"Of course, that would be hasty. My father returns to his family, but that Li family son is still in the Shi family's care. How do you plan to introduce them to the outside world?"
Jiang Dafuren looked at Li Wuya silently and then at the rest of the Li family, who remained silent. It seemed she was starting to understand why the Li family was hesitant about acknowledging their relation.
Li Changsen's family clearly had reservations about Shi Zhengkun's presence. This insight prompted Jiang Dafuren and the others to turn to each other, seeking help from one another.
It was evident that Li Changsen's family wasn't enthusiastic about the recognition.
This point wasn't lost on Shi Nian and Xu Mama. They too realized that Li Wuya's family had their doubts about this whole situation. It was clear now that Li Changsen's family was struggling with this.
This realization was a turning point. Up until now, the Li family had been relatively silent, unable to pinpoint what felt off. But now, with Li Wuya's words, the pieces fell into place.
It made sense.
If the Li family child also stayed in the Shi family, what would be the point of their return? Were they returning to be a comparison, a display of the Shi family's successful upbringing?
Jiang Dafuren went silent. She could see that dealing with Li Wuya, the youngest member of the Li family, would be the most challenging. However, this girl was perceptive and sharp in her reasoning.
Although Jiang Dafuren realized that this family was being difficult from the perspective of the Jiang family and the Shi family, she also recognized that they were all quite intelligent.
Jiang Dafuren was well aware of the complexities and nuances within aristocratic families. If Li Changsen's family simply returned to the Shi family like this, even with the support of Jiang Dafuren, they might not have an easy time.
However, when she thought about her husband's attitude, the difficulties both the Jiang and Shi families were facing, and the need for Shi Zhengkun to integrate into the realm of civil officials, Jiang Dafuren sighed.
They needed Shi Zhengkun.
After a moment of contemplation, Jiang Dafuren smiled and responded, "Of course, you're right. It was hasty. While your father returns to us, that Li family son is still here with the Shi family. How do you plan to introduce them to the world?"
"Absolutely, your father is from the Shi family, and when your family returns to us, we will certainly make amends."
Li Wuya smiled and said, "I understand. So, you mean both sons are wanted by the Shi family?"
Seeing that both the Jiang family and Shi Nian and Xu Mama remained silent, Li Wuya looked at the pastries on the tea table and picked one up. Taking a bite, she continued, "Mmm, delicious. These pastries, we've never even seen them, let alone tasted them."
Though Jiang Anbang didn't quite understand why Li Wuya suddenly switched to discussing food, he felt sorry for her and promptly responded, "If you like them, I'll have someone buy more immediately. We'll get you plenty."
Li Wuya shook her head and smiled, "It's not about the food. It's about how one's upbringing shapes their perspective."
"Beijing, the emperor's city, is undoubtedly more prosperous than Rongcheng. These pastries might be considered top-notch desserts here, but in Beijing, even the servants in a marquis's mansion might not eat them."
"You see, even in something as simple as food, there's such a stark difference, let alone other aspects."
"The marquis's mansion wants to keep the Li family son and bring my father over. One is a well-bred young master with a carefully cultivated upbringing, while the other is a struggling military household, teetering on the edge of survival. Two completely different lives under the same roof. Do you think my father will have a good life?"
At Li Wuya's words, the faces of the Jiang family and Shi Nian and Xu Mama changed.
Li Changsen's lips tightened further, and Li Sanlang's eyes flickered.
Before, they had been silent because they sensed something was amiss. Now, thanks to Li Wuya's words, they suddenly understood.
And it was true.
If the Li family son also stayed with the Shi family, what were they returning for? To act as a comparison? To showcase the Shi family's success in upbringing?
Jiang Dafuren pondered for a moment. She was beginning to realize that dealing with Li Wuya, this young girl, would be the most challenging. However, the girl's insights were also the most profound.
After considering her response, Jiang Dafuren smiled and said, "You're turning eleven this year, right?"
Li Wuya nodded.
Jiang Dafuren continued, "You're not too young now. You should be able to understand the intentions of your grandparents, don't you think?"
Li Wuya chuckled, "Madam Jiang, you're overestimating me. Our family is not very bright. Some things, we just can't understand."
Jiang Dafuren was momentarily taken aback but decided to be more direct, saying, "Even if you raise a dog or a cat, over time, you develop affection for them. So how much more so for a person?"
With that, she looked at Li Changsen.
"The affection and care of more than thirty years cannot be easily discarded. Children should understand their elders' intentions and not force them to make choices."
"Madam Jiang!"
Suddenly, Li Wuya's voice raised, and when Jiang Dafuren looked at her, she spoke with a hint of coldness, "You have your stance, and we have ours. It's understandable that we advocate for our respective perspectives. However, using moral coercion here is not appropriate, is it?"
