldn't help but cough violently. Tears welled up in her eyes.
"Li'er, my good granddaughter. I know that you're doing this for the good of the Hua family. How could I not want the revival of the Hua family? But how difficult it is for the Hua family to revive now. Moreover, the Emperor is still staring at our Hua family! He's just waiting for one day to give our Hua family a fatal blow!"
In the past, the entire Hua family had shed blood and sacrificed themselves for the Emperor without a single complaint. Now, however, they were thinking of ways to get rid of the Hua family.
Shen Li held Old Madam Hua's hand. She could clearly feel the temperature of her fingertips. She looked at Old Madam Hua firmly: "Grandmother, do you trust me? I said that I can slowly revive the Hua family with my cousin!"
These words were sonorous and powerful. Clearly, in Old Madam Hua's eyes, she was just a child. But for some reason, she made people feel like they could trust her and rely on her.
Old Madam Hua hesitated for a long time. In the end, she didn't say anything to stop her. She sighed. After all, this was the world of the young people now. She was old. It was time for her to let go and let them fight.
Old Madam Hua was a little hunched. She entered her bedroom alone, leaving Shen Li alone in the hall.
Shen Li quickly called out to the old woman who was about to leave: "Grandmother is going to rest?"
The old woman turned around and smiled kindly: "Based on my experience of accompanying the old madam for so many years, she has acquiesced to what you said. You must just be careful when you do things."
When she saw that the old woman was also sincere, Shen Li nodded more sincerely: "Don't worry. Then, I'll go and be busy. Take good care of grandmother for me."
The rain was still falling. Shen Li didn't dare to go out. She waited for her cousin to come home in the front hall.
It was until the gatekeeper reported: "Miss cousin, Miss cousin. It's almost nightfall. The young master has finally returned." This voice woke Shen Li up from her sleep. Perhaps she was too tired. She fell asleep unconsciously while waiting.