That evening, Li Ye went with Pei Wencong and Luo Runbo to Fu Guiru's courtyard. After entering, Li Ye saw Fu Guiru, his older sister Li Yue, and his younger sister Fu Yiruo.
Because of the shares, Older Sister had skipped lunch and rushed over to Fu Guiru's place to "seek an audience with Her Majesty Mother." Now she was lowering her head and wiping away tears, while little Fu Yiruo attended her at the side, handing her handkerchiefs.
Meanwhile, Mother Fu Guiru sat upright nearby, neither sad nor pleased, her face utterly calm.
Li Ye said helplessly, "Mother, I was the one who wanted to give those shares to Older Sister. Why did you make her cry again?"
Fu Guiru shot Li Ye a cold glance. "How do you know I scolded her? Since you're so generous, why should I, her mother, play the villain?"
Li Ye looked at Li Yue, whose face was covered in tears, and began to suspect that Mother was telling a lie. Fu Guiru might be a strong woman, but like Grandma Wu Juying, she favored sons over daughters.
Fu Guiru laughed in exasperation. "Your sister didn't want the shares. I told her they were her reward for looking after you in my place for more than ten years, a gift from me. She cried because she was moved."
"Ah? Hahaha~"
Realizing he had misunderstood, Li Ye hurriedly laughed. "Heh heh, then I wronged you, Mother. I just think money can never be fully earned, nor can it ever be fully spent. But there are only so many close relatives in this world. Compared with family affection, money counts for nothing."
"Hmph~"
Fu Guiru snorted coldly, then said to Li Yue and Fu Yiruo, "Did you hear that? Having a brother and elder brother