She paused and continued, her tone determined, "Furthermore, who are the elders? Have we ever met the Marquis and Marquisess? Besides the thin thread of blood relation, what connection do they have with my father?"
"When my father was oppressed by the Li family, where were they? When my father was fighting on the battlefield, where were they?"
"My father has come this far through his own efforts. He has no connection whatsoever with the Marquis's mansion."
"They come in, and the first thing they say is that my father is their son. Must we acknowledge it just to ease their conscience? Must we compromise ourselves for their peace of mind?"
"Or do you believe that because the Marquis's mansion and the Jiang family are superior, we, a humble family, should be grateful and subservient?"
Jiang Dafuren stared at Li Wuya, not because she was scared, but because she was taken aback. In her understanding, no junior would dare to speak so audaciously to their elders. This was indeed a rare sight!
Jiang Anbang and the others hadn't expected Li Wuya to suddenly become so assertive, leaving them somewhat stunned.
Li Erya was the first to react. She stepped forward and lightly tapped Li Wuya's head, saying, "What kind of talk is that? Guests are guests. Do you treat guests like this?"
She turned to look at Jiang Dafuren. "Madam Jiang, please don't take offense. We come from a small family, and sometimes when we're anxious, our voices get louder. But you're an adult, and you surely won't hold it against a child, right?"
Thinking about her husband's instructions, Jiang Dafuren suppressed her anger for the greater good and responded, "Your grandmother gave birth to twins in Rongcheng initially. Due to your father's poor health, he was left in the Jiang family and raised there."
"What?!"
"Are you joking?"
Both Li Sanlang and Li Wuya voiced their dissatisfaction.
Li Wuya stood up directly, her voice full of incredulity, "My father has poor health? Take a good look, does my father look like someone with poor health?"
The Jiang family glanced at Li Changsen. His robust and tall figure certainly didn't match the description of someone with poor health.
Li Sanlang furrowed his brow and said, "Are you trying to deceive us? Or are you just using us as an excuse? If this matter is found out, our entire family will be seen as liars."
Li Wuya was furious as well, "If you're making up excuses, at least come up with something believable. You're so careless. You've had a son raised outside for over thirty years, only to bring him back after he's married and has children. Do you think others are fools?"
"And besides, we're living people. I doubt the Jiang family has the ability to completely erase the traces of our life on the border. A little inquiry, and anyone would know this is a lie."
"Raised in the Jiang family? Hmph, such an obvious lie. How dare you even utter it?"
Jiang Dafuren was both angry and embarrassed by the probing questions, but for the sake of the situation, she held back her emotions and said, "Alright, it's true that saying they were twins was a mistake. Let's not say they were raised in the Jiang family either. Let's just say they were raised outside. Will that work?"
Li Wuya chuckled, "Raised outside? Are you trying to make my father out to be a bastard? Are you planning to let him live his entire life as a source of shame for us?"
Jiang Dafuren was truly exasperated, "Could you please stop harping on every minor detail? People in the capital are not so nosy. It's not as if you're celebrities. Nobody will pay attention to your affairs, and certainly no one will investigate so thoroughly."
Even Li Erya couldn't stand this anymore, "What do you mean by minor details? This is our life, our existence. You can't spin a lie and expect us not to care? Is this how you usually handle family matters, by being this clueless?"
Jiang Dafuren, in her frustration, slammed her hand onto the table with a loud "thud".
First, Li Wuya had stood up against her, and now it was Li Erya. These two young girls were certainly audacious.
"What are you doing? It's as if someone's begging you to recognize the relationship. Both of you..."
Worried that Jiang Dafuren might say something irretrievable, Jiang Er, and Xu Mama quickly stepped forward to intervene.
"Calm down, Madam Jiang. These two little girls are even younger than our youngest granddaughter. You're an adult; you shouldn't lower yourself to their level."
After Jiang Dafuren was calmed down, Li Changsen, who had been silent all along, suddenly stood up and, with an expressionless face, said to them, "You can leave now. The Marquis's mansion is too unreachable for us."
With that, he walked out of the room without another word.
Seeing Li Changsen leave, the Jiang family and Shi Nian, Xu Mama, and others were dumbfounded.
Li Jin'e chased after Li Changsen. As for the Li siblings, they remained seated without any movement.
Li Sanlang approached the table where a lavish feast was set. He said, "While this feast might be a bit extravagant, we can still manage to afford it with some effort. We don't need to compromise ourselves and seek the favor of others."
Li Wuya also stood up, "My father has already made his stance clear. You can leave now. Our family is small, and you need not come over again in the future."