CHAPTER 196: CHAPTER 194 PROVE ONE’S ABILITY (2)

Liu Laoda, feeling embarrassed by Li Yuzhu’s persuasion, said, "Since Miss Li said so, I’ll tell my daughters to address you correctly."

"Is it such a big deal?" Li Yuzhu waved her hand dismissively.

However, Liu Da Niu continued to call Li Yuzhu "Miss Li," and Li Yuzhu, unable to persuade her otherwise, let her be.

Liu Da Niu had been slapped, but fortunately, the baby was unaffected, and everything was normal.

Her face injury wasn’t too severe either.

Li Yuzhu prepared some topical medication and said, "Soak a cloth in cold water and apply it first, then apply the ointment; you’ll be fine in a couple of days."

Lady Liu then called Liu Si Niu to quickly fetch a cloth.

The young girl ran swiftly and soon brought a cloth, but it was dry.

This angered Liu Laoda again, "Useless thing, don’t you have a brain? It needs to be soaked in water."

Liu Si Niu stood there, bewildered, holding the cloth, unsure of what to do.

Li Yuzhu took her aside and instructed, "Put this cloth in the basin, scoop some cold water and soak it, then bring it to your sister to apply to her face."

The young girl understood this time and turned back to the kitchen.

She soon returned with the basin.

This time, she did it right, so Liu Laoda said nothing.

Li Yuzhu wrung the cloth dry and applied it to Liu Da Niu’s face, "Once the cloth becomes warm, soak it in cold water again, and repeat a few times. After about the time it takes to drink a bowl of tea, dry your face and then apply this ointment."

She then took a small porcelain box from her cloth bag and placed it in Liu Da Niu’s hand.

Liu Da Niu thanked her repeatedly, taking a string of coins from her pocket and putting it in Li Yuzhu’s hand.

Li Yuzhu only took twenty coins.

This made the Liu Family very grateful.

"It’s not made from expensive herbs, so it doesn’t cost much," she said with a smile.

Liu Si Niu looked at the small porcelain box in Liu Da Niu’s hand with envy.

An idea flashed through Li Yuzhu’s mind, and she said to Liu Laoda and Lady Liu, "Uncle Liu, Aunt Liu, I have a request. I wonder if you’re willing."

"Oh, Miss Li, if you have something to say, just say it. You’ve helped our family a lot. No need for pleasantries—just tell us." Liu Laoda replied heartily.

Li Yuzhu pointed at Liu Si Niu, "I quite like this child. My second sister’s shop was rented today, and she needs someone to help out. If Uncle Liu and Aunt Liu trust us sisters, how about I take Si Niu to help my second sister? She’ll be provided with three meals a day. If my sister returns home, we’ll send her back. My sister lives at the shop, so she’ll stay there too, and we’ll pay her a wage."

This was a great opportunity!

Liu Laoda was immediately delighted, "We trust your family. I’m just worried that this girl is clumsy and slow-witted and might cause trouble."

Lady Liu said, "Wages are not an issue; provide her with three meals and teach her some manners."

Liu Laoda was happy because a girl sitting idle at home could now go elsewhere, saving the family quite a bit of food.

Lady Liu thought that the Li family’s girls were all well-educated and articulate; bringing this simple-minded daughter along might help her learn manners, improving her prospects for marriage.

Both had no objections, and Liu Si Niu was also excited.

Liu Da Niu urged Liu Si Niu to thank her quickly.

The young girl timidly but happily said, "Thank you."

Li Yuzhu smiled, "In that case, I’ll take her back with me now."

Lady Liu said, "It’s already noon, and it’s delaying your lunch at home. Have lunch here before you leave."

Unable to refuse such hospitality, Li Yuzhu agreed with a smile.

Lady Liu called Liu Er Niu to prepare lunch.

Liu Da Niu picked out two sets of clothes for Liu Si Niu and even altered one of her own nearly-new dresses for her, instructing her to behave well at the Li family.

The young girl was excited, "I understand, big sister."

After having lunch at the Liu Family, Li Yuzhu took Liu Si Niu and left.

With a new life ahead, and no longer having to listen to her parents’ scoldings daily, the young girl became much more lively and even dared to speak to Li Yuzhu proactively.

Li Yuzhu looked at her and asked, "Si Niu, do you know why you get scolded every day?"

This was a complex question, and Liu Si Niu, just over seven years old, thought for a while but couldn’t figure it out.

She shook her head, "I don’t know."

Li Yuzhu said, "Because you can’t do anything, and your parents think you’re worthless."

Liu Si Niu stopped smiling and looked at Li Yuzhu, "Elder sister said I’ll learn a lot of things from Sister Yuzhu, and you’ll teach me to work, right?"

Li Yuzhu nodded, "Of course, I’ll teach you, but you have to learn seriously. Once you have skills and can earn money yourself, your parents won’t look down on you and won’t scold or hit you."

Liu Si Niu nodded earnestly, "I understand, I’ll study hard."

Upon returning home, Li Yuzhu took Liu Si Niu to the North Courtyard to meet the Princess Consort Luling.

She unexpectedly saw the Xue Family being punished by kneeling.

However, Li Yuzhu only glanced at her indifferently and walked past without saying anything.

Liu Si Niu, on the other hand, was curious and took several glances at the Xue Family.

This infuriated the Xue Family.

Once inside the main house, Li Yuzhu expressed her thoughts to the Princess Consort.

The Princess Consort carefully looked Liu Si Niu over and noticed that although the girl seemed timid, she was clean and tidy, with a clever glint in her eyes. With proper guidance, she thought, the girl would become quite capable.

"I think it’s feasible. Arrange for her to stay, and take her to Yu En," the Princess Consort said.

Having received approval, Li Yuzhu was pleased. She told the bewildered Liu Si Niu, "This is my mother; you should call her Aunt. She praised you."

Liu Si Niu followed Liu Da Niu’s home advice and curtseyed to the Princess Consort, "Aunt Li."

The Princess Consort was even more delighted, "Good child, go and rest first."

Li Yuzhu took Liu Si Niu to the room where she and the Great Princess and Second Princess stayed.

In the room, there was a wooden board that Liu Da Niu used as a bed when she sought refuge at the Li family.

Li Yuzhu took it out and let Liu Si Niu sleep on it for the time being.

The Great Princess recognized Liu Si Niu and asked Li Yuzhu, "Isn’t that Da Niu’s younger sister? Why is she here?"

Li Yuzhu explained her thoughts.

Liu Si Niu called out in a crisp voice to the Great Princess, "Eldest Sister Li."

The Great Princess’s eyebrows rose in delight, "What a good girl." In her joy, she took out five copper coins and gave them to Liu Si Niu, "Use it to buy snacks."

It was the first time Liu Si Niu had ever received money, so she cheerfully called out "Eldest Sister Li" again.

Which made the Great Princess very happy.

She patted Liu Si Niu on the head, "Staying with us sisters, you’ll surely have money to spend in the future."

Liu Si Niu was thrilled, "Okay."